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Aondoakaa Urges U.S. Airstrikes to Tackle Escalating Insecurity in Benue

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By: Fabian Apechihin

Former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, has called for foreign military intervention to address the worsening security crisis in Benue State, urging the United States to carry out aerial operations against armed groups in the area.

Citing a report by The Punch on Monday, January 5, 2026, Aondoakaa said the scale and persistence of violence in Benue have overwhelmed existing security measures and now require decisive external support. He made the remarks while speaking at a political gathering in Makurdi, as part of activities linked to his bid for the Benue governorship in 2027.

According to Aondoakaa, armed groups masquerading as herders have entrenched themselves across several local government areas, destroying farmlands, displacing residents, and unlawfully occupying communities. He argued that targeted airstrikes—similar to those deployed against insurgents in parts of northern Nigeria—should be extended to Benue to dismantle the groups’ strongholds.

The former AGF criticised the state government’s response, describing it as inadequate given the scale of the violence and reported casualties in remote communities. While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s broader efforts to strengthen national security, Aondoakaa insisted that the intensity of the threat in Benue demands stronger action beyond conventional domestic operations.

He added that although his proposed administration would prioritise security if elected, immediate steps are necessary to stem the bloodshed and restore safety to affected communities.

The comments come amid renewed calls for political unity in the state. Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom commended Aondoakaa’s experience and urged leaders across party lines to work together to confront the crisis. Aondoakaa’s appeal for U.S. military involvement underscores growing anxiety over Benue’s security challenges and mounting pressure on authorities to deliver lasting solutions.

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Trump Warns House Republicans: Losing Midterms Could Lead to Impeachment

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By: Fabian Apechihin

United States President Donald Trump has cautioned House Republicans that the 2026 midterm elections carry enormous personal consequences for him, warning that a loss of congressional control would almost certainly trigger impeachment efforts by Democrats.

According to a Reuters report on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Trump delivered the message during a closed-door retreat with GOP lawmakers in Washington. He bluntly framed the elections as critical to the survival of his presidency.

“You gotta win the midterms ’cause if we don’t win the midterms, it’s just gonna be — I mean, they’ll find a reason to impeach me,” Trump told lawmakers. “I’ll get impeached,” he added.

The remarks underscored a broader call for party unity, with the president urging Republicans to rally behind his agenda on issues ranging from gender policy and healthcare to election reforms. He also pressed lawmakers to better communicate his policies to voters grappling with high living costs and economic strain.

The November midterm elections will see all seats in the House of Representatives contested, along with about one-third of the Senate. Trump described the vote as a chance for a decisive Republican victory, even as he acknowledged the long-standing trend of voters punishing the party in power during midterms. He expressed puzzlement over why public sentiment often shifts against sitting presidents.

So far, House Republicans have largely aligned themselves with Trump, backing his administration on major spending and policy decisions. However, signs of potential friction have emerged. Lawmakers are expected to vote this week on whether to override Trump’s recent veto blocking water infrastructure projects in Colorado and Utah, a move that would require a two-thirds majority to succeed.

Trump’s warning carries added weight given his past. During his first term, he was impeached twice by a Democratic-controlled House — first over his dealings with Ukraine and later in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. On both occasions, the Republican-led Senate acquitted him.

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NYSC Announces Date for 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I Orientation Course

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By: Fabian Apechihin

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced that the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I Orientation Course will commence nationwide on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, across all 37 orientation camps in the country.

In a statement shared on its official X handle on Tuesday, the scheme disclosed that camp registration for prospective corps members will run from Wednesday, January 21, to midnight on Friday, January 23, 2026.

According to the announcement, the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2026, while the orientation exercise will officially end with the closing ceremony on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

The Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, wished prospective corps members a safe journey to their various states of deployment and advised them to avoid travelling at night.

NYSC management also urged all corps members to strictly comply with the orientation timetable to ensure a smooth and successful programme.

Established in 1973 to promote national unity and integration after the Nigerian Civil War, the NYSC orientation camp is a compulsory three-week exercise. During the period, corps members participate in paramilitary drills, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training, lectures on national issues, and cultural activities aimed at fostering unity across ethnic and religious lines.

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Muslim women entrepreneurs to stage Ramadan fair in Kwara

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Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

No fewer than 100 Muslim women entrepreneurs across Kwara State have put necessary machinery in motion to organise a trade fair designed to empower women-led businesses, strengthen local enterprise, and contribute to economic development in the State.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday on the sideline of forthcoming ‘Muslimah Entrepreneurs Trade Fair’, the Convener of the group, Fatimah Saliu, said that the Muslim women entrepreneurs are committed to changing business narratives among women folks dealing in halal (lawful) businesses.

Saliu, who said that women contribute significantly to household income, food security, manufacturing, services, and creative industries across the State, however, lamented that many of these businesses remain informal, unseen, and unsupported.

“This trade fair is not just about buying and selling. It is a purpose-driven platform created to address a real gap we see every day:
women running viable businesses but lacking visibility, structured markets, and access to opportunities that allow them to scale sustainably.

“At this trade fair, over 30,000 participants and attendees will experience a well-organised marketplace that brings together businesses from diverse sectors—food and beverages, fashion, beauty, agro-processing, services, creative industries, and more.

“It will also serve as a space for networking, brand exposure, partnership building, and community engagement”, she said.

Hajia Saliu, who is also the Founder of Baytu Tejmeel/BaytuBillions, said that though the initiative is Muslimah-led and values-driven, added that the trade fair is open to all vendors and the general public.

She said that the fair would take place before the forthcoming Ramadan season, adding that it is expected to serve purpose of pre-Ramadan, Ramadan and eid el fitri sallah shopping slated between January and February, 2026.

She said: “Our guiding principles are ethical business practices, quality products, professionalism, and inclusivity.

“We are intentional about structure, order, and impact. Our goal is not a one-off event, but the foundation of a recurring economic platform that supports small and medium enterprises, creates employment, and encourages local production.”

She called on policymakers, institutions, and private stakeholders to partner with the women entrepreneurs in amplifying the vision.

“To the people of Kwara State, this trade fair is an invitation to support local businesses, to invest in women-led enterprises, and to participate in building an economy that is inclusive and sustainable.

“We are confident that this initiative will deliver measurable impact—from increased sales and brand visibility for vendors, to stronger business networks and economic activity within our state,” she added.

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