WASSAP-9JA Media | Breaking News, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Sports and Politics: 2026

Bandits Assaulted Kwara For a Duration Of 10 Hours Prior Bofore The Arrival Of Soldiers – Village Chief

The head of Woro community in Kwara State, Umar Bio Salihu, has said that armed bandits operated for about 10 hours in the area before security operatives arrived, leading to dozens of deaths and the destruction of several villages.

Salihu, who spoke on ARISE Television on Thursday, said the attackers began their operation around 5pm, but soldiers only arrived at about 3am the following day.

Bandits have reportedly released the remaining worshippers abducted during a Sunday attack on churches in the Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The attack occurred when armed men invaded three churches in the community during worship services, firing sporadically to instil fear before abducting worshippers and leading them into the surrounding forests.

Over 100 people were feared dead on Tuesday night following a deadly attack on Woro and Nuku communities in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State by Islamic militants, while several people were also killed after bandits pounced on Abande community in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan, Kwande LG of Benue State.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, however, confirmed the death of 75 persons.

Manchester City will face Arsenal in the League Cup final after ending Newcastle’s reign as holders with a first-half blitz in their 3-1 victory on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola’s side were already in pole position after winning the semi-final first leg on Tyneside in January and they finished the job in ruthless fashion at the Etihad Stadium.

From calls for his Republican party to “nationalize” voting to his repeated false claims of a stolen election, President Donald Trump is ramping up attacks on the electoral system ahead of this year’s US midterms.

The latest idea from Trump — who still refuses to acknowledge his 2020 election defeat by Democrat Joe Biden — is to take responsibility for organizing elections away from some US states and hand it to the federal government instead.

The Senate has passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill 2026 through the third reading.

It, however, did not approve the proposed amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the bill, which sought to make the electronic transmission of election results mandatory.

Law Enforcement Detains Government Official, Two Monarchs, and Others in Connection with Ebonyi Assault

Police authorities in Ebonyi have arrested the coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre, Anya Baron-Ogbonnia, in Afikpo Local Government Area, and two traditional rulers, over the killings in Okporojo, Edda Local Government Area of the state.

Four people were beheaded during the attack. The Ebonyi Police Command’s spokesman, Joshua Ukandu, identified the traditional rulers as Onyaidam Bassey and Godfrey Oko-Obia.

Ademola Lookman Transfers to Atletico Madrid from Atalanta

Nigeria’s Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, has completed a transfer from Atalanta to Atletico Madrid after the two clubs reached an agreement.

The versatile, dynamic, right-footed 28-year-old has signed with the former Spanish champions on a contract running until 30 June 2030.

PDP Chieftain Ehilebo States That Wike The Primary Cause Of PDP's Crisis

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tony Ehilebo, has alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is responsible for the crisis in the opposition party.

Ehilebo said this on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, claiming Wike is still aggrieved over the outcome of the PDP presidential primary of 2022, an exercise he lost to ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar.

NLC and TUC Instruct Workers to Return to Work Without Delay

Labour unions have asked their members and affiliates under the payroll of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to resume work with immediate effect.

The directive, contained in a joint circular by the TUC and NLC on Tuesday, followed a marathon conciliatory meeting between the unions and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

The Peoples Democratic Party bloc aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has fixed March 28 and 29, 2026, for its national convention in Abuja, where the party will elect a new National Working Committee and other statutory organs.

The announcement followed the faction’s 105th meeting of the PDP National Executive Committee held on Monday in Abuja.

Despite receiving an estimated N9tn in Federation Account Allocation Committee inflows in 2025, state governors are facing mounting criticism from labour unions, civil society groups and opposition parties over what many describe as a widening gap between soaring revenues and limited improvements in citizens’ welfare.

FAAC allocations to states surged by over N2tn in one year, according to an analysis of Federation Account disbursement data published by the National Bureau of Statistics and collated by Wassap9ja, highlighting the scale of the revenue windfall that flowed to subnational governments in 2025 amid higher federation inflows.

With the general elections set for 2027, internal wrangling within Zamfara State’s two dominant parties — the APC and PDP — is reshaping the governorship race, raising the possibility that a smaller party could emerge victorious amid divisions, defections and unresolved factional battles.

As the 2027 general elections draw nearer, prominent politicians in Zamfara State are preparing to contest for the governorship position to secure the most exalted seat in the state. More than 10 people from various political parties are currently vying for the governorship position in the state.

NIGERIA’S national grid again crumbled twice in four days as of January 27, plunging millions into darkness and exposing the deep rot that defines the power sector.

Power generation had collapsed from 3,825MW to a miserable 39MW within minutes, with Eko Electricity Distribution Company confirming the disruption.

South Africa have moved to step in as hosts of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following Morocco’s reported withdrawal from staging the tournament with just 60 days to the scheduled kick-off.

The 2026 WAFCON is billed to run from March 17 to April 3, 2026, under a compressed timetable that follows the delayed 2024 edition, which was impacted by global scheduling challenges, including the Paris Olympics.

An early morning fire on Monday razed parts of a popular Kano market, also known as Singa Market.

Wassap9ja Media gathered that the fire broke out in the early hours of the day, causing damage to sections of the busy market.

Proceedings resume on Monday in London in the corruption and bribery trial of former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Alison-Madueke denies multiple charges relating to alleged misconduct while overseeing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

I Almost Left Out My Grammy-Nominated Track ‘With You’ From ‘5ive’ — Davido

Five-time Grammy nominee Davido has revealed that his hit song With You, featuring Omah Lay, almost did not make the final tracklist of his album 5IVE.

The Afrobeats star disclosed this during at the awards ceremony, admitting that the now Grammy-nominated track was initially overlooked during internal listening sessions.

The Yobe State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 50-year-old man, Alhaji Hassan Umaru, for allegedly hacking a fellow villager, Sukari Abdul, 45, to death over suspicion of an affair involving his wife.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the incident occurred on February 1, 2026, at about 12:30 p.m. in Bundila Village, Gulani Local Government Area of the state.

The Presidency spent at least N34.39bn on foreign exchange purchases for international travel and related obligations over a two-year period.

The figure is according to data compiled from GovSpend, a government spending tracker managed by BudgIT.

Atletico Madrid Has Reached An Agreement For €40 Million To Sign Lookman From Atalanta.

Atletico Madrid said they have agreed a deal with Atalanta to sign Ademola Lookman on Sunday.

“(The clubs) have agreed to the transfer of 28-year-old Nigerian international Ademola Lookman, who is already in Madrid,” said Atletico in a statement.

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, marking the 2026 ceremony, held on February 1 at the Crypto.com Arena’s Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, delivered a night of standout wins, dominant performances and major moments across genres.

Bad Bunny emerged as one of the evening’s biggest winners, clinching two of the ceremony’s most coveted honours.

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, says he was one of the targets of a coup plot and was meant to be shot by the orchestrators.

General Musa spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, days after the military said some of the sixteen officers arrested last October will face trial over an attempt to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

Real Madrid will take on Benfica while Paris Saint-Germain have been drawn against Monaco in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs following Friday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland.

The draw produced several high-profile fixtures as teams battle for places in the round of 16 under the competition’s new format.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command says it has rescued two suspected “one chance” robbers from a violent mob in the Utako area, while issuing a stern warning to residents against the practice of “jungle justice.”

‘One chance’ is commonly used in Nigeria to refer to a form of organised robbery where criminals pose as commercial drivers and passengers to lure victims into a vehicle before robbing, assaulting, or kidnapping them.

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has set a new benchmark in English football after becoming the quickest manager to reach 400 wins in the English top flight.

As reported by BBC Sports on Friday, the Manchester City boss achieved the milestone following City’s Champions League victory over Galatasaray.

Indigenes of Ebonyi State trading in Anambra State have distanced themselves from any planned protest over the closure of the Onitsha Main Market, declaring full support for Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s insistence on full commercial activities on Mondays.

The Ebonyi Town Union in Anambra State made its position known in a statement issued by its President-General, Moses Igwe, in Onitsha on Friday.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has led the enforcement of security operatives at the Onitsha Main Market to enforce the one-week closure ordered by the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

Recall that Soludo has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week following traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.

The Lagos State Police Command has denied claims that its officers shot at residents protesting the demolition of their homes, insisting no gun was fired during Wednesday’s demonstration.

Protesters from communities including Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode-Onirin and Oko Baba marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly, demanding proper relocation plans, compensation, and justice for residents who reportedly lost their lives during past demolition exercises.

Joao Pedro fired Chelsea into the last 16 of the Champions League with the winning brace in Wednesday’s 3-2 win at Napoli, which secured a top-eight finish and eliminated his team’s Italian hosts.

Brazil forward Pedro lashed home two brilliant goals in the second half in Naples as Chelsea came back from a goal behind at half-time and finished the league phase in style.

Armed Individuals Kidnapped Pregnant Woman In Ondo

Suspected kidnappers have abducted a middle-aged woman at Ayede community near Alagbaka GRA extension of Akure, Ondo state capital.

The victim named Mary Jesulayomi, said to be pregnant, was abducted on Tuesday when the hoodlums stormed the community and started shooting sporadically before whisking her away.

The Senate has disclosed plans to hold an executive briefing over the December 25 United States air strikes on terrorist targets in Sokoto State, following concerns raised by Senator Abdul Ningi on the alleged exclusion of the National Assembly from discussions preceding the operation.

Raising the issue under Order 42 (Matters of Privilege) during plenary, Senator Ningi, an opposition lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, argued that the air strikes amounted to an infringement on Nigeria’s territorial integrity and should have involved legislative oversight.

Arsenal became the first side to win all eight matches in the Champions League league phase as the Gunners secured top spot with a 3-2 win over Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta’s men were already assured of a place in the last 16 and have also guaranteed they will have home advantage in the second leg of the knockout stages as long as they progress.

Nigerians living in Norwich, United Kingdom, have launched a fundraising campaign to repatriate the remains of Uchenna Okirie, fondly known as “Common Man,” who was stabbed to death in his student apartment in November 2025.

Okirie, a Nigerian national, was allegedly murdered under circumstances that shocked both the local and wider Nigerian community. A 27-year-old Congolese national, Benjamin Katabana, has been charged in connection with the killing.

Human rights groups, activists and social media users have condemned the Lagos State Police Command and the Lagos State Government over the arrest and the use of force on residents who protested the demolition of their homes across parts of the state on Wednesday.

The condemnation followed the police’s deployment of tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who converged in Ikeja to protest what they described as their displacement without adequate compensation or relocation.

The Confederation of African Football Disciplinary Board has imposed a series of sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football, the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, as well as several players and officials, following incidents during the 2025 African Cup of Nations final.

In a statement posted on its website on Wednesday night, CAF said the sanctions were handed down for violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code, including breaches of the principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity, during and after the final match.

Onitsha Market: Claim of Insecurity As Justification For Sit-At-Home Order Is Illusory Says Soludo

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has described as “delusional” the claim by some traders in the Onitsha Main Market that they do not open their shops on Mondays due to insecurity.

Soludo maintained that the sit-at-home order ended in Anambra State in 2023, calling the continued failure of most traders to open their shops on Mondays an act of economic sabotage.

Policemen at the scene of the ongoing protest over the demolitions carried out in different parts of Lagos State have begun shooting tear gas to disperse protesters who are gathered at the state House of Assembly complex, Ikeja, on Wednesday.

The protesters had converged at the assembly complex to demand an end to forced evictions and the demolition of homes in communities across the state.

The Zamfara State Police Command have arrested a 38-year-old man, Mustapha Mohammad, for the unlawful possession of suspected explosive materials.

The arrest was carried out by the Command’s Task Force on Illegal Mining, following credible and actionable intelligence.

Onitsha Head Bridge in Anambra State was blocked on Wednesday as residents protested the ongoing closure of the Onitsha Main Market, following a directive by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

In a video shared by the African Democratic Congress, protesters are shown barricading entrances to the bridge, chanting “No way in, no way out. Onitsha to Asaba blocked. Stand till!”

A Nigerian woman has stirred conversations online after boldly sharing her views on who should pay children’s school fees in a marriage where the wife earns more.

"I'm a salary earner and am your wife. I am earning ₦600,000 in a month, and you as a man, you are earning ₦200,000. Please, who should pay the children's school fees? Because I don't understand. Who should pay the school fees? You think I will pay it?

An investigation reveals that a Colonel conspired to orchestrate the removal of Tinubu

An interim investigation report into the alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s government has revealed that a clandestine network of military officers coordinated by an Army Colonel (name withheld) had planned the takeover, with funding, recruitment, and operational planning traced directly to him.

The report, sighted by The Wassap9ja on Tuesday, indicated that the Army officer, whose repeated failures in promotion reportedly fuelled his disaffection, mobilised like-minded officers across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, assigning them to survey critical national installations, including the Presidential Villa, major barracks, and international airports.

Nigeria captain, Wilfred Ndidi, has lost his father, Sunday Ndidi. Sunday Ndidi died in a road accident around the Umunede area of Delta State on Tuesday.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our footballer Wilfred Ndidi’s esteemed father, Sunday Ndidi, in a fatal traffic accident,” Besiktas, the Turkish club where the Nigerian international plays, wrote on their X handle.

Authorities Discover an Illicit Baby Manufacturing Operation, Detained Five Individuals in Ekiti

Operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command have uncovered an illegal baby factory located in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

Addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Joe Eribo, said the Command received a tip-off and arrested one Onyechi Oluwadare, alongside four other suspects behind a popular hotel along Ise-Ekiti Road, Ikere-Ekiti.

Tinubu Maintained Discussions With Erdoğan After Misstep, Says Presidential Aide

President Bola Tinubu has continued bilateral talks with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Erdoğan, despite a misstep in Turkey.

“Mr President missed his step very briefly and has continued his bilateral meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Bayern Munich are in talks with Harry Kane over a potential contract extension, the club’s sporting director Max Eberl has confirmed.

The England captain joined the German champions from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2023 on a four-year deal worth an initial €100m (£86.4m).

The hometown of the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, Madagali, was attacked in the early hours of Tuesday by suspected terrorists, kidnapping six family members.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday morning by the state Police command spokesman, SP Suleiman Nguroje.

The Nigerian Correctional Service has dismissed as false and misleading reports alleging a jailbreak at the Benin Custodial Centre in Edo State.

In a statement signed on Tuesday by the Service Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Correction JIN Osuji, the NCoS described the reports, which began circulating on January 24, as completely unfounded.

Gunmen opened fire on football fans after a match in central Mexico, killing 11 people and injuring a dozen more in a region plagued by violence blamed on organised crime, local authorities said.

Armed men stormed into a community football ground after Sunday’s match in Salamanca, a small city of 160,000 people in Guanajuato state.

India and the European Union announced Tuesday the “mother of all deals”, a huge trade pact to create a market of two billion people, reached after two decades of negotiations.

EU chiefs and Prime Minister Narendra Modi hope the pact will help shield against challenges from the world’s two leading economies, the United States and China.

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