SOUTH-WEST NGR NEWS

Residents of Oloka village in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have continued to flee the community following a deadly bandit attack on the National Park Service office earlier in the week, despite the deployment of heavy security personnel to the area. Locals say they are still grappling with shock, fear and psychological trauma after suspected bandits stormed the village on Tuesday, January 6, k!lling at least five forest guards and sending residents scrambling for safety. Many homes remain locked, streets deserted, and commercial and social activities have ground to a halt. A resident, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, described Oloka as “empty,” saying some villagers had already taken refuge in neighbouring communities while others were staying behind only because of the presence of security operatives. Residents expressed uncertainty about returning to normal life, saying the attack had crippled livelihoods and fractured the communi...

By Mogaji Wole Arisekola Nigeria is the largest African country Britain ever colonized; India was the largest in Asia. The British came to both with the empire’s full package — religion, education, culture, language, and technology. Here, however, the paths diverged. India rejected British religion, names, dressing, and identity, but wisely embraced British technology, systems, and discipline. Nigeria did the opposite. Today, over 80% of Indians remain Hindus. Other religions coexist without erasing India’s soul. Hindi is the official language; English is merely a tool. Indians keep their names and identity. Nigeria embraced British religion and culture almost wholesale — names, food, dressing, and language — while rejecting the technology and industrial mindset that built Britain. That choice explains much of our tragedy. India fiercely protects its heritage. Nigeria treats hers with embarrassment. This loss of identity weakened our nationalism and stalled our development....

Troops of the Nigerian Army have foiled bandits’ movement and arrested a logistics supplier in coordinated operations in Kabba Bunu and Yagba West Local Government Areas of Kogi State. Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, who disclosed this in a statement on January 3, 2026 said troops neutralized two bandits and recovered one AK 47 rifle, one magazine, and ammunition.   According to the statement, the suspected bandit logistics supplier identified as Sunday Adedotun, was arrested with cartons of energy and soft drinks, bottled water and harvested farm produce. Sponsored Ads “Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army Lokoja on 3 January 2026 have recorded significant operational successes following coordinated fighting patrols and ambush operations conducted across parts of Kabba Bunu and Yagba West Local Government Areas of Kogi State,” the statement read.   “Acting on credible intelligence on...

Police in Toronto are searching for a man accused of assaulting vulnerable adults at a group home over a month long period. Sponsored Ads According to Toronto Police Service, officers were called to the area of Sibley Avenue and Detonia Park Avenue around 9 a.m. on December 10 following a report of an assault.  Investigators allege that the suspect, who was employed as a caregiver at the facility, carried out a series of assaults against residents throughout November. Promoted Contents Police have not disclosed how many victims were involved or the extent of any injuries they may have suffered. In a statement, the police identified the suspect as Oghenemaro Dave Ejerua, 38, a Toronto resident who is now wanted on seven counts of assault. He is described as about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a medium build, black curly hair and black facial hair. Authorities are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact police or pr...

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has announced the successful capture of Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro and his wife in an operation on Friday night, in Venezuela’s capital of Caracas. The United States launched military operations against Venezuela overnight on Jan. 3, according to media reports and statements from Venezuela’s government. The explosions followed a significant U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean and repeated threats by Trump against Venezuela’s government and President Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. “successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.” Sponsored Ads The explosions came amid a widening U.S. military campaign in the region. Since early September, U.S. forces have carried out attacks on al...

I do not know how it will happen, but the future of Nigeria as one united and recognised country is under serious threat. This is not a statement made out of fear or imagination; it is a sober observation of unfolding realities. Peace be unto you, my brothers and sisters. As we step into the beginning of the year 2026, I pray that the Almighty grants us the grace to see the end of it. In times like these, survival itself has become a prayer. As we journey into this new year, we must be honest with ourselves. The world is watching Nigeria closely. The so-called Western powers and global forces have turned their full attention toward this land, not because of love, but because of interest. History has shown that when powerful nations begin to look in one direction for too long, something is about to change — and not always for the good. What we have been gathering with both hands for decades is now slipping through our fingers. The foundations of our daily lives are shaking. ...

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, began 2026 by visiting new mothers at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, describing the year as one of “peace in abundance” and “prosperity in abundance” for the nation. She was accompanied by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulieman-Ibrahim; and Minister of State for the FCT, Hajia Mariya Mahmoud. Senator Tinubu welcomed the “First Baby of the Year,” a girl born at midnight to 26-year-old first-time mother Adakole Patience. She also celebrated Blessing Oragwu, who gave birth to triplets two boys and a girl after 13 years of marriage, presenting gifts to the family. “I welcomed the baby of the year, a girl, and then visited the triplets born last month. The mother has waited for 13 years, which is wonderful, and another baby boy,” she said. Reflecting on the births, she expressed gratitude for Nigerians who entered the new year safely. “In Yoruba land, t...

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Aare Olayinka Segelu, has extended warm New Year greetings to residents of the state, urging them to uphold peace, unity, and a shared commitment to collective progress as 2026 begins. In his New Year message made available to journalists in Ibadan, Aare Segelu described the new year as a period for sober reflection, renewed hope, and purposeful action, urging the people of Oyo State to remain steadfast and united despite national challenges confronting the nation. He commended residents across the state’s various zones for their resilience and enduring spirit, noting that the strength of Oyo State lies in the cooperation and unity of its people, regardless of political, religious, or ethnic differences. “As we step into 2026, I celebrate the courage, patience, and resilience of the good people of Oyo State. These qualities continue to sustain our communities and support the steady progress o...

In a remarkable display of integrity, a Nigerian woman identified as Aisha Isah Yelwa, has returned N330 million mistakenly credited to her bank account.  Mrs. Yelwa, a petty trader based in Lapai, Niger State, revealed that she discovered the unusual balance in her First Bank account at about 3:49pm on Monday, December 29, 2025.  According to her, the discovery came days after she had lodged complaints with the bank over repeated debits linked to loans she previously obtained to sustain her business. She explained that while checking her account to confirm whether the debiting issue had been resolved, she was shocked to see an amount she had never handled in her life.  She noted that there was no credit alert, no transaction narration, and no identifiable source of the funds. “In order to be sure it wasn’t a display error, I made a transaction of N1 million from the account, and there was still no credit alert. That was when I became more confused and worried...

The driver of the vehicle in which British-Nigerian boxing heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, lost two of his associates in an accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, has been discharged from the hospital.  The Guardian learnt this following a visit to Duchess International Hospital, Lagos where the former world champion is currently recuperating from the injuries he sustained as a result of the accident. The driver has also given his statement and he could be prosecuted for reckless driving, following a visit to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at the Sagamu interchange where the truck is packed.  “Anthony Joshua’s driver has been discharged from the hospital and he is currently giving his statement,” the spokesperson of the Nigerian Police Force, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, told the Guardian.  Also, according to an FRSC official, the truck driver fled the scene immediately after the crash involving Joshua and he is now been declared wanted. Promoted Conte...

Despite criticisms from different Nigerians, President Tinubu has said that the reformed Tax laws will kick effect as planned on January 1, 2026. The President stated this in a statement released last night, December 30. According to President Tinubu, the tax reforms are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for our country. The statement reads The new tax laws, including those that took effect on June 26, 2025, and the remaining acts scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026, will continue as planned. These reforms are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for our country. Sponsored Ads  The tax laws are not designed to raise taxes, but rather to support a structural reset, drive harmonisation, and protect dignity while strengthening the social contract. I urge all stakeholders to support the implementation phase, which is now firmly in the deliver...

Troops of the 13 Brigade Nigerian Army have rescued eight victims who were kidnapped along Ikang-Cameroon waterways.    Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Major Yemi Sokoya, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 said the operation followed credible intelligence from local communities indicating that militants intercepted a commercial boat and abducted six adults and two children.  “Troops of 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, operating from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ikang, have successfully rescued eight kidnapped civilians following a swift and coordinated response to a distress call on 29 December 2025,” the statement read.  Sponsored Ads   “The troops received credible intelligence from members of the local community that suspected militants had intercepted a commercial boat along the Ikang – Cameroon waterways and abducted eight civilians, comprising six adults and two...

A Nigerian hotel owner said that three of his staff were hospitalised with injuries after debris from munitions fell on his hotel following US airstrikes targeting militants in northwest Nigeria. The surprise US raid on Christmas Day targeted militants linked to the Islamic State group, according to sources in Abuja and Washington. The federal government had acknowledged that debris from the munitions fell in various locations, including “in Offa, Kwara State, near the premises of a hotel,” but stated that there were no civilian casualties. However, the owner of the Solid Worth Hotel in Offa, approximately 800 kilometres from the strike targets in Sokoto’s Tangaza district, told AFP that three workers were injured after what appeared to be a missile hit the hotel. “Suddenly on Christmas Day, around late evening past 10 pm, a bomb missile allegedly shot by the US military—maybe it misrode and hit my hotel,” said Taofeek Bello. “It landed inside the hotel building...