Month: January 2026

By Anwar Usman

Nigeria has signed fresh security deal with Türkiye to help in its fight against insecurity.

The Daily Reality reports that nine fresh agreements were signed between Türkiye and Nigeria on Tuesday in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The agreements were signed following deliberations between the two countries and delegation-level meetings at the Presidential Palace in Türkiye’s capital, Ankara.

The two countries signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding MoU covering cooperation in diaspora policy, media and communication, higher education, halal accreditation, military cooperation, and cooperation with diplomatic academies. Both sides also adopted a joint declaration establishing the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

While pledging support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism President Erdogan said Ankara reviewed options for closer cooperation in military training and intelligence during talks with President Tinubu.

President Bola Tinubu is on an official visit to Türkiye from January 26 to 28, during which the two countries are expected to sign cooperation deals and hold meetings with business and defence industry leaders to deepen bilateral ties.

“We are ready to share Türkiye’s significant experience in counterterrorism,” Erdogan said, noting that terrorist groups, particularly in Africa’s Sahel region, pose a threat to the continent’s stability.

While addressing a joint press conference on Tuesday, following the talks in Ankara, Erdogan said deliberations also covered trade, energy, investment, education and the defence industry, reiterating both countries’ commitment to achieving a $5 billion bilateral trade volume.

The two sides signed a defence agreement called “Protocol on Military Cooperation”. Türkiye has become a primary alternative to Western and Eastern arms suppliers for Nigeria with the two countries signing a Defence Industry Cooperation (Oct 2021) which provided the legal framework for Nigeria to purchase Turkish military hardware, including Bayraktar TB2 drones, T129 ATAK helicopters, and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).

The latest part of the deal was Military Training & Intelligence Agreement (2026) – officially categorised as a Military Cooperation Protocol- allows for Turkish experts to train Nigerian Special Forces and share satellite intelligence for counter-terrorism operations against groups like Boko Haram.

It was gathered that the protocol focuses on three primary areas designed to address Nigeria’s internal security challenges. The Intelligence Sharing (Real-Time) aspect focuses on establishing a direct “intelligence bridge” between the Nigerian National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MİT). This focuses on tracking the movement of illicit arms and monitoring the digital activities of insurgent groups in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.

By TDR

Soldiers attached to the 133 Special Forces Battalion in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State, have accused their Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. A.K. Kachalla, of compelling troops stationed at checkpoints to remit weekly financial “returns” of as much as ₦500,000, with the threat of redeployment for those who fail to comply.

The allegations were disclosed by several military sources who spoke with newsmen on condition of anonymity on Wednesday.

According to SaharaReporters, one of the sources said soldiers are frequently posted to checkpoints on major routes such as Kano Road, Maiduguri Road, Dambam, and Jama’are, where they are allegedly expected to collect money from motorists and passengers.

“Soldiers will be deployed to a checkpoint to be collecting money from passengers and a commanding officer will be waiting for return of ₦500,000 every week,” the source alleged. “If the soldiers didn’t meet up with the demands, they will change them immediately from the checkpoint and bring new soldiers.”

Another source described the alleged practice as entrenched, adding that it started shortly after Lt. Col. Kachalla assumed command of the battalion.

“Since this CO took over, things have gone from bad to worse,” the source said.

The same source complained about deteriorating living conditions within the barracks, particularly irregular power supply.

“Apart from the extortion at checkpoints, we don’t have regular electricity supply anymore. We only have light for about four hours out of 24 hours.”

The soldiers also alleged that water supply in the barracks has broken down, which they said has created serious hardship for their families.

“There is no water in the barracks. Women are suffering seriously just to get water for daily use,” one soldier said.

They compared the current situation with conditions under a former commander, Lt. Col. P.O. Mukoro, who is now a colonel.

“We remember during Lt. Col. P.O. Mukoro, now Col. P.O. Mukoro, we enjoyed 24 hours light and water everywhere,” a source said. “He is one of the best commanding officers the unit has ever had, and we are still missing him till now.”

The soldiers called on the military authorities to step in without delay.

“We are calling on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for the removal of Lt. Col. A.K. Kachalla as the Commanding Officer of 133 SF BN,” one source said.

They also urged the military high command to order an independent investigation into the alleged extortion linked to checkpoint postings.

“The issue of checkpoint deployment return must be properly investigated,” another source said. “This is damaging the image of the Army and destroying morale among soldiers.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Spain has announced plans to grant legal status to about 500,000 undocumented migrants, a move officials describe as a recognition of the economic and social value of migration, even as other Western countries adopt stricter immigration policies, Aaljazeera has reported.

For Joel Caceda, a 30-year-old migrant from Peru, the decision offers long-awaited relief. After losing his left arm in a farming accident, he now struggles to earn a living through delivery work, a situation common among migrants who arrive in Spain without legal documents.

Caceda welcomed the government’s plan, which stands in contrast to tougher approaches in parts of Europe, including Denmark, Germany and Austria, as well as in the United States.

“This is good for me and many others. It will mean the chance to become legal after six years working here without any official papers,” he told Al Jazeera from his home in Barcelona.

“It will give me the chance to get a flat with my partner and her daughter and live a better life.”

His experience reflects that of thousands of migrants who survive through Spain’s informal economy while navigating lengthy and complex administrative processes in pursuit of residency papers.

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Spanish Migration Minister Elma Saiz said those covered by the policy would have the right to work “in any sector, in any part of the country,” while stressing “the positive impact” of migration on Spain.

“We are talking about estimations, probably more or less the figures may be around half a million people,” she said, adding that the government was “recognising” migrants already living in the country and restoring dignity to their lives.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has repeatedly argued that migration remains essential to Spain’s economy. He has said the country needs foreign workers to fill labour shortages and to balance the effects of an ageing population that places pressure on pensions and social services.

Civil society groups have also welcomed the decision. Laetitia Van der Vennet of the Platform for Undocumented Immigrants described the policy as a sharp contrast to rising hostility toward migrants in Europe and North America.

“At a time when a hostile environment against migrants is spreading on both sides of the Atlantic, this move shows both humanity and common sense,” she said.

Ousman Umar, a Ghanaian migrant and founder of the NASCO Feeding Minds NGO, said the policy would benefit Spain as much as migrants themselves. Umar spent five years attempting to reach Europe and survived extreme hardship before arriving in Spain, where he once lived on the streets.

“This is not only going to be good for migrants but the whole society. It will mean that these people can start working legally, pay taxes and social security,” he told Al Jazeera.

“This will mean that all these people pay into the pension system in a country where the birthrate is low and there is a growing number of older people.”

Lamine Sar, who came to Spain from Senegal 18 years ago and now works with the Top Manta fashion label, echoed similar views. The brand highlights the reality faced by migrants who sell goods on blankets, known as mantas, in city streets.

“This is a huge step forward, not just for migrants in Spain but for everyone. It will mean these people contribute to society instead of being used in a kind of slavery in the black economy,” he said.

Under the new rules, the regularisation will cover migrants who have lived in Spain for at least five months and who applied for international protection before December 31, 2025. Children of eligible applicants who already reside in Spain will also be included. Applications will open in April and close in June.

The government approved the measure through a decree, which avoids a parliamentary vote. The Socialist-led coalition lacks a majority and could have faced strong resistance from the conservative People’s Party and the far-right Vox party.

Vox leader Santiago Abascal criticised the move, warning of serious consequences. “The invasion kills. The arrival of half a million migrants will be a call to another half million migrants and put under strain on our health system, social security and security,” he wrote in an online post.

Despite such opposition, official figures show that irregular migration to Spain dropped by more than 40 percent last year. Authorities attribute the decline largely to agreements with Morocco and several West African countries that focus on security and cooperation.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former United States President Joe Biden has condemned the killing of two people by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis and has called for full, fair, and transparent investigations into the incidents.

In a statement shared on his X handle on Tuesday, Biden described the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good as actions that run contrary to America’s core values. He said the country is “not a nation that guns down our citizens in the street” and “not a nation that allows our citizens to be brutalized for exercising their constitutional rights.”

“We are not a nation that tramples the 4th Amendment and tolerates our neighbours being terrorized,” the former President said.

Biden also commended residents of Minnesota for what he described as their strength and unity in the face of hardship. He said Minnesotans have continued to support one another and speak against injustice despite difficult conditions.

“The people of Minnesota have stood strong — helping community members in unimaginable circumstances, speaking out against injustice when they see it, and holding our government accountable to the people,” he said.

“Minnesotans have reminded us all what it is to be American, and they have suffered enough at the hands of this Administration,” Biden added.

The former President stressed that violence has no place in the United States, especially when it involves state authorities.

“Violence and terror have no place in the United States of America, especially when it’s our own government targeting American citizens,” he said.

Biden urged citizens to protect democratic values and insisted that the foundations of the country cannot be destroyed by one individual.

“No single person can destroy what America stands for and believes in, not even a President, if we — all of America — stand up and speak out. We know who we are. It’s time to show the world. More importantly, it’s time to show ourselves,” he stated.

He concluded by extending condolences to the families of the victims.

“Jill and I are sending strength to the families and communities who love Alex Pretti and Renee Good as we all mourn their senseless deaths,” Biden said.

Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and registered nurse, was killed during an immigration enforcement operation on the south side of Minneapolis. Colleagues described him as a healthcare worker known for caring for critically ill veterans.

His death has intensified scrutiny of federal law enforcement actions and has widened mistrust between frontline healthcare workers and federal authorities.

The incident is the second fatal shooting linked to federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in recent weeks. It has sparked protests, renewed debate over enforcement methods, and growing calls for accountability.

The shootings occurred during a weeks-long deployment of immigration enforcement and other federal agents in Minneapolis. Authorities have intensified raids in the city as part of President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration agenda.

Minneapolis has also seen daily protests since the January 7 killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old resident who died after an ICE officer fired into her vehicle. In a separate incident last week, U.S. security operatives also shot a Venezuelan man in the city.

By Uzair Adam

The Presidency has dismissed concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s health, saying he remains fit and is carrying on with his state visit to Türkiye as scheduled.

The assurance was given on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, who said the President moved from the ceremonial welcome in Ankara straight into planned bilateral engagements with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other top Turkish officials.

According to Dare, the meetings are focused on strengthening diplomatic ties and widening cooperation between Nigeria and Türkiye in key areas such as defence and security, trade and investment, energy and overall economic development.

He noted that the seamless flow of activities reflects the growing relationship between both countries and Nigeria’s renewed diplomatic drive under the Tinubu administration.

Addressing enquiries about a brief incident involving the President, Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga clarified that Tinubu only lost his balance momentarily after stepping on an object.

He explained that the President stepped on a metal on the floor, which caused a slight loss of balance, stressing that it was “not a big deal” and should not be exaggerated.

Onanuga added that it was “a mere stumble, not a fall,” and urged the public to ignore attempts to sensationalise what he described as a fleeting incident.

The Presidency maintained that President Tinubu remains in good health and fully engaged in all official activities during the visit.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

More than half of Europeans now regard US President Donald Trump as an “enemy” of Europe, a new opinion poll has shown.

The survey, published on January 23, was conducted across seven European Union countries. It revealed that 51 percent of respondents hold a negative view of Trump’s relationship with the continent. By contrast, only eight percent described him as a “friend” of Europe.

The findings indicate a steady rise in distrust toward the US president since September last year. Public confidence has weakened over time, reflecting growing unease about his policies and rhetoric toward Europe.

According to TRT World, respondents in Denmark emerged as some of the most critical in the poll. This followed repeated statements by Trump in which he threatened to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty.

The poll highlights widening scepticism across Europe about the US president’s intentions and his approach to transatlantic relations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

North Korea on Tuesday launched several ballistic missiles into the sea, moves that South Korea and Japan said appeared to involve short-range projectiles, as officials from Washington and Seoul continued discussions on reshaping their joint defence posture against Pyongyang.

According to Reuters, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired from an area near the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, at about 3:50 p.m. local time (0650 GMT). The missiles travelled roughly 350 kilometres (217 miles) before landing in waters off the country’s east coast.

Japan’s coast guard also reported detecting what it described as possible ballistic missiles from North Korea, which fell into the sea minutes after launch. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the launches posed no impact on Japan.

Japanese authorities said the missiles reached a maximum altitude of 80 kilometres.

In response, South Korea’s Office of National Security called on North Korea to immediately stop ballistic missile launches. It described the action as provocative and a breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Japan issued a similar condemnation, stating that “repeated launches of ballistic missiles…by North Korea threatens the peace and security of our country, the region and the international community”.

“Such ballistic missile launches also violate relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and constitute a grave issue affecting the safety of the public. Japan has lodged a strong protest with North Korea and strongly condemned these actions,” the statement added.

North Korea has in recent months carried out tests of short-range missiles and multiple-launch rockets. Pyongyang has said these weapons form a central part of its tactical nuclear arsenal, which it claims is meant to counter threats from the United States and South Korea.

Attention to North Korea’s short-range ballistic missiles and artillery has increased after Pyongyang supplied such weapons to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine under a mutual defence pact signed with Moscow in 2024.

Tuesday’s launch came as a senior U.S. Defense Department official visited South Korea. During the trip, discussions focused on modernising the military alliance, at a time when Washington seeks a more limited role in joint defence efforts against North Korea.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigerian Army has recorded another operational success after troops rescued eleven kidnapped persons during a late-night operation carried out on January 26, 2026, along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway.

The rescue followed the detection of armed terrorists who attempted to relocate their captives through the Gidan Duna–Amale bush path under the cover of darkness. Troops from the Forward Operating Base, Doka, spotted the movement through high-definition long-range CCTV surveillance and quickly moved to intercept the suspects.

Security sources said the soldiers launched a coordinated pursuit with tactical vehicles and motorcycles. The swift response put pressure on the criminals and forced them to abandon the victims before fleeing into nearby bushes, which stopped their attempt to escape deeper into the hinterland.

Those rescued included five adult men, three adult women, and three children. The victims were abducted from the Gada Mallam Maman Community on October 26, 2025, and had remained in captivity for 92 days.

Military authorities said the operation demonstrated the Army’s ability to combine modern surveillance equipment with effective ground action. They added that the force remains committed to protecting lives, securing major routes, and denying criminal groups any freedom of movement at all times.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Donald Trump held a lengthy Oval Office meeting on Monday evening with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem amid rising criticism of his administration’s handling of the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis resident by federal agents.

According to two people briefed on the discussion, the president met with Noem and her top aide, Corey Lewandowski, for nearly two hours. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private. The session followed a request from Noem to see the president, the sources said.

According to New York Times, during the meeting, Trump did not indicate that the jobs of Noem or Lewandowski were in danger. Still, the talks highlighted growing concern within the White House over bipartisan criticism linked to the killing of Alex Pretti. Pretti was shot roughly 10 times by immigration agents on Saturday after he was reportedly filming them with his phone.

Noem has been the public face of the administration’s immigration crackdown. She has also drawn controversy for making false accusations about Pretti, including describing him as a “domestic terrorist.”

Several senior White House officials also attended the meeting. They included Susie Wiles, the chief of staff; Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary; and Steven Cheung, the communications director. Stephen Miller, a senior aide who oversees immigration strategy, was not present.

The meeting took place on the same day Trump announced that Tom Homan, his border czar, would be sent to oversee operations in Minneapolis. The decision was widely viewed as an effort to rely on an official associated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s traditional focus on targeted arrests, rather than broad raids that have taken place in cities across the country.

At the same time, the administration was preparing to move Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official whose aggressive tactics have attracted sharp criticism, out of Minneapolis. Two officials familiar with the matter confirmed the plan, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The developments reflect a shift in approach as the administration faces mounting scrutiny over the use of force by federal immigration agents and its broader enforcement strategy.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has said Washington has deployed what he described as “a big armada next to Iran” amid rising tensions, while insisting that Tehran’s leadership is still interested in reaching an agreement with the US.

Trump made the remarks during an interview with Axios late on Monday, shortly after the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln entered the US Central Command’s area of responsibility in the Middle East. The move marked a major escalation in the US military posture close to Iran.

Speaking on the deployment, Trump said: “We have a big armada next to Iran. Bigger than Venezuela.”
He also emphasised that diplomacy remained possible. “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk.”

According to White House officials quoted by Axios, a military strike against Iran remains an option, although Trump has not taken a final decision. The officials added that the president is expected to hold further consultations this week and assess additional military choices.

Iranian authorities, on their part, have continued to warn of serious consequences if the US launches any attack. The warnings come amid ongoing arrests linked to deadly nationwide protests and a prolonged internet blackout across parts of the country, Aaljazeera reports.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has also issued strong signals. In a report carried by Press TV, an unnamed IRGC official said the force is “closely monitoring” US and Israeli actions in the region. The official added that any belief that a strike on Iran would be quick and clean is based on an “incomplete understanding” of Iran’s capabilities. Last week, IRGC commander General Mohammad Pakpour said his forces were “more ready than ever, finger on the trigger,” and urged the US and Israel to “avoid any miscalculation.”

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Hezbollah has declared it would not remain neutral if Iran is attacked. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem made the position clear during a televised address delivered via video link at a solidarity event.

Qassem said Hezbollah fully supports Iran and its leadership. He added that any threat against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be treated as a threat against Hezbollah itself, according to Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV. Qassem also accused Washington of long-standing hostility towards Iran, saying the US had plotted against the country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and later pursued conflict through Iraq in the 1980s.

Regional reactions have also emerged. The United Arab Emirates announced that it would not allow its land, airspace or territorial waters to be used for any military operation against Iran. In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry said it would also refuse to provide logistical support for such an attack. The Gulf state maintains strong trade ties with Iran, despite regional rivalries and its 2020 normalisation agreement with Israel, which was brokered by the US.

In Tehran, tensions have spilled into public symbolism. Authorities unveiled a massive mural in Enghelab Square that shows a damaged US aircraft carrier with destroyed fighter jets and streams of blood. The caption on the artwork, written in both Farsi and English, reads: “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind.” Enghelab Square often hosts state-organised gatherings, and officials regularly change its murals to reflect national events.

The developments underline the growing strain between Washington and Tehran, as diplomatic signals continue alongside military deployments and stark warnings from Iran and its allies.