Makinde vows to sacrifice himself to rescue Oyo abductees
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has declared his readiness to sacrifice himself to secure the release of 46 pupils and teachers abducted from Orrire Local Government Area on May 15. Addressing protesters — including social media influencer VeryDarkMan — at the Government House on Tuesday, Makinde said he was personally distressed by the abduction, noting the victims had been in captivity for over a month. “I am also distressed because I have children of my own. I’m also distressed with what has happened to our children. It has been one month, just one month and one day already,” he said. The governor, however, declined to disclose details of the ongoing security operation, citing its sensitive nature, while pledging that Oyo State would never witness a tragedy comparable to the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction.
Appeal Court blocks INEC from deregistering ADC, four other parties
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered an immediate stay of execution on the Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four other political parties. A three-member appellate panel led by Justice A. B. Mohammed issued the order unanimously on Tuesday, also rebuking Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court for proceeding with the case in defiance of an earlier appellate court directive issued on May 22. The panel described the lower court’s conduct as the highest form of judicial impertinence, adding that the Supreme Court had previously held that a judge who acted in such a manner was unfit for the bench. The parties affected — ADC, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party — had been ordered deregistered for failing to meet statutory conditions for retaining their registration.
Katsina woman sentenced to death for terrorism
A Federal High Court in Katsina has sentenced Hauwa’u Mukhtar to death by hanging after convicting her on two counts of conspiracy to commit terrorism and aiding and abetting terrorist activities. The judgment marks a significant outcome in the state’s ongoing battle against insurgency-related offences.
Gunmen kill two soldiers, police officer in attack on NIPSS Kuru
Gunmen attacked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State, on Monday night, killing two soldiers and a police officer who were on duty at the institution’s staff quarters. The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the deaths in a statement on Tuesday, with spokesman SP Alfred Alabo saying Commissioner of Police Bassey Ewah had deployed additional security reinforcements to the area and intensified patrols. Police said the situation had been brought under control and normal activities had resumed in and around the institute, while investigations into the circumstances of the attack were ongoing.
Katsina bans jerrycan fuel sales, shuts POS and phone-charging centres to tackle banditry
Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has announced sweeping new security measures to curb banditry and kidnapping, including a statewide ban on the sale, purchase, transportation, and storage of petroleum products in jerrycans. Issued via an executive order following an emergency security meeting with agencies, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders, the directive also orders the immediate closure of all Point of Sale businesses and commercial phone-charging centres in Matazu and Musawa Local Government Areas. The government said intelligence reports had linked jerrycan fuel movements to the sustenance of criminal operations in forests and remote areas, and that the measures were designed to cut off supplies to armed groups and weaken their capacity.
Court revokes Sowore’s bail over absence from trial
A Federal High Court in Abuja has revoked the bail earlier granted to African Action Congress presidential candidate and online publisher Omoyele Sowore, who is standing trial for alleged criminal defamation. Justice Mohammed Umar made the order on Tuesday after Sowore failed to appear in court without providing any satisfactory explanation for his absence.
Military rescues 388 kidnap victims, kills 10 terrorists in one week
Nigerian military troops rescued 388 kidnapped victims, arrested 31 terrorists, and neutralised 10 others across various theatres of operation in the past week. Director of Defence Media Operations Major General Michael Onoja announced the figures on Tuesday in Abuja while giving an update on ongoing offensives against criminal elements across the country.
FG identifies 470 grazing reserves for pastoralist resettlement
The Federal Government has identified 470 gazetted and legally protected grazing reserves for the rehabilitation and resettlement of pastoralists, as part of efforts to end open cattle grazing in Abuja, Lagos, and other cities. Minister of Livestock Development Idi Maiha disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking on the implementation of the National Dairy Policy Framework.
Naira gains at parallel market, slips at official window
The naira appreciated to N1,389 per dollar in the parallel market on Tuesday, up from N1,400 on Monday. However, it depreciated slightly at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, closing at N1,356.5 per dollar.
Senate cuts short recess, summons emergency session over insecurity
The Nigerian Senate has suspended its legislative recess and called lawmakers back for an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, June 23, to address rising insecurity across the country. A notice dated June 15 and signed by Senate Clerk Emmanuel Odo directed senators to reconvene at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja at 11:00 a.m.
FCT court dismisses Yahaya Bello’s bid to quash ₦110bn fraud charge
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has dismissed an application by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello seeking to strike out the ₦110 billion fraud charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Justice Maryanne Anenih ruled that the court has jurisdiction to hear the matter and ordered the trial to proceed. Bello’s lead counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), had argued that the FCT High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction and that the case constituted an abuse of process given a related charge already pending before the Federal High Court.
Senate denies forgery claim over Natasha’s suspension documents
The Nigerian Senate has dismissed allegations by Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole that signatures were forged in documents leading to the six-month suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu described the allegation as totally untrue. Oshiomhole had claimed that at least three senators whose names appeared in the suspension committee report had privately told him they neither signed the document nor endorsed its recommendations, remarks he made during a Monday interview on AIT while reacting to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele’s description of the suspension as one of the lowest points of the 10th Senate.
Denrele Edun ‘marries’ himself on 45th birthday
Nigerian media personality and actor Denrele Edun marked his 45th birthday by staging a symbolic self-marriage ceremony, sharing a video on Instagram in which he described the gesture as an act of self-love and personal celebration. Edun said the decision was not about a formal marriage but a personal statement of acceptance, honouring every version of himself that had survived fame, challenges, and change over the years.
‘I wish I had gone instead’ — Niniola breaks silence on husband’s death
Nigerian singer Niniola Apata has spoken out about the grief she is enduring following the death of her husband Michael Ndika, saying she wished she had been taken instead of him. In a series of Instagram Story posts weeks after announcing his passing on May 20, Niniola described Ndika as the person who gave meaning to her life and said coping with his absence had been extremely difficult. A service of songs was held on June 4 and burial on June 5, though the circumstances of his death have not been made public.
Amorim appointed AC Milan head coach six months after Man United exit
Ruben Amorim has been named head coach of AC Milan, just six months after his dismissal from Manchester United. The Portuguese manager has signed a two-year contract with an option to extend until 2029, replacing Massimiliano Allegri at a club that finished fifth in Serie A last season and missed out on Champions League qualification. “There are ambitions that stay with you throughout your career, and coaching AC Milan has always been one of mine,” Amorim said after his appointment. The 41-year-old took charge at Old Trafford in November 2024, but his 14-month spell ended in January following a difficult campaign that produced the club’s lowest-ever Premier League finish and no European qualification.
Iran coach calls his side the ‘most oppressed’ team at World Cup after LA travel row
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has described his squad as the most oppressed team at the World Cup after officials ordered the team to leave Los Angeles immediately following their 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Group G, forcing them to abandon plans to rest overnight and hlold a recovery session. “After the game, they said to us, ‘You have to leave immediately’,” Ghalenoei said, adding that the team was being made to face more hurdles than any other side. Iran’s campaign has been overshadowed by logistical difficulties tied to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and broader security concerns surrounding their participation in the tournament.
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