Friday Morning Update: 10 Major Stories Making Headlines in Nigeria
As Nigeria wakes to a new day, key events shaping the nation’s political, social, and security landscape continue to unfold. Here’s a critical summary of top developments from across the country:
Tragedy Lingers in Mokwa Flood Aftermath
Authorities have confirmed the recovery of two decomposed bodies following the devastating flood that struck Mokwa town in Niger State on May 29. The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba Arah, said the discoveries underline the ongoing human toll of the natural disaster.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Granted Bail Amid Controversy
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama has granted N50 million bail to the embattled Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The court dismissed federal prosecutors’ request to detain her pending trial over charges of criminal defamation and malicious falsehood, highlighting continued tensions between political speech and legal accountability.
Banditry Escalates: 24 Killed in Katsina State Attacks
At least 24 people, including 20 farmers and a community watch operative, were brutally killed in separate attacks by armed bandits in Kankara Local Government Area, Katsina State. The rising death toll intensifies scrutiny of Nigeria’s faltering security strategy in the North.
Benue IDPs Protest Hunger and Inhumane Conditions
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Yelewata community in Benue State took to the streets of Makurdi in protest on Thursday. The demonstrators decried severe hunger and inhumane living conditions at their camp, urging government agencies to urgently address their plight.
Nnamdi Kanu Claims Innocence as FG Closes Case
IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu has declared before the Federal High Court in Abuja that he has no case to answer in the terrorism and treason charges brought against him. This came shortly after the Federal Government closed its case, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal decision with potential national implications.
Defence Chief Admits to Faulty Intelligence on Benue Attacks
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, disclosed that troops were misled by faulty intelligence regarding planned attacks in Benue State. Forces were deployed to incorrect locations while actual assaults occurred elsewhere raising serious questions about the credibility of military intelligence in ongoing conflicts.
Benin Monarch Receives Largest Repatriation of Artefacts
In a historic move, the Netherlands has returned 119 Benin artefacts looted during the 1897 British invasion. Oba Ewuare II received the relics, commending both the Dutch government and President Bola Tinubu for continuing repatriation efforts started under former President Buhari. This marks a significant milestone in the cultural restoration of the Benin Kingdom.
Fuel Supply Shake-up: MEMAN to Meet Dangote Refinery
The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) has announced plans to engage with Dangote Petroleum Refinery over its new distribution strategy, which proposes direct supply to filling stations. The development could reshape fuel logistics and pricing dynamics across the country.
Rivers Budget Crisis Deepens as Senate Reveals Fubara’s Role
Controversy continues in Rivers State as the Senate revealed that 85% of the state’s controversial N1.48 trillion 2025 budget was drafted by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. This revelation emerged during a session with Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator, raising new questions about governance continuity and budget legitimacy.
Lagos Tragedy: Bricklayer Dies in Church Wall Collapse
A 33-year-old bricklayer named Taiwo lost his life while constructing a fence at a church in Alapere, Lagos. The structure collapsed on Saturday evening, highlighting ongoing concerns about building safety and construction oversight in urban Nigeria.
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Friday Morning Update: 10 Major Stories Making Headlines in Nigeria