The recap of top 10 stories that you might have missed this Friday evening, 6th February, 2026
FG announces six-week partial closure of Lagos–Ibadan Expressway for bridge repairs
The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, on Thursday, announced a six-week partial closure of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to carry out urgent repairs on expansion joints at Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge, and Arepo–Punch Bridge.
The ministry said the closure became necessary to resume critical rehabilitation works that were previously suspended on the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge after public complaints about prolonged traffic congestion.
Addressing journalists at Kara Bridge, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Michael Komolafe, apologised to motorists for the inconvenience and assured that improved traffic management arrangements would be implemented to ensure swift and durable repairs.
Komolafe explained that the expansion joints on the three bridges had deteriorated significantly, posing safety risks and contributing to crashes.
APC replaces Uzodimma with Masari as convention committee chair
The All Progressives Congress has replaced Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, with former Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari, as Chairman of the National Convention Central Coordination Committee ahead of the party’s March 27 and 28, 2026 convention.
This was contained in a statement signed by the National Secretary of the APC, Surajudeen Basiru, and posted on the party’s official X page on Friday.
“In further consultation with the leadership and national stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Central Coordination Committee for the 2020 National Convention has been reconstituted.
“Sub-committees of the Central Coordination Committee will be constituted and announced in due course,” the statement read.
Iwobi hopeful as Super Eagles await World Cup lifeline
Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi, has said Nigeria still harbours hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the uncertainty surrounding the team’s campaign.
Speaking during an interview on SuperSport Football on Thursday, the 29-year-old reflected on the emotional toll of the qualification race and the dilemma facing the team if forced to choose between continental success and a World Cup ticket.
Asked whether Nigeria would trade an Africa Cup of Nations triumph for qualification to the global showpiece, Iwobi said the decision was complicated by the contrasting experiences within the squad.
He said,
“I mean, we’re still waiting, hopefully we can go to the World Cup.
“But I feel it’s a tough one. It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have, like in your career, a memorable moment.
Nigerian Army graduates 589 soldiers for Operation Hadin Kai
The Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) has successfully graduated 589 soldiers after a rigorous four-week pre-deployment training programme at the Kontagora Military Cantonment Parade Ground.
The troops, who reported to the centre on January 12 2026, underwent mission-specific training focused on Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency.
According to a post by the Major Assistant Director Army Public Relations Nigerian Army Training Centre, Godfrey Abakpa on the Nigerian Army’s handle on Friday, the training was designed to prepare them for deployment to the Joint Task Force (Northeast) Operation Hadin Kai Theatre.
In his address at the graduation ceremony, Major General A. Haruna, Commander of NATRAC, revealed that the troops represent Phase One of the Nigerian Army Rotation Plan 2026.
NOA conducts 2026 staff promotion exam nationwide
The National Orientation Agency has successfully conducted its 2026 nationwide promotion examination, marking the second year of the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) innovation introduced by the Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu.
According to a post obtained from the agency’s X handle on Friday, the examination, facilitated by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), commenced at 9am and concluded at 10.15am.
Supervisors overseeing the process included officials from the Office of the Head of Service, JAMB, the Federal Character Commission, and senior NOA officers.
Speaking on the development, the Director of Human Resources Management, Mrs. Joanah Ayisola Olowoyo, thanked the Director-General for fulfilling his promise to conduct early promotion examinations for staff.
Oyo seizes chemically ripened fruits in market raid
The Oyo State Government has intercepted and seized chemically ripened fruits during a food safety enforcement exercise at a market in Oyo town.
It noted that it remains part of ongoing efforts to protect residents from the dangers of unsafe food practices.
The operation was carried out on Friday by officials of the Department of Food, Water and Laboratory Services of the State Ministry of Health, following an anonymous tip-off.
This was contained in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the state capital.
During the exercise, about 12 baskets of mangoes artificially ripened with chemicals were confiscated.
The fruits had been prepared for sale to unsuspecting members of the public.
Police arrest landlady over poisoning of tenant’s three-year-old child
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a woman, Nafisat Lateef, for allegedly poisoning a three-year-old boy at Omifon community in Odigbo Local Government Area.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Friday, noting that the victim is the child of her tenant.
According to Jimoh, the 40-year-old suspect allegedly committed the offence on Tuesday following an argument with the victim’s mother, identified as Rofiat.
The suspect reportedly gave the child a liquid substance suspected to be poisonous.
Jimoh said:
“The incident occurred on Tuesday, 4th February 2026, at about 8:30 am, when the suspect allegedly gave the victim identified as Abdulrasheed, a liquid substance suspected to be poisonous.
Police identify, detain officers linked to Ijoba Lande assault
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that officers allegedly involved in an attack on popular actor and content creator Ijoba Lande have been identified and are under investigation.
Lande, who recently returned from the United Kingdom, raised the alarm over the alleged assault on his social media accounts.
He claimed that he and a friend were attacked by police officers, resulting in the seizure of his iPhone 16 Pro Max and $1,200 belonging to his brother.
The incident reportedly left him injured, with visible blood on his face and shirt, as shown in a video he shared online.
In the video, Lande was seen in pain while his friends encouraged him to make an official report at a police station.
APC drops Uzodimma as National Convention chairman, appoints Masari
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reconstituted the leadership of its 2026 National Convention Central Coordination Committee, appointing former Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari, as the new chairman.
The party also reassigned Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who was earlier named to lead the committee, to serve as treasurer.
In addition to the leadership changes, the APC expanded the membership of the committee from 73 to 90 members in a move aimed at accommodating more party stakeholders.
Tinubu, govs attend Matawalle’s children’s wedding fatiha in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Friday joined political leaders and dignitaries at the wedding fatiha of children of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, held at the National Mosque, Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ceremony attracted prominent personalities from within and outside Nigeria.
Among the guests was the President of São Tomé and Príncipe, Carlos Vila Nova, who attended alongside Tinubu.
