Monday Briefing: 10 Top Stories to Start Your Day

1. National Assembly returns Tuesday, Electoral Bill may come up

National Assembly will resume plenary on Tuesday, February 17, with strong expectations that the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 could be discussed and possibly moved toward passage. The Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said both chambers will reconvene at 11:00 a.m.

2. Tinubu reacts to Kano Singer Market fire

President Bola Tinubu has sympathised with traders and residents in Kano after a major fire at Singer Market. He called for a full investigation to find the cause, according to his media aide Bayo Onanuga.

3. Wike speaks ahead of FCT area council elections

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said he will support only candidates who back Tinubu’s re-election, regardless of party, in the area council election scheduled for February 21. He made the comment at an event marking Sandy Onor’s 60th birthday.

4. El-Rufai asks Ribadu to clarify toxin procurement reports

Former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai has written to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, asking him to clarify reports that the NSA’s office imported thallium sulphate, a substance described as highly dangerous. He asked for answers to specific questions in a formal letter.

5.US military aircraft land in Maiduguri for security cooperation

Reports indicate that United States military aircraft have begun arriving in Maiduguri, signalling a new phase of security cooperation with Nigeria. The deployment is said to be phased, with around 200 personnel expected as part of the plan.

6. NSCDC arrests village head, others over Niger State killing

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State says it has arrested a village head and 33 others linked to the killing of a police officer and the burning of a patrol vehicle during a clash involving suspected illegal miners. The state commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, said some suspects were found hiding at the village head’s residence.

7. Tension on Benue–Taraba border after passenger abduction

Tension remains high along the Benue State–Taraba State border after reports that a businesswoman and nine other passengers were abducted on the Takum–Tor Donga–Katsina road in Katsina-Ala LGA. The incident was said to have happened on February 9, 2026, while the victims were travelling toward a busy market route.

8. Fresh abduction reported in Kwara community

A group of attackers reportedly entered a community in Patigi LGA of Kwara State on Sunday morning and abducted four residents. Witness accounts say the attackers used gunshots to create panic before leaving with the victims. (No graphic details have been included here.)

9. Lagos police investigate the death of two Nollywood crew members

The Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department has opened an investigation into the deaths of two Nollywood crew members who were found inside a parked vehicle at a filming location in Lekki Phase 1. The men were identified as Godstime Imeh and Walter Odediran.

10. Amotekun arrests 95 suspects across Ondo

Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps) says it has arrested at least 95 suspects across the state’s 18 local governments for various alleged offences. The agency said the arrests were supported by security partners including the Nigeria Police Force, the NSCDC, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Army.