Carbon Monoxide Leak Kills 37 Miners In Plateau State

At least 37 miners have died in Kampani Zurak, a community in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, following a carbon monoxide gas leak early Wednesday morning. Safiyanu Haruna, a miner in the area, confirmed the tragedy and said over 20 other miners were injured and have been taken to a hospital in Wase town for treatment. The incident reportedly happened around 6:30 a.m., shortly after the miners returned from their morning prayers. Haruna explained that the victims were alive when they left for prayers, but were overcome by the gas upon returning to the mining site. “It was carbon monoxide gas that leaked and killed them. It is heartbreaking to wake up to the news of 37 miners losing their lives while struggling to make ends meet. Around 5:30 a.m., they were all alive, but when they returned from prayers, they were found in this condition,” he said. Haruna added that no rescue efforts were in place at the time because the team scheduled to arrive in the morning had not yet reached the site. Funeral prayers for the deceased are currently ongoing in the community. Residents told reporters that the chairman of Wase LGA attended the ceremony. Authorities are yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.

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Lagos Transfers Mirabel’s Sexual Assault Case to Ogun State Authorities

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has confirmed that the sexual assault case involving TikTok user Mirabel (@mirab351) has been handed over to authorities in Ogun State. Mirabel had claimed she was raped in her apartment by a stranger. In a statement on Wednesday, the agency said it had successfully contacted a close friend of the survivor, who confirmed she had been discharged from the hospital. The case drew widespread attention online, trending under the hashtag #StopRapingWomen on X (formerly Twitter), with thousands calling for swift action against sexual assault and stronger protections for survivors. “Following our earlier statement and the overwhelming public response, we established contact with a close friend of the survivor who confirmed she has been discharged from the hospital. We appreciate members of the public who shared helpful information via direct messages and tagged the Agency to ensure prompt intervention,” the DSVA said. The alleged assault reportedly occurred on Sunday, February 15, with Mirabel sharing the incident publicly the following day. The agency clarified that the event happened in Ogun State, placing it outside the Lagos State DSVA’s jurisdiction. “All relevant information has been forwarded to the appropriate authorities in Ogun State to ensure proper handling in the spirit of interagency collaboration and survivor protection,” the statement read. The DSVA expressed confidence that the Ogun State Police Command is investigating the matter and that Mirabel will cooperate fully to allow a thorough probe. “We trust that the survivor will fully engage with the authorities to ensure a comprehensive investigation and due process,” the agency added, reaffirming its commitment to supporting survivors and maintaining accessible channels for reporting sexual violence.

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Kano State Orders Shutdown Of Entertainment Centres Ahead Of Ramadan

The Kano State Censorship Board has ordered a temporary halt to all entertainment activities across the state in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, directed the closure of all entertainment venues, including event centres, popularly known as gala houses, and instructed DJs to suspend operations throughout the fasting period. The suspension will take effect from 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, and will remain in force until the end of Ramadan. The Board explained that the measure aims to allow residents to observe the Ramadan fast and carry out religious activities in a peaceful and undisturbed environment. A date for the reopening of the affected entertainment centres, particularly ahead of Eid celebrations, will be announced later. Authorities called on all stakeholders to fully comply with the directive, emphasizing that it falls within the Board’s mandate to regulate entertainment activities in the state. The Board also wished residents a peaceful and blessed Ramadan.

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Gabon Suspends Social Media Nationwide Amid Rising Unrest

The Gabonese government has announced a nationwide suspension of social media platforms “until further notice,” citing concerns that online content is fueling unrest and deepening social divisions. The decision was made public on Tuesday evening by the High Authority for Communication (HAC) during a televised address. HAC spokesperson Jean-Claude Mendome said the move was prompted by the spread of false information, cyberbullying, and the unauthorized sharing of personal data on digital platforms. While specific platforms were not named, widely used apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok are expected to be affected. As of Wednesday morning, social media services were still accessible, but many residents anticipate that the suspension could be enforced at any moment. The announcement comes during a politically sensitive period in Gabon. The country has been navigating a transition since the 2023 military coup led by Brice Oligui Nguema, who later won the 2024 presidential election with over 90 percent of the vote, ending more than five decades of Bongo family rule. Since taking office, the 50-year-old president has promised reforms and a departure from previous practices, including the frequent use of internet blackouts to control information. During the last election, independent and foreign media were allowed to film ballot counting, a first for the country. Despite these reforms, the government is now facing rising social and economic tensions. Teachers went on strike in December over unpaid salaries and poor working conditions, and similar disputes have spread to other public sectors, including healthcare and civil service, sparking broader unrest. Mendome explained that the suspension was aimed at curbing the repeated circulation of “inappropriate, defamatory, hateful, and insulting content” online. Gabonese citizens are now waiting to see whether the suspension will be fully enforced and how long it might last. With labour strikes ongoing and social grievances unresolved, the coming days are expected to test both the government’s authority and the resilience of the country’s digital economy.

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South-East Monarch Urges President Tinubu to Free or Return Nnamdi Kanu to Kenya

Eze Lawrence Agubuzu, a traditional ruler from the South-East, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to either release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), or return him to Kenya, where he was initially arrested. Agubuzu, the Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom in Enugu State, made the appeal on Tuesday during the 2026 National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health held at the State House, Abuja, with President Tinubu attending as Special Guest of Honour. Speaking during the segment for traditional rulers’ remarks, Agubuzu said Kanu’s continued detention was increasing unrest among youths in the South-East. “I must tell you, Mr President, that personally, I don’t feel very happy,” he said, describing the situation in the region as tense. He argued that true reconciliation and national unity would be difficult while Kanu remained in custody. “The ball stops in your court. Bring this man out. If we don’t want him in Nigeria, return him to Kenya or London, where they took him from,” Agubuzu said. The monarch also highlighted the growing frustration of youths toward traditional rulers in the South-East, who are accused of remaining silent on key issues. “Some of us here are being asked to go and work, but the young people in the South-East are so agitated they can even beat us. They see us as sellouts. We come to Abuja — they may think we’ve come to collect money and then keep quiet,” he said. Agubuzu further criticised the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council, arguing that it does not represent the entire South. He warned against allocating resources through an unrepresentative body, stating, “If you want to deal with us, deal with us in the South-East. If you have resources for us, give it to us. Don’t give it to people who come and say they represent a traditional rulers council.”

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Aliko Dangote Becomes First African To Reach $30 Billion Net Worth

Aliko Dangote Predicts Naira Could Strengthen to 1,100 to Dollar In 2026

Aliko Dangote, chairman of the Dangote Group, has predicted a significant strengthening of the naira, saying the currency could reach 1,100 to a dollar this year. Dangote made the comments on Tuesday during the launch of Nigeria’s Industrial Policy in Abuja, an event attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and other top officials. He attributed the potential appreciation to recent government reforms, which he said are already benefiting manufacturers. “Today, if you look at it, Your Excellency, I believe with the policies that you have implemented in government, people now have started seeing the result, and manufacturers are very, very happy,” Dangote said. Noting that the naira currently trades around 1,340 to the dollar, he added that efforts to curb importation could push the currency down to 1,100, provided the measures are maintained. He also pointed out a catch-22, saying a stronger naira would reduce prices for imported goods but could lower government revenue: “We are an import-based country, which we shouldn’t be. What we should be doing is manufacturing all the things that we need.” Dangote urged stronger protections for local investors through incentives and improved infrastructure, highlighting power supply as a persistent challenge. “While the policy is in order, it must be backed with full protection for industrialists to drive the nation’s goal for industrialisation, job creation, and economic growth,” he said. His remarks come as Nigerian equities continue to perform strongly. Bloomberg recently reported that Nigerian stocks delivered the world’s second-best dollar returns in 2026, rising 31 percent and regaining 21 billion dollars in market value lost after the naira’s sharp devaluation in 2024. Total market capitalization on the Lagos Exchange now stands at around 84 billion dollars, roughly 58 percent higher than before the devaluation. Businessman Femi Otedola has also expressed optimism, predicting the naira could trade below 1,000 to the dollar before the end of 2026. He cited the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s full production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day as a game-changer, noting it could supply up to 75 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit daily, boosting local supply and conserving foreign exchange. The naira has recently strengthened, trading at around 1,354 to the dollar on the official market and about 1,430–1,440 on the parallel market, its strongest levels in more than two years.

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Nasir El-Rufai Spends Second Night In EFCC Custody As Corruption Probe Continues

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has spent a second night in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja as investigators continue questioning him over alleged corruption during his tenure from 2015 to 2023. El-Rufai arrived at the EFCC headquarters around 10 a.m. on Monday to honour an invitation for questioning. A source at the commission told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday night that he would remain under investigation. “As I speak, the former governor is still with our interrogators and will be spending the night with them,” the source said, adding that the duration of his stay depends on the progress of the investigation and that the EFCC is handling the matter professionally. Another EFCC official revealed that the commission may seek a remand order after the 48-hour legal limit expires to allow investigators sufficient time to conclude their questioning. “Ignore claims on social media that he has been released. He has not. El-Rufai is still with us and will spend another night in custody,” the source added, noting that investigators are carefully examining issues arising from his eight years in office. The probe stems from a 2024 report by an ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which examined finances, loans, and contracts awarded between 2015 and 2023.

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Nigerian Woman Dies 3 Days After Collapsing In UK Ahead Of Child’s Graduation

A planned celebration turned into mourning after a Nigerian woman lost her life shortly after arriving in the United Kingdom for her child’s graduation. The incident was made public on X by a user identified as SK the Plug, who named the deceased as Mrs Oluranti Olufunmilayo Esther Akinyemi (née Oluwalana/Ogundana). She had travelled on February 11, 2026, ahead of the graduation ceremony fixed for February 18. However, tragedy struck less than a day after her arrival when she reportedly suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in the early hours of February 12. She was immediately taken to Luton and Dunstable Hospital, where doctors battled to stabilise her condition. Despite medical efforts, she remained in a coma for three days and was later declared clinically dead on February 14.

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