One Abducted Ekiti Church Worshipper Confirmed Dead, Others Rescued
The Ekiti State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the death of one of the worshippers abducted during an attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eda-Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area on April 28, 2026, while announcing the rescue of the remaining victims. The command said the rescued victims have been taken to hospital for medical examination and treatment. The Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye, commended the inter-agency synergy that made the rescue possible and said efforts were ongoing to arrest those responsible for the abduction.
Two More Nigerians Killed in Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa
Two more Nigerians have been killed in xenophobic attacks in South Africa, the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg has announced. The consulate said the victims, identified as Emeka Iroegbu and Musa Joe, were both killed on Sunday, June 28, under different circumstances. The deaths bring renewed urgency to concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa amid a series of xenophobic incidents.
Delta Police Arrest Man Who Faked His Own Kidnap to Extort N25m From Family
The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man for allegedly staging his own kidnap to extort N25 million from his family. The command also rescued a two-week-old baby from suspected child traffickers and arrested two persons accused of spreading false information linking the police to a fatal auto crash in Ughelli.
Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Interfaith Dialogue, Receives Vatican Envoy
President Bola Tinubu on Saturday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising interfaith dialogue and promoting peace, harmony and tolerance among Nigeria’s diverse religious communities. The President made this statement while receiving Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, at his Abuja residence.
Ogun Police Arrest 89 Motorists for Number Plate Violations, Foil Armed Robbery
The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended 89 motorists for number plate violations across the state, foiled armed robbery operations and recovered stolen motorcycles. State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abeokuta.
Kogi Government, Army Recover 1,000 Rustled Livestock in North-Central Security Operations
The Kogi State Government, in collaboration with the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Hybrid Forces from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the DSS and the police, has recovered about 1,000 rustled livestock in sustained security operations across the state. The operations targeted remnants of the criminal network of the late bandit kingpin Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo, as well as other cattle-rustling syndicates operating within Kogi and across the North-Central region.
Tinubu Flags Off N137bn Road Rehabilitation Project in Borno
President Bola Tinubu on Saturday flagged off a N137 billion rehabilitation of the Bama-Banki Road and the Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala Road in Borno State. He said during the ceremony that the roads, when fully completed, would boost trade, agricultural activities and enhance efficiency in security operations.
Ooni of Ife Denies Conferring Chieftaincy Title on Baba Ijesha
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has denied reports that he conferred a chieftaincy title on Nollywood actor Baba Ijesha. The palace, in a statement by its Director of Media and Public Affairs Otunba Moses Olafare, clarified that although the actor visited the Ile Oodua Palace to celebrate the birth of his son, no traditional title was bestowed on him. The phrase “Awada Konge Oduwa,” which Baba Ijesha described as a chieftaincy title on social media, was only a humorous remark made by the monarch during a relaxed interaction. The Ooni did present the actor with a brand-new car and cash gifts as a demonstration of fatherly love.
Amnesty International Urges Nigeria to Investigate Human Rights Violations in South-East
Amnesty International has urged the Nigerian government to conduct prompt, thorough, independent and transparent investigations into allegations of human rights violations and abuses in the South-East. The organisation called for investigations into alleged extrajudicial killings committed by state and non-state actors, including security forces, the state-backed Ebube Agu militia and so-called unknown gunmen.
Cooking Gas Prices Continue to Fall Across Nigeria
Prices of liquefied petroleum gas, known as cooking gas, have continued to fall across parts of Nigeria after weeks of upsurge due to supply constraints. Checks across retail outlets in Abuja showed prices have dropped by between N1,450 and N1,500 per kilogram from N1,700 at outlets in Dutse and Gwarimpa.
“I Was in the Wrong Party” — Akpabio Justifies Dumping PDP for APC
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has justified his decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress, saying a progressive-minded person like him should belong to a progressive family. Akpabio gave the fresh revelation on Friday while speaking at the inauguration of access roads in Karsana West District of the FCT, Abuja, recalling that when the APC approached him, he realised the PDP had been the wrong party for him all along. Akpabio officially defected from the PDP to the APC on August 8, 2018.
Atiku Challenges Tinubu to Explain “Missing” Two Percent of GDP After IMF Disclosure
ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has challenged the federal government to account for what he described as the “missing two percent of Nigeria’s GDP,” following an IMF disclosure that public expenditure equivalent to that amount was omitted from the country’s budget. In a statement on Saturday, Atiku said the omission raised constitutional and legal questions, adding, “This is no longer an accounting discrepancy. It is a constitutional, legal and moral scandal.” He called on the National Assembly, EFCC, ICPC and the Auditor-General to investigate the IMF’s findings.
Medical Expert Who Assessed Nnamdi Kanu’s Health Reportedly Arrested
A lawyer, Maxwell Opara, has raised the alarm over the alleged arrest of Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji, a medical expert said to have conducted an independent assessment of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu’s health condition. Opara claimed Aghaji was arrested at his residence in Independence Layout, Enugu State, on Friday, July 3. He said the professor had reportedly issued independent medical reports on Kanu’s health that allegedly contradicted an earlier DSS report, and called on professional bodies and civil society organisations to monitor the development.
LP’s Arabambi Demands N50 Billion From Peter Obi Over Alleged Defamation
Labour Party’s National Vice Chairman South-West, Abayomi Arabambi, has accused NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi of defaming him and demanded a public retraction, apology and N50 billion in compensation. In a pre-action demand letter dated July 3, 2026, Arabambi’s lawyers accused Obi of stating during a podcast interview that Arabambi “does not have an address,” a claim they described as false, malicious and defamatory. The lawyers said the interview was subsequently circulated across television stations and multiple digital platforms, exposing their client to widespread public ridicule.
Ex-IGP Suleiman Abba Dumps APC for PDP, Eyes Jigawa Senate Seat
Former Inspector-General of Police Suleiman Abba has defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party in Jigawa State, announcing his ambition to represent the Jigawa South-West Senatorial District in the National Assembly. Abba announced his defection on Saturday at a rally in Bamaina, the hometown of former Jigawa Governor and PDP chieftain Sule Lamido. He said his campaign would focus on security, agriculture and youth employment.
“Gbajabiamila Should Step Aside for Probe” — Falana
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana SAN has asked Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to step aside to allow a full investigation into the PFIPC controversy. Speaking on Eagle 102.5 FM, Falana questioned how a non-existent agency allegedly found its way into Nigeria’s Appropriation Act, secured office space in the Federal Secretariat, opened CBN accounts and had 300 staff posted to it by the Head of Service. “If this is a conman that can con the Presidency into issuing a letter of appointment, con the Central Bank into opening accounts, con the National Assembly into inserting the agency into the budget, I think the government is kidding,” Falana said.
“Heaven Forbid You End Up With a Guy Who Hasn’t Blown” — Toke Makinwa
Nigerian media personality Toke Makinwa has said she is an advocate of dating within one’s financial bracket, warning against the pitfalls of financial disparity in relationships. Speaking on the MENtality podcast hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Makinwa said many men leave women in their income bracket to chase those above them, only to later complain that women are materialistic.
Morocco Reach 2026 World Cup Quarter-Finals With Dominant 3-0 Win Over Canada
Morocco became the first team to reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dominant second-half display earned them a 3-0 win over co-hosts Canada. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice, with Achraf Hakimi providing the assist for the opener, before Soufiane Rahimi added a third with virtually the final kick of the match. Canada, the first co-host to be eliminated, created early chances but lacked cutting edge as Morocco’s Atlas Lions powered into the last eight.
NEWS NOW:
