Category Nigeria News

The Anambra State Government has announced the shutdown of the New Auto Spare Parts Association (NASPA) Market in Nkwo Nnewi.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Soludo Visits Tinubu, Says Anambra Lost Opportunities, Money Due To Sit-At-Home

It said that the market would remain closed for business for one week, beginning from midnight on February 23, 2026.

“Anambra State Government hereby informs the general public that New Auto Spare Parts Asocciation (NASPA) Market, Nkwo Nnewi, is closed for business.

“The market, whose date of closure is effective from midnight today, Monday, 23rd February, 2026, will reopen next Monday, 2nd March, 2026,” a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, partly read.

The state government explained that the closure of the market followed low compliance with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s order to end Monday sit-at-home in the state.

“The order to close the market was handed down on behalf of the governor by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, in the company of the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AVM Ben Chiobi(Rtd), and Nnewi Mayor, Echezona Anazodo,” it said.

It also advised traders and customers to avoid the market until Monday, March 2, 2026, when it would be reopened for business, to avoid issues with law enforcement agents.

“The market may face further closure if compliance is not substantial by next Monday, when the market reopens.

“Meanwhile, normal activities have resumed in Anambra State on Mondays following the governor’s order late January 2026,” the statement added.

Onitsha Market Shutdown

Soludo had in January ordered the immediate shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market and other adjoining markets for one week, in the first instance, in a move to enforce compliance with the state’s directive against the controversial Monday sit-at-home order.

Speaking at the market, the governor said hsi adminstration would not tolerate economic sabotage.

He said the government could not stand by while a few individuals wilfully undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy.

“I’m just from Akwa; everywhere is open. Government offices are open. Markets are open, and people are going about their businesses. Then you’ll come down to Main Market, the once-reputed market as the largest market in West Africa.

“Anyone who has not opened, I mean, for Main market, of all markets, to be shot down. I know that people have done this sit-at-home on Mondays for quite some time now, and as they say, ‘an abomination that lasts a year becomes culture’.

“No! This can no longer go on in Anambra. Are you hearing me? And I will tell you this: you either decide that you want to trade here or you can go elsewhere. Are you hearing me?

“This main market, if you don’t want it open, I will come and take a bulldozer and level it. Are you hearing me? And I’m very, very serious about it. I’m not joking.

“Going forward, any shop that is not open will be locked for one week,” the governor added.

The market was later reopened for business.

Sit-At-Home

Parts of Anambra State have for years observed a Monday sit-at-home that disrupted commercial and social activities, leaving markets, schools, and workplaces deserted.

The practice, imposed by non-state actors in the South-East, has been widely criticised for adversely affecting the state’s economy, forcing traders, transport workers, and students indoors.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed a fire outbreak at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

It disclosed, in a post on X (former Twitter) on Monday, that the incident occurred at Terminal One of the airport.

FAAN stated that, though no fatality has been recorded, its team of firefighters was on the ground to contain the fire.

“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to inform the public of a fire outbreak at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

“Our firefighting team is currently responding and working to contain the situation. No loss of life has been recorded.

“Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” the agency stated.

Terminal One Remodelling

Last year, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, defended plans by the Federal Government to remodel Terminal One of the airport with ₦712bn, saying it was a quest to meet world-class standards.

Keyamo said the airport terminal, built over four decades ago, has gone rusty.

“The roof of the airport is leaking; the place is decrepit and smelly. You see people selling Indomie and all kinds of kiosks erected there. The ceilings are failing, and the carousels are not working because their parts are not in the market anymore,” the minister said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

The fiscal approval by the Federal Government for the project triggered discontent from various quarters as critics argued that it was a misplacement of priority by the Bola Tinubu administration at a time when millions of Nigerians groan under all-time high inflation, hunger, and skyrocketing living costs.

But Keyamo argued that the airport upgrade would be funded “through the Renewed Hope Infrastructural Funding,” as it was “not a budgetary kind of expenditure”.

He also stated that without the rebuilding of the airport terminal, many foreign airlines would abandon the country’s route.

He said, “As it is today, you cannot land in Lagos (local airport) and try to connect to an international flight, maybe to Ghana.

“Lagos is not a hub, but that was the plan in 1977 when it was designed and in 1979 when it was commissioned. You cannot process one passenger from one terminal to another, so that has stunted the growth of aviation.

“What we are trying to do in Lagos now is to make Lagos a very modern airport and create a proper hub to begin to compete with other hubs in Africa…So, we want to completely pull down Terminal One.

The Ogun State Government said it has commenced an independent and comprehensive health audit of residents in the Ogijo community, Sagamu Local Government Area, following confirmation of lead poisoning concerns.

The move comes months after the government sealed seven used battery recycling facilities in November 2025 over alleged culpability in environmental contamination.

Authorities also announced a temporary suspension of lead ingot exportation pending the outcome of a full investigation into the reported pollution.

The intervention followed an on-the-spot inspection led by the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, after a viral video sparked fears of possible exposure to lead in the community.

Subsequent measures included environmental audits and regulatory reviews aimed at safeguarding public health and restoring public confidence.

At a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Ologijo’s Palace, the Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, announced that the health audit had begun after blood samples were collected from more than 500 scientifically selected residents to determine their blood lead levels.

READ ALSO: NAFDAC Uncovers Warehouse with ‘Banned,’ ‘Fake’ Cosmetics Worth Over ₦3bn In Lagos

She explained that global attention generated by reports from international media organisations placed the community under intense scrutiny, necessitating a deliberate government response.

“Shortly after the reports emerged, both the ministries of health and environment visited the communities to allay fears and outline a clear monitoring, evaluation, and response framework,” Coker said.

She added that the Ministry of Environment proceeded with environmental assessments following the closure of companies considered to pose potential risks.

According to her, Governor Dapo Abiodun directed that the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research be engaged to independently conduct the study to ensure transparency and credibility.

“We have ensured that NIMR is working independently to deliver unbiased results, and once the report is received, appropriate recommendations will be submitted to the governor for necessary action,” she said.

She further disclosed that NIMR began fieldwork last week, collecting over 500 blood samples using a stratified scientific methodology that covered individuals — pregnant women, lactating mothers, children, and other residents — previously identified with elevated lead levels, within mapped areas.

While noting that some previously sealed facilities had been reopened after compliance reviews, Coker said the Ministry of Health would introduce a monitoring protocol requiring periodic blood lead level testing for workers in the affected industries.

She reassured residents and traditional authorities that the government remains committed to their welfare and would continue community engagement to develop sustainable solutions based on the audit’s outcome.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NIMR, Oladipo Obafunwa, said a professional team was deployed to carry out the exercise in line with established scientific standards.

He noted that the sampling process was designed to ensure representation of vulnerable groups, adding that laboratory analysis would be conducted with the highest level of integrity and findings presented objectively.

Speaking on behalf of residents, the traditional ruler, Oba Kazeem Gbadamosi, commended the government for its prompt intervention and transparent engagement.

The Plateau State Police Command has provided an update on the recent night attacks on Jol community and Dorowa Babuje of Ropp District in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas, as affected communities begin preparations to bury victims of the violence.

Speaking off camera to Channels Television correspondent, the Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, Bassey Eteh, confirmed that security operatives swiftly moved into the areas after distress calls were received and worked in collaboration with other security agencies to repel the attackers and restore calm.

The CP disclosed that reports from his DPO indicated that four persons were killed, while several others sustained injuries during the attacks.

He added that the police have continued to maintain a strong security presence in the affected communities to protect lives and property and to ensure that normalcy is fully restored.

Earlier accounts by community leaders had put the casualty figure higher following the coordinated attacks, which occurred between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m on Sunday.

READ ALSO: 10 Killed In Fresh Attacks On Two Plateau Communities

The National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYMA), Barrister Solomon Dalyop, had said the attackers struck Jol and Dorowa Babuje from different routes, alleging that armed men rode into Jol on motorcycles from the Manga axis, while those who attacked Dorowa Babuje emerged from the Jong-Wereh area, where they were believed to have been camping.

Dalyop commended the military for what he described as a swift response in Dorowa Babuje, noting that the intervention prevented further loss of lives.

He also acknowledged the role of Operation Rainbow in repelling the attack on Jol community.

The Kaduna State Police Command says it neutralised several suspected bandits during intelligence-led clearance operations across Kajuru, Tafa, Igabi and Kauru Local Government Areas of the state in February 2026.

Addressing journalists in Kaduna, the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, said the operations targeted identified bandits’ camps and criminal hideouts.

Several camps were dislodged during gun battles, with some suspected bandits neutralised, while others reportedly escaped with injuries. Police also apprehended suspected informants and drug suppliers linked to criminal networks.

READ ALSO: 10 Killed In Fresh Attacks On Two Plateau Communities

Muhammad disclosed that suspected notorious bandits and five alleged gunrunners were arrested during the operations. Items recovered include three AK-47 rifles, 21 fabricated firearms, one submachine gun, two pistols, four locally made pistols and a large quantity of hard drugs.

Earlier, on February 17, police operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted three suspects — Peter Pama, Saleh Monday and Sunday Makama — at Kasuwan Magani over an alleged illegal arms transaction. The suspects were reportedly found in possession of a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and a pump-action gun.

In a separate operation on February 20 at about 9:00 p.m., detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Adamu Aminu of Jaji Town in Igabi Local Government Area.

The suspect was allegedly found with six fabricated AK-47 rifles, three fabricated revolver rifles, two fabricated pistols, seven AK-47 magazines and a pair of black Wellco boots. Another suspect, Abubakar Hassan of Unguwar Rogo in Jos North, was also arrested in connection with the case.

Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were involved in illegal arms fabrication and supply, allegedly fueling criminal activities within and outside Kaduna State. The Command added that investigations are ongoing to dismantle the syndicate and trace the distribution network of the recovered weapons.