Makinde Condemns Bandit Attack At Old Oyo National Park

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has lamented the deadly bandit attack on the Old Oyo National Park Office in Oloka village, Oriire Local Government Area, which left five National Park Service Forest Guards dead. Reacting via his X account, the governor described the early Wednesday attack as tragic, noting that the victims were killed in the line of duty while carrying out lawful responsibilities. Makinde assured residents that his government would intensify efforts to prevent a recurrence, stressing that security agencies had already begun coordinated action. “Preliminary investigations by the security agencies indicate that this was a cross-border attack carried out by bandits. The security agencies are already working together to address this incident and seek the support of residents in the area to cooperate with them in their intelligence gathering.” He also urged people living in Oriire LGA and other border communities to remain calm, adding that security operatives have restored normalcy and deployed additional personnel to the affected area.

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Gunmen Kill Two and Abduct 12 Passengers in Benue

Five Farmers Killed in Benue’s Kwande Community as Suspected Herders Attack During Harvest

Five farmers have been killed and several others injured after suspected armed herders attacked Udeku Maav-Ya community in Mbakyol Council Ward, Turan District, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday around 4:00 p.m. The attack occurred while residents were harvesting yams and bambara nuts, disrupting agricultural activities and raising fresh concerns over food security in the border community. Kwande LGA Chairman, Tersua Yarkwan, confirmed the fatalities and said the assailants did not immediately leave the area, heightening fear among residents. “This is a very disturbing incident. Five of our farmers were killed while harvesting their crops, and the attackers stayed back in the area for some time,” he said. Yarkwan described Kwande as a vulnerable border area with challenging terrain along the Cameroon frontier, which complicates security operations. “These repeated attacks, particularly during harvest season, pose a serious threat to food production,” he warned. Former supervisory councillor Lawrence Akerigba said the community was caught off guard and has faced sustained pressure from armed herders. “Our people have been subjected to shootings, destruction of crops and homes, and restricted access to water,” he said. The confirmed victims include Tyozua Gyuse, Gbaga Gyuse, and Tersuur Ijighka, while two others have yet to be identified. Some residents remain missing as search efforts continue. Akerigba also noted that repeated attacks have forced the closure of schools, churches, and markets, urging authorities to provide consistent security support. Efforts to reach Benue State Police Command spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

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Awujale: Fusengbuwa Ruling House Fixes Date For Nomination

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House has fixed date for the nomination of candidates for the vacant stool of Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland. The new date for nomination of candidates, according to a letter signed by the Chairman and Family Head and the Secretary, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Abdul Lateef A. Owoyemi and Pastor Bolarinde Salami, is Monday, 12th of this month in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. The family in their response to the Ijebu Ode Local Government wrore; “We wish to confirm to you that our Rulin House Family Nomination Meeting for the vacant position of the Awujale and the Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, has, by the Grace of Almighty God, been fixed. “We also hereby invite the Secretary of the Local Government and his officils, to please join us for the meeting, to observe and moonitor our Ruling House Family Nomination meeting process, in accordance with the Law.”

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Court Orders Interim Forfeiture Of 57 Properties Linked To Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to the Federal Government. The order was issued by Justice Emeka Nwite following an ex-parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the assets, valued at billions of naira, include luxury residential and commercial properties across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states. The Certified True Copy (CTC) of the order was obtained on Wednesday, a day after the ruling. In his judgment, Justice Nwite declared: “It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule One below, which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.” The judge directed that the order be published in a national newspaper to allow any interested party 14 days to contest the forfeiture before a final order is issued. The matter was adjourned to January 27 for a compliance report. The properties include high-value assets such as: Luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja, currently valued at nearly N6 billion. Two-winged large storey building at Onitsha Crescent, Garki, Abuja (formerly Harmonia Hotels), purchased for N7 billion. Five-storey Meethaq Hotel in Jabi District, Abuja, valued at N8.4 billion after completion. Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Maitama, with 15 rooms, valued at N12.95 billion after rehabilitation. Various commercial shops, warehouses, bungalows, and plots of land in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi acquired between 2016 and 2024, with individual values ranging from N40 million to over N12 billion. Residential estates and multiple housing units in Birnin Kebbi, Abuja, and Kaduna, purchased between 2018 and 2023. Justice Nwite emphasized that the properties are “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities” and placed them under interim forfeiture while investigations continue. The ruling represents a significant move by the EFCC to recover assets suspected to have been obtained through illegal means.

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Burkina Faso Foils Assassination Plot Against Military Leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré

Burkina Faso’s authorities have announced the foiling of a plot to assassinate the country’s military ruler, Capt Ibrahim Traoré. The security minister, Mahamadou Sana, said the plan was allegedly orchestrated by Lt Col Paul Henri Damiba, the former leader ousted by Traoré in September 2022. The scheme reportedly targeted Traoré and other senior military and civilian figures, with funding allegedly coming from neighbouring Ivory Coast. “Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours. They had planned to assassinate the head of state and then strike other key institutions, including civilian personalities,” Sana said during a late-night broadcast. Authorities reported finding a leaked video in which the plotters discussed killing Traoré either at close range or by planting explosives at his residence on the night of 3 January. They reportedly intended to continue their attacks on other senior officials afterwards. Sana added that Damiba had allegedly mobilised soldiers and civilian supporters, secured foreign funding—around 70 million CFA francs ($125,000; £92,000) from Ivory Coast—and planned to disable the country’s drone-launch base before foreign forces could intervene. Several arrests have been made as investigations continue, though the total number of suspects detained has not been disclosed. “These individuals will be brought to justice soon,” Sana said, urging citizens to avoid involvement in dangerous schemes and assuring that the situation remains under control. Capt Traoré, 37, has faced multiple coup attempts since taking power and is also grappling with increasing jihadist violence that has displaced millions. Despite his authoritarian reputation, he maintains strong domestic support and has gained recognition across Africa for his pan-Africanist outlook and criticism of Western influence. However, critics continue to accuse Traoré’s government of suppressing dissent, including arbitrary arrests of military officers and restrictions on the media. This is not the first time the junta has pointed to Ivory Coast as a source of alleged interference in Burkina Faso’s internal affairs.

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Nollywood Actress, Aunty Sidi, Acquires New SUV

Popular Nollywood actress, Ariyo Oluwakemi Apesin also known as Kemity has added a new Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) to her fleets, Trendbrio can report. The remarkable achievement, a white coloured Lexus SUV, was posted on social media on Wednesday by one of her colleagues in the movie industry, Ibrahim Yekini AKA Iteledicon. “When the leader moves, the team moves -that’s what we call ‘Alubarika. “Another big congratulations to my daughter, Kemity. “This is just the beginning -many more wins to celebrate this year by His grace,” the thespian wrote to accompany the posted photograghs. The Lexus SUV has the following features;luxury interiors with available Mark Levinson audio, large touchscreens, plus advanced tech like Lexus Safety System+ and convenience features such as hands-free liftgates, ventilated seats, and sophisticated ambient lighting. It can be recalled that the star actress acquired a Toyota Venza about two years ago.

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Suspected Bandits Attack National Park Service Office In Oyo State, Kill Five Personnel

Gunmen believed to be bandits have reportedly launched an attack on the National Park Service office in Oloka, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. According to reports, the incident happened around 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Unverified accounts claim that about five personnel of the National Park Service lost their lives during the assault. The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the attack. He stated that unidentified assailants carried out the assault on officers of the National Park Service. He added that the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, alongside other security chiefs, was already heading to the scene. He also disclosed that tactical units, Mobile Police Force operatives, and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team have been deployed to the area to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.

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US To Enforce Visa Bond Of Up To $15,000 For Nigerians From January 2026

The United States has unveiled new travel rules that may require Nigerians applying for B1/B2 business and tourist visas to pay visa bonds of up to $15,000. Information released by the US Department of State on Travel.State.Gov makes it clear that paying the bond does not guarantee visa approval. It also stressed that any fees paid without a consular officer’s instruction will not be refunded. The policy affects 38 countries, with African nations making up 24 of those listed, including Nigeria. The visa bond is a financial guarantee imposed on applicants from countries the US classifies as high-risk and applies strictly to B1/B2 visa categories. For Nigeria, the bond requirement is scheduled to take effect on January 21, 2026, although implementation dates vary for other affected countries between August 2025 and January 2026. Under the directive, eligible applicants travelling on passports from the listed countries will be required to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The specific amount will be determined during the visa interview. Applicants must also submit the Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-352 and formally agree to the bond conditions through the US Treasury’s Pay.gov online payment platform. This requirement applies regardless of where the visa application is filed. The State Department added that visa holders who post bonds must enter the United States through designated airports, including Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Refunds will only be issued if the Department of Homeland Security confirms that the traveller left the United States on or before the end of their authorised stay, if the applicant does not travel before the visa expires, or if entry is denied at a US port of entry.

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