Last Updated: February 27, 2026, 08:00 IST1 / 9 The viral monkey punch has taken the internet by storm, captivating people worldwide. The seven-month-old macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, along with his beloved orangutan plush toy, has won hearts across the globe. (Image: Instagram)2 / 9 Since several heartwarming videos and photos of the duo went viral on social media, the plush toy has sold out in multiple countries. (Image: Instagram)ADVERTISEMENT3 / 9 The viral baby monkey Punch's plush toy has become such a hot commodity that people are reselling it on e-commerce platforms like eBay and others. (Image: Instagram)ADVERTISEMENT7 / 9 The emotional connection sparked a worldwide demand for the Djungelskog orangutan plush.

Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli are plotting a move for Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu and are prepared to triple his wages in a bid to lure him away from Turkish Süper Lig side Trabzonspor, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The 31-year-old has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 17 goals and registering one assist in just 20 appearances to cement his status as Trabzonspor’s most indispensable player. His output has been directly responsible for nearly half of the club’s league goals, firing them into contention for European qualification next season. While the Nigerian is tied down at Trabzon until 2028, the Saudi giants are willing to test his resolve financially. Onuachu currently earns approximately €48,000 per week, and Al-Ahli are said to be ready to offer him €144,000 per week — more than three times his current salary.

Some members of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State have defected to the Labour Party and unanimously endorsed Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for a second term in office. The new LP members include the member representing Ukwa East State Constituency, Hon. Lewis Obianyi; former Majority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Paul Taribo of the APC; former commissioner and former Ukwa East Transition Committee Chairman, and former ASPM/ISS GM, Hon. On their request for the recovery of Abia Palm, he said his government had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with an international company involved in palm production and palm produce.

It noted that the differences observed in ticket prices appeared to reflect airlines’ discretionary pricing decisions rather than external cost pressures. “The forensic exercise benefited from data collated by the commission from airlines operating local routes in the country. The report compares domestic airline pricing from the December 2025 festive period with post-peak January 2026 fare levels. “Following the ongoing review of domestic airlines, the Commission will also examine the pricing behaviour of foreign carriers operating in Nigeria. The development comes amid broader regulatory efforts to strengthen consumer protection and ensure fair market practices across critical sectors of the economy.

A former official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo, has been sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment in the United States following his conviction for accepting a $2.1 million bribe from a Swiss oil company while serving at the state-owned oil firm. “A Los Angeles-area lawyer was sentenced today to 87 months in federal prison for receiving a $2.1 million bribe while serving as an officer of Nigeria’s state-owned oil company in connection with negotiating favourable drilling rights for a subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned oil company,” the statement read. Okoronkwo also allegedly omitted the $2.1 million from his 2015 federal income tax return, giving rise to the tax evasion charge. In June 2022, he obstructed justice by falsely telling federal investigators that the funds were client monies rather than income used for property purchases. Following the scandal, Okoronkwo was dismissed from NNPC (now NNPCL), and the State Bar of California suspended his law licence in January 2026.

Type 'Punch the Monkey' on Google and you will be in for a fun surpriseInstead of the regular searches, what pops up on your screen is colourful hearts and animated monkey icons running across.

A prosecution witness on Thursday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that some disgruntled Fulani chiefs sponsored over 200 armed men wielding AK-47 rifles to carry out the June 13, 2025, attack on Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The attack allegedly left more than 200 people dead and properties worth millions of naira destroyed. The nine suspects accused of involvement in the deadly Yelwata attack pleaded not guilty on Monday, February 3, 2026, to 57 amended charges bordering on terrorism before the Federal High Court in Abuja. During interrogation, Abdullahi allegedly confessed to attending meetings involving Fulani chiefs in Nasarawa. The court adjourned the matter to February 27 for the continuation of the examination of the first prosecution witness.

In a corner of Japan, a baby Macaque hugging an orange toy has stopped the world mid-scroll. Seven-month-old Punch at Ichikawa City Zoo, who was abandoned by his mother just days after birth, was left to navigate a strict troop on his own. With no mother to cling to, zookeepers gave him a stuffed orangutan. Punch held on tightly to the toy, sleeping with it, hiding with it, even after being scolded by older monkeys.

File: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale EdunNo fewer than nine million of Nigeria’s poorest households received direct cash transfers under reforms backed by the World Bank’s International Development Association, the Federal Government has said. Reflecting on the period of the programme’s launch, Edun said, “When IDA20 was launched, the world was in crisis.”He cited “Pandemic aftershocks. The statement added that Nigeria faced mounting pressure “but chose reform over retreat,” highlighting “Exchange rate unification. The minister further said IDA20 “demonstrated that pooled, concessional finance aligned to country priorities delivers better results,” stressing that “It reduced fragmentation. The sharp rise shows growing reliance on multilateral concessional financing as the Federal Government navigates tightening fiscal space amid global market volatility.

(L-R) ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, ADC National Chairman David Mark, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the Opposition Party Press Conference in Abuja on Thursday. Photo Credit: Abdulrahman ZakariyauLeading opposition figures, including a former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, are currently gathered at Transcorp in Abuja to present their position on the Electoral Act. Other stakeholders at the venue include the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; Senator Dino Melaye; a former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu; and a former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, among others. Under the Electoral Act 2022, political parties were permitted to nominate candidates through direct primaries involving all registered members, indirect primaries conducted by delegates, or by consensus arrangements reached by party leaders. However, the 2026 Electoral Act, recently passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu on February 18, restricts parties to only direct primaries and consensus options.

Christian leaders across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory have adopted a new identity, unveiling the Forum of Northern Christians, also known as the Northern Christian Association, in what they described as a move to clarify their mandate and reinforce their regional voice. The body was previously referred to as Northern CAN, a name leaders said often created confusion about its relationship with the national structure of the Christian Association of Nigeria. According to him, the association was originally founded in 1964 in Kaduna as the Northern Christian Association before it later evolved into the Christian Association of Nigeria in 1976. But when we speak on issues affecting Christians in Northern Nigeria, we believe we should have a distinct and clear identity. Samuel Salifu said the 1964 formation of the Northern Christian Association was driven by the need for Christians in the region to organise themselves.

The Edo State Police Command has arrested 113 suspected kidnappers in Edo North and Edo Central. “The raids yielded the arrest of 113 suspects. Agbonika said the Edo State Police Command remained firm, proactive, and battle-ready to safeguard lives and property, warning that there would be no sanctuary for kidnappers or their collaborators anywhere in the state. The PUNCH reported that gunmen killed a high-ranking palace chief in Iduah Kingdom, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, and abducted two of his daughters. One of the deceased’s sons, Lucky, said he had stepped out to purchase an item when the attack occurred.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday adjourned indefinitely the alleged terrorism-financing case against the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu. Adebayo, had written to the Chief Judge expressing discomfort with the handling of the matter and requesting that the case be transferred. The judge said the Chief Judge had yet to respond to the letter. Justice Umar, however, adjourned the matter sine die pending the decision of the Chief Judge. The prosecution alleged that between January and May 2024, the defendants conspired to channel millions of dollars in Bauchi State Government funds to individuals allegedly linked to terrorist elements.

“My concern is that we should not keep sidelining the home-based players. The home-based players deserve a genuine chance,” he said. “What I keep saying is that the home-based players are being ignored, and that is not good for our football. It encourages younger players coming up, knowing that if they perform well domestically, they can still make the Super Eagles. During our time, it was the home-based players who helped qualify Nigeria for major tournaments.

Viral baby monkey Punch's plush toy sells out globallyLive EventsPunch The Monkey story explainedas a Reliable and Trusted News Source Addas a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! Punch-kun was reportedly born in July 2025 but was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and he found companionship with an oversized stuffed orangutan. Viral baby monkey Punch's orangutan plush toy has officially sold out in multiple countries and what is surprising is that the re-sale prices are now skyrocketing to more than ten times its original cost. Local reports suggest that Punch-kun, as he is affectionately known, treats the toy like the mother he never had. One Djungelskog orangutan plush has even been listed for as much as $350.On the other hand, thousands of tourists have also been flocking to the zoo to catch a glimpse of Punch and his punch toy.