Oyo State Police Command has recovered the remains of five Forest Rangers killed at the National Park Service Office, Oloka, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The remains, according to the Command’s Spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka, were recovered on Wednesday while the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, CP Femi Haruna led other security chiefs for an on-the spot assessment of the scene.
The CP, it was gathered, was accompanied by heads of sister security agencies and the Commandant of the National Forest Rangers.
2027: Makinde’s ally leads PDP members, others to APC in Oyo
A former Senate Chief Whip, Ayoola Agboola, on Wednesday led hundreds of members of the Peoples Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, and African Democratic Congress to the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State.
The defectors officially joined the party during an APC rally held in the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency in Iseyin, Iseyin Local Government Area.
It wss reported that Agboola, who was a close ally of Governor Seyi Makinde before leaving the PDP in October 2025, once served as Chairman of the Advisory Council to the sitting governor.
Addressing the gathering on behalf of the defectors, Agboola said, “Our (members of PDP, SDP, and ADC) decision to join APC followed extensive consultations.
“The prevailing unity among the party leaders in the state informed our resolve to align with the party.”
Peter Obi changes party like Premier League football players – Bwala
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has likened former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, as Premier League football players that change club every season.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has likened former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, as Premier League football players that change club every season.
CIA, KGB once funded Nigeria’s labour movement – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that Nigeria’s organised labour movement was, at a critical stage in its history, funded by foreign intelligence agencies, a development he said exposed the country’s labour system to external control and raised grave concerns about national sovereignty.
Obasanjo made the revelation at the 85th birthday celebration and public presentation of the memoir of a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Hassan Sunmonu, titled “Memoirs of an African Trade Union Icon: Organise, Don’t Agonise”.
The gathering of labour leaders, policymakers and civil society actors evolved into a broader reflection on the past, present and future of trade unionism in Nigeria.
According to the former president, Nigeria’s labour space during the Cold War era was dominated by two powerful labour organisations which, though Nigerian in name, were allegedly financed and influenced by opposing global power blocs.
Budget Office clarifies repeal, re-enactment of 2024/2025 Appropriation Acts
The Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) has moved to allay public concerns over the recent repeal and re-enactment of the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts, insisting that the process is constitutional and that the extension of a budget’s operational lifespan does not amount to any illegality.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday and signed by the Director-General of the Budget Office, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu, the agency said recent claims alleging constitutional breaches, fiscal misconduct, and lack of transparency were based on misunderstandings of Nigeria’s budgetary and legislative framework.
Yakubu noted that while public interest in fiscal governance is legitimate, debates around the national budget must be grounded in the provisions of the Constitution, existing fiscal laws, and established legislative practice.
Tax law: N5tn VAT windfall for states as new formula begins
The 36 states of the federation are set to receive an estimated N5.07tn as their share of Value Added Tax in 2026, following the commencement of a new VAT sharing formula introduced under the National Tax Acts, findings by The PUNCH have shown.
This development is contained in the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper approved by the Federal Executive Council.
According to the fiscal framework, the implementation of the new National Tax Acts from January 2026 will reduce the Federal Government’s VAT share from 15 per cent to 10 per cent, while the states’ share rises from 50 per cent to 55 per cent, and Local Governments continue to receive 35 per cent.
Nigerian govt announces duty waiver for personal vehicles temporarily imported
The Nigerian government, through the Nigeria Customs Service, has announced the commencement of procedures for granting safe passage to personal vehicles temporarily imported or transiting Nigeria by international travelers.
NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
The service said the policy framework covers all personal, non-commercial vehicles belonging to international travelers visiting Nigeria for tourism, diplomatic, business, or personal purposes.
“It seeks to ease cross-border movement, strengthen Nigeria’s compliance with international obligations, and reinforce the nation’s commitment to trade facilitation and regional integration.
We’ll continue to investigate ex-NMDPRA boss despite Dangote’s petition withdrawal — ICPC
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it will continue its investigation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past chief executive officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), despite the withdrawal of a petition by Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL).
In a statement signed by the commission’s spokesperson and head of media and public communications, J. Okor Odey, on Wednesday, the anti-corruption agency confirmed that it received a letter dated January 5, 2026, notifying it of the withdrawal of the petition earlier submitted against Ahmed by Dangote through his legal representatives, O.J. Onoja, SAN and Associates.
According to the ICPC, the petitioner withdrew the petition dated December 16, 2025, in its entirety, while also informing the commission that another law enforcement agency had taken over the matter.
Super Eagles boycott Marrakech trip for Algeria game over unpaid bonuses
Players and coaches of the Super Eagles have reportedly refused to travel to Marrakech for their next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) fixture, citing unpaid bonuses.
The development was disclosed on X by BBC Africa journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, who is currently in Morocco.
Nigeria, regarded as one of the standout teams at the ongoing tournament, has won all four of its matches and recorded the highest number of goals so far. The team is scheduled to face Algeria in the quarter-final clash of the 2025 AFCON on Saturday evening.
However, it is understood that bonuses for the four matches played have not been settled. The squad, led by coach Eric Chelle, defeated Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda in the group stage before recording a 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16.
Embattled Pastor Chris Okafor surrenders to police
The Senior Pastor of Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Chris Okafor, has turned himself in to the police following allegations of multiple rape and other offences capable of causing a breach of public peace, the Lagos State Police Command said.
The case has reportedly been handed over to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Sylvester Alabi.
The development comes after Okafor failed to honour a police invitation on Monday, despite being invited on Sunday by the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, over the allegations.
In an interview with TVC on Wednesday, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, said, “When he was invited, he got to us through his lawyer that he would be appearing on Monday. So, on Monday, we waited for him. We didn’t see him, and I directed that he should be arrested.
