The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to conduct a mock accreditation and results upload exercise ahead of the February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
In a statement signed by INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for the FCT, the electoral umpire said the mock exercise will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in 289 selected polling units between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
According to the commission, the exercise is aimed at ensuring a hitch-free Area Council election by testing accreditation procedures and the results upload process.
INEC encouraged voters in the affected polling units to turn out with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the mock exercise, noting that their participation would help fine-tune preparations for the main election.
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The commission said that the list of designated polling units for the mock exercise is available on its official website.
INEC also assured residents of the FCT of its readiness to conduct a credible and successful Area Council election on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission is holding a security meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on election security.
The meeting is the culmination of a series of engagements the electoral umpire has held with key stakeholders since the beginning of the week.
According to INEC, the meeting is intended to brief security agencies on forthcoming elections, including the FCT Area Council polls and the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June.
The INEC Chairman said the engagement is also aimed at fine-tuning security preparations to ensure the safety of voters, election personnel, and materials during the polls.
Both the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, are represented at the meeting.
Suspected smugglers have killed a Customs operative in Ogun State.
The victim, Mustapha Akiyode, was fatally shot during an ambush along the Ilara–Ijoun axis in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, a border corridor notorious for smuggling activities.
“The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, has announced with deep regret the loss of an officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC I) Mustapha Akiyode who was shot in the line of duty by suspected smugglers in the early hours of Tuesday, 3 February 2026, in an ambush along the Ilara–Ijoun axis in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State,” Customs wrote in a post on its X handle on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu, has described the incident as “a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by officers engaged in border enforcement.”
Aliyu, who spoke, was quoted as speaking in a briefing, unveiled a renewed intelligence-driven anti-smuggling strategy that has yielded significant operational successes, including major drug seizures, valued prohibited interceptions, and strengthened enforcement outcomes across its area of responsibility.
READ ALSO: Scores Feared Dead As Gunmen Attack Kwara Communities
Customs Record Successes
According to him, the new strategy resulted in the interception of 144 smuggling attempts, involving various prohibited and uncustomed goods. These include 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 77 bags of foreign sugar, 21 units of used vehicles, 3,362 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 20,700 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), 915 bales of used clothing, 581 used refrigerator compressors, which constitute hazardous waste under Nigerian law and international conventions, and a 20-foot container of stone-coated aluminium roofing sheets.
“Upon assumption of duty a few weeks ago, I made a clear commitment that we will confront smuggling syndicates with renewed vigour, professional discipline, and complete respect for the rule of law and human dignity,” the Comptroller said.
In a significant breakthrough against narcotics trafficking, Comptroller Aliyu disclosed that officers of the Unit intercepted 3,029 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica, weighing 1,431 kilograms, significantly disrupting drug supply chains within the Command’s operational corridor.
He warned that drug trafficking fuels banditry, terrorism, and other societal vices, urging perpetrators to desist or face the full consequences of the law.
“Drug trafficking fuels threats by providing chemical catalysts such as methamphetamine and others that embolden perpetrators, erode morale, and destabilise the nation. I urge perpetrators of this illicit trade to be patriotic enough to change their ways and embrace legitimate trade or face the consequences of their actions, as our determination is resolute”, he warned.
Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures, which have a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦3,319,893,255.00.
More than 50 survivors of the recent attack on the Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State are receiving treatment in hospitals for injuries sustained during the assault.
The victims suffered varying degrees of injuries, including gunshot wounds, following the deadly attack, which also affected the neighbouring Nuku community.
The Senator representing Kwara North Senatorial District, Sadiq Umar, visited some of the injured survivors, where he sympathised with them and described the incident as heartbreaking.
He prayed for their speedy recovery and reassured the victims of his continued support throughout their period of treatment and recovery.
Senator Umar commended President Bola Tinubu for the deployment of security personnel under Operation Savannah Shield, aimed at restoring peace and tracking down those responsible for the attack.
READ ALSO: UN, US, Condemn Kwara Attack As Türkiye Pledges Support To Fight Terrorism
He also praised Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for what he described as a swift response, particularly the directive to the State Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials to affected persons.
The lawmaker called for sustained security operations across Kwara North, noting that the senatorial district has continued to face security challenges.
He urged residents to remain united, hopeful, and prayerful, while reaffirming his commitment to the well-being of his constituents and praying for lasting peace in the region.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical, operational, and intelligence assets to Kaiama Local Government Area following the attack.
The Nigerian Police Force condemned the incident, describing it as tragic, and confirmed that a manhunt is underway to apprehend those responsible.
Gunmen attacked Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities on Tuesday, killing at least 75 people, setting shops and a traditional ruler’s residence ablaze, and forcing residents to flee their homes.
While some reports suggested a higher casualty figure, the Kwara State Police Command confirmed during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Friday that the death toll stood at 75.
A Kwara attack survivor receiving treatment at the hospital.
Governor AbdulRazaq described the incident as a “pure massacre” and confirmed that at least 75 victims had already been buried.
President Bola Tinubu has also ordered the deployment of an army battalion to further reinforce security in the state under Operation Savannah Shield.
The United Nations, the US, and Türkiye have condemned the killings in Kwara.
In a separate statement, they said the attack, which left about 75 people dead and several others wounded, and described the incident as “heinous”.
In an X post, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “I strongly condemn the terrorist attack of 3 February in Kwara State, Nigeria.
“My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims & to the people & government of Nigeria. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
Also, the United States in Nigeria said, “The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara State in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence. We welcome President Tinubu’s order to deploy security forces to protect villages in the area and his directive to federal and state officials to provide aid to the community and bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice.”
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The Turkish government also said, “Regarding the terrorist attack in Nigeria, we are deeply saddened by the loss of lives caused by the terrorist attack that took place in Nigeria’s Kwara state.
“We strongly condemn this heinous attack and extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of Nigeria. Türkiye will continue to support Nigeria in its fight against terrorism,” its Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical, operational, and intelligence assets to Kaiama Local Government Area following the attack.
The Nigerian Police Force condemned the incident, describing it as tragic, and confirmed that a manhunt is underway to arrest those responsible.
Gunmen had attacked Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities on Tuesday, killing at least 75 people, burning shops and a traditional ruler’s residence, and forcing residents to flee their homes.
Some reports have suggested a higher casualty figure.
The Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, described the incident as a “pure massacre” and confirmed that at least 75 victims had already been buried.
President Bola Tinubu has also ordered the deployment of an army battalion to reinforce security in the state under Operation Savannah Shield.
The Kwara Police Command has confirmed that at least 75 people were killed in the recent attack on communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed this on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme.
“The present toll of casualties that we have from that dastardly act that happened on the 3rd of February at about 17:30 hours is 75. Investigations are still ongoing, and we will continue to update members of the public as necessary,” she said.
According to her, the Kwara State Police Command was promptly informed after the incident, following which the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, ordered an immediate deployment to the affected communities.
She explained that the location of the attack posed a challenge, noting that the affected area is about two hours from the divisional headquarters in Kaiama.
“When this incident happened, the Kwara State Police Command was informed accordingly, and the Commissioner of Police deployed personnel immediately to that community. Police personnel, alongside the military and the National Forest Guard, moved in almost immediately after the incident,” she said.
Responding to concerns that the attackers may have been in the community for some time before launching the assault, the police spokesperson said investigations were ongoing.
“The police are still investigating the information that the perpetrators had probably stayed in that town for a while before carrying out that dastardly act. It is really an unfortunate incident, and we are working tirelessly to ensure that such an event does not occur again,” she stated.
She added that ongoing clearance operations in Kwara and neighbouring Kogi State had disrupted the activities of armed groups in recent weeks.
“In the last month, there have been clearance operations in Kwara State and Kogi State, which have in a way, disorganised these bandits. We had been experiencing relative peace in Kwara South until this incident occurred in Kwara North,” she said.
Ejire-Adeyemi further disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had ordered the reinforcement of security in the area.
“The Inspector-General of Police has ensured that adequate security is beefed up in that environment. As of this moment, it is relatively peaceful, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend these miscreants. We are committed to ensuring that such an occurrence does not happen again,” she added.
Police Were ‘Overwhelmed’
Asked whether there was a police presence in Woro village at the time of the attack, the spokesperson confirmed that there was.
“We had a team. It might not have been a heavy deployment, but we have a police post in that community,” she said.
Further questioned if the police post was active at the time of the attack, she responded in the affirmative.
However, when confronted with claims by residents that security operatives did not arrive until about 10 hours after the attack began, Ejire-Adeyemi admitted that the officers on the ground may have been ‘overwhelmed’.
“At that moment, I believe they were probably overwhelmed. We also have collaboration with local vigilantes in that community, and most importantly, the National Forest Guard is also present there.
“Because of the distance from the community to the divisional headquarters, it took time before reinforcements arrived, but definitely, reinforcements came,” she said.
The state police spokesperson acknowledged that a stronger security presence might have helped to repel the attackers.
National Response
FILES: IGP Kayode Egbetokun
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical, operational, and intelligence assets to Kaiama Local Government Area following the attack.
The Nigerian Police Force condemned the incident, describing it as tragic, and confirmed that a manhunt is underway to arrest those responsible.
Gunmen had attacked Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities on Tuesday, killing at least 75 people, burning shops and a traditional ruler’s residence, and forcing residents to flee their homes.
Some reports have suggested a higher casualty figure.
Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara
Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, described the incident as a “pure massacre” and confirmed that at least 75 victims had already been buried.
President Bola Tinubu has also ordered the deployment of an army battalion to reinforce security in the state under Operation Savannah Shield.
An Enugu State High Court has ordered the British government to pay £420 million in compensation to the families of 21 coal miners killed by British colonial authorities during the 1949 Iva Valley massacre in Enugu State.
Justice Anthony Onovo, delivering judgment on Thursday, awarded £20 million to each victim’s family, describing the killings as unlawful and extrajudicial violations of the right to life.
The massacre occurred on November 18, 1949, at the Iva Valley Coal Mine, then located in the administrative capital of the Eastern Region of British-administered Nigeria.
The miners were protesting harsh working conditions, racial wage discrimination, and unpaid wages.
When their grievances were not addressed, they embarked on a “go-slow” protest and occupied the mine to prevent management from locking them out.
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During the protest, a British superintendent allegedly ordered security forces to open fire, killing 21 miners and injuring 51 others.
Those killed were Sunday Anyasodo, Ani Oha, Andrew J. Obiekwe Okonkwo, Augustine Chiwetalu, Onoh Ugwu, Ngwu Offor, Ndunguba Eze, Okafor Agu, Livinus Ukachunwa, Jonathan Agu Ozoani, Moses Ikegbu Okoloha, Chukwu Ugwu, Thomas Chukwu, Simon Nwachukwu, Agu Alo, Ogbonnia Ani Chima, Nnaji Nwachukwu, William Nwaku, James Onoh Ekeowa, Felix Nnaji, and Ani Nwaekwe.
The suit, marked E/909/2024, was filed by human rights activist Greg Onoh, who sought a declaration of liability, a formal apology, and compensation for the families of the deceased miners.
The respondents included the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the British Government, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Head of the Commonwealth and Government of the United Kingdom.
The British respondents were not represented by counsel during the proceedings.
Justice Onovo dismissed objections based on sovereign immunity, holding that grave historical injustices remain justiciable under the Nigerian Constitution, regardless of the passage of time.
“These defenceless coal miners were peacefully demanding improved working conditions. They were not engaged in any violent action, yet they were shot and killed,” the judge ruled.
In addition to the monetary award, the court ordered the British Government to issue unreserved written apologies to the families of the victims.
The apologies are to be published in Daily Sun, Daily Independent, and The Punch, as well as three major national newspapers in the United Kingdom, within 60 days, with proof of publication filed in court.
The court also ordered post-judgment interest at 10 per cent per annum until the compensation is fully paid, directing that the sum be settled within 90 days.
Justice Onovo further faulted the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Attorney-General of the Federation for failing to pursue redress over the years, describing the inaction as a dereliction of constitutional duty.
He directed the Nigerian Government to initiate diplomatic engagement with the British Government within 60 days to seek reparations.
