News Sport February 24, 2026 AFCON 2025: Senegal speaks on jail terms for fans in Morocco

 

Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, on Tuesday criticised a Moroccan court’s decision to sentence 18 Senegalese football supporters to prison following a pitch invasion during last month’s international match.

The fans were arrested in Morocco after the Africa Cup of Nations final on January 18. They were accused of assaulting security personnel and damaging property.

On Thursday, the court handed down prison terms ranging from three months to one year, along with fines of up to $545.

Addressing parliament, Sonko expressed regret over the development, saying the issue appeared to have moved beyond sports.

“It seems this matter goes beyond the realm of sport, and that is regrettable,” he said. “For two countries that regard each other as friends, like Morocco and Senegal, it should not have escalated to this point.”

He added that Morocco’s handling of the case “does not honour” the longstanding ties between both nations, noting that Senegal had taken all necessary steps to secure the supporters’ release.

Sonko also indicated that Senegal could invoke a bilateral agreement that allows for the transfer of convicted persons between the two countries, if required.

Senegal defeated Morocco 1–0 in Rabat to win the AFCON title after a tense encounter during which some Senegalese supporters attempted to storm the pitch and hurled objects.

— AFP

News February 24, 2026 Newly Appointed IGP Tunji Disu Gets CAGraM Accolades

The Consolidated APC Grassroots Movement (CAGraM), under the leadership of its Deputy National Chairman (South), Hon. Agbi Stephen Omobamidele, extends warm congratulations to Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Olatunji “Tunji” Disu on his appointment as the Inspector-General of Police by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

AIG Tunji Disu’s elevation to the rank of IGP marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s security leadership. He is widely respected as a highly experienced and accomplished senior police officer with a distinguished record of service in critical operational, tactical, and investigative roles in the Nigeria Police Force. 

In his congratulatory message, Hon. Dr. Agbi Stephen Omobamidele praised the appointment as well-timed and strategic given the evolving security landscape of the nation. He lauded the new IGP for his exemplary track record in community-oriented and intelligence-led policing — including leadership positions in elite units such as the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), as well as his command experience in major commands and departments. 

Dr. Agbi noted that the appointment reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s confidence in AIG Disu’s capacity to steer the Nigeria Police Force toward enhanced operational efficiency, stronger community trust, and renewed commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians.

He further encouraged the new IGP to pursue reforms that deepen professionalism, bolster intelligence-driven approaches, and strengthen collaboration with communities — emphasising that a secure and stable environment is critical to national development and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

CAGraM also pledged its support for Inspector-General Disu in the discharge of his duties and reiterated its commitment to working with security institutions to promote unity, peace, and grassroots engagement across the country.

News February 24, 2026 Slain traders laid to rest in Plateau

 

The bodies of traders murdered while travelling from Jos to Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State have been recovered and interred in Barkin Ladi LGA.

The victims, who reportedly travelled weekly to Pankshin for their shoe business, were buried on Monday evening at the Sabon Anguwa cemetery in Barkin Ladi town, according to their relatives.

Government sources told Channels Television that authorities opted to conduct the burial outside the victims’ home communities to prevent escalating tension triggered by news of the killings.

The deceased were residents of the Yandoya community in Jos North LGA. Their deaths followed coordinated attacks on Dorowa Babuje and Jol communities in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs, where 10 other people were also killed.

A community leader, Danjuma Ibrahim, explained that youths had gathered to demand the release of their relatives’ bodies after reports of the attack surfaced, prompting the deployment of security operatives to maintain order.

Ibrahim, who leads the Muslim community in Barkin Ladi, said the corpses were conveyed to the area earlier on Monday.

“We were informed in the afternoon that the remains of the traders would be brought to Barkin Ladi for burial. They were later received, and funeral prayers were conducted here to ease tension in Jos,” he stated.

He revealed that six traders were attacked, two of whom escaped, while four were killed and subsequently buried.

Ibrahim urged residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding, and called on government and security agencies to take firm action to curb the persistent violence affecting communities across the state.

News Politics February 24, 2026 Angry youths disrupt APC ward congress, chase kano lawmaker out of venue

 

Chaos erupted at the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congress in Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State as enraged youths openly rejected and chased away the member representing Dawakin Tofa/Tofa/Rimin Gado Federal Constituency, Hon. Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe.

The dramatic scene unfolded during the party’s leadership election meeting in Tofa, the lawmaker’s hometown, where he was confronted by aggrieved supporters while attempting to address the gathering. 

Viral videos circulating online captured chanting youths booing him and voicing their frustrations, bringing the event to a standstill.

In one of the clips, a protester could be heard shouting in Hausa, “Wallahi, our leader, there are issues to fix. We hunters, you have not considered us,” reflecting simmering grievances within sections of the constituency.

As tensions escalated, the atmosphere quickly turned hostile, with some youths hurling insults and advancing toward the podium. 

Security aides and loyalists were forced to hurriedly shield and whisk the embattled lawmaker out of the venue, smuggling him into a waiting vehicle amid mounting unrest.

The disruption comes barely weeks after Jobe publicly appealed for forgiveness over alleged shortcomings during a stakeholders’ meeting that reportedly descended into disorder.

Political observers say the Dawakin Tofa/Rimin Gado/Tofa federal constituency has become a hotbed of intense political maneuvering ahead of the next election cycle. Jobe, currently serving his fifth term in the House of Representatives, is said to be eyeing an unprecedented sixth term a move that has stirred controversy within party ranks.

His recent return to the APC has further fueled speculation that he may be positioning himself for an automatic ticket, a development believed to have deepened divisions among party faithful.

Notably, the Tofa congress marked his first major public appearance in his hometown since securing a fifth term in 2023.

The constituency, which has produced political heavyweights such as the late Danmasanin Kano, Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule; the late Dr. Maikano Rabiu; the late Mustapha Janguza; Engr. Hamisu Abubakar Lambu; and Hon. Shehu Haruna Lambu, is known for its vibrant political culture and high expectations of representation.

Critics have also questioned Jobe’s legislative performance. One vocal constituent, Umar Danladi, alleged that in nearly two decades at the National Assembly, the lawmaker sponsored only one bill  a proposed Federal University of Medical Sciences  which has yet to materialise. He further claimed that Jobe’s contributions to debates on the floor of the House have been minimal.

With political tensions rising and rival ambitions intensifying, the latest incident signals a potentially turbulent road ahead in the battle for the constituency’s seat.

Daily Trust

International News February 24, 2026 Two women arrested for kissing in public – Police

Two Ugandan women were arrested for kissing in public, a police spokesperson told AFP on Tuesday, under an anti-gay law considered among the harshest in the world.

Uganda’s 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act imposes penalties of up to life imprisonment for consensual same-sex relations, while “aggravated homosexuality” is punishable by death.

The two women, both in their 20s, were arrested following a complaint from neighbours in the northwestern city of Arua, about 450 kilometres (280 miles) north of the capital, Kampala.

They have been held in detention without legal representation since February 18.

“Neighbours contacted police complaining the two were practicing homosexuality and were seen kissing each other in public,” local police spokesperson Josephine Angucia told AFP, adding that the neighbours also took photos as evidence.

“They had seen many women going onto their one-roomed rented residence and spending nights there in what they suspected was same-sex orgies,” Angucia added.

Angucia said the case had been forwarded to the state prosecutor for “guidance and possible appearance in court”.

Human rights advocate Frank Mugisha condemned the arrest on X, saying it “underscores the grim reality” faced by victims under the anti-gay law.

“It has fueled a dangerous cycle of blackmail and extortion,” Mugisha said. “Criminals are now using this law as a weapon to prey on the LGBTQ+ community, knowing their victims are too terrified to seek protection.”

Uganda is a conservative and predominantly Christian country in east Africa.

Its anti-gay law triggered outrage among rights campaigners and condemnation from the United Nations and Western countries. The World Bank suspended funding to the country, although this resumed in mid-2025.

(AFP)

News February 24, 2026 Why Egbetokun resigned as IG – Presidency

 

The Presidency has confirmed the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun as the Inspector-General of Police.

It said the former police boss resigned from office, citing family issues that require his undivided attention.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed, saying, “The IGP resigned in a letter today, citing family issues which require his undivided attention.”

However, multiple Presidency sources told our correspondent that Egbetokun was asked to step down during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday evening.

“It was in that meeting he was asked to go,” a highly placed official in the Presidency stated on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Our correspondent observed the IGP’s official vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser with number plate NPF-01, parking at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa around 6:40 pm on Monday.

Egbetokun, dressed in his black uniform without his cap, alighted from the vehicle and turned back to ask for his notepad from an aide who briskly reached into the vehicle and handed it to him.

The IGP arrived at approximately the same time governors were arriving for an interfaith breaking of fast with the President, raising initial uncertainty about the purpose of his visit.

However, another source at the Villa confirmed that Egbetokun was specifically summoned that evening by the President.

“He was called in. It wasn’t a routine visit,” the source stated.

Security officials who confided in our correspondent said the IGP returned to the State House at about 8:00 pm as his vehicle was subjected to search by DSS operatives at the Villa.

Egbetokun, who was appointed IGP on June 19, 2023, has faced mounting criticism over the nation’s deteriorating security situation, particularly the wave of kidnappings, banditry, and terrorist attacks across multiple states.

Recent high-profile incidents include the abduction of nearly 300 schoolchildren from St. Mary’s boarding school in Niger State in November 2025, mass killings in Kwara State communities in February 2026, and persistent kidnappings along major highways.

The President, during Monday’s Iftar with governors, had pledged that the establishment of state police to combat insecurity would not be postponed, declaring that “security is the foundation of prosperity.”

“Without it, farms cannot flourish, businesses cannot grow, and families cannot sleep in peace. We will establish state police to curb insecurity,” Tinubu had stated at the event.

Before his appointment as IGP, Egbetokun served as Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department.

He succeeded Usman Alkali Baba, whose tenure expired in September 2023 after an extension granted by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The IGP resigned in a letter today, citing family issues which require his undivided attention

(Punch)

News February 24, 2026 JUST IN: CBN cuts interest rate

 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has lowered the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 50 basis points, reducing it from 27 percent to 26.50 percent.

The decision was announced at the conclusion of the bank’s 304th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.

CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, disclosed that members of the committee unanimously agreed to the rate cut.

“The committee resolved to reduce the monetary policy rate by 50 basis points to 26.50 percent,” Cardoso stated.

He added that the liquidity ratio remains unchanged at 30 percent, while the standing facilities corridor has been adjusted to +50 and -450 basis points around the MPR.

The MPC also retained the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 45 percent for commercial banks and 16 percent for merchant banks. Additionally, the 75 percent CRR on non-TSA public sector deposits was maintained.

The MPR serves as the benchmark interest rate used by the apex bank to control inflation, ensure macroeconomic stability, and regulate liquidity in the financial system.

At its last meeting in November, the MPC had held the rate steady at 27 percent. The previous rate adjustment occurred in September last year.

Meanwhile, data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that inflation eased slightly in January to 15.10 percent from 15.15 percent recorded earlier.