Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 18 October 2026

October 18, 2026

Troops Kill Two Kidnappers, Rescue Victim, Recover N10m Ransom In Kano

Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed two suspected kidnappers, rescued an abducted victim and recovered N10 million ransom in Falgore Forest, Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The operation, carried out by 3 Brigade under Operation MESA, followed the October 11, 2026 abduction of Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu at Fanyabo village.

Army Chief Visits Maiduguri As Parents Of 78 Abducted Pupils Threaten Protest

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shuaibu, arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Saturday amid rising tension over 78 schoolchildren abducted in May.

The parents shelved a planned trip to Abuja, where they had threatened to camp outside the Presidential Villa until President Bola Tinubu personally addressed their plight.

Five Dead As Tanker Crushes Vehicles In Ibadan

Five people died on Saturday at Aduloju Bus Stop along the Ojoo–Iwo Road Expressway in Ibadan, Oyo State, after a fully loaded 45,000-litre diesel tanker crashed into vehicles.

Sources said the crash involved the tanker, an unregistered car and four commercial cabs popularly called Micra, leaving five people feared dead.

Oyo APC Urges Police To Arrest Killers Of Ibadan Man

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has asked the State Police Command and other security agencies to pursue the killers of Ridwan Adeyemo.

Adeyemo, a middle-aged man, was reportedly hacked to death by assailants on Friday at Agbokojo Area of Ibadan. The party urged security operatives to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Shettima: I Fear APC Division More Than The Opposition

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said he fears divisions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) more than the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Shettima spoke on Saturday in Abuja while unveiling the campaign head office of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), a northern coalition backing the Tinubu/Shettima ticket, and inaugurating its campaign structure.

Makinde Campaign Vows To Defeat Tinubu In 12 Battleground States

The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO) has vowed that its candidate, Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), will defeat President Bola Tinubu in 12 battleground states, including Rivers and the FCT, in the January 2027 election.

The group said Tinubu’s planned visits to the states would do little to change growing opposition to his re-election.

Police Rescue One-Month-Old Baby Allegedly Sold For N2m In Ibadan

Oyo State Police Command has rescued a one-month-old baby girl allegedly sold for N2 million and arrested two suspects in Ido Local Government Area of Ibadan.

The suspects are the baby’s mother, 23-year-old Cecilia Amos, and the owner of Ebepraise Health Centre, Ido, Dr Adeleke Ebenezer, 40.

Delta Police Arrest 95 Suspected Cultists In Coordinated Raids

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested 95 suspected cultists in coordinated raids on criminal hideouts across the state.

They recovered five firearms, comprising two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated cut-to-size gun and two locally made pistols, along with 12 live cartridges and seven expended cartridges.

Wike Seeks Ogba Traditional Rulers’ Support For Tinubu’s Re-election

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike on Saturday took his political consultations to Ogba Land in Rivers State, appealing to traditional leaders to back President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Addressing the traditional council at the palace of the Oba of Ogba Land, Nwachukwu Obuoha-Obi III, in Omoku, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA, Wike said, “supporting Tinubu is a support for prosperity”.

Obi: Economic Growth Is Meaningless If Citizens Keep Getting Poorer

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised the country’s economic situation, saying growth means nothing if citizens keep getting poorer.

In a Saturday post on X marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Obi argued that rising poverty showed the country was moving backwards despite its abundant human and natural resources.

Opposition May Field Single Candidate Against APC Days Before 2027 Polls – Lukman

Convener of the G100 pressure group, Salihu Lukman, says the opposition alliance may announce a single presidential candidate, possibly days before the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, Lukman, a former APC National Vice Chairman, said the effort has gone beyond the six parties involved, adding that a rigid position is almost like working for the APC and Tinubu.

Makinde’s Camp Names 12 States Tinubu Will Lose In 2027

The camp of APM presidential candidate Seyi Makinde has predicted that President Bola Tinubu will lose 12 states in the 2027 election: Rivers, Oyo, Kaduna, Plateau, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos, plus the FCT.

In a Saturday statement, spokesman Richard Ihediwa blamed economic hardship and challenged Tinubu to face voters in those states.

‘What Kind Of Tragedy Is This?’ – Utomi Slams Nigerians Defending APC

Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has criticised Nigerians who defend the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

In a Saturday Facebook post, he said, “I find it sad to see Nigerians defend this APC government on a daily basis when all it has done is to continuously make life miserable for them.” Utomi said his advocacy was not for personal gain but for future generations.

‘If You Eat Once A Day, You’re Good To Go’ – Jide Kosoko Defends Tinubu

Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has said a good meal need not be costly, adding that one good meal is enough for the day.

Speaking on the ‘Talk To B’ podcast, he defended President Bola Tinubu’s administration, urged Nigerians to blame traders who raise prices, and admitted many citizens are in pain but appealed for more time for Tinubu.

Nigeria’s Problem Is Poverty, Not Religion – Makinde

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said Nigeria’s biggest problem is poverty, not religion.

Makinde, the APM presidential candidate, spoke on Saturday in Abuja after receiving a Christian Icon Award at CAN’s 50th anniversary celebration. He urged Christians to stop shunning politics, warning that avoiding it as “dirty” could hinder national transformation.

NDC Candidate Alleges APC Plot To Remove Party From Lagos Ballot

Adefolaseye Adebayo, NDC House of Representatives candidate for Surulere I Federal Constituency, Lagos, has accused the APC of plotting to keep the party off the 2027 ballot.

In a Saturday video on X, she said a similar incident occurred in 2023 while she was in the Labour Party, and urged party leaders and Nigerians to take note.

Aiyedatiwa Warns APC: Winning 2027 Will Be Difficult Without Unity

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has warned that the APC could struggle to win the 2027 elections if members fail to remain united.

Speaking in Akure on Saturday at the inauguration of the Ondo APC Presidential Campaign Council, he urged members to learn from the PDP’s divisions. Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami urged members to secure one million votes for Tinubu.

Timi Dakolo Reveals What He Saw Politicians Do Behind Closed Doors

Singer Timi Dakolo says politicians from different parties are cordial when cameras are off, responding to backlash over his Thursday tweet, “Stop making enemies because of politics.”

Dakolo said he has seen them hugging and asking about each other’s families and businesses. “People die over political fights, and later, these politicians change parties,” he said.

‘Men Always Make Excuses For Their Stupid Behaviours’ – Uche Ogbodo

Nollywood actress Uche Ogbodo has urged men to take responsibility for their actions instead of making excuses for their failures.

Speaking to Saturday Beats, she advised women in unhappy marriages to recognise their worth and walk away from relationships that no longer meet their needs, cautioning against overlooking emotional and psychological abuse.

Haaland Scores Twice As Man City Edge Ipswich, Liverpool Beat Brentford

Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City beat Ipswich Town 3-2 in Saturday’s Premier League action, with Phil Foden also scoring. Daizen Maeda and a late Zian Flemming penalty replied for Ipswich.

Liverpool came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1, with Víctor Muñoz and Alexander Isak scoring after Yehor Yarmolyuk’s red card.

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