President Bola Tinubu has called for peaceful and orderly conduct during Saturday’s elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano State and Rivers States.
The President, in a statement on Friday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, urged security agencies to exercise restraint and the electoral body to strengthen public confidence in the process.
“President Tinubu urged all eligible voters to come out and vote without fear, emphasising that the democratic process thrives best in an atmosphere of calm, tolerance, and mutual respect,” the statement read.
He appealed to voters, security personnel and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to carry out their responsibilities calmly and professionally.
READ ALSO: Over 1.58m PVCs Collected Ahead Of FCT Council Polls — INEC
Tinubu encouraged eligible voters to turn out without fear, stressing that democracy thrives in an atmosphere of peace, tolerance and mutual respect.
He also urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid violence, inflammatory rhetoric and any actions capable of undermining the credibility of the polls.
The President warned security agencies against high-handedness, intimidation or any conduct that could disenfranchise voters or erode public trust. He emphasised that their role is to safeguard lives and property while protecting the integrity of the ballot.
He further called on INEC to take necessary steps to boost voter confidence by ensuring timely accreditation, smooth voting procedures, accurate collation and prompt transmission of results in line with the Electoral Act 2026.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting institutions responsible for delivering free, fair and credible elections, expressing confidence that the outcome of the polls would reflect the will of the people and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process.
The Federal Government has commenced an investigation into the deadly gas incident at a mining site in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, warning that stiff sanctions will be imposed on any company found culpable for safety violations linked to the tragedy.
The probe was announced during an inspection visit by officials of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Plateau State Government. The delegation undertook a five-hour journey through rough and difficult terrain to access the remote mining community.
On arrival, the officials found the mining area sealed off to prevent trespassing and further exposure, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Speaking at the site, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Farouk Yabo, described the incident as devastating, saying preliminary information points to carbon monoxide and sulphite compounds emanating from the mine, though he stressed that the findings were yet to be technically confirmed.
READ ALSO: FG Shuts Plateau Mining Site After Toxic Gas Killed Miners
“We are highly devastated by this tragic incident that claimed the lives of more than 30 able-bodied young men,” Yabo said.
“So far, information available indicates carbon monoxide and some sulphite compounds, but this has not been confirmed.”
He expressed disappointment over the absence of the mining company during the inspection, noting that the site falls under the company’s licence.
“If the company were responsible enough, it should have been here to receive this delegation and at least shed light on what happened,” he said.
“Even if the community is running the operation, the licence holder has a responsibility to supervise activities and ensure the safety of lives and property.”
Yabo added that early observations revealed clear cases of non-compliance, assuring that the ministry would ensure accountability.
“We have seen some levels of non-compliance here, and we will focus our attention on ensuring that this kind of thing does not happen again,” he stated.
Plateau State Commissioner for Environment, Peter Gwom, said the tragedy underscores the need for stricter enforcement of mining regulations, stressing that mining should not come at the cost of human lives.
“Mining should be a blessing and not a curse,” Gwom said.
“What we are seeing here is painful, and it reaffirms that stronger implementation of mining laws is necessary.”
He disclosed that the state government had earlier suspended mining activities due to rising fatalities and had since introduced cooperatives, training, and safety measures to protect miners.
“We already have too many widows and fatherless children, and we don’t want to keep seeing this,” he added.
Also speaking, the Assistant Commandant of the National Mining Marshals, John Onoja, said the incident reinforces the Federal Government’s determination to eliminate illegal mining activities.
“This unfortunate loss of lives strengthens our resolve to rid the sector of illegal mining using both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches,” Onoja said.
Chairman of Wase Local Government Area, Hamisu Anani, commended the swift response of the Federal Government and pledged continued sensitization on safety.
“People are eager to go into mining, but safety must come first. We will continue to educate our people to prevent a recurrence,” he said.
Authorities say findings from the investigation will determine appropriate sanctions, enforcement actions, and safety reforms, as the government moves to prevent future mining-related tragedies nationwide.
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over five bags of suspected cannabis sativa weighing 500 kilograms to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.
According to a statement on Friday, the seized illicit substances were handed over by the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu.
Speaking during the handover, Adams-Aliu, stated that the “successful interception reflects the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts under the leadership of Vice Admiral Idi Abbas to curb illegal activities within Nigeria’s maritime environment.”
He commended the vigilance and professionalism of naval personnel and reaffirmed the Navy’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with sister security agencies to secure the nation’s coastal corridors.
READ ALSO: Troops Arrest 65-Year-Old Woman For Supplying Drugs To Terrorists In Borno
He further urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to enhance security operations across the state.
The seized narcotics were subsequently handed over to the Deputy Commander of Narcotics Adejumo Gbenga Ayo for further investigation and necessary action.
According to the statement, the development further underscores the strengthening inter-agency cooperation aimed at dismantling drug trafficking.
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, have arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and recovered drones and other logistics during coordinated operations across Adamawa and Borno states.
In a statement issued in Maiduguri, the Media Information Officer of the Theatre Command, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, said troops of Sector 4 under the 28 Task Force Brigade, working with local vigilantes and hunters, on Thursday apprehended a 28-year-old suspect, Ismail Muhammed.
The troops described the suspect as a logistics supplier to insurgents.
The arrest took place in the Visik General area of the Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
“Items recovered from the suspect included one AK-47 magazine, rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, military accoutrements, and assorted foodstuffs. The suspect is currently in custody, undergoing further investigation,” the statement said.
READ ALSO: Police Vow To Arrest, Prosecute Killers Of Slain Ondo Monarch
Uba said that in a separate operation in Madagali Local Government Area, troops ambushed the Visik River line, where a terrorist commander identified as Abdullahi Mafa was neutralised.
An AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine were recovered during the operation.
He disclosed that troops acting on intelligence arrested a 64-year-old suspect, Dauda Gubula, alleged to be a terrorist collaborator and drone supplier, at Madagali Motor Park.
According to the statement, items recovered from him included two aerial drones, accessories, and 20 solar power banks.
The military said the drones were being supplied to insurgents for weaponisation and operational use.
Meanwhile, in Sector 2, troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with local vigilantes and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), repelled insurgent activity in Ngamdu, Borno State, neutralising a suspected informant attempting to breach defensive positions. Logistics items were also recovered.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Monday Ubani, has criticised the extended restriction of movement imposed ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
Ubani spoke on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, describing the directive as excessive.
Reacting to the restriction spanning from Friday night to Saturday evening, the senior lawyer said the directive appears disproportionate, although he acknowledged authorities may have security intelligence unknown to the public.
“Let them take a hard look again at this particular directive. They should take a look at it. I mean, from 8 pm tonight till the following day. Honestly, it doesn’t make sense to me. But they may have a reason, I don’t know, because they see more than we,” he said.
Ubani added that while the directives may appear conflicting, citizens typically comply with security agencies as the primary enforcers.
“The police’s own is different, though. I think we obey the police, though. So when there is conflict, who supersedes? They are the enforcers, so we obey the enforcers,” he said.
READ ALSO: [FCT LG Polls] Wike Declares Work-Free Friday, Imposes Movement Restriction
‘Not Yet Matured’
Ubani also linked the need for sweeping restrictions to what he described as Nigeria’s evolving democratic culture, arguing that elections in more advanced democracies do not disrupt daily economic activity.
“It all speaks of our political maturity. Maybe we are not yet mature. Because if you watch developed economies when they are conducting their own election, people will just go to the office, cast their vote, and go back to work.
“It absolutely shows some level of immaturity for us to shut down the entire economy because we want to elect leaders,” he stated.
The senior lawyer stressed that both political actors and citizens must commit to peaceful conduct, noting that desperation for power often fuels tension during elections.
Wike’s Directive, Police Order
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, declared Friday a work-free day to enable residents to travel to their communities to vote, a decision approved by President Bola Tinubu.
In a broadcast, the minister announced a separate contrast movement restriction from 8:00 p.m. on Friday to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, directing security agencies to enforce compliance.
He also urged residents to participate peacefully and expressed optimism that the elections would produce leaders capable of advancing development in the territory.
Hours after his directive, the Nigeria Police Force, FCT Command, announced a 12-hour restriction on movement.
In a statement, Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Josephine Adeh, said the measure is to ensure security and smooth conduct of the polls.
“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Miller G. Dantawaye, has announced a restriction of movement across the Federal Capital Territory from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, 21st February, 2026, in view of the scheduled Area Council Elections,” the statement read.
The command said only essential service providers and accredited election officials would be exempt, urging residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
1.8m PVC Collection
An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sorts out Permanent Voters card (PVC) (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP)
In the meantime, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said preparations for the polls are at an advanced stage, with a strong turnout recorded during the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise.
According to the commission, 1,587,025 PVCs have been collected across the FCT, representing a 94.4 per cent collection rate out of 1,680,315 registered voters.
Kuje recorded the highest collection rate at 97.2 per cent, followed by Abaji (95.0 per cent), Abuja Municipal Area Council (94.5 per cent), Gwagwalada (94.3 per cent), Bwari (93.5 per cent), and Kwali (93.1 per cent).
INEC said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be deployed in all polling units, with results transmitted electronically to its Result Viewing Portal.
A swift and coordinated response by the Rivers State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service has averted what could have been a major fire disaster in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The emergency teams were alerted after a tanker conveying petroleum products overturned near the Nkpogu Roundabout along Elekahia Road.
The accident occurred on a critical traffic corridor that links the densely populated Elekahia axis to the industrial hub of Trans-Amadi, raising immediate fears of a possible explosion.
The tanker fell on its side, spilling its highly flammable content onto the road.
Within minutes, firefighters from both state and federal commands arrived at the scene and began containment measures to prevent ignition.
Their rapid intervention helped to disperse fuel vapours and secure the tanker, significantly reducing the risk of fire.
READ ALSO: Shops Destroyed As Fire Guts Fatima Simra Market In Kano
The incident happened during early morning hours when school children and workers were seen moving along the route.
Firefighters received support from residents and police personnel, who assisted in diverting traffic and securing the spilled petroleum product to prevent it from being scooped by bystanders.
An international oil company stationed an ambulance at the scene in case of casualties.
Fire outbreaks involving petroleum tankers have in the past resulted in severe destruction within the Port Harcourt metropolis, often leading to loss of lives and property.
Last year, the Federal Government strengthened fire response capacity in Rivers State with the deployment of additional firefighting trucks and equipment.
In the same vein, Governor Siminalayi Fubara undertook a comprehensive overhaul of the state fire service system.
