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Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 21 September 2026
Tinubu Skips UNGA, Directs Shettima To Lead Nigeria’s Delegation
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, ending weeks of speculation over his participation.
The Presidency confirmed that the President would return to Nigeria following his three-week vacation in Europe, and has instead directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead the country’s delegation to the annual gathering.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, had earlier said arrangements were in place for Tinubu to attend and even sit close to US President Donald Trump during the session. However, the Vice President’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, announced the President’s final decision in a statement on Sunday.
Obi Promises To Holiday In Nigeria, Challenges Rivals To Engage Citizens Directly
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has promised to spend his holidays within Nigeria if elected, saying he would use such periods to visit parts of the country facing security challenges.
Obi made the pledge during a town hall meeting with residents of Kaduna State at the weekend, alongside his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, where the duo listened to residents’ concerns and responded to questions.
He said his administration, if elected in 2027, would prioritise uniting the country, lifting citizens out of poverty, investing in healthcare and education, and tackling insecurity to enable people return safely to their homes and farms. Obi further challenged his rivals, including President Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, to also engage Nigerians directly rather than remaining in their “comfort zones.”
NSCDC Parades 24 Detained Personnel Over Deaths Of 37 Miners In Niger
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested and detained 24 personnel found culpable in the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners held in its custody in Niger State.
The Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, ACC Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this while parading the suspended Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, and other affected officers at the Corps’ Headquarters in Abuja, adding that three more personnel had since been placed on suspension, bringing the total in detention to 24.
The 37 detainees died last Thursday after being arrested during anti-illegal mining operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16. The NSCDC had initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, but its national leadership rejected that explanation and ordered further investigation.
NDLEA Operative Drowns While Chasing Suspected Drug Offender In Delta
An official of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Delta State has drowned in the River Ethiope while pursuing a fleeing suspected drug offender.
The incident occurred in Obiaruku community, Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state, at the weekend. Further details of the circumstances surrounding the operative’s death were not immediately available.
NDLEA Intercepts ₦3.4 Billion Worth Of Drugs, Arrests Fake Police Officer
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has seized over 1.3 million pills of tramadol and other opioids, along with about 6,000kg of cannabis, with a combined street value exceeding ₦3.4 billion, in operations across several states and the FCT.
The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement that 1,200 parcels of a potent cannabis strain known as Canadian Loud, weighing 603.75kg and valued at ₦1.81 billion, were intercepted at Tin-Can Island Port, Lagos.
The shipment, which arrived from Montreal, Canada, on September 12, was placed under surveillance after the agency received intelligence, and the container underwent a joint physical examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on September 16.
Former Kogi Governor, Ibrahim Idris, Dies At 77
Former Governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris, has died at the age of 77.
Idris reportedly died on Sunday, September 20, 2026, in the United Kingdom. Although details remain sketchy, family sources said he had suffered a protracted illness.
OK Movement Demands Apology From NDC Over Campaign Council Remarks
The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement (OK Movement) has demanded an immediate apology from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over statements by the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, concerning its recently unveiled 59-member Presidential Campaign Council.
The movement warned that it would not be intimidated or surrender its independence, insisting it remains an independent political organisation with its own leadership, structure and internal processes.
FCT Police Arrest About 300 Persons In Crime Flashpoint Raid
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested approximately 300 persons following a raid on identified crime flashpoints, shanties and incomplete buildings across the territory.
According to the command, the operation was part of ongoing efforts to prevent crime, disrupt criminal activities and enhance the safety and security of residents.
Gunmen Behead Village Head In Kebbi Community
Gunmen have killed and beheaded the village head of Lafagu community in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed the killing in a text message, saying the incident occurred on Sunday. He did not disclose the identity of the deceased traditional ruler.
Six Killed In Kogi Road Crash
Six people were killed while two others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a road crash along the Kabba–Odo-Ape Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Kogi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lawal Fagge, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with journalists on Sunday.
Nine Killed, Including Pastor, In Fresh Plateau Attacks
At least nine persons, including a pastor, have been killed in separate attacks by gunmen in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring communities in Plateau State between Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Five of the victims were passengers travelling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area when they were attacked on Saturday night, while two others, including the pastor, were killed on their way to church at Dorowa Babuje on Sunday morning.
‘They Don’t Want Wike To Win’ — Fayose Alleges Five APC Governors Secretly Backing NDC
Businessman Isaac Fayose has alleged that five All Progressives Congress (APC) governors are secretly supporting the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Fayose made the claim in a post on his Instagram page on Sunday, saying the governors would not publicly campaign for the NDC or issue statements because of their APC membership, but had promised to financially support its election campaign.
‘I Still Like Him’ — Kwankwaso Open To Reconciling With Gov. Yusuf
NDC vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed willingness to reconcile with Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, his estranged political associate.
Yusuf, a staunch adherent of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, won the 2023 election under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) before defecting to the APC, a move that strained his relationship with Kwankwaso. In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Kwankwaso said he could forgive and reconcile with Yusuf, stressing he never abandoned him and citing his past forgiveness of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje as evidence he is not a vengeful person.
‘Fans Are Always The Ones Starting Things’ — Rema Addresses Davido Feud Rumours
Nigerian singer Divine Ikubor, known as Rema, has dismissed rumours of a feud with fellow Afrobeats star Davido.
Speaking during an interview with Ebro Laura Style on Saturday, Rema said there was no issue between him and Davido despite what fans may believe, noting he has a lot of respect for older artistes in the industry. He explained that fans are often responsible for creating comparisons that turn artistes into perceived rivals, adding that he had previously tried to discourage such comparisons but stopped after noticing other artistes did not do the same.
‘They Want To Do An Evacuation’ — Toyin Abraham Opens Up On Losing Pregnancy
Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham has revealed that she lost a four-month pregnancy while still working on a movie project.
She shared the experience during the Bestie Jesu Concert 2026 in Lagos on Saturday, saying she continued working through the painful period. Toyin added that she initially avoided informing her parents about the loss, out of concern for how her mother, considering her age, would react.
Falconets Crash Out Of U-20 Women’s World Cup After Colombia Defeat
Nigeria’s Falconets have been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup following a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in Lodz on Sunday.
Moses Aduku’s side dominated the first half, with Janet Akekoromowei hitting the crossbar and Tumininu Adeshina forcing a save from goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo. Nigeria continued to pile pressure after the break, but momentum swung towards Colombia after Kafayat Mafisere was sent off in the 77th minute. The South Americans capitalised on their numerical advantage to score the winning goal through Valerin Loboa in stoppage time.
Mourinho Blames Referees For Real Madrid’s Defeat To Atletico
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has blamed match officials for his side’s 2-1 defeat to city rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday, their second LaLiga loss to Atletico this season.
The game turned after Dean Huijsen was shown a red card, with Real conceding twice before Antonio Rudiger headed in a late consolation. Speaking after the match, Mourinho said: “Poor Refereeing Committee, they made a mistake, poor guys. They combine a young inexperienced referee, with a VAR referee that has many stories against us.”