Author: Naija Daily News

Military authorities have intensified operations across forest corridors in southern Kaduna following the mass abduction of worshippers in Kurmin Wali community, as political leaders, religious groups, and civil society organisations condemned the attack and demanded swift action. Multiple security sources confirmed that the attackers were bandits fleeing sustained military offensives in parts of neighbouring Kauru Local Government Area, where troops had recently dislodged armed groups from long-established camps. The camps, located around Gabachua, Legede, and the Agwalla mountain and forest corridors, were said to have served as operational bases for kidnappings, cattle rustling, and violent attacks across southern and central…

Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has secured her third Guinness World Records (GWR) title following a surprise recognition for achieving the world’s largest serving of rice. Guinness World Records confirmed the development after a post-event review of Baci’s 2025 record attempt, which she carried out in collaboration with food brand Gino. According to Guinness, the record-breaking feat was achieved on September 12, 2025, in Victoria Island, Lagos, where Baci and her team prepared a massive 8,780 kilograms of rice. Although the original attempt was aimed at setting a new record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, Guinness later…

The Nigeria Police have arraigned 11 suspects before the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Jabi over the killing of Arise News journalist, Barrister Somtochukwu Maduagwu, and a security guard, Mr Barnabas Danlami, during a violent robbery in Abuja. The suspects were brought before Justice Mohammed Idris on Wednesday, where they pleaded not guilty to a nine-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder. The incident reportedly occurred on September 29, 2025, at Unique Apartments in Katampe Extension, Mabushi, when armed assailants attacked the residential complex. Ms Maduagwu, who was an anchor, reporter, and producer with ARISE…

The renewed paternity controversy involving Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and a teenage girl identified as Anu has once again drawn national attention following a recent social media appeal by the girl requesting the singer to undergo another DNA test. The latest development comes days after Davido publicly rejected the fresh request, insisting that he had already submitted to five DNA tests over the years, all of which returned negative results. According to the singer, three of the tests were initiated by him, while two were conducted at facilities selected by the other party, with all confirming…

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that the reported abduction at Kurmin Wali, a remote community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, did occur, dispelling earlier conflicting accounts that had caused public anxiety. In a statement issued on Tuesday night and signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police explained that its initial reaction was not a denial of the incident but a cautious response pending verification of facts from the field. “The Force understands the fear and anxiety such reports cause to families, residents, and the general public, and treats the safety of…

Five soldiers and a police officer were reportedly killed on Monday after suspected bandits ambushed security personnel near Kekun village in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State. A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attack occurred as the officers were travelling to Gusau after a field operation. According to the source, armed bandits lying in wait along the road opened fire on the convoy as it passed through the area. “The bandits, who were hiding along the road, immediately opened fire when a team of security personnel were passing,” the source said. “Five soldiers and…

Nigeria’s economy is showing strong signs of recovery, with growth now exceeding four per cent, inflation significantly reduced, and renewed interest from both domestic and foreign investors, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, has said. Oduwole made the remarks in an interview with CNN’s Richard Quest on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, where Nigeria House made its debut on the Promenade. She said recent data indicates Nigeria is recording its strongest economic performance in more than a decade. “The growth is over 4% and projected to continue growing strongly by the…

At least five Nigerian soldiers were killed on Tuesday when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a military convoy operating in the Timbuktu Triangle axis of Borno State, security sources have confirmed. The attack also left an unspecified number of troops injured, including two senior officers—a Major and a Lieutenant—who sustained injuries during the incident. A soldier familiar with the operation described the impact as devastating, saying the explosion caused extensive damage to military assets. According to him, the attackers deployed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), driving a car packed with explosives directly into the convoy. “The…

A Cross River State High Court sitting in Calabar has sentenced a 33-year-old man, Okon Effiong, to death for armed robbery, rape and aggravated assault. Justice Blessing Egwu delivered the judgment on Monday, January 19, 2026, after ruling that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Effiong was found guilty of participating in an armed robbery attack carried out on April 27, 2024, along Mount ZionStreet in Calabar South Local Government Area. During the incident, a woman and two minors were sexually assaulted, while valuables were stolen. In her ruling, Justice Egwu held that the offences were aggravated…

A Magistrate Court sitting in Sagamu, Ogun State, has granted bail to Adeniyi Kayode, the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in a fatal road crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that was conveying former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Anthony Joshua, and two of his associates. The court granted the 46-year-old defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with two sureties, and adjourned the case to February 25, 2026, for further hearing. Kayode is standing trial over the accident, which resulted in the deaths of Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, both members of Joshua’s boxing camp. He was arraigned on…