The recap of top stories that you might have missed this Monday evening, 19th January, 2026
Police arrest suspect over Destiny Boy’s death
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested one suspect in connection with the death of popular singer Adesina Afeez, widely known as Destiny Boy.
The command said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Homicide Section, for detailed investigation.
In a statement obtained by PUNCH Online on Monday, the command Police Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi said,
“The Ogun State Police Command has since commenced investigations into the death of Adesina Afeez, aged 22 years, popularly known as Destiny Boy.“
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Homicide Section, for detailed investigation. One suspect is currently in custody while investigations are ongoing.
Doctor remanded for issuing fake medical report to help Adetoun
The Ogun State Government has claimed that social welfare activist, Adetoun Onajobi, popularly known as Just Adetoun, has gone into hiding, and a medical doctor who allegedly issued a fake medical report to help her evade police arrest has been remanded in prison.
The state government also confirmed that the Ogun State Police Command has filed a six-count charge against the activist, who it said is currently on the run, following a complaint lodged against her by the state.
This was disclosed in a statement on its official X page issued on Monday by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN.
According to the statement, the controversy surrounding Just Adetoun escalated after Nigerian-born British boxer, Anthony Joshua, was involved in a road accident in Ogun State in December 2025
Kano gov meets Tinubu at Aso Rock
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, is currently at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
The governor, dressed in his signature flowing white babanriga and a red Kwankwasiyya cap, was spotted by our correspondent making his way to the President’s office at 4:13pm local time.
The meeting comes amid heightened speculation over Yusuf’s planned defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress, a move that has been postponed multiple times since early January.
The governor’s visit to the Villa is his first known audience with President Tinubu since returning from Abu Dhabi, where the President attended the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Sources familiar with the negotiations had earlier told The PUNCH that the defection stalled because the APC leadership refused to grant Yusuf’s demand for a documented assurance of an automatic gubernatorial ticket for the 2027 elections
Osun 2026: INEC deploys enrollment devices to remote communities
The Independent National Electoral Commission has deployed the INEC Voter Enrollment Device to communities across Osun State for the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, disclosed this on Monday during the INEC CRV second phase extended stakeholders meeting in Osogbo.
Agboke said the second phase of the CVR commenced on January 5 and is scheduled to run until April 17.*
”Let me quickly inform you that the current phase two of this CVR has come with a unique and far-reaching benefit with the approval of a 50-day rotational deployment of the IVED among the scattered communities in each council, subject to stakeholders’ endorsement.
“This innovation has significantly deepened grassroots inclusion by bringing voter registration services closer to eligible citizens, particularly those in the remote and underserved communities,” he said.
He explained that the deployment of the IVED would enhance accessibility and reduce transportation costs for prospective registrants.
No one was kidnapped in Kaduna churches — CP, council chairman
The Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, has described reports of the kidnapping of 163 worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area as false.
Addressing reporters after the State Security Council meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Monday, the police commissioner challenged anyone making the claim to list the names of the alleged victims and provide other particulars.
He warned against attempts to derail the prevailing peace in Kaduna State.
Speaking also, the Chairman of Kajuru LGA, Dauda Madaki, said that upon hearing rumours of the attack, he mobilised the police and other security agencies to Kurmin Wali community but found that no such attack had occurred.
We visited the church where the so-called kidnap took place.
There was no evidence of any attack. I asked the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and he said there was no such incident.
FG opens applications for technical colleges
In a renewed push to build a skilled, self-reliant youth population, the federal government has thrown open applications for admission into federal technical colleges across the country, reaffirming its commitment to free technical and vocational education
The Federal Ministry of Education announced the development on Monday, following approval by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa.
The move signals a fresh drive by the government to equip young Nigerians with practical, industry-relevant skills that can boost employability, entrepreneurship and national productivity.
Under the programme,according to a statement by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, registration for the National Common Entrance Examination,NCEE, into federal technical colleges will commence on Monday, January 26, 2026, and close on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
Disquiet in Labour Party over Abure’s details on INEC portal
The Senator Nenadi Usman-led Labour Party (LP) has become increasingly concerned about the continued retention of the particulars of Barr. Julius Abure as National Chairman of the party on the official website of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Party insiders told Vanguard in confidence that this has remained a source of concern for the leadership and supporters, who had expected the electoral management body to act in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment, which declared that Abure’s tenure had expired.
A member of the party’s statutory National Executive Committee (NEC), who pleaded anonymity for fear of retribution, said, “We are still at a loss as to what games are being played at the moment.“
It was the same INEC that issued a statement last week reiterating what was contained in the Supreme Court Judgement of April 4th, last year which stated unequivocally that the tenure of Julius Abure as National Chairman has since expired.
2027: ‘We’re building a virile opposition in Bauchi’ — Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said he is committed to working with leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at all levels to build a strong and effective opposition in Bauchi State.
Atiku spoke after hosting a delegation of critical ADC stakeholders from Bauchi State, led by Alhaji Aminu Ahmed Yapeco, Sarkin Yakin Katagum, who also spoke on behalf of the delegation after the meeting.
“This afternoon, I hosted a delegation of Bauchi State’s critical stakeholders in our party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Alhaji Aminu Ahmed Yapeco, Sarkin Yakin Katagum,” Atiku said.
He said discussions at the meeting centred on strengthening the party’s internal structures in the state, with a focus on identifying areas that require attention to improve performance and cohesion.
AFCON 2025: APC chairman leads strategic talks in Morocco to reposition Nigerian Football for jobs, unity
Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development
Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has led high-level strategic engagements in Morocco aimed at developing a new blueprint to reposition Nigerian football as a driver of job creation, national unity and sustainable development.
Professor Yilwatda was part of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s official delegation to Morocco during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he joined Nigerians at home and abroad in supporting the Super Eagles.
Nigeria finished strongly at the tournament, clinching third place and rekindling national pride.
Beyond match-day support, the APC chairman used the opportunity to engage key stakeholders in strategic discussions focused on redefining the role of football in Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
Deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians, Methodist Prelate charges leaders
The Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Oliver Ali Aba, has urged President Bola Tinubu and other elected leaders across Nigeria to deliver the dividend of democracy to Nigerians
Fielding questions from newsmen on Monday during the Church’s 50th anniversary celebration of Episcopacy in the Methodist Church in Nigeria, Ali Aba, while noting how Episcopacy has helped to transform the church in many ways, disclosed that many Nigerian leaders are benefactors of the Methodist Church.
