The son of former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Mutustapha Kwankwaso, has resigned from his position as the governor of Kano State and the commissioner for youth and sports development.
Mustapha stated in a resignation statement on Monday that the decision was “heavy heart,” and thanked Kano State governor Abba Yusuf for the opportunity to serve the state’s citizens.
He urged his fellow citizens to continue receiving the support and attention they deserve, noting that his administration provided him with valuable experiences and lessons.
The former commissioner praised the governor’s confidence in him and prayed for constant support for Kano State’s youth development, stressing the value of continued funding for sports development and youth empowerment.
According to reports, Governor Yusuf’s resignation is scheduled for today, along with his transition to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Read more about Yusuf’s NNPP after weeks of speculation here.
The governor resigned from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Friday.
With effect from January 23, 2026, the Governor sent a letter of resignation to the NNPP’s Chairman of the Diso-Chiranchi Ward in Gwale Local Government Area.
The Governor stated in the letter that “I am deeply humbled to inform the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leadership of my decision to resign from the party.” “This decision comes into effect on January 25, 2026.”
The Governor noted that the party has been subjected to persistent internal issues that have been brought on by leadership disagreements and ongoing legal proceedings, many of which are currently before the courts for judicial resolution.
These disagreements, in his opinion, have caused party unity and division to grow deeper.
Some officers will be detained and put on trial for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government, according to the Nigerian Armed Forces.
READ MORE: The military detains 16 officers for indiscipline and service violations.
It stated in a statement that it was in compliance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service rules issued by Samaila Uba, the director’s major general.
The Defence Headquarters issued a press release in October 2025 regarding the arrest of sixteen officers for a series of arbitrary and service-related violations. The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) wishes to inform the general public that, in accordance with current laws, the investigation has been concluded and the report has been forwarded to the appropriate superior authority.
The comprehensive investigation process, conducted in accordance with established military practices, thoroughly examined the circumstances surrounding the actions of the affected personnel.
According to the findings, several of the officers have been accused of plotting to overthrow the government, which is against the AFN’s code of ethics, values, and professional standards.
The statement states that the actions being taken are solely disciplinary and are a part of ongoing institutional efforts to maintain order.
“In accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations, those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel to go to trial.” This upholds the principles of fairness and due process while maintaining accountability.
The AFN once more insists that the actions being taken are solely disciplinary and are a result of ongoing institutional efforts to maintain order, discipline, and operational effectiveness within the ranks. The armed forces continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, loyalty, and respect for constitutional authority, the statement continued.
Soldiers’ Arrest
More than three months after it was revealed in October 2025 that 16 officers had been detained for alleged indiscipline violations and service regulations, the most recent military action was announced.
It explained that preliminary investigations revealed that the officers’ actions were connected to concerns about stagnant career advancement and repeated failures in promotion exams.
The Directorate of Defense Information described the conduct of the affected officers as being insufficiently ethical for the military in a statement released by the directorate.
Additionally, it was noted that some of the officers were awaiting court proceedings or were facing trial for various offenses.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria would like to inform the general public that sixteen officers were arrested during a routine military exercise due to discipline and service-related violations. Investigations have revealed that, among other things, their grievances largely stemmed from the perception that their careers were stagnant as a result of repeated failures to pass promotions.
“The Armed Forces will not tolerate conduct that violates the institution’s sanctity or threatens its constitutional authority,” the statement read. The statement’s portion reads, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria continue to fulfill their constitutional obligations and will continue to be professional at all times.”
Cancellation of the Parade
Following months of rumors about an attempt to overthrow the Federal Government, which was linked to the cancellation of the 65th Independence Anniversary parade, the planned military trial also came about.
A parade taking place on Saturday in Abuja to commemorate Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Day. Credit: Taiwo Adeshina/Channels Television
A report from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) earlier was refuted by the Defense Intelligence Agency, alleging that the agency had taken 16 military officers into custody over alleged involvement in covert meetings to plot a coup against the government.
The parade was canceled in order for President Bola Tinubu to attend a strategic bilateral meeting outside of the nation and for AFN members to maintain momentum in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.
“The legislature, judiciary, and the Federal Government are working closely together to ensure the country’s safety, development, and well-being,” the statement read. Democracies will always be there.
Under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the armed forces of Nigeria continue to adhere to the Constitution and the Federal Government, according to a statement released by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, director of defense information, in October.
Tinubu, the president
Raid On An Ex-Gov’s Resident
However, Timipre Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, was reportedly the subject of an alleged coup plot when soldiers from the Nigerian Army stormed his Abuja residence in the same month.
A special military team was responsible for carrying out the operation, according to numerous security sources. The former minister of state for petroleum resources was reportedly linked to a number of secret meetings with some of the detained military officers who were allegedly plotting to overthrow the government by intelligence reports.
According to a top security official with knowledge of the development, the operation also included Sylva’s Bayelsa home, where his brother, one Paga, was detained. “The special team of the Nigerian Army allegedly fled Nigeria and raided Timipre Sylva’s home.
“He is the former governor of South America who is frequently mentioned in the case.” According to the source, his brother, Paga, was found during the raid.
Demand made by the opposition
In response, the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) demanded that the Federal Government immediately ascertain the true nature of the alleged coup plot involving the detained military officers.
Bolaji Abdullahi, a spokesperson for the ADC
In a statement signed by Bolaji Abdullahi, the government’s national publicity secretary, the organization expressed concern about “conflicting signals,” noting that the Defence Headquarters had consistently denied ever mentioning a coup plot despite widespread media reports that were contrary to what they claimed.
The military has repeatedly denied that there was a threat to the government, which is “particularly concerning” the federal government’s decision to not categorize a statement on this extremely serious matter.
In a region plagued by violence blamed on organized crime, Gunmen opened fire on football fans after a game in central Mexico, killing 11 people and injuring dozens more, according to local authorities.
After the match on Sunday in Salamanca, a small Guanajuato state city of 160 000, armed men stormed into the community football field.
Ten people died on the scene, according to the city, and one more was hospitalized later. A woman and a child were the only ones who were hurt, totaling twelve.
Mayor Cesar Prieto pleaded with the government to “restore peace, tranquillity, and security” in his community, blaming organized crime organizations for the violence.
We are experiencing a profound social breakdown. He claimed that there are organized crime organizations attempting to subdue the authorities.
Four bags containing human remains were discovered Saturday night in Salamanca, and six people were killed the same day in two nearby communities.
READ ALSO: Gunmen Kill 11 At The Jewish Festival In Bondi Beach, Australia
A state oil company refinery in Salamanca was last week threatened with bombs.
Official homicide statistics show that Guanajuato in central Mexico is the country’s deadliest state due to gang turf wars, but it also has a vibrant industrial hub and a number of well-known tourist destinations.
The Santa Rosa de Lima gang, which engages in oil theft, and the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel, whose conflict is most apparent in Guanajuato. One of these cartels was in operation for the shooters.
Due to her administration’s national security strategy, Mexico’s homicide rate in 2025 dropped to its lowest level in ten years, according to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The figures don’t seem to persuade experts.
Since the start of a crackdown on cartels in 2006, more than 480, 000 people have died in Mexico as a result of criminal violence, the majority of which is related to drug trafficking.
More than 120 000 people have been kidnapped or forced to go missing, in addition to the many who were abducted. In the crime-ridden nation, mass graves or unburied body parts are frequently discovered.
In a region plagued by violence blamed on organized crime, Gunmen opened fire on football fans after a game in central Mexico, killing 11 people and injuring dozens more, according to local authorities.
After the match on Sunday in Salamanca, a small Guanajuato state city of 160 000, armed men stormed into the community football field.
Ten people died on the scene, according to the city, and one more was hospitalized later. A woman and a child were the only ones who were hurt, totaling twelve.
Mayor Cesar Prieto pleaded with the government to “restore peace, tranquillity, and security” in his community, blaming organized crime organizations for the violence.
We are experiencing a profound social breakdown. He claimed that there are organized crime organizations attempting to subdue the authorities.
Four bags containing human remains were discovered Saturday night in Salamanca, and six people were killed the same day in two nearby communities.
READ ALSO: Gunmen Kill 11 At The Jewish Festival In Bondi Beach, Australia
A state oil company refinery in Salamanca was last week threatened with bombs.
Official homicide statistics show that Guanajuato in central Mexico is the country’s deadliest state due to gang turf wars, but it also has a vibrant industrial hub and a number of well-known tourist destinations.
The Santa Rosa de Lima gang, which engages in oil theft, and the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel, whose conflict is most apparent in Guanajuato. One of these cartels was in operation for the shooters.
Due to her administration’s national security strategy, Mexico’s homicide rate in 2025 dropped to its lowest level in ten years, according to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The figures don’t seem to persuade experts.
Since the start of a crackdown on cartels in 2006, more than 480, 000 people have died in Mexico as a result of criminal violence, the majority of which is related to drug trafficking.
More than 120 000 people have been kidnapped or forced to go missing, in addition to the many who were abducted. In the crime-ridden nation, mass graves or unburied body parts are frequently discovered.
Oversabi Aunty, a film that Toyin Abraham made into a million dollars, has already surpassed the $1 billion mark.
The film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, made the announcement in a post that was shared on the company’s official X account on Monday.
Oversabi Aunty, according to the distribution company, received 1, 017, 201, and 953, surpassing the $1 billion mark for the first Nollywood directorial debut and the fourth-highest-grossing Nollywood movie ever.
Box office receipts for “1 Billion+” first $1 billion film from Nollywood. fourth highest-grossing Nollywood movie ever. West Africa, this is a true celebration! “!
Abraham responded to the feat by posting a picture of her gratitude to God, her supporters, and collaborators on Instagram.
“My first big-screen directorial debut. To the world and still in theaters nearby, Oversabi Aunty.
God, I’m grateful. Toyintitans, I’m grateful. Nigerians, I appreciate you. My cast is greatly appreciated. My crew and I are very grateful. FilmOne, I appreciate it. Everyone, I appreciate you. She wrote, “I’m short of words.
Also available to read is Funke Akindele’s “Behind the Scenes” that has made the box office history.
In her directorial debut, Abraham directed the 2025 Nollywood comedy “Oversabi Aunty,” which was released in theaters in December 2025.
The movie follows the story of a zealous church usher, whose constant interference with family matters has a number of bizarre and humorous consequences.
It has been praised for its relatable humor and cultural themes and stars atop, including Mike Ezuruonye and Odunlade Adekola.
On Monday, FilmOne Entertainment announced another box office milestone, revealing that Funke Akindele’s Behind the Scenes had grossed 2.4 billion.
FilmOne wrote “The Queen of Box Office for a reason” in a post on X. Without you and your support, we couldn’t have accomplished this milestone, which is another incredible milestone.
The weekend film has the highest-grossing weekend movie of the year and the highest-grossing film of the year thanks to Behind the Scenes’ incredible $2.4 billion budget.
The first Nollywood film to pass the $2 billion mark at the box office was released in December 2025 earlier in January.
The movie’s cinematic run was completed in less than a month, surpassing the previous record held by Akindele’s Everybody Loves Jenifa.
Additionally, it debuted at $11 billion in 17 days, and it received a 129.5% box office win on Boxing Day.
With this success, Akindele, who is the only Nigerian director, has three movies with over $1 billion in gross sales: Behind the Scenes, Everybody Loves Jenifa, and A Tribe Called Judah. The three movies combined have grossed about $5.39 billion at the box office in Nigeria.
With France defending their title, Ireland trying to regain the crown they won in 2023 and 2024 and England on an 11-match winning streak, Scotland are flying firmly under the radar heading into the Six Nations.
With arguably the strongest and deepest squad they have ever assembled in the professional era, the Scots have been many people’s dark horses in recent years, but not this time.
Having finished fourth in the past two campaigns, and coming off a dispiriting autumn series, not many are expecting Gregor Townsend’s side to make a serious charge at a first title since the final edition of the Five Nations back in 1999.
7 days ago
As Scotland’s opener in Rome on 7 February comes into sharper focus, however, the skipper wants to embrace what might be possible for a side looking to finally fulfil its potential.
“This question always lands to lifting the trophy and I don’t like going into a tournament not thinking about doing that,” said Tuipulotu, who leads Scotland into the Six Nations as captain for the first time having missed last season’s tournament through injury.
‘Scotland and expectation tend to be uncomfortable partners’
With the national team picking up some big one-off wins in recent years, Glasgow winning a URC title in 2024, and a sharp upturn in the number of Scots selected for the past two British and Irish Lions tours, hopes have been raised for some that maybe the long wait for a Six Nations title could be ended.
Scotland and expectation tend to be uncomfortable partners, though, and producing five big performances to put themselves into contention has proved a bridge too far for this side under Townsend.
The smart money is on French, Irish or English hands being on the trophy when all is said and done, but Tuipulotu believes it may be no bad thing for Scotland if all eyes are elsewhere when looking for potential champions.
“Those teams deserve the responsibility and probably the pressure to be the favourites of the tournament,” he said.
“[For us] I think it just means history. I want to motivate the boys with just that – you can leave your name etched in Scottish rugby history and that should be the goal, that’s why we play. It ‘s important we own that responsibility.
“That’s the big picture. The smaller picture is that it’s World Cup a year and a half away and it’s important to show a progression on what we’ve been building towards.
