Gunmen torch police station in Ondo’s Ipele as residents flee New Year’s Eve violence

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January 1, 2026

2026-01-01 06:20:00
According to Punch, suspected bandits attacked Ipele in Ondo State and set a police station ablaze, sparking panic in the community.

Reporting by the outlet indicates the attack involved heavy gunfire, with residents fleeing for safety as security personnel were overwhelmed.

The incident adds to broader concerns about violence targeting law enforcement infrastructure and rural communities.

Premium Times also reported the attack and quoted residents describing how people hid in nearby bushes during the assault.

TheCable similarly covered the incident and quoted eyewitness accounts describing the fear triggered by sustained gunfire.

Echotitbits take:

The follow-up matters: response time, reinforcements, and whether there is credible pursuit. Watch for a formal incident report (casualties, recovered exhibits, and arrests) rather than only reassurances.

Source: The Punch — January 1, 2026 (https://punchng.com/panic-as-bandits-attack-police-station-in-ondo/)

The Punch 2026-01-01

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Yobe authorities say suspect linked to Maiduguri mosque blast has been arrested

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 1, 2026

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2026-01-01 06:15:00
According to Vanguard, authorities in Yobe confirmed the arrest of a suspect allegedly linked to the December 24 Maiduguri mosque bombing.

In an update published by the outlet, officials said the arrest followed local vigilance and security screening, with investigators expanding the net around possible support networks.

The development comes as the region continues to grapple with attacks targeting civilians and worship centres.

TheCable also reported the arrest and said the suspect was transferred for questioning as investigations continued.

BusinessDay similarly reported that the suspect allegedly confessed to being paid to carry out the attack, as authorities probed the wider network.

Echotitbits take:

Arrests are only step one. The credible test is independent corroboration—financing trails, logistics, handlers, and whether security agencies can prevent retaliatory or copycat strikes around high-traffic public spaces.

Source: Vanguard — January 1, 2026 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/01/yobe-confirms-arrest-of-suspect-linked-to-maiduguri-bomb-blast/)

Vanguard 2026-01-01

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NGX closes 2025 on a rally, adding ₦533bn in a single session

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 1, 2026

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2026-01-01 06:10:00
Reporting by Punch indicates Nigerian equities ended 2025 with a strong finish, adding about ₦533bn to market value in the session.

The report described broad participation on the gainers’ list as investors positioned into year-end and ahead of early-2026 earnings expectations.

If momentum sustains into January, attention will likely shift to guidance, dividend narratives, and how rates/liquidity evolve.

A NAN-linked market recap also reported the same session gain and highlighted continued positive breadth into year-end.

MarketForces Africa likewise carried the update, describing the session as a notable wealth add for equity investors.

Echotitbits take:

The key question is whether this is a January continuation or a last-mile year-end squeeze. Watch institutional flows, money-market rates, and whether earnings surprises justify the valuations in the most crowded large-cap names.

Source: The Punch — January 1, 2026 (https://punchng.com/stock-market-closes-year-with-n533bn-gain/)

The Punch 2026-01-01

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NNPC stays in the black as price war pushes pump price under ₦800

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 1, 2026

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2026-01-01 06:05:00
According to Punch, NNPC Ltd reported ₦502bn profit after tax for November 2025, extending its profitability streak amid shifting market conditions.

Reporting by the outlet indicates gas output and infrastructure availability supported performance, even as upstream volumes remained constrained.

The same report linked the downstream “price war” to NNPC retail cuts that pushed PMS prices below ₦800/litre in some locations, intensifying competition.

TheCable also reported the monthly performance, quoting the profit figure and noting output movement in November 2025.

APA News similarly referenced the update and quoted language attributing results to improved gas production and stronger trading performance.

Echotitbits take:

If NNPC keeps pricing aggressively to defend market share, watch for tighter station supply cycles, margin compression across marketers, and renewed debate on how “deregulated” pricing should work when the biggest player also plays stabilizer.

Source: The Punch — January 1, 2026 (https://punchng.com/nnpc-posts-n502bn-profit-cuts-petrol-below-n800-litre/)

The Punch 2026-01-01

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Kate Beckinsale addresses weight-loss comments, linking her body changes to grief

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 14:57:00

According to E! Online, Kate Beckinsale addressed comments about being “too thin,” explaining that grief has affected her appetite after the deaths of her mother and stepfather.

Other reporting notes she described her thinness as a visible expression of grief in a video posted online.

E! Online (EOnline.com): “Not hungry.”
The Independent (Independent.co.uk): “physical manifestation of grief.”

Echotitbits take: This is a reminder that celebrity ‘body discourse’ often ignores context. Watch for whether Beckinsale steps back from social media, or uses the moment to push for more responsible commentary norms around grief and health.

Source: E! News— 2025-12-31 — https://www.eonline.com/news/1426762/kate-beckinsale-on-weight-loss-after-moms-death

E! News
2025-12-31
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North West’s rainbow-hair ‘Powerpuff’ vibe sparks fresh fashion chatter

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 15:04:00

As reported by People, North West posted a stylized shoot with friends featuring bright, color-coded hair, matching designer jackets, and dramatic claw nails—leaning into a cartoon-inspired vibe that quickly spread online.

The post also reflects how North’s solo Instagram is increasingly becoming a fashion-watch account.

Page Six (PageSix.com): “channeling the aesthetic of ‘The Powerpuff Girls’.”
People (People.com): “using a snowflake emoji.”

Echotitbits take: This is youth culture and luxury branding colliding in real time. Watch whether fashion houses lean into the viral moment—and how the family manages boundaries as North’s platform grows.

Source: People — 2025-12-31 — https://people.com/north-west-shows-off-blue-hair-claw-nails-with-friends-11877935

People
2025-12-31
Photo Credit: People

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‘The Wire’ standout Isiah Whitlock Jr. dies at 71 as Hollywood pays tribute

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 15:11:00

According to the Associated Press, actor Isiah Whitlock Jr.—widely loved for his work on The Wire and Veep—has died at 71 following a short illness.

Multiple outlets report the news was confirmed by his manager, who described Whitlock’s impact beyond the screen.

People (People.com): “a brilliant actor and even better person.”
AP News (APNews.com): “died… after a short illness.”

Echotitbits take: Whitlock’s passing will likely trigger a new wave of The Wire nostalgia clips across TikTok and Reels, plus renewed attention to his Spike Lee collaborations. Watch for official memorial statements from networks, collaborators, and castmates.

Source: AP News — 2025-12-31 — https://apnews.com/article/9cf70ea92aae6c980c0b05e573de3cd3

AP News
2025-12-31
Photo Credit: AP

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Allwell Ademola’s last Instagram video goes viral as fans mourn Yoruba film star

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 15:18:00

According to Punch, Yoruba film actress and filmmaker Allwell Ademola posted a video with a prayer-like message shortly before reports of her death, and the clip later went viral as fans flooded her comments with shock.

The report notes the lyrics—shared as an end-of-year declaration—quickly became the emotional center of online mourning.

Punch Newspapers (Punchng.com): “this year will not see my end.”
Premium Times (Premiumtimesng.com): “died on 27 December 2025 at the age of 43.”

Echotitbits take: Social media becomes both shrine and loudspeaker in moments like this. Watch next for the family’s preferred narrative (privacy vs public tributes) and whether colleagues push renewed health-awareness messaging across the industry.

Source: The Punch — 2025-12-27 — https://punchng.com/video-this-year-will-not-see-my-end-actress-allwell-ademola-sings-in-last-post-before-death/

The Punch
2025-12-27
Photo Credit: The Punch

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Premium Times lists Nigerian celebrities who died in 2025 as tributes resurface online

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 15:25:00

Figures cited by Premium Times show a year-end list of Nigerian public figures—actors, influencers, and media veterans—who died in 2025, alongside brief context on careers and public reaction.

The list includes tributes and references to how news of each passing was confirmed, often via posts from colleagues or family.

Guardian Life (Guardian.ng): “May his soul rest in peace… It’s a WRAP.”
Guardian Life (Guardian.ng): “Rest in peace, sis… Death why?”

Echotitbits take: Year-end loss lists hit hard, but they also spotlight gaps in welfare, insurance culture, and health support in Nigeria’s entertainment economy. Watch for renewed calls for stronger guild-led assistance funds in 2026.

Source: Premium Times — 2025-12-31 — https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/846784-allwell-ademola-sanku-monalisa-stephen-27-other-nigerian-celebrities-who-died-in-2025.html

Premium Times
2025-12-31
Photo Credit: Premium Times

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Punch’s breakup list captures the relationship implosions that shaped Nigeria’s pop culture chatter in 2025

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 15:32:00

In a year-end list compiled by Punch, the outlet recapped the most dramatic celebrity break-ups of 2025—pulling together the splits that dominated blogs, comment sections, and fan debates.

The framing emphasizes how public-facing relationships now carry “always-on” audience scrutiny, where timelines become judge, jury, and soundtrack.

Punch Newspapers (Punchng.com): “Most dramatic celebrity break-ups of 2025.”
TheCable Lifestyle (TheCable.ng): “The year began… 2Baba announced his separation…”

Echotitbits take: Breakup stories aren’t just gossip anymore; they’re brand events. Watch for tighter privacy playbooks and more controlled announcements in 2026 as stars try to limit reputational whiplash.

Source: The Punch — 2025-12-27 — https://punchng.com/most-dramatic-celebrity-break-ups-of-2025/

The Punch
2025-12-27
Photo Credit: The Punch

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