The recap of top 10 key latest happenings that you might have missed this Sunday evening, 15th February, 2026
El-Rufai seeks NSA clarification on toxic chemical procurement
A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has asked the Office of the National Security Adviser to clarify what he described as information available to opposition figures regarding the alleged procurement of a toxic chemical substance.
In a letter dated January 30, 2026 and addressed to the National Security Adviser in Abuja, El-Rufai said he was seeking “clarification and reassurance” over reports that the office planned to obtain thallium sulphate from abroad.
El-Rufai posted a copy of the letter on his official X handle on Sunday.
The former governor noted that the substance is regarded as dangerous and tightly regulated, stressing the need for transparency.
I am writing as a concerned citizen to seek clarification and reassurance regarding information available to the political opposition leadership about a procurement of approximately 10 kilograms of Thallium Sulphate by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), reportedly from a supplier in Poland.
C’River set to regain oil-producing status — FG report
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission has formally received the final report of the Federal Government’s Inter-Agency Committee on Nigeria’s oil-producing states, with Cross River State projected to be re-listed as an oil-producing state.
The report was submitted on Friday, February 13, 2026, to RMAFC Chairman Mr Mohammed Shehu by 10 members of the 14-man committee.
According to a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Sunday, the submission follows a rigorous six-month verification exercise conducted from August 2025 to February 2026 and involves nationwide scrutiny of crude oil and gas coordinates from 2017 to 2025.
The committee comprised representatives from RMAFC, the National Boundary Commission (NBC), the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGoF), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Nigerian Hydrographic Agency, and relevant security agencies.
United Nigeria airlines records fourth bird strike in 2026
United Nigeria Airlines has reported a fourth bird strike involving its Airbus A320 aircraft in less than two weeks, prompting the temporary withdrawal of two aircraft from service for comprehensive safety inspections.
The latest incident occurred on Sunday, during the take-off of Flight UN0519 from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The airline disclosed that the strike affected one of the engines, necessitating the grounding of the aircraft to uphold strict safety standards.
Birds seen stuck in the engine section of a United Nigeria Airlines Airbus A320 after the incident in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the airline’s Public Relations Office, it said,
“In line with our strict and uncompromising safety standards, the affected aircraft has been withdrawn from service for comprehensive technical inspections before returning to operations.
Amotekun arrests 12 suspected kidnappers, 83 others in Ondo
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, has arrested no fewer than 95 suspected criminals across the 18 local government areas of the state for various offences.
According to the corps, the arrests were made possible through the cooperation of operatives of the state command of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Army.
The Amotekun Commander in the state, Akogun Adeleye, stated this on Sunday while speaking with journalists in Akure, the state capital.
The commander said the suspects were allegedly involved in crimes such as kidnapping, stealing, burglary, and illegal mining.
2027: I’ll contest for president – Peter Obi
FORMER Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has affirmed to run for the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), sure of nothing but victory.
At the OBIDIENT Conference and Official Declaration for ADC yesterday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, with the theme, ‘Activating the PO Effect in ADC’, Obi alleged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) won’t recognise any Labour Party (LP) leadership as long as he remains in it.
He told the gathering,
“I left LP when I got informed that as long as I remain in the party, INEC will not recognize its leadership, that the federal government doesn’t want me on the ballot.
“I want to assure you that I will contest the coming election even if it is held in their bedroom, and if they don’t want to transmit the results, we will transmit them for them.
ADC slams Tinubu over Argungu Festival amid rising insecurity
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu for attending the Argungu fishing festival while insecurity worsens across the country.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the President’s presence came as credible reports indicate that nearly 1,300 Nigerians were killed within 41 days, while hundreds, including children and nursing mothers, remain in captivity.
“We are concerned that at a time of rising insecurity, the President was attending a fishing festival while innocent Nigerians continue to suffer the tragic brunt of terror,” the party said.
First batch of U.S. troops arrive Nigeria for anti-terror mission
The first wave of U.S. military personnel has arrived in Nigeria, marking the start of a deployment of roughly 200 American intelligence analysts, advisers, and trainers to assist Nigerian forces in targeted counterterrorism operations aimed partly at protecting Christians, officials confirmed Friday.
A U.S. military plane landed in Maiduguri on Thursday night.
Officials said the first tranche of about 100 troops will steadily arrive over the weekend, with several additional aircraft carrying troops and equipment expected in the coming weeks.
Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, a Nigerian defense spokesman, said the U.S. troops would focus on training and technical matters.
APC dismisses implosion claims
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly rejected opposition claims that it will implode after its forthcoming national convention, describing the projections as misguided and politically motivated.
The party said the narrative was being driven by rivals seeking relevance amid their own internal disarray and electoral uncertainty ahead of the next political cycle.
Lagos State APC Spokesman, Mr. Seye Oladejo, made the remarks in a statement issued on Sunday, insisting the ruling party remained cohesive and forward-looking.
According to him, the APC continues to be defined by resilience, discipline and a structured commitment to internal democracy.
Southern Governors’ Forum condoles Kano over devastating market fire
The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has commiserated with the government and people of Kano State following the devastating fire outbreak at Singa Market in Kano.
The inferno reportedly destroyed properties valued at over ₦5 billion, affected more than 1,000 businesses, and left seven persons missing.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Abiodun described the incident as one of the most unfortunate tragedies in the history of the market.
Village head, 33 others arrested over illegal mining in Niger
The Nigeria security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, has arrested a village head and 33 others in connection with the killing of a police constable and the burning of an NSCDC patrol vehicle during a violent clash with suspected illegal miners in the Zuzungi area of Katcha Local Government Area.
The State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the incident.
He said several suspects were apprehended at the residence of the village head, where they had reportedly taken refuge following the crisis.
