Compilations of top 10 key latest updates that you need to know this Saturday morning, 17th January, 2026
Terrorist bello Turji’s threat: How families risk lives to enter Niger Republic — Sokoto residents
Some displaced residents of Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State have lamented increased banditry in the area, saying their family members are undertaking huge risks to move to Niger Republic.
They told Saturday PUNCH that their relatives fled to the West African country following renewed threats and attacks by gunmen loyal to the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji.
A video clip that circulated on social media during the week showed residents fleeing the affected communities.
The clip has since been confirmed by local authorities.
The Secretary of the Sokoto Eastern Zone Development Association, Professor Muazu Shamaki, said the exodus began last Friday after Turji issued threats to settlements around Tidibali, a community within the council.
“People in the local government area received threats from bandits.
Since last Friday, many residents have been rushing to the local government headquarters to lodge complaints,” he stated.
According to him, over 20 settlements across different parts of the local government area have been evacuated in response to the threats.
Lagos orders postmortem as twins die after vaccination
The Lagos State Government has ordered a postmortem on nine-month-old identical twins, Testimony and Timothy Alozie, who reportedly died about 24 hours after receiving routine immunisation at a primary health care centre in the state.
The incident came to public attention after the twins’ father, Samuel Alozie—popularly known as Promise Samuel on TikTok—shared videos showing the bodies of his sons in separate body bags while narrating how they died shortly after the vaccination.
Speaking in a follow-up viral video on Thursday, Alozie said he took the twins for routine immunisation on the morning of December 24, 2025, adding that they became extremely weak immediately after the injections.
“They could not eat, they could not play, they could not even disturb as they used to. They were just weak,” he said.
Impeachment: Fubara, Rivers lawmakers in showdown
Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have vowed to see through the ongoing move to remove the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
This was after four lawmakers who had initially withdrawn from the impeachment decision said they now supported it.
Between Monday and Wednesday, the four lawmakers, Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuma), Peter Abbey (Degema), Barile Nwakoh (Khana I) and Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor II), while withdrawing from the process, cited a desire for dialogue and political reconciliation.
However, they reversed their decision during a live plenary session on Friday, citing continued hostility from the governor and his deputy and repeated disregard for calls for dialogue.
The Assembly thereafter voted unanimously to continue with the impeachment.
Speaker Martin Amaewhule said the resolution was in line with Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
TCN announces power outage in parts of Sokoto
The Transmission Company of Nigeria has announced a planned power outage in parts of Sokoto Town following scheduled maintenance at the Sokoto Transmission Substation.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, TCN said it would carry out “annual preventive maintenance on the 30/40MVA power transformer at the Sokoto Transmission Substation on Saturday, 17 January 2026, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.”
The company explained that during the maintenance period, “the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company will be unable to receive bulk electricity from the affected transformer to off-take electricity for distribution to customers” in some areas of the state.
According to the statement, locations expected to be affected include
“parts of Sokoto Town, including Sama Road, Abuja Road, Gagi Area, Minanata Area, Old Airport, and the Army Barracks.”
TCN said the planned exercise is aimed at improving service delivery, noting that “the planned maintenance is necessary to ensure the continued safety, reliability, and efficient operation of the transmission equipment supplying electricity to the area.”
Gunmen kill two Enugu cops at checkpoint
Two policemen serving at the Enugu State Police Command have been killed by gunmen.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the gunmen attacked policemen attached to the Distress Response Squad at a checkpoint along Agbani Road on Thursday night, killing two police officers and setting a patrol vehicle ablaze.
The spokesperson for the command, Daniel Ndukwe, said the attack was carried out by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
“The criminal elements suddenly opened fire on the police team without provocation.
The operatives responded promptly, forcing the assailants to flee with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
During the exchange of gunfire, the police operational vehicle was engulfed in flames, while two officers sustained critical gunshot wounds.
They were rushed to a hospital for urgent medical care but were later pronounced dead by attending medical personnel,” Ndukwe said in a statement on Friday.
We never threatened to withdraw support from Otti, Obidient movement clarifies
The Abia State chapter of the Obidient Movement has explained that contrary to some media reports, it never at any time threatened to withdraw its support for Gov.
Alex Otti in 2027 should he fail to join Peter Obi in the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Dismissing the said reports as misleading and mischievous distortion of facts, the Obidient Movement, in a statement, urged members of the public to discountenance such reports.
2027: Getting Tinubu out of power only way to rescue Nigeria — ADC
The African Democratic Congress has declared that removing President Bola Tinubu from office is essential to rescuing Nigeria from what it described as an unprecedented governance crisis.
The party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, arguing that the country cannot be saved while the current administration remains in power.
“That is the agenda and not about the interests of Nigeria.
There is no scenario where he remains in power, and we are able to save this country,” Abdullahi said.
“That is the agenda and not about the interests of Nigeria.
There is no scenario where he remains in power, and we are able to save this country,” Abdullahi said.
The former minister claimed Nigeria has been hijacked by individuals with a bandit mentality, suggesting this attitude reflects the current government’s approach.
“When people say you can smash it, grab it, and run with it, that is the language of banditry,” he stated.
$9m on Lobbyists: Obi decries wasteful spending, urges focus on human devt
Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has criticised what he described as Nigeria’s persistent habit of prioritising waste over human wellbeing, warning that the country’s worsening development crisis stems from poor leadership choices rather than a lack of resources.
In a personally signed statement, Obi condemned the reported spending of about $9 million on foreign lobbyists in Washington, describing it as a painful reminder of how public funds are routinely deployed to manage perception abroad while conditions at home continue to deteriorate.
“This is merely a small example of wasteful spending that has contributed to our nation’s current failing status,” he said.
Obi noted that Nigeria has remained stagnant in the low Human Development Index (HDI) category for 35 years, from 1990 to 2025.
In contrast, countries like China—where Nigeria once had a three-fold higher per capita income in 1990—and Indonesia have advanced from low to medium, and now to high HDI categories.
Coalition: Tinubu a strategic leader; only God can remove him in 2027 —
Prophet Sam Ojo The General Overseer of Freedom Apostolic Revival International Ministry, Prophet Samuel Adebayo Ojo, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a strategic leader, saying the outcome of the 2027 general elections ultimately lies in the hands of God.
Prophet Ojo made the remarks at the Mount of Glory, Ibadan, while ministering at a 24-hour Men’s Marathon Prayer Programme that attracted men from across Nigeria and different parts of the world.
Addressing participants, the renowned global cleric emphasised that leadership is divinely permitted and urged Nigerians to continually uphold the nation and its leaders in prayer, stressing the need for peace, unity and stability.
According to him, President Tinubu’s leadership style reflects strategic thinking and resilience, noting that sustained prayers for national leaders are vital to Nigeria’s progress and development.
“My small God, thanks for allowing me be me” – Toyin Abraham appreciates husband, Kolawole Ajeyemi, on his birthday
Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham is celebrating the birthday of her husband, Kolawole Ajeyemi.
Sharing a photo of the celebrant on her Instagram page, she described him as her small God, father, and the crown of her head.
Toyin appreciated him for all he does for her and the kids and for allowing her be herself.
“Happy birthday, Oko mi @kolawoleajeyemi olowo ori mi, my small god, my father, I love you baby.
Huge thanks for all you do for the kids and me.
Thanks for allowing me be me. Oshey ganni Oko mi, ori ni e o ni di iru”.
