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.
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.
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.
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.
Laken Hope Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student whose life was cut short during a morning jog at the University of Georgia, continues to be remembered across the United States for the profound impact her death had on her community and the national conversation on public safety and immigration.
Riley was attacked and murdered on February 22, 2024, while running near Oconee Forest Park on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Georgia. Her body was later discovered near Lake Herrick. Medical findings confirmed that she died from blunt force trauma and asphyxiation after suffering multiple severe injuries.
On the morning of the incident, Riley sent her mother a text message at 8:55 a.m., writing: “Good morning, about to go for a run if you’re free to talk”. She placed a call to her mother minutes later. Security footage later showed Riley jogging with her phone at 9:05 a.m., before she turned toward the wooded park area at 9:06 a.m. That was the last time she was seen alive.
Investigators established that Riley’s phone placed an emergency call to 911 at 9:11 a.m. Her watch later indicated that her heart stopped at 9:28 a.m. Police believe the attack occurred between 9:06 a.m. and 9:32 a.m.
University police discovered Riley’s body at 12:38 p.m. after her roommate reported her missing earlier that day. Sergeant Kenneth Maxwell, one of the first officers on the scene, said Riley had visible injuries and no detectable pulse. Efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.
An autopsy conducted by Dr. Michelle DiMarco revealed that Riley suffered eight cuts to the left side of her head, a complex skull fracture, hemorrhaging, and multiple injuries to her ear, neck, torso, abdomen, hand, and leg. Petechiae were also found in her eyes and gums. Authorities described the killing as a “crime of opportunity”, noting that the attacker acted alone. It was the first murder recorded on the university campus since 1983.
Riley was born on January 10, 2002, in Marietta, Georgia, to Jason Riley and Allyson Phillips. She grew up with three siblings and graduated from River Ridge High School in 2020, where she ran on the cross-country team. Her former coach, Keith Hooper, remembered her as “a beautiful person, passionate about her health care studies and an unselfish teammate”.
At the time of her death, Riley was studying nursing at Augusta University in Athens and had previously attended the University of Georgia as an undergraduate. She was also an active member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.
Police later identified the suspect as José Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national who had entered the United States illegally in September 2022. He was arrested after investigators linked him to the crime through surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and witness accounts. Riley’s hair was found on a jacket recovered from a dumpster near Ibarra’s residence, and police observed scratches on his arms and redness on his knuckles during questioning.
Ibarra faced ten criminal charges, including felony murder, malice murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault with intent to rape, false imprisonment, and concealing the death of another. He pleaded not guilty. After a bench trial that began in November 2024, Judge H. Patrick Haggard found him guilty on all counts on November 20, 2024, and sentenced him to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Riley’s death drew international attention and sparked renewed debate over illegal immigration policies in the United States. Lawmakers cited her case during deliberations on the Laken Riley Act, legislation that mandates federal detention of illegal immigrants arrested for burglary or theft. The bill was signed into law on January 29, 2025, becoming the first legislation approved during President Donald Trump’s second term.
Her funeral took place on March 1, 2024, at Woodstock City Church, followed by her burial at Enon Cemetery in Woodstock, Georgia. A memorial now stands near Lake Herrick in her honor. Her family later announced plans to establish the Laken Hope Riley Foundation.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Riley’s stepfather said: “She will be missed every day, but we promise to honor her life moving forward in a very big way”.
One year on, Laken Riley is remembered not only as a promising nursing student and devoted daughter, but also as a symbol of a life lost too soon and a tragedy that continues to resonate far beyond the University of Georgia campus.
Troops of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have uncovered an illegal arms manufacturing site in Nasarawa State, leading to the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of weapons and cash.
This is contained in a statement signed by AHMAD ZUBAIRU ZUBAIRU, Lieutenant, Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE, on 26 January 2026.
The operation took place in Agwatashi, Doma Local Government Area, where troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Idadu carried out a fighting and confidence-building patrol. The patrol formed part of ongoing efforts to restrict the activities of criminal elements in the area.
During the operation, the soldiers discovered a hidden location believed to be used for the production of locally made firearms. Several suspects reportedly fled when they sighted the patrol. One of them, identified as Baba Ogar, a 26-year-old male from Arusu village in Kokona Local Government Area, was arrested while attempting to escape by hiding on top of a tree.
Items recovered from the site included six locally fabricated pistols, various tools suspected to be used for weapon production, the sum of ₦40,500, and a mobile phone found with the suspect.
Initial findings suggest that the site functioned as an illegal arms factory that supplied firearms to criminal groups within and outside the area. The suspect remains in custody, while security forces have stepped up efforts to locate and arrest other suspects who escaped.
The Force Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, praised the troops for their alertness, discipline, and sustained pressure, which led to the discovery of the illegal facility. He urged them to sustain the operational drive and rely on intelligence-based actions to dismantle criminal networks across the Joint Operations Area.
Major General Gara also highlighted the importance of public support, calling on residents to continue providing timely and credible information. He noted that useful intelligence remains key to lasting security and economic development.
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, has announced that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf will enjoy full backing of the party ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Kano State.
Ganduje made the declaration while formally receiving Yusuf back into the APC. He stated that all other aspirants interested in the governorship seat had agreed to step aside in favour of the governor.
According to him, “I can categorically tell you that you are going to wins 2027 with a landslide because all those contesting for the same seat have agreed to allow you alone go for it.”
He described Yusuf’s return as a historic moment for the party. “To us, leaders of the APC, this is a memorable occasion we are all waiting for. I strongly welcomed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf back to his home,” Ganduje said.
The former party chairman recalled the governor’s earlier exit from the APC and expressed appreciation over his return. He said, “We were in APC together with you, it was formed with you, but later on because of some political differences, political redirection, you left the party to NNPP. But now we are thankful that you are back to our party and your home.”
Ganduje also praised Yusuf’s leadership style and governance approach. “You as our brother, the Governor of Kano State, you are a progressive politician from your utterances, your policies and the implementation of those policies,” he added.
He stressed that within the APC structure, Governor Yusuf now occupies the position of party leader in Kano State. Ganduje noted that the declaration was meant to end speculation and internal disagreements over the party’s leadership in the state.
He further spoke on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as a leader who does not discriminate. Ganduje said the president treats Nigerians equally, without regard to religion or ethnicity, and expressed confidence that Yusuf would secure victory in the 2027 election.
In his remarks, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, praised Governor Yusuf for his decision to return to the APC. He maintained that the move was firm and irreversible.
The development has continued to draw attention within political circles as preparations gradually begin ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending weeks of political speculation over his party affiliation.
Yusuf completed his defection on Monday during a formal ceremony held at the Coronation Hall of the Kano State Government House. Senior figures of the APC received him at the event.
Among those present were former APC National Chairman and former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje; the Deputy President of the Senate and Senator representing Kano South, Barau Jibrin; and the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata. Other top party leaders and officials also attended the ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, the governor explained that his return to the APC followed his desire to work more closely with the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the aim of speeding up development in Kano State.
Yusuf won the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). He later resigned from the party alongside several members of the Kano State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives, a move that cleared the path for his re-entry into the APC.
More details are expected to emerge as reactions continue to trail the development.
Sevilla legend Sergio Ramos has reached a preliminary agreement with a reference shareholder group to acquire Sevilla Fútbol Club, marking a major step toward a potential takeover of the Spanish side.
Ramos, who first joined Sevilla in 1996 before returning to the club in 2023, has now entered an exclusivity and due diligence phase with the investment group. This stage will allow both parties to examine the club’s financial position and governance structure ahead of any final decision.
According to a report by Carrusel, Ramos and his partners have a three-month window to assess Sevilla’s finances and overall situation before completing the transaction. Sevilla currently occupy 11th position on the La Liga table.
The development has fueled widespread excitement among supporters, as the former captain’s deep ties to the club strengthen hopes of a successful transition in ownership. With negotiations now progressing into a critical phase, the prospect of Ramos returning to Sevilla in a leadership role appears increasingly realistic.
The Defence headquarters revealed on Monday that the Investigative Panel established to investigate 16 officers of the armed forces, alleged to have been indicted for acts of indiscipline, acts contrary to service regulations, and other breaches, has concluded its investigations, adding that the officers will face a military Court Martial.
Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, made this known in a statement in Abuja.
Recall that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had, in October 2025, announced the arrest and detaintion of the officers, saying that the investigations had now been completed in line with established military procedures and extant regulations.
Major Gen Uba said the investigation examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel and identified a number of officers with cases to answer, including allegations bordering on plotting to overthrow the government.
He said such actions were inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards expected of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He reiterated that the measures being taken were “purely disciplinary and part of internal institutional mechanisms to preserve discipline, cohesion and operational effectiveness within the ranks”.
Uba further noted that, “the commitment of the Armed Forces to professionalism, loyalty and respect for constitutional authority, assuring the public that due process and fairness would be strictly observed throughout the proceedings”.
Reports revealed that the detained officers included a Brigadier-General, a Colonel, four Lieutenant Colonels, five Majors, two Captains, a Lieutenant, a Lieutenant Commander from the Nigerian Navy and a Squadron Leader from the Nigerian Air Force.
Sources familiar with the development said most of the officers belong to the Infantry Corps, Signals Corps, and Ordnance Corps.
