Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 06 October 2026

Tinubu Declares Three-Day National Mourning For Ondo Air Crash Victims

President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for those who died in Monday’s Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 crash in Ondo State.

He also directed that flags be flown at half-mast nationwide as a mark of respect for the victims.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

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No Survivors Found At Ondo Plane Crash Site – Aiyedatiwa

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa says rescuers have found no survivors after a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area.

Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, he said residents, security personnel and emergency responders searched the site. The plane reportedly went down in a swampy area near a naval base, with no sign of fire.

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Tinubu Returns To Abuja After Six-Day Lagos Stay

President Bola Tinubu was due to return to Abuja on Monday evening after six days in Lagos, the Presidency has announced.

He arrived in Lagos on September 29, following an extended holiday in London and Paris. Bayo Onanuga confirmed the departure in a statement.

During the visit, Tinubu addressed Nigerians on October 1 to mark the country’s 66th Independence anniversary.

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Court Affirms Olawepo-Hashim As Accord Presidential Candidate

The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the Accord Party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

Justice Mohammed Umar ordered the party to submit his name to INEC and directed the commission to recognise him. The court held that he was lawfully nominated at the May 30, 2026 primary and rejected the claim that the primary was cancelled.

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Fintiri Visits Wike In Port Harcourt As 2027 Consultations Intensify

Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri on Monday visited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The visit comes amid intensified consultations among political heavyweights ahead of the 2027 general elections, as political permutations gather momentum.

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Dangote Refinery Stops Petrol Sales To Major Marketers Who Import Fuel

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has stopped selling Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to major marketers that import petroleum products into Nigeria.

An official of the refinery confirmed this on Monday. He said the refinery would no longer sell petrol to those blending Dangote fuel with imported grades.

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Nigeria’s Voters’ Register Hits 103 Million – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says Nigeria’s national voters’ register has risen to over 103 million.

Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan said this followed the completion of the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and final biometric cleanup. He spoke on Monday in Abuja at a workshop for editors organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

The three phases produced 10,772,421 new registrations, subject to verification. Nationwide collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards begins October 9, 2026.

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INEC Acquires 57,000 New BVAS Devices Ahead Of 2027

INEC has acquired 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at a strategic workshop organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

He said the devices have undergone software hardening, battery optimisation and biometric calibration to prevent accreditation bypass and manual manipulation.

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Nine Killed In Ijebu-Ode/Ore Expressway Crash

Nine people were killed on Monday in a crash at about 4:55 p.m. in the Bethel area of the Ijebu-Ode/Ore section of the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway.

The crash reportedly involved a white Toyota Hiace bus, registration number 14B-299DT, belonging to Delta Line, and a white Sino Truck, registration number AAB162XD, belonging to Bill Gas Solution Ltd.

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NDC Dismisses Claims Dickson Is Working With APC Against Obi

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed allegations that its National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, is secretly working with the APC to undermine presidential candidate Peter Obi and running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The party called the claim false and malicious, insisting Dickson remains committed to the NDC and its presidential ticket ahead of 2027.

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Lulu-Briggs Promises To Donate Salary To Rivers Widows If Elected

NDC governorship candidate Dumo Lulu-Briggs says he will donate his salary and allowances to widows across Rivers State if elected in 2027.

He made the pledge on Monday during a media chat in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area, where he unveiled his blueprint, titled ‘Reset Rivers State.’

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Sokoto Govt Denies Abduction Of 18 Students

The Sokoto State Government has dismissed a report alleging that 18 students of Gamji College of Health Technology were abducted by suspected terrorists while travelling to Oyo State.

In a statement on Monday, Malam Abubakar Bawa, Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, called the report false. He said no student of the private institution was abducted.

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Asari Dokubo Alleges Olu Of Warri, Osahon Collect ₦2.7trn Yearly For Pipeline Protection

Niger Delta ex-militant leader Asari Dokubo has accused the Olu of Warri and some individuals and companies of receiving pipeline protection contracts worth ₦2.7 trillion annually.

In a video circulating online, he defended Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo. Dokubo claimed Tompolo was criticised for collecting less despite offering similar services.

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Mayorkun: I’ll Do DNA Test Before Accepting Any Child

Singer Mayorkun says he intends to carry out a DNA test before accepting any child as his own.

Speaking on the In My Opinion podcast, he said he had told his girlfriend he would sign a prenuptial agreement before marriage. He said she was unhappy with the idea, but he would not change his mind. He added that he had even considered testing without telling her.

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‘I’m Not A Gigolo’ – Sheggz Denies Living Off Ex-Girlfriend Bella

Former BBNaija housemate Sheggz has denied claims that he lived off his ex-girlfriend, Bella Okagbue, during their relationship.

In a chat with Oyemykke, he rejected the ‘gigolo’ label and said both of them contributed financially. Bella had earlier accused him of owing her millions of Naira and failing to keep “hundreds of promises.”

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Nineteen Super Eagles Players In Camp Ahead Of Russia Friendly

Nineteen players are now in the Super Eagles camp in Nizhny Novgorod ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Russia, after late invitee Ibrahim Ajasa arrived on October 5.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Akpe are out injured. Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika and Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were denied clubs’ permission to travel, while Moses Usor and Suleiman Mubarak are also unavailable.

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Konsa Returns To Arsenal After England Injury Blow

Ezri Konsa has returned to Arsenal after being ruled out of England’s final fixture against the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

The defender has been managing a muscle problem and will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Leeds at the Emirates. Ben White, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera have returned to training, giving Mikel Arteta more options.