Former Benue Electoral Chief Arraigned Over Alleged N1.1 Billion Fraud

By

-

January 29, 2026

Reporting by Tribune Online indicates that the EFCC arraigned Tersoo Loko, former chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), alongside 10 others, on a 30-count charge involving alleged misappropriation and money laundering totaling about N1.1 billion. Prosecutors allege that funds meant for the 2020 and 2022 local government elections were diverted through front companies and false records.

The court heard that out of an alleged N1.6 billion allocation, only about N565 million could be accounted for. The case has been adjourned as the court considers bail applications, with the defendants reportedly remaining in custody pending decisions.

Daily Post verified the proceedings in Makurdi, and Vanguard quoted prosecutors describing the allegations as a brazen diversion of resources intended for grassroots democracy.

Echotitbits take: State-level electoral corruption is a major reason local government polls are widely viewed as pre-determined. If the EFCC secures a strong conviction, it could become a deterrent ahead of the 2027 cycle—especially for officials managing electoral logistics and procurement.

Source: Facebook — https://web.facebook.com/officialefcc/posts/efcc-arraigns-dr-tersoo-joseph-loko-ex-benue-state-independent-electoral-commiss/1440941081402424/?_rdc=1&_rdr#2026-01-29

Photo Credit:Facebook

Inline1

Alleged N7.7 Billion Telecom Fraud Leads to Arrest of Six Suspects

By

B.O.B Echoload

-

January 29, 2026

0

Reporting by The Punch indicates that Nigerian police uncovered a telecommunications fraud scheme involving the illegal diversion of airtime and data valued at N7.7 billion. Six suspects were arrested after an investigation into alleged compromise of a company’s internal systems to reroute digital assets, which were then liquidated through underground channels.

The scale of the alleged theft has renewed calls for stronger cybersecurity controls in the telecom sector and tighter internal governance to reduce insider and vendor risks. Police said investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional collaborators exist within the industry.

Daily Post also covered the arrests and Channels TV framed the incident as one of the largest digital-asset related thefts in recent memory—amplifying calls for stronger data protection and enforcement.

Echotitbits take: As Nigeria digitizes payments and services, insider-enabled cybercrime is becoming a systemic risk. Expect regulators (including the NCC) to push tougher baseline security requirements—especially around privileged access, audit logging, and incident response disclosures.

Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/852943-police-uncover-n7-7-billion-telecom-fraud-arrest-six-suspects.html 2026-01-29

Photo Credit: Premium Times

Inline1

Nigerian Naira Maintains Resilience as Official Exchange Rate Dips Below 1,400

By

B.O.B Echoload

-

January 29, 2026

0

Figures cited by Vanguard show the Naira holding below the 1,400-per-dollar threshold in the official market. On Thursday morning, the currency opened around 1,395.09/$ in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), supported by liquidity improvements and the Central Bank’s Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS).

While the parallel market remained higher, the narrowing premium suggests speculative pressure may be easing. Analysts attribute the resilience to efforts to clear FX backlogs and to a rise in external reserves, giving the central bank more room to intervene and smooth volatility.

The Punch noted the currency’s benefit from improved price discovery, while ThisDay quoted market analysts pointing to reduced panic buying and improving investor confidence.

Echotitbits take: Staying below the 1,400 psychological level is a notable win for the CBN narrative on stability. The next key signal is the MPC decision: holding rates could protect the FX gains, while easing could support growth but risk renewed pressure if liquidity tightens.

Source: Facebook/TheCable – https://web.facebook.com/thecableng/posts/naira-appreciates-to-n1400-at-official-market-strongest-performance-since-may-20/1213502280966076/?_rdc=1&_rdr# 2026-01-29

Photo Credit: Facebook/TheCable

Inline1

Strategic Deployment of Military Retirees to Secure Nigeria’s Ungoverned Spaces

By

B.O.B Echoload

-

January 29, 2026

0

According to Daily Post, the Federal Government has unveiled a national security strategy involving the re-engagement of military veterans to help secure “ungoverned spaces” across the country. The initiative aims to leverage the experience of retired personnel to provide an added layer of security in rural and conflict-affected zones currently underserved by regular armed forces.

The veterans are expected to act as a bridge between local communities and the formal military structure—supporting intelligence gathering and coordinating grassroots defense efforts. Officials argue this could be more cost-effective and culturally integrated than deploying active-duty troops to every remote area, though analysts are raising questions about chain of command and long-term sustainability.

The Nation confirmed the plan and Vanguard highlighted the economic angle, with officials linking improved security to farmer protection and food security.

Echotitbits take: Re-engaging veterans can scale security presence quickly without the lag time of training fresh recruits. The policy’s success will hinge on funding, clear command structures, and whether these units have defined legal powers—especially around arrest, detention, and rules of engagement.

Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/military-retirees-to-secure-ungoverned-areas-fg/ 2026-01-29

Photo Credit: The Punch

Inline1

Lagos Police Move to Prosecute Organizers of Peaceful Demolition Protest

By

B.O.B Echoload

-

January 29, 2026

0

In an update published by Premium Times, the Lagos State Police Command announced its intention to charge two leaders of a Wednesday protest in court, despite widespread reports that the demonstration was conducted peacefully. The protesters gathered to voice grievances over recent government demolitions in the Ikeja area, which they claim displaced hundreds of residents without fair compensation.

Although civil society observers described the assembly as orderly, police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, later alleging that the organizers violated public order laws. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and journalists who were reportedly caught in the crossfire.

The Punch reported heavy deployment and the use of tear gas to disperse demonstrators in Ikeja, while Channels TV showed video footage and quoted displaced residents saying they were only asking for their rights.

Echotitbits take: Urban renewal is central to Lagos governance, but opaque compensation and relocation processes are creating a social flashpoint. Expect legal challenges to the arrests, as civil rights lawyers test the state’s interpretation and application of the Public Order Act.

Source: Premium Times – https://punchng.com/outrage-over-police-crackdown-on-lagos-anti-demolition-protesters/ 2026-01-29

Photo Credit: Premium Times

Inline1

Nigerian Senate Demands Briefing on U.S. Airstrikes in Sokoto Territory

By

B.O.B Echoload

-

January 29, 2026

0

Reporting by The Nation indicates that the Nigerian Senate has resolved to conduct a high-level, closed-door security briefing regarding the United States military airstrikes carried out in Sokoto State. Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, raised a point of order questioning the federal executive’s failure to consult the National Assembly before allowing foreign military intervention on sovereign soil. Senate leadership, headed by Godswill Akpabio, confirmed that an executive session has been scheduled to address these concerns and examine the legal framework surrounding foreign combat operations within Nigeria’s borders.

The debate in the red chamber centers on the perceived violation of Nigeria’s territorial integrity and the exclusion of the legislative arm from sensitive security decisions. While the executive branch maintains that the strikes targeted specific terrorist hideouts to bolster regional stability, lawmakers are demanding transparency regarding the rules of engagement and decision-making protocols.

The development was corroborated by Vanguard, which reported that the Senate summoned the nation’s security chiefs to explain the circumstances surrounding the U.S. air operations. Premium Times also followed the legislative tension, quoting Senator Ningi’s position that the National Assembly must not be sidelined in sovereignty-related decisions.

Echotitbits take: This is a rare display of legislative pushback against executive security arrangements. While U.S. support can be tactically beneficial against insurgents, the Senate’s demand for a briefing signals a shift toward stricter oversight that could complicate future joint operations unless formal protocols are clarified.

Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/senate-moves-us-air-strikes-debate-behind-closed-doors/ 2026-01-29

Photo Credit: The Punch

Inline1

Nigeria’s BAFTA watch: the nominee list drops and film Twitter starts speculating

By

B.O.B Echoload

-

January 28, 2026

0

According to Pulse Nigeria, the 2026 BAFTA nominations list is out, and Nigerian entertainment watchers immediately pivoted to “what it means for us”—from diaspora representation to how global awards shape local industry confidence. Even when Nigeria isn’t directly represented, these lists spark conversation about positioning, distribution, and what kinds of stories travel internationally.

Echotitbits take: Awards seasons are trend machines—projects and personalities get re-evaluated in real time. Watch for Nigerian filmmakers using this moment to push festival strategies, PR positioning, and international collaborations.

Source: The Cable – https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/full-list-british-nigerian-actress-wunmi-mosaku-earns-bafta-nomination-after-oscar-nod/ January 28, 2026
Photo Credit: The Cable

Inline1

Wilfred Ndidi goes viral after shielding a little girl from the rain before kickoff

By

B.O.B Echoload

-

January 28, 2026

0

In a post shared by @power_of_africa, Wilfred Ndidi was captured using his body to cover a little girl from the rain—an unscripted moment that fans are reposting as proof of humility and character beyond football. The clip spread quickly across X and Facebook pages, with many calling it the “real captain energy” type of gesture that sticks with kids forever.

Echotitbits take: Athletes are brands, and “human moments” are the strongest currency. If Ndidi’s club or Nigeria’s football media teams pick this up, expect it to be used in community campaigns and player-profile storytelling.

Source: Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/61562612382338/posts/-nigerian-captain-wilfred-ndidi-covering-the-little-girl-from-rainfall-before-th/122148902594420412/?_rdc=1&_rdr# January 28, 2026
Photo Credit: Facebook

Inline1

Kunle Kuti says Wizkid is the only artiste he ever “begged” to meet — amid the Seun/Wizkid-fandom firestorm

By

B.O.B Echoload

-

January 28, 2026

0

According to TheCable Lifestyle, Kunle Kuti said Wizkid is the only artiste he has ever begged to meet, adding fresh fuel to a story already charged by the Seun Kuti vs Wizkid-fanbase clash. His comments are landing because they cut against the binary “legacy vs popstar” framing—showing admiration for Wizkid while still insisting that comparisons to Fela are misplaced.

Echotitbits take: This is a temperature check for how Nigerians handle legacy debates in the era of stan culture. If more Kuti-family voices weigh in—or Wizkid responds again—the discourse could shift from fandom wars to a broader cultural-history argument.

Source: TheCable Lifestyle – https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/wizkid-is-the-only-artiste-ive-ever-begged-to-meet-says-kunle-kuti/#:~:text=Kunle%20Kuti%2C%20the%20son%20of,my%20life%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said. January 28, 2026
Photo Credit: TheCable Lifestyle

Inline1

Angela Okorie reportedly detained in cybercrime-linked dispute involving Mercy Johnson

By

B.O.B Echoload

-

January 28, 2026

0

According to Daily Post, Angela Okorie was reportedly arrested by operatives linked to a cybercrime unit in a case connected to her dispute with Mercy Johnson—fueling heavy chatter across Nollywood timelines. The story escalated because it’s not just “beef”—it’s now framed as a legal/police matter, and that changes how the public reads every prior post and shade.

Echotitbits take: If this proceeds beyond “reports,” watch for court filings, verified statements, or withdrawals (common in celebrity disputes). Also watch who speaks: when producers/bloggers jump in early, it often signals deeper industry alignments behind the scenes.

Source: Daily Post – https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/28/mercy-johnson-reportedly-arrests-angela-okorie-for-cyber-bullying/ January 28, 2026
Photo Credit: Daily Post

Inline1