Senator donates N100m to Kano market fire victims
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has donated N100 million to traders affected by a fire outbreak at the Singer Market in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State. The senator pledged to facilitate the provision of a modern fire control facility in the market to prevent future disasters. He expressed gratitude for the visit and support from the senator, “We are proud to have you in Kano. Jibrin was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Kano State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Malam Salisu Sagir Takai, members of the Kano State House of Assembly, and other aides. Governor Yusuf also commended the Kano State Fire Service and security agencies for their efforts in containing the fire and appealed to residents to remain calm.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 21:29 UTC
Tinubu Visit Fuels Adamawa Governor Defection Rumour to APC
Speculation about Fintiri’s possible defection first surfaced in 2024 when PUNCH Online reported comments by the Adamawa APC spokesman, Mohammed Abdullahi, who disclosed that talks were ongoing. Abdullahi had said, “We are discussing with Governor Fintiri to join us in APC, and there is a green light that before the middle of 2026, the governor will join our ruling party. “I am certainly sure that the governor will join APC. Politics is about numbers, so we in APC will be glad if Governor Fintiri joins us to build Nigeria together,” he said. Reacting, the Adamawa PDP Publicity Secretary, Victor Dogo, dismissed the speculation.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 21:17 UTC
CAN urges Niger governor to reject controversial Hisbah bill
The Niger State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria and Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Photo: CANThe Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State has urged Governor Mohammed Bago not to assent to the Hisbah Directorates Bill, warning that the proposed law could create division in the state. “Why Hisbah law in Niger? Do they (lawmakers) realise that Christians will not be subjected to Hisbah law? “One would wonder whether the Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger State, was considered part of it.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 19:38 UTC
Senate's Electoral Bill Decision Guided by Data, Leader Says
The Senate has reeled out empirical data that guided its decision to make the electronic transmission of election results discretionary rather than mandatory in the ongoing reform of the country’s electoral governance framework. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Senate had resolved against Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Bill, 2026. Bamidele, however, described Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Bill, 2026 as an initiative that any legislature or parliament globally would ordinarily embrace. “This is extremely low compared with UAE that has 691.76 mbps; Qatar with 573.53 mbps; Kuwait’s 415.67 mbps; Bahrain’s 303.21 mbps and Bulgaria’s 289.41 mbps. “This shortfall speaks to the state of our power infrastructure.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 18:58 UTC
Amotekun Arrests 95 Suspected Criminals in Ondo State
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, has arrested no fewer than 95 suspected criminals across the 18 local government areas of the state for various offences. The Amotekun Commander in the state, Akogun Adeleye, stated this on Sunday while speaking with journalists in Akure, the state capital. Adeleye said, “In the last few weeks, there have been concerted efforts by all security agencies in the state, especially Amotekun, the police, civil defence, and the DSS, in tracking suspected criminals, and I want to say that it has actually yielded very good results. “Ondo State is not a safe haven for criminals. We will continue to collaborate with sister agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property,” the Amotekun Commander stated.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 16:12 UTC
Umtiti advises Lookman to remain consistent
Former France and Barcelona defender Samuel Yves Umtiti has given Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman some words of encouragement to keep him at the top, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The 32-year-old was in attendance at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano when Atletico Madrid defeated his former side Barcelona by a 4-0 scoreline in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey semi-final. Lookman, Julian Alvarez and Umtiti’s former France teammate, Antoine Griezmann, all found the back of the net in what was a stunning performance. “Keep going like this, you have to keep going,” the two-time La Liga winner told Lookman. So you have to keep going,” Umtiti reiterated, urging the 2024 CAF Player of the Year to keep up the on-field chemistry with his teammates.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 16:00 UTC
Tata Punch EV Facelift Spy Shot Reveals ICE-inspired Rear End
45kWh battery likelyCould be the segment’s most powerful electricTata Motors will launch the Punch EV facelift on 20 February, 2026. A recently surfaced spy shot confirms that the Punch EV facelift will get the exact same rear setup as its ICE sibling. While the rear end could easily lead to mixed inferences, the front end and new aero-optimised alloys give away that this is indeed the electric. This is the exact same thing happening with the upcoming Punch EV. Since the Nexon EV 45 gets 489km claimed range, the same would increase with the new Punch EV, given a smaller overall footprint.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 15:59 UTC
Iyabo Ojo says viral FAAN campaign was free, not political
Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has clarified that her recent promotional video highlighting activities of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria was done without payment and was not politically motivated. In the caption attached to the viral video on Instagram, Ojo wrote, “FAAN is changing for the better in so many ways. “Iyabo Ojo was not ‘awarded a gig’ by FAAN, nor is she an Ambassador. “I praise GOOD — not government, and if the government does good, I’ll praise them too. “I’ll work with any political party — as long as it’s about building a better tomorrow for our dear nation.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 15:08 UTC
Lagos threatens to seal Ikorodu markets, plazas over environmental violations
LAWMA officials during the distribution of notices to markets...Photo Credit: LASGThe Lagos State Government has issued Notices of Intention to Seal several markets, plazas, and commercial premises in Ikorodu over non-compliance with environmental regulations, as part of ongoing enforcement activities across the state. The Waste Investigation, Surveillance, and Enforcement unit of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority carried out routine compliance inspections across selected locations within the Ikorodu axis. 7 NBC Road, Ebute, Ikorodu, Ominu Ajasa & Royal Family Premises, Ikorodu, Ladega Market, Ikorodu, and Better Life Market, Ikorodu. A statement shared on the official social media handles of the Lagos State Government on Sunday said, “All affected plazas, markets, and occupants have been granted 72 hours to comply with the notice. “All activities took place within the Ikorodu axis of Lagos State.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 13:31 UTC
Four feared kidnapped in fresh Kwara community attack
Suspected bandits have reportedly attacked the Kakafu community in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting four residents during a midnight raid that left villagers in shock. Sources within the community said the assailants operated for several minutes without resistance before whisking their victims away to an unknown destination. On the current situation in the community, the source said residents remain traumatised and fearful of another attack. Panic has gripped the community because the assailants are believed to be hiding in nearby villages,” he said. When contacted, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command had yet to receive official information on the incident but promised to provide updates once details were confirmed.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 11:18 UTC
FULL LIST: Top 13 countries offering at least $100,000 for Olympic Gold in 2026
The ongoing 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will see athletes compete for medals that carry far more than symbolic value. Each gold medal contains roughly six grams of gold, layered over 500 grams of silver, worth more than $2,000 in raw materials. At least 13 countries and territories pledge to pay $100,000 or more to individual gold medalists, according to figures confirmed by national Olympic committees and government sports ministries. In total, at least 37 of the 92 participating delegations offer cash bonuses for medal performances. According to Forbes, here are the 13 nations and territories offering six-figure payouts for individual gold medalists at the 2026 Winter Olympics:Singapore – $787,000Hong Kong – $768,000.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 10:44 UTC
Morning recap: El-Rufai under fire over Ribadu’s bugged phone claim, US military aircraft drops ammo in Borno, other top stories
Leading the headlines is the call for the probe of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over his claim that the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was bugged. Meanwhile, no fewer than three United States military aircraft landed in Nigeria between Thursday and Friday, findings by Sunday PUNCH have revealed. The aircraft, it was gathered, landed at military bases in Borno and other northeastern states. US military aircraft drops ammo in BornoNo fewer than three United States military aircraft landed in Nigeria between Thursday and Friday, findings by Sunday PUNCH have revealed. The aircraft, it was gathered, landed at military bases in Borno and other northeastern states.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 09:50 UTC
US Military Aircraft Drops Ammunition in Borno, Nigeria
No fewer than three United States military aircraft landed in Nigeria between Thursday and Friday, findings by Sunday PUNCH have revealed. Senior officers at the Defence Headquarters disclosed that the aircraft carried ammunition sent to Nigeria by the American government. The New York Times on Saturday reported that US military aircraft landed in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Thursday night. It suggested that the Kaduna Depot might serve as a potential training hub for US personnel deployed to train the Nigerian military. The movement is fuelling speculation that US personnel may utilise the Kaduna Depot as a potential training hub in collaboration with the Nigerian military.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 07:11 UTC
Tata Punch EV Facelift Reveals Over 590 Km Range On Single Charge
Tata Punch EV Facelift: RangeThe video features an automotive journalist driving the Punch EV facelift from Jaipur to Udaipur, a distance of about 400 kilometres. The test continues beyond this point, and the Punch EV finally runs out of charge at Himatnagar in Gujarat. Tata Punch EV Facelift: Battery SpecsMechanically, the Tata Punch EV facelift is likely to continue with the existing 25kWh and 35kWh battery packs, paired with a front-mounted electric motor. Website Screengrab Claims Rs 24.79 Lakh TagTata Punch EV Facelift: Exterior & DesignThe upcoming Tata Punch EV facelift brings noticeable changes to its exterior. At the rear, the facelifted Punch EV adopts styling elements from the recently updated petrol-powered Punch.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 05:34 UTC
Bandits Kill Scores, Burn Houses in Niger State Attack
Suspected bandits on Saturday attacked communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, killing many people and abducting several others, while setting multiple houses, including a police station, ablaze. Sunday PUNCH gathered that the first attack occurred in Tunga-Makeri on Friday, where the bandits killed six residents and set homes on fire. The assailants reportedly moved to Paso on Saturday after encountering little resistance from security forces, burning more houses and a police station. He stated, “On 14/2/2026 at about 6 am, a report was received indicating that at about 3 am, suspected bandits invaded Tunga-Makeri village via Shafachi district, Borgu LGA. Other details are still sketchy.”The security agencies continue operations in the affected communities to secure residents and recover abducted persons.
Source:Punch
February 15, 2026 05:02 UTC