Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The General Manager, Benue State Environmental Sanitation Agency (BENSESA), Mr. Ediga Akpa, has warned displaced people by flood not to return to their homes until they are fumigated.
Akpa told newsmen in Makurdi that the areas affected by flood needed proper sanitary attention, as they were no longer habitable.
He warned those, who were returning to their homes to desist from doing so, pointing out that the flood had brought many dangerous reptiles to the areas.
The general manager also said that the areas affected must be fumigated to meet the required standard of human sanitation before people would be allowed to move back.
He, however, said that individuals, who insisted on going back should seek professional advice to avoid contacting dangerous diseases.
Kano
The Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), has stressed the need for parents, teachers and governments to close ranks and instil reading culture in children.
Mr. Lawan Abdu, the NUT Chairman gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
He lamented that, “many parents do not show interest in inculcating reading culture in their children, only few bother to encourage or assist their children to do homework or assignment”.
He also said it was necessary for all tiers of government to create conducive environment for learning, noting that the congestion of pupils in classrooms was making it difficult for effective learning.
Abdu, who wondered how reading culture could thrive in a congested classroom setting, said, “I teach up to 160 pupils in one classroom.”
Katsina
The police in Katsina State have confirmed the arrest of four officials of the state’s Board of Internal Revenue for allegedly defrauding the state government of an unspecified amount of money.
The police command’s acting Police Public Relation Officers, Malam Lawal Joka, told newsmen that investigation into the case was continuing.
The suspects, including three revenue officers and a Vehicle Inspection Officer, allegedly connived in an illegal sale of vehicle licences and other particulars.
The officials were alleged to have been issuing fake vehicle licences and particulars to unsuspecting vehicle owners, thereby making the board to lose huge sums of money.
Their arrest, it was also learnt, followed the board’s investigation during which they were allegedly found involved in the scam.
Kogi
Kogi State Deputy Governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, has urged flood displaced persons in the state to cooperate with government to ensure that its intention of mitigating their sufferings was not jeopardised.
Awoniyi, in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Michael Abu, in Lokoja, made the appeal in Ajaokuta during a fact finding and assessment tour of displaced persons’ camps.
He said that the visit was to determine claims by such persons and ascertain some complaints over their welfare.
Awoniyi said that government was doing a lot to make them comfortable and expressed concern that some of the victims connived with some elements to sabotage the efforts.
He said that government could only succeed if those displaced worked with officials to fish out the saboteurs and urged the victims to also show gratitude by making genuine claims over the efforts put in place by government.
Nasarawa
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nasarawa State, has urged mobilisation and orientation officers of the agency in the state to take the Federal Government’s transformation programme to the grassroots.
Mr Richard Abimiku, the Director of NOA in the state, who was addressing the Mobilisation and Orientation Officers of the agency in Lafia, said doing that would pave room for speedy development in the state and the country at large.
He said that the task became necessary because people at the grassroots should be aware and understand the transformation programme of the Federal Government in the country for speedy development.
Abimiku urged the officers of the 13 local government areas to take the transformation programme to the grassroots to make the people contribute their quota to the growth and development of the state and country at large.
Niger
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has called on donors who made pledges to the Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation to redeem the pledges in the interest of the foundation.
Aliyu made the call at Government House, Minna when he received relief materials donated to flood victims in the state by the foundation.
Reacting to a remark made by the leader of the delegation, retired Lt.Gen. Salihu Ibrahim that only a few of those who made pledges had redeemed their promises, the governor said it was necessary for his colleagues, the Northern states’ governors to remain committed to the foundation.
He said the foundation ought to justify the cause for which it was established.
Ogun
Bandits have killed five policemen in two separate attacks in Abeokuta and Ibafo, Ogun State.
ASP Muyiwa Adejobi, the Police Public Relations Officer of Ogun State Police Command, told newsmen in Abeokuta that the robbers perpetrated the callous acts in the early hours of last Monday.
Adejobi, however, said the command had arrested a member of one of the gangs, adding that the suspect had made a confessional statement.
He said that three policemen died in the Abeokuta shootout, while two were killed in Ibafo, both incidents happening during rescue operations.
He said that the policemen, attached to the Gateway Response Squad (GRS), received calls on robbery attack and rushed to the scene only to be shot at by the suspected robbers.
Osun
The Osun State Government says the late Mrs Sheila Solarin, wife of the late social critic, Dr Tai Solarin, had left a legacy of service to humanity.
In a statement issued by Mr Semiu Okanlawon, Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the late Sheila was an educationist of note.
According to the statement, through the efforts of the Solarins, the Mayflower School, Ikenne, has become a reference point in school management.
“One can confidently say that the school, through the hard work, dedication and honesty of the founders, has set the pace for other educational institutions,” it stated.
Oyo
The Oyo State Government says it has awarded contract to convert five major roads to dual carriageways across the state, at a cost of N29.3 billion.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Bosun Oladele and his Works and Transport counterpart, Alhaji Yunus Akintunde made the pronouncement after the weekly executive council meeting in Ibadan .
According to the state government, the roads include the four-kilometre Ibadan-Oyo Expressway, Iseyin-Oyo Junction to Owode, as well as the expansion of the 2.5 kilometre Owode-Akesan-Palace Road .
The exercise involves repair of a 3.8-km portion of the old Ibadan-Oyo Road and the 6.32-km Ilorin Expressway Junction-Ikoyi-Takie-Palace-Ogbomoso Grammar School in Ogbomoso.
Plateau
The Minister of State for Works, Mr Bashir Yuguda, on Tuesday said the Federal Government spent N4 billion to construct Vom-Manchok Road linking Kaduna and Plateau.
Yuguda made this known in Vom on Tuesday when the National Good Governance team led by the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, inspected the road.
He said that the 43.2 km road contract was awarded to PW Nigeria Limited. in 1999 and explained that the project was completed and handed over to the government on January 26, 2012.
The minister said the road was given priority because it was an inter-state and inter-region route.
He described the 43.2 Km road as a “master piece of engineering in Nigeria’’ in view of the way engineers tore through high hills to build it.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State government has provided N7 million for the purchase of Sallah cows for the needy and orphans.
The cows will be distributed in the 63 districts of the 23 local government areas of the state.
Each district is expected to receive N100,000 for purchase of cows and N10,000 for the slaughtering and preparation.
In all, 9,450 people are expected to benefit from the gesture.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Aliyu Wamakko said the gesture was aimed at enabling the beneficiaries to celebrate Sallah with ease.
Wamakko, who was represented by the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Prof. Garba Maitafsir, charged the district heads to be diligent in the implementation of the pilot scheme.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who was represented by the Magajin Rafin Sokoto , Alhaji Rilwanu Bello, commended the state government for the gesture.
Taraba
The Provost, College of Education, Zing, Taraba State, Mr Joseph Isa has vowed to penalise any student flouting the college’s rules and regulations.
Isa, who gave the warning at Zing while briefing newsmen, was reacting to calls by some people for the recall of the five students the college suspended recently for inciting riot.
“To my surprise, one of the suspended students confronted me, bragging that he was the ring leader of the rioters,’’ he said
The provost wondered how “a student who is proud of organising disorder’’ could be recalled.
“The suspension of those five students is indefinite. That should serve as a lesson to any student who violates the school’s rules and regulations.’’
Nation
Bikers, Others Grace Burial Of Rivers Philanthropist
Bikers were among prominent dignitaries who recently attended the burial ceremony of late Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor (née Lawson) in Omagwa Community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The burial service, held at the St. Martin’s Anglican Church field, attracted a large turnout of religious leaders, business executives, political figures, celebrities, bikers’ groups, traditional rulers and community members from different parts of Nigeria. Also present were the Bishop of the Anglican Province of the Niger Delta, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, and popular businessman and socialite, Obi Cubana, among other notable personalities.
The remains of Mrs Grant Offor, a respected professional, philanthropist and devout Christian, were laid to rest amid an elaborate and well-coordinated funeral ceremony that reflected her wide-reaching influence and the high regard in which she was held by family, associates and the larger community.
The ceremony drew public attention due to its unique logistics, as two helicopters were deployed. An air ambulance helicopter conveyed the casket to the church field, while another helicopter transported members of the deceased’s family from Abonnema to Omagwa Community.
Dignitaries and mourners gathered in large numbers to pay their final respects.
In an emotional tribute, High Chief Engr. Grant Offor, described his late wife as everything to him, stating that her passing had created a deep void in his life and in the lives of their children. He disclosed that he committed his time, resources and efforts in a bid to save her life, adding that if money or human effort alone could prevent death, she would still be alive.
Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor was born on May 4, 1978, at the Ibiso Maternity Clinic, Port Harcourt, and passed away on November 15, 2025, after a prolonged illness that lasted nearly three years. She was born a twin and grew up in a family noted for service and leadership. Her father, the late Engr. Benoni Lawson, served as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), while her mother, Mrs. Irene Lawson, is a nurse.
She attended Port Harcourt Primary School and International Secondary School (ISS) before proceeding to the University of Science and Technology (UST), Port Harcourt, and later the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, where she studied Accountancy and graduated with honours. She was widely known during her academic years for her discipline, focus and reserved lifestyle.
After completing her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, Mrs. Grant Offor began her professional career in the banking sector, including service with the defunct All States Trust Bank, and later worked in other professional capacities. She earned a reputation for integrity, diligence and ethical conduct.
She was married to Engr. Grant Offor for over 20 years, a union blessed with three children. As a wife and mother, she was described as deeply devoted to her family, instilling values of faith, patience, kindness and discipline. Her home was known among close associates as one built on prayer, love and godly counsel.
A committed Christian, Mrs. Grant Offor was known for her strong faith and love for gospel music, particularly songs of healing and deliverance. Even while receiving specialist medical care in the United Kingdom, she reportedly remained steadfast in her belief, trusting in God until her final moments.
Adding to the show of solidarity, the President of the Rivers State Chapter of the Pantas Female Bikers Group, Mr. White Timano, disclosed that High Chief Engr. Grant Offor is a major sponsor of Uyo Micah’s Carnival, one of the group’s major events. He said bikers and supporters travelled from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta States to commiserate with the family and show support during the period of mourning.
Mr. Timano described death as inevitable and encouraged the family to remain strong, stressing that only God grants the grace required to endure such painful loss.
The church field was tastefully decorated, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere. The burial ceremony featured hymns, live music, scriptural exhortations, eulogies and tributes celebrating the life and legacy of Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor. Messages from notable personalities highlighted her contributions to family life, philanthropy, professional service and community development.
On behalf of the family, High Chief Engr. Grant Offor expressed appreciation to all who stood by them throughout the period of mourning, thanking guests for their prayers, presence and support.
The burial ceremony stood as a testament to the enduring legacy of Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor, whose life of service, faith and quiet generosity left a lasting impact on many across Rivers State, the Niger Delta and beyond.
Nation
Security Guard Missing After Fence Demolition In PH
Asecurity guard has been reported missing following the demolition of a fence at a property located at No. 19D, Golf Course Layout, Old Government Residential Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident reportedly occurred late Sunday night at the disputed property said to be owned by Ozone Global.
Eyewitnesses revealed that a group of men, some of whom were dressed in what appeared to be naval uniforms, arrived at the premises on motorcycles and allegedly pulled down the fence surrounding the property.
During the incident, a security guard on duty, identified simply as Abubakar, was allegedly taken away by the group to an unknown destination.
A relative of the missing guard, Musa, said efforts to get immediate help, including alerting a nearby police point, proved abortive as the incident had already occurred before any intervention could be made.
“I escaped because I noticed them early, but my brother was taken away. Up till now, we don’t know where he is or how he is doing. We are appealing to the authorities to help locate him,” Musa said.
Meanwhile, one of the intermediaries involved in the land transaction, Mr. Chimezie Bright, alleged that the incident may be connected to an ongoing land dispute over the property.
Bright claimed that the land was purchased by Ozone Global from one late Mr Felix Orie and that documents from the Rivers State Ministry of Lands and Housing indicate that the land was allocated to Mr Orie.
He further alleged that another claimant to the land, Mr. Mac Oruche, had allegedly challenged the ownership and opposed development on the property, despite the matter being the subject of a court case.
According to Bright, tensions over the property had previously resulted in disagreements during attempts to fence the land.
“We carried out due diligence before the purchase, including verification at the Ministry of Lands. However, the dispute has persisted,” he said.
Bright expressed concern over the alleged involvement of uniformed personnel in a civil land dispute and called for a thorough investigation into the incident, particularly the whereabouts of the missing security guard.
As at the time of filing this report, Abubakar’s location had remained unknown.
Efforts to reach Mr. Mac Oruche for his reaction were unsuccessful, while the police are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Nation
OIU Protests Arrest Of Witnesses In Okon Aku Crisis Probe
The apex socio-cultural and development association of the ancient Ohafia Kingdom, the Ohafia Improvement Union Incorporated (OIU) has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, expressing grave concern over the arrests of several individuals from the Okon Aku community who were cooperating with a state-constituted Panel of Inquiry investigating the recent communal crisis in the community located in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
The union also called for the immediate release of those arrested.
In a letter dated February 6, 2026, and received at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, the union described the arrests as troubling and procedurally irregular, noting that the affected individuals had either testified or were preparing to testify before the government-sanctioned panel.
Those reportedly arrested include Udo Ukoha of Ndi Envoke; Okereke John, Udonsi Obin, Eteo Ayo, Idika I. Kalu, and John Ukwakwe of Ndi Owom; and Ukpabi Uche Idika of Ndi Ebin.
While emphasizing that it does not seek to prejudge the legal culpability of any individual, the OIU stressed that the timing, context, and manner of the arrests could undermine the credibility, independence, and integrity of the Panel of Inquiry.
“The arrest of individuals cooperating with an official inquiry poses a serious threat to the fact-finding process, creates fear among potential witnesses, and may discourage public participation,” the union stated, warning that such actions could obstruct efforts to uncover the root causes of the crisis.
The union further noted that panels of inquiry rely heavily on voluntary and truthful cooperation, and any action that instills fear in contributors risks eroding public confidence in the justice system, violating principles of fairness, transparency, and natural justice.
Consequently, the OIU urged the Office of the IGP to immediately review the circumstances surrounding the arrests, suspend any further actions perceived as targeting witnesses, and issue clear directives to guarantee the safety and freedom of all individuals participating in the inquiry.
The President General of Ohafia Improvement Union, Chief Prince Kalu Ikpemini, signed the petition, which was also copied to the Executive Governor of Abia State and the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Umuahia.
The union reiterated that the Ohafia community desires lasting peace and reconciliation, which can only be achieved through a transparent, fair, and uncoerced investigation into the Okon Aku crisis.
The Okon Aku communal crisis erupted in early January 2026, prompting the Office of the Deputy Governor of Abia State to immediately establish the Panel of Inquiry to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of the conflict, with the aim of preventing future occurrences.
It is against this backdrop that the Ohafia Improvement Union has raised an alarm over the arrests, calling for the immediate release of those detained and emphasizing the need to protect witnesses rather than intimidate them.
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