Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 03 November 2026

National Assembly Proposes 74 Extra Seats For Women

The National Assembly has proposed creating 74 additional seats for women in the Senate and the House of Representatives, plus three reserved seats for women in each state House of Assembly. The move is meant to address women’s underrepresentation in Nigeria’s politics. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed this on Monday.

---

Adebutu Dismisses INEC List Omission As Distraction

PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has described the omission of his name from INEC’s list of governorship candidates as a temporary distraction. He insisted it would not affect his determination to contest the 2027 election. Adebutu spoke on Monday at the PDP secretariat in Abeokuta, where he received over 1,000 defectors.

---

Bandits Kill Five Policemen In Sokoto-Zamfara Ambush

Suspected bandits have killed five police officers travelling from Sokoto to Zamfara State on a special duty assignment. It was learnt on Monday that the officers, in three vehicles, were ambushed on Sunday when the armed assailants attacked their convoy.

---

Gunmen Abduct Six Mourners Escorting Corpse To Benue

Suspected kidnappers have abducted six persons conveying a woman’s corpse to Okpoga, headquarters of Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State. Sources said the mourners left Kano on Friday, but their vehicle was intercepted along the notorious Adoka Road, and the occupants were taken away.

---

One Badly Burnt As Diesel Storage Site Goes Up In Flames In Anambra

One person was badly burnt and several storage tanks destroyed when a diesel storage site caught fire at Ndieze Nwankwo, Edibros Road, Uruagu, Nnewi North LGA, Anambra State. The incident, suspected to be arson, occurred late Sunday, causing panic among nearby residents.

---

Amateur Boxer KBlaq Stabbed To Death In Ibadan Street Fight

An amateur boxer, identified as Kehinde and popularly known as KBlaq, has been stabbed to death during a street fight at Olodo Garage, Ibadan, Oyo State. It was learnt on Monday that the incident occurred on Sunday, sparking outrage among social media users who demanded justice for the deceased.

---

Three Dead In Separate Plateau Incidents Within 24 Hours

Three lives were lost in two separate incidents in Plateau State within 24 hours. A 35-year-old miner, Ibrahim Jabir, died when an illegal mining pit collapsed in Asaradan village, Jos East LGA. Two others were killed and five injured in separate attacks on Toul and Halle communities in Mangu LGA.

---

Bandits Abduct 14 Islamic School Students In Niger

Suspected bandits have abducted 14 students of an Islamic school in Pandogari, Rafi LGA of Niger State. The students were reportedly taken on Saturday while helping their teacher, a Mallam, harvest maize on his farm in Tungan-Bako village. It was learnt that the gunmen also whisked away the teacher.

---

ADC South-West Denies Crisis, Backs Atiku

The African Democratic Congress leadership in the South-West has dismissed reports of an internal crisis in the zone and reaffirmed support for presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 elections. It also denied holding a virtual meeting with Atiku on September 5 to resolve a leadership disagreement, calling the reports false and fabricated.

---

AAC Urges Opposition Parties To Consider Boycotting 2027 Polls

The African Action Congress in Oyo State has urged opposition parties to consider boycotting the 2027 general elections if the Federal Government and security agencies fail to guarantee the safety of political actors and voters. In a Monday statement, Oyo State Chairman Kayode Babayomi cited escalating political violence, intimidation and thuggery.

---

Tinubu Prays Inside Ka’abah, Reaffirms Commitment To Project Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to building a prosperous Nigeria and investing in young Nigerians. He spoke on Monday while reflecting on his Umrah trip to Saudi Arabia, where King Salman granted him the rare privilege of leading Nigeria’s delegation to pray inside the Ka’abah. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga disclosed this in a statement.

---

Shettima Urges Voters To Renew Tinubu’s Mandate

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said political power belongs to the people, urging them to renew President Tinubu’s mandate in 2027. Speaking on Monday at the APC presidential campaign rally in Calabar, he said elected officials must return to account for their performance. He also asked residents to back Governor Bassey Otu’s re-election.

---

Mutfwang Blames Buhari Administration For Nigeria’s Debt Burden

Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang has blamed the economic challenges inherited by President Tinubu on the Buhari administration, claiming Nigeria was on the brink of collapse in 2023. Speaking on Monday at the inauguration of the APC Campaign Council in Jos, he said foreign reserves had fallen to just over $3 billion, and accused the previous government of printing over ₦30 trillion.

---

Oshiomhole Slams Obi’s Single-Term Promise

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has criticised NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi for promising to govern for just four years if elected. Speaking on Monday at the APC rally in Calabar, Oshiomhole said Obi wants a turn-by-turn democracy and could not fix Anambra State during his tenure as governor.

---

Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol Price To ₦1,210 Per Litre

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced its petrol gantry price by ₦55, from ₦1,265 to ₦1,210 per litre, a 4.35 per cent cut. Consortium marketers linked to the refinery announced the reduction, which followed a drop in the European gasoline benchmark, EBOB. Some depot owners had already cut prices by as much as ₦40 per litre.

---

DSS Releases Obi Supporter Rilwan Olawale

The Department of State Services has released Obidient Movement supporter Rilwan Olawale from custody in Lagos. NDC Lagos governorship candidate Funso Doherty confirmed this on 𝕏, saying he visited Olawale over the weekend. He thanked those who showed solidarity and hoped law enforcement agencies would act legitimately.

---

Ned Nwoko Appeals For Understanding Over Estranged Wife Regina Daniels

Senator Ned Nwoko has appealed to fans, friends, bloggers and social media users to stop pressuring his estranged wife, Nollywood actress Regina Daniels. In a Monday statement, he said she needed time and understanding to recover, adding that their two children deserved to see their mother receive love, care and support.

---

Jimmy Odukoya Fires Back At Critics Over Second Marriage

Fountain of Life Church Pastor Jimmy Odukoya has reacted to criticism of his decision to remarry. He confirmed his marriage to Pastor Mo Jasmine during Sunday’s church service. In an Instagram story on Monday, he said anyone who could not die for him had no right to pressure or condemn him.

---

Ronaldo, Messi, Kane, Bonmatí Lead 2026 FIFPRO World XI Nominees

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Harry Kane and Rodri headline the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World XI nominees, while Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas and Ada Hegerberg lead the women’s shortlist. FIFPRO announced 26 nominees per category on November 2 via 𝕏. The final teams are decided entirely by professional footballers’ votes.

---

Messi Hits 937 Career Goals After Inter Miami Win

Lionel Messi has reached 937 career goals after scoring once and providing an assist in Inter Miami’s 2-1 comeback win over the New England Revolution on November 2. Fabrizio Romano said the contributions took the 39-year-old’s record to 937 goals and 428 assists. He now needs 63 more to hit 1,000.