News February 16, 2026 BREAKING: Defence Headquarters Confirms Arrival of US Troops in Bauchi

 

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the arrival of approximately 100 United States military personnel at the Bauchi Airfield to assist the Armed Forces of Nigeria with training and intelligence-sharing operations.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, explained that the deployment followed formal engagements between Nigerian and US defence officials and was made at the request of the Federal Government.

According to him, the deployment is part of outcomes from a bilateral working group engagement between both countries. He described the presence of the US personnel as carefully planned and purposeful, focused on meeting specific military training needs and providing technical and intelligence support.

Uba noted that the collaboration would grant Nigeria access to specialised technical expertise aimed at strengthening efforts to deter terrorist threats and safeguard vulnerable communities.

He clarified that the US personnel are technical specialists serving strictly in advisory and training roles, not as combat forces.

“All activities will be conducted under the authority, direction, and control of the Nigerian Government, in close coordination with the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” he stated.

The DHQ further disclosed that Nigerian troops and US advisers will begin joint training exercises and intelligence-driven cooperation initiatives to improve operational effectiveness.

The initiative, the statement added, is designed to enhance the ability of Nigerian forces to identify and neutralise extremist groups seeking to destabilise the country.

Major General Uba reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to dismantling terrorist organisations threatening national security and sovereignty. He also assured the public of continued transparency, promising clear, accurate, and timely updates on the military cooperation efforts.

News February 16, 2026 Six killed, Police station torched in bandit attack on Niger communities

 

At least six people have been killed and a police station set ablaze following coordinated attacks by suspected bandits on communities in Niger State.

The assault, which began late Friday night, targeted Tungan-Makeri and Konkoso in Borgu Local Government Area (LGA). Residents said heavily armed attackers stormed Tungan-Makeri, shooting indiscriminately and burning homes, forcing many villagers to flee to nearby communities.

An eyewitness from Zagatina village along the attackers’ route said he saw dozens of motorcycles transporting the gunmen.

“I counted about 41 motorcycles, each carrying two or three people. Some even had women and children with them. When I noticed they were approaching, I quickly hid in the bush as they passed behind my house,” he recounted.

By the end of the raid on Tungan-Makeri, six people had reportedly lost their lives, several houses were razed, and many families displaced.

The attackers were said to have moved to Konkoso in the early hours of Saturday, where they allegedly set a police station on fire, destroying property and escalating tension in the area. Residents described the invasion as brazen, citing the absence of visible security personnel during the hours-long attack.

Some villagers reported sighting a Nigerian Air Force aircraft hovering around Tungan-Makeri after the initial assault, suggesting that aerial surveillance may have contributed to the bandits’ eventual retreat.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the command received reports that suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Makeri around 3:00 a.m. via the Shafachi district in Borgu LGA.

He confirmed that six persons were killed, several houses were burnt, and an unspecified number of residents were abducted. The attackers were also reported to have advanced toward Konkoso before fleeing.

According to the police, joint security teams have since been deployed to the affected communities to assess the damage, pursue the attackers, and rescue the abducted victims.

The latest violence underscores ongoing security challenges in parts of Borgu LGA, as residents call on authorities to strengthen security presence in vulnerable communities to prevent further attacks.

News February 16, 2026 2 Nollywood crew members found dead on set in Lekki

 

The Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, has launched a probe into the mysterious deaths of two Nollywood production crew members discovered inside a parked vehicle at a filming location in Lekki Phase 1.

The deceased were identified as Godstime Imeh, a lighting director and CEO of GeeTee Light, and Walter Odediran, a creative video director popularly known as Director Carrinqton.

Their lifeless bodies were found on the evening of Saturday, February 7, 2026, inside Imeh’s tinted Nissan vehicle. The movie project was reportedly directed by former Big Brother Naija housemate Boma.

According to sources, the duo had arrived early at the location to set up lighting equipment. After completing their work around mid-morning, they reportedly rested inside the vehicle while awaiting further instructions. Around 11 a.m., a crew member delivered breakfast—yam and omelette—to them.

They were last seen reclining in the car with the air-conditioning running. Concern grew when repeated phone calls went unanswered by noon. It was not until later that evening, after filming had concluded, that colleagues found them unresponsive inside the vehicle.

Kola Odediran, elder brother of Walter, described the tragic loss as devastating. He said both men had planned to shoot a medical scene at Evercare Hospital earlier that day before taking a break in the car.

“Food was delivered to them; that was the last time anyone saw them alive,” he said. “When they were discovered around 7 or 8 p.m., my brother was seated upright with foam in his mouth, while GeeTee was slumped, bleeding from his nose, eyes, and mouth. It appeared whatever happened occurred suddenly.”

He also expressed dissatisfaction with the initial handling of the case at Maroko Police Station, noting that it was later escalated to SCID, Yaba, where it was officially documented as an unnatural death requiring investigation and autopsy.

Police have confirmed that the producer, Boma, the food vendor, the staff member who delivered the meal, and hospital management have all been questioned. The food vendor remains in custody.

Investigators are exploring multiple possibilities, including environmental exposure, food-related causes, or mechanical issues such as generator fumes, particularly as heavy-duty industrial generators were reportedly positioned above the parking area.

Authorities say forensic examinations including autopsy, toxicology analysis, vehicle inspection, and CCTV revieware ongoing, with all possibilities still under consideration pending laboratory results.

The incident has left the families of the deceased in deep mourning. “It has been very difficult for our family. My mother is devastated. He was the last-born. We were just two male children. This has been extremely painful for us,” Kola Odediran added.

News February 16, 2026 Lassa fever claims two health workers as NCDC confirms 15 infections nationwide

 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has raised fresh concerns over the rising spread of Lassa fever, revealing that two healthcare workers have died and 15 others have been infected in the current outbreak.

In an advisory issued on Monday, the agency said surveillance data up to Epidemiological Week 7 shows a troubling increase in infections among medical personnel. The cases have been recorded across several states, including Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Benue—areas already identified as high-burden zones for the disease.

The NCDC noted that it investigates every confirmed infection involving healthcare workers to determine how exposure occurred and to prevent further transmission. However, recent assessments uncovered gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, as well as overlooked exposure risks in certain hospital departments. According to the agency, these weaknesses have led to IPC measures that do not fully match actual risk levels, contributing to the fatalities.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. The disease remains endemic in Nigeria and other West African countries.

The World Health Organization explains that, in addition to rodent-to-human transmission, the virus can also spread from person to person, particularly in healthcare settings where adequate infection control measures are lacking.

Since the major outbreak in 2016, Nigeria has continued to record seasonal surges in cases, prompting renewed calls for stricter adherence to safety protocols within medical facilities and improved public health awareness nationwide.

Crime News February 16, 2026 BREAKING: FG files criminal charges against El-Rufai over alleged interception of NSA Ribadu’s phone

 

The Federal Government has entered a three-count charge against the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that he unlawfully intercepted the phone communication of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

In the charge the FG lodged before the Federal High Court in Abuja, through the Department of State Services (DSS), the former governor, who also served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was said to have committed the crime with some persons who are currently on the run.

FG told the court that the defendant had, on February 3, when he appeared as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time program, admitted his complicity in the crime.

He was accused of committing an offence under section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024.

In count two of the charge, the former governor, who is a frontline member of a coalition of opposition politicians dissatisfied with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, was said to be aware that someone unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s communications but failed to report the crime to the relevant security agencies.

It was further alleged that by using technical equipment to intercept the NSA’s calls, the defendants endangered public safety and national security, and instilled “reasonable apprehension” among Nigerians, an offence in breach of section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

News February 16, 2026 Her Excellence Conference and Awards 2026 to Celebrate International Women’s Day in Abuja

Abuja, Nigeria – In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026, ASo Multi Media and Partners proudly announce the Her Excellence Conference and Awards 2026, scheduled to hold on Sunday, 8th March 2026, at the prestigious Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments, Asokoro, Abuja, by 4:00pm prompt.

The high-profile event is designed to celebrate, honour, and amplify the achievements of women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, resilience, and impact across diverse sectors in Nigeria. This year’s edition will recognise 50 Outstanding Women of Excellence, carefully selected for their remarkable contributions to national development and societal advancement.

The 2026 theme, “Balance and Scales,” reflects the crucial role of women in creating equilibrium in leadership, governance, enterprise, family, and community development. The conference will spark meaningful conversations around gender balance, inclusion, and sustainable progress, while inspiring the next generation of female leaders.

Speaking ahead of the event, the organisers emphasized that Her Excellence Conference and Awards is more than an awards ceremony; it is a platform for dialogue, empowerment, collaboration, and legacy-building, bringing together accomplished women, policymakers, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers from across the country.

The event promises an atmosphere of elegance and purpose, featuring keynote addresses, panel discussions, special recognitions, and networking opportunities, all within a celebration of excellence and impact.

Participation, nominations, sponsorship opportunities, and table reservations are currently open to the public.

News February 16, 2026 Barau visits Kano’s singer Market, donates N100m to fire victims

 

The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, on Sunday paid a condolence visit to the popular Singer Market in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State following a devastating fire that destroyed goods and properties estimated at over N5 billion.

Barau, who was received by the market chairman, Alhaji Junaidu Zakari, alongside thousands of affected traders, announced a donation of N100 million to support victims and help cushion the impact of the inferno.

Speaking during the visit, the Deputy Senate President expressed deep sympathy over the incident, describing it as a tragedy not only for the traders but for the entire people of Kano and the country at large.

“This fire outbreak and the massive losses recorded have affected all of us. It concerns the entire Kano community and the nation. Commerce is the backbone of Kano, so we are deeply saddened by this development,” he said.

Barau, who also serves as First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, further pledged to facilitate the establishment of a modern fire control system in the market to prevent future occurrences.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Singer Market, Alhaji Junaidu Zakari, revealed that the market had experienced two major fire incidents in recent times, leading to losses exceeding N5 billion. He thanked the senator for his visit and continued support.

“We are proud to receive you in Kano. We sincerely appreciate your consistent support and everything you have done for us,” he said.

Barau was accompanied by the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, the Kano State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Malam Salisu Sagir Takai, members of the Kano State House of Assembly, special advisers, and other aides.