By Agency Report

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered two new political parties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the registration has increased the total number of registered parties in Nigeria to 21.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during the commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja.

The two new parties, according to Amupitan, are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

He explained that DLA was registered, being the only association out of the 171 associations seeking INEC registration as political parties, and that NDC was registered in obedience to a court order.

Amupitan recalled that INEC received a total of 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

He said the associations were assessed in line with Sections 222 and 223 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Sections 75 and 79(1), (2) and (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as Clause 2 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.

“Consequently, 14 associations that satisfied the initial pre-qualification were invited to proceed to the next stage. Of these, eight successfully uploaded their documents on the commission’s dedicated portal.

“They are the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA), Abundance Social Party (ASP), African Alliance Party (AAP), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Green Future Party (GFP), National Democratic Party (NDP) and the Peoples Freedom Party (PFP).

“Out of the eight above, only two qualified for final assessment and verification of due compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

“After due consideration, only the Democratic Leadership Alliance was found to have complied fully with the requirements of the law.

“Accordingly, the commission decided to register the DLA as a political party, effective from today, Feb.5, 2025.

“Furthermore, the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi, in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025 between Barr Takori Mohammed Sanni & Ors v. INEC ordered the commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

“The commission has decided to comply with the order and is being registered as a political party. Certificate of Registration will be handed over to the two new political parties in due course,” he said.

Amupitan, however, expressed concerns over increasing internal crossing within political parties, urging party leaders to prioritise constructive dialogue over divisive disputes, to foster unity within their ranks.

He expressed INEC’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral processes, which was being challenged by increasingly frequent leadership squabbles within various political parties across the nation.

He said the essence of democracy was rooted in the ability of political parties to flourish, debate, and contest ideologies in a manner that respected the tenets of fair play and mutual respect.

“However, it is with great concern that I note the current trend of infighting among party leaderships, which not only detracts from the core objectives of these political entities but also spills over into unnecessary legal battles that tax our judicial system and public resources.

“These numerous litigations, in which the commission often finds itself joined as a party, divert our attention from our primary mandate: to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria.

“As the guardians of our electoral process, we are compelled to address these issues not just for the sake of our institution but for the greater good of our democracy.

“The implications of these squabbles are far-reaching. They create an environment of uncertainty for party members and supporters, erode public trust in the political system, and undermine the democratic process that we all hold dear.

“Each litigation not only consumes time and resources but also distracts from the important work of mobilising voters and engaging with the public on critical national issues,” he said.

Amupitan said that as an Independent body, INEC remained neutral but reminded all political parties that cohesive and transparent leadership remained essential for the health of our democracy.

“We urge party leaders to prioritise constructive dialogue over divisive disputes, to foster unity within their ranks, and to focus on policy development and community engagement rather than internal strife,” he said.

NAN

…Calls for naational day of prayer and urgent U.S. security assistance

Save Nigeria Group (SNG) USA has strongly condemned the horrific and senseless massacre of more than 170 innocent Nigerians in the Woro and Nuku communities of Kwara State.

With dozens still missing and reports of additional bodies being recovered, the group in a statement issued by it’s president, Stephen Osemwegie, said the attack represents a catastrophic failure of security and a profound moral stain on the nation’s conscience.

“While official figures confirm at least 172 deaths, credible reports from local sources indicate the death toll may exceed 300, as search teams continue to recover victims from surrounding bushland. The attack—allegedly carried out by the Lakurawa extremist group, who reportedly executed residents for refusing to renounce their allegiance—confirms that no region of Nigeria is immune from the expanding threat of terrorism”, the statement partly reads.

SNG called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fulfill the most basic constitutional duty of government—the protection of lives and property, adding that Nigeria’s current insecurity trajectory is unsustainable.

“As political actors prematurely shift into election-mode ahead of 2027, we issue a stark reminder—there will be no country to govern if citizens continue to be slaughtered in their homes.

“Nigeria is bleeding, and we cannot afford denial or delay,” said Stephen Osemwegie, President of Save Nigeria Group USA.
“Those who pretend these attacks do not concern them are merely waiting their turn. A ‘wait-and-see’ approach is a death sentence for the Nigerian people.

“In light of the declining capacity of local forces to counter increasingly sophisticated terror networks, SNG USA makes a formal appeal to President Donald J. Trump and the United States Government to expand security cooperation with Nigeria. We urge the deployment of additional U.S. military advisers, intelligence support, and technical assistance to help close critical gaps within Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.

“A stable Nigeria is indispensable to the security of West Africa and the transatlantic community. American expertise is urgently needed to dismantle these terror networks before they succeed in destabilizing the entire region, the statement added.

Also, the group called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society, and political opposition to set aside partisan interests and form a United Front Against Terrorism.

The statement further added: “We also call for a National Day of Prayer for Nigeria, urging Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to seek divine intervention—for the souls of the departed, comfort for grieving families, and wisdom and courage for national leaders.

“Save Nigeria Group USA will not stand by while the nation is carved up by extremists.
We demand, An immediate, transparent investigation into the security failures in Kwara State

“The deployment of advanced surveillance and border-monitoring technology across Kwara and Niger States

“An urgent shift from political posturing back to governance, security, and national defense

“The effort to save Nigeria will fail if political ambition continues to be valued above human life.”

The village head of Woro in Kwara State, Umar Bio Salihu, has alleged serious security lapses following a deadly attack on his community, revealing that soldiers arrived nearly 10 hours after armed terrorists killed scores of residents and razed several villages.

Speaking on Thursday during an interview on ARISE News, Salihu said the attack began around 5:00pm and lasted for hours, despite distress calls made to security agencies shortly after it started. According to him, military personnel only arrived at about 3:00am the next day, by which time the attackers had already withdrawn.

“I called after 5pm, but they did not come until about 3am. That was about 10 hours,” Salihu said.

He stated that no confrontation occurred between the military and the attackers, as they had fled before security forces arrived. He also confirmed that there was no air support or aerial interdiction during the assault.

“The military did not engage them. The bandits had gone when the military came. There was no air operation; no ammunition was dropped,” he said.

Salihu explained that the community had been left exposed after soldiers previously stationed in the area were withdrawn months earlier, following an earlier attack on the military base.

“Initially, we had about 15 soldiers stationed there. About three to five months ago, they were attacked, and since then, they were evacuated. We have had no security presence,” he said, adding that this created an opportunity for the attackers to strike freely.

He identified the assailants as members of the Mamuda terrorist group and linked the violence to the community’s refusal to accept the group’s ideology.

“Our people are not ready to take that ideology. I believe that is what made them angry enough to attack,” he said.

The village head also dismissed suggestions that the killings were religiously motivated, noting that most of the victims were Muslims.

“About 95 per cent of those killed are Muslims, while about five per cent are Christians,” he stated.

Salihu further disclosed that he had reported a threat letter to security agencies days before the attack, raising concerns that intelligence handling may have been compromised.

“When the letter was brought to me, I sent it to the DSS in Kiama that same night. The next day, I took it to the Emirate Council for documentation,” he said.

He suggested that subsequent patrols by security agents may have alerted the terrorists, triggering the attack.

“As of yesterday, we buried 75 people, but there are still bodies in the bush,” Salihu said, warning that the death toll could rise. He added that several villages were destroyed during the assault, including his own home.

“They burned almost half of the villages, including my house,” he said.

Salihu confirmed that Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq visited the affected communities and ordered immediate security reinforcements.

“The governor came personally and saw the level of destruction. Immediately, security was deployed. About 15 soldiers were sent initially, and there are now around 80 security personnel in the area,” he said.

The attack has renewed concerns over delayed security response, intelligence coordination, and the vulnerability of rural communities in Nigeria’s North-Central region.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, secured the conviction of Robert Orya, a former Managing Director, Nigerian Import Export Bank (NEXIM) for a fraud of about N2.4 billion.

He was the managing director of NEXIM from 2011 to 2016.

Orya, who was prosecuted by the anti-graft agency’s Samuel Ugwuegbulam, was convicted by Justice F.E. of the FCT High court, Abuja and sentenced to ten years imprisonment on each of the 49 count charge.

More details to follow…..

By Agency Report

A former Benue Governor, Sen. Gabriel Suswam, on Wednesday officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) a few hours after his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Suswam had earlier in the day resigned his membership of his erstwhile party, PDP, citing unending internal conflicts for his decision.

“The party that once stood as a symbol of cohesion, internal democracy and progressive opposition has, regrettably, become plagued by persistent and unresolved internal conflicts.

“These disputes, spanning leadership, structure, discipline and ideology, have been allowed to fester without any clear or credible pathway to resolution,” the former governor had stated in his resignation letter.

Suswam expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided to him by PDP.

“This decision has not been taken lightly. For decades, the PDP provided me with a platform to serve the Nigerian people in various capacities: as a member of the House of Representatives, as governor of Benue State and as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“For these opportunities and the trust reposed in me at different times, I remain sincerely grateful,” he further said.

NAN reports that Suswam’s defection to APC signals a significant political move by the two-term Benue governor and former senator who represented Benue North East Senatorial District in the National Assembly between 2019 and 2023.

NAN also reports that Suswam, a founding member of PDP, had remained in the party for 27 years.

Speaking after picking his membership card at Mbagber Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area of the state, Suswam urged all his supporters to register for the party immediately.

He also urged Benue people to support Gov Hyacinth Alia to fulfil his mandate.

The former governor said that a formal ceremony would be held for him and his supporters at a later date.

NAN reports that the Organising Secretary of APC in Benue, Mr James Ornguga, presented the membership card to Suswam on behalf the state chairman of the party.

NAN

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the deployment of an Army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following a deadly attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists that killed several villagers in Worro community.

The attack, which targeted Muslims who refused to adopt extremist ideology, has been condemned by the President as “cowardly and beastly”.

Tinubu directed the new military formation to spearhead Operation Savannah Shield, aimed at crushing terrorist elements and protecting vulnerable communities.

He commended the community members for refusing to be conscripted into a violent extremist ideology, saying “It is commendable that the community members, even though Muslims, refused to be conscripted into a weird belief that promotes violence over peace and dialogue”.

The President called for collaboration between federal and state security agencies to provide relief to affected residents and bring perpetrators to justice.

He offered condolences to bereaved families and the people and government of Kwara State.

Christian worshippers abducted by terror bandits from churches in Kurmin Wali town in the Kufana area of Kajuru Local Government of Kaduna State, have been released.

Recall that the victims were taken away while attending church service in the community, on January 18, 2026.

Dailytrust, while quoting a community leader reports that the release took place in the wee hours of Thursday.

He explained that between 11 p.m. and midnight, heavy-duty vehicles were seen moving into a forest around Maro town, and later returned with the abducted persons between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m.

“Between about 11 p.m. and 12 midnight, we were informed that large vehicles entered the forest, and later, around 1 a.m. to 2 a.m., they came out with the abducted people from the Maro axis. We do not know who went to take them or who released them. We are also not certain whether all of them were freed, but their release has been confirmed,” he said.

Though, Diaspora Digital Media could not independently verify if any ransom was paid to secure the release of the victims.

177 people were abducted during the attack on Kurmin Wali.

Meanwhile, about two weeks later, 80 victims, mostly children, escaped during the attack and found refuge in forest settlements where they were later rescued.

Pandemonium erupted on Sunday in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, after a 23-year-old man allegedly killed his father by slitting his throat with a machete.

The incident reportedly occurred around O3 Palace, Usaja, in Ikpakapit Ward of the community.

The suspect, identified as Bassey Ubi, was said to have attacked his father shortly after the deceased returned from church.

According to findings, the machete attack resulted in a deep cut to the victim’s neck, leading to his immediate death.

Residents of the area reportedly attempted to lynch the suspect before police officers arrived at the scene and rescued him from the mob.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said preliminary information indicated that the suspect may have acted under the influence of illicit substances.

“The unfortunate incident occurred in the early hours of today. The suspect, Bassey Ubi, aged 23, is believed to be an alleged drug addict.

From available information, it is likely that the influence of drugs made him act in that manner,” Eitokpah said.

He explained that the victim had just returned from church when he was attacked inside his home.

“It was a deep machete cut on the neck inflicted by the son on his father,” he added.

The police spokesman disclosed that the suspect sustained injuries from the mob before police intervention.

“If not for the timely intervention of the police, the suspect would have been killed. He was taken for medical attention and thereafter detained in our facility for further investigation,” Eitokpah said.

He also confirmed that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the morgue in Ugep by family members before police officers arrived at the scene.

The Cross River State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Rashid Afegbua, condemned acts of jungle justice and urged members of the public to report suspected criminal activities to law enforcement agencies.

The police warned that jungle justice remains a criminal offence and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a 22-ground appeal to overturn his life imprisonment sentence handed down by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 20, 2025.

Kanu in the appeal, argued that the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, erred in law and caused a miscarriage of justice.

He claimed that the judge failed to address the disruption of his trial due to the 2017 Operation Python Dance II, where his home was invaded, resulting in deaths and destruction.

Giving the particulars of the error, Kanu told the appellate court that in September 2017, his residence at Afara-Ukwu was invaded during ‘Operation Python Dance II’ by Nigerian State agents.

“The said operation resulted in deaths and destruction and triggered disruption of the earlier proceedings.

“The Appellant’s case thereafter proceeded in a manner that required the trial court to first determine the legal effect of that foundational disruption on competence.

“The trial court proceeded to take evidence and deliver judgment without first resolving the foundational competence implications arising from the said State action.

“The judgment of conviction was delivered on 20 November 2025 notwithstanding the unresolved foundational competence issues,” he added.

Kanu told the appellate court that Justice Omotosho equally erred in law “by failing, refusing or neglecting to hear and determine the Appellant’s pending Preliminary Objection challenging the competence of the proceedings before proceeding to trial and judgment.”

He contended that his objection which was supported by affidavit evidence, challenged the competence of the proceedings on threshold jurisdictional grounds.

“The Learned Trial Judge did not hear or determine the objection. The court proceeded with evidence and delivered judgment on 20 November 2025 while the objection remained pending and undetermined.”

In one of the grounds, Kanu argued that the trial judge proceeded to judgement and convicted him when his pending bail application remained undetermined, “thereby affecting the fairness of the process.”

The IPOB leader further contended that the trial judge erred in law by imposing sentence without taking the Appellant’s allocutus and by imposing excessive and/or unlawful sentences without considering relevant mitigation factors.

According to him, “Upon conviction, the Appellant was not afforded the opportunity to address the court in mitigation (allocutus).

“Sentence was imposed without allocutus. The court did not consider relevant mitigation or sentencing factors.”

Aside from praying the Court of Appeal to quash his conviction on all the counts in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, Kanu applied for an order setting aside the sentences/punishment imposed on him by the High Court.

He equally prayed for, “An Order of the Honourable Court of Appeal discharging and acquitting the Appellant in respect of all the counts in charge No.FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015.”

Meanwhile, Kanu told the appellant court that he would want to be present on the hearing of the appeal, saying he “may be conducting the appeal in person.”

“I desire to put my case and argument into writing and also adopt my argument orally in the court on the hearing of the appeal,” he added.

Kwara State Governor Abdulraham Abdulrazaq has confirmed that at least 75 Muslims were killed in a terrorist attack in Woro and Nuku communities, describing it as a brutal massacre of innocent civilians.

The victims were attacked by Islamist extremists for refusing to submit to an ideology deemed strange and extremist.

In a statement shared on its official Facebook page, the Kwara government announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate deployment of an army battalion to respond to the attack.

Governor Abdulrazaq disclosed this during a visit to Kaiama Local Government Area on Wednesday night.

The deployment, the government explained, will support counter-offensive operations under a military initiative codenamed Operation Savannah Shield.

The governor also expressed condolences to residents of Woro and Nuku communities, which were affected by the attacks.

The governor noted that the attack appeared to be an attempt to distract security forces, who have recorded significant successes in dismantling terrorist and kidnapping networks across several parts of Kwara State.

No fewer than 16 people, including a Mobile Police officer, have been killed following an attack by suspected armed herdsmen on a market in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack occurred on Tuesday afternoon at Abande settlement in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan, when traders and buyers had gathered for the weekly market.

According to residents, the attackers stormed the market, opened fire indiscriminately, looted shops, and set parts of the market ablaze, causing panic and mass casualties.

A community leader and former supervisory councillor in Kwande LGA, Lawrence Akerigba, confirmed the incident, stating that the assailants carted away millions of naira from traders before setting the market on fire.

“Wednesday was Abande market day. People were buying and selling when the herders attacked.

They looted shops, took away large sums of money and later set the market on fire,” Akerigba said.

He added that as of 11:55 pm, bodies of the victims were being evacuated to Jato-Aka by personnel of the Mobile Police Force stationed in the area.

Akerigba further disclosed that a Mobile Police officer, reportedly the unit commander on duty at the time of the attack, was also killed.

Several residents are still missing, while search and rescue efforts are ongoing.

The latest incident adds to a series of violent attacks in Benue State, which have raised growing concerns over security in farming communities across the state.

The Senate has rejected a proposed 10-year jail term for buyers and sellers of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), opting for a two-year imprisonment term and increasing the fine from ₦2 million to ₦5 million.

This decision was part of the clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Amendment Bill.

Under Clause 28, the Senate reduced the notice of election period from 360 days to 180 days before polling day.

In Clause 29, the chamber shortened the deadline for political parties to submit candidates’ lists and affidavits from 180 days to 90 days before a general election, requiring that nominees must emerge from valid party primaries.

The Senate also retained provisions in Clause 44 on ballot paper formats, directing INEC to invite parties not later than 20 days before an election to inspect samples of electoral materials, with parties given two days to approve or reject how their identities appear.

Under Clause 47, lawmakers replaced smart card readers with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for accreditation and voting, but rejected electronically generated voter identification, adopting the Permanent Voter’s Card as the mode of identification at polling units.

Meanwhile, the Senate also struck out Clause 142 on the effect of non-compliance, citing potential waste of judicial time.

Meanwhile, the bill now awaits harmonization with the House of Representatives’ version before transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

(DDM) – The family of Chief Ijeoma Martin Okoro, has continued to count their loses following the involvement of their son-in-law, Frank Okechukwu with the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

MASSOB, which was founded by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike in 1999, is advocating for an independent Biafra state for the Igbo people, primarily through non-violent resistance.

Though, MASSOB is currently being headed by comrade Uche Madu after Chief Ralph Uwazuruike pulled out of the separatist movement to form Biafra Independent Movement (BIM).

Following what has been generally perceived as injustice suffered by the Igbo people in Nigeria, many pro-Biafra movements, including Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) sprang up to agitate for the Independence of Biafra.

Overtime, they have come under vicious attacks masterminded by security forces in Nigeria.

Over 2000 agitators have been killed, while unspecified number have been reportedly missing. Some also, have fled the country in search of refuge in safe places.

It is been estimated that over 1000 agitators have been jailed by the authorities.

The Case of Chief Ijeoma Martin Okoro.

Ijeoma Martin Okoro’s family became a victim of high-handedness of security forces. Their son in-law, Frank Okechukwu has been a wanted man following his involvement with MASSOB.

In April 2024, security operatives got a tip that their wanted son in-law, Frank was in town. They mobilized and traced him to Okoro’s family residence in Atani, Arochukwu in Abia State.

During the raid by the irate security operatives, the wife of Chief Okoro, Mrs Cecilia Ijeoma Nnenna got on their way, which resulted in a serious face-off. Unfortunately, she was shot and stabbed.

Also, her husband, Ijeoma Martin Okoro, was not spared by the security operatives. Attempts to save his wife from the ruthless officers, were rebuffed.

He was brutalized and dragged on the floor like a common criminal. Following their failed attempt to smoke out Okoro’s son in-law, the security operatives left the two couple in a sorry stated.

Both Chief Ijeoma Martin Okoro and Cecilia Ijeoma Nnenna, were later rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention.

Unfortunately for the family, 76 year old Cecilia Ijeoma Nnenna succumbed to her gunshot and stab wounds. She died in the hospital the following day, being the 6th of April 2024.

While Chief Ijeoma Martin Okoro, who could not stand the trauma of losing his wife, died on the 7 of March 2025. He died as result of cardiac arrest.

However, investigation by this paper later revealed that Chief Martin Okoro’s son in-law, Frank Okechukwu, was not in town and the security operatives were only acting on false intelligence report.

It has been a tale of pain and sorrow for Okoro’s family following the involvement of their son in-law with MASSOB.

Till date, the government have done little or nothing to punish the security operatives whose actions resulted in the death of Chief Ijeoma Martin Okoro and Cecilia Ijeoma Nnenna.

Both the family and the entire community have been living in fear. It is also important to note that constant attacks by the security forces against individuals associated with MASSOB have become a constant reoccurrence in Atani, Arochukwu in Abia State.

The authorities have shown less concern in arresting the situation and protecting innocent civilians.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Kannywood star Samha Inuwa over alleged mutilation of the Nigerian currency.

According to reports, operatives of the Kano Zonal Directorate of the EFCC arrested Inuwa on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, following a viral video that circulated widely on social media.

In the video, the actress was seen allegedly cleaning mucus from her nose with naira notes, an act that sparked public outrage and drew the attention of the anti-graft agency.

Following the video’s spread online, the EFCC reportedly traced and arrested her for questioning.

Inuwa is currently being held at the commission’s detention facility in Kano as investigations continue.

The EFCC said she will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.