BANNER NEWS

Month: February 2026

  • Kano Traders Lose Billions to Early Morning Inferno – Market Chairman

    Kano Traders Lose Billions to Early Morning Inferno – Market Chairman

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    Traders at Singa Market in Kano have suffered losses running into billions of naira following a devastating early-morning fire that razed dozens of shops and warehouses.

    Chairman of the Singa Market Management Committee, Barrister Junaidu Muhammad, described the inferno as “very unfortunate,” saying preliminary estimates showed that goods worth billions of naira were destroyed, while a full assessment was still ongoing.

    Muhammad, who spoke to journalists at the scene, said traders lost a huge portion of their investments as they struggled to salvage whatever remained of their merchandise after the fire was brought under control.

    Spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incident, noting that the fire outbreak was reported in the early hours of the morning.

    The fire reportedly started from a large warehouse within the MAZAF complex inside the market. Due to the intensity of the blaze, a nearby two-storey building was engulfed and later collapsed.

    A source within the market said the affected buildings were heavily stocked with assorted goods, including cartons of biscuits, milk products, detergents, butter and smoked fish, resulting in massive losses of commodities and property.

    One affected trader recounted rushing to the market around 4:00 a.m. after receiving a distress call, saying over 30 stalls were destroyed, wiping out business capital built over several years.

    The incident attracted shop owners, market officials and security personnel, while firefighting teams from the state and federal fire services, as well as the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport fire unit, battled the blaze and prevented further spread.

    Head of the Kano office of the Federal Fire Service, ASF Alhassan Ahmad, said two persons were trapped when some stalls collapsed but were rescued with minor injuries and taken for treatment, adding that the fire was caused by an electrical spark in one of the shops.

  • Army Pounds Bandit Kingpin’s Camp as Nasarawa Community Threatens Legal Action Over Arms Factory Claim

    Army Pounds Bandit Kingpin’s Camp as Nasarawa Community Threatens Legal Action Over Arms Factory Claim

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    The Nigerian Army has dealt a major blow to banditry in the North-West, neutralising scores of terrorists during a fierce assault on the stronghold of notorious bandit kingpin, Gwaska Dankarami, even as a community in Nasarawa State threatened legal action over what it described as a false military report linking it to illegal arms production.

    Troops of the 8 Division, operating under Sector 2 of Operation Fansan Yamma, stormed the bandits’ camp following credible intelligence that more than 100 armed men had converged there to plan coordinated attacks on local communities and military supply routes.

    A statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army/Sector 2 Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, said the operation, executed on January 31, 2026, involved sustained surveillance and close coordination between ground troops and the Nigerian Air Force.

    According to him, the troops intercepted the bandits and engaged them in a fierce gun battle after the criminals attempted to flank and encircle the advancing forces. The bandits were, however, overwhelmed by superior firepower, leading to the neutralisation of many, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

     

    Osoba said the bandits’ camp was set ablaze before the troops withdrew tactically, adding that the Air Force component is currently carrying out interdiction missions to track down fleeing remnants, while ground forces maintain dominance of the area.

    He disclosed that the operation was not without cost, as some soldiers paid the supreme price, while a combat enabler vehicle was hit by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade and destroyed by fire. The Army, he said, honours the fallen heroes and remains resolute in dismantling bandit networks and their supply chains.

    Meanwhile, in Nasarawa State, the Agwatashi (Olosoho) community has rejected claims by the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), that an illegal arms manufacturing factory was uncovered in the area, describing the allegation as misleading and damaging.

    In a press statement signed by the community’s youth leader, Aliyu Adokwe, the community said Agwatashi is located in Obi Local Government Area, not Doma Local Government Area, where Agbashi—the actual location of the alleged arms factory—is situated.

    The community demanded an immediate retraction and public clarification by OPWS headquarters, warning that failure to do so would compel them to seek legal redress against the military authorities.

    Insisting that Agwatashi (Olosoho) is a peace-loving community with no history of criminality or illegal arms activities, the residents said the report has unfairly tarnished their image and must be corrected without delay.

  • Olumba Sends Delegation To Rivers Monarchs, Prays For Peace

    Olumba Sends Delegation To Rivers Monarchs, Prays For Peace

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    The Universal Leader of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, has dispatched a delegation to traditional rulers in Rivers State to offer prayers and messages of peace.

    The delegation, led by Patriarch Christ Shepherd Innocent Omini, visited prominent monarchs, including HRM E. N. B. Opurum, the Onye Ishi Etche of Etche Kingdom; HRM E. T. Ibiagolika, Paramount Ruler of Ogoloma Kingdom in Okrika; and Archbishop Boniface Sese.

    The visit was disclosed in a statement issued by the Branding and Publicity Subcommittee of the forthcoming Silver Jubilee of the coronation of His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu.

    According to the statement, the jubilee, themed “Universal Monarch,” marks 25 years of the coronation of the spiritual leader as the King of kings and Lord of lords, and is expected to be celebrated as a major global event.

    The visit was described as a symbolic spiritual exercise aimed at consolidating the thrones of traditional rulers as children of God, while reaffirming peace, stability and divine authority within their kingdoms.

    Speaking on the visit, PCS Ezimonye Omereji, Administrator of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star in Rivers State, expressed appreciation to the BCS leadership for blessing traditional stools in the state.

    Omereji noted that one of the monarchs had single-handedly constructed one of the organisation’s largest cathedrals in Okrika land, adding that divine blessings had followed the gesture.

    Earlier, the delegation was received at the Etche palace by HRM E. N. B. Opurum, alongside his wife, HM Ogbeti Jemimah Opurum (Ogbeti I of Etche Ethnic Nationality), and the Crown Prince, Bishop Prince Anufuro Opurum.

    The monarch described the visit as historic, saying it marked a defining spiritual moment for Rivers State and expressed confidence that lasting peace had been divinely restored.

    Conveying the message of His Holiness, PCS Innocent Omini assured the traditional rulers of divine protection, peace and enduring blessings, formally inviting them to the Silver Jubilee celebration.

    The delegation also disclosed that similar visits had earlier been carried out in the South-East and South-West, and that the exercise would extend nationwide and to other countries ahead of the Silver Jubilee, scheduled for April 13–19, 2026, at the BCS World Headquarters in Calabar, where about three million adherents are expected to converge.

  • PRO Confirms Burning of Police Station, Abduction of Worshippers in Niger

    PRO Confirms Burning of Police Station, Abduction of Worshippers in Niger

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    The Niger State Police Command has confirmed that armed bandits set ablaze the divisional police station in Agwara town, headquarters of Agwara Local Government Area, in the early hours of Sunday.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, also confirmed that the attackers stormed a nearby United Methodist Church (UMC) and abducted worshippers during the raid.

    According to police, the incident occurred at about 3:40 a.m. when the bandits invaded Agwara community and attacked the police station.

    SP Abiodun said the officers on duty, supported by a tactical team, engaged the assailants in a gun duel but were eventually overpowered.

    He disclosed that the attackers used suspected dynamite to set the police station ablaze before moving to other parts of the town.

    “The terrorists later moved to the UMC church in the community, burnt part of the church, proceeded to other areas and abducted about five persons whose identities are yet to be ascertained,” the police spokesperson said.

    However, local sources identified the victims as the former Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Agwara LGA, Malam Ahmed Burade, his wife and four of their children.

    The sources said Malam Ahmed reportedly escaped during the exchange of gunfire between the attackers and members of a local vigilante group, while his nursing wife and four children were taken away.

    It was further gathered that after leaving Agwara town, the bandits attacked Sokonbara community, where they allegedly killed a woman and carted away assorted food items and other valuables.

    The Niger State Police Command said investigations were ongoing, while efforts were being intensified to rescue the abducted victims and restore calm to the affected communities.

  • Fire Service Recovers Body of Three-Year-Old from Well in Kano

    Fire Service Recovers Body of Three-Year-Old from Well in Kano

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    The Kano State Fire Service has recovered the body of a three-year-old boy who fell into a well in Wangara village, Tofa Local Government Area of the state.

    The child, identified as Abdura’uf Badamasi, was retrieved by firefighters after a distress call alerted the agency to the incident.

    In a statement, the Fire Service said it received the emergency call at about 7:50 a.m. on Friday, January 30. The call was reportedly made by one Dan Asabe Rabiu.

    The statement, issued by the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, said a rescue team was immediately mobilised from the agency’s headquarters and deployed to the scene.

    On arrival, firefighters were informed that the child had been missing since Thursday evening, with his parents suspecting he might have fallen into a well within the community.

    The boy was recovered from the well unconscious and was later confirmed dead.

    The body was subsequently handed over to the ward head of Wangara village in line with established procedures.

    The Kano State Fire Service expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family and urged residents to take safety precautions around open wells and other hazardous areas, especially to protect children.

    The agency also advised communities to ensure that wells are properly covered to prevent similar incidents in the future.

  • Rural Communities Can’t Afford Ransom – Kaduna Cleric

    Rural Communities Can’t Afford Ransom – Kaduna Cleric

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    Chairman of Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders, Apostle Emmanuel Kure has lamented that rural communities in the community can not meet ransom demands and urged decisive government intervention.

    He spoke today the 2026 Southern Kaduna Prayer Summit held at the Kafanchan New Township Stadium with the theme, “Worship His Majesty.”

    He expressed worries that increasing numbers of kidnap victims are frequently from the rural communities who barely can afford basic livelihoods.

    Kure expressed concern that nearly two weeks after recent abductions, no victim had been released, saying delays were deepening the trauma of affected families. He, however, thanked God that no deaths had been confirmed.

    He urged the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts toward protecting worship centres and securing the release of abducted worshippers.

    In a strong appeal for unity, Kure called on Christians and Muslims to protect one another during attacks, noting that an MoU had been signed with Muslim leaders to formalise the commitment.

    “I urge Christians to protect Muslims when they are attacked, and Muslims to protect Christians they live with. This is the path to lasting peace,” he said.

    The Member representing Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency, Hon. Dan Amos who made remark at the event, called for intensified prayers for Nigeria’s peace, development and end to abductions.

     

  • Cross River Youths Threaten Abuja Protest Over FedPoly Ugep Rector Appointment

    Cross River Youths Threaten Abuja Protest Over FedPoly Ugep Rector Appointment

     

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    Youths in Cross River State have threatened to take their protest to Abuja over plans to appoint a non-indigene as rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ugep.

    The youths, who have staged protests for the past two weeks, said they would escalate their agitation to the Federal Ministry of Education if their demand is ignored.

    Speaking under the aegis of the Cross River Youth Coalition for Good Governance, one of the leaders, Sunday Ibor, warned that failure to reverse the decision would force the group to extend the protest to the Governor’s Office in Calabar and later to the Minister of Education in Abuja.

    Ibor appealed to the Federal Government, the National Assembly and the Minister of Education to ensure that an indigene of Cross River State is appointed to head the institution.

    He stressed that the youths’ position was anchored on fairness and local inclusion, not confrontation, adding that their agitation remained peaceful.

    Over the weekend, the protesters marched through major streets of Ugep, where the polytechnic is located, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Give us a rector from Cross River State,” “Justice for FedPoly Ugep,” and “Indigenous rector, our right.”

    “Our position is simple,” Ibor said. “Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, is located in Cross River State, and we believe an indigene who understands the peculiar challenges of the institution and the state should be allowed to manage it.”

    Another protester, Sunday Inyang, expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as the repeated appointment of non-indigenes to head federal institutions in the state.

    “When you look across the country, most states have their indigenous sons and daughters heading their polytechnics. Why should Cross River be an exception?” Inyang asked.

    He added that the protest was aimed at drawing the attention of President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Education to what the youths described as an injustice.

    The protesters also disclosed that they visited the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Yakurr and the Yakurr Local Government Secretariat to formally present their demands to relevant authorities.