Author: Vardiafrica

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its nationwide anti-narcotics operations with the arrest of a Brazilian national carrying heroin worth over ₦3 billion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The suspect, Ms. Ingrid Rosa Benevides, a 30-year-old private security officer from Brazil, was apprehended shortly after arriving in Nigeria aboard Qatar Airways flight QR1431. NDLEA operatives, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a detailed search of her checked-in luggage. During the search, officers discovered 21 factory-sealed packets of Brazilian coffee concealed in two suitcases. Further examination revealed that the coffee packs contained 30.09…

The Federal Government has intensified its crackdown on extortion in the power sector, imposing a nationwide ban on electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and installers from charging consumers for the installation of new meters. Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu issued the stern warning on Thursday, January 22, 2026, during an on-site inspection of 500,000 newly arrived smart meters at APM Terminals in Apapa, Lagos. The meters are the latest consignment under the World Bank-funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP),a multi-billion naira initiative designed to eliminate Nigeria’s estimated seven-million-unit metering gap. Adelabu emphasized that because these meters are fully funded through international…

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has formally resigned his membership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), citing deepening internal crises and the need to safeguard the broader interest of the people of Kano State. This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Friday. The Governor, in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Diso-Chiranchi Ward, NNPP, Gwale Local Government Area, officially communicated his decision to withdraw from the party with effect from Friday 23rd January 2026. “I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership…

Russia will participate in trilateral peace talks with the United States and Ukraine for the first time, with the meeting scheduled in Abu Dhabi, the Kremlin confirmed. The talks follow separate discussions between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin officials described prior meetings as “substantive, constructive, and frank,” but cautioned that a breakthrough was not guaranteed. Ukraine will be represented by lead negotiator Rustem Umerov and chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov, while Admiral Igor Kostyukov will head the Russian delegation. The negotiations center on territorial disputes in eastern Ukraine, with Moscow insisting…

The political crisis rocking Rivers State took another dramatic turn on Friday as the Oyigbo High Court sitting in Port Harcourt adjourned indefinitely the suit filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma-Odu, challenging the impeachment moves initiated against them by the State House of Assembly. The court, presided over by Justice Florence Fiberesima, adjourned the matter sine die after confirming that two separate appeals had already been entered in relation to the case. According to the judge, the adjournment was necessary to allow the Court of Appeal to first determine the pending appeals before the lower court could take any…

US President Donald Trump has withdrawn an invitation for Canada to join his newly constituted Board of Peace, in the latest spat between the North American neighbours. “Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining,” Trump said on Truth Social in a post addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney, who made headlines this week when he warned of a “rupture” in the US-led global order. Canada had indicated that while it would not pay to be on the board, it would join. Meanwhile, EU chief Antonio Costa…

The national grid, on Friday, collapsed for the first time this year. According to data obtained from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), the power generation dropped to zero megawatt (MW). The NISO data showed that load allocation to the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) dropped to zero MW as at 1 pm on Friday. The distribution companies, including Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Abuja, and Yola, recorded zero allocation. In 2025, the nation’s power grid collapsed multiple times, with the last incident recorded on December 29. The repeated system failures have occurred despite upgrades designed to…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted formal approval for the commencement of commercial oil drilling at Tongeji Island and the immediate take off of the Olokola Deep Seaport project in Ogun State. Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the executive approval on Thursday, 22 January 2026, marking a significant milestone in the state’s long-standing pursuit of oil-producing status and maritime expansion. The Governor disclosed this development while receiving the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, at the State House in Abeokuta. The projects, now integrated into a broader strategic framework known as the Blue Marine Economic Zone,…

The Presidency has reversed its earlier decision and has withdrawn the appointment of former Kebbi State Governor, Usman Saidu Dakingari, as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Turkey, less than 24 hours after the announcement was made.A statement issued on Thursday night by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the posting of four ambassadors-designate from the more than 60 nominees confirmed in December. They included former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Kayode Are, who was named ambassador-designate to the United States. Former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayodele Oke, was posted to France,…

The United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially taken effect today. This comes one year after US President Donald Trump ordered the country’s withdrawal from the WHO just hours after taking office. Under the agreement between the US and the organisation, the withdrawal takes effect after a mandatory one-year notice period, which ends today. One of the conditions for withdrawal in the agreement, which is for the US to pay its agreed financial contributions in full, has not been met. However, the WHO has no mechanism to compel payment or block the withdrawal. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO…