Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 03 October 2026

Kidnappers Demand N950m Ransom For 19 Graduates Abducted En Route NYSC Camp

Abductors who seized 19 graduates travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp have demanded N950 million for their release.

The victims were travelling in two buses when gunmen attacked them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, on Thursday.

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20 Dead In Plateau Road Accident

At least 20 people have been confirmed dead in a fatal motor accident at Hawan Kibo community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Friday.

Eyewitnesses said the accident occurred at about 5pm along the notorious Hawan Kibo bend, throwing the community into panic.

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Two Dead As Rival Cult Groups Clash In Osogbo

Two people were confirmed dead by the police on Friday in Osogbo, Osun State, following clashes involving suspected members of rival cult groups.

The incident reportedly occurred at a lounge in Owoeba, along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road. The deceased were attacked by yet-to-be-identified assailants around 5pm.

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Wike Challenges Amaechi To Name Projects He Brought To Rivers In 24 Years

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to identify the projects and political empowerment he attracted to Evo Kingdom and Rivers State during his 24 years in public office.

Wike spoke on Friday in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, questioning the legacy of his predecessor, a former Speaker, governor and Transportation Minister.

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INEC Assures Nigerians Of Free, Fair 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that it is taking practical steps to ensure the 2027 general elections are free, fair, inclusive and credible.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, gave the assurance on Friday in Akure at “The Convocation,” themed “Electioneering and the Future of Nigeria’s Democracy.”

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Atiku Faults Tinubu’s Handling Of Petrol Subsidy Removal

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday faulted the government’s handling of petrol subsidy removal.

He expressed sympathy for Nigerians struggling under surging transport, food and energy costs.

The former vice president pledged a direct policy shift if elected, declaring, “I will make life affordable again.”

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Sokoto Police Foil Bandit Attack, Recover Two Rocket Launchers

The Sokoto State Police Command has foiled an attempted bandit attack on Tsabre community in Isa Local Government Area, recovering two rocket launchers and other items abandoned by the fleeing attackers.

The armed men reportedly invaded the village around 1am on Friday, opening sporadic gunfire and causing panic.

Police spokesman Ahmad Rufa’i disclosed this in a statement.

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Suspected Boko Haram Terrorists Kill 15 Farmers In Borno

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly killed 15 farmers around Ala and Musune wards of Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

It was gathered on Friday that the victims were ambushed on their farmlands on Wednesday evening.

Only 15 bodies out of the 18 people who went to the farms were found and buried on Thursday, while three others remain missing.

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Kano Police Reiterate Ban On Durbar, Horse-Riding In Public Places

The Kano State Police Command has reiterated the ban on durbar and horse-riding activities in public places, warning organisers to comply with the directive.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, stated this while briefing journalists at the command’s headquarters in Bompai, Kano State.

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Veteran Actor Olu Jacobs Laid To Rest In Lagos

Veteran actor Olu Jacobs has been laid to rest, with family, friends and colleagues gathering for his funeral service on Friday at This Present House Church, Lekki, Lagos.

The service drew members of the entertainment industry and other dignitaries, who came to pay their last respects to the late thespian.

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Tinubu Asks US Court To Block Release Of Redacted FBI, DEA Records

President Bola Tinubu has asked a United States federal court to reject a request for additional Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) records concerning him, arguing that the withheld information is protected by privacy laws.

In an amended response filed on October 1, 2026, his lawyers urged the court to uphold the redactions. The request was brought by transparency activist Aaron Greenspan under the Freedom of Information Act. Tinubu has denied any wrongdoing.

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Politicians Criticising Tinubu’s Independence Day Speech Did Not Read It – Onanuga

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has slammed opposition politicians for criticising the President’s Independence Day speech.

Onanuga accused the opposition of ignoring Tinubu’s position on economic reforms.

In a post on 𝕏 on Friday, he said some politicians had prepared their reactions before the October 1 address and overlooked what he described as an ‘immutable truth’ in it.

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2027: ‘My Return To Rivers State Is Not For What I Will Get’ – Wike

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has declared that his return to Rivers State ahead of the 2027 election is for the benefit of his people and not for self-interest.

Speaking at a consultative meeting with Akpor Kingdom stakeholders in Obio-Akpor, he said politics is driven by collective interest, not perpetual animosity, and that his alignment with President Bola Tinubu remains unshakable.

He urged traditional rulers, clergy and community leaders to unite behind a single political direction.

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2027: Amaechi Knows Their Mission To Beat Tinubu Would Fail – Onanuga

Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has said ADC vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi knows the party’s mission to defeat President Bola Tinubu in 2027 will fail.

Before becoming Atiku’s running mate, Amaechi had argued in an interview that Atiku is unelectable because his primary victories since 1992 have never translated into presidential wins.

Reacting to the video on 𝕏, Onanuga said Amaechi knows his joint ticket with Atiku is a joke.

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2027: Eze Challenges APC Over Legality Of Kingsley Chinda’s Rivers Candidacy

ADC chieftain Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the legality of its Rivers State governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda.

He questioned whether Chinda’s name was in the verified APC membership register submitted to INEC, citing the Supreme Court’s recent judgment on Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

In a statement on Friday, Eze said the issue is now strict legal compliance, not propaganda.

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Jonathan, Diri Say Bayelsans Remain Grateful To Late Abacha For State Creation

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri have paid tribute to the late General Sani Abacha for creating Bayelsa State in 1996.

Both said the Ijaw people would remain grateful for a separate state carved out of the former Rivers State.

Jonathan spoke on Thursday night at Bayelsa’s 30th anniversary celebration in Yenagoa. He dedicated his award to his late political mentor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

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I’m Not Walking, Parts Of My Body Are Swollen – Pete Edochie Opens Up On Health Challenge

Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has spoken about his health challenges, saying he has difficulty walking and experiences swelling in different parts of his body.

He made this known during a visit to ailing Ghanaian actor Emmanuel Armah in Accra, noting that his hand was swollen during the visit while his leg is sometimes affected.

Despite this, he said he remains hopeful and fears becoming a burden to others.

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‘Go Fight Tacha, Illebaya’ – Comedian DeeOne Blasts Phyna Over Etinosa Challenge

Comedian Aderombi Adedayo Martin, popularly known as DeeOne, has dared reality TV star Phyna to fight Tacha and Illebaya.

This follows Phyna’s boxing match challenge to Nollywood actress Etinosa Idemudia, after she defeated Nkechi Blessing on Thursday night.

In a video on Instagram, DeeOne criticised Phyna for going after older celebrities and urged her to face DJ Dimple Nipple and other younger celebrities.

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Man City Appeals Premier League Commission’s Findings In Disciplinary Case

Manchester City has filed a comprehensive appeal against the findings of the Premier League Commission in its ongoing disciplinary case.

The club submitted the appeal at 7pm on Thursday, October 1, 2026, describing the Commission’s opinion as unsafe and containing “clear material errors, of law, principle and fact”.

City maintained its innocence and said it is limited in what it can disclose while proceedings continue.

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FIFA Blocks Argentina’s Plan To Retire Messi’s No. 10 Shirt

Argentina’s plan to permanently retire Lionel Messi’s No. 10 shirt has been blocked by FIFA regulations.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) reportedly wanted to retire the shirt after Messi ended his international career. FIFA rules require teams at final tournaments to use squad numbers 1 to 26.

Messi, who has 207 caps and 125 goals, is expected to make his farewell appearance on October 6 against Benin. Coach Lionel Scaloni has yet to decide who inherits the shirt.