A harrowing ordeal unfolded in Kurmin Wali, Southern Kaduna, where gunmen abducted 177 worshippers from three churches last Sunday.
Eleven managed to escape, leaving 166 still in captivity.
Families revealed that the kidnappers are demanding N28.9 million for 17 motorcycles allegedly lost during recent military operations as the condition for releasing the victims.
This incident marks the second attack in the community in just a week, deepening fears about the safety of residents in Southern Kaduna.
Ogun State Halts Awujale Selection Amid Security Deployment
In Ogun State, tensions flared over the Awujale stool succession in Ijebuland.
The government, citing the need to preserve public order and the integrity of the selection process, halted the ceremony for the second time in under a month.
Security forces were heavily deployed to the palace to prevent unrest, demonstrating the delicate balance between tradition and public safety.
Davido Cleared in Controversial Paternity Case
Afrobeats superstar Davido, also known as David Adeleke, received public vindication from his father, Dr. Deji Adeleke. DNA tests conducted at multiple Lagos hospitals confirmed that Davido is not the father of Aanu, the young girl at the center of a widely publicized paternity dispute.
The announcement puts an end to a saga that has kept fans and the media buzzing for months.
FG Moves to Expedite Trials for 5,000 Terror Suspects
The National Counter-Terrorism Centre disclosed that around 5,000 individuals suspected of terrorism are currently held in pre-trial detention across Nigeria.
In a bid to tackle the backlog of terrorism cases, the Centre is working closely with the Defence Headquarters and the Federal Ministry of Justice to fast-track prosecutions or dismiss cases lacking sufficient evidence.
The effort reflects the government’s push to strengthen the judicial process in counter-terrorism efforts.
CAF Sanctions Algeria After AFCON 2025 Clash
Following Nigeria’s quarter-final victory over Algeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) handed down sanctions against Algeria and some of its players.
The penalties include the suspension of two players and fines totaling $100,000 for misconduct on and off the pitch, including disputes over a controversial missed penalty call.
The disciplinary action underlines CAF’s efforts to enforce fair play and accountability in major tournaments.
ICPC to Arraign Ozekhome Over UK Property Allegations
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) plans to arraign Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chief Mike Ozekhome at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, January 26.
Ozekhome faces charges including felony, possession of a false Nigerian passport, and fraudulent use of the document, linked to an alleged property deal in London.
The arraignment will take place in Courtroom 4.
Nigerians Spent N1.58 Trillion on Petrol During Yuletide
December 2025 saw Nigerians consuming an estimated 1.97 billion litres of petrol, translating to roughly N1.58 trillion in spending, according to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Average daily consumption hit 63.7 million litres, reflecting the high demand for fuel during the festive season.
The figures highlight the economic impact of fuel consumption and the strain on household budgets during peak periods.
Trump to Launch Board of Peace at Davos
US President Donald Trump is set to unveil a new “Board of Peace” and meet with Ukraine’s leader at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The move comes a day after Trump backtracked on threats to Greenland and scrapped tariffs against Europe, signaling a softer, more diplomatic stance on the global stage.
The announcement aims to bolster his image as a peacemaker amidst a gathering of international leaders.
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