A fire has broken out at a First Bank of Nigeria branch along the busy Abuja-Keffi Road, with thick black smoke billowing from the building this afternoon.

Videos circulating on social media show flames and heavy smoke rising from the structure, identified by multiple eyewitnesses as the First Bank location in the Mararaba/Karu area of the expressway. Bystanders can be seen attempting to douse the blaze with buckets of water amid reports that fire service response was delayed or absent in the initial moments.

The exact cause of the fire remains unconfirmed at this time. There are no immediate reports of casualties, though the full extent of damage to the bank building and any impact on surrounding properties or traffic along the heavily congested Abuja-Keffi corridor is still being assessed.

Emergency responders, including fire service personnel, are expected on the scene. Commuters and residents in the Nyanya-Mararaba-Karu axis are advised to exercise caution as the incident may cause further traffic disruptions on the already busy route.

Further updates will follow as more details emerge from official sources.

Segun Ogunwuyi, the Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, has resigned from his position with immediate effect.

In a formal letter dated Monday, October 12, 2026, and addressed to the governor, Ogunwuyi stated that his resignation takes effect from the same day.

“I respectfully write to resign my appointment as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Oyo State, with effect from today, 12th October, 2026,” the letter read.

Ogunwuyi described his service in the administration as a great honour and expressed pride in the achievements recorded by the government. He said it had been deeply fulfilling to be part of the team that worked to deliver the administration’s accomplishments in advancing the growth, development and prosperity of Oyo State.

He also conveyed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to Oyo State and Nigeria, while expressing confidence in the state’s continued progress.

A former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives, Ogunwuyi is among several aides who have left the Makinde administration in recent months. He was appointed Chief of Staff in July 2021.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised the alarm over a fraudulent publication circulating online that claims to be a special announcement about governorship candidates for the 2027 elections.

In a public notice issued on Monday, October 12, 2026, the electoral body described the document as “FAKE” and stressed that it did not originate from the Commission.

The circulating material purports to address issues affecting the list of governorship candidates in six states: Zamfara, Gombe, Delta, Plateau, Yobe, and Kano.

“The Commission wishes to categorically inform the general public that the publication is FAKE and did not originate from INEC. INEC therefore urges members of the public to disregard the fraudulent publication and refrain from sharing it,” the notice stated.

INEC further clarified that any information suggesting it has issued a special announcement concerning governorship candidates in those states is false.

The warning comes just days after the Commission published the final lists of candidates for the February 6, 2027 governorship elections.

The electoral umpire advised Nigerians, political parties, and candidates to rely solely on official notices, press releases, and information released through its verified channels.

These include the INEC website (inecnigeria.org), its Facebook page (INEC Nigeria), X and Instagram handles (@inecnigeria), and the INEC News Portal.

INEC reiterated its commitment to providing accurate electoral information and called on the public to remain vigilant against misleading publications as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.