Month: January 2026

OPERATION HADIN KAI identifies Shariff Umar as key Coordinator of suicide bombing network in North East

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has announced a major breakthrough in its counter-terrorism operations with the identification of Shariff Umar, also known as Yusuf, as the principal coordinator of suicide bombing activities linked to recent attacks and attempted attacks in Nigeria’s North East. Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI,in a release said the breakthrough followed intelligence-led cordon-and-search operations conducted at the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on 31 December 2025, during which 14 suspects connected to suicide bombing activities were arrested. According…

*Why Senator Abdulaziz Yari Must Address Concerns Over Geregu Power Involvement* By Moses Ademola

Emporium Reporters

In the timeless wisdom of Wangari Maathai, security transcends mere armament; it hinges on upholding dignity and justice for all. True societal advancement demands leadership steeped in transparency, accountability, and unwavering integrity, fostering a collective pursuit of shared values free from the corrosive taint of corruption. Recent developments in Nigeria’s power sector have thrust Senator Abdulaziz Yari into the spotlight, raising profound questions about these very principles. On December 29, 2025, Geregu Power Plc, a flagship electricity generation company listed on the Nigerian Exchange with a market capitalization exceeding ₦2.85…

Group seeks No-Confidence Vote against Finance Minister, Accountant-General over 2025 Budget paralysis

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A civil society organisation, the Civil Rights Network on Accountability (CRNA), has called on the leadership of the National Assembly to pass a vote of no confidence on the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, over what it described as a total failure in implementing the 2025 budget. In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, CRNA accused the two top fiscal officials of presiding over a collapse of budget execution several months into the 2025…

Court orders continued detention of Brazilian Vessel as Customs–NDLEA drug trafficking case deepens

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance against narcotics trafficking following an order by the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for the continued detention of a foreign vessel, MV San Antonio, and its 21 crew members over their alleged involvement in a major cocaine smuggling operation uncovered at the Apapa Port. Justice Friday Nkemakonam Ogazi, ruling on an application filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), granted an extension of the detention of the vessel and its crew for an additional 14 days to…

Customs, NDLEA intercept 30.1kg Cocaine at Apapa Port

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have intercepted 30.1 kilograms of cocaine at the Apapa Port in Lagos, foiling an attempted smuggling operation at the start of the new year.   The seizure was confirmed in a press release issued on Friday, 2 January 2026, by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman. He disclosed that the illicit drug, packaged in 30 slabs, was discovered onboard the MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged…

2026: The Alpha, the Omega and Jagaban’s mandate! By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth.” We start with the well-known first stanza of Robert Frost’s iconic poem, ‘The Road Not Taken.’ With 2026 already upon us, Nigeria itself stands at a crossroads, contemplating which path it must take in transitioning into full nationhood and its accompanying national ethos. Perhaps we should take the road we have avoided for…

New Year, New Threats: Why Online Safety Must Be a Priority in 2026 – Rotimi Onadipe

Lukman Laleye Babalola

As the digital world continues to evolve, so do the tactics of online scammers. With the rise of artificial intelligence, deepfake videos, and voice-cloning technologies, distinguishing between what is real and what is fake online has become increasingly difficult. This reality, according to online safety advocate Rotimi Onadipe, makes internet safety education more important than ever in 2026.   Onadipe, the founder of Stay Safe Online Academy Ltd and publisher of an internet safety magazine, shared this message during the 155th edition of his global internet safety broadcast, held on…

Nigeria Congratulates Haiti on 221st Independence Anniversary

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government of Nigeria has congratulated the Republic of Haiti on the celebration of its 221st Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a powerful symbol of freedom, dignity and self-determination. In a press release issued by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, extended warm congratulations to his Haitian counterpart, His Excellency Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, as well as to the Government and people of Haiti. Ambassador Tuggar noted that Haiti holds a unique and enduring place…

Nigeria felicitates Sudan on 70th Independence Anniversary

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government of Nigeria has congratulated the Republic of Sudan on the occasion of its 70th Independence Anniversary, reaffirming the longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between both countries. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed warm congratulations to his Sudanese counterpart, His Excellency Mohieldin Salem Ahmed Ibrahim, on behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria. Ambassador Tuggar noted that Sudan’s independence represented a significant milestone in the country’s history, reflecting the…

Nigeria commiserates with Switzerland over deadly new year’s day Ski Resort fire

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed deep sorrow over a tragic fire incident at a ski resort in Switzerland that claimed dozens of lives and left several others injured on New Year’s Day. The incident, according to reports, occurred in the early hours of January 1 at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, one of Switzerland’s most exclusive ski destinations.   In a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed heartfelt condolences to…