Tension gripped commuters along the Gusau–Funtua highway in Zamfara State on Friday following reports that suspected armed bandits had planted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the busy federal road.

Eyewitnesses claimed the suspected device was discovered in the early hours of Friday at Ungwar Mai Chida village, the same general area where an IED explosion earlier in the week reportedly damaged a trailer.

The reports triggered panic among motorists, many of whom were said to have halted their journeys and sought safer routes amid fears of a possible attack. Some commuters were left stranded for hours as uncertainty spread along the highway.

Residents in the area said security operatives later mobilized to the scene, secured the location, and cleared the road to allow traffic to resume.

However, the Public Relations Officer of the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, told Arise News via telephone that no such incident occurred on the highway. According to him, the police merely carried out proactive security measures to ensure the safety of motorists and commuters.

Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and rely on verified information, assuring road users of continued security surveillance along the route.

Manchester City will rekindle their rivalry with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last 16 after Fridays draw in Nyon, Switzerland. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that this will be their sixth knockout meeting since the 2019/2020 Champions League season. Manchester City edged the 15-time European champions 2-1 during Decembers group stage clash, setting the stage for another heavyweight showdown many observers have likened to a final.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will confront Chelsea in a repeat of last seasons heated Club World Cup final won by the English side. Both teams expressed confidence ahead of the tie. Premier League leaders Arsenal face Bayer Leverkusen after topping the league phase with eight straight victories to avoid Europes biggest heavyweights.

Bayern Munich, runners-up in the group stage, take on Atalanta, who eliminated Borussia Dortmund via a stoppage-time penalty in the playoffs. Elsewhere, Newcastle United meet Barcelona again, while Liverpool battle Galatasaray. Struggling Tottenham Hotspur face Atletico Madrid as Norways giant-killers Bodo/Glimt square off against Sporting Lisbon.

The last-16 fixtures are as follows: Real Madrid v Manchester City; Bodo/Glimt v Sporting; Paris Saint-Germain v Chelsea; Newcastle United v Barcelona; Galatasaray v Liverpool; Atletico Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur; Atalanta v Bayern Munich; and Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that quarter-final and semi-final pairings were also confirmed, with potential blockbuster clashes awaiting as Europes elite chase Champions League glory.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered separate bail decisions affecting former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his wife Asabe, and their son Abdulazeez, following fresh proceedings bordering on alleged fraud, terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the rulings on Thursday after the trio was re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged N8.7 billion fraud case.

Fraud Charge: Bail Application Deferred

At the proceedings, defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), informed the court that Justice Emeka Nwite had earlier granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500 million each on January 7, and that the bail conditions had been perfected.

However, Justice Abdulmalik held that the earlier proceedings were no longer valid, noting that Justice Nwite had sat as a vacation judge at the time and that the case file had since been reassigned to a regular court.

The judge declined to entertain an oral application for bail, directing that a formal application be filed instead.

Following the ruling, Malami and his son were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, while his wife, Asabe, was ordered remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State. The court fixed March 6 for hearing of the bail application in the fraud case.

Terrorism, Firearms Charges: N200m Bail Granted

In a separate ruling the same day, Justice Abdulmalik granted Malami and his son bail in the sum of N200 million each in a five-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026.

The charges include alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms. Among the allegations are claims that Malami failed to prosecute suspected terror financiers during his tenure as Attorney-General and that a Sturm Magnum firearm, 16 live rounds of ammunition and 27 expended cartridges were allegedly found at their residence in Kebbi State without proper authorization.

The court ordered that each defendant must provide two sureties who own landed property in Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja, submit valid title documents, swear to affidavits of means, and deposit their international passports with the court registry.

Despite the bail grant in the DSS case, Malami and his son are to remain in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of their bail conditions. Trial in the matter is scheduled to commence on March 4.