The recap of top 10 key latest happenings that you might have missed this Saturday evening, 21st February, 2026
Obidient movement flags IREV glitch in FCT polls
The Obidient Movement has raised concerns over an alleged malfunction of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Results Viewing Portal, claiming that results uploaded from several polling units were not reflecting on the server.
The development comes amid the ongoing Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, where voters across the six councils — Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji and Kwali — are electing chairmen and councillors in what is widely viewed as a test of grassroots political strength in the nation’s capital.
In a statement on Saturday titled “Alert from the Obidient Movement Headquarters,” the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, called on supporters and Nigerians to remain vigilant over the collation process.
“Information reaching us indicates that the IREV server is active but not displaying results that were reportedly uploaded successfully from various polling units,” the statement read.
ADC questions Wike’s presence at polling units
The African Democratic Congress on Saturday condemned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for visiting polling units in Abuja during the Area Council elections, describing his actions as “direct interference” and a potential source of voter intimidation.
n a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said Wike’s tour, which followed a curfew imposed on potential voters, represents direct interference in the election.
“The African Democratic Congress strongly condemns the movement of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, around various polling units in Abuja under the guise of monitoring.“
Wike’s monitoring exercise, after unilaterally imposing a curfew on potential voters, represents direct interference in the election,” the statement reads.
Wike visits polling units in Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, toured polling units in the Abuja Municipal Area Council during the FCT Area Council elections.
Videos shared with our correspondent by the minister’s media aide, Olayinka Lere, showed Wike at polling stations in Karu, Karshi and Garki, among other locations.
Voters are turning out at various locations to elect their representatives, with security personnel maintaining order.
The atmosphere across the councils has remained calm so far.
Reps deputy spokesman urges collective action against insecurity
The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has called on Nigerians to play an active role in supporting ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
Agbese also pledged to mobilise public backing for the Armed Forces’ newly launched Operation Savannah Shield, a multi-agency security effort covering parts of the North Central region, including Niger State, Kwara State, and Benue State.
The operation was flagged off at Sobi Barracks by the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, alongside the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Waidi Shaibu, following approval by President Bola Tinubu.
The deployment comes amid renewed attacks by suspected terrorists and armed groups in the Kaiama axis of Kwara North and neighbouring communities in Niger State, raising concerns about the spread of criminal networks across forest corridors in the North Central zone.
Katsina receives 21 kidnap victims, arrests four suspects
The Katsina State Government has announced the rescue of 21 kidnapped victims and the arrest of four suspects following a joint security operation in Dargaza Hills, Danmusa Local Government Area.
The operation was led by the Department of State Services in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and the Community Watch Corps.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mua’zu, said the intelligence-driven operation led to the successful rescue of the victims and the arrest of four suspects who are currently undergoing investigation.
According to him,
“The rescued victims comprised 16 women, two men and three babies kidnapped from Gidan Sarkin Bayero Village in Musawa LGA and other locations.
“More so, 20 of the rescued victims are Christians, while two are Muslims; this shows the indiscriminate nature of banditry and the government’s commitment to protecting all citizens regardless of religion.
Ogun refutes endorsing prince as Awujale of Ijebuland
The Ogun State Government on Saturday denied reports suggesting that it had endorsed Prince Ademorin Aliu Kuye as the next Awujale of Ijebuland, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement signed by the Honourable Commissioner of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the government said “that it is not involved in, nor has it endorsed, any such claim.
“Attention has been drawn to rumours circulating in certain quarters alleging that the Ifa oracle has chosen Prince Ademorin Aliu Kuye as the next Awujale of Ijebuland and that the State Government has endorsed or supported this purported outcome.”
The statement explained that the selection and installation of the Awujale is strictly guided by applicable laws, established procedures, and recognised traditional customs.
Police repel bandit attack at Kebbi border
The Nigeria Police Force in Kebbi State has repelled a late-night attack by suspected bandits along the Maje border road, stopping what authorities described as a coordinated attempt to breach security under darkness.
The attack occurred around 9.45pm on February 20, 2026, when armed men believed to be members of the Lakurawa criminal network reportedly advanced towards security positions while moving a herd of cattle to conceal their movement.
Operatives of the police Nigeria Police Force Counter Terrorism Unit, who were on alert, engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to retreat.
Kebbi State Police Commissioner Umar Mohammed Hadeija confirmed that the swift response of officers prevented casualties and further damage.
“Our operatives were vigilant and professionally responded to the attack.
The bandits were repelled and forced to flee. Although some temporary security structures were damaged, no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded,” he said in a Saturday statement.
#FCTDecides: We took FCT polls like national election – APC
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has stated that its intensive preparation for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Council elections mirrored the scale of a national contest, leaving no room for the opposition to contest the eventual outcome.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Secretary of the APC Campaign Council, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, declared that the party’s victory would be a result of hard work and a “popular campaign” driven by the administration’s infrastructure record.
By-election: Ramadan, public perception behind low turnout – Kano REC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said the low turnout recorded in Saturday’s by-election in Kano State may not be unconnected with Ramadan and public perception that the contest involved few candidates.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Amb. Abdu Zango, made this known while addressing newsmen during the on-the-spot assessment of the poll at Kano Municipal area of the state.
Amb. Zango adjudged the election as peaceful and violence-free, commending residents for their orderly conduct.
According to him,
“As far as security is concerned, you can see for yourselves, no issue. It’s very unlike Kano.
And we really want to appreciate and commend citizens that they have behaved responsibly. No violence. No threat whatsoever.
Visible or even invisible. So we are very happy.”
Gunmen storm APC Congress in Delta, Ibori-Suenu escapes assassination attempt
Chaos erupted in Ovade, Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday as gunmen opened fire at the venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government congress, forcing Rt. Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu to flee under heavy security in what her aides described as a targeted assassination attempt.
The lawmaker, who represents Ethiope Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and is the daughter of former Delta State governor, James Ibori, had arrived at the congress venue when armed men reportedly attacked party members and blocked access to the field where the exercise was scheduled to hold.
