Compilations of top 10 key latest stories that you need to know this Thursday morning, 29th January 2026
Outrage over police crackdown on Lagos anti-demolition protesters
Human rights groups, activists and social media users have condemned the Lagos State Police Command and the Lagos State Government over the arrest and the use of force on residents who protested the demolition of their homes across parts of the state on Wednesday.
The condemnation followed the police’s deployment of tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who converged in Ikeja to protest what they described as their displacement without adequate compensation or relocation.
The protesters, drawn from Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode-Onirin, Oko Baba and other communities, carried placards bearing inscriptions such as:
“A megacity cannot be built on the bones and blood of the poor,” “Urban poor is not a crime,” “Stop killing us,” “Justice for Owode-Onirin traders,” and “Lagos is not for the rich alone.”
They also chanted solidarity songs.
The protest began in the morning and gathered momentum at the Ikeja Under Bridge, where demonstrators converged before marching towards the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa.
Diezani lavished over N4bn in London luxury store – UK prosecutor
British prosecutors on Wednesday told a London court that former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, lavished more than £2m (N4bn) at Harrods, allegedly using funds provided by oil executives who benefited from lucrative contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
The prosecution said founders of energy companies awarded major NNPC contracts also paid the running costs of Alison-Madueke’s UK residence and covered the salaries of her domestic staff.
The payments, the court heard, included wages for a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window cleaner at the former minister’s property.
According to prosecutors, the benefits formed part of a wider pattern of inducements allegedly offered in exchange for favourable treatment on oil and gas contracts.
2027: APC moves to manage defection gains, internal crises
The ruling All Progressives Congress on Wednesday began moves to manage the defection successes it has recorded and resolve internal crises in some of its state chapters, according to The PUNCH
The National Working Committee of the party and governors elected on its platform held a closed-door meeting in Abuja amid growing political consultations ahead of the party’s National Convention slated for March.
The APC governors, led by their chairman, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, and members of the NWC, led by the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, held the closed-door session at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
Those in attendance included the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; Kebbi State Governor, Mohammed Idris; Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru; Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu; Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo; Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia; Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, among others.
No amount of inducement should influence emergence of new Awujale – Ruling house
The Fusengbuwa Royal Ruling House has insisted that no form of political interference, financial inducement or intimidation should be allowed to influence the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland, stressing that the revered stool must be filled strictly in line with age-long customs and traditions.
Speaking in an interview with Arise News on Wednesday, the spokesman of the ruling house, Prince Tunde Ogidan, warned that any attempt to manipulate the succession process through money or pressure would amount to a violation of Ijebu tradition and an affront to the sanctity of the Awujale stool.
“The Awujale stool remains a sacred traditional institution whose selection process must be guided strictly by customs and traditions handed down over generations.
“No amount of inducement or pressure should influence the emergence of the next Awujale of Ijebuland,” he said.
Jigawa approves N2.6bn for 2026 Hajj exercise
The Jigawa State Government has approved N2.6 billion for the conduct of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The Commissioner for Information, Sagir Musa, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday in Dutse.
He said the approval would facilitate smooth and efficient transportation and welfare of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj exercise.
According to the commissioner, the funds would be utilised for critical components of the Hajj operation, including air transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical services, orientation programmes and other logistical arrangements.
“This is to ensure a hitch-free pilgrimage for all pilgrims from the state as they embark on the holy journey,” he said
Sharia Council to INEC: We won’t accept compromised polls in 2027
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has declared that it would not recognise or legitimise elections conducted under conditions it considered compromised, warning that the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process must be protected, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The position was made known at the Council’s Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly, attended by Islamic scholars, traditional and community leaders, professionals, representatives of Islamic organisations and the media in Abuja yesterday.
The gathering featured remarks by the President of the Shariah Council, Sheikh Bashir Aliyu Umar, and Madakin Zazzau, Mallam Muhammadu Munir Ja’afaru.
Speaking at the event, the leader of the Council said public confidence in institutions, particularly those responsible for elections, was central to national stability, noting that democratic legitimacy could not exist without integrity.
Fuel price increases: How oil companies exploited Nigerians
Nigerians are now battling with disproportionate increases in petrol prices at the petrol stations as marketers push retail prices far above rate of increase in crude oil prices.
On Tuesday all petrol stations jerked their pump prices from average N750 per liter to N850 per liter blaming the increase on a similar increase in crude oil prices in the international market which rose from average $64 per barrel to $68 on Monday.
But while the crude oil price increased by 6.2 percent, the local retail price increased by 14.3 percent, indicating that the local oil companies more than doubled the rate of increases in their main input cost, crude oil.
The rise in crude prices led to a 14.3 per cent increase in the gantry price of petrol at the Dangote Refinery, which rose from N699 per litre to N799 per litre
Police bust transnational prostitution syndicate, detain suspect
The police in Enugu State has busted a transnational human trafficking for prostitution syndicate, leading to the detention of a 50-year-old suspect.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Thursday in Enugu.
Ndukwe said that the detention of the suspect and rescue of a 20-year-old female victim (name withheld) were effected on Jan. 16 by operatives attached to the Igbo-Eze South Police Division, following swift action on credible intelligence.
According to him, preliminary investigations indicate that the victim, a native of Abia, was allegedly deceived into resigning from her job in Aba with the promise of a more lucrative employment opportunity in Senegal.
Soludo remains firm on Onitsha main market shutdown
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has issued a scathing critique of traders in Onitsha, questioning the selective observance of “sit-at-home” orders and labeling the continued Monday closures as a deliberate act of economic sabotage.
The Governor confirmed that the Onitsha Main Market will remain shut for one week as a punitive measure, insisting the mandated closure must be served in full.
Speaking at the Light House in Awka, Governor Soludo expressed bewilderment at the market’s sudden return to Monday lockdowns following a productive holiday season.
Governor Soludo pointed out the hypocrisy in the market’s operations, noting that the unofficial lockdowns were ignored when it suited the traders’ pockets during the festive period.
“How come the Main Market opened on Mondays during the Yuletide and closed back afterwards?” Soludo questioned.
“This is a deliberate attempt to redefine the state’s economic calendar.”
Tinubu surrounds himself with people who don’t know politics — Ndume
Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in the National Assembly, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s inner circle, alleging that the President is being poorly served by advisers who lack political understanding and grassroots connection.
Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on ARISE Television’s Prime Time, Ndume said growing dissatisfaction in the North could have electoral consequences if urgent steps are not taken to address prevailing concerns.
“Anybody that tells you that the North is not grumbling now is not telling the truth,” Ndume said.
“It will be loud in their votes if nothing is done about it. The good thing about it is that the President can turn things around.”
