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Senate Passes Electoral Act Amendment After Marathon Debate, Retains Electronic Result Transmission

By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

The Senate on Wednesday passed the amended Electoral Act following an extensive five-hour, clause-by-clause consideration of the bill.

The legislation, which was the sole item on the day’s order paper after a valedictory session held in honour of the late Okey Ezea, was adopted by the Committee of the Whole after reviewing all 155 clauses. 

While most of the provisions were left unchanged, lawmakers approved several key amendments.
One major change reduces the timeline for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish notices of election from 360 days to 180 days ahead of polls. 

Senators also rejected proposals for real-time transmission of election results but maintained the existing legal provision allowing electronic transmission of results.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio addressed concerns circulating on social media that lawmakers had scrapped electronic result transmission, firmly dismissing the claims.

According to him, the Senate merely retained the existing system already used in the 2022 elections.
“Reports suggesting that the Senate rejected electronic transmission of results are not true,” Akpabio said. “We simply kept what was already in the law. Electronic transmission remains part of the Electoral Act. We cannot afford to go backwards.”

He added that transparency would be maintained and that the Senate’s votes and proceedings would be made available to the public upon request.
Akpabio further announced that a joint harmonisation committee made up of members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives will reconcile the final version of the bill before sending it to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

The Senate team will be led by Niyi Adegbonmire, chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. Other members include Tahir Monguno, Adamu Aliero, Orji Kalu, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Aminu Abass, Tokunbo Abiru, and Simon Lalong.

With the passage of the amendment, attention now shifts to the harmonisation process and presidential approval, steps that will determine how the updated law shapes Nigeria’s future elections.

Gunmen kill police ASP, 4 residents in fresh Benue attack


By Blessing Bature 

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and four other persons during a fresh attack by gunmen on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area of the state.

The ASP, attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force, Makurdi, was said to be on special assignment in the community when the attack occurred. The remaining victims were residents of Abande.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Udeme, said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Jato-Aka received a distress call on February 3 reporting that suspected armed bandits had attacked police personnel deployed to the area as well as civilians.

According to Udeme, the officer sustained fatal injuries during the assault, while four civilians also lost their lives.

She said security operatives have since been deployed to the community to prevent further violence and restore calm.

“Following the incident, combined teams of police operatives and other security agencies have been mobilised to the area to secure the community, carry out a comprehensive search, and forestall any further breakdown of law and order.

“The deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary,” she stated.

Udeme added that the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to take immediate control of the situation in Jato-Aka.

According to her, the Deputy Commissioner has been instructed to deploy additional mobile police personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to intensify operations, track down the attackers, and ensure their arrest.

She said the Benue State Police Command sympathised with the families of the deceased and the Abande community, assuring residents that decisive steps are being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace to the area.

Oyo State Honours Professor Ojetunji Aboyade and Daughter in 50th Anniversary Awards



By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

The Oyo State Government has announced the posthumous nomination of Professor Ojetunji Aboyade, one of Nigeria’s most distinguished economists, alongside his daughter, Ms. Olufunke Aboyade, SAN, for the prestigious Oyo State Award. 

The recognition forms part of the state’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The awards celebrate individuals whose work has significantly contributed to the development, reputation, and growth of Oyo State, both locally and internationally. 

The presentation ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the Oyo State Banquet Hall, Agodi, Ibadan, and will be hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Professor Aboyade (1931–1987) was a trailblazing economist and public intellectual. 

After earning his doctorate from the University of Cambridge, he became a professor at the University of Ibadan, later serving as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ife. He also advised the Nigerian government and worked with institutions such as the World Bank and Yale University.

His daughter, Ms. Olufunke Aboyade, SAN, is a leading legal practitioner and the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Oyo State. She has made remarkable contributions to law, arbitration, legal journalism, and public service.

The dual recognition of father and daughter reflects Oyo State’s commitment to honouring excellence, service, and enduring impact on society.

US to Deport 79 Nigerians Over Criminal Convictions, Releases Full List

By Isaiah Isaac 

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to deport at least 79 Nigerians identified among what it described as the “worst of the worst” criminal aliens residing in the country.

Details published on the DHS website on Tuesday indicate that the affected Nigerians were convicted of offences ranging from fraud and drug trafficking to assault, manslaughter, robbery, and other serious crimes. The action forms part of a broader nationwide crackdown on immigrants with criminal records.

In a statement, DHS said it was highlighting “the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).” 

The agency added that under the leadership of Secretary Kristi Noem, DHS and ICE officials were implementing President Donald Trump’s directive on mass deportations, beginning with individuals convicted of serious crimes.

The list released by DHS includes names such as Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Ifeanyi Nwaozomudoh, Aderemi Akefe, Solomon Wilfred, Chibundu Anuebunwa, Joshua Ineh, Usman Momoh, Oluwole Odunowo, Bolarinwa Salau and Oriyomi Aloba, among others.

Other Nigerians named are Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay and Joseph Ogbara.

Also listed are Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olugbenga Abass, Oyewole Balogun, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Olamide Adedipe, Patrick Onogwu, Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi and Omotayo Akinto.

Further names include Kenneth Unanka, Jeremiah Ehis, Oluwafemi Orimolade, Ayibatonye Bienzigha, Uche Diuno, Akinwale Adaramaja, Boluwatife Afolabi, Chinonso Ochie, Olayinka A. Jones, Theophilus Anwana, Aishatu Umaru and Henry Idiagbonya.

Others on the list are Okechukwu Okoronkwo, Daro Kosin, Sakiru Ambali, Kamaludeen Giwa, Cyril Odogwu, Ifeanyi Echigeme, Kingsley Ibhadore, Suraj Tairu, Peter Equere, Dasola Abdulraheem, Adewale Aladekoba and Akeem Adeleke.

Additional names include Bernard Ogie Oretekor, Abiemwense Obanor, Olufemi Olufisayo Olutiola, Chukwuemeka Okorie, Abimbola Esan, Elizabeth Miller, Chima Orji, Adetunji Olofinlade, Abdul Akinsanya, Elizabeth Adeshewo and Dennis Ofuoma.

Reports say the announcement has triggered anxiety within Nigerian communities in the United States, with some individuals allegedly going into hiding while others are said to be returning to Nigeria voluntarily amid the intensified enforcement.

ICE operations reportedly include house-to-house raids and targeted arrests of immigrants with criminal convictions. The crackdown has drawn criticism and protests in some areas, particularly following encounters between federal immigration officers and local communities.

U.S. authorities have maintained that the enforcement drive will continue, urging compliance with immigration laws and stressing that individuals convicted of serious crimes will be prioritised for removal, regardless of nationality.

French Police Raid X Offices as Elon Musk Faces Probe Over Algorithms and AI Chatbot



By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

French authorities have intensified their investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X, carrying out a police raid on the company’s Paris offices as part of a growing probe into how the platform uses algorithms and artificial intelligence.

The search was conducted Tuesday by the Paris public prosecutor’s cybercrime unit, marking one of the most serious legal challenges yet for Musk’s tech empire in Europe. 

Prosecutors have now summoned Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino to give evidence in April.
The investigation reportedly began last year after a complaint from a French lawmaker who alleged that X’s algorithms may have been biased and capable of distorting automated data processing systems. 

Since then, the case has expanded significantly.
Authorities are now examining possible algorithm manipulation, suspected fraudulent data extraction, and broader concerns about how the platform handles content and user information.

Grok Under the Spotlight

The probe has also widened to include Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, and integrated into X.

Regulators are questioning how Grok processes personal data and whether it has adequate safeguards in place. Reports have surfaced alleging the chatbot may have been used to generate non-consensual sexual images and other harmful content, raising serious privacy and safety concerns.

These developments have triggered scrutiny not just in France but across Europe, with multiple watchdogs examining the chatbot’s compliance with data protection and online safety laws.

Musk Pushes Back

X has strongly criticized the French authorities’ actions, accusing prosecutors of bypassing international legal procedures and unfairly targeting the company’s local staff.

In a statement, the company argued that investigators were trying to pressure its U.S.-based leadership by focusing on its French operations. Musk himself described the raid as “a political attack,” suggesting the investigation is motivated more by politics than legitimate legal concerns.

A Bigger Regulatory Battle
The situation highlights growing tensions between global tech giants and European regulators, who have taken a tougher stance on online platforms, artificial intelligence tools, and the handling of user data.

For Musk, who recently merged his AI ambitions with his social media operations, the case could have wide-ranging consequences. It puts both X’s algorithm systems and its AI products under legal and ethical scrutiny at a time when governments are tightening rules around digital safety.

With Musk and other executives expected to testify in the coming months, the outcome could shape how AI-driven platforms operate across Europe — and potentially beyond.

Gunmen Kill 30 in Fresh Attacks on Kwara and Katsina Communities

By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

Fresh violence has claimed at least 30 lives in separate attacks by armed gunmen on communities in Kwara and Katsina states, throwing residents into mourning and renewing concerns over worsening insecurity across parts of northern Nigeria.

Bloodshed in Katsina

The deadliest assault occurred in Doma community in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, where about 20 villagers were reportedly killed.

Residents said the attackers stormed the village late at night, shooting indiscriminately and setting houses and vehicles ablaze. Several families were caught off guard as the gunmen moved from house to house, forcing many to flee into surrounding bushes for safety.

Community sources described the incident as one of the most devastating attacks in recent months, especially after a period of relative calm in the area.

Survivors spent hours searching for missing relatives as bodies were recovered from the ruins of burnt homes.

Attack Hits Kwara Villages

In a separate incident in Kwara State, gunmen invaded Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area around dusk.

At least 10 people were killed during the raid, while several others sustained injuries. Witnesses said the attackers fired sporadically, causing panic as residents scrambled for cover. Homes and properties were also set on fire, leaving many families displaced.

Local leaders suspect the attackers may have come from forest hideouts near the state’s border, a region that has been linked to repeated bandit activities.

Government Reacts

Authorities in Kwara condemned the killings and assured residents that security agencies have been deployed to restore calm and prevent further attacks. Patrols have reportedly been intensified in vulnerable communities.

Meanwhile, calls are growing louder for stronger and more proactive security measures to protect rural areas that have increasingly become targets of armed groups.

Growing Security Concerns

The latest attacks highlight the persistent threat posed by bandits and criminal gangs across northern Nigeria. Many communities continue to face raids, kidnappings, and destruction of property, forcing residents to live in constant fear.

For families affected by the tragedy, the focus now shifts to burying their loved ones and rebuilding their shattered homes — even as uncertainty lingers over when lasting peace will return.

Tinubu to World Bank: Nigeria’s Economic Reforms Are Irreversible


By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, declaring that the country will not backtrack despite the initial hardships faced by citizens.

Speaking on Tuesday at the State House in Abuja during a meeting with a World Bank delegation led by Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, Tinubu said the reform journey, though tough at the beginning, is necessary for long-term prosperity.

The president, who received the delegation alongside Vice-President Kashim Shettima, likened the reform process to a determined march forward.
“Since we have gone into this tunnel of reform, we have our hands on the plough and we’re never going to look back,” Tinubu said. 

“It is very clear that initially it was painful and difficult, but those who win are not the ones who give up during tough times.”

Tinubu highlighted key areas of focus for his administration, particularly agricultural transformation. He noted that Nigeria’s vast arable land and youthful population present enormous opportunities for food production and economic growth.

According to him, the government is prioritising agricultural mechanisation by establishing centres that will provide farmers with modern equipment, quality seeds, and technical support to improve productivity and make farming easier.

The president also pointed to early signs that the reforms are yielding results, citing improvements such as easing inflationary pressures and a more stable naira.

While seeking stronger collaboration with the World Bank, Tinubu stressed the need for accelerated support to help Nigeria achieve faster economic growth and shared prosperity.

“What is the value of encouragement for an African that is taking this huge population on an assurance of prosperity? How can you accelerate that growth? Your partnership with us is very important to me… please accelerate that,” he added.

The meeting underscores Nigeria’s push to deepen cooperation with international financial institutions as the government works to stabilise the economy and drive sustainable development.