Compilations of top 10 key latest stories that you need to know this Thursday morning, 12th February, 2026
Religious freedom violations: APC, NNPP back Kwankwaso as US sanctions tension rises
The All Progressives Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party have rejected the proposed visa bans and asset freezes recommended by United States lawmakers against ex-Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore over alleged violations of religious freedoms in Nigeria.
The bill, titled, ‘The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026,’ was introduced in the US House of Representatives by Rep Chris Smith alongside Reps Riley Moore, Brian Mast and Bill Huizenga.
The bill recommends visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against individuals and entities accused of involvement in religious freedom abuses.
The APC criticised the proposed sanctions, insisting that the allegations alone could not justify curtailing Kwankwaso’s freedom of movement without a fair hearing and due process.
El-Rufai anticipates arrest as police detain allies
Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, on Wednesday, alleged that he could be arrested by the Federal Government, claiming that recent developments indicate he may be the next target.
El-Rufai made the allegation during an interview with BBC Hausa, expressing concerns over what he described as growing political intimidation against opposition figures.
The former governor, who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the African Democratic Congress, said some of his close associates had already been detained.
“Four people we worked together in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” he said.
Coup plotters will face justice – Air chief
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on Wednesday condemned reports of plans by certain individuals to violently subvert Nigeria’s democracy, declaring that perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law.
Aneke spoke in Abuja during a meeting with branch chiefs, Air Force commanding officers and unit commanders, held as part of activities marking his first 100 days in office.
“In this context, I unequivocally condemn recent revelations that plans were made by certain individuals to subvert democracy and violently take over the government.
“Such actions are shameful, shocking and wholly reprehensible.
Any perpetrator will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
Police arrest fleeing vigilante killer after two years in Niger
The Niger State Police Command has arrested a suspected killer of a vigilante member who had been on the run since 2024.
The suspect, Sudais Zakari of Angwan-Roka, Minna, was arrested alongside Danjuma Idris of Maitumbi on suspicion of robbery.
Zakari was said to have fled after allegedly killing Ibrahim Yahaya, also known as Danladi Baushe, a member of a vigilante group in Maitumbi, in April 2024.
He was also alleged to have participated in several armed robbery incidents in the Maitumbi area in 2025.
The Niger State Police Command spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, said the suspects would be charged to court after investigation.
“On 7th February 2026 at 10.30pm, police operatives attached to Maitumbi Division, led by the DPO with vigilante members, stormed some criminal hideouts around Maitumbi area.
In the process, one Sudais Zakari of Angwan-Roka and Danjuma Idris of Maitumbi were arrested.
Natasha walks out of Senate committee during steel budget session
A budget defence session in the Senate was thrown into disarray on Wednesday when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) abruptly walked out after clashing with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Steel Development, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, over her right to continue questioning the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu.
The disagreement surfaced during an interactive meeting on the ministry’s appropriation request after almost four hours of engagement with the minister and his team.
As Ndubueze moved to wind down the session by striking the gavel, Akpoti-Uduaghan protested and asked to be allowed to speak further.
As Ndubueze moved to wind down the session by striking the gavel, Akpoti-Uduaghan protested and asked to be allowed to speak further.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, February 12, 2026
The Nigerian Naira maintained its robust stance against the United States Dollar on Thursday, February 12, 2026, as the local currency hit a two-year high in the official market.
This milestone comes on the heels of strategic moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to boost retail liquidity and narrow the persistent gap between official and parallel market rates.
In the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the Naira showed impressive strength, opening the day’s session near the 1,351 mark.
Following a strong performance on Wednesday, where the currency appreciated to 1,348.95, mid-morning trading on Thursday saw the rate hovering around 1,354.01 per dollar.
Kwankwassiya, NNPP reject US sanctions on Kwankwaso, allege blackmail
The Kwankwassiya movement and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have rejected a proposed United States visa ban and asset freeze on their leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing the move as unfair, politically motivated and based on “selective judgement” against an opposition figure in Nigeria.
Their reactions followed the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 in the US Congress, which recommends sanctions against Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah groups and alleged Fulani militias over claims of religious persecution in Nigeria.
Spokesman of the Kwankwassiya movement, Mansur Kurugu, said the group received the development with shock and was already studying the implications.
NAFDAC debunks ‘suspension’ rumour, insists sachet alcohol ban stands
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has dismissed as false and misleading reports claiming that the Federal Government has directed it to suspend enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages packaged in PET bottles below 200ml.
A press release issued on Thursday morning and signed by the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NAFDAC, said no such directive was received from the Federal Government and stressed that the prohibition remains fully in force.
NSCDC warns contractors against damaging fibre-optic cables in Oyo
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Oyo state has warned road construction companies and contractors against the destruction of fibre-optic cables and other critical public infrastructure during excavation and construction activities.
The warning is contained in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Samuel Opebiyi, on Wednesday in Ibadan.
Opebiyi said the warning was in strict compliance with the directive of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on the protection of telecommunications infrastructure and other Critical National Assets and Infrastructure nationwide.
