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US Sanctions Eight Nigerians Over Links to Boko Haram, Cybercrime

February 16, 2026 by admin

The United States has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians accused of having links to the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. This was contained in a 3,000-page document dated February 10, released by the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and sighted by the correspondent on Monday. The document also identified individuals sanctioned for cybercrime-related offences and other security threats. The pronouncement comes on the heels of recent recommendations by the US Congress for visa bans and asset freezes on persons and groups accused of violations of religious freedom and persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso; the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria; and Miyetti Allah Kautal were recommended by United States lawmakers for visa bans and asset freezes. The OFAC document, titled “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” detailed individuals of other nationalities and entities whose assets had been frozen, serving as a reference tool. It also provided notice of actions taken against Specially Designated Nationals, whose property and interests were blocked as part of counter-terrorism efforts. According to OFAC, the move forms part of its broader efforts to block the property and interests of Specially Designated Nationals and prevent financial dealings with them. “This publication of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control is designed as a reference tool providing actual notice of actions by OFAC with respect to Specially Designated Nationals and other persons (which term includes both individuals and entities) whose property is blocked, to assist the public in complying with the various sanctions programmes administered by OFAC,” the agency said. Among those listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born on August 23, 1990, in Nigeria. Yusuf was identified as having ties to Boko Haram and was reported to hold a Nigerian passport. Yusuf was among six Nigerians convicted in 2022 for setting up a Boko Haram cell in the United Arab Emirates to raise funds for insurgents in Nigeria. The six men were convicted in the UAE for attempting to send $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria. Another individual, Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born on March 4, 1953, in Nigeria, was designated under SDNTK sanctions. He appeared under several aliases, including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso. Also designated was Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa. He was reportedly born between 1989 and 1994 in Maiduguri, Borno State, and was flagged under terrorism-related sanctions. Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, also referred to as Habib Yusuf, was listed with varying birth years between 1990 and 1995. He was identified as a Boko Haram leader and sanctioned under terrorism provisions. Khaled (or Khalid) Al-Barnawi, whose name appeared twice in the publication, was born in 1976 in Maiduguri, Nigeria. He was linked to Boko Haram and listed under several aliases, including Abu Hafsat and Mohammed Usman. Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, born January 31, 1981, in Nigeria, was listed with a Nigerian passport. He was reported to reside in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and was linked to Boko Haram. Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, was born in 1982 in Mainok, Borno State. He was identified as having ties to ISIL. Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, in Nigeria, was listed under CYBER2 sanctions and was reported to hold a Nigerian passport. The inclusion of these names in the OFAC list highlights Washington’s continued focus on countering terrorism financing and cyber threats. The sanctions mean that all property and interests of these individuals within US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. Nigerians listed under the US Treasury sanctions face asset freezes under Executive Order 13224. The United States officially designated Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organisation in 2013. According to the US State Department, the group is responsible for numerous attacks in the northern and northeastern regions of the country, as well as in the Lake Chad Basin in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, that have killed thousands of people since 2009. The US Secretary of State determines countries that have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. Such countries are designated under three laws: Section 1754(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, Section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, and Section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. In October 2025, for the second time, US President Donald Trump announced that Nigeria would be added to the US Department of State’s list of “Countries of Particular Concern.” Trump, in a post on X, explained that Nigeria would be placed on a religious freedom watchlist, alleging that Christians were facing persecution and being killed by Muslims. Nigeria was first designated as a Country of Particular Concern in 2020 under President Trump, but former President Joe Biden removed Nigeria from the list shortly after assuming office.

Rains Trigger Flooding, Traffic Gridlock in Lagos

February 10, 2026 by admin

Lagos State Government has reassured residents that the flooding on parts of Lekki on Tuesday is a short-term occurrence and that normal conditions are expected as the waters recede. The development came after heavy rainfall led to temporary tidal lock-ups and flash floods, causing traffic congestion along key roads, including Chisco Elegushi and the Elf area, tailing back to Jakande First Gate. The incident was captured in a video circulating online, where a motorist recorded a visibly flooded road on Lekki, alleging that the flooding occurred after just 30 minutes of rainfall. Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a post on X, urged residents to remain calm, stressing that there is no need for panic, as he assured all that government teams are closely monitoring the situation. “While there was rainfall on the Island and a temporary tidal lock-up occurred, this is a short-term situation. “As the tide recedes in the next few minutes, the water will discharge naturally and conditions will improve,” he said. Meanwhile, Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, also took to X to update motorists on the traffic situation. “Due to the heavy rains, there are flash floods at Chisco Elegushi worsening traffic flow. The backlog has extended to Elf tailing back to Jakande First Gate. “We are confident that the floodwaters will soon drain and improve the congestion,” Osiyemi said, urging road users to follow official traffic channels for real-time updates. Residents have been advised to exercise caution while commuting and to follow official updates as Lagos State authorities work to restore normal conditions across affected areas.

I was Never Tinubu’s Friend — El-Rufai

February 10, 2026 by admin

A former Kaduna State Governor and ex-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed claims of a personal fallout with President Bola Tinubu, stating that he never had a personal relationship with the President in the first place. Speaking during an interview on Trust TV on Monday, El-Rufai said his support for Tinubu’s 2023 presidential bid was driven by party loyalty and political arrangements, not friendship. “I was never Tinubu’s friend. We never had a personal relationship like the one I had with General Buhari of blessed memory,” he said. The former governor explained that his involvement in Tinubu’s emergence as president followed consultations within the All Progressives Congress and broader political considerations ahead of the election. “I was approached by certain Islamic stakeholders from the southwest to support the emergence of a southwest Muslim presidential candidate. That is how the discussions started,” El-Rufai stated. He added that the zoning understanding within the APC after President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure made a southern presidency inevitable. “As governor of Kaduna and one of the founders of APC, I knew there was an understanding that after eight years of Buhari, power would return to the south. It wasn’t about Tinubu; he was merely an accidental beneficiary,” he said. El-Rufai noted that once Tinubu secured the party’s ticket, he committed himself to the campaign in line with his personal principles. “It is a principle of mine to fight for the candidate of my party in every election, whether I like the candidate or not. The fact that he emerged as the party’s candidate meant I would give everything to ensure he won.” However, he said fundamental disagreements surfaced after the election, rooted in differing philosophies of governance and public service. “We didn’t fall out; we didn’t find areas of agreement. I am in government to serve the public and deliver results, not to enrich myself or appoint cronies,” El-Rufai said. According to him, the governing approach of the current administration sharply contrasts with his own values. “The philosophy of this government is contrary to everything I’ve been taught as a Muslim, a northerner, and a Nigerian. They came to govern the cake, to enrich themselves. We are different people, parallel lines that will never meet,” he said. El-Rufai further disclosed that his decision to reject a ministerial appointment from President Tinubu was based on those same principles. “If I had accepted the ministerial position that was publicly offered to me, I would have resigned shortly after. Our fundamental philosophies of governance are worlds apart,” he added.

Police Call on NLC and TUC to Reschedule Planned Tuesday Protest in Abuja

February 2, 2026 by admin

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has advised the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to reschedule their planned protest billed for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, citing security concerns. On Sunday, the unions announced plans to hold a peaceful solidarity rally in Abuja on Tuesday, February 3. In a joint statement by the NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, and the TUC Secretary General, N. A. Toro, the two labour unions said the peaceful rally will be staged at the Federal Capital Development Authority as a public demonstration of solidarity with affected workers. The NLC and TUC directed all affiliates and state councils in the Federal Capital Territory to ensure effective mobilisation and timely dissemination of the information to their members, adding that full participation in the lawful and peaceful action was expected. However, in a statement on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the Command said it was aware of the proposed peaceful protest and acknowledged the constitutional right of citizens to peaceful assembly. However, Adeh disclosed that intelligence reports available to the Command indicated plans by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria and other non-state actors to infiltrate and hijack the protest for purposes that could threaten public peace and security. The statement partly read, “The FCT Police Command is aware of a planned peaceful protest by the NLC FCT Council, scheduled to hold tomorrow, Tuesday, 3rd February 2026, within the Federal Capital Territory. “While the Command recognises and respects the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and protest, and remains committed to providing adequate security for all lawful activities, intelligence reports at the disposal of the Police indicate plans by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria and other non-state actors to infiltrate and hijack the protest for purposes inimical to public peace and security.” Adeh added that the measure was also aimed at ensuring the safety of residents, protecting freedom of movement, and allowing the unhindered conduct of lawful daily activities within the Federal Capital Territory. She said, “In view of the above, and in the overriding interest of public safety, the FCT Police Command respectfully appeals to the organisers of the planned protest to consider rescheduling the activity to a later date and time. This measure is aimed at forestalling any breakdown of law and order, while also ensuring that the rights of other residents to safety, freedom of movement, and the conduct of lawful daily activities are not infringed upon. ” The PUNCH reports that the workers of the FCT administration commenced an indefinite strike on January 19 over unpaid salaries, promotion arrears and poor working conditions. In response, the FCT authorities approached the National Industrial Court, describing the industrial action as illegal and seeking an order to restrain the unions and their members from continuing the strike. The court, however, ordered the workers to resume work. The NLC and TUC subsequently accused the FCT authorities of intimidation and vowed to resist it.

2 Division Launches “Operation Igbo Danu” In Kwara, Destroys Terrorists’ Camps

January 30, 2026 by admin

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 22 Armoured Brigade, under the 2 Division, have recorded significant operational successes following the launch of Operation “Igbo Danu”, a sustained forest-clearing offensive targeting terrorist elements in Kwara State. The coordinated operations according to a signed press statement made available to journalists on Friday conducted between 23 and 29 January 2026, were executed with massive support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) within the Joint Operations Area (JOA). The offensive was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), Major General Chinedu Nnebife, alongside the Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume. According to military sources, troops carried out aggressive fighting patrols across several bandits’ enclaves, resulting in the neutralisation of a terrorist, while several others fled into surrounding forests with suspected gunshot wounds. The operation also led to the destruction of multiple hideouts and camps, effectively dislodging the criminals from their strongholds. In a related operation, troops successfully cleared Garin Dandi, a notorious bandits’ enclave in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, leading to the destruction of logistics bases and disruption of the bandits’ supply networks. The troops further advanced into remote camps previously inaccessible to security forces, where several abandoned camps and logistics enablers were destroyed, significantly degrading the terrorists’ sustainment capabilities. Despite the difficult and restrictive terrain, troops maintained an aggressive posture across the forested areas, denying the criminals freedom of movement. Blocking positions were established along escape routes, resulting in the arrest of suspected bandits. The operations also led to the rescue of several kidnap victims from different camps across the state. Observations from the operations revealed that the bandits receive support from collaborators within nearby communities, who provide intelligence on troop movements, enabling early withdrawal from targeted locations. The successes recorded, the Army said, underscore the resolve and operational effectiveness of 2 Division in degrading terrorist elements and restoring security in Kwara State. The GOC, Major General Nnebife, has urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely intelligence on bandits and their collaborators to support ongoing operations. He assured that Operation Igbo Danu remains ongoing, with troops determined to decisively dismantle all terrorist networks operating within Kwara State.

No Shots Fired at Anti-Demolition Protesters – Lagos CP

January 29, 2026 by admin

The Lagos State Police Command has denied claims that its officers shot at residents protesting the demolition of their homes, insisting no gun was fired during Wednesday’s demonstration. Protesters from communities including Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode-Onirin and Oko Baba marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly, demanding proper relocation plans, compensation, and justice for residents who reportedly lost their lives during past demolition exercises. Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “A megacity cannot be built on the bones and blood of the poor” and “Justice for Owode-Onirin traders,” the protesters demanded compensation, relocation plans, and justice for past demolitions. PUNCH Online reports that tensions escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa when demonstrators were denied entry. According to the report, several people, including journalists and a nursing mother, were affected by tear gas fired to disperse the crowd. One protester sustained a leg injury. A photograph showing an injured protester being assisted to the hospital circulated widely on social media, sparking claims that the individual was shot. Responding to the reports, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Olohundare, told Channels Television on Thursday, “No gun was fired. I was there. I was appealing to them to remain peaceful, but they continued to hurl abuses at me. As a police officer, I am trained to work under this kind of pressure, so I did not react.” He added that the police sought to resolve the situation peacefully. “We spoke with the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who promptly — despite being in recess — sent five honourable members to appeal to them. Still, it fell on deaf ears because their aim was to enter the House of Assembly and cause mayhem, which we will not allow.” He also dismissed reports of bullet wounds reportedly sustained by one of the protesters. He said the case was reported to the area commander, who inspected the injury and determined that it was not caused by a bullet. Jimoh said the injury could have occurred while protesters were fleeing from teargas. Teargas was used to disperse the crowd, and some injuries were reported. The police chief explained, “When teargas is fired, people run to leave the scene. It is during that process that some may sustain injuries. To our records, nobody reported a gunshot injury to us during the operation after they had been warned that force would be used if they refused to disperse.”

Police Caution Intending Travellers Against Visa Scams

January 28, 2026 by admin

The Police Special Fraud Unit has cautioned intending travellers to strictly adhere to due process when applying for travel visas. Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday, the spokesperson of PSFU, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, cautioned intending travellers against scams. Ewhubare urged members of the public to remain vigilant against fraudsters’ activities. NAN reports that scammers in the country have increasingly targeted visa applicants by posing as embassy officials or agents, using fake websites and urgent messages to demand quick payments. The fraudsters often promise guaranteed visa approvals or faster processing and request payments through personal bank accounts, gift cards, or other unofficial channels. Recently, the Police Command in Lagos State apprehended a syndicate in the Ago-Okota area of the state, for allegedly defrauding members of the public of over N500 million. The suspects, aged 23, 25, 27 and 36, were apprehended following credible intelligence and multiple complaints from victims. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects operated under the guise of an educational consultancy. The spokesperson said that following due process remained the most effective way to avoid becoming a victim of fraud. NAN

Police Beef-up Security As Traders Besiege, Chant IPOB Song At Market Gate

January 27, 2026 by admin

AWKA – THE Anambra State Police Command has beefed up security at the gates of Onitsha main market which was ordered to be shut down on Monday by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo on Monday following the traders insistence on observing every Monday Sit-at-Home. The police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga, a superintendent of police said the “market has been re-closed in compliance with the directive of the Anambra State Government, as approved by His Excellency, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, Executive Governor of Anambra State”. According to the police, in furtherance of this directive, adequate security has been deployed in and around the market, as well as other strategic locations within Onitsha, by the Police in collaboration with other security agencies, to maintain law and order and prevent any breach of public peace. Early Tuesday morning, traders were seen and mingling with a crowd chanting solidarity songs in support of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). They gathered around the market on a viral video and were addressed and sensitised on the need to cooperate fully with government directives in the interest of public safety, security, and economic stability, according to the police. The Command assured members of the public that the situation in Onitsha and across Anambra State remained calm and under control, while the police continued to monitor the situation to forestall any breakdown of law and order

EU Grants €557m to Nigeria, Others from €1.9bn 2026 Budget

January 21, 2026 by admin

The European Union on Wednesday announced that Nigeria and other African countries would be receiving the sum of 557 million euros from the bloc’s 2026 humanitarian aid budget. The EU made this known in a statement by its delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS Embassy’s Press Officer, Mr Modestus Chukwulaka, in Abuja. It said that Nigeria’s North-West region is in focus as it announced a grant of 557 million euros in humanitarian aid to African countries for the 2026 budget. The EU’s announcement came at a time when 239 million people need assistance, and major donors are cutting funding. It said that the amount excluded a separate 14.6 million euros allocated to North Africa. The EU said that it was part of the initial 1.9 billion euros humanitarian aid budget announced by Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management for this year. According to the statement, Lahbib brings this commitment to Davos, seeking to mobilise private sector finance and innovative solutions that can complement public funding and reach people in need. It said that the EU’s humanitarian aid delivered life-saving assistance where it matters most, emergency food and shelter, critical healthcare, protection for the most vulnerable, and support for children’s education in crisis zones. Furthermore, it said that as other donors retreat and humanitarian law faces unprecedented strain, the EU maintains its commitment, principled aid that reaches people in need, wherever they are. “The initial 1.9 billion euros allocation includes 557 million euros to West and Central Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad basin, North-West Nigeria, Central Africa, Southern Africa, the Great Lakes region and the Greater Horn of Africa. “It also includes 448 million euros to the Middle East, particularly Gaza, further to last year’s fragile ceasefire, as well as Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. “145 million euros is allocated to humanitarian needs in Ukraine, as Russia’s invasion enters its fourth year, and an additional eight million euros for humanitarian projects in Moldova,” it said. It said that 126 million euros is allocated to address humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. “95 million euros was allocated to Central and South America and the Caribbean, a region facing complex humanitarian crises driven by armed conflicts, widespread violence, political instability, acute inequalities and environmental challenges. “Also, 73 million euros will be allocated to support Southeast Asia and the Pacific, in particular for the Myanmar crisis and its impact in Bangladesh. “Then , 14.6 million euros will be allocated to North Africa, a region that remains exposed to complex political, economic and social challenges. “Additionally, more than 415 million euros is reserved for responding to sudden-onset emergencies worldwide, and maintaining a strategic supply chain,” it said. The statement said that the EU commissioner mobilised private sector support in Davos to close the gap between record humanitarian needs and available resources, which requires new approaches. It said that Lahbib’s other engagements in Davos were to discuss with business leaders and investors on how the private sector can bring innovation, scale, and new financing models to humanitarian responses. It said that together with the World Economic Forum, she will co-host an event on ‘New Alliances in Aid and Development’ on 22 January. “Lahbib’s full Davos agenda, including bilateral meetings amongst others engagements in Davos,” it said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EU and its member-states are the leading global humanitarian aid donors. The commission has been providing humanitarian aid since 1992 in over 110 countries, delivered through humanitarian NGOs, international organisations (including UN agencies), and specialised agencies in the member-states. NAN

Abducted Oyo APC Chieftain Recounts Ordeal

January 15, 2026 by admin

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Wale Oriade, on Thursday recounted his harrowing experience following his release last Saturday after 39 days in captivity. Oriade, in a statement issued in Ibadan, the state capital, revealed that his abductors spoke fluent English and never disclosed their tribe or identity. Oriade was kidnapped on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, around 7:06 p.m. at his office located at PJ Square Shopping Complex, beside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station, Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan. Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived in a blue Nissan Micra vehicle with two occupants—a driver and an armed man—who forcibly seized Oriade and whisked him away in the same vehicle. “The nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out have caused deep concern within his community,” an eyewitness said. Oriade expressed deep gratitude to party leaders, the media, security agencies and well-meaning Nigerians who stood by him during what he described as a difficult and mysterious period. The party chieftain explained, “A Nissan Micra vehicle blocked my car. Four gunmen carrying AK-47 rifles dragged me into their car, covered my face with a cap, and put headphones on me playing loud music while they drove around the city for several hours before we arrived at the place where I was kept in an apartment. “During my ordeal, they interrogated me about my work, family and past engagements. After several weeks in captivity, they began demanding ransom from my family, eventually claiming that an agreement had been reached.” He added, “On January 10, 2026, I was released in a similar manner to my abduction—blindfolded, driven around the city, and dropped off somewhere in Ibadan. I was shocked by the massive support I received.” Oriade noted that even while in captivity, his abductors commented on the widespread media attention his abduction generated. “They told me, ‘Everywhere is full of your story. How can you be this popular and say you don’t have money?’ That gave me hope,” he said. He specifically thanked former Senate Leader and the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Teslim Folarin; the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu; Senators Sharafadeen Ali and Yunus Akintunde; Akin Alabi; Akeem Agbaje; Olamiju Alao-Akala; the state APC Youth Leader, John Aremu; the state APC Publicity Secretary, Wale Sadare; Kareem Tajudeen; and other party leaders who rallied around his family during his captivity. “I want to specially appreciate my brother, Akeem Akogun, for his show of love, and also the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, for his concern; the Director of the Department of State Services; the state Police Command, especially the AKS Department; the APC media team; religious leaders, including the Chief Imam of Ibadan; and community associations that held vigils and prayers for my safe return,” he said. Oriade appealed to anyone he might have wronged in the past, saying, “This is the highest punishment anyone can go through. Please, find it in your heart to forgive me, whoever I might have wronged.” He concluded by expressing heartfelt gratitude to his immediate family and Nigerians at home and abroad who supported his release and uplifted his spirits during a difficult period of his life. The APC chieftain also urged the government to create more job opportunities for youths to enhance productivity, stressing the importance of unity and resilience in overcoming adversity, and expressed optimism for a better future.