Category: News

Abuja — The Nigerian Senate has approved the electronic transmission of election results from polling units, marking a major shift toward strengthening transparency and credibility in the country’s electoral process.

The approval followed a reconsideration of contentious provisions in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, after widespread public criticism and pressure from civil society organisations, political stakeholders and election observers.

Under the new decision, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is empowered to transmit polling unit results electronically to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV). However, the Senate retained the use of the manually signed result sheet, Form EC8A, as a backup in situations where electronic transmission fails or is not feasible.

Lawmakers said the hybrid approach is aimed at balancing technological advancement with Nigeria’s infrastructural realities, particularly in areas with poor internet connectivity.

Senate President, during the plenary session, noted that allowing electronic transmission would enhance transparency and reduce incidents of result manipulation, while the retention of manual collation ensures elections are not disrupted by technical challenges.

The decision represents a reversal of an earlier stance that appeared to limit INEC’s powers on result transmission, a move that had sparked nationwide outrage and raised concerns about the integrity of future elections.

With the Senate’s approval secured, the amendment bill will undergo harmonisation with the version passed by the House of Representatives before being forwarded to the President for assent.

Observers say the move, if fully implemented, could significantly boost public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of future polls.

The Kwara State Government and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging a fever outbreak, including Lassa fever, at the NYSC orientation camp in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area of the state.

The clarification followed widespread claims online that a corps member had allegedly died from a contagious fever at the camp, sparking panic among families and members of the public.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government explained that investigations carried out by the Kwara State Ministry of Health and the Rapid Response Team (RRT) found no evidence of any infectious disease outbreak at the camp. Health officials confirmed that no suspected or confirmed case of Lassa fever had been recorded among corps members or camp officials .

Authorities further clarified that the corps member referenced in the viral reports did not die from a contagious disease linked to the camp. According to officials, the individual had a pre-existing medical condition and was referred to an external health facility for treatment, where the death later occurred, unrelated to any outbreak at the orientation camp .

The NYSC management in Kwara also described the reports as false and misleading, urging the public to disregard unverified information capable of causing unnecessary fear. Camp activities, including drills, lectures and registration, are said to be continuing normally.

As a precautionary measure, the state government disclosed that disease surveillance within and around the camp has been strengthened, with health education, sanitation monitoring and rodent control intensified to prevent any possible health risks.

The Kwara State Government advised members of the public and parents of corps members to rely on information from official sources, warning that the spread of unverified health reports could cause panic and disrupt public order.

Officials reiterated the commitment of the state and NYSC to the safety and welfare of all corps members throughout the orientation exercise .

The Alaafin of Oyo has been dragged before a court of law by a group of princes from the ancient Oyo royal family, sparking fresh controversy within the historic throne.

The princes, who claim royal lineage to the Alaafin stool, approached the court to challenge what they described as alleged violations of established customs and procedures guiding the Oyo monarchy. They are asking the court to intervene in what they insist is a matter affecting the integrity of the revered institution.

According to the suit, the plaintiffs argue that certain actions taken by the Alaafin contravene long-standing traditions and rights of royal families entitled to participate in key decisions relating to the throne. They contend that failure to uphold these traditions could undermine the cultural heritage of the Oyo Empire.

The princes are seeking judicial declarations to clarify the limits of authority within the monarchy and to protect what they described as “time-honoured customs handed down through generations.”

Legal sources confirmed that the matter has been filed and is awaiting hearing, while no date has yet been fixed for the commencement of proceedings.

Efforts to obtain official reaction from the palace were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The development has generated widespread interest across Oyo State and beyond, given the historical and cultural significance of the Alaafin stool, regarded as one of the most powerful traditional institutions in Yorubaland.

Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Government (FG) has commenced implementation of its renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), marking a pivotal step toward fulfilling commitments aimed at improving lecturers’ welfare and fostering stability in public universities.

According to the Ministry of Education, the government has initiated the approved 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for ASUU members, effective from January 1, 2026. The directive, issued by Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, instructs all federal universities to integrate the new allowances into their payroll systems so that eligible academic staff begin receiving the enhanced pay.

Some institutions have already reflected the increment in salary payments, with full nationwide compliance expected as formal notices are cascaded to university administrations.

The implementation follows the historic 2025 FG-ASUU agreement, concluded after more than a decade of negotiation and long-standing labour tensions that frequently disrupted academic calendars. The accord includes improved remuneration structures, restructured allowances, and other reforms designed to support research, strengthen productivity, and reduce recurrent strike actions in the public university system.

Government officials emphasised that the move reflects the administration’s commitment to honouring negotiated agreements, enhancing academic welfare, and sustaining industrial harmony nationwide.

The United States has expanded its controversial travel ban, placing full or partial entry restrictions on nationals of 39 countries in a sweeping move that has sparked global concern and diplomatic reactions.

The expansion, announced under a new presidential proclamation by U.S. President Donald Trump, took effect January 1, 2026, and represents a significant widening of earlier travel and visa restrictions. The U.S. government said the decision was based on national security considerations, visa overstay rates, and inadequate identity-management and screening systems in the affected countries.

What the New Ban Means

Under the new policy, countries are divided into two categories:

Full travel ban: Nationals are barred from receiving most immigrant and non-immigrant visas and are largely prohibited from entering the U.S.

Partial restrictions: Visa issuance is limited, affecting categories such as tourist (B1/B2), student (F, M), exchange (J), and some immigrant visas, with narrow exemptions.

Existing visas issued before the effective date have generally not been revoked, though travelers may face enhanced screening at U.S. ports of entry.

Countries Affected by the Expanded Travel Ban

Countries Under Full Travel Ban

1. Afghanistan
2. Myanmar (Burma)
3. Chad
4. Republic of the Congo
5. Equatorial Guinea
6. Eritrea
7. Haiti
8. Iran
9. Libya
10. Somalia
11. Sudan
12. Yemen
13. Burkina Faso
14. Laos
15. Mali
16. Niger
17. Sierra Leone
18. South Sudan
19. Syria
20. Travelers using Palestinian Authority-issued documents

Countries Facing Partial U.S. Entry Restrictions

21. Angola
22. Antigua and Barbuda
23. Benin
24. Burundi
25. Cuba
26. Côte d’Ivoire
27. Dominica
28. Gabon
29. The Gambia
30. Malawi
31. Mauritania
32. Nigeria
33. Senegal
34. Tanzania
35. Togo
36. Tonga
37. Venezuela
38. Zambia
39. Zimbabwe

Impact on Nigeria and Africa

Nigeria’s inclusion under partial restrictions has raised concerns among students, business travelers, families, and airlines, with early data already showing a decline in U.S.–Nigeria travel volumes. Several African nations now account for the majority of countries on the list, drawing criticism from civil rights groups and foreign policy analysts.

U.S. Government Position

U.S. officials insist the policy is not targeted at any race or religion, arguing that it is designed to pressure affected governments to improve passport integrity, information-sharing, and border security cooperation.

However, critics say the expanded ban risks damaging diplomatic relations, restricting educational and business exchanges, and separating families.

What Happens Next

The proclamation allows for periodic reviews, meaning countries could be added or removed depending on compliance with U.S. security benchmarks.

For now, nationals of the listed countries—especially those planning to study, work, or visit the United States—are advised to seek updated guidance from U.S. embassies and immigration attorneys before making travel plans.

KADUNA, Nigeria — In the early hours of Saturday, 7 February 2026, suspected bandits launched a brutal pre-dawn assault on Karku community in Kauru Local Government Area, leaving at least three residents dead and abducting a Catholic priest and multiple villagers, escalating an already deepening security crisis in northern Nigeria.

According to the Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan, attackers stormed the community around 3:20 a.m., firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee in panic. The gunmen overran homes and seized Reverend Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, along with 10 other villagers during the coordinated incursion.

The deceased victims—identified locally as Jacob Dan’azumi, Maitala Kaura and Alhaji Kusari—were shot during the chaos that accompanied the raid.

In a statement, the Diocesan Chancellor, Very Reverend Father Jacob Shanet, expressed “profound sorrow” over the attack and appealed for prayers for the safe return of the priest and other captives, while also mourning the lives lost.

Security agencies have reportedly launched a manhunt for the assailants, with operatives deployed across the Kauru axis in an effort to prevent further violence. Kaduna State police are yet to publicly confirm details of the incident.

This latest abduction comes amid a broader pattern of mass kidnappings and violence in northern Nigeria’s Kaduna State. Just weeks earlier, authorities and Christian groups offered conflicting accounts over the fate of more than 170 worshippers abducted from multiple churches in January, while others have since been reported rescued or released.

Security experts and retired military officials warn that kidnapping and banditry continue to thrive in the North due to weak rural protection, porous borders, and the increasing sophistication of criminal gangs.

Religious and community leaders across Kaduna have renewed calls for enhanced protection for rural communities and faith leaders, as the surge in violence fuels fear and uncertainty among citizens.

Security strategists have raised fresh concerns over the possible spread of violent attacks from Kwara State into Nigeria’s South-West, warning that neighbouring states could face similar threats if urgent preventive measures are not sustained.

The warning follows the recent massacre in communities within Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where scores of villagers were killed after heavily armed attackers invaded the area, burning homes and forcing residents to flee.

According to security experts, the attack signals a dangerous expansion of extremist and armed groups beyond their traditional strongholds, with forest corridors linking Kwara to several South-West states increasingly being exploited for movement and operations.

Analysts point particularly to the vast Kainji Lake National Park and adjoining forests, describing them as poorly monitored routes that could serve as staging grounds for attacks deeper into the region.

They cautioned that states such as Osun, Lagos, Oyo and Ondo may be exposed if intelligence gathering, surveillance and inter-state collaboration are not strengthened.

Reacting to the development, the Osun State Government confirmed that it has fortified its boundary communities with Kwara by deploying joint security teams comprising the military, police and other security agencies. Residents in border areas have also been urged to report suspicious movements promptly.

Lagos State authorities, on their part, said security surveillance has been intensified across the state, particularly in areas considered vulnerable, as part of efforts to prevent any infiltration by armed groups. The state government noted that intelligence-led policing and community engagement remain central to its security strategy.

Meanwhile, Kwara State has witnessed increased military and police presence in the affected areas, following directives from the Federal Government to restore calm and prevent further attacks. Senior security officers have also been deployed to oversee ongoing operations.

Security experts insist that the massacre should serve as a wake-up call, stressing the need for improved intelligence sharing among states, better monitoring of forest regions, and rapid response mechanisms to prevent the spread of violence.

They warned that failure to act decisively could allow armed groups to entrench themselves, posing a serious threat to lives, livelihoods and regional stability.

Punch Newspaper

Woro, a quiet farming community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, was transformed from a peaceful settlement into a scene of horror following a deadly terrorist attack that struck on Tuesday evening, leaving scores dead and homes reduced to ashes by dawn.

Residents said the attackers, who arrived on motorcycles around 5 p.m., surrounded the village and opened fire from different directions, catching villagers off guard as they went about their normal evening routines. The assailants reportedly moved from house to house, killing residents, setting buildings ablaze and forcing survivors to flee into nearby bushes.

Accounts from community leaders and survivors suggest the attackers had inside knowledge of the village, with informants allegedly guiding them to key locations and homes of prominent figures. Traditional rulers in the area disclosed that the terrorists had previously visited Woro under the guise of preaching, raising suspicions that the community had long been under surveillance.

Although security agencies were reportedly alerted ahead of the attack, residents lamented the slow response, claiming the gunmen operated for several hours without resistance. By the time calm returned, dozens lay dead, many injured, while several others were feared abducted.

By Wednesday morning, Woro had become a ghost town. Burnt houses, destroyed shops and mass burials painted a grim picture of a community struggling to comprehend the scale of the tragedy. Survivors accused informants within and around the village of aiding the attackers, a claim echoed by traditional authorities.

The massacre has sparked renewed calls for a permanent security presence in vulnerable rural communities across Kwara and neighbouring states, as well as a thorough investigation into intelligence failures that allowed the attack to occur.

Authorities have since condemned the assault and vowed to hunt down those responsible, as grieving families begin the painful task of rebuilding lives shattered overnight.

Vanguard News