Compilations of top 10 stories you need to know this Tuesday morning, 20th January, 2026
Amnesty deal: Outrage mounts as Katsina moves to release 70 bandits
Prominent socio-political organisations, including Afenifere, Arewa Consultative Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Middle Belt Forum, and others, have expressed outrage over a plan by the Katsina State Government to release 70 bandits as part of measures to patch up a floundering peace pact with bandit leaders.
The groups, in separate interviews with The PUNCH, described the move as reckless and a danger to national security, calling on the Federal Government to halt the provocative action.
Also, religious and community leaders in Katsina State voiced strong opposition to the proposed amnesty for the bandits, whom they described as a grave threat to the state.
Katsina State is dealing with a surge in bandit attacks, with over 1,500 civilians killed between 2021 and 2025.
Recently, the state government approved the release of 70 suspected bandits as part of a peace deal with armed groups.
The move has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it undermines justice and emboldens criminals.
DSS arrests Malami after release from Kuje prison
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), was on Monday taken into custody by security operatives shortly after his release from the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
Operatives of the Department of State Services reportedly picked him up immediately after he exited the facility.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission clarified that it did not re-arrest Malami.
Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed that Malami was released after meeting his bail conditions.
“He has been released.
He perfected his bail conditions and was released this afternoon,” one official said. Another added,
“He joined the DSS in their vehicle after his release.”
A video obtained by our correspondent showed Malami being led to a black vehicle shortly after leaving the correctional centre.
In the footage, he was heard asking,
“Who is the oga among you? Can I see your ID card?”
Efforts to obtain comments from the DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations, Favour Dozie, were unsuccessful, as calls to her phone were not returned.
Obidient Movement members join ADC in Edo
Some members of the Obidient Movement in Edo State formally joined the African Democratic Congress on Monday.
The move comes on the heels of the reported movement of their leader, Peter Obi, into the party.
Receiving the Obidient members, the National Leader of the ADC, Chief John Oyegun, said their decision to join the party showed that Nigerians were ready to embrace the struggle for leadership change in the country.
Oyegun, a former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, said a new Nigeria was possible with the calibre of people joining the ADC, adding that he was pleased with the Obidient Movement’s decision to align with the party.
He said,
“A new Nigeria is truly possible. A few days ago, I was in the hall when a colourful and important personality, Dele Momodu, joined us.
“Today is the first time I have seen youths so committed to nation-building.
It is my first time meeting members of the Obidient Movement in this number. We are convinced that the youth of this country are ready.Ribadu debunks report of mother’s death
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has debunked an online report claiming that his mother died on Monday, describing the publication as false and misleading.
Ribadu clarified the situation in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Tuesday after receiving numerous calls and messages from sympathisers.
The clarification followed reports in the media announcing the purported death of Mamma Ribadu at the age of 86, describing her as a respected matriarch and mother to both the NSA and Sani Ribadu, the Emir of Fufore in Adamawa State.
“I have been inundated with calls and messages from friends and associates following an inaccurate online publication claiming that my mother passed away on Monday, 19 January 2026,” Ribadu said.
Gov Yusuf meets Tinubu, seeks support for security, mega projects in Kano
Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has sought the support of President Bola Tinubu in tackling the formidable security challenges in some local government areas of the state.
The request was made during a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where Yusuf presented key priorities of his administration, focusing on security, infrastructure, and a stronger partnership with the Federal Government.
This is contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, in Kano on Tuesday.
The meeting, held in closed session, was used to brief the president on pressing challenges and opportunities in Kano, particularly the worsening insecurity in some local government areas.
Yusuf informed Tinubu about the recent tragic killing of a housewife and her children, stressing the need for decisive federal support to strengthen security operations and protect innocent citizens.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, January 20, 2026
The Nigerian Naira maintained a steady performance in the early hours of trading today, Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as the foreign exchange market reacts to recent government projections for economic consolidation and a targeted growth rate of 4.68 percent for the year.
In the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the Naira opened the trading day at approximately 1,419.37 per dollar.
As of the mid-morning session, the rate saw a slight appreciation, currently trading at 1,417.53 per dollar.
This reflects a marginal gain of 0.13 percent compared to the opening figures, indicating a period of relative calm in the official window.
The stability in the NFEM is supported by improved reporting and transparency in the central bank’s management of external debt and liquidity.
Finance officials have recently noted that while nominal debt figures remain high, the revaluation of the Naira through previous reforms has helped stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio, providing a more predictable environment for foreign investors and local manufacturers.
Banks report higher loan default rates in Q4’25
Banks have recorded an increase in loan defaults by households and corporates in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting growing repayment pressures on consumers and businesses.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) disclosed this in its Credit Conditions Survey (CCS) Report for Q4 2025, which revealed that lenders experienced higher default rates on secured and unsecured household loans, as well as across all categories of corporate lending, including loans to small businesses, private non-financial corporations (PNFCs) and other financial corporations (OFCs).“
According to the survey, “lenders reported higher default rates for secured, unsecured and all corporate lending types in Q4 2025,” reflecting sustained financial strain on borrowers amid prevailing economic conditions
“The rise in defaults occurred despite improved access to credit during the quarter.
Banks indicated that credit availability increased for secured, unsecured and corporate loans, driven by changing economic outlook and lenders’ market share objectives.
Father of Kano murder suspect demands son’s death
Father of the prime suspect, arrested over the killing of seven family members in Dorayi Chiranchi area of Kano metropolis, Malam Auwal, has called on authorities to swiftly punish his son, Umar Auwal, without delay.
Fatima Abubakar, 35, and her children were reportedly murdered by assailants, allegedly led by Umar, who broke into their residence at Dorayi Gidan Kwari, sparking outrage across Kano and beyond.
This came as President Bola Tinubu has condemned the murder of the housewife, and her six children, ordering investigation into the incident.
Also, the Kano State government said it was taking over the prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with the killings.
Nigeria’s oil output drops 8.3% to 1.544m bpd
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the oil and gas industry regulator, said Nigeria’s oil output, including condensate, dropped significantly by 8.3 percent year-on-year (YoY) to 1.544 million bpd in December 2025 from 1.684 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.
The Commission did not provide reasons in its report released yesterday, but there were indications that it might be fueled mainly by limited investment and production.
However, on a month-on-month (MoM) basis, the Commission said the nation’s oil output, including condensate, dropped marginally to 1.544 million bpd in December 2025 from 1.599 million bpd in November 2025.
This showed that Nigeria did not meet its 1.5 million bpd quota of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), as the regulator said of the 1.544 million bpd output, 122,385 bpd were condensate, which OPEC does not recognize during the period.
It also showed that the federal government did not meet its 2.06 million bpd budget 2025 target during the period.
The budget was also based on $75 per barrel and an exchange rate of approximately N1,500/$1 during the period
Why Super Eagles skipped AFCON bronze medal ceremony — NFF
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has explained why Super Eagles players were absent from the medal ceremony at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Nigeria clinched third place on Saturday after defeating Egypt 4–2 on penalties, but the players were not present to receive their bronze medals following Sunday’s final between Morocco and Senegal.
Speaking on the issue, Gusau said the players were unable to stay back for the ceremony due to pressure from their clubs, who demanded their immediate return after the playoff match.
