Police arrest NIS officer with assorted firearms in Abuja (Nation)
Police operatives attached to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command have arrested a personnel of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) with assorted firearms and ammunition.
The suspect, whose identity is yet to be revealed, was apprehended around the Zuma area of the state Monday afternoon.
It was gathered that the officer who has not been able to give reasonable account of how he got the weapons and where he was taken them to, was suspected of possible arms deal with criminals. Read more
My visit not political – Atiku on meeting Obasanjo (Sun)
Atiku Abubakar has spoken on his visit to former president Olusegun Obasanjo, saying it was not political.
News of Atiku’s meeting with Obasanjo sparked speculations on a potential coalition ahead of the 2027 election.
Addressing members of the press at about 2:17 p.m. after the meeting, he disclosed that he merely made a courtesy call to his former boss. Read more
Stop Alia from taking over Benue shares in Dangote Cement, group begs lawmakers (NewTelegraph)
Benue State House of Assembly has been urged to, as a matter of urgent importance, prevail over Governor Hyacinth Alia from taking over the shares of Benue State domiciled in Dangote Cement.
This was, even as, the lawmakers have been called upon, to quickly investigate the Governor and some of his officials, over the sale of Benue shares in Zenith Bank PLC and other companies of Benue interest.
A statement issued on Monday evening, signed by Felix Atetan and Peter Ameh, on behalf of Benue Good Governance Crusaders, as President and Secretary, respectively; alleged that the Governor had also perfected arrangements to sell off the only viable state-owned transport company, Benue Links Limited, to a Lagos based transport company owner. Read more
Women to Lagos speaker: take action on our rights (Nation)
Womanifesto, a group of over 350 women’s rights organisations, advocates and practitioners, hàs urged Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Lasbat Mojisola Meranda to ensure gender equity, fair representation and protection of rights of women.
The group paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker last week.
The delegation was led by Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Convener of the group.
She congratulated the speaker for her emergence as the first female Speaker in Lagos State, recognizing this as a landmark and historical win for women’s participation in governance. Read more
NRC, APM Terminal begin Lagos-Ibadan freight services (Punch)
The Nigerian Railway Corporation, in partnership with APM Terminals, has expanded cargo movement from the Apapa Port in Lagos to NRC’s freight yard in Moniya Ibadan, Oyo State.
At the flag-off ceremony of the standard gauge rail on Monday in Apapa, Lagos, the new Managing Director of the NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, promised that no stone will be left unturned as the rail system is vital under President Bola Tinubu’s government.
He said this collaboration aims to enhance logistics efficiency, increase rail transport capacity, offer a more sustainable, cost-effective solution for cargo movement, and decongest the Apapa port. Read more
Alleged Cybercrime: Court adjourns trial of foreign nationals (Channels)
The trial of some foreigner nationals apprehended in December, 2024 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of cybercrime and cyber terrorism failed to progress on Monday as the interpreter arrived late in court.
The interpreter has the responsibility of translating the charge & the proceedings from English to Mandarin for the foreigners.
Trial judge, Justice Olayinka Faji had given the EFCC a strict 10am slot for the proceedings because the court had a full docket. Read more
No pilgrim will miss 2025 Hajj – NAHCON (Vanguard)
Prof. Abdullahi Usman, National Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has assured that no intending pilgrims will miss the 2025 Hajj.
Usman, who gave the assurance in Abuja on Monday, debunked the allegations that he was truncating the preparation for the 2025 Hajj Pilgrimage by cancelling deals with Saudi Arabia Masha’ir Companies.
The Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions through its Secretary, Abubakar Salihu, had on Sunday raised concern over the reported alleged cancellation of the Masha’ir contract. Read more
Atoyebi: Tinubu’s bold reforms will lead to national economic devt (ThisDay)
A philanthropist and Founder of Accountability and Policy Monitoring, Bamidele Atoyebi, has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the several bold and transformative policies his administration has put in place since assumption, saying those policies would lead economic development of the country.
Atoyebi, who is also the Founder of Tinubu School of Politics and Policy, in a statement yesterday said:“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is widely recognised for implementing bold and transformative policies aimed at national development. This was one of the reasons I wholeheartedly supported his 2023 presidential campaign, even before meeting him in person.” Read more
Ariana Grande says she ‘forced’ her divorced parents to be friends again (People)
Ariana Grande is reflecting on the ways in which she helped her parents mend their relationship after they divorced.
The Wicked star, 31, opened up about “forcing” her mom Joan Grande and dad Edward Butera to be friends again after they split on an episode of the WTF with Marc Maron podcast that aired on Monday, Feb. 10.
“They’re not together, but they’re best friends,” she said. “It took 18 years and it took me forcing it. I forced them to communicate again. I really did.” Read more
Hamas threatens to delay hostage release (VOA)
Hamas officials accused Israel of violating a ceasefire agreement Monday and threatened to delay releasing more hostages, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to say “all hell is going to break out” if all the remaining hostages are not turned over by Saturday.
The next exchange was set for Saturday, with three more Israelis set to be freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners jailed by Israel.
A spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, said in a statement the militants remain committed to the ceasefire terms “as long as the occupation adheres to them.” Read more
Don’t let spark of love turn into power-grid meltdown, utilities warn before Valentine’s Day (UPI)
For Valentine’s Day, electric companies would love for everyone to heed a warning: Helium-filled foil balloons can cause power outages.
Brightly colored helium balloons are sold as an ideal way to convey one’s love to another every February holiday, but the heart-breaking reality is that, in the recent past, electric services have been disrupted throughout the nation because of stray and discarded balloons.
Utility companies are trying to warn consumers. Read more
1 dead and 4 injured after jets collide at Arizona airport, authorities say (USAToday)
At least one person is dead and multiple people are injured Monday after private jets collided at an Arizona airport, authorities said, the latest incident at a time of heightened scrutiny of U.S. air safety.
Kelli Kuester, a spokesperson for Scottsdale Airport, said at an evening news briefing that a Learjet arriving from Austin veered off the runway into a parked jet. The arriving plane’s left main gear appeared to have failed upon landing, causing the collision, Kuester said.
The Scottsdale Airport is located about 22 miles northeast of Phoenix. Read more
Malcolm McDowell and Alex Hassell to star in ‘‘Dog & Bull’’; Essential Film Group boards crime thriller ahead of EFM (Deadline)
Malcom McDowell (A Clockwork Orange) and Alex Hassell (Rivals) will star in crime thriller Dog & Bull, with Essential Film Group launching sales on pic at the EFM.
Written and directed by James Marquand (Dead Man’s Cards), the feature from Blackwater Pictures also stars Sinead Cusack (Napoleon), Lara Peake (How to Have Sex), Francis Magee (Layer Cake), Bobby Schofield (Cherry) and Paul Barber (The Full Monty). Tiernan Handy is producing along with Kevin Harvey, Simon Marriott and Antoine Dixon-Bellot, and Essential has boarded for worldwide sales.
Per the synopsis, Dog & Bull is billed as “a dark, hard-boiled crime-thriller, with black comedy undertones, in which legendary actor McDowell stars as a fugitive criminal hiding out as a pub landlord who questions his identity when he gets discovered by a psychotic hitman (Hassell), who is also his biggest fan.” Read more
Armie Hammer: Why I wouldn’t rule out working with fellow accused sexual abuser Woody Allen (PageSix)
Armie Hammer would be willing to work with Woody Allen as a stance against cancel culture.
The “Call Me by Your Name” star gave a conflicted response in Tuesday’s episode of Spotify’s “The Louis Theroux Podcast” when asked whether he would accept a role in the disgraced director’s new movie.
“Would I work with Woody Allen? I mean, at this point, I don’t know that I’d buy into any of the cancel [culture] of ‘We need to this and that.’ Like, I don’t know,” he replied, calling it “a trick question” with “no right” response. Read more
Colman Domingo met with Marvel to address rumors of replacing Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror (EW)
The Colman Cinematic Universe does not involve Marvel villain Kang the Conqueror.
Colman Domingo addressed rumors that he was in consideration to replace embattled actor Jonathan Majors as the antagonist introduced in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, revealing on the latest episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast that the persistent nature of the chatter even led to a meeting with Marvel executives.
“When it was constantly in the press and on places like Twitter, I was like, ‘Wait a minute. Is this true? Am I being talked about for Kang?’” recalled Domingo. “I literally called up my team and said, ‘Are you guys having conversations that I have no idea about?’ And they said no. ‘Are you guys being cagey or what?’ They weren’t.” Read more
Akintola, Anine claim titles as Nigeria dominates maiden event (Sun)
The maiden World Boxing Council-Africa Boxing Union amateur tournament, concluded in Lagos over the weekend, saw Nigerian boxers won 10 out of 11 bouts decided on the final day of the keenly contested championship.
Forty-two boxers from eight countries across Africa participated in various weight categories at the tournament, held at the Sir Molade Okoya-Thomas indoor sports hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
Organised by Yucateco Boxing Promotions, the first ever WBC-ABU Amateur Tournament, serves as a qualifiers to select boxers that will represent Africa at the World Championship billed to hold in Mexico later in the year. Read more
Bosso blames Rangers draw on ref, missed chances (Punch)
Bayelsa United coach, Ladan Bosso, lamented his players’ conversion rate and poor officiating after their goalless draw at home against reigning champions Rangers International in a Nigeria Premier Football League match-day 23 game on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Restoration Boys have struggled in their last five matches before Sunday’s encounter and they needed a win to steer clear of the relegation waters but the draw has left them five places and five points above the drop zone.
It was also their fifth draw at home in the NPFL this season, having also lost one game at home this season. Read more
Turkish Super Lig: Nwakaeme bags 3rd league assist in Trabzonspor home win (CompleteSports)
Anthony Nwakaeme provided the assist for Trabzonspor goal in their 1-0 home win against Eyupspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Monday.
It is Nwakaeme’s third assist in the league this season.
He set up John Lundstram for the only goal of the Match in the 59th minute. Read more
IBA to file complaints vs. IOC citing Trump order on transgender athletes (ESPN)
The International Boxing Association said Monday it will file criminal complaints against the International Olympic Committee in the U.S., France and Switzerland. The Swiss-based IOC allowing women boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting to compete and win gold medals in Paris last year “may serve as grounds for criminal prosecution,” the IBA claimed in a statement.
An executive order on transgender athletes by United States President Donald Trump was cited Monday by the Russian-led boxing body, which has been banished from the Olympics, to justify filing the criminal complaints.
“According to the Swiss law, any action or inaction that poses a safety risk to competition participants warrants investigation and may serve as grounds for criminal prosecution,” the IBA said, adding “similar complaints are to be filed with the Attorneys General of France and the USA.” Read more
Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young picked as All-Star Game injury replacement (UPI)
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, who recently expressed displeasure about being snubbed from the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, was chosen as an injury replacement for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the league announced Monday.
Young, 26, averaged 23.5 points and a league-high 11.4 assists, in addition to 3.2 rebounds per game through 49 starts this season. The four-time All-Star will join Team Chuck, a team selected by TNT analyst and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley.
“Some things in life are just bigger than yourself,” Young wrote Monday on social media. Read more
Emma Raducanu suffers longest losing run of career to spark wildcard debate (Metro)
Emma Raducanu is now on the longest losing run of her entire career to spark an intense debate over why she keeps being awarded wildcards.
Raducanu lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova in the opening round of the Qatar Open on Sunday to mark four straight WTA defeats for the first time ever.Alexandrova’s 6-3 7-5 win over Raducanu follows the Briton’s first-round exits in Abu Dhabi and Singapore and her third-round Australian Open exit. Read more