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IGP Orders Security Reinforcement, Manhunt After Kwara Killings

Olaosun Rebecca
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IGP Orders Security Reinforcement, Manhunt After Kwara Killings

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the immediate deployment of tactical, operational, and intelligence resources to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State after a deadly attack that left at least 75 people dead.

The Nigeria Police Force, in a statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, condemned the attack, which occurred on Tuesday, describing it as “tragic and deeply disturbing.”

The statement said the IGP expressed his “heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Kwara State,” while reaffirming that the Force remains committed to its responsibility of safeguarding lives and property.

“In response to this incident, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical, operational, and intelligence assets to Kaiama and surrounding communities,” the statement said.

According to the police, the deployment is intended to restore peace, enhance security presence, and prevent further outbreaks of violence.

The Force also confirmed that a full-scale manhunt has begun for the attackers and their collaborators, noting that investigations are ongoing and all necessary resources have been activated to ensure those responsible are identified, apprehended, and prosecuted.

“The perpetrators will not escape the long arm of the law,” the statement added.

The police appealed to members of the public to remain calm and support security efforts by providing credible information through the nearest police stations.

Reports from the affected areas revealed that gunmen attacked Woro and nearby Nuku communities late on Tuesday, killing more than 160 people, setting shops ablaze, destroying the residence of a traditional ruler, and forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes.

Following the attack, President Bola Tinubu ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kwara State to strengthen security in the region.

The President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said the move was designed to “checkmating the barbaric terrorists and protecting defenceless communities.”

Onanuga disclosed that the new military formation would take charge of Operation Savannah Shield, adding that President Tinubu condemned the assailants as “heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror.”

The President also lamented that residents were attacked for rejecting the extremists’ ideology and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, who visited the affected communities and the palace of the Emir of Kaiama, Muazu Omar, on Wednesday night, described the incident as a “pure massacre.”

AbdulRazaq revealed that at least 75 victims had already been buried, stating that the attackers singled out residents for opposing what he called a “perverted” terrorist doctrine.

US And Iran Resume Critical Nuclear Talks In Oman

Tosin Onisuuru
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US And Iran Resume Critical Nuclear Talks In Oman

The United States and Iran are set to open high-stakes negotiations in Oman over Tehran’s nuclear programme, talks widely viewed as one of the final opportunities to avert a potential new US military strike.

These discussions mark the first direct engagement since the US joined Israel in June during the final phase of a 12-day bombing campaign that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.

Washington has indicated it wants the dialogue to go beyond the nuclear issue, seeking to include Iran’s ballistic missile programme, its backing of armed groups across the Middle East, and its internal human rights record. As US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday, the talks should also address Iran’s “treatment of their own people”. However, after days of uncertainty, Iranian officials say they have secured agreement that the initial phase of negotiations will focus solely on the nuclear dispute.

The talks are taking place amid repeated warnings from Donald Trump that the US could launch military strikes from the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln if progress is not achieved. The US has increased its naval presence in the region following a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities on nationwide protests last month, further escalating tensions between the two countries.

Leading Iran’s delegation is Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a veteran nuclear negotiator with more than two decades of experience. He will face off against Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Iran is seeking firm assurances that the negotiations are not being used as a cover for efforts to force regime change. The previous round of talks collapsed in June after Israel launched a surprise attack that left at least 1,000 Iranians dead and destroyed three nuclear sites.

Ahead of the meeting, Tehran rejected a US proposal to hold the talks in Turkey with the participation of foreign ministers from Qatar, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The proposed involvement of Muslim-majority states highlighted how closely regional governments view their own security as tied to any agreement between Washington and Tehran.

Iran has warned it would respond forcefully against Israel or US military bases in the region if it comes under attack.

Tehran maintains that its right to enrich uranium on Iranian soil — a provision recognised under the now-defunct 2015 nuclear deal negotiated during Barack Obama’s presidency — is non-negotiable. One potential compromise under discussion would see Iran suspend uranium enrichment for a fixed period, while a regional consortium oversees enrichment as part of a broader, integrated civilian nuclear programme.

In return, Iran is expected to push for sanctions relief and a new inspection framework for its nuclear facilities. The Iranian economy has been under severe strain since the June attacks, with the rial losing half its value against the dollar and food inflation nearing 100%. These economic pressures helped spark protests in late December, which were met with a harsh security crackdown.

At one point, Trump publicly encouraged the demonstrators, saying “help is on its way”, but both the US and Israel ultimately refrained from launching attacks, citing concerns that they were not fully prepared for the scale of possible Iranian retaliation.

New START Treaty Expires: What It Means For Global Nuclear Stability

Olaosun Rebecca
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New START Treaty Expires: What It Means For Global Nuclear Stability

‎On February 5, 2026, the New START Treaty, the last remaining bilateral nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, officially expired.
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‎This marked the end of more than half a century of negotiated limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of the world’s two largest nuclear powers.
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‎The treaty, originally signed in 2010 and extended for five years in 2021, lapsed at midnight GMT on February 5, as no formal successor agreement or further extension was reached.
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‎Russia had proposed in September 2025 to informally continue observing the treaty’s limits for an additional year, a suggestion to which U.S. President Donald Trump initially responded positively, However, the U.S. did not provide a formal response to the proposal.
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‎In a January 8, 2026, interview with The New York Times, Trump took a more nonchalant stance on the impending expiration, stating: “If it expires, it expires. We’ll just do a better agreement.”
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‎He emphasized pursuing a more comprehensive deal, adding that “you probably want to get a couple of other players involved also,” referring to his long-standing interest in including China in future nuclear arms control talks.
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‎International reactions were swift and concerned. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the expiry as a “grave moment for international peace and security,” noting that for the first time in over 50 years, there are no binding limits on U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear arsenals.
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‎Experts and organizations, including the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), warned of heightened risks of miscalculation, reduced transparency, and a potential new arms race.
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‎The Kremlin expressed regret over the lapse but affirmed Russia’s commitment to act responsibly as a nuclear power.
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‎”The agreement is coming to an end. We view this negatively and express our regret.” He added that Russia would “maintain its responsible and attentive approach to the issue of strategic stability in the field of nuclear weapons” and act in line with national interests.‎

What was the New START Treaty?

New START Treaty signing

‎‎The New START Treaty (formally the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms) was a bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Russia aimed at capping deployed strategic nuclear weapons, those capable of intercontinental range, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments.
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‎Key limits included:
‎• No more than 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads (counting each heavy bomber as one warhead).
‎• No more than 700 deployed ICBMs, SLBMs, and heavy bombers.
‎• No more than 800 deployed and non-deployed launchers for these systems.
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‎The treaty entered into force on February 5, 2011, after being signed by then-U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
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‎Both sides met the central limits by 2018 and largely remained in compliance with the quantitative caps, though verification faced challenges.
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‎It featured robust transparency measures, including biannual data exchanges, notifications on force changes, telemetric information on missile tests, and up to 18 on-site inspections per year (Type One for sites with deployed systems and Type Two for non-deployed).
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‎These mechanisms provided critical insights into each other’s forces, reducing the risk of surprise or miscalculation.
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‎The treaty covered only deployed strategic systems, not non-strategic (tactical) weapons or stored reserves. Estimates indicate Russia possesses around 5,000-5,500 total nuclear warheads and the U.S. around 5,000-5,200, with the treaty constraining only a portion of these arsenals.‎

What It Means?

‎With the treaty’s expiration, there are now no legally binding caps on the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads or delivery systems the U.S. and Russia can maintain.
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‎This removes a key pillar of global strategic stability, as the two nations account for over 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons.
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‎Verification and transparency mechanisms have ceased, meaning no more mandatory on-site inspections, data exchanges, or notifications, leading to reduced mutual understanding of each side’s capabilities and intentions.
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‎Experts warn this could fuel mistrust, increase the risk of nuclear use through miscalculation, and accelerate modernization or expansion of arsenals amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine and China’s growing nuclear capabilities (estimated at around 600 warheads).
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‎While both sides have indicated they do not plan immediate massive buildups, due to logistical, financial, and strategic constraints, the absence of limits raises the specter of a renewed arms race.
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‎Russia has suspended compliance elements since 2023, and the U.S. reciprocated in information sharing. Some reports suggest informal understandings or short-term observances might emerge from ongoing talks, but no firm commitments have been confirmed as of February 5, 2026.
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‎The broader obligation under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) for nuclear-weapon states to pursue disarmament remains in force, with the next NPT Review Conference scheduled for April-May 2026 offering a potential forum for progress.
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‎Groups like ICAN emphasize the role of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in stigmatizing nuclear arms and pressing for disarmament.
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‎The expiry underscores a dangerous shift: the world now faces higher nuclear risks without the guardrails that helped prevent escalation for decades.
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‎Urgent diplomacy will be essential to restore verifiable limits and prevent unchecked proliferation.

Seven Unbelievable Achievements That Define Cristiano Ronaldo’s Greatness

Tosin Onisuuru
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Seven Unbelievable Achievements That Define Cristiano Ronaldo’s Greatness

As Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates another birthday today, the football world once again pauses to reflect on a career that has consistently redefined greatness. Beyond the goals, trophies, and records lies a legacy built on longevity, discipline and an unmatched hunger to win.

Here are seven unbelievable achievements that set Cristiano Ronaldo apart from every other footballer of his generation.

1. The All-Time Top Goalscorer in Football History

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record as the highest goalscorer in men’s professional football, surpassing 850 career goals across club and country. What makes this feat extraordinary is not just the number, but the consistency — scoring at elite levels for over two decades in different leagues, systems and generations.

Few players score goals. Fewer sustain it. Ronaldo made it a lifetime habit.

2. The Only Player to Score in Five Different World Cups

Ronaldo became the first male footballer to score in five FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022). This record speaks to his longevity at the highest level of international football, remaining decisive across four different Portugal squads and eras.

In the biggest tournament on earth, Ronaldo always found a way to leave his mark.

3. Most Goals in UEFA Champions League History

The UEFA Champions League is where legends are made, and Ronaldo owns it.

With over 140 Champions League goals, Cristiano Ronaldo is the competition’s all-time leading goalscorer. He also holds records for most knockout-stage goals, most finals appearances scored in, and most goals in a single Champions League season (17 goals in 2013/14).

On Europe’s biggest nights, Ronaldo didn’t just perform — he dominated.

4. League Titles in Three Different Top European Leagues

Cristiano Ronaldo won domestic league titles in England (Manchester United), Spain (Real Madrid), and Italy (Juventus), a feat achieved by very few players.

He didn’t just move leagues; he conquered them.
From the Premier League’s physical intensity to La Liga’s technical demands and Serie A’s tactical rigidity, Ronaldo adapted, evolved and won everywhere he went.

5. Portugal’s All-Time Top Scorer and Most-Capped Player

Ronaldo is both Portugal’s most-capped player and highest goalscorer, with over 200 international appearances and more than 120 goals.

For a nation that once struggled for global relevance, Ronaldo became the face of Portuguese football, leading them to historic success, including the UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League titles.

He didn’t just represent Portugal, he elevated it.

6. Five Ballon d’Or Awards Across Different Eras

Cristiano Ronaldo

Winning the Ballon d’Or once is legendary. Winning it five times across different phases of football evolution is historic.

Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or wins came during intense competition with some of the greatest players ever, proving his ability to remain at the very top despite tactical changes, new stars and evolving football philosophies.

Great players shine briefly. Ronaldo endured.

7. The Most Followed Athlete in the World

Beyond the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo is the most followed athlete in the world on social media, with hundreds of millions of followers across platforms.

This isn’t just popularity — it reflects global influence. Ronaldo has transcended football to become a cultural icon, brand powerhouse and symbol of elite professionalism.

From Lisbon to Lagos, Madrid to Riyadh, his impact is universal.

A Legacy Still Being Written

At an age when most footballers are long retired, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to compete, score and inspire. His career is a reminder that talent opens doors, but discipline, mentality and relentless ambition keep them open.

As he celebrates his birthday today, one thing remains undeniable:
Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t just play football, he changed its standards forever.

Electoral Bill: Senate Rejects Mandatory Electronic Transmission of Results

Tosin Onisuuru
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Electoral Bill: Senate Rejects Mandatory Electronic Transmission of Results

The Senate has approved the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill 2026 after it scaled the third reading.
However, the chamber declined to adopt the proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, which would have made the electronic transmission of election results mandatory.

The rejected clause would have obligated presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results electronically from each polling unit to the IREV portal in real time, once the prescribed Form EC8A had been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and countersigned by candidates.

In its place, the Senate chose to keep the existing provision from the Electoral Act, which states that “the presiding officer shall transfer the results, including the total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot, in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.”

In his concluding remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio rejected claims that the Senate had eliminated electronic transmission of results.

According to him, “electronic transmission has always been in our act.”

“What we did was retain the existing provision, which already makes provision for electronic transmission,” he added.

He also emphasized that there was no effort to delay or obstruct the bill’s passage.

Previously, the upper chamber turned down a suggestion for a 10-year prison sentence for those buying or selling Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) under Clause 22, deciding instead to maintain the two-year imprisonment term while raising the fine from ₦2 million to ₦5 million.

This decision occurred on Wednesday during the review of Clause 22 in the Electoral Amendment Bill.

Additionally, lawmakers modified Clause 28 regarding the notice of election, shortening the required timeline from 360 days to 180 days.

The original clause mandated that the commission publish a notice of election in each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory no later than 360 days before the election date.

In Clause 29, the Senate reduced the deadline for political parties to submit lists of candidates and their affidavits from 180 days to 90 days.

The revised provision states that “every political party shall, not later than 90 days before the date appointed for a general election under this Act, submit to the Commission, in the prescribed forms, the list of the candidates the party proposes to sponsor at the elections, who shall have emerged from valid primaries conducted by the political party.”

The Senate also preserved the existing rule on the format of ballot papers as outlined in Clause 44.

Under this clause, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must, no later than 20 days before an election, invite in writing any political party that nominated a candidate to inspect samples of relevant electoral materials showing its identity.

Political parties have two days to respond in writing, indicating their approval or disapproval of how their identity appears on the samples.

In Clause 47, the Senate substituted smart card readers with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter accreditation and voting.

Nevertheless, following thorough discussion, the lawmakers rejected the use of electronically generated voter identification and confirmed the Permanent Voter Card as the means of identification at polling units.

Furthermore, the Senate eliminated Clause 142 concerning the effect of non-compliance, which had stated that “it shall not be necessary for a party who alleges non-compliance with the provisions of this Bill for the conduct of elections to call oral evidence if originals or certified true copies of relevant documents manifestly disclose the non-compliance alleged.”

The clause was removed after arguments that it would lead to unnecessary delays in court proceedings.

The Senate also declared the establishment of a conference committee, to be chaired by Senator Tahir Monguno.

Nigeria And France Strengthen Defence Ties To Boost Military Capabilities

Tosin Onisuuru
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Nigeria And France Strengthen Defence Ties To Boost Military Capabilities

The French Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Col. Stéphane Useo, has described the defence partnership between Nigeria and France as mutually beneficial, as it enhances the defence capabilities and professional standards of both countries.

During a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, Useo reaffirmed France’s commitment to deepening defence cooperation with Nigeria.

He emphasised their shared responsibility in promoting regional stability, countering emerging threats, and building sustainable military capacity.

Useo commended the Nigerian Army’s successful recovery operations in the Republic of Benin and called for expanded access to strategic professional military courses, particularly in Public Relations and Aviation.

The Defence Attaché highlighted the resilience and dedication of the Nigerian Army in tackling emerging security challenges.

He described the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI) as one of the best institutions in Africa, established to train army personnel in civil-military affairs and to improve information and communication management.

In response, the COAS stated that the partnership between Nigeria and France would be further strengthened through intelligence sharing, professional military training, and support for operational readiness.

Shaibu noted that this is essential to advance Nigeria’s efforts in addressing insecurity through sustained international defence cooperation.

He added that such partnerships remain critical to Nigeria’s broader efforts to counter security threats within the region.

The army chief reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to continuous professional development across all corps and stressed the importance of maintaining mutually beneficial bilateral defence cooperation.

Shaibu expressed optimism that a long-term partnership with France, centred on capacity building, advanced training, and enhanced operational effectiveness, aligns with current security realities.

The high-level meeting focused on strengthening operational cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the French Armed Forces to tackle evolving regional and global security challenges.

Meanwhile, two international humanitarian organisations, the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UN DSS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), visited the Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in Borno State.

The visit aimed to deepen collaboration with the Theatre Command in delivering humanitarian assistance to vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities across the North East region.

Mrs Florence Paussin of the UN-DSS commended OPHK for its professionalism and ongoing efforts to safeguard civilians and humanitarian workers.

Mr Yanich Buvhili, who led the ICRC delegation, praised OPHK for its support of ICRC operations, particularly in facilitating access for family reunification, healthcare delivery, immunisation, and nutrition programmes.

LASTMA Impounds 27 Commercial Vehicles In Crackdown On Overloading

Olaosun Rebecca
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LASTMA Impounds 27 Commercial Vehicles In Crackdown On Overloading

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has initiated a statewide enforcement operation to eliminate the hazardous practice of vehicle overloading on Lagos roads.

LASTMA General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, announced this in a statement released on Thursday in Lagos. He explained that the campaign is part of the agency’s continuous efforts to enhance road safety and enforce full compliance with traffic regulations.

Bakare-Oki revealed that 27 commercial and private vehicles were impounded during an early-morning operation. He noted that this action came after multiple prior warnings delivered to drivers through various public awareness channels.

“The operation was executed following heightened concerns over the escalating risks posed by overloaded vehicles on major arterial corridors and densely trafficked inner-city routes.

“LASTMA enforcement officers field assessment exposed a deeply disconcerting pattern wherein motorists particularly operators of commercial vehicles indiscriminately burden their vehicles with assorted goods, stored indiscriminately within luggage compartments and precariously mounted atop vehicle roofs.

“Such unsafe practices grossly obstruct rearward visibility, destabilise vehicular balance and critically impair a driver’s situational awareness of approaching traffic, especially during overtaking, thereby substantially increasing the probability of avoidable road traffic collisions,” he said.

The General Manager stressed that overloading vehicles represents a major breach of Lagos State traffic laws. He warned that this practice creates severe dangers not only for those inside the vehicle but also for all other road users.

He reiterated LASTMA’s firm zero-tolerance policy toward any traffic violation that threatens lives and property. He added that enforcement against offenders will continue to be consistent, intensified, and unwavering.

“LASTMA urges all motorists to adhere strictly to stipulated loading capacities, maintain unobstructed visibility at all times and prioritise roadworthiness and safety in their daily operations.

“The agency remains resolute in the execution of its statutory mandate to enforce traffic laws professionally, equitably and without prejudice in furtherance of the Lagos state government’s unwavering commitment to a safe, orderly and efficient transportation system across the state,” he said.

LASTMA also encouraged members of the public to report any commercial or private vehicles exceeding permitted loading limits by calling its toll-free line: 0800-005-27862, so that swift enforcement action can be taken.

Alphabet’s Annual Revenue Surpasses $400 Billion Amid Surging AI Investments

Olaosun Rebecca
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Alphabet’s Annual Revenue Surpasses $400 Billion Amid Surging AI Investments

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, announced strong quarterly earnings on Wednesday, with revenue rising sharply as the company pours substantial funds into AI-enhanced cloud computing services.

The technology company reported an 18 percent year-on-year revenue increase for the quarter. For the full year, Alphabet’s total revenue exceeded $400 billion for the first time since its founding by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998.

However, Alphabet stated that it plans to nearly double its capital investments this year to keep pace in the intense AI technology competition across Silicon Valley.

The company projects capital expenditures of between $175 billion and $185 billion in 2026, roughly twice the amount spent in 2025, in order to satisfy growing customer demand for AI-related products.

Despite heavy spending on computing infrastructure to support AI, demand continues to exceed available supply, according to Chief Executive Sundar Pichai.

“We’ve been supply constrained even as we’ve been ramping up our capacity,” Pichai said on an earnings call.

Alphabet’s shares fell slightly more than one percent in after-hours trading.

Google’s Gemini AI experienced rapid growth, reaching 750 million monthly users by the end of the year, an increase of 100 million from the previous quarter.

“We expect Google to overtake OpenAI this year for the top spot in AI,” said Emarketer analyst Nate Elliott.

Alphabet generated $113.8 billion in revenue during the final three months of 2025, driven primarily by its core search business and cloud computing division.

The company posted a profit of $34.5 billion for the most recent quarter, while cloud computing revenue surged 48 percent to $17.7 billion.

“We’re seeing our AI investments and infrastructure drive revenue and growth across the board,” Pichai said.

Google’s core search and advertising operations remained the main source of income, bringing in $82.3 billion up from $72.5 billion in the same period the previous year.

YouTube advertising revenue also showed solid growth, rising to $11.4 billion from $10.5 billion a year earlier.

Strong cash flows from online advertising provide Alphabet with a significant edge in funding its AI infrastructure development.

Google now has more than 325 million paid subscriptions across its consumer services, including Google One and YouTube Premium.

The cloud computing division, which competes directly with Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, has emerged as a major driver of Alphabet’s overall growth.

Alphabet continues to benefit from a U.S. court decision late last year that did not require the company to divest its Chrome browser in response to monopoly allegations.

Google has recently informed the court of its intention to appeal a federal judge’s ruling that found it maintained an illegal monopoly in online search, according to court documents.

Despite the strong financial performance, Alphabet’s “Other Bets” division, which includes the autonomous vehicle company Waymo, recorded a loss of $3.6 billion on revenues of only $370 million.

Waymo, the self-driving car unit, announced this week that it secured $16 billion in a new funding round, valuing the Alphabet subsidiary at $126 billion.

Alphabet was the primary investor in that funding round.

Waymo co-chief executives Tekedra Mawakana and Dmitri Dolgov described the substantial investment as confirmation that large-scale autonomous transportation has arrived.

“This infusion of capital will ensure we are positioned to move forward with unprecedented velocity, while maintaining our industry-leading safety standards,” Dolgov and Mawakana said in a blog post.

Last year, Waymo more than tripled its annual ride volume to 15 million rides and now delivers over 400,000 rides per week across the six major U.S. metropolitan areas where it operates, the company reported.

Ex-NEXIM Bank MD Robert Orya Sentenced To 490 Years Imprisonment

Tosin Onisuuru
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Ex-NEXIM Bank MD Robert Orya Sentenced To 490 Years Imprisonment

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced Robert Orya, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), to a cumulative 490 years in prison over a ₦2.4 billion fraud case.

Justice F.E. Messiri delivered the judgement on Thursday, February 5, 2026, after finding Orya guilty on all 49 counts of criminal breach of trust, fraud, and misappropriation brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The court imposed a 10-year jail term on each count, amounting to a total of 490 years.

Confirming the conviction in a statement shared on its official X handle, the EFCC said the prosecution successfully proved its case against the former bank chief.

“The EFCC, today, February 5, 2026, secured the conviction of Robert Orya, a former Managing Director, Nigerian Import Export Bank, NEXIM (2011 to 2016), for a fraud of about ₦2.4 billion,” the statement read.

It added, “Orya, who was prosecuted by EFCC’s Samuel Ugwuegbulam, was convicted by Justice F.E. Messiri of the FCT High Court, Abuja and sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment on each of the 49 count charges.”

Orya, who headed NEXIM Bank between 2011 and 2016, was accused of abusing his office by misappropriating bank funds and approving loans to entities that failed to repay, resulting in substantial financial losses to the institution. He consistently denied the allegations throughout the trial, which began several years ago.

In a related development, the EFCC also disclosed that Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, had ordered the forfeiture of $20,000 and CFA 110,000 to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

According to the anti-graft agency, the sums were intercepted by operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service at the Seme Border in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State and subsequently handed over to the EFCC for investigation.

The conviction of Orya marks one of the most significant fraud judgements involving a former head of a federal financial institution in recent years.

NNPC GCEO Defends Refinery Rehabilitation Pause At NIES 2026

Yemisi Lanre-Idowu
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NNPC GCEO Defends Refinery Rehabilitation Pause At NIES 2026

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has defended the decision to pause the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries, describing the move as a necessary step to prevent further value destruction.

Speaking during a Day 3 interview at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026, the NNPC boss said continuing to inject funds into refineries operating under inefficient structures would only deepen losses rather than deliver sustainable recovery.

According to him, refinery rehabilitation should be treated as a capital investment decision rather than a symbolic national project. He noted that distressed industrial assets often fail due to structural weaknesses, not merely lack of funding, stressing that without fixing the underlying operating model, additional investment would be ineffective.

The GCEO explained that NNPC is considering commercially driven options such as joint venture partnerships, equity restructuring, and operational reconfiguration to stabilize the refineries. He said these approaches are standard global practices for turning around underperforming public assets, as they introduce shared risk, technical accountability, and performance-based management.

He also emphasized the importance of proper sequencing in the reform process, suggesting that restoring operational credibility should come before any ownership changes. According to him, altering ownership structures without fixing business fundamentals could further erode asset value and weaken investor confidence.

Observers at the summit noted that the remarks marked a rare moment of candor in Nigeria’s public energy discourse, particularly the acknowledgment that existing refinery arrangements have been destroying value. The refinery pause, they argued, signals a shift from managing public perception to confronting economic realities.

However, concerns remain about the risk of prolonged inertia. Analysts warn that the pause must not become an indefinite holding pattern, urging that any partnerships pursued should be credible, governance frameworks transparent, and performance outcomes clearly measurable.

If followed by decisive execution, stakeholders say the refinery reset could represent a turning point in the management of Nigeria’s strategic energy infrastructure—moving away from sentiment-driven decisions toward disciplined value creation.

Energy economist Wumi Iledare, Senior Fellow at the USAEE and Professor of Petroleum Economics, described the development as more significant than the fate of any single refinery, noting that it could redefine how Nigeria approaches public asset management in the energy sector.

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