Month: January 2026

FCT Police launches probe into death of 27-Year-Old Woman in Abuja

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has commenced an investigation into the death of a 27-year-old woman, Miss Esther Akwaji, who was reported missing before being found dead at a hospital in Abuja. Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, said a distress call was received at about 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 22 January 2026, at the Dei-Dei ‘A’ Division from Mr Peter Akwaji, who reported that his sister had left home around 3:00 p.m. the previous day to visit a…

Vandals attack NISWASEC booster pump station in Minna, disrupt water supply

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Suspected vandals have attacked the Niger State Water and Sewage Corporation (NISWASEC) Booster Pump Station located opposite the Police Secondary School in Dutsen Kura, Minna, vandalising critical infrastructure and disrupting water supply to residents of the area. The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Monday, 20 January 2026, between 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., when about ten suspected hoodlums, allegedly armed with dangerous weapons, invaded the facility. During the attack, the assailants assaulted and tied up the station’s watchman before proceeding to vandalise key equipment at the site.…

President Tinubu approves posting of 3 Ambassadors, Turkey yet to be assigned

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the posting of three ambassadors-designate from the list of 68 nominees earlier confirmed by the Senate. The approved postings included Ambassador Ayodele Oke, who has been designated as Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, and Colonel Lateef Are (rtd), who will serve as Ambassador to the United States of America. Also approved is the posting of Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu, a former Nigerian envoy to South Korea, as the High Commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom. In a formal memo addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President…

NAFDAC kicks off nationwide enforcement of sachet alcohol ban

Emporium Reporters

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has begun the nationwide enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. The enforcement followed a directive by the Nigerian Senate mandating the agency to completely halt the manufacture and distribution of sachet alcohol and small-sized bottled alcoholic drinks by December 2025. The resolution stemmed from a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, who cited public health concerns and global best practices.…

Ondo State, FUTA strengthen ties with NASRDA to boost Space Science, Education

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Ondo State Government and the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), have expressed readiness to partner with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to advance space science, technology, and manpower development for sustainable national growth. The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr Olayide Adelami, made this known while hosting the Director General of NASRDA, Dr Matthew Olumide Adepoju, on behalf of the Executive Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, during the Director General’s official visit to the state. Mr Adelami commended Dr Adepoju for his strategic and effective leadership…

Friday Sermon: The Grave Prohibition Of Killing Innocent Souls! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful All praise is due to Allah, who created souls and gave them life, who honoured them through Islam and made them precious, and who threatened those who transgress against them with the Hellfire and its blazing heat. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, alone without partner, and I bear witness that Muḥammad is His servant and Messenger. May Allah’s peace and abundant blessings be upon him. To proceed: Dear brothers and sisters!…

Operation FANSAN YAMMA intensifies offensives, deals fresh blows to terrorists in North West

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), Joint Task Force North West, have sustained aggressive and coordinated military operations against terrorist elements across the region, recording significant operational gains between 21 and 22 January 2026. In one of the key engagements, troops of the 8 Division Garrison Strike Force, supported by assets of the Department of State Services (DSS), conducted a fighting patrol to Gundumi Village in Isa Local Government Area. During the encounter, one terrorist was neutralised, while several others escaped into the surrounding forest with gunshot injuries. The troops…

Chief of Naval Staff showcases Nigerian Navy at DIMDEX 2026, explores cutting-edge maritime technologies

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a strategic move to enhance Nigeria’s maritime capabilities, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), attended the ninth edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026) in Qatar from January 19 to 22, 2026. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and hosted by the Qatar Armed Forces, DIMDEX is the Middle East’s largest exhibition of maritime defence and security innovations. The Nigerian Navy’s participation provided a platform…

CNS Quick Impact Project: Nigerian Navy commissions Mollah Primary Health Care Centre in Adamawa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a decisive step to enhance healthcare access and strengthen civil–military cooperation, the Nigerian Navy has commissioned the Mollah Primary Health Care Centre in Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, under the Chief of the Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project (CNS-SIQIP). The initiative, facilitated by Rear Admiral Kohath Gyelpanyi Levi, is part of the Navy’s sustained efforts to provide people-centred interventions that directly improve the wellbeing of host communities. Prior to the commissioning ceremony, Rear Admiral Levi paid a courtesy visit to the Tol Hulba, His Royal Majesty…

Nigeria Customs pledges support for Africa’s first Defence and Security Exhibition in 2026

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its institutional backing for Africa’s first-ever comprehensive Defence and Security Exhibition, scheduled to be hosted by Nigeria in 2026, described the event as a milestone for the continent’s defence, security and industrial development. The exhibition, tagged the Africa International Defence and Security Exhibition (AFRIDECS), was unveiled during a courtesy visit by the AFRIDECS Steering Committee to the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, 21 January 2026. Leading the delegation, the Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Major General…