Day: February 2, 2026

Nigerian Navy raids criminal hideout in Apapa, hands over seized drugs to NDLEA

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has raided a notorious criminal hideout in Apapa, Lagos State, leading to the recovery of illicit drugs and other prohibited substances. The operation, which took place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, was carried out at a location known as Gidan Drama in the Agbo Malu area, following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected drug traffickers. During the coordinated raid, naval personnel successfully dislodged criminal elements from the hideout and recovered quantities of cannabis sativa, codeine, and other banned substances. The raid underscored the…

Nigeria, Türkiye sign landmark MoU to boost Diaspora engagement

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria and the Republic of Türkiye have strengthened bilateral relations with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening cooperation on diaspora affairs. The agreement was signed on behalf of Nigeria by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, while Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed for the Turkish government. The signing took place during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Türkiye. Speaking during a visit to Türkiye’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) in Ankara, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in…

Defence Minister Musa engages NIDMECORP on Diaspora’s role in unity, security, leadership

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), has called for stronger collaboration between government institutions and Nigerians in the diaspora to promote national unity, security, and leadership development. General Musa made this call while receiving the International Mentoring Commandant and Ambassador, Alistair, of the Nationals in Diaspora Mentoring Corp (NIDMECORP), during a courtesy visit in Abuja. The meeting focused on the contributions of Nigerians abroad to national development, security awareness, leadership capacity building, and Nigeria’s participation in global policy and investment discussions. Speaking during the engagement, Ambassador…

Nigeria strengthens industrial future with South Korea’s AEDC in strategic EV partnership

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria has taken a decisive step toward becoming a leading hub for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing in Africa, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and the Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC) of the Republic of Korea. The MoU signing ceremony, held recently in Abuja, brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, and international partners, reflecting Nigeria’s commitment to industrialisation, technology transfer, and sustainable economic growth. Delivering the ministerial address, the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator…

FCT Police advises NLC to reschedule planned protest over security concerns

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has advised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), FCT Council, to reconsider and reschedule its planned protest slated for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, citing security concerns. In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, the Command said it was aware of the proposed peaceful demonstration and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens’ constitutional rights to lawful assembly and protest. However, the police disclosed that intelligence reports indicated plans by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria…

APC group urges Tinubu to reshuffle cabinet, accuses Finance Ministers of sabotage

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A prominent faction within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently reshuffle his cabinet, accusing some Ministers of sabotaging government programs and undermining the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections. The group, APC League of Democrats, made the appeal in a statement on Monday, signed by its National Coordinator, Hon. Babajide Oyewole, and Secretary, Chief Rowland Okonkwo. They described the cabinet reshuffle as long overdue, calling for the immediate removal of certain Ministers. “We are seasoned politicians and can read…

NAPTIP raids Onitsha hotel, arrests four human traffickers, rescues 17 victims

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a major crackdown on human trafficking, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raided a popular hotel in Onitsha’s 33 areas, arrested four suspected traffickers and rescued 17 victims, some of whom are underage girls. The operation, carried out with support from the Nigerian Military, also led to the arrest of two individuals allegedly involved in the illegal sale and purchase of babies across the South East region. Alarmingly, four of the rescued victims tested positive for HIV and are now receiving care from…

Insecurity: Niger Information Commissioner seeks unified security communication

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Hon. Obed Nuhu Nana, has called for stronger collaboration and a unified approach to security communication across the state, stressing that insecurity remains a major concern to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago. The Commissioner made this known while receiving a delegation of the Forum of Security Spokespersons in Niger State (FOSSAN) during a courtesy visit to his office. Hon. Nana emphasized that effective, coordinated, and responsible information management is critical to peace, public confidence, and stability in the state. He warned that unverified…

Health Minister Ali Pate urges stronger investment in Science as Nigeria hosts 2026 SPARK Africa Conference

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through its agency, the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), has commenced the 2026 SPARK Africa Translational Research Bootcamp and Scientific Conference in Abuja, with a strong call for increased investment in scientific research and innovation. The week-long programme, which began on Monday, February 2, 2026, is holding at the Lagos/Osun Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, and will run until Friday, February 6, 2026. The initiative is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to translate scientific discoveries into practical healthcare solutions, while…

Idolatry: The Worship of a President By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned over the weekend, swagger intact, despite his tumble in Turkey. His face was calm; his steps steady. His left arm tucked into the left fold of his riga; his right palm expectantly popped into the waiting hands of top appointees lined up to receive him. Ministers and governors do this airport praise-and-worship ritual routinely. From the aircraft steps to his waiting car, Tinubu left no one in doubt: power, in his court, walks with a king’s gait.   ‘American Idolatry: The Worship of a President’…