The recap of top 10 key happenings that you might have missed this Saturday evening, 10th January, 2026
AFCON 2025: Super Eagles soar into semi-finals as Osimhen, Akor sink Algeria 2-0
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have reached the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a convincing 2-0 win over Algeria at the Stade de Marrakech.
The victory sets up a last-four clash against Morocco after their win against Cameroon in the quarter-final.
The Eagles came into the match after a 4-0 win over Mozambique in the Round of 16, having scored 12 goals in four games, the tournament’s highest tally.
Algeria, unbeaten before the quarter-final, had conceded only once in four matches and were known for their strong defence.
From the start, Nigeria dominated possession and pressed high, forcing Algeria to defend deep.
Victor Osimhen led the attack with power and speed, supported by Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams, while Alex Iwobi controlled the midfield, linking defence and attack.
The first half saw Nigeria create several chances, with Akor missing a one-on-one opportunity and another effort cleared off the line.
AFCON 2025: BUA chairman pledges $500,000, other bonuses to S’Eagles ahead of semi-final clash
The Chairman and Founder of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has pledged financial rewards to Nigeria’s Super Eagles following their 2-0 victory over Algeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final.
In a statement posted on Saturday via his personal X handle, Rabiu congratulated the team, saying,
“Congratulations to our Super Eagles players on a brilliant victory against Algeria! You have lifted the spirit of the nation, and we proudly cheer you on as you prepare for the semi-finals.”
He added incentives for the upcoming matches, promising,
“To encourage you, I pledge USD $500,000 to the players upon winning the semi-final, with an additional USD $50,000 for every goal scored.
Should you go on to win the final, I further pledge USD $1,000,000, plus USD $100,000 for each goal scored in the final.”
Tinubu, Shettima to spend N9.3bn on travels, food
President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima will spend a total of N9,364,349,417 on local and foreign travels, as well as food and refreshments in the 2026 fiscal year.
This is according to details of the 2026 Appropriation Bill released on Thursday by the Budget Office of the Federation.
Tinubu had on December 19, 2025, presented the budget estimate, totalling N58.18tn to a joint session of the National Assembly, where he said national security remained the foundation of economic growth, investment and social stability.
In the 2,790-page budget document sighted by Saturday PUNCH, the President earmarked N3.2tn for Defence and N1.1tn for Power, while the Education sector is to receive N2.3tn.
Further details of the proposed budget showed that the Federal Government plans to spend N2.1tn on Health and Social Welfare.
Agriculture and Food Security is allocated N1.4tn, while the Independent National Electoral Commission is to receive N1tn.
According to the budget proposal, Tinubu will spend N7,014,596,511 on local and international travels and N431,620,183 on foodstuffs, catering materials, supplies, refreshments and meals.
Nigeria to face Morocco in 2025 AFCON semi-final
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will take on host nation Morocco in the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
The match will kick off at 9:00 p.m. at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
This fixture sets the stage for a high-stakes encounter as the Super Eagles aim to secure a place in the tournament final against the tournament hosts.
Nigeria booked their semi-final spot with a convincing 2-0 win over Algeria at the Stade de Marrakech today.
The victory sets up a last-four clash against Morocco, who had defeated Cameroon in the quarter-final.
The Eagles entered the quarter-final after a 4-0 win over Mozambique in the Round of 16, having scored 12 goals in four games — the tournament’s highest tally.
Algeria, who were unbeaten before the quarter-final, had conceded only once in four matches and were widely regarded for their strong defensive record.
Edo urges calm over security protests in Ekpoma
The Edo State Government on Saturday said that issues of security require calm, coordination and constructive engagement.
The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, stated this in a response to the protest in Ekpoma, noting that blocking roads and disrupting movement, especially in the name of protest, do not aid security operations and may expose residents to further risks.
Afegbua in a statement released on Saturday said,
“The Edo State Government considers it necessary to further clarify issues arising from the recent protest that disrupted vehicular movement in Ekpoma on Saturday, January 10, particularly as it concerns public perception of the state’s security situation.“
While the government recognises the constitutional right of citizens to express concerns, it is important to state and very clearly, that matters of security require calm, coordination and constructive engagement.
Police boost security in Oyo community over threat of bandit attack
The Oyo State Police Command has intensified security in Ikoyi-Ile, Oriire Local Government Area, following credible intelligence of a planned attack by suspected bandits, with patrols, stop-and-search operations, and surveillance already reinforced across the community.
A statement released on Saturday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, in Ibadan, the state capital, said the handwritten note, written in both Yoruba and English languages, was allegedly dropped in front of a residential building in the community.
We will attack on January 20, 2026, make preparations for our attack.
We will unleash terror and come bring nothing but tears and pains in Ikoyi-Ile, Oyo state.
Prepare for us
Man kills wife in children’s presence in Ogun, commits suicide
Ganiyat, a young mother of three, was brutally stabbed to death inside her home at River Valley Estate, Ogun State, in an incident that has once again thrown the spotlight on the deadly consequences of domestic violence. By the time help arrived, her body had lost too much blood.
Her internal organs were badly damaged.
She was pronounced dead at about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Gifted Hands Hospital.
Nobody can push us out in Rivers,’ Wike tells supporters
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says nobody can push him and his supporters out or derail them from supporting the reelection of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in Rivers.
He stated this during his “thank you” visit to Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.
Wike recalled how the people of Rivers stood by him and elected Tinubu in 2023 against all odds.
He added that now that the benefits were rolling in, he would not allow anyone to rush in the last minutes and take the glory.
Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway to be tolled after inauguration — FG
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will be tolled as soon as it is completed and inaugurated, the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, said on Saturday in Lagos.Umahi made the emphasis during an inspection tour of the project.
“I must emphasise that this road is going to be tolled by the contractor; it is part of the package.
“I will be inviting the contractor to give us the programme.
I don’t want to open this permanently for traffic, and then we begin to talk about tolling.
”The contractor has to give us the programme and begin to build infrastructure before the end of April, so we have to toll this route as soon as we complete it and as soon as it is commissioned,” he said.
Farmers flee Benue community as armed herdsmen destroy crops
Suspected armed herdsmen have reportedly attacked farmers in Adogo, Ugbaam Council Ward of Ukum Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State, destroying crops worth millions of Naira.
The unexpected attacks have sent shockwaves through the farming community, leaving many residents fearful and fleeing for their lives.
A prominent community leader in the area, Chief Aule Gba who confirmed the development lamented that the renewed attacks had severely disrupted farming activities in the area and its surrounding.
“Most farmers have fled and relocated for fear of being attacked and killed by the militia herdsmen,” he said.
