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 PRESS RELEASE OYO POLICE ARREST SIX SUSPECTED COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY DEALERS, RECOVER €8,900 SUSPECTED FAKE EURO NOTES The Oyo State Police Command has arrested six suspects linked to the possession, circulation and alleged production of counterfeit Euro currency, following a successful patrol operation by operatives of the Command. On 1 September 2026, at about 7:30 p.m., operatives on township patrol around the Labo–Wesley area intercepted three men travelling on a motorcycle. A search conducted on them led to the recovery of 89 pieces of suspected counterfeit €100 notes, with a total face value of €8,900. The suspects were identified as Tijani Saheed, 50, who was found in possession of the suspected counterfeit currency; Oni Oladapo, 67, who is alleged to have supplied the money; Adebayo Saheed, 52, who was the second passenger on the motorcycle; and Hammed Karemu, 25, the motorcycle rider. The circumstances surrounding the involvement of each suspect are being subjected to furth...

 37 suspected oil thieves d!e after inhaling substance in Rivers No fewer than 37 suspected oil thieves have been confirmed dead after they inhaled a petroleum product believed to be crude oil in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State in the early hours of Thursday,  September 3.  According to reports, more than 100 persons, mostly youths, from Okrika and neighboring communities had stormed Okari jetty to tap petroleum products from a pipeline that transports petroleum products from Indorama Eleme Petrochemical facility to the Port Harcourt Refinery to vessels that regularly came to load products for exports. Eyewitnesses say while they were busy loading the products into the boats they came with, a strong smell enveloped the area, causing several of the youths to collapse.It is said that while some of the victims collapsed into the river, others who escaped have been taken to the hospital, where they are battling serious respiratory ailments. Confirming the inciden...

 OPERATION HADIN KAI TROOPS RECOVER 5 TERRORIST BODIES, RIFLE, DURING EXPLOITATION OPERATIONS IN KUKAWA …Further Evidence of Heavy Losses Following Failed Terrorist Attack Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have recovered the bodies of additional 5 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, alongside AK-47 rifles and other items, during ongoing exploitation operations following the recent failed terrorist attack on troops in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State on 29 August 2026. The recovery was made on Thursday 3 September 2026, when troops conducting exploitation operations North-East of Kukawa towards the Jemmu–Alagarno axis discovered the decomposing bodies of 5 terrorists believed to have sustained fatal injuries from air strikes of the Nigerian Airforce platforms in Air Component - OPHK during the earlier engagement and subsequent withdrawal. The discovery provides further evidence of the losses suffered by the terrorists during the failed atta...

 President Trump floats renaming Strait of Hormuz as 'Trump Strait' US President Donald Trump suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as the "Trump Strait", asserting that the crucial waterway is under American control amid the ongoing military conflict with Iran. "Now that we have it under U.S.A. control, should we change the name Hormuz Strait to TRUMP STRAIT???" Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. "Like America itself, it would be 'hotter' than ever before!" The White House later amplified the suggestion by posting a map on social media with the key maritime route relabeled as "Trump Strait," accompanying the graphic with the comment: "It's got a nice ring to it." When questioned by reporters in the Oval Office shortly after the social media posts, President Trump appeared to play down the proposal, laughing and stating that he was "just throwing that out." The proposal follows other geog...

 Turkish Football pundit says he’ll paint himself black if Victor Osimhen surpasses Vlahovic and Lukaku in goals Turkish football pundit, Adnan Aybaba made controversial remarks during a recent broadcast on the sports program Telegol, insisting he would paint himself entirely black if Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen finishes the season with more goals than Beşiktaş’s Dušan Vlahović and Fenerbahçe’s Romelu Lukaku. Speaking during the television segment, Aybaba argued that Vlahović possesses superior overall quality to the Nigerian international and dismissed expectations that Osimhen would lead the scoring charts among the three marquee forwards in the Turkish Süper Lig. "Osimhen will lag behind Lukaku and Vlahovic. Vlahovic is a better footballer than Osimhen," Aybaba claimed on the show. "If Osimhen surpasses them in goals, I will paint myself black." Osimhen currently leads the trio in domestic production, having registered five goals for Galatasaray in the Süp...

Why Soludo Wants Anambra Homes to Have Catch Pits — Commissioner Mefor  By Lilian Ezejiegu The Anambra State Government has unveiled a series of measures aimed at tackling flooding, erosion and other forms of environmental degradation across the state, with greater emphasis on personal responsibility and enforcement of environmental laws. The Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with journalists in his office in Awka on September 1, explaining the rationale behind Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s environmental focus during the state’s 35th anniversary. Mefor said the anniversary was deliberately centred on the environment as part of the administration’s determination to build a “clean and green Anambra” while confronting erosion, flooding and the human activities contributing to the problems. According to him, residents contribute significantly to environmental degradation through indiscriminate dumping of refuse in dr...

 ‘American Idol’ star Antonella Barba arrested for allegedly shoplifting from New Jersey Target Former American Idol contestant Antonella Barba has been arrested and charged with allegedly shoplifting from a Target store in New Jersey. Barba, who is 39, was charged with stealing items worth less than $200 from the Target at the Seaview Square Shopping Center in Ocean Township on August 10, according to police. Police said they were called to the store around 3:19pm after Barba allegedly concealed items in a bag while moving in and out of a fitting room and restroom. According to authorities, she left the restroom and immediately exited the store before officers approached her outside and allegedly found stolen items in the bag she was carrying. Barba pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear before the Ocean Township Municipal Court on November 18. The latest arrest adds to a string of legal troubles involving the former reality TV star. In 2010, she was arrested in Manhattan f...

Anthony Joshua yet to sign contract for fight with Tyson Fury, Boxing promoter Frank Warren British boxing promoter Frank Warren has disclosed that Tyson Fury has officially signed his contract for the proposed heavyweight clash against Anthony Joshua, but confirmed that Joshua’s side has yet to finalize and sign the agreement. The impasse centers around negotiating and amending contractual details, particularly concerning the event's location. While initial agreements favored a domestic venue such as Wembley Stadium, event organizers, Saudi-backed entity Sela, and broadcast partner Netflix are advocating to hold the bout at Madison Square Garden in New York. Warren warned that the delay rests with Joshua’s team, emphasizing that prompt action is necessary to ensure the historic all-British matchup moves forward. "The latest is Joshua's not signed yet," Warren stated. "It's not for me to give him a deadline, it's the people who are paying the money. It...

Cassandra Wilson, Grammy-winning jazz musician, dies at 70 Grammy-winning jazz singer, songwriter and producer Cassandra Wilson has died at the age of 70. Wilson’s longtime manager, Robert Torre, confirmed that the legendary musician died early Wednesday morning, September 2, at her home in Jackson, Mississippi. Her cause of death was not disclosed. “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Cassandra Wilson, the Grammy Award-winning and legendary jazz artist,” Torre said in a statement. According to the statement, Wilson died peacefully at home surrounded by family, close friends and her manager. Her loved ones have asked for privacy as they mourn her death. Wilson was known for her deep, emotive contralto voice and for blending jazz with elements of blues and funk. She won two Grammy Awards during her career, including Best Jazz Vocal Performance in 1997 for _New Moon Daughter_ and Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2009 for _Loverly_. Throughout her career, she collaborated ...

 LAWMA STRENGTHENS SYSTEMIC RESPONSE TO RECURRENT WASTE BLACKSPOTS The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has intensified its systemic response to recurrent waste blackspots across Lagos, combining intensified waste evacuation with improved collection arrangements, targeted enforcement, infrastructure upgrades, community engagement and measures to prevent redumping at previously cleared locations. The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said on Monday that the Authority’s evolving approach was based on the recognition that recurring waste on road medians could not be sustainably addressed by repeated evacuation alone, stressing the need to tackle the operational and behavioural factors responsible for their recurrence. He explained that LAWMA was increasingly combining the clearance of waste backlogs with interventions designed to ensure that waste generated within surrounding communities was properly captured, collected and evacuated, while enforcement was...

 LA‍GO‍S TURNS AL‍AUSA PURPLE TO DRIVE AWARENESS ON‌ DOMESTIC, SEXUAL VIOLENCE‌ The Lagos State Government, under the leadership‌ of Governor Babajide Olusola Sa⁠nwo-Olu, has continued to demonstrate strong commitment to the protection of residents and the fight against Domestic and Sexual Violence‍ (DSV), through sustained investment in prevention,⁠ survivo‌r support, pu‌blic awa‌reness an‍d access to justice. In furt‌herance‍ of⁠ t⁠his commi⁠tment, the Head of Service of Lagos State, Mr. B‍ode Agoro, has joined the Lagos⁠ State Domestic and Sexual Vi⁠olenc‌e Agency (DSVA) to champion‍ the “Turn Alausa Purple”⁠ campaign,⁠ as par‍t‌ of activiti‌es m‌arking the 20‍26 Domestic and Sexual⁠ Violence Awarenes⁠s Mo⁠nth. The initiative i‍s designed to draw public‍ att‌ention to th‌e realities of Domestic and‍ Sexual Viol⁠ence a‍nd encourage collective action towards it⁠s prevention. Speaking on⁠ the initiative, Agoro said the campaign was a reminder that‍ the fight against domestic and se...

 STATEHOUSE STATEMENT CLARIFICATION ON THE ONGOING FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CASE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. The Presidency has noted recent speculative reports concerning an ongoing Freedom of Information Act case before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. For clarity, the matter is a civil records-disclosure dispute under the United States Freedom of Information Act. It is not a criminal case against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, nor has the court found him guilty of any criminal wrongdoing. Here is the background to the case, which comes 23 years after the American Consulate in Lagos, in a letter dated February 4, 2003,  informed the then Inspector General of Police, Mr Tafa Balogun, that an FBI records check found no criminal arrest records, wants, or warrants for then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.    In 2022, Mr Aaron Greenspan, who is known to work with Nigerian opposition figures including David Hundeyin and Atiku Abubakar,  submitted FO...

RSF attack on UN aid convoy in Sudan's South Kordofan kills one, injures two Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted a UN humanitarian aid convoy in South Kordofan state, killing one person and injuring two others, a local medical group said on Thursday. In a statement, the Sudan Doctors Network said that the convoy was attacked in the town of Dilling while it was traveling to Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan. One person was killed and two truck drivers were injured in the attack, the group said. It said the convoy was carrying life-saving humanitarian assistance for more than 5,000 civilians facing severe shortages of food, medicine and other basic necessities. The group condemned the attack, describing it as part of what it called a recurring pattern of RSF attacks on international humanitarian aid convoys and obstruction of assistance to civilians.

 PFIPC: Court rejects Adeniyi Adeyemi’s bail application The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined to grant an application for bail filed by Adeniyi Adeyemi, the Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by Adeyemi’s lawyer, M.B. Abdulazeez, held that there was need to hear from the police and other respondents in the suit in the interest of fair hearing. Justice Egwuatu, however, granted a relief for the respondents to give Adeyemi, who is currently in police custody, unhindered access to him lawyers.

 NIGERIA HOSTS AFRICAN GREEN INDUSTRIALISATION TALKS Twenty African countries are In Abuja , Nigeria's capital city for the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative Technical summit aimed at aligning national strategies and policies with regional value chains to drive Africa's green industrial opportunity.  The two-day engagement being hosted by the National Council on Climate Change NCCC brings together participating countries and partner institutions to identify opportunities for regional collaboration, strengthen policy coordination and advance investment-ready green industrial projects across the continent. The initiative also  seeks to help African countries leverage their renewable energy resources, critical minerals, growing workforce and the African Continental Free Trade Area to promote value addition, create jobs and build globally competitive low-carbon industries. One more photo below. 

 OPERATION WHIRL STROKE: TROOPS RAID TERRORIST HIDEOUT, ARREST FIVE SUSPECTS IN TARABA Troops of Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, have intensified intelligence-driven operations across the Joint Operations Area, dislodging a suspected terrorist hideout and arresting five persons believed to be associated with a notorious bandit operating around Peva in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State. The operation was conducted in the early hours of Thursday, 3 September 2026, following credible intelligence received by the troops at about 12:30am concerning the hideout of a notorious bandit at Peva. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, troops of Sector 1, in conjunction with troops of Sector 3, both under Operation WHIRL STROKE, launched a precision raid at the identified location. However, the terrorists were apparently alerted by informants about the advancing troops and fled the area before the arrival of troops. Undeterred, the troops conducted a thorough search of the gen...

 ABOGWUME CROWNED CHAMPIONS AS EZEAGU - SPONSORED 2026 EFA U - 15 TOURNAMENT ENDS IN GRAND STYLE  By Charity Ejiofor  ABOGWUME Village emerged champions of the 2026 EFA U - 15 Football Tournament after defeating Agba village 1 -- 0 in an exciting grand finale witnessed by thousands of football enthusiasts in Ekwulobia on August 31. The tournament, proudly sponsored by the Deputy Mayor and Mayor - Elect of Aguata Local Government Area, Hon. Kingsley Ezeagu, came to a colourful conclusion with a celebration of football youth talent, unity and community spirit. The closing fixtures saw Umuchi village face Okpo village in the third - place encounter, while Agba village battled Abogwume in the grand finale. Abogwume eventually secured the championship with a lone goal victory over Agba. The final was graced by the presence of the Mayor of Aguata Local Government Area Dr Chibueze Ofobuike, who officially set the grand finale in motion. Several political and community leaders al...

  Fubara signs 2026 Rivers budget into law Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has signed the 2026 appropriation bill of the state into law. This was coming after the noticeable delays by the Rivers State House of Assembly to okay the budget presented to the Assembly. However, on Thursday, the bill was unanimously passed by 26 lawmakers during the House’s resumed sitting in Port Harcourt. It was quickly transmitted to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for assent in Government House, Port Harcourt. According to the Assembly, the approved budget is expected to cover the fiscal year ending on September 2, 2027. It would be recalled that Fubara had on the 25th of June submitted the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to the Assembly. It is worthy of note that since the administration, it was the first time the assembly, led by its Speaker Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, approved the budget of the state.

 ROUTINE PATROL YIELDS RESULT AS POLICE RECOVER FABRICATED BERETTA PISTOL, LIVE AMMUNITION FROM SUSPECTED MOTORCYCLE SNATCHERS IN NNEWI The Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to Nnewi Central Police Station, while on routine patrol in the morning of 3rd September, 2026, recovered a fabricated Beretta pistol and one live round of ammunition along Ukpor Road, Umudim, Nnewi, Nnewi South Local Government Area. The operatives had sighted two suspected motorcycle snatchers riding on a motorcycle and immediately gave them a hot chase. In the course of the pursuit, the suspects abandoned a bag which fell from them while attempting to escape. A search conducted on the bag led to the recovery of the exhibits. Efforts are currently ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice. The Command reassures Ndi Anambra of its unwavering commitment to crime prevention and the fight against all forms of criminality in the State. SP Ikenga Tochukwu Police Publi...

 IGP DISU PRESENTS ₦2.32BN WELFARE BENEFITS TO FAMILIES OF FALLEN POLICE OFFICERS The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, on Thursday, 3rd September 2026, presented cheques totalling ₦2,317,177,094.00 to 2,971 beneficiaries and next-of-kin of deceased Police Officers under the Group Life Assurance, Group Personal Accident and IGP Family Welfare Schemes. The beneficiaries comprise families of Police Officers who died in service and are covered under the 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023 and 2024/2025 insurance policy years. The payments also include outstanding balances recovered from insurance companies following earlier partial settlements. Speaking at the presentation, the IGP described the exercise as more than the disbursement of financial benefits, noting that it represents the institutional responsibility owed to families of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to Nigeria. He stressed that while no financial b...

 Erigga Fires Back After Davido Criticizes His Post Supporting Self-Made Musicians A heated war of words has erupted on social media between prominent Nigerian rapper Erigga and Afrobeats superstar Davido, sparking a wider conversation about privilege and self-made success in the music industry. How the Online Clash Started The online feud began after Erigga took to his social media platform to praise independent artists who built their careers from the ground up. He shared a post offering a direct shoutout to musicians who succeeded "out the mud" without relying on family wealth or influential connections. This sentiment did not sit well with Davido, who famously comes from an affluent background as the son of billionaire business mogul Adedeji Adeleke. Reacting to the post, the "Unavailable" singer dismissed Erigga's motivational stance, labeling it "useless." Davido argued that individuals from wealthy families who still work hard to reach the top a...

 ANAMBRA SECURITY: CP NNANNA RECEIVES COMMISSIONERS FOR INFORMATION AND CULTURE, EMPHASISES UNDERSTANDING OF LOCAL CULTURE AS KEY TO EFFECTIVE POLICING The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, psc, mnips, has underscored the importance of understanding and respecting the culture, traditions, and values of the people as an essential component of effective and people-centred policing. CP Nnanna made the remark today, 3rd September 2026, when he received the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law Mefor, and the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr Udoji Amedu, during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters, Awka. The Commissioner of Police observed that effective policing goes beyond the enforcement of laws, noting that the ability of the Police to effectively serve and protect the people is strengthened by a proper understanding of their cultural heritage, values, traditions, and peculiarities. H...

 FG ORDERS TRANSFER OF INLAND DRY PORTS TO NPA In a bid to create a clear separation between port economic regulation, development and operations, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has directed the transfer of the Inland Dry Port functions of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). In a statement by his Special Adviser Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola also directs the immediate constitution of a ministerial committee to oversee the transition of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council into the newly established Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), following President Bola Tinubu’s assent to the NPERA Act, 2026.  The directives are part of measures to establish a clear institutional framework for the new port economic regulatory regime, eliminate overlapping responsibilities and ensure that agencies under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy operate within clearly defined mandates.  The NPERA Act, signed by Pre...

 IMPROVED POWER SUPPLY: FG CONSIDERS SOLAR/ MINI HYDRO POWER PROJECTS FOR NORTHERN NIGERIA The Federal Government says it is transiting to the second phase of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), with a focus on renewable energy investments to improve electricity supply, particularly in northern Nigeria. Managing Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Jennifer Adighije notes that the NIPP Phase 2 would diversify the country’s generation mix by harnessing the renewable energy potential in northern Nigeria.  During an engagement with the House Committee on Power, the MD of NDPHC says the company is considering off-grid solutions, mini-hydropower projects and other solar power interventions in line with the Energy transition plan Currently NIPP generates electricity from gas, contributing 4,000 megawatts to Nigeria’s installed generation capacity.

 Oyo APC candidate’s campaign explains viral video of student sitting on his lap The campaign organisation of All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has explained the circumstances surrounding a viral video in which a student of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, was seen sitting on his lap. According to the campaign, the student and others from the institution’s Department of Banking and Finance visited Alli at his campaign office in Mokola, Ibadan, to invite him to their programme and conduct an interview. In a statement issued on Wednesday and posted on its website, the team said the students arrived when available seats were insufficient for everyone present. Alli therefore asked one of the students to sit on his lap so the interview could proceed. The explanation came after the video circulated online and drew mixed reactions. In the footage, Alli was also briefly seen caressing the student’s lap, a gesture some social media users interp...

 Argentina FA to pause all games in 10th minute for Messi tribute The Argentine Football Association has announced that every match across its men’s and women’s competitions on the next matchday will stop in the 10th minute to honour Lionel Messi. The stoppage will last for one minute and will feature a round of applause in recognition of Messi’s outstanding career with the Argentina national team. The AFA said the tribute recognises the legacy of the Argentina captain and his contribution to the national team over the years. As reported by ESPN on Thursday, “Every game will stop in the 10th minute for a minute of applause in recognition of Lionel Messi’s career with the Argentina national team,” the Argentina FA said. The choice of the 10th minute is a symbolic reference to Messi’s famous No. 10 shirt, which he has worn throughout his international career

  Fake Lawyer Convicted, Sentenced to Three Years in Prison by Aba South Magistrate Court The Magistrate Court sitting in Aba South, Abia State, has convicted and sentenced a 65-year-old man, Iheanacho Emenike, after he pleaded guilty to three count charges bordering on impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence, and making use of a purported Nigeria Bar Association seal. According to the charges filed by the Abia State Commissioner of Police before Aba South Magistrate Court, Emenike was in Count One, accused of falsely representing himself to be a legal practitioner known as E.U. Iheanacho Esq., with intent to defraud one Onuoha Chinasa. The offence was brought under Section 484 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 80, Vol. III, Laws of Abia State of Nigeria 2005. In Count Two, the prosecution alleged that Emenike obtained N500,000 from Onuoha Chinasa under the false pretence that he would prepare an Irrevocable Power of Attorney for her. The count was brought under Section 419 of th...

 An Indiana mother returning from a Girl Scout trip with a van full of children became the heartbreaking collateral damage of a man fleeing a Domestic Violence arrest. Two diametrically opposing worlds literally collided on an Indiana highway recently, on the evening of Saturday, August 29th.  The aftermath of this unimaginable tragedy has left a community in shocked disbelief as they grapple to process the grief of the senseless loss of lives. That very real grief is balanced against concern and hope for the children who survived the evening's horrific accident following a terrific day for the children. 41-year-old Amanda Wertman had packed her van and loaded her 8-year-old daughter Michaela, and her 5-year-old son Theodore, for a Girl Scout outing at Holiday World.  8-year-old Oaklie Disney and Amelia Freeland, who were in the troop with Amanda's daughter Michaela, had joined the family for the day of fun and adventure.  As they set out that morning, they could hav...

 Uba Sani’s Salary Review For Traditional Councils Will Strengthen Security Coordination — Adviser The Kaduna State Governor’s Special Adviser on Vigilante and Local Security Coordination, Yusuf Usman Garba, has commended Governor Uba Sani for approving a new salary structure for Traditional Councils across the state. Garba described the approval as a strategic investment in grassroots governance, peacebuilding and Kaduna State’s security architecture. The new salary structure was announced during the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting and is expected to improve the welfare, institutional capacity and effectiveness of traditional institutions across the state. According to the Special Adviser, the salary review would not only restore greater dignity to the traditional institution but also strengthen its capacity to contribute to security coordination and community development. He noted that traditional rulers occupy a unique position within their communities, given t...