Author: Naija Daily News

A Senior Special Assistant on Media to Lagos State Governor, Mr Wale Ajetunmobi, has criticized claims circulating on social media that recent fire outbreaks in major Lagos markets were targeted attacks against Igbo traders, describing such narratives as misleading and divisive. Ajetunmobi, reacting in a post on X, said it had become routine for “some individuals from the Southeast” to fabricate ethnic motives around market fire incidents in Lagos, even when investigations and eyewitness accounts point to unsafe trading practices as the primary causes. His comments followed a post by an X user, Obiasogu David (@afrisagacity), who alleged that the…

US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that American forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following overnight air strikes on Caracas and other cities, a development that marks a sharp escalation in the long-running confrontation between Washington and the Venezuelan government. Residents of the Venezuelan capital were awakened around 2:00 am local time by loud explosions and the sound of helicopters as strikes hit several targets, including a major military complex and an airbase. AFP journalists reported that the bombardment lasted for nearly an hour. In a post on his Truth Social platform about two hours after the attacks…

Suspected political thugs on Friday night invaded a popular hotel in the Orazi area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, disrupting a live television interview being aired by Arise TV on the political situation in the state. The incident occurred at about 9:15 pm during a live broadcast of Arise TV’s News Night programme, while a former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa, was being interviewed by the station’s crew within the hotel premises. Eyewitnesses said the attackers, believed to be politically motivated and allegedly armed, stormed the hotel chanting in a local dialect. They…

The Ogun State Police Command has arraigned the driver of a Lexus SUV involved in the fatal road crash that claimed the lives of two associates of former heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua. The defendant, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was brought before a Sagamu Magistrate Court in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State on Friday, January 2, 2026, in connection with the accident. Confirming the development, the Police said Kayode was charged on four counts bordering on traffic and safety violations. The charges include dangerous driving causing death, contrary to Section 5(1) of the Federal Highway Act, Cap F:135,…

Former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has criticized Nigeria’s approach to taxation, warning that raising revenue by placing heavier burdens on poor citizens would weaken economic growth, erode social trust and threaten national unity. In a statement posted on his X account, Obi argued that prosperity cannot be achieved by taxing poverty, insisting that taxation should function as a transparent social contract founded on fairness, honesty and visible public benefit. Drawing from his interactions with leaders of countries that have achieved sustained progress, the former governor said national development begins with broad consensus and clear communication between government and citizens.…

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, has reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections in 2027, disclosing that preparations are already underway to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process. Amupitan gave the assurance in his 2026 New Year message to INEC staff nationwide, describing the new year as a period of renewal and a critical phase for institutional consolidation ahead of the next general elections. Reflecting on the commission’s activities in 2025, the INEC chairman commended staff for their dedication and professionalism, particularly in the successful conduct of the Anambra…

A residential building was gutted by fire following a suspected gas explosion at Ogunkoya Estate, Egbeda, in the Akowonjo area of Lagos, in the early hours of January 1, 2026. Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred while occupants of the house were away attending a crossover worship service to usher in the New Year, a circumstance that prevented any loss of life. No casualties were recorded, as the building was unoccupied at the time of the explosion. A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said the fire was believed to have been triggered by a gas leak, which resulted in…

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 7 for a ruling on the bail applications filed by former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe. The trial judge adjourned for ruling on Friday after counsel to the defendants, Joseph Daudu, SAN, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, adopted their processes and presented arguments for and against the applications. The EFCC is prosecuting the defendants in a money laundering case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, in which Malami, his…

The Kebbi State Government has directed the reopening of all primary and secondary schools across the state for the second term of the 2025/2026 academic session, effective Monday, January 5, 2026. The directive was contained in separate statements signed by the Public Relations Officer of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Isah Ibrahim, and the Deputy Director (Academics) at the Kebbi State Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education, Aliyu Bagarawa. The government urged school administrators, teachers, parents, students, and education secretaries to take note of the resumption date and ensure strict compliance. School heads were instructed to make adequate…

….Says Borno State Governor protected by immunity, but investigations continue Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday rejected allegations by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed that it was being used by political opponents to target him and his aides. Mohammed, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had accused the EFCC of being used to hound the opposition. In a statement on its Facebook feed on Friday, the EFCC said claims that it was acting at the behest of the Federal Capital Territory minister, Nyesom Wike, were “baseless” and an attempt to undermine…