February 2026 began with huge security challenges. Aside the usual rising cases of kidnappings, banditry and other criminal activities around the country, there was large scale killings of innocent citizens across the nation.
Kwara/Katsina killings
On February 3, gun men laid siege to Kwara state communities of Work and Kuku, maiming and killing them.
At the end of the gory incident, close to 200 people were killed in the two villages of the communities.
As at the following day being Wednesday, the death toll from Tuesday’s attacks has stood at 162, according to Mohammed Omar Bio, a member of House of representing from the area.
He said many people had fled into surrounding bushland with gunshot wounds and that the whereabouts of several people, including the village’s traditional king, were unknown.
In any case, residents of the communities have told newsmen that the gunmen were members of the terrorist group, Lakurawa who often preached in the village and that they demanded that locals ditch their allegiance to the Nigerian state and switch to sharia law.
When the villagers pushed back, the militants opened fire during Tuesday’s sermon, they said.
However, according to Amnesty International the gunmen killed more than 170 people, razed homes and looted shops. “The security lapses that enabled these attacks are unacceptable,” the rights group said, adding that the gunmen had been sending “warning” letters to the villagers for more than five months.
Condemning the incident, the Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, described the attack as “a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following the ongoing counter-terrorism campaigns in parts of the state”.
By and large, in a separate attack on Tuesday, gunmen also killed at least 13 people in Doma village in the Faskari area in Katsina state.
police said on Wednesday. Last week, armed extremists in the north-east killed at least 36 people during separate attacks on a construction site and on an army base.
Tuesday’s attack in Katsina state happened despite a series of peace deals brokered between armed groups of motorcycle-riding bandits and villagers in the 11 local government councils most affected by the violence in the state. The deals were negotiated by community elders and traditional rulers and reportedly backed by local authorities. Faskari, a predominantly farming and animal husbandry area, was one of those councils.
The Nigerian military has intensified operations against jihadists and armed bandits and regularly claims to have killed huge numbers of fighters.
The military said last month that it had launched “sustained coordinated offensive operations against terrorist elements” in Kwara state and achieved notable successes.
Occupy Nigeria protest
On February many notable Nigerians especially Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and members of the Obidient Movement addressing the protesters at the entrance of the National Assembly on Monday… Photo Credit: Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, joined hundreds of demonstrators at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja to protest the Senate’s decision to remove “real-time” electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the protest, tagged “Occupy the National Assembly,” was organised by members of the Obidient Movement and pro-democracy activists, who described the lawmakers’ action as a deliberate attempt to undermine electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Previous week, the Senate passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, through third reading. A major point of contention in the amended bill is the deletion of the phrase “real-time” in provisions dealing with the electronic transmission of election results—a move critics say weakens safeguards against manipulation.
Although the Senate has since issued multiple clarifications insisting it did not reject electronic transmission outright, protesters argue that the absence of the words “real-time electronic transmission” creates room for abuse and post-poll interference.
However, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Our votes must count,” “No to electoral robbery” and “Protect democracy now,” the demonstrators marched from the Federal Secretariat towards the National Assembly.
However, they were prevented from gaining access to the complex by a heavy deployment of security personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Security operatives barricaded the main entrance, forcing the protesters to hold their demonstration outside the gates.
Addressing journalists at the protest ground, Obi condemned what he described as the steady erosion of democratic gains in the country, warning that credible elections remain the foundation of national stability and development.
“We must dismantle this criminality and prove that we are now a nation that shows light in Africa,” he charged.
“The danger was clear. We have suffered the danger. That’s what we have suffered before. We don’t want any glitch again. This is finished. We want things to come back to normal. No more glitch,” the former Anambra governor said.
Nasir-El-Rufai arrest
‘On Monday, February 16, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC arrested the former governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai over corruption allegations.
After passing a night with the anti-graft agency, the Department of State Service, DSS, also arrested him the next day after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
He was granted bail about on February 17 but was immediately picked up by operatives of the SSS, who laid an ambush for him at the premises of the EFCC headquarters, witnesses said.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that El-Rufai arrest by the SSS is linked to allegations that he unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu.
However, the following Monday, the DSS filed cybercrimes charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against el-Rufai over the phone-tapping allegation.
The case, filed as FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, followed El-Rufai’s remarks during a live Arise TV interview on Friday.
Recall that he claimed that the NSA’s phone was tapped and that he heard the NSA directing security operatives to detain him.
He alleged that the directive prompted an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday, where he exchanged heated words with security personnel. Witnesses said officials briefly confiscated his international passport before escorting him out amid chants from supporters.
In response to the interview, DSS prosecutors filed cybercrime charges against Mr El-Rufai on Monday.
The prosecution said he admitted to intercepting the NSA’s communications, failed to report others who conducted unlawful interceptions, and compromised public safety and national security by using technical systems to tap the NSA’s phone.
The alleged acts were said to violate provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. No arraignment date has been fixed, and Mr El-Rufai has not publicly responded to the charges.
Mr El-Rufai’s arrest came amid fast-paced developments following his recent return to the country from Cairo, Egypt.
It started last Thursday when security operatives attempted to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Friday, he claimed that the NSA’s phone was allegedly tapped, allowing him to hear instructions to detain him.
El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, condemned the attempted arrest, describing it as arbitrary and in violation of constitutional rights.
According to him, the EFCC invitation was delivered to Mr El-Rufai’s residence while he was abroad, making immediate compliance impractical.
The lawyer said his client had formally communicated with the EFCC to ensure voluntary attendance upon his return, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday.
The charge was filed by the DSS counsel on Monday at the federal high court in Abuja.
The secret police said the alleged offence contravened the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
“That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did admit during the interview that you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024,” the charge reads.
“That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on 13 February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did state during the interview that you know and relate with certain individual, who unlawfully intercepted the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, without reporting the said individual to relevant Security agencies and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.
“That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, and other still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, with others still at large did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety, national security and instilling reasonable apprehension of Insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to which you admitted during an interview on 13th February, 2026, on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131 (2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”
On Saturday, during an interview on ‘Prime Time’, an Arise Television programme, El-Rufai said “someone wiretapped” Ribadu’s phone, allowing him to listen to the NSA instructing security operatives to effect his arrest.
“He made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks they are the only ones that listen to calls but we also have our ways. He made the call and gave the order,” el-Rufai had said.
“Someone tapped his phone. The government listens to our calls all the time without a court order. Someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order.”
Last Thursday, there was mild drama at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, when security operatives attempted to arrest el-Rufai as he returned to the country from Cairo, the capital of Egypt.
The ex-minister had said the DSS operatives who met him at the Abuja airport did not present any letter of invitation.
Death of Senator Barinada Mpigi
On February 19 the Senate lost yet another member following the death of Senator Barinada Mpigi of Rivers state.
This is happening less than a week after burying one of their colleagues, Senator Okey Ezea of Enugu North senatorial zone of Enugu state.
Mpigi, a close ally of Nyesom Wike died at the age of 64 after a period of illness.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that Senator Mpigi until his demise represented Rivers south-east senatorial zone.
He was also chairman of the senate committee on works.
Ogoshi Onawo, chairman of the senate committee on culture, arts, and creative economy, announced Mpigi’s death on during the budget defence session of the committee.
Members of the committee observed a minute’s silence in honour of the late lawmaker.
Akin Alabi, chairman of the house of representatives committee on works, confirmed the development in a tribute posted on X where he wrote thus;
“Good night my dear friend. Rest in Peace, Senator Mpigi Barinada. Sen Mpigi represented Rivers South East in the Senate.”
Mpigi was regarded as an influential political figure in Rivers state, noted for his grassroots network and engagement with constituents.
He was also known as a close ally of Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Before his death, the late lawmaker was among senators from Rivers state who decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2025.
Mpigi was first elected into the national assembly in 2011, representing the Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo federal constituency in the house of representatives.
With his passing, Mpigi becomes the fourth senator to die since the inauguration of the 10th senate in June 2023.
Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra south, died in July 2024, while Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu north, passed away in November 2025.
Godiya Akwashiki, Nasarawa north senator, died in December 2025.
Arrival of 100 US soldiers in Nigeria
On February 16, the first 100 United States military personnel landed in northeastern Nigeria, signalling the start of a significant new phase in the country’s fight against terrorism.
The deployment, part of a planned 200-member U.S. mission, is set to bolster Nigeria’s counterinsurgency campaign with intelligence expertise, tactical training and strategic advisory support, as security forces intensify operations in some of the nation’s most volatile regions.
It was learnt that a U.S. military aircraft touched down in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Thursday night, according to reports.
By Friday evening, three aircraft were visible at the base, with equipment being offloaded from at least one of them.
Officials from both countries confirmed that roughly 100 American personnel are expected to arrive in the initial phase, with additional troops and equipment scheduled to land over the weekend and in the coming weeks.
A United States Defense Department, who spoke with New York Times on condition of anonymity to discuss operational details, said the deployment would involve a steady stream of C-17 transport aircraft into three primary locations across Nigeria.
The official described the current arrivals as the “vanguard” of a broader mission focused on intelligence sharing, advisory services and training.
Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence has stressed that the American troops would not participate directly in combat operations.
“These personnel do not serve in a combat capacity and will not assume a direct operational role.
“Nigerian forces retain full command authority, make all operational decisions and will lead all missions on Nigerian sovereign territory”, Musa said.
Similarly, Samaila Ubah, Nigeria’s defence spokesman, in a statement explained that the deployment followed recommendations from a U.S.-Nigeria joint working group and would see American personnel provide advisory and technical support at multiple locations.
The U.S. Defense Department official corroborated this, noting that the Americans would operate mainly from command posts rather than in frontline engagements.
Security analyts have indicated that the joint operations footprint will span some of Nigeria’s most volatile regions.
A Nigerian official familiar with the arrangement said the American personnel would be deployed to northern states where extremist groups such as Boko Haram have been active, as well as parts of the Middle Belt, a region that has witnessed recurring violence affecting both Christian and Muslim communities.
The deployment comes amid months of heightened diplomatic pressure from Donald Trump, U.S. President who has publicly criticised the Nigerian government over its handling of security challenges, particularly attacks on Christian communities.
While Christian populations have suffered repeated attacks, Muslim communities have also been victims of violence in different parts of the country.
Late last year, Trump ordered a U.S. missile strike in Nigeria on Christmas Day, targeting what he described as terrorists responsible for killings.
Baylesa state gets new deputy governor
Baylesa gets new deputy governor
On February 24 Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State nominated Pastor (Hon) Peter Pereotubo Akpe, Chief of Staff at the Government House, as Deputy Governor.
The nomination was approved by the State House of Assembly on Tuesday, ending months of speculation over who would succeed the late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who passed away on December 11, 2025.
Dr. Akpe, a former Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, hails from Ebedebiri community in Sagbama Local Government Area, the same area as his predecessor.
FCT council election
On Saturday, February 21, 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC held council election in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
It was gathered that poor turnout of voters almost marred the election as less than 10% of registered voters came out to express their franchise.
Despite such abysmal turnout, All Progressives Congress, APC almost swooped all the council chairmanship seats.
PDP candidate, Mohammed Kasim, won Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election.
Kasim secured 22,165 votes to defeat his closest rival, Yahaya Shehu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 17,788 votes.
The number of registered voters was 207,577; while those accredited to vote were 46,294.
The total valid votes were 43,960 while rejected votes were 1,521.
At Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC Christopher Maikalangu of the APC was declared elected chairman. Maikalangu secured 40, 295 votes to defeat his closest rival, Paul Moses Ogidi of ADC who scored 12,109 votes. The collation officer for AMAC was Andrew Abue.
INEC also declared Joshua Ishaku of the APC the winner of the Bwari Area Council chairmanship election.
Ishaku scored 18,466 votes to defeat the candidates of ADC with 4,254 and ZLP, 3,515.
APC’s Daniel Nuhu won the Kwali Area Council chairmanship election with 16,656 votes.
Haruna Pai of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 8,467 votes to come second.
Umar Abdullahi of the APC also won the chairmanship election for Abaji Area Council.
He polled 15,535 to defeat his·PDP rival candidate who scored 4,547.
Danjuma Samuel of the APC was declared the winner of the Kuje Area Council chairmanship election.
Samuel scored 17,269 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Zakwoyi Danlami of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 15,824 votes.
Resignation of IGP Kayode Egbetokun
On Tuesday, February 24, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun resigned from his position.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed Egbetokun’s resignation.
In his words “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has accepted the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, following the submission of his letter citing pressing family considerations,” Onanuga said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
Tinubu thanked the ex-IGP for his “decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation”.
“The President acknowledged his dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to strengthening internal security architecture during his tenure,” he said.
However, following the resignation, the ex-Lagos governor approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to serve as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.
The President is confident that AIG Disu’s experience, operational depth, and demonstrated leadership capacity will provide steady and focused direction for the Nigeria Police Force during this critical period.
“In compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, President Tinubu will convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council shortly to formally consider the appointment of AIG Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation,” the statement read.
Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023.
The Nigeria Police Council confirmed his substantive appointment on October 31 of the same year.
Attacks on Obi, Oyegun others in Edo state
Also on February 24, gun men attacked former president candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi and some of the ADC chieftains in Edo state.
It was gathered that m Obi, erstwhile National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and some chieftains of the African Democratic Congress were attacked by suspected thugs in the state.
Obi’s former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja.
The statement read, “Peter Obi and the leadership of the ADC are under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State. At the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress, armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
“They shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles in what appears to be a survived assassination attempt on our lives. Democracy is in danger.”
The alleged attack occurred during political activities surrounding the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata as an ADC member, heightening concerns about political tensions in the state.
Tuesday’s reported attack in Edo state has added another tissue of tension to an already charged political atmosphere, as opposition figures continue to challenge recent electoral outcomes and raise concerns about the safety of political actors and the state of Nigeria’s democracy.
The incident comes barely 24 hours after the ADC candidate in the Abuja Municipal Area Council chairmanship election, Dr Moses Paul and the Obidient Movement on Monday rejected the outcome of the February 21 poll, alleging widespread irregularities and insisting that the declared results did not reflect the true will of the people.
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