Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 04 October 2026

N’East Governors Urge FG to Revive Oil Exploration in Borno

The North-East Governors’ Forum has urged the Federal Government to revive stalled oil exploration activities in Borno State. It also commended President Bola Tinubu for the ongoing revival of the Kolmani oil drilling project in Gombe State. The appeal was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the forum’s 13th regular meeting, held at the Borno Government House in Maiduguri on Saturday.

---

IGP Deploys Senior Police Chiefs to Imo to Rescue Abducted Corps Members

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has deployed senior police officers to Imo State to lead an intensive search-and-rescue operation for 20 abducted prospective corps members. The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Owerri on Saturday.

---

Benue Suspends NUMW Branch After Boat Mishap

The Benue State Government has suspended the Buruku crossing-point branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers (NUMW) following Saturday’s boat accident, in which several passengers remain unaccounted for. Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, ordered the immediate suspension after an on-the-spot assessment of the accident scene.

---

Madonna University Expels Nursing Student, Suspends 14 Others Over Viral TikTok Video

Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, has expelled a final-year nursing student, identified as Mercy, and suspended 14 other 500-level students over a viral TikTok video. The clip showed the students dancing in a hospital waiting area, on a staircase and in a bus. Mercy, who appeared in the opening seconds, allegedly received her expulsion letter during the week.

---

Army Bids Farewell to Discharged Warrant Officers in Zaria

The Nigerian Army on Saturday bade farewell to discharged Master Warrant Officers of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, at a ceremony held in the institution’s conference room. Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Depot Nigerian Army, Chikadibia Anele, said the event was attended by the Commandant, Brig.-Gen. Usman Ahmad, principal staff officers and heads of departments.

---

Police Arrest Man for Allegedly Raping 12-Year-Old Girl in Abuja

The FCT Police Command has arrested a man, Zayyanu Halilu, after officers allegedly caught him raping a 12-year-old girl inside a tinted vehicle at Airport Bridge Taxi Park, Abuja. The victim was also found to be about three months pregnant as a result of the alleged abuse. The suspect is in police custody.

---

British Teen Charged Over 23.4kg Cocaine in Barbados

The Barbados Police Service Narcotics Unit has arrested and charged a 19-year-old British national, Abdul-Rasheed Anjolaoluwa Oduola, over the alleged possession and trafficking of 23.4 kilogrammes of cocaine. Oduola, who resides in Dagenham, East London, was arrested over offences allegedly committed on September 29, 2026.

---

Soludo Charges New LG Chairmen to Prioritise Service Delivery

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has charged the newly sworn-in chairmen of the state’s 21 local government areas to prioritise service delivery, accountability and strict adherence to the law. Soludo gave the charge on Saturday at the inauguration of the chairmen and their deputies at the Government House, Awka.

---

Troops Rescue 15 Kidnap Victims, Arrest Two Suspects in Five States

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 15 kidnapped victims and arrested two suspected kidnappers in separate operations across Edo, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi and Plateau states, according to an operational report made available to NAN. The operations were conducted on October 1 and 2. In Edo, troops of the 195 Battalion rescued three victims along the Ekor-Ikakumo Road in Akoko-Edo.

---

Kidnappers Give Parents of Abducted Corps Members 24-Hour Ultimatum, Demand ₦1bn

Abductors of 20 prospective NYSC members have reportedly given the victims’ parents 24 hours to pay a ₦1 billion ransom, demanding ₦50 million per victim. The graduates were travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps when gunmen attacked their two buses on the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State on Thursday. On Saturday, the parents appealed to the Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to intervene.

---

Wike Faults Amaechi Over Claim Tinubu’s Policies Contributed to Mother’s Death

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has criticised former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over his claim that President Tinubu’s economic policies made it hard to afford his late mother’s medication. Speaking in Ahoada, Rivers State, Wike questioned how Amaechi, with his long years in public office, could not provide the medication, and whether his family and wealthy associates could not have helped.

---

Amaechi: Fuel Import Corruption Can Be Tackled Swiftly if President Is Determined

African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi has said corruption in Nigeria’s fuel importation sector could be tackled quickly if the president is determined to stop it. In an AIT interview, he said, “It takes one day to fight corruption.” He argued that if Peter Obi became president and jailed those involved, nobody would steal.

---

Wike Vows to Resign if Tinubu Loses Rivers, FCT in 2027

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has again vowed to resign if President Tinubu fails to win the 2027 election in Rivers State and the FCT. Speaking at a political reception in his honour on Saturday, he said there would be no point keeping his appointment if he could not contribute to the president’s political cause. He added that Rivers would compete with Lagos in delivering votes for Tinubu.

---

Labour Party Youths Propose Alignment with APC, Tinubu Groups Ahead of 2027

The Labour Party Youth Wing has proposed an alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and pro-Tinubu groups ahead of the 2027 presidential election. A statement by Edo State youth leader Ken Omusi said national youth leader Prince Kennedy Ahanotu was mandated to begin consultations, citing the party’s prolonged crisis and inadequate recognition of youths since the 2023 elections.

---

Imo CP: Abductors’ Camp Mined with IEDs, Delaying Rescue of Corps Members

Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, says security operatives have identified the location where 19 abducted prospective corps members are held. He said on Saturday that police used drones on Friday to locate the suspected camp but delayed moving in because intelligence indicated it was mined with IEDs. Operatives are preparing to advance with bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers.

---

Odumodublvck Accuses Blaqbonez of Giving Inconsistent Accounts of Feud

Rapper Tochukwu Ojogwu, popularly known as Odumodublvck, has accused his former collaborator, Blaqbonez, of giving inconsistent accounts of their relationship. Speaking on the In Motion Podcast, he insisted that the truth would prevail. Blaqbonez has denied sexual-abuse allegations linked to the dispute and challenged Odumodublvck to prove the claims in court.

---

Julius Agwu Says Friends Deserted Him, Bishop Collected His Money

Comedian Julius Agwu has said his health crisis affected his career, finances and relationships. Appearing on the Beer Parlour Talk Show, he broke down in tears, saying some close associates deserted him when he needed support most. He alleged that a bishop who managed him collected his money before the relationship deteriorated. Agwu underwent brain surgery in the United States in 2015.

---

Fernandes: Ronaldo Remains Portugal’s Greatest Symbol Despite Captaincy Change

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes says Cristiano Ronaldo remains Portugal’s greatest football symbol, despite taking over the national team captaincy. He spoke after leading Portugal to a 4-2 Nations League win over Denmark, following Ronaldo’s reported exit from camp after a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus. Fernandes created five chances and provided two assists, and denied any division in the squad.

---

Super Eagles Begin Training in Russia Ahead of Friendly

Nigeria’s Super Eagles held their first training session in Nizhny Novgorod on Saturday night ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Russia. Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Akpe Victory have withdrawn from the squad. Coach Éric Chelle has invited John Otomewo and Vince Osuji as replacements. Kick-off at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is 6pm Nigerian time.