The Harbingerngr News

AN Inspector of Police identified as Victor Okus, has shot two of his colleagues, following an altercation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Although the cause of the shooting is still sketchy, it was gathered that the policemen attached to 17 Police Mobile Force, PMF, were on special duty at Intels, Onne before the incident happened.  It was learned that the suspect, Okus, was quickly arrested and is currently in Police custody. The Police Public Relations Officer of the state Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the development described it as sad. Iringe-Koko noted that the incident happened on Sunday, adding that one of the officers died on the spot while the other was hospitalised. He said: “The Rivers State Police Command is deeply saddened to report a tragic and distressing incident that occurred on January 18, 2026, resulting in the loss of a dedicated Police Officer, Inspector Ibrahim Sani.  "The suspect, Inspector Okus, a colleague and fellow officer attached to 1...

TWO middle aged men died, weekend in Odukpani, near Calabar, Cross River State, following a knife fight where both inflicted severe knife cuts on each other. The knife fight took place in a community called  Akpap -Okoyong  in Odukpani Local Government Area of the state. An eye witness, Ettenma, who is a resident of the community gave the  names of the two men  as Edet and Effiong.   According to him,  the altercation between the two men began when Effiong went to Edet’s residence with a machete, fuming over the disappearance of a bunch of plantation from his farm and in the ensuing argument, inflicted Edet with  knife cuts prompting Edet to also pick up his machete, which was lying beside him to cut his assailant. He said: “Effiong went to his farm and observed that someone had cut his bunch of plantain and while complaining loudly, someone told him he saw Edet with a bunch of plantain coming from the farm's  direction.  "Effiong then w...

TRAGEDY was averted in Apapa, Lagos, after a team of policemen from Area Command, Apapa and officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, succeeded in chasing away some residents of the area and onlookers that gathered to scoop diesel from a fallen tanker at Liverpool area of Apapa.  The tanker fully loaded with diesel had fallen off the bridge at Liverpool, mid day, spilling its content on the road and blocking easy flow of traffic, which resulted in a gridlock that lasted for some hours.  The incident saw residents of the area and passersby rushing to the scene to scoop the inflammable contents without considering the associated risks. It was gathered that soon after the incident, a detachment of policemen and officials of LASTMA  arrived the scene and on seeing the large number of people scoping the inflammable content, descended on them and succeeded in chasing them away.   Confirming this in a statement via X, LASTMA said traffic has been d...

*Regrets current political crisis in state *You must protect Fubara, INC tells APC  GOVERNOR Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has reaffirmed his position as the substantive governor of the state, amid renewed political tension and impeachment threats, lamenting the persistent crises that have continued to cast a shadow over his administration. Fubara, who spoke at the weekend at the finals of the 2026 Port Harcourt Polo Tournament in the state capital, expressed deep regret that political instability has become a recurring feature of governance in Rivers State, particularly at the beginning of every year. According to him, each year of his administration has opened on a troubled note, a situation he described as unfortunate and unhealthy for governance and development.  He noted that the early days of 2026, which he had hoped would usher in calm and progress, instead brought what he cryptically referred to as a “love letter,” a remark widely interpreted as a reference to the ...

*Ondo APC chieftain kidnapped  *Amotekun arrests 32 suspected kidnappers, others GUNMEN have killed a police officer and abducted a Chinese expatriate during an attack on Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, Oyo State. The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Saturday, describing it as a coordinated, commando-style operation. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the assailants stormed the company’s premises and engaged security personnel on duty. “One police officer was killed while repelling the attack, and a Chinese expatriate was abducted. Some of the attackers were also injured,” Olayinka said. He added that the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to lead the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and other tactical teams to the scene. A bush-combing operation and full investigation are ongoing to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators. In a related development, su...

THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has sued governors of the 36 states and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, over their failure to account for the spending of billions of naira of public funds in the name of ‘security votes’ since May 29, 2023. The suit followed reports of the Benue massacre and well-documented ongoing cases of insecurity in several states and the FCT, despite the over N400 billion budgeted yearly as ‘security votes.’ Ten governors reportedly budgeted about N140 billion as security votes in 2026. In the suit filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to “direct and compel the governors and Mr Wike to disclose the details of the spending of security votes by them since May 29, 2023, to date, which are intended to ensure the security of life and property of Nigerians.” SERAP is also asking the court to “compel the governors and Mr Wike to provide detailed reports on th...

AS Nigeria   accounts for the world’s highest burden of sickle-cell disease, the Oyo State government and the Seyifara Foundation have raised the alarm over the scale of preventable suffering, calling for compulsory genotype awareness, premarital counselling, and early education beginning in secondary school. The foundation also urged the National Assembly to consider legislation on sickle cell disease that would encourage collaboration between relevant government institutions and religious bodies, to promote stricter premarital screening and informed consent among intending couples. Raising the concern at an awareness programme in Ibadan over the weekend, officials said Nigeria’s estimated 150,000 sickle-cell births every year remain a stark indicator of weak preventive culture, poor public understanding and late policy response to a largely avoidable genetic condition. The event, themed ‘Know your genotype, know your power,’ was organised by the Oyo State Ministries of Health and...

Late Kayode Adetona THE CEO of Aroon Construction company, Fatai Arowolo; Biodun Onanuga, husband of former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, and Dr. Kunle Hassan, founder of Eye Foundation, from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, are among the 95 princes and princesses who have indicated interest in occupying the vacant throne of the Awujale of Ijebuland. The only female who indicated interest to fill the vacant position of the Awujale is Princess Kemi Onanuga. This was disclosed during the nomination meeting of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, held in Ijebu Ode, Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State. The Awujale stool became vacant on July 13, 2025, following the demise of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.  Speaking at the meeting, which had in attendance, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the ruling house, Adedokun Ajidagba and Prof. Fassy Yusuf, delegates, observers, and security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security Service, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Def...

  Oba Rashidi Ladoja and Oba Akeem Owoade . ...at Oyo inter-faith gathering THERE was a mild drama, at the 2026 Inter-Faith Gathering held at the Secretariat’s Grand Space in Ibadan as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, was conspicuously snubbed by Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja. The inter-faith gathering brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, senior government officials and community representatives, with a focus on promoting peaceful coexistence, unity and mutual understanding across Oyo State. At the event, the Alaafin extended his hand in greeting to the Olubadan, but the gesture was not reciprocated.  The Olubadan subsequently greeted Governor Seyi Makinde and other dignitaries before proceeding to his seat. The moment was witnessed by several attendees at the gathering. The incident later became a subject of public discussion, with differing views expressed on traditional protocol, hierarchy and the conduct expected of royal institutions a...

*Journalist turned monarch ruled for 49 years *He provided visionary leadership — Tinubu  *He was an apostle of inter-ethnic understanding — Obasanjo *Akran’s death, a great loss — Sanwo-Olu *He was a benevolent leader — Adams THE ancient town of Badagry, in Lagos State, was thrown into mourning, as the paramount ruler of the Badagry Kingdom and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, Oba Babatunde Akran, joined his ancestors at the age of 89. The highly revered monarch reportedly died yesterday, after a brief illness. Akran’s demise marked the end of his 48 years on the throne, making him one of the longest-serving monarchs who have ruled any kingdom in the state. According to the Palace, the monarch was pronounced dead by medical experts, and the traditional rites for the king’s burial have commenced gradually. Residents of the town, who described the monarch’s death as a heavy blow, noted that the town has lost not just a k...

*Set police outpost ablaze in NigerlResidents flee communities in Agwara/Borgu LGAs after weekend’s deadly attack by bandits *End the normalisation of mass killings, Obi tells FG lNiger State killings barbaric, inhuman — Yilwatda Barely 48  hours after terrorists killed over 40 persons in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State, suspected terrorists in the early hours of yesterday attacked the busy Isanlu–Isin–Omu Aran road in Kwara State, kidnapping at least four travellers. This came on  a day suspected terrorists attacked a security outpost manned by the Nigeria Police Border Patrol Team at New Kalli village in Borgu, also in Niger State. This is even as residents of communities in Agwara and Borgu LGAs of Niger state are fleeing their ancestral homes after the Saturday deadly attack by terrorists on the communities, following rumours of another impending attack being planned by outlaws. Meanwhile, former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of L...

President Donald Trump Deposed Venezuelan leader pleads not guilty to narco-terrorism charges lUS President warns as Rodríguez is sworn in as new leader lSays worse fate awaits her if right thing isn’t done  US President, Donald Trump, has warned other countries that they could be next, implying that he could take military action in Colombia, Cuba and Mexico, saying US ‘’needs Greenland.’’ His warning came on a day deposed Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, pleaded not guilty to charges of narco-terrorism, weapon offences and cocaine importation conspiracy preferred against him by a US court. Trump told Mexico to get its “act together” on drugs, and said the US “needs Greenland.” “Colombia is very sick too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he’s not going to be doing it very long,” Trump said. He also touched on Mexico, stating that he repeatedly offered the assistance of US troops to Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum, but tha...

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to probe the alleged missing or divertion of over N128 billion of public funds from the Ministry of Power and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading, NBET, Plc, Abuja. The allegations are documented in the latest annual report published by the Auditor-General on September 9, 2025. SERAP said: “Anyone suspected to be responsible should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any missing or diverted public funds should be fully recovered and remitted to the treasury.” SERAP, therefore, urged him to “use any recovered diverted funds to fund the deficit in the 2026 budget and to ease Nigeria’s crippling debt crisis.”   In SERAP's letter by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Nigerians con...

From left: Mr Mayowa Oluwadare, 2026 First Baby of the Year's father; Mrs Morenike Oluwadare, mother; Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, First Lady of Lagos State carrying baby of the year delivered around 12:00am and Mr Femi Fapohunda, Managing Director, Mouka Foam Nigeria, during a visit to Ibeju Lekki General Hospital in Lagos State to welcome the First Baby of the Year 2026.  *In new year bloodshed ONCE again, terrorists have assaulted a community in Niger State, killEed at least 42 people, including children, and kidnapped numerous others. The incident, which occurred in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of the state, came less than one month after over 300 pupils, students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, were abducted in the same local government areas. This came as President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS...