Author: Naija Daily News

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced preparations for the 2027 general elections with the release of a detailed timetable, retaining high nomination fees for key offices while introducing concessions to encourage broader participation. In the schedule issued Monday night in Abuja by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, presidential aspirants are required to purchase expression of interest and nomination forms at a combined cost of N100 million, comprising N30 million and N70 million respectively. Governorship aspirants will pay N50 million, with N10 million for the expression of interest and N40 million for nomination. Senatorial aspirants are…

Terrorist group Boko Haram has released a video daring the Nigerian government to attempt a forceful rescue of 416 abducted victims in Borno State, warning that failure to meet its demands within 72 hours could lead to the victims being moved to undisclosed locations. The video, obtained on Monday, shows armed militants dressed in military camouflage declaring their readiness to confront any rescue operation, while insisting they “welcome” any attempt by security forces to recover the captives by force. Delivering the message in Hausa, with English subtitles, the group identified itself as Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad and issued what it…

Residents of two communities in Plateau State have been plunged into mourning following coordinated attacks that claimed at least six lives and left several others hospitalised. The incidents occurred in Shonun community of Riyom Local Government Area and Hurum in Gashish District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, further heightening concerns over persistent insecurity in the region. Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Tengong Rwang, said the attacks took place on the same night, with assailants reportedly arriving on foot and wielding sophisticated weapons. According to him, four people were killed in Hurum, while five others sustained injuries…

Suspected kidnappers have attacked a commercial bus operated by GUO Transport along the Ore–Benin expressway, killing the driver and abducting several passengers in a brazen assault that highlights growing insecurity on Nigeria’s highways. According to reports, the gunmen ambushed the east-bound vehicle and opened fire on the driver, who died on the spot. The attackers then forced passengers out of the bus and whisked them away to an unknown destination. The incident reportedly occurred along a notorious stretch of the Ore–Benin road, a key corridor linking the South-West and South-South regions, which has long been plagued by banditry and abductions.…

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan on Monday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning for waves of up to three metres. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred at 4:53 p.m. local time in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Iwate Prefecture. The tremor was strong enough to shake buildings in Tokyo, located hundreds of kilometres away. The agency warned that the earliest tsunami waves could reach the northern coastline almost immediately, urging residents in affected areas to evacuate without delay. “Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as…

Retired police officers and their families, under the aegis of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria (PROF), on Monday staged a protest at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, blocking one of its gates to press home their demands. The protesters are calling for the removal of the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which they described as fraudulent, illegal, inhumane, and obnoxious. They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assent to the Police Exit Bill passed by the National Assembly on December 4, 2025, and transmitted to the Presidency on March 16, 2026. According to the…

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested four suspected cultists in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area, over their alleged involvement in an assault and armed robbery incident. The suspects—Samson John (25), Olufowora Michael (28), Odeh Samuel Ejeh (25), and Olajide Jeremiah (28)—were apprehended by officers attached to the Ilaro Division following a complaint lodged on April 16, 2026. In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said items recovered from the suspects include a locally made pistol, an axe, charms, and a stolen iPhone. According to the police, the victim reported that at about 1:00…

Manchester City defeated Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday to seize control of the Premier League title race, while Liverpool strengthened their bid for a Champions League place with a dramatic Merseyside derby win. Arsenal, led by Mikel Arteta, had topped the table for months but is faltering at a crucial stage in its pursuit of a first league title in 22 years. Erling Haaland proved decisive for City, scoring in the 65th minute after Rayan Cherki’s opener was cancelled out by Kai Havertz, who capitalised on a costly error by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Arteta was left frustrated in the closing moments…

The Federal Ministry of Finance has dismissed recent media reports suggesting that a significant portion of Nigeria’s federation earnings is being diverted or concealed as “hidden spending,” describing such claims as a misinterpretation of the latest Nigeria Development Update released by the World Bank. In a statement issued on April 19, 2026, the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, said the narratives circulating in parts of the media reflect a misunderstanding of the country’s fiscal framework and the World Bank’s analysis. The ministry clarified that deductions made by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), which have been labelled in…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted cocaine concealed in food flasks at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, preventing its export to the United Kingdom. The agency disclosed that 12 large parcels of cocaine, weighing 2.80 kilograms, were discovered hidden in false compartments of the flasks at the airport’s export shed. The illicit consignment was scheduled for shipment on a Virgin Atlantic flight. In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA said the seizure, which occurred on April 9, 2026, led to the arrest of…