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Handle your karma with maturity—Shehu Sani tackles El-Rufai

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Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has urged former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to confront the allegations against him with maturity rather than diverting attention.

Sani made the remarks in a statement shared on his verified X handle on Sunday, where he advised the ex-governor to address the issues before him and clear his name instead of raising what he described as “purported and phantom claims” against the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

 

He questioned the timing of the disclosure of what he called sensitive information, suggesting that the delay raised concerns.

 

“El-Rufai should focus on the allegations before him and clear his name instead of diverting attention with his purported and phantom claims against the NSA Ribadu,” Sani wrote.

 

Reflecting on his past experiences, Sani said he and others who allegedly suffered under El-Rufai’s administration had chosen forgiveness but insisted that accountability remains essential.

 

“For those of us whom he once traumatized, framed, and dragged to the police and the courts in Kaduna, we forgive him, but urge him to learn to handle his karma with maturity, decorum, and faith.

 

“We have been to prisons, police cells, DSS cells, and even military underground cells, but never lost our sense of reasoning.

 

“If our society continues to pamper and protect past leaders who should be held accountable for their actions while in power, it’s giving a life and unconditional guarantee to those in power today that they will also be protected after power,” he added.

Importation of poisonous chemicals: ‘El-Rufai unrepentant liar’—Adeyanju defends NSA Ribadu

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Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has dismissed allegations made by former Kaduna State governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai against the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, over the importation of poisonous chemical substances into the country.

 

Recall that El-Rufai, in a letter addressed to the Office of the National Security Adviser on Sunday, questioned the alleged importation of a highly toxic chemical substance, thallium sulfate, from Poland into Nigeria.

 

Although Ribadu has yet to respond publicly to the claim, the allegation has stirred mixed reactions across political divides. Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress have rejected the accusation, while some opposition figures have called for an immediate investigation.

 

Reacting in a post on X, Adeyanju said that while it was theoretically possible that such materials could have been imported, the credibility of the source undermined the claim.

 

“It is possible the NSA office imported toxic materials into the country, but for the fact that it is coming from El-Rufai, I consider it a lie and his usual propaganda,” he wrote.

 

Adeyanju further described the former governor as “an unrepentant liar, a bigot, and a person without shame,” referencing a past allegation in which El-Rufai claimed that former President Goodluck Jonathan maintained a “sniper list” of critics.

Nigeria’s NSA Ribadu acquires ‘dangerous toxic chemicals’ from Poland—El-Rufai

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Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has called on the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), headed by Nuhu Ribadu, to clarify reports alleging that the agency procured thallium sulphate,sulfate, a highly toxic chemical compound.

El-Rufai made the claim public on Sunday via a post on X, where he shared a copy of a letter addressed to the National Security Adviser’s office in Abuja.

 

According to him, the request for clarification was prompted by reports suggesting that ONSA imported approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulfate from a supplier in Poland. He described the substance as a tightly controlled and extremely dangerous toxin, stressing that its alleged procurement raises serious public safety concerns.

 

“As part of my duty as a citizen, I wrote to the NSA to seek clarification on reports about the importation by his office of thallium sulfate, a very dangerous toxin. It’s a matter of concern if anyone brings in any poison, more so an odorless, colorless one,” he wrote.

 

In the letter, El-Rufai urged the office to disclose the intended purpose and end-use of the chemical, the identity of the supplier, and whether the importation was carried out under the appropriate chemical or defense permits. He also sought information on the specific quantity, form, or concentration of the substance procured, as well as the storage and security measures in place following its arrival.

 

The former governor further requested details regarding regulatory oversight, including any coordination with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). He asked whether public health risk assessments or hazard mitigation plans had been developed in relation to the alleged importation.

 

“I am writing as a concerned citizen to seek clarification and reassurance regarding information available to the political opposition leadership about a procurement of approximately 10 kilograms of Thallium Sulphate by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), reportedly from a supplier in Poland,” part of the letter read.

US military aircraft loaded with weapons finally land in Maiduguri

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At least three military aircraft from the United States landed in Nigeria between Thursday and Friday, delivering ammunition and other equipment to bolster the country’s fight against insurgency.

 

According to senior defense officials, the aircraft touched down at military installations in Borno State and other parts of the Northeast, where security forces have been battling insurgent groups.

 

Officials at the Defence Headquarters, who spoke anonymously, disclosed that the shipments formed part of ongoing security cooperation between Nigeria and the US government. The development was first reported by Punch.

 

One of the officers said the deliveries followed recent bilateral security discussions between Nigeria and the US, adding that Washington had pledged not only personnel support but also the provision of logistics, including ammunition, to strengthen operations against insurgents.

 

“Following Nigeria-US bilateral talks on security, the American government will not only deploy soldiers but also provide necessary logistics, including ammunition, to fight the insurgents,” the officer said.

 

Another senior officer described the delivery as routine operational support, noting that ammunition expended during military operations must be replenished regularly.

 

“I know that recently, US aircraft came to supply ammunition for our platforms, and that wasn’t the first time. So, what you are saying may be true, though I have not been officially briefed,” the officer stated. “We go for operations and use different calibers of ammunition, which need to be replaced.”

 

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that US military aircraft arrived in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, on Thursday night. By Friday evening, three planes were reportedly stationed at the airbase, with equipment being offloaded from at least one of them.

 

A spokesperson for the United States Department of Defense told the newspaper that the flights marked the beginning of a series of C-17 transport missions expected to arrive at three key locations across Nigeria.

 

Additionally, a social media user, Brant Philip, who identified himself as a tracker on X, claimed that the Maiduguri Airbase had received a significant consignment of equipment.

Nine abducted Benue Catholic Church children regain freedom 

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Nine children kidnapped during a night vigil at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon District of Ado Local Government Area, Benue State, have regained their freedom.

The children were reportedly freed after spending about one week in captivity.

It was gathered that the abductors initially demanded a ransom of N100 million but later reduced it to N30 million during negotiations.

As of the time of filing this report, it remains unclear whether any ransom was paid to secure their release.

The children’s freedom came less than 24 hours after the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, directed security agencies to ensure their immediate rescue.

The victims returned to their community at about 8 p.m. on Saturday, where they were received by jubilant residents who celebrated their safe return.

Billboard World Albums: Rema breaks Wizkid’s record for longest-charting African album

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Rema Nigerian Singer

Nigerian singer Rema has set a new milestone on the Billboard World Albums Chart, as his debut album Rave & Roses reaches 170 weeks on the chart—the longest run ever by an African project.

The album overtakes the previous record held by Wizkid’s Made In Lagos, which logged 164 weeks before being surpassed last year.

Other African projects with notable longevity on the chart include Tems’ Born In The Wild (79 weeks), Burna Boy’s Love, Damini (63 weeks), and Fela Kuti’s The Best Of The Black President (45 weeks).

 

Meanwhile, Rema also secured his second entry on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, as Secondhand—a collaboration with Don Toliver—debuted at No. 29.

 

In a similar feat, Tems debuted her new song What You Need on the Hot 100, bringing her total chart entries to seven. The tally ties the African record jointly held with Burna Boy and South African rock group Seether.

2027: Peter Obi sends a Valentine’s Day message to Nigeria

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The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said that genuine love for Nigeria must be demonstrated through actions that promote free and fair elections and reject corruption, greed, and division.

Obi made the call on Saturday in a Valentine’s Day message shared via his verified X handle, stressing that the nation urgently needs “love in action” rather than mere sentiment.

 

According to him, the life and legacy of Saint Valentine serve as a reminder that love goes beyond emotion and must be expressed through sacrifice, discipline, and commitment to what is right, including honesty, compassion, respect, and dedication to the common good.

 

Addressing young Nigerians, Obi urged them to celebrate Valentine’s Day responsibly while calling on all citizens to renew their commitment to one another and the country.

 

He likened Nigeria to a living being that can only flourish when nurtured with care and dedication, noting that loving the country means standing against corruption, mediocrity, greed, and division, and supporting leaders with proven capacity, character, and commitment.

 

Obi added that true patriotism involves speaking out against wrongdoing while offering practical solutions and promoting values such as justice, competence, transparency, and sustained investment in education and healthcare.

 

“Where corruption destroys opportunity, integrity restores it; where division breeds conflict, unity fosters progress,” he said.

 

He concluded by urging Nigerians to embrace a form of love that strengthens families, communities, and the nation, expressing confidence that a new Nigeria is achievable when love is translated into action.

 

His message comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday fixed February and March 2027 for general elections.

El-Rufai will be punished for tapping NSA’s phone—Onanuga

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A presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, has called for a full investigation into comments made by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over an alleged wiretapping of the National Security Adviser’s phone.

El-Rufai, during a recent interview, claimed that he and others had listened to telephone conversations of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, after an individual allegedly intercepted the NSA’s phone calls.

While addressing the matter on ARISE TV, El-Rufai admitted that phone interception is technically illegal but argued that such practices are routinely carried out by government agencies. He claimed the intercepted call revealed an alleged order for his abduction.

Reacting on Friday, the Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, expressed serious concern over the implications of the claim for national security.

“El-Rufai has confessed on television to wiretapping Nigeria’s NSA. Does this mean he and his collaborators possess wiretapping capabilities?” Onanuga asked.

He stressed that the allegation should not be treated lightly, insisting that the matter must be thoroughly investigated and that appropriate sanctions should follow if the claims are substantiated.

“El-Rufai is not above the law and must face its full consequences if found culpable,” the spokesperson added.

2027: Restore real-time results upload or face Nationwide protests—RNA to Nigerian Senate

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Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Rescue Nigeria Alliance (RNA) has issued a strong warning to the Nigerian Senate, demanding the restoration of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of polling-unit results in the amended Electoral Act.

The group delivered the warning on Friday during a media briefing in Abuja, insisting that any move seen as weakening transparency would amount to an “assault” on the Republic.

RNA’s National Chairman, Dr. Basil Nwolisa, and National Secretary, Akor Christian Oche, criticised the decision of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, to reject compulsory real-time upload of election results following a clause-by-clause consideration of 155 provisions in the amendment bill.

According to the group, the decision represents a serious setback for Nigeria’s democratic process as the 2027 elections draw closer.

RNA disclosed that it has been staging protests since Monday, February 9, 2026, and announced plans to escalate peaceful civic actions from Monday, February 16, 2026, at the National Assembly complex and other symbolic locations across the country.

“It is either they restore the real-time electronic transmission or face total protest,” the group said. “We condemn, in the strongest terms, the rejection of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results after a five-hour clause-by-clause review of all 155 clauses. This decision is a direct attack on transparency, a dangerous setback for our democracy, and a reckless gamble with Nigeria’s stability as 2027 approaches.”

EPL: Supercomputer predicts title winner, top-four teams

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The Opta SuperComputer has backed Arsenal to clinch the Premier League title with 12 matches remaining in the season.

The Gunners dropped points in their latest outing away to Brentford as Gameweek 24 concluded on Thursday. Although Noni Madueke put Arsenal ahead at the Gtech Community Stadium, the hosts responded through a Keane Lewis-Potter header to force a draw.

 

Despite the setback, projections from the Opta SuperComputer still strongly favor Mikel Arteta’s side, giving them an 85.11% chance of lifting the trophy for the first time since the 2003/04 campaign.

 

Arsenal currently holds a four-point lead over Manchester City, who eased past Fulham 3–0 at the Etihad Stadium. The city’s title chances now stand at 12.57%.

 

Further down the projections, Aston Villa have been handed a 2.26% chance of finishing champions, while Liverpool and Chelsea are both rated at just 0.02%.

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