Lagos Police Summon Pastor Okafor Over Rape Allegations, Breach of Peace

The Lagos State Police Command has invited Pastor Chris Okafor of Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries to appear at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, on Monday, 5 January 2026, at 10:00 a.m., over allegations of multiple rape, other sexual offences, and conduct capable of breaching public peace.

In a press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (DC SCID) to carry out a thorough investigation into the several criminal allegations against Pastor Chris Okafor. The Pastor has been duly served with an invitation letter through his legal representative and is expected to cooperate fully with the Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, in the ongoing investigation into the allegations of capital offences and other serious crimes against him.

CP Olohundare Jimoh has also directed immediate full security coverage and protection for victims. They are hereby encouraged to feel free to come out and report at the Criminal Investigation Department, Panti. where the investigation has commenced.

The identity of the victims the command says will be absolutely kept confidential and protected. Any person or persons who have credible information or evidence relevant to the investigation are also encouraged to come forward without fear or apprehension to assist the Police in the investigation. Such persons may wish to get across to the SCID through the Police Public Relations Department at the Lagos State Police Command or can go directly to the SCID.

The Lagos State Police Command says it is committed to maintaining law and order, public peace, safety, and ensuring that all allegations of criminal acts against anyone, no matter how highly or lowly placed, are discreetly investigated according to law. Justice must prevail in the whole episode

TROOPS OF OPHK NEUTRALIZE TERRORISTS AND RESCUE HOSTAGES IN KONDUGA LGA BORNO STATE

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded another significant success following a well-coordinated operation against terrorist elements around Kondunga Local Government Area of Borno State, which also led to the rescue of kidnapped civilians.

In a statement signed by the Media Information Officer Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba says on the early hours of 4th January 2026, troops in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), engaged terrorists at a known crossing point along the Sojiri axis. The operation resulted in the neutralization of 5 terrorists without any casualty to own troops.

The troops successfully rescued 3 hostages abducted by the terrorists and recovered AK-47 Rifles during the operation.

This operation underscores the commitment of OPHK to both offensive action against terrorist elements and the protection of civilians, while highlighting the value of cooperation with local security partners. Troops morale remains high, and security forces continue to maintain dominance across the Theatre despite the dynamic security environment.

Terrorists Raid Katsina Community, Abduct 20 Residents in Night Attack on Unguwar Daudu Despite Ongoing Peace Deals

Terrorists have launched a deadly night raid on Unguwar Daudu community in Dukke Ward of Funtua Local Government Area, Katsina State, abducting no fewer than 20 residents and injuring two others. The attack occurred on Sunday night, January 4, 2026, when heavily armed assailants stormed the rural community, spreading fear and chaos among residents.

A Katsina-based security expert, Malam Bakatsine, confirmed the incident, noting that the attack happened despite multiple peace agreements recently brokered between local authorities and armed groups operating in the area. Funtua Local Government is among several parts of Katsina State that have witnessed persistent banditry, including kidnappings, killings, and mass displacement of residents.

The incident comes amid a surge of violent attacks across Katsina. SaharaReporters had earlier reported a separate assault on Naino village in Naalma Ward of Malumfashi Local Government Area, where bandits killed two people and injured six others during an early morning attack on January 1, 2026. Security sources said the attackers entered the village from the Musawa axis at about 6:30 a.m., firing sporadically and causing widespread panic.

Following the attacks, joint security forces were deployed to affected areas, with blockades established along suspected escape routes and cordon-and-search operations launched to track down the perpetrators. The injured victims from the Malumfashi attack were taken to Malumfashi General Hospital, where two were confirmed dead on arrival, while others are receiving treatment.

The renewed violence has heightened concerns over the effectiveness of peace deals and security measures in Katsina State, as communities continue to face repeated attacks despite assurances of improved security.

JUSTINAnthony Joshua finally makes a post since the car acc!dent and cåpti0ned it “My Br0thers k££per.”

Nigerian Army Busts Taraba Kingpin John Gata’s Secret Armoury, Intercepts Wife in Operation Whirl Stroke, Recovers AK-47 Rifles, Grenades and Hundreds of Ammunition

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have uncovered a major arms cache belonging to notorious Taraba-based criminal kingpin, John Gata, following the interception of his wife during a targeted intelligence-led operation. The arrest took place along the Amadu Village–Wukari–Kyado–Zaki-Biam route, with troops mounting a snap roadblock at Zaki-Biam, where the suspect was apprehended without resistance.

According to military sources, the intercepted woman later led troops to her husband’s secret armoury hidden in Amadu village, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State. A thorough search of the hideout resulted in the recovery of 13 AK-47 rifles, 38 magazines, 690 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and four hand grenades, confirming the scale of the criminal network’s firepower.

Army authorities disclosed that the armoury was immediately destroyed on-site to prevent further use by criminal elements or armed groups operating in the region. All troops involved in the operation reportedly returned safely to base, while the overall security situation in the area remains calm.

The Nigerian Army also noted that civil-military relations in the area remain cordial, with troop morale and operational readiness described as high. Confidence-building patrols and sustained security operations are ongoing to ensure lasting peace and prevent the resurgence of criminal activities in Taraba and surrounding areas.

Tinubu Orders Security Agencies to Intensify Operations Around Forest Communities After Deadly Niger State Market Attack That Killed Over 40

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s security agencies to intensify operations around vulnerable communities, particularly those located near forests, following a deadly terrorist attack in Niger State that left more than 40 people dead and many women and children abducted. The attack occurred at Kasuwa Daji market along the Sokobara–Tunga Demo axis in Borgu Local Government Area, sparking outrage among residents who accused security forces of responding only after victims’ bodies were being evacuated.

In a statement personally issued on January 4, 2026, President Tinubu said he had ordered the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to hunt down those responsible for the attack and ensure they are swiftly brought to justice. He described the attackers as terrorists who had tested the resolve of the nation and warned that they would face the full weight of the law.

The President also cautioned that anyone found aiding, abetting, or enabling the attackers would be prosecuted, regardless of their status or intent. He further instructed security agencies to urgently rescue all abducted victims and strengthen security presence in at-risk areas across the country, with particular focus on communities near forests that have increasingly become targets of violent attacks.

Calling for national unity, Tinubu urged Nigerians to confront insecurity collectively and deny criminal elements any safe haven. He expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the attack and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and security to affected communities, stressing that Nigeria must stand together to defeat terrorism and reclaim safety for its citizens.

Physically Challenged Edo Artisan Alleges DSS Seized His Car for Writing ‘Nigerians Are Hungry, Tinubu Is the Worst President’ in Benin City

A physically challenged artisan, Solomon Umudi, has accused operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) of unlawfully seizing his car in Benin City, Edo State, over political messages he wrote on the vehicle criticising the Nigerian government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to Umudi, the inscriptions included statements such as “Nigerians are hungry,” “Tinubu is the worst President,” “No judiciary in Nigeria,” and “Nigerian pastors have failed us,” which he said reflected his personal experiences and the widespread hardship facing ordinary citizens.

Narrating his ordeal, Umudi said DSS operatives did not invite him for questioning or follow due process before taking his car. He alleged that the officers used deception around the Akezuwa and Stadium Road areas of Benin City, pretending to cause an accident before forcefully seizing the vehicle and driving away with it. He insisted that the car was not obstructing traffic and that he was never informed where it was taken.

Umudi, who earns a living making car seats, lamented what he described as increasing suppression of small business owners, youths, and vulnerable citizens amid worsening economic conditions and insecurity. He said he often carries a generator in his car to power his work due to the lack of electricity and recounted how he previously paid ransom to secure the release of a kidnapped student, highlighting the impact of insecurity on everyday Nigerians.

Describing the seizure of his car as an attempt to silence him, Umudi insisted that freedom of expression is a fundamental right in a democratic society and vowed to continue speaking out against hardship, poor governance, and what he sees as government failure. He called on authorities to listen to citizens’ concerns rather than intimidate or suppress dissent, warning that actions taken against him would not deter his resolve to keep expressing his views.

Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Group Rejects Tinubu’s Tax Reform, Describes It as IMF–World Bank Agenda to Deepen Poverty in Nigeria

The Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organization (GAFAMORG) has strongly rejected the proposed tax reform law being advanced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, describing it as an International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank–inspired agenda aimed at deepening poverty and further exploiting Nigerians. The group warned that the country’s worsening economic crisis is the result of deliberate policy choices by a corrupt ruling elite aligned with failed foreign economic orthodoxies.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Babatunde Agunbiade, and Public Relations Officer, Adeoye Ade-Adewumi, GAFAMORG argued that Nigeria’s challenges are not caused by insufficient taxation but by criminal mismanagement, massive corruption, nepotism, and elite capture of state resources. The organisation said the proposed tax law would impose additional burdens on already over-taxed workers, small traders, and struggling households, while leaving the wealthy and powerful untouched.

The group accused the Tinubu administration of ignoring large-scale tax evasion by elites, excessive tax waivers for multinational corporations, and widespread looting through inflated contracts and opaque concessions. It also criticised the operation of Free Trade Zones, describing them as tax havens for the rich where corporations enjoy sweeping exemptions and weak oversight, while ordinary Nigerians face aggressive and sometimes extortionate tax enforcement.

GAFAMORG further described Nigeria’s tax administration system as broken, citing overlapping taxes, harassment by revenue agents, lack of transparency, and weak accountability. It warned that introducing new taxes without fixing these structural problems amounts to “economic violence against the poor.”

Reflecting on Nigeria’s past experiences with IMF- and World Bank-backed reforms such as Structural Adjustment, privatisation, and subsidy removal, the organisation said these policies have consistently shrunk the middle class, expanded poverty, enriched a tiny elite, and weakened the country’s productive capacity.

Invoking the legacy of late human rights lawyer Chief Gani Fawehinmi, GAFAMORG called on Nigerians to completely reject the proposed tax law, mobilise civic, legal, media, and popular resistance, and demand its immediate withdrawal. The group insisted that Nigeria does not need IMF-approved hardship but justice, accountability, equity, and people-centred governance.

Bauchi Community Primary Health Centre Unsafe, Lacks Electricity, Drugs, Beds and Skilled Staff Despite ₦93bn Health Budget – Report

A civic technology organisation, MonITNG, has raised serious concerns over the deplorable condition of Bujala Basic Health Care Centre in Tiyin B Ward, Warji Local Government Area of Bauchi State, describing the facility as unsafe and a symbol of long-standing government neglect. The centre, which serves over 2,500 residents and nearby villages, reportedly lacks electricity, essential drugs, functional toilets, proper patient record systems, and basic medical equipment.

According to observations by the Tracka team, the health centre’s building has deep structural cracks, a leaking roof, and only three beds without mattresses. The laboratory is completely unequipped, while the labour room is empty, forcing pregnant women to give birth at home without skilled medical care, exposing mothers and newborns to preventable risks and deaths.

Staffing at the facility is critically inadequate, with just one Junior Community Health Extension Worker, one maternity attendant, and two volunteers attending to the healthcare needs of the entire community. MonITNG noted that this neglect persists despite Bauchi State allocating about ₦93 billion to health and education in its 2024 budget.

The organisation also highlighted alleged mismanagement of public funds, citing reports of ₦4.65 billion earmarked for motorcycles that were never delivered—funds it said could have been used to rehabilitate at least 46 primary health centres across the state. MonITNG called on the Bauchi State Government, the Ministry of Health, the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA), and Warji Local Government to urgently rebuild and equip the facility, provide electricity and clean water, supply beds and essential drugs, and deploy qualified health workers.

Residents of Bujala community have joined civil society groups in demanding immediate intervention, warning that the continued neglect of the health centre leaves thousands vulnerable to preventable diseases, maternal complications, and avoidable loss of life.

Edo Governor Okpebholo’s Alleged Loyalist Who Brutalised Female Worker Over ₦40,000 Salary Petitions Police to Arrest Victim as Officers Allegedly Shield Him

A political enforcer allegedly loyal to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, identified as Adam Ehigiamusoe, popularly known as Shaba, has sparked outrage after petitioning the Nigeria Police to arrest a female employee he is accused of brutally assaulting over an unpaid ₦40,000 salary. The incident reportedly occurred on December 23, 2025, at Destiny O Hotel Suites in Benin City, which Shaba owns.

According to sources, the victim, Love Nehizena, also known as Bella, was beaten severely after demanding payment of her outstanding salary. Videos obtained by SaharaReporters showed her covered in blood with visible injuries, suggesting an assault described by witnesses as near-fatal. Despite the severity of the attack, Shaba was allegedly never arrested, reportedly boasting that his political connections made him untouchable.

Sources disclosed that the Edo State Commissioner of Police had earlier directed Shaba to report himself, but he allegedly ignored the order and instead, through his lawyer, submitted a petition to the Zone 5 Police Headquarters in Benin, accusing the victim. Shockingly, police action reportedly followed against Bella rather than the alleged attacker, with a senior officer, CSP Christopher Ereshe, inviting her for questioning, raising concerns of intimidation and victim persecution.

Witnesses expressed alarm that Shaba, whom police claimed they could not locate, was publicly seen days later distributing bags of rice in Benin City and freely engaging law enforcement. Bella, a single mother, narrated how she was beaten with wires, planks, and wooden objects, spat on, insulted for her poor background, and threatened with death if she reported the incident. Her phone was also destroyed during the assault.

Human rights advocates and residents have condemned the episode as a gross abuse of power, politicisation of policing, and a dangerous example of how poverty and political influence are weaponised to silence vulnerable citizens. The case has intensified public calls for accountability and justice amid fears that political protection may obstruct due process.

Pope Leo Says Welfare Of Venezuelans Must Prevail
Following his Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square, the first US pope told the crowd that "the welfare of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over all other considerations".

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday said Venezuelans’ welfare should prevail after the toppling of President Nicolas Maduro in a US operation and said the country’s sovereignty should be guaranteed.

London Mourns At Funeral For Anthony Joshua’s Associates
Thirty-six-year-old Joshua, who was a passenger in a Lexus SUV that collided with a stationary truck, was released from the hospital on New Year’s Eve.
There was a sombre gathering in London today, as family and friends of former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua came together to honour two members of his inner circle whose deaths have sent shockwaves across the boxing world.

Venezuela’s Maduro To Appear Before Judge Monday In New York
Five Latin American countries and Spain warned on Sunday against any outside bid for "control" of Venezuela, after US President Donald Trump suggested Washington would "run" the country and access its oil.

Venezuela’s deposed president, Nicolas Maduro, is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in New York at noon Monday to be formally notified about the charges against him, the court said.

UPDATE :Tinubu Orders Military, Police, DSS To Hunt Down Terrorists Behind Niger State Attack

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack in Niger State.

INSECURITY: FARMER GOVERNOR UMARU BAGO EXPRESSES SADNESS OVER TERRORIST ATTACK ON COMMUNITIES IN BORGU LGA.

Niger State Governor, farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago expresses sadness over the terrorist attack on communities in the Borgu local government area of the state.

The farmer governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, describes as cruel and nefarious the terrorist attack that led to the death of many people, the kidnapping of several others, and the destruction of livelihoods.

He extends his deepest sympathy to the people of the affected communities, especially the victims and their families.

The victims of the attack at the Kasuwan Daji, Market, Sukumbara Village, are both Muslims and Christians drawn from different communities in Borgu local government area of the state

The farmer governor, who notes that it is disturbing and worrying to start the year with such unfortunate incidents, however enjoined the people to remain resolute in God and that his administration is collaborating with the federal government and security agencies to improve the security of the affected areas.

He said a joint security team is trailing the terrorists with the view to rescuing the kidnapped victims.

The farmer governor prays that God will repose the souls of the departed, rescue the kidnapped victims, and grant healing to the injured as well as restore livelihoods that were destroyed.

Museveni Says Even Uganda Can Harm U.S. in Ground War, Cites Venezuela Crisis to Renew Call for Pan-African Security and Military Unity

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has stated that despite the United States’ overwhelming military dominance across sea, air, and space, it remains vulnerable in ground combat, arguing that even countries like Uganda could inflict damage in a close-range land confrontation. Museveni made the remarks while responding to questions on Pan-Africanism and lessons Africa can draw from Washington’s recent military intervention in Venezuela.

According to Museveni, U.S. military power lies in its ability to operate simultaneously across four domains—sea, air, space, and land—giving it a decisive advantage over many adversaries long before direct engagement. However, he noted that once operations shift to land, that advantage diminishes, exposing even powerful forces to harm.

He further explained that while the United States maintains surveillance and technological superiority even on land, weaker states remain strategically exposed across multiple fronts, highlighting a deep imbalance in global security. Museveni traced Africa’s vulnerability to the failure of post-independence leaders to pursue collective security and genuine Pan-African unity in the 1960s.

Citing the Venezuela crisis as a warning, Museveni concluded that Africa must urgently revive Pan-African cooperation, particularly in defence and security, to avoid remaining fragmented and strategically disadvantaged in an increasingly militarised world.

Tinubu Orders Military, Police, DSS to Hunt Kasuwan Daji Terrorists, Rescue Abducted Women and Children in Niger State

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s security agencies, including the military, police, and the Department of State Services (DSS), to intensify operations to track down and apprehend the terrorists behind the deadly attack on Kasuwan Daji community in Niger State. The directive was issued on Sunday and conveyed in a statement signed on January 4, 2026, by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The President ordered the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the DSS Director-General to urgently locate the attackers and rescue all abducted victims, particularly women and children. The Kasuwan Daji attack, which occurred amid a surge in terrorist activities in Niger State, led to the killing of villagers and mass abductions.

According to the presidency, the assailants are suspected to be fleeing from Sokoto and Zamfara states following a U.S. airstrike carried out on Christmas Eve. President Tinubu condemned the killings, described the attack as a test of Nigeria’s resolve, and vowed that the perpetrators and anyone aiding them would be hunted down and brought to justice.

He also extended condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Niger State, while assuring that security operations would be strengthened around vulnerable communities, especially those near forest areas used as criminal hideouts. The President urged Nigerians to remain united and avoid divisive rhetoric, stressing that collective resolve is crucial to defeating terrorism and restoring peace to affected communities.

Nigerian Cleric Condemns Doctors’ Strike as Pregnant Woman Dies at National Hospital Abuja Amid Shutdown of Medical Services

A Nigerian cleric, Reverend Father Celestine Eze, has strongly criticised the Nigerian government following the reported death of a pregnant woman at the National Hospital, Abuja, allegedly due to the ongoing doctors’ strike that has crippled medical services at the facility. The tragic incident reportedly occurred on Saturday after the woman was referred to the hospital for urgent care but arrived to find no doctors on duty.

In a viral video shared on his Facebook page, Fr. Eze lamented the deserted state of the hospital, describing the situation as heartbreaking and unacceptable for one of Nigeria’s foremost tertiary healthcare institutions. He stated that several patients, including pregnant women in need of critical care, were left unattended because of the industrial action.

Expressing deep frustration, the cleric accused the government of indifference to the suffering of ordinary Nigerians, warning that the collapse of the healthcare system would ultimately affect everyone, regardless of status or privilege. He described the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death as painful and emblematic of broader systemic failures within the country’s health sector.

The incident has intensified public outrage and renewed calls for urgent government intervention to resolve the dispute with striking doctors and restore full medical services, as concerns grow over preventable deaths and worsening access to healthcare across Nigeria.

Bandits Kidnap Kano Police Inspector, Two Others, Beat Them on Camera While Forcing Ransom Pleas

Suspected bandits have abducted a serving police inspector attached to the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, alongside two other men, subjecting them to severe physical abuse while forcing them to beg publicly for ransom in a disturbing video. The victims were identified as Inspector Kabiru Bello Adamu, Muntari, and Musa Rabiu (also known as Danladi), all from Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The trio were reportedly kidnapped while travelling from Rijiya Zaki Motor Park in Kano to Birnin Kebbi. In the video, armed bandits pointed guns at the victims’ heads, beat them with sticks and AK-47 rifle butts, and compelled them to plead with their families and the public to raise money for their release. Speaking under duress, Inspector Bello confirmed his identity and appealed for mercy, invoking religious sentiments, while the other victims also made desperate pleas for help.

At one point, one of the abductees was beaten again after attempting to suggest the kidnappers were treating them “kindly,” highlighting the brutality of the captors. The incident underscores the worsening security situation in northern Nigeria, where even security personnel are increasingly targeted by armed groups along major highways. As of the time of reporting, there has been no official statement from police authorities regarding the abduction or rescue efforts.