Compilations of top 10 key latest updates that you need to know this Tuesday Morning, 17th February, 2026
FG activates evacuation plan as Middle East crisis worsens
The Federal Government on Monday said it is working out administrative procedures and the release of funds for the evacuation of Nigerians affected by the ongoing crisis in parts of the Middle-East East.
The decision comes amid escalating tensions in the region, triggered by missile and drone attacks linked to Iran, which have raised security concerns across several Gulf nations.
This follows coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, told our correspondent that arrangements for evacuation were ongoing.Bomb explosions hit Maiduguri after security forces repel insurgents attacks
An unspecified number of persons were feared killed, while many others sustained injuries following bomb explosions around Monday Market in Maiduguri, Borno State and near a security post at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, on Monday.
Our correspondent gathered that the bombs detonated simultaneously at about 7.02 pm, hours after suspected Boko Haram terrorists launched simultaneous attacks on three military positions across the state.
Confirming the Monday evening bomb explosion, Head of Operations of the Federal Fire Service in Borno State, Mohammed Kafaran, said the agency had deployed its personnel to the scene.
He said,
“Yes, there was a bomb explosion at the Monday Market area around Elkanemi. We have deployed our team there to assess the situation. We will get back to you shortly.”Petrol, diesel vessels arrive Nigeria amid price surge
As Nigerians contend with rising petrol prices, vessels carrying 129,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) are expected to dock at Lagos Ports between March 14 and 17, 2026, The PUNCH reports.
This came as officials of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority explained why some importers were still importing PMS despite the agency’s position that no petrol import licence had been issued this year.
According to the Nigerian Ports Authority’s Shipping Position Daily obtained on Monday, a vessel, Mosunmola, carrying 20,000MT of PMS, arrived at Lagos Ports via the Bulk Oil Plant on Sunday, March 14, 2026. Another vessel, Kobe, with 22,000MT of AGO, docked at Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Phase 2, Tin Can Island Port, on the same day.
On Tuesday, March 17, Bora is scheduled to arrive at Kirikiri Lighter Terminal 3B with 27,000MT of PMS, while Ashabi will bring 30,000MT of AGO to the same terminal.
Probe begins after Kaduna-Abuja train accident injures passengers
The Nigerian Railway Corporation and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau have confirmed that a train operating on the Kaduna-Abuja rail corridor was involved in an accident on Monday, leaving several passengers injured.
The incident occurred near the Asham section of the rail line in Kaduna State while the train was travelling from Rigasa Station in Kaduna to Idu Station in Abuja.
According to the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, the accident occurred at about 10:30 am and involved a rear locomotive and the passenger coach directly attached to it following a coupling failure.
The PUNCH gathered that while no fatality was recorded, the incident caused serious and minor injuries to passengers who were rushed to undisclosed hospitals.Police, security agencies conduct coordinated patrols in Ondo
The Ondo State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, carried out a coordinated joint show-of-force patrol across strategic locations in the state.In a statement on Tuesday signed by DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command said the exercise, which took place on Monday, involved officers from the Police, 32 Brigade Artillery of the Nigerian Army, NSCDC, and Amotekun Corps, covering highways, commercial centres, and densely populated areas in Akure and adjoining communities.
“The show-of-force patrol forms part of a broader security strategy being implemented to proactively tackle crime and ensure that residents go about their lawful activities without fear or intimidation.
“The Command remains committed to intelligence-driven policing and sustained collaboration with sister security agencies.
This joint patrol sends a strong message to criminal elements that Ondo State is not a safe haven for crime,” CP Lawal said.
Two brothers recount miraculous escape from Borno blast
Two brothers, 35-year-old Sanni Muhammad and 17-year-old Bashir Muhammad, have recounted how they narrowly escaped the Maiduguri bombing that killed 23 people and injured 108 others on Monday evening.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that suspected suicide bombers attacked three locations, including the Post Office Flyover, Monday Market axis, and the entrance of the University Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri.
The police have confirmed the attack, noting that investigations are still ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A statement on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, said,
“The scenes were immediately secured, cordoned off, and subjected to thorough sweep operations by the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, Base 13 Maiduguri, to rule out the presence of any additional threats.”
JAMB summons 94 candidates, institutions over UTME irregularities, fake certificates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has invited 94 candidates and some tertiary institutions to appear before separate virtual panels over alleged malpractices during examination registration and fake certificates.
In an announcement issued via its X handle on Tuesday, the board said the affected candidates include those accused of soliciting or paying for illicit assistance during the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration exercise, as well as 2025 Direct Entry applicants whose institutions have flagged their certificates as fake.
JAMB stated that the candidates are to appear before a virtual investigation panel scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 10 a.m.
“The registration numbers of the 94 affected candidates are available on the JAMB website under Quick Links ‘Solicitations Candidates’,” the board said.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, March 17, 2026
The Nigerian Naira has started the day with slight fluctuations against the United States Dollar, maintaining its recent trend of relative stability within the official and parallel markets.
Early reports from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and informal trading hubs indicate that while demand remains consistent, the local currency is holding its ground following recent interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria.In the official NFEM window, the Naira opened at approximately 1,367.18 and experienced a gradual upward shift during early morning trading.
By 3:00 AM, the rate had reached 1,372.21 per dollar, representing a modest depreciation of about 0.37% from the opening figures.
This controlled movement suggests a balanced level of liquidity in the official sector, as market participants align their bids with the current economic indicators.
39 persons involved in Abuja multi-vehicle crash – FRSC
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that 39 people were involved in a multiple-vehicle crash on the Kugbo Furniture Market axis of the AYA–Nyanya route in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).The Acting Corps Public Education Officer (ACPEO), Mrs Felicia Kalu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, in Abuja.
Kalu said that the crash occurred at about 4:48pm on Monday and involved six vehicles, including two tippers, a commercial bus and private cars.According to her, the FRSC rescue team from Zebra 12 Unit arrived at the scene within four minutes of receiving the distress call and immediately commenced life-saving operations.
Peterside backs GoNigeriaNG, identifies four pillars for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy
Business leader and founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Atedo Peterside, has thrown his weight behind the advocacy of civic platform Go
Nigeria, highlighting four key pillars essential for sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.
Peterside, in a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) platform on Tuesday, said Nigeria’s democratic system rests on electoral reform, judicial reform, freedom of speech, and the security of life and property
He stressed that electoral reform remains the most critical of the four, noting that credible elections are fundamental to building legitimacy, strengthening institutions, and ensuring effective governance.
