Author: Naija Daily News

By Deborah Nnamdi The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has tacitly recognised the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, by admitting its leadership to an official engagement with political parties. The committee, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, was represented at the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party leaders, alongside the PDP’s Acting National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. The meeting is traditionally reserved for national chairmen and national secretaries of all political parties recognised by the commission. INEC’s decision to admit Mohammed and Anyanwu to the…

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted nine members of the same family, including a nursing mother and several children, along the Benin–Akure Road in Edo State, leaving four victims still in captivity. The abduction occurred at about 5 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026, along the Eko-Abeku-Iyowa Road in Evboneka community, when the family was returning home from school. Head of the family, Mr. Festus Bamidele, said the kidnappers later released the nursing mother and her infant after a heavy downpour on the day of the incident. He explained that the family only became aware of the abduction when…

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 59-year-old Chinese national over the alleged rape of a woman at a quarry site in the Kobape area of the state. The incident was said to have occurred on January 25, 2026, at the quarry facility located within the Kobape axis. A senior security officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to address the media, disclosed that the suspect was apprehended following a complaint lodged by the victim. According to the source, the suspect was taken into custody shortly after the allegation was reported, and the case…

Former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), formally registering with the ruling party after weeks of signalling dissatisfaction with his former platform. Confirmation of the move came on Wednesday through his Chief of Staff, Moses Ukeyima, who announced that Suswam completed his APC membership registration in Mbagber Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. According to him, the former governor was enrolled through the party’s ongoing electronic registration exercise and immediately received his membership card. Ukeyima said the registration was processed by state organising secretary…

Detained separatist figure Nnamdi Kanu has formally lodged an appeal challenging his terrorism conviction and multiple life sentences handed down by a Federal High Court in Abuja. In a notice of appeal dated February 4, 2026, Kanu notified the court of his decision to contest both the verdict and the penalties imposed on him across seven counts linked to terrorism and related offences. He was convicted on November 20, 2025, and received five life sentences along with additional prison terms. In the appeal filing, Kanu declared his intention to overturn the ruling, stating that he is dissatisfied with both the…

Photo: Kwara Gov AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Suspected bandits have carried out a deadly raid on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, leaving dozens feared dead, with residents reporting that about 70 victims were buried in a mass funeral on Wednesday. Local sources said the attackers struck Tuesday evening, unleashing violence that forced many villagers to flee into nearby bushes and hideouts. The scale of the casualties only became clearer by the following day when emergency burials were conducted. The Chairman of Kaiama LGA, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi, visited the affected settlements on Wednesday alongside other officials to…

Photo: Ondo Gov Lucky Ayedatiwa Two undergraduates of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, have lost their lives after a swimming pool incident at a hotel where newly admitted students were holding a matriculation party. The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who identified the deceased as Oludere Opeyemi, 22, and Adegbola Blessing, 19. According to the police, the tragedy began on the evening of January 29 when Blessing was discovered unconscious in the hotel’s pool at about 8:00 p.m. The pool manager reportedly pulled the student…

The Nigerian Senate’s rejection of a proposed amendment to make electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) compulsory has triggered sharp and mixed reactions from political parties and electoral reform advocates. The decision was taken during plenary consideration of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2025. The disputed Clause 60(5) sought to mandate presiding officers to electronically transmit results in real time after completing and signing Form EC8A. Senators voted instead to retain the existing 2022 Electoral Act provisions, which do not expressly require electronic transmission. Supporters of the Senate’s decision argued that…

By Deborah Nnamdi New Zealand will increase its adult minimum wage from April 1, 2026, raising hourly pay for workers nationwide as part of the government’s annual minimum wage review. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment announced that the adult minimum wage will rise by 45 cents to $23.95 an hour, up from the current rate of $23.50. The move is aimed at supporting low-income earners while limiting additional cost pressures on businesses. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said the new rate was carefully set to balance worker welfare with business sustainability. She noted that the…

By Deborah Nnamdi At least 13 people were killed on Tuesday afternoon when armed bandits attacked Doma community in the Tafoki area of Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, destroying houses, shops, and vehicles and leaving many residents homeless. The attack, which occurred at about 4:30 pm, came barely five months after a peace agreement was reached in the area. The assailants, armed with weapons including AK-47 rifles, reportedly invaded the community, shooting residents and setting property ablaze before fleeing. Chairman of Faskari Local Government Area, Sirajo Daudawa, described the incident as a suspected reprisal attack, saying the community…