Author: Naija Daily News

By Deborah Nnamdi No fewer than 30 people have been killed following a fresh attack by suspected terrorists on Dutsin Dan Ajiya village in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The assault occurred on Thursday, February 19, 2026, when heavily armed attackers riding on motorbikes reportedly surrounded the village, blocking all exit routes before unleashing violence on residents. The incident came barely 24 hours after the Minister of Defence, Major General Christopher Musa (rtd), visited the state to inaugurate 25 armoured vehicles, surveillance equipment, and drones procured by Governor Dauda Lawal to strengthen security operations. A resident, Malam Yakubu…

Nigeria expended N10.81 trillion on servicing outstanding debt obligations in the first nine months of 2025, according to figures released by the Debt Management Office (DMO). The DMO disclosed that the amount comprised external debt service payments of $3.34 billion, equivalent to N4.49 trillion at an exchange rate of N1,346 per dollar, and domestic debt service payments of N6.32 trillion within the period. The agency further revealed that the country’s total public debt rose to N153.3 trillion ($103.93 billion) as of September 30, 2025, representing a 0.59 per cent quarter-on-quarter increase from N152.4 trillion ($99.66 billion) recorded in June 2025.…

6-3 ruling says President lacked authority to impose sweeping import duties The Supreme Court strikes down Trump tariffs in a major ruling that limits the president’s authority to impose sweeping import duties without clear congressional approval. The 6-3 decision represents a significant setback for Donald Trump’s trade policy and could have major implications for businesses, consumers, and billions of dollars in previously collected tariff revenue. The Supreme Court of the United States on Friday struck down a significant portion of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff agenda, delivering a sharp rebuke to what had become a cornerstone of his economic policy.…

By Deborah Nnamdi A Nigerian national, Adeleke Adelani, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for forcing his former girlfriend to take abortion pills and unlawfully terminating her nine-week pregnancy in County Donegal, Ireland. Adelani was handed an 11-year sentence by Judge John Aylmer at the Central Criminal Court, with the final two years suspended. The court heard that his actions on St Valentine’s Day in 2020 were “extremely premeditated.” According to evidence presented in court, Adelani lured the woman to his home in Letterkenny under the pretext that they would raise the baby together. However, he had already…

By Deborah Nnamdi Hollywood actor Eric Dane, widely known for his roles as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, has died at the age of 53 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His family confirmed that the actor passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. In a statement announcing his death, they said, “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS. He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie…

By Deborah Nnamdi Troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, have arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and recovered drones and other logistics during coordinated operations across Adamawa and Borno states. In a statement issued in Maiduguri, the Media Information Officer of the Theatre Command, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, said troops of Sector 4 under the 28 Task Force Brigade, working alongside local vigilantes and hunters, on Thursday apprehended a 28-year-old suspect, Ismail Muhammed, in the Visik General area of Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The military described the suspect as a logistics supplier to insurgents. Items…

By Deborah Nnamdi A fire outbreak in the early hours of Friday gutted the Fatima Simra Multi-Purpose Market at the Dakata Small Scale and Industry Multi-Purpose Market in Kano, destroying no fewer than 50 shops. The Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incident, stating that the fire started around 5:50 a.m. Firefighters were still battling to contain the blaze as of the time of filing this report. Abdullahi said the extent of the damage had yet to be fully determined, noting that investigations would commence after the fire is completely extinguished. Most of…

The proposed contract terms of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle have surfaced, revealing a comprehensive list of demands ranging from a $130,000 monthly salary to guaranteed 24-hour electricity at his official residence. Chelle, who is in talks with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), reportedly outlined detailed conditions covering welfare, logistics, technical autonomy, and operational structure as part of his agreement to manage the senior national team. Among the key provisions is a request for accommodation in a well-secured environment with uninterrupted electricity supply. According to the proposal, constant power is essential for training analysis, staff coordination, and effective monitoring…

Fresh uncertainty has emerged over Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup aspirations after FIFA released its 2025 CAS & Football Annual Report without any reference to Nigeria’s pending petition against DR Congo. The omission has heightened anxiety among Nigerian football fans, as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is still awaiting a ruling on its complaint alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the African play-off final for the 2026 World Cup. Nigeria lodged its protest on December 15, 2025, following the Super Eagles’ dramatic elimination after a 4–3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo national football team in Rabat last November.…

Photo: Senegal and Morocco fans clash at AFCON final on January 18 Prosecutors in Morocco on Thursday requested prison sentences of up to two years for 18 Senegalese football fans arrested following unrest during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat. According to an AFP journalist present in court, the prosecution urged judges to impose the maximum penalty on some of the defendants, accusing them of deliberately attempting to disrupt the match. The fans have been in pre-trial detention since January 18, the day of the heated AFCON final in which Morocco lost 1-0 to Senegal on…