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 Jackson police say hanging death of mother of four was staged in drug case gone wrong  Jackson police say the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, whose body was found hanging from a tree in early August, was a staged scene connected to what investigators believe was a drug-related case that went wrong. Police Chief RaShall Brackney said Monday that Fortune's death has been classified as a homicide and that investigators believe the scene was deliberately arranged to mislead authorities. Three men have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with Fortune's death: 51-year-old Jarques Ratliff, 25-year-old Earnest Lloyd Jr. and 45-year-old Eric Clark. Police said Fortune had a known association with the suspects. Ratliff pleaded not guilty at a Sept. 14 hearing. The status of pleas and legal representation for Lloyd and Clark was not immediately clear. Police said the investigation remains active and that additional arrests are possible. Authorities also anticipate co...

Kristi Noem files for divorce from husband after more than 34 years of marriage Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has filed for divorce from her husband, Bryon Noem, after more than 34 years of marriage. Court documents filed in South Dakota list irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce. The complaint was signed by Noem's attorney in April and filed Monday in Hamlin County. The divorce proceedings have placed the couple under a temporary restraining order under South Dakota law. Noem and Bryon Noem were high school sweethearts and have three children and several grandchildren. Bryon Noem frequently accompanied his wife at public events and congressional appearances during her political career. Before serving as Homeland Security secretary, Noem was the governor of South Dakota. President Donald Trump removed her as DHS secretary in March. During Noem's time leading the department, members of Congress raised questions about her relationship with her ...

 Trump administration files 41st Supreme Court emergency application in less than two years    The Trump administration has filed its 41st emergency application with the Supreme Court in less than two years, matching the total number of such requests filed during Trump's entire first term. The emergency docket allows parties to ask the Supreme Court to intervene quickly in cases before the normal appeals process has been completed. The justices can temporarily block lower-court orders, allowing disputed policies to take effect while litigation continues. The administration's latest application seeks permission for the Bureau of Prisons to reinstate a policy that would restrict certain gender-affirming care for incarcerated transgender people. The request comes after U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the administration to continue providing care to people diagnosed with gender dysphoria while a legal challenge involving a 2025 Trump executive order and a subsequen...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE 66TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY: PRESIDENT TINUBU TO ADDRESS THE NATION President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will address the nation on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 7 a.m., to mark Nigeria's 66th Independence anniversary. All television and radio stations, and other electronic media outlets, are advised to join the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria for the broadcast. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) September 30, 2026

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE President Tinubu Signs Appropriation (Amendment) (No.4) Bill, 2025, Extends Implementation to December 31, 2026 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed into law the Appropriation (Amendment) (No.4) Bill, 2025, extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget from September 30, 2026 to December 31, 2026. The assent followed the amendment's swift passage by both the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The extension gives Ministries, Departments and Agencies more time to complete ongoing capital projects. It ensures that funds already appropriated are fully put to work for Nigerians, without disrupting critical programmes. The President commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for their prompt consideration of the bill, a further sign of the cooperation between the Executive and the Legislature in the service of the nation. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President, (Information and Strategy) S...

 PRESS BRIEFING BY THE POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER ASP ENO IKOEDEM, anipr ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE EDO STATE COMMAND CP PATRICK DAAOR psc(+) mnips ON 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2026 Good afternoon, distinguished members of the Press. The Edo State Police Command under the leadership of Cp Patrick Daaor psc(+) mnips wishes to brief the public on some of its operational achievements recorded within the past one week, arising from sustained intelligence-led operations across the State. Notably, the Command successfully concluded a one-week joint clearance operation across parts of Edo North, aimed at dislodging criminal elements and destroying their hideouts in the forests. The operation has yielded positive results, with the affected areas remaining relatively calm and peaceful, particularly with no reported kidnapping activities within the period. In another significant development, operatives of the Gender and Family Unit successfully recovered a six-month-old baby allegedl...

 LAWMA DISLODGES ILLEGAL STREET TRADERS AT TBS, COSTAIN/NATIONAL THEATRE AXIS …intensifies enforcement to protect public spaces, ease movement The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has dislodged street traders occupying road corridors and other unauthorised locations at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and the Costain Under Bridge/National Theatre axis. The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said on Tuesday that the enforcement operation,  was part of the Authority’s sustained efforts to promote environmental cleanliness, protect public spaces and ensure that roads, walkways and other public areas were used for their intended purposes. He explained that the operation, carried out in collaboration with the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), targeted street trading activities obstructing pedestrian and vehicular movement and contributing to environmental nuisance along the affected corridors. He warned traders to desist from occupying road ...

 Cyber-Fraud: EFCC Secures Final Forfeiture of 431 Phones from  Chinese Convicts    The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on  Tuesday, September 29, 2026, secured the final forfeiture of 431 mobile phones to the Federal Government.   The mobile phones were linked to Chinese cyber-fraud operators who had previously been convicted by the court.   Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos issued the forfeiture order following a motion on notice filed by the EFCC through its counsel, Hannatu Kofarnaisa.   The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on July 8, 2026, directing the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper to give interested persons or entities an opportunity to show cause why the phones should not be permanently forfeited.   While moving the application for final forfeiture, Kofarnaisa informed the court that the EFCC had complied with the...

 EFCC Arraigns Businessman  for  Alleged N30.14m Fraud The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, arraigned a businessman, Christopher Elendu Enyinnwa, before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, for an alleged N30.14 million fraud. Enyinnwa was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on fraudulent conversion and obtaining money under false pretences in connection with the proposed supply of slippers from China.   The defendant was alleged to have collected a total sum of N30,140,000 from the petitioner, Chidebere Love Okafor, for the supply of slippers from China.   Counts One reads: “Christopher Elendu Enyinwa sometime in August 2024, at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division, fraudulently converted for your own use the sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000.00) , property of Chidebere Love Okafor.”   Count Two reads: “Christopher E...

 FG docks Adeniyi Adeyemi over alleged fake agency The federal government has arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi, Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council. Adeyemi was arraigned before Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja this afternoon September 30. He is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery. The Federal Government alleges that he forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. He is also accused of forging presidential letterhead paper. The charge further alleges that Mr. Adeyemi forged a request for collaboration with the Ministry of the Area Council and requests for land allocation and office space across the 36 states of the Federation, purportedly issued from the State House, Abuja. When the charges were read to him, he pleaded not guilty. The court then ordered that he be remanded in Kuje prison....

 Nkechi Blessing Mourns the Passing of Actor Cjay Nwoks Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing has announced the heartbreaking passing of actor Cjay Nwoks, who featured as the lead actor in her yet-to-be-released movie. The actress shared the sad news with fans and colleagues, mourning the loss of a talented actor whose work in the upcoming project will now be remembered in a deeply emotional way. 🕊️ May his soul rest in peace, and may God grant his family, friends and colleagues the strength to bear this painful loss. 💔

  ₦6.17BN: POLICE UNCOVER NEW CYBERCRIME NETWORK Crime is taking a new digital turn, as cybercriminals exploit technology to steal money, identities and valuable devices. In a statement by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre says four major investigations have exposed emerging methods of cybercrime, including financial diversion, stolen-phone banking fraud and identity theft. One of the investigation involves an alleged ₦6.174 billion diversion, with 761 successful payments traced to 105 beneficiaries across 19 banks. The statement further says two suspects have been arrested, while efforts continue to locate another suspect. In Abuja, stolen mobile phones were allegedly used to gain unauthorised access to victims’ bank accounts, resulting in the withdrawal and transfer of funds. The statement also reveals an investigation into missing 222 iPhones and 15 smartwatches, valued at about $144,440, has led to five arrests and the recovery of six suspected devices. The NP...

Atiku lectured me on subsidy removal, now he wants to restore it  —  Oshiomhole Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s plan to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027. Oshiomhole said Atiku had, during his tenure as vice president, explained to him why petroleum subsidy should be removed. The former Edo State governor stated this in an interview with TVC on Tuesday while reacting to Atiku’s campaign promise to reverse the removal of fuel subsidy. “Atiku Abubakar himself, in his quiet moment, will laugh at himself. Don’t forget, I was the president of the NLC, and as vice president, Atiku lectured me about the waste of petroleum subsidy and why it is necessary to remove it, except that I disagree with them,” Oshiomhole said. The senator also questioned Atiku’s consistency on the issue, recalling the former vice president’s 2023 proposal to privatise the Nigerian National Pet...

 2027: I’ll resign as minister if Tinubu loses FCT, Rivers – Wike Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he will resign from office if President Bola Tinubu loses the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State in the 2027 presidential election. Wike made the declaration while speaking with members of the Apo Traders Association in Abuja, where he said his performance as FCT Minister should be reflected in the support for Tinubu in the territory. He said the political support for Tinubu cuts across party lines, noting that some members of the Peoples Democratic Party are also backing the President. “I’ll tell you one thing about this place. We are doing rainbow coalition. Even people in the PDP, we are supporting Tinubu, right?” Wike said. The former Rivers State governor said he considered the FCT his place of work while Rivers remained his home state, stressing that he should be held accountable if he could not secure support for Tinubu in both places. “Y...

NBA backs Edo special court death sentences The Benin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has commended the judgment of the Edo State Special Court handling kidnapping and cult-related cases, which sentenced three men and a woman to death over kidnapping and other offences. The four convicts were arraigned on 11 counts bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms, among other offences. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Chairman of the branch, Omorodion Omoigui, said the manner in which the Special Court handled the case demonstrated that justice could be delivered expeditiously without compromising due process. He urged other courts to adopt effective case-management practices demonstrated by the Special Court. According to him, the collaboration among the executive, judiciary, security agencies and other stakeholders contributed to the handling of the case. “This matter demonstrates that speed and due process can coexist, an...

 Video/Clips shows moment passengers intervene as pilot stabs co-pilot while attempting to hijack plane A pilot on a flight from Dubai to Israel allegedly stabbed his co-pilot in an attempt to hijack the plane midair, according to reports.  Israeli fighter jets were scrambled after Flydubai Flight FZ1073 dramatically dropped approximately 13,000 feet in 30 seconds as it veered off course on Wednesday morning, September 30, FlightRadar data shows.  The Boeing 737 plane, which Israeli media said had around 150 Israeli passengers on board, then again transmitted the initial general emergency signal before later landing at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, the website said.  Passengers on board FlyDubai flight FZ1073 said they feared they would die as they heard "screams and saw blood" during the fight.  The plane appeared to nosedive before returning back to Saudi Arabia, where it landed in Tabuk, a civilian and military base.  A witness told the Jer...

 LASG RELEASES 2026 BASIC EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION RESULTS The Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, through the Lagos State Examinations Board, has officially released the results of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to schools, stakeholders and the general public. The release of the results, which is being effected through the Board, marks the conclusion of the examination process for candidates in JSS3 who participated in the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)  In a statement, the Registrar of the Lagos State Examinations Board, Mr. Adebayo Orunsolu, announced that candidates can now access their results through the Board’s examination portal and print copies of their results for their records and other necessary purposes. The Registrar therefore advised all candidates who sat for the 2026 BECE to visit the Board’s examination portal https://bece.examsboard.lagosstate.gov.ng from Monday, 28th September, 2026, ...

 #PHOTONEWS: POLICE AND VETERINARY EXPERTS: A PARTNERSHIP FOR PUBLIC SAFETY Today 29th September 2026, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, received a delegation of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), led by its President, Dr Moses Arokoyo. The conversation was about how the veterinary profession and the Nigeria Police Force can work more closely together. Here is what came out of it: •Stronger ties between the Police Veterinary Services and the NVMA •Professional input from the Association to improve Police veterinary facilities and support our Canine units and Mounted Troops  •Continued work with international partners to upgrade the Police Veterinary Laboratory.  More photos below. 

 FG DECLARES OCTOBER 1 PUBLIC HOLIDAY FOR 66th INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY The Federal Government has declared Thursday, October 1, 2026, a public holiday to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. A statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, says the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, congratulates Nigerians at home and abroad on the celebration. The Minister urges Nigerians to uphold unity, patriotism, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect, stressing that peace and stability are essential for national development. The statement describes Nigeria’s diversity as a strength and called on citizens to emulate the patriotism of the nation’s founding fathers in building a country future generations can be proud of. The Minister also reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national security, improving public safety and creating an environment where Nigerians can live, work and pursue their legitimate aspirations with...

 HIGH COURT UPHOLDS DONALD DUKE AS PRP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has upheld the nomination and return of Donald Duke as Presidential  Candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, for the 2027 general election. Justice Muhammad Umar gave the order in Abuja. The court declared that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the pre-election suit filed by another PRP presidential aspirant, Dr. Yakubu Kingsley. It also maintained that the issue for litigation is an internal party affair. In the judgment, the Court held that only a political party can determine who is an actual member of the party.

 Jennifer Aniston finally explains why adoption was never her path after fertility struggles At 56, Jennifer Aniston is opening up about why she never chose adoption despite years of fertility struggles. During a candid conversation on the Armchair Expert podcast, she said when people tell her she can adopt, her honest answer is that she wanted her own DNA in a little person.  She said that may sound selfish, but that was the dream she always had, to see a part of herself reflected in a child. She has previously spoken about going through multiple rounds of IVF, trying holistic remedies, and dealing with the emotional toll of failed attempts, all while facing constant public speculation during and after her marriage to Brad Pitt.  On the podcast, when co-host Monica Padman shared her own doubts about motherhood and freezing eggs, Aniston said there came a point where it was out of her hands and there was nothing more she could do.  That surrender, she said, eventuall...

 *Tinubu's Diplomatic Hat-trick: Dignity In Luanda, Destiny In Delhi, Justice In New York* By Stanley Nkwocha The true test of a presidency is not only what the President says when the world is listening but who he can trust to say it when he is not in the room. At the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, passed that test with a performance that redefined deputyship in Nigerian foreign policy. To understand why it resonated so deeply, one must trace the shuttle diplomacy that brought him to New York. Senator Shettima completed one of the most consequential diplomatic shuttles by any Nigerian Vice President in recent history. Moving within three weeks from the Atlantic coast of Luanda to the power corridors of New Delhi and then to the global podium of New York, he carried one President's voice, one country's pride, and one continent's frustration. It was not just an outing; it was a statement about what intell...

  Trump says Canada is 'one of the worst countries in the entire world' President Trump said Monday that Canada has been one of the worst countries in the world to deal with on trade, saying the U.S. gets along with many other countries and makes good deals but that Canada has treated the U.S. very unfairly.  Speaking in the Oval Office, he said Canada has charged American farmers tariffs of 400 percent and more and has taken advantage of the U.S. On Tuesday, his ban on close to 1 billion dollars in Canadian goods went into effect, covering dairy products, motor vehicles and numerous alcoholic beverages. While signing the executive orders, Trump cited discrimination against American equivalents.  The move is the latest in a trade dispute that escalated after negotiations between Washington and Ottawa broke down in August, with both sides placing tariffs on each other's goods. The tension goes beyond trade, with an unusual strain in the historically close relationship duri...

 ANAMBRA POLICE ADVISORY TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS: HEIGHTENED SAFETY MEASURES FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN DURING HEAVY RAINFALL AND FLOODING Following the recent heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of the State, which tragically resulted in the death of a school pupil, the Anambra State Police Command advises parents, guardians and caregivers to exercise heightened vigilance and take necessary precautions to protect schoolchildren during periods of severe weather. Parents and guardians are particularly advised to: * Avoid allowing children to travel during heavy rainfall, especially where there are visible signs of flooding, strong water currents or water overflowing roads and drainage channels. * Never allow children to cross flooded roads, bridges, drainage channels or waterways, regardless of how shallow or familiar the route may appear. Floodwater can conceal open drains, erosion channels, culverts and other life-threatening hazards. * Closely supervise schoolchildren before, during an...

 Rita Edochie Speaks Out on Judy Austin N1 Billion Lawsuit and Defends Social Media Posts Veteran Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has publicly addressed the massive N1 billion lawsuit filed against her by Judy Austin, the second wife of actor Yul Edochie. Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, the veteran actress made it clear that she has no plans to back down or be silenced by legal threats. According to Edochie, the legal action is a direct attempt to muzzle her voice on Instagram, where she frequently shares her thoughts on relationships and life. However, she strongly rejected the notion that her online posts were targeted exclusively at Judy Austin. Instead, she explained that her content serves a broader educational purpose for the public. Educating Women on Morality Edochie asserted that her social media activity is designed to teach moral lessons and warn women about the long-term consequences of pursuing relationships with married men. She emphasized that she writes ...

 Dangote Group to Proceed with 16 Billion Dollar Kenya Refinery Groundbreaking Despite Court Order The Dangote Group has announced its determination to move forward with the launch of its massive 16 billion dollar oil refinery in Kenya, despite a recent court order restricting activities on the disputed land allocated for the project. The Nigerian conglomerate confirmed that the official groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day facility in Lamu will take place as originally scheduled. Understanding the Court Ruling The Malindi Environment and Land Court recently issued an order directing all parties involved in the property dispute to maintain the status quo on the land until October 14, when the case is set to return to court. The dispute centers around a specific parcel of land identified as LR No. 13061, located in the Hindi and Manda Magogoni region of Lamu County. Crucially, the court declined to block the groundbreaking ceremony itself, allowing the pro...

 He simply was trying to get home after a day in the city when his life was robbed from him in a most unpredictable way. A man in his 50s was doing what many of us do; enduring the grind of daily commuting and looking forward to being off work. Sadly, this is when he made his final stop ever.  It was approximately 5:50 p.m. on September 28th, when the shocking events unfolded at the Utica Avenue Station, in Bedford-Stuyevesant. According to authorities, the unfortunate gentleman's bag became stuck when the train's doors closed on it. Events began to move very quickly to a tragic ending at this point.  The man only had time to register what was happening as the train began to pull away, picking up speed as it departed the station. Unfortunately, the man was trapped by his bag and was dragged along the station's platform. The journey soon came to an abrupt end when the train passed by a large pole, and the man was slammed into it with such force that he was freed from his p...

 A dating app hook-up turned into a 6-week nightmare for a Massachusetts woman who was discovered chained in the home's attic. A property owner in Malden, Massachusetts, was called to one of her rentals on September 20th.  The home owner, 29-year-old Jordende Pierre, had called about a water leak.  However, once inside of the home, the resident refused access to certain areas in the home. Undaunted, the property owner and her  husband went forward and continued their investigation to determine where the problem leak originated.  Eventually, the couple's search would uncover a far more uncomfortable truth. As the search for the leak took the property owner and her husband into the home's upper levels, the real problem was located. In an unfinished attic room in this average multi-family home, the couple came face to face with the absolute worst of humanity.  A woman lay completely nude on a mat on the floor. She was in an obvious state of starvation surround...

 Joke Silva Breaks Silence With Touching Tribute Following Husband Olu Jacobs Passing Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva has broken her silence following the death of her iconic husband, Olu Jacobs. On Tuesday, September 30, 2026, the beloved screen star took to social media to share a quiet, emotional tribute to her partner of over four decades. In her first public response since his passing, Silva shared a tender throwback photograph of herself and her late husband on Instagram. Her caption was brief but deeply poignant, containing only a white heart and folded hands emoji, symbolizing her grief and gratitude. The touching post immediately drew a wave of support from fans, colleagues, and industry stakeholders, who flooded the comment section to offer their condolences and pay their respects to the legendary actor. An Enduring Love Story and Professional Partnership Olu Jacobs, born Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, passed away on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84. His son, Olusoji J...