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“Give Us Heads Of Those You Beheaded”, Nigerian Army Demands From Ebonyi Community

February 5, 2026

By Adesina Soyooye

The Nigerian Army has denied that it lost two soldiers in the bloody Ebonyi communal clash. Instead, the Army is looking for the heads of natives who were beheaded during the clash.

It has, therefore, called on the perpetrators of the attack on Okporojo, Oso Edda in Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State to release the heads of the victims which they took away after beheading them.

The community was invaded by their attackers who not only killed five people but beheaded four of them whose heads they made away with.

The attackers also burnt many houses in the area and inflicted injuries on many residents.

The Okporojo Oso Eda has been at war over land with their neighbouring Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area of the State. The unending war has cost both communities scores of lives and properties worth millions of Naira.

Strongly condemning the attack on Okporojo, the Army urged the perpetrators to release the heads of those they killed and beheaded.

The call for the release of the heads was made by the Cantonment Commander, Nkwagu Military Cantonment in the State, Lt Col. Ikenna Chielo. He regretted that the killings occurred when efforts were ongoing to resolve the land dispute between the two communities.

He said: “Amasiri crisis did not start today. It’s a long time crisis, even the past administration made efforts to resolve it.

“Committee was set up to resolve it, it involved a lot of people. I think the present, traditional ruler of Amasiri was the chairman of the committee at that and a report was made on the crisis.

“It was forwarded to the government. And when this government came and said, okay, let’s implement this, a lot of work has been done by the present government to resolve the crisis. While these efforts were on, people were killed.

“One of the key issues is that we want the heads of those people. You can’t kill people. It’s not enough that you kill them.

“You now cut off their heads as if they are animals. What are you doing to the heads of your fellow human beings? And what is even more painful is that these are our brothers. It’s not as if it’s Yoruba or Hausa or any other tribe or someone from Mali or Niger.

“These are people from the same ancestors. It’s really saddening. While I was growing up, I never imagined that something like this could happen in Nigeria.”

The Commandant also put a lie to the rumour that two military personnel deployed to the community were killed. He explained:

“What happened was that the first day of our deployment, probably they assumed that the strength of the soldiers there were very few.

“And they came and attacked us, actually and we responded. The only thing is that, because the area was a built-up area, they had to be cautious so that we don’t have casualties of shooting stray bullets and killing innocent people in their homes.

“If not, that night, a lot of things would have gone wrong. We just tried to be very professional. If we had used annoyance or emotion to act that night, it would have been bloody.

“We were attacked, aside that, none of my soldiers has been killed in this operation”.

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, in reaction to the clashes, sacked all his appointees from that area. He also deposed all Traditional Rulers and dissolved all Town Unions in the Community.

Tinubu Orders Movement Of Army Battalion To Kwara Community

Ayodele Oni

February 5, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Coming after over 160 people were massacred by bandits, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government, Kwara State, where Boko Haram terrorists overnight killed hapless villagers in Worro.

President Tinubu said the new military command will spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate the barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities.

This was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, (Information & Strategy).

Tinubu condemned the cowardly and beastly attack and described the gunmen as heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror.

The president expressed rage that the attackers killed the community members who rejected their obnoxious attempt at indoctrination, choosing instead to practice Islam that is neither extreme nor violent.

“It’s commendable that the community members, even though Muslims, refused to be conscripted into a weird belief that promoted violence over peace and dialogue,” he said.

The President urged collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide succour to members of the community and ensure those who committed the atrocities do not go scot-free.

President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and condoled with those who lost family members. He also condoled with the people and the government of Kwara State.

Death Toll Rises As Bandits Lay Siege On Kwara, Katsina Communities

Ayodele Oni

February 5, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Death toll in the series of attacks launched by bandits on two villages in Kwara state has been out at not less than 160.

Described as the deadliest armed assaults this year, the two affected communities reel from repeated and widespread acts of violence perpetrated by jihadists and other armed groups.

The death toll from Tuesday’s attacks in Woro and Nuku in Kwara state stood at 162 on Wednesday afternoon, according to Mohammed Omar Bio, a member of parliament representing the area.

He told the Associated Press that the Lakurawa, an armed group affiliated with Islamic State, had carried out the attacks. No one has claimed responsibility.

Sa’idu Baba Ahmed, a politician in the Kaiama region, said gunmen had rounded up residents, bound their hands behind their backs and killed them.

The attackers also torched homes and shops. “As I’m speaking to you now, I’m in the village along with military personnel, sorting dead bodies and combing the surrounding areas for more,” he told Reuters.

According to him, many people had fled into surrounding bushland with gunshot wounds and that the whereabouts of several people, including the village’s traditional king, were unknown.

Residents told Reuters the gunmen were jihadists who often preached in the village and that they demanded that locals ditch their allegiance to the Nigerian state and switch to sharia law.

When the villagers pushed back, the militants opened fire during Tuesday’s sermon, they said.

The Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, condemned the attack as “a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following the ongoing counter-terrorism campaigns in parts of the state”.

Kwara borders Niger state, which is targeted increasingly by armed groups. The military recently carried out operations in the area against what it called “terrorist elements”.

Only on Wednesday, Kogi state government ordered public and private institutions to close indefinitely, citing u favourable security report.

Nigeria is in the grip of interlinked security crises, including a jihadist insurgency in the north-east and north-west, a surge in looting and kidnapping for ransom by armed groups known as “bandits” in the north-west and north-central regions, and intercommunal violence in central states.

At least two groups operating in the country are affiliated with IS: an offshoot of the Boko Haram extremist group known as Islamic State West Africa Province in the north-east, and the lesser-known Islamic State Sahel Province, known locally as the Lakurawa, which is prominent in the north-west.

The military has said in the past that the Lakurawa has its roots in neighbouring Niger and that it became more active in Nigeria’s border communities since a 2023 military coup.

In a separate attack on Tuesday, gunmen killed at least 13 people in Doma village in the Faskari area in Katsina state in the north-west, police said on Wednesday.

Last week, armed extremists in the north-east killed at least 36 people during separate attacks on a construction site and on an army base.

Tuesday’s attack in Katsina state happened despite a series of peace deals brokered between armed groups of motorcycle-riding bandits and villagers in the 11 local government councils most affected by the violence in the state.

The deals were negotiated by community elders and traditional rulers and reportedly backed by local authorities. Faskari, a predominantly farming and animal husbandry area, was one of those councils.

The Nigerian military has intensified operations against jihadists and armed bandits and regularly claims to have killed huge numbers of fighters.

The military said last month that it had launched “sustained coordinated offensive operations against terrorist elements” in Kwara state and achieved notable successes.

Local media reported that the army had “neutralised” or killed 150 people. In a statement on 30 January the army said that troops had also “stormed remote camps hitherto inaccessible to security forces where several abandoned camps and logistics enablers were destroyed, significantly degrading the terrorists’ sustainment capability”.

In response to the myriad insecurity woes, local authorities in Kwara state imposed curfews in certain areas and had closed schools for several weeks before ordering them to reopen on Monday.

Insecurity in Africa’s most populous country has been under intense scrutiny in recent months since the US president, Donald Trump, alleged a “genocide” of Christians in Nigeria.

The claim has been rejected by the Nigerian government and many independent experts, who say the country’s security crises claim the lives of Christians and Muslims, often without distinction.

On Tuesday, Gen Dagvin Anderson, head of the US Africa Command, said the US had deployed a small military team to Nigeria, where Trump’s administration has alternately put pressure on and aided the government as it fights jihadist violence.

Anderson said at a virtual news conference that the two countries had agreed to “increase collaboration”.

Despite these efforts, many in the north and south of the country claim the authorities are not doing enough to combat the violence and are instead focused on politics.

Hours before the Doma massacre unfolded, thousands of supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress party travelled on roads where raids have happened in recent years to Katsina’s state capital, where they participated in a rally endorsing its governor for next year’s general elections.

*Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu Finally Files Appeal Against His Conviction

Suleiman Anyalewechi

February 5, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has formally filed a notice of appeal against his conviction by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The Source reports that Justice James Omotosho had, on November 20, 2025, convicted and sentenced the IPOB’s leader to a life in jail on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism activities.

He is currently serving his jail term at the Sokoto custodial Centre.

In the notice which contains 22 grounds of appeal, and which was filed on Wednesday February 4, 2026, Kanu urged the Appallate Court to set aside his earlier conviction by the trial Court on the grounds that the trial Judge erred in law when he failed to resolve the procedural and competence consequences of his botched 2017 trial.

The IPOB leader similarly faulted his conviction under a supposedly repealed law, as well as retrial based on overlapping facts.

Kanu further argued that in convicting and sentencing him, the trial Judge ignored his preliminary objections, and bail applications pending before the courts.

He further contended that his conviction and sentencing came despite an earlier Court of Appeal judgment declaring his trial a nullity

In all, the IPOB leader prayed the Court of Appeal to nullify his conviction on all seven counts as well as set aside the life imprisonment slammed on him by the trial court.

Accordingly, he prayed the Appallate court to discharge and acquit him on all counts.

The Source further reports that Justice Omotosho had, last week, dismissed Kanu’s application seeking to be transferred from the Sokoto Correctional facility to that of Kuje and any other close to Abuja to enable him file and defend his appeal against his conviction.

OPINION: History Will Not Be Kind To Such Silence!

The Source

February 4, 2026

By Aliyu Ammani

This morning, while listening to the BBC Hausa Service on the radio, I heard two news reports that left me deeply troubled and disturbed, not just by their content, but by what they reveal about the grim reality we have come to accept as normal in this part of the country.

The first report was from Woro, a community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State. Bandits had invaded the community, set the palace of the local chief on fire, and unleashed terror on defenceless residents. According to the community’s representative at the State House of Assembly, between 35 and 45 people were killed. Entire lives were wiped out in a single raid, and yet the story passed like yet another grim bulletin in an endless cycle of violence.

The second report came from Katsina State, and if anything, it was even more chilling. In Faskari Local Government Area, both the state and local governments reportedly entered into what they described as “peace deals” with bandits.

As evidence of the Fulani bandits’ so-called commitment to peace, 19 corpses were transported to the local government headquarters by the community leaders, so the chairman could see the bodies with his own eyes. In total, about 35 people were said to have been killed.

But one detail in that report stopped me cold. According to the interviewee, part of the peace agreement stipulated that communities must not allow able-bodied men to carry arms. No vigilante groups. No organised self-defence. Even machetes, the most basic tool for rural survival, must be “bad ones,” with no wooden or metal handled, barely usable. A young man found with a proper machete is automatically suspect. In other words, the communities were completely disarmed.

Let us pause and reflect on the absurdity, and cruelty, of this arrangement. Rural communities whose only means of self-defence consist of machetes, cutlasses, bows and arrows are stripped of even these. Meanwhile, the bandits, armed with sophisticated firearms, are allowed to retain their weapons, roam freely across the local government area, and continue killing, kidnapping, raping, and terrorising the same people they supposedly signed peace deals with. If this is peace, then one wonders what war looks like.

This, sadly, is the unfortunate reality we are living with in Northern Nigeria. And what makes it even more painful is the deafening silence, or selective outrage, of institutions that should, at the very least, pretend to care.

Take the so-called Sharia Council, for example. Faced with rivers of blood, burnt villages, widows, orphans, and mass graves, one would expect emergency meetings, loud condemnations, and firm religious verdicts against banditry. One would expect them to name and shame notorious warlords, to call on figures like Bello Turji, Dogo Gide, and Ado Aleru to fear the wrath of Allah and abandon crimes that have no place under Shari’a. But no.

Instead, we see impressive gatherings, well-attended meetings, and fiery declarations, directed not at killers, but at political targets. The INEC Chairman must go. That, apparently, is the urgent moral crisis of our time.

Look closely at the photographs and video clips from these gatherings. Count the number of people present. Ask yourself a simple question: have these same people ever assembled in such numbers to confront the insecurity ravaging the North? Have they ever publicly, unequivocally condemned Fulani banditry with the same energy they deploy for political matters? The honest answer is no.

This is the tragedy of Northern Nigeria: a place where religion is too often weaponised to pursue political goals, while human life becomes collateral damage. Manipulating religion for power and influence is not new here, it is an old, tired script. What is new, and far more dangerous, is how brazenly it is done while entire communities bleed in silence.

A society that disarms its victims and negotiates with their killers is not seeking peace. It is institutionalising helplessness. And any religious or sociocultural organisation that finds its voice only when politics is at stake, but loses it in the face of mass murder, has forfeited its claim to moral leadership.

Ammani wrote from U/Shanu Kaduna

ADC, SDP, PDP Shut Out Of Local Govt Election In Kogi

Ayodele Oni

February 4, 2026

Independent National Electoral Commission - INEC

By Ayodele Oni

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not be participating in the 2026 Local Government Elections in Kogi state.

The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) announced that only 12 political parties have so far been cleared to contest the chairmanship and councillorship positions across Kogi State’s 21 local government areas, following their compliance with statutory and electoral requirements.

The election to the 21 local councils of the state is slated to hold on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Speaking during a press briefing, the Chairman of the Commission, Mamman Nda Eri, explained that the decision was reached after a thorough review of submissions made by political parties in line with the Kogi State Electoral Law, relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, and applicable court rulings.

According to Eri, the excluded parties failed to meet key requirements, including proper documentation, registration compliance, and adherence to stipulated guidelines within the timeframe set by KOSIEC.

“As a result, they were disqualified from taking part in the forthcoming council polls.”

Eri emphasized that the commission’s actions were guided strictly by law and not influenced by political considerations, stressing that KOSIEC remains committed to conducting a credible, transparent, and peaceful election.

The full list of political parties cleared to participate in the 2026 local government elections is expected to be officially announced in the coming days, as the commission concludes final verification processes.

KOSIEC is still engaging with relevant stakeholders to ensure full compliance with electoral guidelines before making the final announcement public.

The development has continued to generate reactions among political stakeholders, particularly members of the affected parties, as preparations intensify ahead of the 2026 polls.

KOSIEC reaffirmed its readiness to ensure a level playing field for all qualified parties and called on security agencies, civil society organisations, and the electorate to cooperate for a smooth electoral process across the state.

Why NNPC Shut Down Four Refineries – Ojulari

Ayodele Oni

February 4, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has revealed why four government owned refineries were shut down.

The shut down was effected last year after the present administration of President Bola Tinubu injected fund with a view to make them work.

Ojulari openly admitted that Nigeria’s state-owned refineries were operating at massive losses, prompting his administration to halt their operations to prevent further financial damage to the country.

Ojulari made the revelation on Wednesday in Abuja during a fireside chat titled “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future” at the Nigeria International Energy Summit 2026, where he delivered one of the most candid assessments yet of the nation’s troubled refining sector.

According to the NNPC boss, the refineries were draining national resources despite decades of heavy investment, leaving Nigerians understandably frustrated.

“On the refineries, Nigerians were angry. A lot of money has been spent, and expectations were very high. So we were under extreme pressure,” Ojulari said.

Nigeria’s four government-owned refineries—Port Harcourt (two plants), Warri, and Kaduna—have consumed billions of dollars in rehabilitation and turnaround maintenance over the years, yet have consistently failed to achieve sustainable output.

Following a detailed operational review, Ojulari said it became clear that the refineries were financially unsustainable.

“The first thing that became clear is that we were running at a monumental loss to Nigeria. We were just wasting money.”

He explained that NNPC was feeding crude oil into the refineries every month, yet utilisation remained between 50 and 55 per cent, leading to significant value erosion.

“We were spending heavily on operations and contractors, but when you looked at the net outcome, value was simply leaking away,” he added.

More troubling, Ojulari noted, was the absence of a clear path to profitability.

“Sometimes you make losses during investment, but you must have a line of sight to recovery. That line of sight was not clear here.”

Ojulari pointed out that suspending refinery operations was one of the earliest and toughest decisions taken by his leadership.

“We decided to stop the refinery and do a quick check. If things were properly lined up, we would reopen and work on them.”

He maintained that the shutdown was necessary to prevent further losses while reassessing the commercial viability of the facilities.

Lassa Fever: Medical Doctor Dies After Contracting Disease From A Patient

Suleiman Anyalewechi

February 4, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The authorities of the Bingham University Teaching Hospital has confirmed the death of one of its medical doctors, Dr Salome Oboyi, after she contracted the highly infectious and deadly Lassa fever while treating a patient.

Dr Oboyi, who was a senior resident doctor attached to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology succumbed to the disease barely two weeks after developing symptoms.

At a media briefing in Jos, the Chief Medical Director of the Bingham University Teaching Hospital Prof. Stephen Anzaku, informed that Dr Oboyi, who reported herself immediately after showing symptoms, was placed on an admission with adequate treatment and monitoring.

According to him, the Plateau state Government, through the Ministry of Health, provided all the drugs needed for the treatment.

He, however, expressed regret that despite the efforts made by the system to save her, Dr Oboyi succumbed to the dreaded disease.

“She operated on a patient that came as an emergency. It was after the surgery that there was a suspicion.

“And then, after some time, she developed some symptoms and we immediately commenced treatment”, the CMD noted

While bemoaning the shocking exit of Dr Oboyi, the CMD lamented that the death is the first and only one involving a staff of the Teaching hospital in over forty years.

“Late Dr Salome Oboyi treated a Lassa fever patient about two weeks ago. And shortly after the treatment, she developed symptoms, reported herself to the hospital, and was immediately placed on admission and treatment.

“We were very supportive. The Plateau State Ministry of Health provided the necessary drugs.

“We managed her for almost two weeks, but, unfortunately, she was called home.

” We never lost a staff member here for over four decades until now. Now, we have lost a very dedicated and beloved doctor”, Prof Anzaku lamented.

Insecurity: Oyo Takes Delivery Of Surveillance Aircraft

Ayodele Oni

February 4, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

As part of measures to tackle insecurity, the Oyo State government is set to take delivery of a surveillance aircraft.

Governor, Seyi Makinde, gave clarifications on the purchase of a surveillance aircraft by the State to combat terror attack and criminal activities within and at its borders, revealed that the facility is awaiting clearance at Lagos Port.

He stated this in his address at the ground finale of the celebration of Oyo State’s 50th anniversary, which held at the State House, Agodi, Ibadan, on Tuesday.

The governor disclosed that he spoke with the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Governor AbdlRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara state on Sunday over the issue and according to him, as at Tuesday, the vessel that brought the aircraft has landed at Apapa in Lagos.

“I spoke with my Chairman, I believe yesterday, or maybe the day before, the Chairman of Nigeria’s Governor’s Forum, we spoke about the surveillance aircraft that we ordered.

“Well, as we speak, we are tracking the vessel, three days ago, it was at Lome, now the vessel is at the Port in Lagos.

“So that is also being delivered, and it will help both Oyo and Kwara to ensure that we can have surveillance across our common areas and into our States.

The issue surrounding the aircraft became rife some weeks ago after a bloody attack on some forest guards at Oloka village at Oriire local government area by people suspected to be armed bandits.

Ondo Police Confirms Death Of Two Students After Pool Party

Ayodele Oni

February 4, 2026

Adekunle Ajasin Univeristy - Akungba Akoko

By Ayodele Oni

A swimming pool party, organized by an hotel for matriculating students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, (AAUA) ended in disaster as two of the students died.

Ondo State Police Command, which disclosed this on Wednesday, explained that the two students died after they were rescued out of the hotel’s swimming pool unconscious.

The command’s spokesman Abayomi Jimoh, in a statement stated that a tragic case of drowning was reported at Akungba, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

“On the 29th of January, 2026, a report was received at the Akungba Divisional Police Headquarters from one Shittu, male, the pool manager of Unibercity Lounge and Hotel, Akungba-Akoko, regarding an unfortunate incident that occurred during a swimming pool party organized by the hotel for newly matriculated students.

“According to the report, at about 2000hrs on the same date, one Adegbola Blessing, male, aged 19 years, was discovered unconscious inside the hotel’s swimming pool.

“He was immediately rescued by the pool manager and administered first aid. The victim reportedly regained consciousness, was able to stand, and was subsequently taken home by his friends.

“Shortly thereafter, another individual, Oludere Opeyemi, male, aged 22 years, was also discovered unconscious in the swimming pool.

“He was promptly rescued and rushed to the State Hospital, Ikare-Akoko, where he was later confirmed dead by medical personnel.

“Following the report, operatives of the Akungba Divisional Police Station were promptly deployed to the scene on the night of the incident to commence investigation.

“Meanwhile, the hotel manager, Ayomide Badejo, female, alongside the pool manager, were invited for questioning as part of preliminary investigation.

“Further developments occurred in the early hours of 30th January, 2026, at about 0700hrs, when the first victim, Adegbola Blessing, was reported to have also passed on.

“Consequently, the case was transferred to the Command’s Monitoring Unit for discreet, thorough, and comprehensive investigation.

“The remains of the deceased persons have been deposited at the State Hospital, Ikare-Akoko morgue for preservation and autopsy, as part of the ongoing investigation process.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc+, mnips, has assured members of the public that the incident is being thoroughly investigated to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the deaths, establish any form of culpability, and ensure that justice is served.”

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