Month: January 2026

80-Year-Old Ex-Convict rearrested as NDLEA busts drug syndicates, uncovers drugs hidden in mannequins

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has rearrested an 80-year-old ex-convict, Jeremiah Isaiah Nkanta, for alleged involvement in illicit drug trafficking, barely three years after serving a jail term for a similar offence. Nkanta was arrested on Saturday, January 10, 2025, at his residence in Mmanta–Abak village, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, following actionable intelligence. A search of his home led to the recovery of 5.7 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis. The octogenarian was first arrested by the NDLEA in December 2022 and…

Why they must attack Iran, again. And again, by Hassan Gimba

Emporium Reporters

The Arbiter “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient” – Qur’an 2:155   Iran, once known as ancient Persia, is home to 95 million people and boasts a civilisation stretching back 100,000 years. The Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BCE, has been around for over 2,500 years. Spanning a landmass larger than that of Germany, France, the UK, Italy, and Spain combined, Iran stands as…

Nyesom Wike and falling rafters of Rivers By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

Prince Adekunle, the Yoruba Juju music maestro of the 1970s, once sang that a tree which falls in the forest cannot kill someone right inside their home; nor could a fallen rafter kill a bystander in the forest (Igi kìí dá l’óko kó pa ará ilé; àjà kìí jìn k’ó pa èrò ònà). We have found this not to be absolute. The falling tree and rafters of Western Nigeria once killed a bystander First Republic Nigeria. FCT Minister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is a phenomenon. He is someone many love to…

Defence Headquarters marks Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day with Golf Kitty

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Defence Headquarters on Saturday commemorated the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day with a Golf Kitty held at the Tukur Yusuf Buratai International Golf Resort and Country Club, Yar’Adua Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja. The event, organised by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), brought together senior military officers and members of the golfing community in an atmosphere of camaraderie, sportsmanship and unity, as part of activities honouring serving personnel, veterans and fallen heroes of the Nigerian military. Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Defence and Special Guest…

Pro-Democracy group slams Fubara for disrespecting Tinubu, demands resignation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Amid the ongoing impeachment process against Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, a pro-democracy and accountability group, the National Vanguard for Accountable and Transparent Democracy (NVATD), has called on the governor to resign honourably, warning that his actions have plunged the state into political instability. The call followed the decision of 26 out of the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to sign an impeachment notice against the governor. The notice was presented during Thursday’s resumed plenary by the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akuku-Toru I Constituency.…

CP Niger decorates ACP Mansir Bako, redeploys him as Area Commander Naka

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, has decorated ACP Mansir Bako following his promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, during a ceremony held on Friday, 9 January 2026, at the State Police Headquarters, Dutsen-Kura, Minna. The decoration was performed on behalf of the Commissioner of Police by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Aminu Garba, with assistance from DCP Yakubu Isah. CP Elleman congratulated ACP Bako on his promotion and commended him for his dedication, professionalism and commitment to public service, urging…

NiDCOM condoles families of Nigerians killed in UK, Canada

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of two Nigerians killed in separate violent incidents in the United Kingdom and Canada in the early days of 2026. Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the incidents as shocking and deeply troubling while extending heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. She spoke through the Commission’s Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun. Dabiri-Erewa commended the swift response of the UK Metropolitan Police and the Toronto Police…

FCT Police seeks public assistance to reunite missing child with family

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command is seeking the assistance of members of the public to help reunite a missing male child with his family. The child, estimated to be between 10 and 11 years old, was found roaming around the Works and Housing Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja. He was dressed in a white shirt and carton-coloured trousers at the time he was found. According to SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, a good Samaritan brought the child to the Gwarimpa Police Divisional Headquarters on 26 December…

CP FCT receives NBA delegation, assures justice in killing of Abuja lawyer

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, has assured that a discreet and thorough investigation is ongoing into the killing of a legal practitioner, Ms. Princess Ochigbo, whose body was discovered along the Kubwa Expressway, Abuja. CP Dantawaye gave the assurance on Friday, 9 January 2026, when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at the Command Headquarters in Abuja. The delegation comprised representatives of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the NBA Women Forum, and Unity Bar, who were…

FG introduces reusable textbook policy to cut education costs, promote sustainability

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has unveiled a new policy framework aimed at reducing the cost of education for parents, improving learning outcomes, and promoting environmental sustainability through the use of reusable, high-quality textbooks in schools across the country. The policy, jointly issued by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id, formed part of ongoing reforms to reposition Nigeria’s education sector and ease the financial burden on families. Under the new framework, priority is placed on standardised and durable…