Fabian

Passengers aboard an Arik Air flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt were thrown into moments of anxiety on Wednesday morning after the aircraft developed an engine problem mid-air, prompting an emergency diversion to Benin City.

The airline confirmed that the Boeing 737-700 aircraft, registered as 5N-MJF and operating Flight W3 740, was descending into Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the crew heard a loud bang from the left engine.

In line with standard safety procedures, the pilots immediately diverted the flight to the nearest airport as a precautionary measure. The aircraft landed safely at Benin Airport without further incident.

Arik Air disclosed that all 80 passengers and crew members onboard disembarked safely, with no injuries reported. The airline also stated that alternative arrangements were made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued after the incident, the airline’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, apologised for the disruption and reassured the public of its commitment to safety.

“The safety and wellbeing of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air. We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted,” the statement read.

Fabian

Electricity workers under the umbrella of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have threatened to embark on a nationwide strike over unresolved labour issues in the power sector.

The union issued a 21-day strike notice to the Federal Government, citing widespread anti-labour practices, wage violations, non-remittance of statutory deductions, and growing job insecurity within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

In the notice dated January 26, 2026, and signed by NUEE’s Acting General Secretary, Igwebike Dominic, the union warned that failure to address the grievances within the stipulated period could lead to industrial action capable of crippling electricity generation and distribution across the country.

Dominic noted that many of the issues have lingered for over 12 years since the privatisation of the electricity sector, accusing the Ministry of Power of showing little interest in resolving them.

“We have written several letters to your highly exalted office on precarious work in NESI, especially in Gencos and Discos, since after the privatisation of the electricity sector for more than 12 years, but the Ministry seems not to be interested in the matter,” the letter stated.

The union accused power sector managements of refusing to negotiate and implement procedural agreements and conditions of service, particularly in generating companies. It also alleged failure to implement the 2025 National Minimum Wage Act and its consequential salary adjustments.

According to NUEE, workers’ constitutional rights to unionise and engage in collective bargaining are being suppressed, with union activities restricted within company premises. The union further alleged that employers deduct union dues and other statutory contributions but fail to remit them.

It also claimed that third-party deductions such as Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes and pension contributions have remained unpaid for extended periods. In some distribution companies, including Kaduna and Kano Discos, pension deductions were reportedly not remitted for as long as 82 months.

The union raised concerns about alleged harassment, intimidation, and threats against workers in some companies, including Ikeja Electric and Egbin Power Plc, describing what it called the “militarisation of the workplace.”

Despite repeated electricity tariff increases, band reclassifications, and improved revenues to power firms, NUEE said workers have seen no promotions, salary increments, or bonuses, while facing public backlash over poor power supply.

“Tariffs have gone up repeatedly, yet there has been no promotion, no increment, no bonuses, and no improvement in working conditions for workers, while customers vent their anger on innocent employees,” the union stated.

NUEE also accused investors of failing to meet post-privatisation commitments such as capital injection, metering expansion, network upgrades, and improved electricity supply, describing the situation as a failure of the privatisation process.

The union urged the Federal Government to urgently convene stakeholders to address the crisis, warning that if the issues are not resolved within 21 days, workers will resort to “legitimate labour actions” to protect their rights.

“We demand the immediate resolution of all these anti-labour issues within twenty-one days of the receipt of this letter. Otherwise, we will not be constrained to take our fate into our hands by employing any legitimate labour weapon suitable for the situation. This is not a threat,” the notice concluded.

Fabian

An early morning explosion disrupted activities at the Bayelsa State Secretariat Complex in Yenagoa on Wednesday, triggering panic among workers and residents nearby.

The blast, which occurred around 6:00 a.m., was reportedly caused by a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted within the secretariat premises. Security agencies swiftly responded, securing the area and restricting movement in and out of the complex while safety checks were conducted.

The Bayelsa State Police Command confirmed that no casualties were recorded and no buildings were damaged in the incident.

In a statement issued shortly after the explosion, the Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah, said he personally led the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, Special Drone Unit, and other tactical teams to the scene.

“The Bayelsa State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a suspected IED explosion which occurred today, 11th February 2026, at about 0600hrs within the State Secretariat Complex. I immediately led the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, Special Drone Unit, and other tactical teams to the scene,” he stated.

He added that operatives quickly secured the area and conducted a detailed search, during which an unexploded IED was discovered and safely neutralized. “No life was lost and no property was destroyed,” the Commissioner said.

A 60-year-old man, identified as Pentecost Elijah from Otuan Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident. He is currently being interrogated at the State Criminal Investigation Department and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

CP Iyamah assured residents that the situation was under control and normalcy had been restored, urging the public to remain calm and go about their lawful activities.

Following the incident, the Bayelsa State Government announced a temporary four-hour suspension of work at the secretariat as a precautionary measure. The directive, issued by the Head of Service, Dr. Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer, affected over 6,000 civil servants who were asked to stay away from the complex while security checks were completed.

Security operatives, including the anti-bomb squad, blocked major roads leading to the State Secretariat and Government House, while surveillance teams combed surrounding buildings to rule out further threats.

Authorities later confirmed that the area had been declared safe and normal activities were gradually resuming.