Compilations of top 10 key happenings that you might have missed this Sunday evening, 4th January, 2026
Tinubu orders manhunt for terrorists behind Niger market massacre
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday ordered the military, police, and State Security Service to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack in Niger State, where terrorists killed at least 30 villagers and abducted scores of women and children.
The President also directed security agencies to urgently rescue all kidnapped victims, warning that the terrorists “must face the full consequences of their criminal actions.”
In a statement signed by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu linked Saturday’s attack to terrorists fleeing from Sokoto and Zamfara states following the United States airstrike on Christmas Eve.
Armed bandits killed 30 persons, including women, during the attack on Kasuwan Daji market in Demo community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, on Saturday, January 3, 2026.
UPDATED: 30 killed, many abducted in bandit attack on Niger market
Armed men suspected to be marauding bandits operating from the Kainji Lake National Park have attacked a village market in Kabe District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, setting it ablaze, killing 30 villagers, and abducting scores.
The incident occurred on Saturday at Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village, which the bandits reportedly accessed via Kabe.
The assailants reportedly not only burned the market but also looted food items and other wares, shot at villagers, and abducted many along paths leading to the expansive Kainji Lake National Park forest.
Confirming the attack in a statement on Sunday, the Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said a joint security team had visited the scene and that efforts were ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims.
Lagos CP orders SCID to probe Pastor Okafor over murder allegations
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, to probe allegations of murder levelled against the Senior Pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Chris Okafor.
The order comes amid growing outrage generated by the viral sexual allegations circulating on social media in recent days.
Saturday PUNCH had reported that the popular cleric stepped down from pastoral duties on New Year’s Day as the allegations escalated, with several women, including Nollywood actress Doris Ogala, coming forward with different narrations against him.
The cleric had last Sunday publicly apologised to Ogala during a church service, where he knelt on the pulpit, admitted to past “mistakes,” and sought forgiveness.
Fire razes mobile police office, armoury in Benue
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed a fire outbreak at the building housing the Mobile Police 13 unit in Makurdi, which also contains the unit’s armoury.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, acknowledged the incident but said details were still being gathered.
“Yes, I am aware of the fire outbreak at the Mopol 13 facility in Makurdi, but I will get back to you,” she told journalists.
According to PUNCH Online, the fire occurred in the early hours of Sunday, destroying several office rooms as well as the armoury section of the unitAn eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity said the fire started in one of the offices.
He recalled,
“I was on morning duty and at about 10 a.m. or thereabout, I saw smoke emanating from the Squadron Commander’s office.
“I tried to inquire, then the next thing I saw was heavy flame from the Squadron Commander’s office. Everything got burnt.
“I quickly called my boss, who later called for fire service men. But before the fire officials could arrive, the whole place had been engulfed by fire.
Gunmen demand N200m ransom for kidnapped brothers in Edo
Gunmen have demanded N200 million ransom for the release of two brothers, Ibrahim and Tahir Abu, who were kidnapped in Auchi, Edo State, on January 2.
The father of the abductees, Momoh Tahir, told The PUNCH on Sunday that the kidnappers contacted the family to demand N200 million.
After negotiations, he said, the ransom was reduced to N100 million, and the family hoped further discussions would lead to an additional reduction.
He said,
“They have been in touch with us since they were kidnapped. They asked for N200 million, but we were able to negotiate N100 million.
We are still hoping that further discussion will lead to reduction of the ransom demanded.
“It’s a trying period for the family, but I pray that they would come back home safely.”
The Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the abduction on Saturday and said search operations began immediately.
She said, “Yes, this unfortunate incident was brought to the attention of the Edo State Police Command on 2nd January, 2026, at about 8:30pm.
Venezuela: Why Nigerians seeking Trump’s protection should rethink – Ex-INEC boss
A former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Lai Olurode, has said Nigerians seeking external help over insecurity in the country must draw valuable lessons from the invasion of Venezuela and the seizure of its President, Nicolas Maduro, by the Donald Trump administration of the United States of America.
Olurode, in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Sunday, said those calling on Trump to rescue the Christian population and protect Nigeria should have a rethink.
He said with the invasion of Venezuela, it is obvious that America’s primary concern and motivation “is the control of global energy resources.”
He further said, unlike most of its predecessors in office, Trump does not respect the right of nations to be themselves, adding that “America’s attack on Venezuela and the seizure of President Nicolas Maduro is indefensible on any rational ground.”
The statement further read,
“With the invasion of Venezuela and the seizure of its President together with its oil fields, the very notions of sovereignty, tolerance of diversity, and democracy have been reduced to a balderdash
Fire razes Police Mobile Force Squadron 13 Office in Makurdi, armoury explodes
A mysterious fire in the early hours of Sunday gutted the Police Mobile Force (PMF) Squadron 13 office in the Old Government Reservation Area (GRA) of Makurdi, Benue State, destroying key facilities, including the ammunition store and the office of the Squadron Commander.
The inferno reportedly began around 3 a.m. at the rear section of the building, close to the Makurdi branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), before rapidly spreading to other parts of the facility.
An eyewitness told reporters that the fire caused widespread panic among residents as repeated loud explosions from the armoury shook the neighbourhood.
“The fire triggered serious fear because you could hear loud sounds of ammunition exploding.
People were scared and didn’t know what was happening,” the source said.
Atiku condemns Niger attacks, urges swift action to rescue abducted residents
Former Vice President and presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed deep sadness over the recent terrorist attacks on communities in Agwarra and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State, which claimed many lives and saw the abduction of several residents, including schoolchildren.
In a statement, Atiku described the attacks as “heinous” and “brazen,” saying such brutality against defenseless communities is unacceptable and deeply troubling.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones and pledged solidarity with the people and government of Niger State during this painful period.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, those abducted, particularly the children, and I urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly to secure their safe and unconditional release,” Atiku said.
Police reaffirm Kaduna ban on heavy-duty trucks in metro areas
The Police Command in Kaduna State says the state government’s directive banning the movement of heavy-duty trucks within the metropolitan areas is still on.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, stated in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna
Hassan said,
” The Command has observed with dismay that some truck drivers are flagrantly violating this directive by entering the metropolis instead of using the approved bypass routes.
“It has also been observed that when such drivers are challenged by the Task Force responsible for enforcing the ban, some of them resort to blocking major roads, thereby halting vehicular movement, creating public inconvenience, tension and a potential breakdown of law and order.“
The command hereby warns all heavy-duty truck drivers to desist from such unlawful acts.
“I will keep making you proud” – Actor Timini heartbroken as he loses father
Nollywood actor Timini Egbuson is starting the New Year grieving the loss of his father.
On his Instagram page, the actor announced that his father had passed away.
In his statement, he said he never thought he would start the year by saying RIP to his dad.
He added that there is so much left unsaid, but he will continue to make him proud.
“Didn’t think I’ll start the year saying this.
Rest in peace, Dad.
So much left unsaid, but I’ll keep making you proud”.
