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Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 29 August 2026
Tinubu Orders Forensic Audit of Federal Government Systems
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, to oversee and coordinate a comprehensive forensic audit of Federal Government systems.
According to the President’s directive, the audit will include a review of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), Federal Government agencies, and their administration and internal controls.
In a statement issued on Friday, the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said the directive follows the Federal Executive Council’s resolution of August 19, 2026, taken in response to findings by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on “fake agencies,” ghost workers, and other control failures.
The exercise will establish the nature and extent of weaknesses in government’s control systems and determine how those weaknesses have been exploited. Onanuga noted that the review will comprise two interconnected components.
DSS Re-Arrests Miyetti Allah Leader Bodejo Shortly After EFCC Bail Release
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) re-arrested the national president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, on Friday, shortly after he was released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following the perfection of his bail conditions.
Bodejo was reportedly whisked away by DSS operatives as he was leaving the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where his lawyers had gone to secure his release.
The development has left his family angry and confused, with his wife, Hajiya Hauwa Bodejo, questioning why her husband would be picked up again after meeting the conditions attached to his bail. A source within the EFCC confirmed that Bodejo had indeed been released after his bail conditions were perfected.
Narrating the events, Hauwa said DSS operatives had been stationed around the entrance of the EFCC headquarters for several hours before Bodejo’s release. She explained that the EFCC had contacted Bodejo’s lawyers on Thursday night, asking them to return with court officials for the release scheduled for Friday, only for court officials to later say this was unnecessary as the relevant documents had already been submitted.
The family went to the EFCC headquarters on Friday and found Bodejo already brought out of detention. She said they were preparing to leave the premises when DSS operatives allegedly moved in.
NPC Chairman, Aminu Yusuf, Dies in Abuja
The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr Aminu Yusuf, is dead.
A source within the commission told Daily Trust that Yusuf died at Nizamiya Hospital in Abuja after Jummah prayers.
Atiku Vows to End Insecurity Within One Year If Elected in 2027
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has said he would end insecurity in Nigeria within one year of assuming office if elected in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in a recent interview with BBC Hausa, Atiku, who discussed a wide range of issues, said he would adopt measures to end insecurity within one year of his administration.
NCDC Says Cholera Cases Declining But Transmission Still Ongoing
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said cholera cases have declined significantly from their peak earlier this year, but warned that transmission remains ongoing across the country.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing on the current cholera and diphtheria outbreaks in Nigeria.
Presidency Accuses Atiku of Emotional Instability Over Border Remarks
The Presidency on Friday accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of being emotionally unstable to the extent of saying anything to attract and deceive the politically gullible.
The Presidency’s accusation came on the heels of a statement credited to the former Vice President, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 general election, that he would open the country’s borders if elected president.
Gunmen Kill APC Chairman in Kogi, Abduct Another Vehicle Occupant
Gunmen have killed the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Hon. Ishaq Yunusa, and abducted another occupant of his vehicle.
The incident occurred on Thursday along the Itobe-Ochadamu Expressway, around Ojuwo Olijo in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
Three Killed in Lagos Clash Over N200 Okada Fare Dispute
Three people were reportedly killed and several others injured on Friday following a violent clash in the Ikola area of Ipaja, Lagos.
The incident began with a disagreement between a commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as an okada rider, and a passenger over a N200 fare balance. The ensuing argument reportedly degenerated into a fight, during which the motorcyclist allegedly stabbed the passenger in the stomach.
Two Dead as Refuse Dump Collapses in Calabar
Two persons have been confirmed dead following the collapse of a refuse dump at Ikot Effanga, along Old Odukpani Road in Calabar, Cross River State.
The state Police Command disclosed this in a statement on Friday, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Eitokpah.
Nasarawa Police Arrest Medical Personnel Over Alleged Organ Harvesting
Operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command have arrested some medical personnel over their alleged involvement in organ harvesting.
The suspects are Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, a nephrologist and consultant at Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53, also a nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at Wellington Hospital; and David Idoko, 25.
They were arrested by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad during a sting operation on August 19, 2026, at Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
‘We Need to Come Together, Tinubu Is Not an Average Politician’ — Donald Duke Urges Opposition Unity
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke, has urged the opposition to unite in order to remove President Bola Tinubu from office in 2027.
Duke, in an interview with Symfoni TV, warned the opposition that Tinubu is not an average politician they can tackle separately.
According to the former governor of Cross River State, the system is meant to favour Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 because they are currently in power.
“We can’t compare ourselves to China; even if the APC did nothing, they are the party in power. If there is a problem on that day, the IG of Police will not go to any of the candidates, but to the president, so everything is in favour of the incumbent; respect that,” he said.
“The only way you can seriously tackle the incumbent is to come together and have a voice; otherwise we will be factionalised. So when you talk of rigging, I think we are rigging it against ourselves, and because of our ego, we need to come together.
“Bola Tinubu is not an average politician. You don’t go to fight a lion who also has horns. Can you imagine a lion with horns? It is already a dangerous animal. Then you now give it horns, and you say go and fight it with a knife and fork. You will be the dinner.”
Tinubu Is 90 and Sick — Atiku Vows to Release Evidence
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has claimed that President Bola Tinubu is 90 years old, saying he is prepared to provide evidence to support the claim in court.
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, made the allegation during an interview with the BBC.
The former vice president said he considers himself physically fit and capable of serving the country. He questioned why he should not offer himself for public service when, according to his claim, the current president is much older and dealing with health challenges.
Atiku said he possesses documents and other evidence which he believes can establish Tinubu’s actual age. He added that he would present the material before a court if the matter becomes part of a legal proceeding.
‘Nigerians Won’t Be Deceived, Why Wait Till Election Is Near?’ — ADC Tackles Tinubu’s CNG Push
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of playing politics with the hardship Nigerians are facing, saying the government would not have waited three years and an approaching election before treating the rising cost of transportation as an emergency if it genuinely cared about the people.
The opposition party said the recent move by the Federal Government and state governors to expand Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered transportation and reduce transport fares was nothing more than a “political gimmick” coming too late.
The ADC made its position known in a statement issued on Friday, August 28, by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi. The opposition camp was reacting to the President’s recent meeting with state governors over measures to reduce transportation costs.
According to the party, the sudden attention being given to cheaper transportation came shortly after its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, made the rising cost of living and targeted subsidy a major part of the national political conversation.
The party questioned why CNG-powered buses were not deployed on a larger scale when the removal of the petrol subsidy first pushed up transport fares across the country. Abdullahi asked why the government had waited until now to consider measures that could make transportation cheaper.
Kidnappers Rake In ₦7.7 Billion in Ransom Payments Across Nigeria — Report
Kidnappers operating across Nigeria collected a staggering ₦7.779 billion in ransom between July 2025 and June 2026.
According to a new report by SBM Intelligence, an Africa-focused market/security intelligence-gathering and strategic consulting firm, the amount represents 34 per cent of the ₦22.856 billion demanded by kidnappers during the period.
The report, titled “Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry 2026,” showed that the percentage of ransom actually paid increased sharply compared with the previous reporting period, when only 5.35 per cent of the amount demanded was reportedly collected.
The total ransom demanded dropped from ₦48 billion recorded in the previous cycle. SBM Intelligence explained that the previous figure was heavily affected by the ₦30 billion ransom demand made following the abduction of the Enuma sisters in Delta State.
This year’s figures, the report noted, were driven mainly by large-scale abductions involving groups capable of holding hundreds of victims and exerting enough pressure to secure huge ransom payments.
The report identified the JAS faction and its allied groups as the biggest beneficiaries of ransom payments during the period. The group reportedly collected about ₦7 billion, accounting for roughly 90 per cent of the total ransom paid across the country. Two major mass abductions were largely responsible for the huge figure.
There Are Legends No One Speaks About — Tekno Rejects Fela As Sole Originator of Afrobeats
Nigerian singer Augustine Miles Kelechi, popularly known as Tekno, has challenged the widely accepted view that the late music icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was the sole originator of Afrobeats.
Tekno spoke in an interview with Hot 97 FM in New York. He said several older musicians played important roles in shaping the sound that later became associated with Afrobeats.
According to the singer, musicians from different parts of Nigeria contributed to the growth of the genre, but many of them have not received the level of recognition given to Fela. Tekno mentioned the late highlife musician Oliver De Coque and other musicians from eastern Nigeria.
‘I Don’t Want to Get Married’ — Carter Efe
Popular Nigerian comedian and streamer, Oderhohwo Joseph Efe, better known as Carter Efe, has said he has no intention of getting married.
Carter Efe has a child with his ex-girlfriend, Emmanuella, before their much-publicised messy breakup, with both accusing each other of infidelity.
Speaking in a recent interview with British media personality Madame Joyce, Carter Efe dismissed suggestions that he might change his mind about marriage over time. He explained that he wants to focus his attention on building his streaming career.
Shooting Stars Beat Inter Lagos In Season Opener, NFF Appoints Abdulrahaman To Head NPFL
Shooting Stars opened the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season with a 2-1 win over newcomers Inter Lagos at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on August 28.
Lucky Emmanuel gave 3SC the lead in the 15th minute, but Damilare Adigun drew Inter Lagos level seven minutes later. The visitors appeared set to go into the break on level terms until Shooting Stars won a penalty in first-half stoppage time, which Sodiq Ibrahim converted to restore the hosts’ advantage.
The Oluyole Warriors held on to their lead in the second half to claim the first three points of the new campaign. They dominated possession with 58 per cent, compared to Inter Lagos’ 42 per cent, and registered 11 shots, with four on target. The newcomers managed five attempts and only one shot on target.
Shooting Stars also won four corner kicks to Inter Lagos’ three. The visitors picked up two yellow cards, while the hosts received one. Neither side finished the match with a red card.
The opening fixture came on the same day the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appointed Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman as the new Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL. Abdulrahaman, who holds a doctorate in sports administration, brings experience in football administration and league management, having worked at different levels of the Nigerian football system.
NFF interim General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, said the appointment followed Thursday’s directive ordering Board Members and Chief Executive Officers of the various leagues, as well as Chief Operating Officers who are not members of NFF staff, to vacate their positions. The NFF confirmed that Abdulrahaman will take up his new role with immediate effect.
Mamudu’s Goal Earns Falconets 1-0 Win Over Poland In World Cup Warm-Up
The Super Falconets of Nigeria began their final preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 win over hosts Poland in an international friendly on August 28, at the Municipal Stadium in Brzeg.
Mary Mamudu scored the only goal of the game in first-half stoppage time, finding the net in the 45th minute plus one to hand Nigeria the lead before the halftime break. The official Super Falcons account confirmed the result after the final whistle.
Neither side found the net after the break as the Falconets held on to beat the Poland U-20 women’s team in the first of two warm-up matches scheduled ahead of the World Cup.
The friendly forms part of the Super Falconets’ final build-up to the Women’s World Cup, which will take place in Poland from August 31 to September 22. The NFF had earlier confirmed that the Nigerian women’s youth team would face Poland on August 28 before taking on South Korea on September 1.
Nigeria will compete in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia, as the Falconets look to improve on their previous best performances at the competition. They finished as runners-up in 2010 and 2014 but have never won the title.