The compilations of top 10 key latest stories that you need to know this Thursday morning, 22nd January, 2026
Counter-terrorism campaign: FG moves to fast-track trial of 5,000 insurgents
About 5,000 individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism-related activities are currently being held in pre-trial detention facilities across the country, The PUNCH has learnt.
The large number of detainees has created a significant backlog of terrorism cases.
This was contained in the 2025–2030 Strategic Plan of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, a copy of which was obtained by this newspaper on Wednesday.
The NCTC disclosed that its legal team, working with the Defence Headquarters and the Federal Ministry of Justice, has been reviewing the files to fast-track prosecutions or dismiss cases lacking sufficient evidence.
“At present, there are approximately 5,000 individuals suspected of having been involved in terrorism-related offences who are being held in pre-trial detention.
This has resulted in a significant backlog of cases, and the NCTC legal team has been working with the Defence Staff and the Federal Ministry of Justice to support the review of these case files and, where appropriate, to help to either expedite these prosecutions or to dismiss outstanding charges that have not been sufficiently substantiated to proceed to trial.
Awujale stool battle: Ogun halts process, police storm palace
Ogun State government on Wednesday halted the selection process for the new Awujale of Ijebu land, the second suspension in less than a month, with a heavy deployment of security forces at the palace.
Our correspondent at Ijebu Ode observed heavy presence of policemen and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, following the government’s directive.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 after the death of 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.
In a statement signed by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, the government said the decision to halt the process was to protect public order, safeguard the integrity of the selection, and maintain the prestige of the stool.
He said,
“Given the reports at its disposal, the government has elected to act proactively without further delay in the interest of peace, order and good government by halting the process in its entirety.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House should await further directives regarding the selection process.
Earlier, on December 18, 2025, the state government suspended the process over procedural errors that could trigger litigation.
Kidnappers hold 166 Kaduna worshippers, demand N29m deposit
Kurmin Wali community in southern Kaduna has been thrown into panic following the mass abduction of 177 Christian worshippers, the second attack in a week.
On Sunday, gunmen attacked three churches in the community and whisked away more than 100 worshippers.
However, on Monday, the Kaduna State Government, police command and Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area dismissed the report as falsehood after Chairman, Northern chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Joseph Hayab, confirmed the incident to journalists in Kaduna.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, however, confirmed the abductions late Tuesday on X, saying earlier comments by the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State, CP Muhammad Rabiu, were “were not denials of the incident but a measured response pending confirmation of details from the field, including the identities and number of those affected.”
Ogun NULGE urges Abiodun to implement LG autonomy, laments interference
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees in Ogun State has lamented what it described as the state government’s undue interference in the running of local government administration.
The union stated that it regrets that despite the Supreme Court judgment, the pronouncement by the National Assembly and the clear directive of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Dapo Abiodun has refused to implement local government autonomy.
It said this has resulted in local governments operating without basic furniture, with poor infrastructure and unmotivated workers labouring under terrible working conditions, all of which have negatively affected local government administration in the state.
This was disclosed in a communiqué issued at the end of its State Executive Council meeting held in Abeokuta and signed by the NULGE President, Adefesobi Adebayo.
A copy of the communiqué was made available to journalists on Thursday.
The union also threatened to pull out of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the state government and the Nigeria Labour Congress on the contributory pension scheme, accusing the government of reneging on its commitments.
Over one million displaced households resettled in Borno – Military
Over one million households displaced by years of insurgency have been resettled in their ancestral homes across parts of Borno State, following sustained stabilisation operations by troops of Operation Hadin Kai.
The Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalami Abubakar, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists during a media tour organised by the Defence Headquarters for defence correspondents in Maiduguri.
According to him, the resettlement drive has enabled thousands of families to return to communities previously abandoned due to Boko Haram attacks, restoring livelihoods and socio-economic activities in the area.
General Abubakar listed some of the resettled communities to include Malam Fatori, Kekeno, Mala Jamel, and Yelwa, noting that Malam Fatori alone has witnessed phased resettlement efforts involving over a million households.
He added that Kukawa, once a ghost town at the height of the insurgency, is now bustling with economic activities, while Kekeno has also been successfully resettled.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, January 22, 2026
The Nigerian Naira displayed a slight softening in the early trading hours of Thursday, January 22, 2026, as the foreign exchange market navigated the typical mid-week liquidity demands.
While the currency remains within the stable range established throughout the month, small shifts in both the official and informal sectors reflect the ongoing price discovery process.
At the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the Naira opened the day at 1,419.37 per dollar.
By the mid-morning session, the rate adjusted slightly, with the dollar trading at approximately 1,421.33.
This marginal depreciation of roughly 0.14 percent follows a period of notable gains earlier in the week.
The current movement suggests a minor correction as market participants balance corporate demand with the available supply from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Despite this slight intraday dip, analysts note that the official rate continues to hover safely around the 1,420 benchmark, supported by the country’s improved foreign reserve position and consistent crude oil export revenues.
FG to scrap HND dichotomy, empower polytechnics to award degrees
The federal government has announced plans to abolish the long-standing Higher National Diploma, HND, dichotomy by empowering polytechnics to award degrees, in a major reform aimed at repositioning technical and vocational education as a driver of national development.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this in Abuja yesterday while addressing a high-level retreat of council chairmen, commissioners of education, rectors, registrars and bursars.
Describing the move as a landmark policy shift, the minister said it would end decades of discrimination against polytechnic graduates and elevate polytechnics into centres of excellence within Nigeria’s higher education system.
FG has put housing and urban devt sector on a progressive trajectory, says Belgore
The Federal Government has initiated several flagship reforms that have placed the housing and urban development sector on a progressive trajectory.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore said this in his address at the 14th meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, on Wednesday in Ilorin.
According to him;
”Under the visionary leadership of the Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, the Ministry has initiated several flagship reforms that have placed the housing and urban development sector on a progressive trajectory.
Wike appoints Sani Daura as Senior Special Assistant on protocol matters
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has appointed Mr Sani Musa Daura as his Senior Special Assistant on Protocol Matters.
A statement on Wednesday, by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, described Sani Daura as a seasoned civil servant with over 30 years experience in the FCTA Protocol Department.
Sani Musa Daura, who became the Director, FCT Protocol in 2019, will retire from the Civil Service on January 24, 2026.
The appointment takes effect from the date of his retirement from the civil service.
Edo govt threatens sanctions as illegal squatters take over water board lands
THE Edo state government yesterday threatened to take appropriate legal action against government officials who allocated lands belonging to the State Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation across its facilities in the state capital and beyond.
The Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Hon Washington Osifo gave this declaration when in company of the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee led by Eugene Okoloise visited the Ministry’s facilities where some of the encroachers who have been building permanent structures claimed they were given the allocations by officials of the Water Corporation which is an agency under the ministry.
Osifo said
“we will not close our eyes to the fact that these are government properties, we need to reclaim them for the government such that government will have use for them either government and can decide to do whatever they want to do with it but certainly it should not go to the hands of individuals.
“You can’t manipulate someone who isn’t desperate to be liked” – Judy Austin shares cryptic post
Nollywood actress Judy Austin has shared a cryptic post, addressing a manipulative person.
While sharing new photos of herself, the wife of Yul Edochie, said people can’t manipulate someone who isn’t desperate to be liked.
Judy stated that God is intentional with her and expressed gratitude for everything.
“You can’t manipulate someone who isn’t Desperate to be liked!GOD is INTENTIONAL with meThank you, Lord, for everything.
Austin had issued a stern warning to an unnamed witch and her coven members for attacking her.
Judy said her manipulation to gain pity is okay, but hiding behind that and consistently attacking her and her children with her fans was the other part that people don’t see.
