1. Tinubu Begins Three-Week Working Vacation in Europe
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Abuja for a three-week annual leave in Europe, beginning with a visit to London, United Kingdom, as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather pace.
Presidency Says Tinubu Will Continue Working
The Presidency described the trip as a working vacation, saying Tinubu will continue receiving briefings and attending to state matters while taking time to rest after months of engagements on the economy, security and governance.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said the timing would allow the President to recharge as the official campaign period, which began on August 19, progresses.
Tinubu is expected to return before the campaign activities intensify ahead of the January 2027 elections.
2. Niger Junta Regains Control After Failed Mutiny in Niamey
Niger’s military government says it has regained control of key sites in Niamey after mutinous soldiers launched an overnight attack involving gunfire and explosions.
Dozens Reportedly Killed or Arrested
The targeted locations included a major military airbase at Diori Hamani International Airport and areas around the presidential palace.
The junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, described the incident as a destabilisation attempt by disaffected soldiers. Loyalist forces, Russian Africa Corps personnel and support from Algeria were reportedly involved in containing the mutiny.
Dozens of suspected mutineers were reportedly killed or arrested, while state television resumed broadcasting after a brief interruption.
Nigeria expressed concern over the development, citing its close ties with Niger and the potential implications for security and stability across the Sahel.
3. Tinubu Raises Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa at AU Summit
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the African Union to take stronger action against recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
Nigeria Seeks AU Action
Vice-President Kashim Shettima presented Nigeria’s position at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Luanda, Angola, on Tinubu’s behalf.
The President asked that the issue be placed on the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly scheduled for January 2027.
While recognising South Africa’s right to enforce its immigration laws, Tinubu said African countries must work together to protect the safety, dignity and rights of citizens across borders.
The move follows previous diplomatic tensions and reports of attacks involving Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
4. NDLEA Seizes N6.2 Billion Worth of Captagon and Opioids in Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted consignments of captagon and millions of opioid tablets worth more than N6.2 billion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Suspected Drug Kingpin Arrested
NDLEA operatives arrested 49-year-old Akinbile Kazeem Aikins after he arrived from Accra, Ghana, with 47,200 captagon tablets concealed in blocks of “Ghana soap”. The consignment was valued at more than N1.5 billion.
The agency also recovered more than 3.9 million tablets of Tramaking and Tapentadol, weighing over 2,787 kilogrammes and valued at more than N4.6 billion, from four abandoned consignments that arrived from Bangladesh and Amsterdam.
NDLEA said captagon, also known as the “Jihadi drug”, was first intercepted in Nigeria in 2021 and has been associated with extremist activities in conflict zones.
5. Fubara Visits Wike as Rivers Political Alliance Continues
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Sunday visited his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at his residence in Port Harcourt.
Chinda, Abe Receive Governor
Fubara was accompanied by Dr Sam Sam Jaja and was received by APC governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda and former senatorial candidate Magnus Abe.
The meeting comes months after Fubara and Wike reconciled following a prolonged political crisis that divided the state.
Fubara has also urged his supporters to back APC candidates, including the party’s presidential candidate, ahead of the 2027 elections, pointing to a continuing realignment of political forces in Rivers State.
6. Plateau Pastor Found Dead After Abduction
The body of Pastor Hills Emmanuel, founder of The Wonderful Grace of God Evangelical Ministry in Bokkos, Plateau State, was found early Saturday after he and another pastor were abducted while travelling from Jos to Bokkos.
Four Others Killed in Separate Attacks
Gunmen reportedly intercepted their commercial vehicle along the Barkin Ladi-Bokkos road, abducted the two clerics and later released other passengers after taking their phones and cash.
Separate attacks recorded the same night left a woman dead in Fang village, Riyom Local Government Area, while two people were killed in Radura village, Barkin Ladi. At least one person was also injured in Chakfem, Mangu.
The second pastor remains missing, with the abductors reportedly contacting his family.
7. BBNaija Season 11: Sultex and Goddessa Evicted
Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemates Sultex, whose real name is Sultan Aregbe-Obanikoro, and Goddessa, Lovette Okechukwu, were evicted during Sunday’s live show.
17 Housemates Remain
The two contestants received the lowest public votes among the nominated housemates, ending their five-week stay in the “Show Ya Sef” house.
Sultex is a professional dancer and choreographer, while Goddessa is a musician from Abia State.
Their exit leaves 17 housemates competing for the N160 million grand prize as the reality show enters another stage of competition.
8. Bandits Kill Eight Farmers in Sokoto
Eight farmers were killed and five others injured after armed bandits attacked Ghandi in Sokoto State.
Farmers Face Growing Security Threat
Residents described the incident as a retaliatory attack, adding to fears over the safety of farming communities across the North-West.
Security agencies have continued operations against bandit groups operating across the region, but attacks on rural communities remain a major concern.
The latest incident has renewed calls from residents for stronger protection of farmers and agricultural communities.
9. APC Chairman Challenges Atiku Over Fuel Subsidy Plan
APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has challenged African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar to explain how he intends to fund his proposal to restore fuel subsidy.
Yilwatda Warns of Return of Fuel Queues
Yilwatda questioned who would bear the cost of the proposed subsidy and argued that restoring it could lead to a return of fuel queues and undermine recent economic reforms.
The disagreement forms part of an increasingly intense political debate over the removal of petrol subsidy and its impact on Nigerians.
Atiku has argued that a targeted and transparent intervention could reduce the burden of high transport and living costs, while the APC maintains that the previous subsidy regime was financially unsustainable.
10. Troops Repel Terrorist Attack in Borno
Nigerian troops have repelled a terrorist attack in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several insurgents during the operation.
Operation Hadin Kai Continues
The operation was carried out as part of ongoing counter-insurgency efforts under Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East.
Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province elements remain active in parts of Borno despite sustained military operations against their camps and fighters.
Security forces continue to conduct offensive and defensive operations aimed at preventing attacks and restoring stability to communities affected by the insurgency.
