Normal operations have resumed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, following a fire incident that briefly disrupted activities and led to the diversion of three international flights.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that the affected airspace at Terminal One has been fully reopened, with arrivals and departures gradually returning to schedule.

Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, assured passengers and airlines that the situation had been brought under control within hours of the outbreak.

She noted that emergency procedures were promptly activated, enabling the safe evacuation of passengers and airport personnel without any fatalities.

Although six persons sustained minor injuries, authorities emphasised that the rapid containment of the fire prevented more extensive damage and prolonged disruption.

Three international carriers — Emirates, British Airways and Lufthansa — had earlier diverted flights as a precautionary measure.

However, FAAN confirmed that flight operations are now stabilising, with most departures relocated to Terminal Two to ensure seamless service.

Kuku said the airport’s Emergency Operations Centre coordinated the response in line with established safety protocols, while firefighters remain on ground as a precaution against lingering smoke.

She added that engineers have begun structural assessments of the affected section to guarantee safety and operational integrity.

“In terms of the full operations affected, not a lot,” she said, underscoring that services would continue unhindered as the airport consolidates on its swift reopening.

The reopening of the nation’s busiest gateway within hours of the incident has been hailed as a demonstration of improved emergency response coordination among aviation and security agencies.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has charged the Federal Government to urgently stem the tide of bloodshed across the country and guarantee credible elections in 2027, warning that persistent insecurity and dwindling voter turnout pose grave threats to Nigeria’s democratic future.

The call was made at the opening of the CBCN’s 2026 First Plenary Meeting in Abuja by its president, Lucius Ugorji, who painted a grim picture of a nation under siege.

“Our country has continued to experience rising security challenges. We continue to hear sad tales of senseless massacres, mass burials, endless tears and grief. Nigeria continues to bleed endlessly,” Ugorji lamented.

He cited repeated kidnappings and mass killings in several states, particularly condemning reported attacks in Woro and Nuku communities of Kwara State. According to him, armed groups are exploiting weaknesses in the nation’s security architecture and operating with alarming boldness.
“In all, the gunmen operate boldly, freely and unchallenged… Yet, they are not arrested through their digital footprints,” he said.

While acknowledging steps taken by the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the declaration of a national security emergency, the bishops said government efforts remain largely reactive.

“To effectively tackle insecurity, government must go beyond declaring a national emergency on security and reactive interventions to invest more in modern technological equipment for surveillance,” Ugorji stated.

He warned that delays in prosecuting arrested suspects, as well as the reintegration of repentant insurgents under the Operation Safe Corridor initiative, could erode public trust.

“Delaying the prosecution of arrested terrorists or pardoning and reintegrating perceived repentant Boko Haram members through Operation Safe Corridor gives the impression of complicity on the side of government,” he added.

Beyond security, the bishops expressed concern over declining voter turnout in recent elections, describing it as a troubling indicator of citizens’ waning confidence in the electoral process.

“This decline says a lot about citizens’ trust in the electoral process and calls into question the legitimacy of elected officials in a democratic dispensation,” Ugorji said.

He urged the National Assembly to revisit the amended Electoral Act and make real-time electronic transmission of results mandatory ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“This is the will of the people and has to be respected,” he insisted.

On the 2025 Tax Act, which came into effect on January 1, 2026, the bishops acknowledged its potential benefits but warned of unintended consequences.

“When all is said and done, there are widespread fears that the reforms could raise the living cost for consumers, aggravate hardship and push more jobless youths into criminality,” Ugorji cautioned.

The conference also identified illegal mining as a key driver of insecurity and revenue loss, noting that proceeds from minerals such as gold and lithium are being used to finance violent activities.

“Criminal groups use proceeds from the sale of minerals, such as gold and lithium, to buy weapons and fund terrorist activities across the country,” he said, calling for stricter enforcement and the deployment of drone technology and artificial intelligence to monitor remote mining sites.

In his keynote address, Dr. Mike Omeri underscored the need for leadership anchored on service and the common good.

“Leadership of purpose is courageous and does not seek power. Rather, it seeks to serve,” Omeri said, urging leaders to bridge inequality and champion justice, equity and compassion.

Delivering the homily at the opening Mass, Ignatius Kaigama warned political and religious leaders against abusing authority and distorting the Christian message for material gain.
“We fervently hope that the 2027 elections will be different and every single vote… will count, and the genuine will of the people, respected,” Kaigama said.

He cautioned against prosperity teachings that reduce faith to material acquisition, saying some “so-called powerful men of God” preach a distorted gospel focused solely on wealth.

Earlier, Ugorji announced a Special Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV, describing it as a call to deeper spiritual renewal and peace.

He also disclosed that he would step down as CBCN president at the close of the plenary.

“I take advantage of this opportunity to thank you for the cooperation and support I received from you all during my tenure as your chief servant,” he said.

The bishops’ intervention adds to mounting pressure on authorities to address insecurity decisively and rebuild public trust ahead of the 2027 polls.

Stakeholders in Ogu town, Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, have lauded the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention for its sensitisation programme, describing it as timely and impactful.

The Chairman of Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief (Barr.) Lawrence Abiabiari, who was represented by Chief Stephen Mina-Omubo, said the initiative was a welcome development and an eye-opener for many in the community.

According to him, the engagement illuminated critical issues such as rape and abandonment, adding that some residents were previously unaware that women could also be perpetrators of sexual violence.

He commended the committee for addressing sensitive but pressing concerns and expressed optimism that participants would cascade the knowledge gained to others within the community. He also called for regular sensitisation programmes and assured the organisers of the community’s full support.

In her remarks, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on Gender Based Violence Prevention, Barr. Evelyn Membere-Asimiea, said the programme was designed to equip residents with knowledge needed to prevent and respond effectively to GBV cases.
She described the turnout as impressive and beyond expectations, attributing the success of the programme to collaborative support from partners, including ActionAid Nigeria and the Ford Foundation.

Membere-Asimiea urged survivors of GBV to seek help at the Rivers State Sexual Assault Referral Centre, located at No. 32 Nembe Street, Borokiri, Port Harcourt, and managed by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation. She also advised victims to contact the Office of the Public Defender under the state Ministry of Justice for legal support on GBV-related matters.

She further disclosed plans to extend the sensitisation campaign to other local government areas, including Ikwerre LGA, as part of efforts to deepen awareness and foster safer communities across the state.

“We plan to replicate this success in other communities to create a safer environment for all in Rivers State,” she said.

Earlier, the Head of the Advocacy Sub-Committee, Barr. Ere Boma, provided an overview of gender-based violence, outlining its various forms — sexual, domestic, economic and psychological abuse — and their far-reaching consequences.

She urged participants, including traditional rulers, community leaders, women and representatives of civil society organisations, to take collective responsibility in confronting GBV, supporting survivors and promoting a culture of respect and equality.

The Atlantic Bell reports that the programme, themed “Ending Gender-Based Violence Starts with Us,” featured interactive sessions on rights awareness, prevention strategies and available support services, alongside question-and-answer engagements with attendees.

As residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) head to the polls on Saturday, February 21, 2025, to elect chairmen and councillors across the six area councils, the elections are shaping into a crucial test of strength for the opposition coalition rallying under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The polls, to be conducted in Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali, are widely seen as a referendum on emerging political realignments in the territory, amid open backing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The ADC, buoyed by prominent opposition figures including former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has intensified its campaign, urging residents to reject the ruling APC.

In AMAC, the ADC chairmanship candidate, Dr. Moses Paul, described his ambition as the product of years of community engagement.

“Preparation for leadership does not begin a few days before an election. It is built over time through service and sacrifice,” he said, insisting that the contest represents “a turning point” for residents seeking accountable governance.

Paul pledged cooperation with lawful authorities, including the FCT administration, if elected, but stressed that his primary loyalty would remain with the people.

“Leadership is not about ego; it is about responsibility. I will work with every lawful authority in the interest of our people,” he stated.

On questions surrounding indigeneity, he maintained that service, rather than birthplace, should define leadership credentials in the cosmopolitan capital.

However, the elections have been overshadowed by the assertive intervention of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who has openly declared support for candidates aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda, regardless of party affiliation.

Wike, while addressing supporters in Abuja last week, said he would ensure that only candidates backing the President emerge victorious.

“I have a duty to support any candidate that supports President Tinubu to win,” he said, adding that he owed “no apology” for his stance.

His position has triggered significant shifts within the PDP. In Bwari, the PDP chairmanship candidate, Julius Adamu, stepped down in favour of the APC candidate, Joshua Ishaku Musa. Similarly, in AMAC, the PDP’s Hon. Zadna Dantani withdrew from the race to back the incumbent APC candidate, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.

Party insiders attribute both withdrawals to strategic recalibrations influenced by the minister’s political weight in the territory, effectively blurring party lines and consolidating support for the APC in key councils.

Across markets and neighbourhoods, residents expressed cautious optimism mixed with fatigue over campaign promises.

Aisha Abdulkadir, a trader in Bwari market, lamented what she described as a cycle of absentee leadership. “We are tired of leaders who come during campaigns and then disappear,” she said.
Joy Okon, a provision seller at Dutse market, called for competence over ambition, while a mobile phone dealer, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka, emphasised the need for improved infrastructure and security.

Others, like civil servant Victoria Odumu, said their votes would be guided by track record rather than rhetoric.

Security agencies have announced a 12-hour restriction of movement across the FCT from 6am to 6pm on election day to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

With the ADC seeking to assert itself as a viable opposition platform and the APC benefiting from high-profile cross-party endorsements, Saturday’s vote may redefine the political equilibrium in the nation’s capital — and signal the trajectory of broader opposition realignments ahead of future national contests.

Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Senator Barinada Mpigi, who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

Mpigi, 64, was until his death the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works in the 10th National Assembly.

His passing has thrown political stakeholders in Rivers State and beyond into mourning, given his long-standing influence in the state’s political landscape.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, Governor Fubara described the late lawmaker as a “brother, consummate politician and one of the leading lights in Rivers State politics.”

The governor said Mpigi’s death came at a critical time when his experience and services were still needed by the people of the state, particularly at the federal level where he played a key role in legislative oversight on infrastructure development.

Fubara prayed for the repose of the senator’s soul and urged his family and associates to find comfort in what he described as a life of impact and service.

He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the people of Rivers South-East Senatorial District and members of the Senate, noting that Mpigi left behind a legacy of dedication to public service and commitment to the development of Rivers State.

A seasoned politician, Mpigi was regarded as a prominent figure in Rivers politics, contributing significantly to legislative debates and constituency development initiatives.

His role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works placed him at the centre of oversight responsibilities on federal road projects and other critical infrastructure across the country.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family.