Troops Rescue Nine Abduction Victims, Recover 56 Livestock In Katsina
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued nine victims who escaped from their abductors, recovered 56 rustled livestock and arrested a suspected terrorist during separate intelligence-led operations in Katsina State.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
Three Suspects Arraigned Over Oriire School Abduction
The Federal Government on Friday arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants, arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), face a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement to terrorism and illegal mining.
The suspects were identified as Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.
According to the charge sheet, the three defendants, all natives of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with three other suspects — Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab — to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
The alleged conspiracy was said to have taken place between January and May 2026, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Federal Government also accused the defendants of aiding the execution of the abduction and deliberately concealing information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot, contravening Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the same Act.
Supreme Court Affirms Forfeiture Of Emefiele’s Assets To FG
The Supreme Court has affirmed the final forfeiture of seven landed properties, $2,045,000 and share certificates linked to a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In a unanimous judgment delivered Thursday, a five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, and affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
Tinubu Signs Executive Order On Virtual Assets Coordination
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the Presidential Executive Order on Virtual Assets Coordination, 2026, establishing a new inter-agency framework to harmonise the regulation of virtual assets and strengthen oversight of Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
Mary Habila’s Father Petitions IGP For Release Of Daughter’s Remains
Tanko Habila, father of the late Miss Mary Habila, the nurse who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police demanding the release of her remains for burial.
Habila, accompanied by his wife, other family members and their lawyers, addressed the press shortly after submitting the petition at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Friday.
FG Renames Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway After Tinubu
The Federal Government has renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in honour of President Bola Tinubu, saying the landmark infrastructure project was inspired by a vision he conceived while serving as governor of Lagos State nearly three decades ago.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced this during a media briefing in Abuja, describing the renaming as recognition of Tinubu’s role in initiating the idea behind the 750-kilometre highway.
Navy Dismantles 48 Illegal Refineries, Arrests Over 91 Suspects In Q2 2026
The Nigerian Navy says it dismantled 48 illegal refinery sites, recovered about 4.698 million litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products, and arrested more than 91 suspects involved in crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, militancy and related offences during the second quarter of 2026.
The Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.
Police Arrest Four Over Mob Killing Of 21-Year-Old In Akwa Ibom
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested four suspects over the alleged mob killing of a 21-year-old, Emmanuel Effiong.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, confirmed this in a statement in Uyo on Friday, saying the suspects murdered the victim and secretly buried his body in a shallow grave.
Court Strikes Out Suit Seeking Recognition Of Turaki-Led PDP
A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and publish the names of the Kabiru Turaki-led interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Justice Salim Ibrahim held that the plaintiffs, led by PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, lacked the legal standing to institute the suit and consequently struck it out for want of jurisdiction.
The court upheld the preliminary objection filed by INEC and sustained similar objections raised by parties seeking to be joined in the suit, ruling that the plaintiffs failed to establish that INEC had recognised the purported interim NWC or that they had authority to sue on behalf of the PDP.
Members of the Wabara-led Board of Trustees had approached the court to compel INEC to update its records and recognise the factional interim NWC headed by Kabiru Turaki (SAN), and to publish the names of the interim executives on its official website.
The plaintiffs argued that the names of members of the Turaki-led executive were forwarded to INEC through letters dated May 4, contending that the electoral body was obligated to recognise and act on correspondence from the interim leadership under constitutional and party constitutional provisions.
Aside from Wabara, the plaintiffs included former Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Prof. Jerry Gana, Chief Olabode George, Hajiya Maryam Ciroma, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Dame Esther Uduehi and the PDP.
INEC was listed as the sole defendant in the suit, which was filed on June 4 through a legal team led by Chris Uche (SAN).
In reaction, the Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee vowed to appeal the judgment, saying that although it respected the court’s decision, it believed the judgment was inconsistent with existing decisions of the appellate and Supreme courts.
‘He Has Lost Control’ – ADC Asks National Assembly To Probe Tinubu’s Fitness
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the National Assembly to investigate whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fit to discharge the duties of his office, following controversies surrounding appointments and leadership changes in some federal agencies.
The opposition party alleged that the reported leadership dispute at the Border Communities Development Agency indicated that the President had lost control of his administration, and that unelected interests may be exercising presidential powers unknown to the man elected by Nigerians.
In a statement issued Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the controversy raised questions about whether presidential directives on appointments and removals were still being obeyed.
The party also cited the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and a series of Federal Government policy reversals as evidence of what it described as growing confusion within the Presidency.
The ADC expressed concern over reports that an official publicly removed from office by presidential directive continued to occupy the position and hold meetings with senior government officials, saying that if confirmed, the development raised broader constitutional questions about the exercise of presidential authority.
The party described the purported PFIPC as a “phantom” agency that allegedly operated as though it were a legitimate arm of the Federal Government despite official claims that it did not exist.
‘There Is Silent Civil War In Obidient Movement’ – Bwala
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has claimed there is an ongoing silent civil war within the Obidient Movement.
Bwala, in a post via his 𝕏 handle on Friday, said some members are abandoning the movement after realising it is not a political movement but one driven by hate, vitriol and unpatriotic sentiment.
The presidential aide added that members of the movement disparage the very country they claim to want to govern.
He wrote that a silent political civil war was under way in the Obidient camp as members began to see through the group’s true nature and were abandoning it.
I Will Resign In 48 Hours If You Prove Me Wrong – Wike Dares Critics Over Road Projects
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that he is ready to resign if his critics can prove that some of his road construction projects do not exist.
He dared anyone to go on national television within 48 hours and show evidence that his administration did not award 317 kilometres of roads across satellite towns within the FCT, with 221 kilometres already completed.
The minister issued the challenge on Friday during the commissioning of the reconstructed Arab/Gbazango road in Kubwa, Bwari Area Council.
Mary Habila’s Family Cannot Stop Govt From Investigating Cause Of Death – Atiku’s Aide
The media aide to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has accused the Federal Government of failing to properly handle the Mary Habila case.
He argued that the Nigerian police ought to have conducted a full criminal investigation and launched a coroner’s inquest to establish the medical cause and manner of death, adding that Habila’s family cannot stop the investigation.
Ibe shared his position in a post on his 𝕏 handle on Friday, asserting that under Nigerian law the government is obligated to treat suspicious, sudden or unnatural deaths as crimes against the state.
What Law Are We Operating? – Falana Knocks FG Over House Gifts To Judges
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has slammed the Federal Government over its gifting of houses to judges in the country, arguing that the practice is discriminatory and illegal.
Falana shared his reservations on Housing TV Africa on Thursday, questioning why such gestures were not extended to university professors and other civil and public servants, noting that what is good for the goose is equally good for the gander.
The lawyer clarified that his objection was not to judges receiving accommodation but to the unequal treatment of other public servants who he said deserved similar consideration.
Falana warned that the arrangement would soon be tested in court, insisting that the government could not extend such privileges to one class of officials while ignoring others.
Team Nigeria Gets Welfare Boost, Amusan Backs Commonwealth Games Medal Charge
Team Nigeria will head into the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with an improved welfare package after the National Sports Commission unveiled enhanced financial support and incentives for athletes and officials ahead of the 23 July opening ceremony.
The package, introduced as part of the Federal Government’s drive to reward sporting excellence, includes higher camping and competition allowances, better travel support and upgraded performance bonuses. Medal winners will receive additional cash rewards paid directly into their bank accounts, with gold medallists earning $5,000, silver medallists $3,000 and bronze medallists $2,000.
According to a statement released in Abuja, every athlete and official has received ₦250,000 to cover flights to the national camp in Abuja, replacing the previous transport allowance, with another ₦250,000 approved to help book return flights after the Games.
Daily camping allowances have been raised to ₦5,000 for athletes and ₦7,500 for officials, up from the previous ₦1,000 to ₦2,000 range. For the overseas training camp, athletes are receiving $150 per day and coaches $200, though a few payments were delayed due to banking issues.
Competition allowances have also risen, with athletes now receiving $200 per day during the Games and coaches $250 — both higher than the rates paid at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Team Nigeria has also been provided with upgraded PUMA competition kits featuring around 20 items, including premium luggage and two travel boxes per athlete.
The Federal Government has separately approved instant medal bonuses of $3,000 for gold, $2,000 for silver and $1,000 for bronze medallists, with coaches receiving matching rewards. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is also expected to host the country’s medal winners after the Games.
Kelechi Iheanacho Completes Move To Turkish Club Bursaspor
Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho has completed a move to Turkish side Bursaspor, signing a three-year contract with the newly promoted club.
The club confirmed the transfer on Friday, July 17, with a short unveiling video shared across its social media platforms, welcoming the striker to the team.
The 29-year-old arrives after leaving Scottish champions Celtic, where talks over a new contract failed to produce an agreement.
Iheanacho enjoyed a successful spell in Glasgow, playing a key role as Celtic completed a domestic double during the 2025/26 season. He scored crucial league goals against Dundee, Hibernian and Motherwell during the closing weeks of the campaign before finding the net again in the Scottish Cup final win over Dunfermline.
The former Leicester City forward finished his time at Celtic with nine goals and one assist in 24 appearances across all competitions under manager Martin O’Neill.
Bursaspor, who secured promotion to the Trendyol 1. Lig, Turkey’s second division, after an impressive campaign last season, are targeting an immediate return to the Turkish Super Lig and see the Nigerian as a key addition to their attack.
Sophia Momodu Sues Caroline Hutchings, Demands ₦10bn And Public Apology
Nigerian socialite and reality TV star Sophia Momodu has taken legal action against Nollywood actress Caroline Hutchings over an alleged defamatory social media post.
Caroline, in a Snapchat post, had claimed that a woman she once defended on national television had been involved with her former partner while they were still in a relationship. Although she did not mention any names, the post quickly went viral, with some social media users interpreting it as a reference to Sophia Momodu.
In response, Sophia Momodu, through her legal counsel, Prince (Dr) Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, SAN, of Ahonaruogho, Ahonaruogho & Co. (Paradise Law Firm), served Caroline Hutchings with a Notice of Intended Legal Proceedings.
The notice stated that Caroline’s post was widely interpreted by the public as referring to Sophia Momodu, resulting in serious reputational harm, emotional distress, attacks on her character and sustained cyberbullying.
It further stated that in an effort to resolve the matter amicably, Sophia Momodu personally reached out to Caroline Hutchings on July 3, 2026, requesting a public clarification if the post was not directed at her, but received no response.
Sophia, through her lawyers, is demanding an immediate retraction, an unreserved public apology in national newspapers with nationwide circulation, monetary compensation of ₦10 billion, and other reliefs.
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