Nigeria

The NSCDC vows decisive action against anyone attempting to disrupt the Osun governorship election on August 15. Learn about security preparedness and vote Read More: https://punchng.com/osun-poll-nscdc-vows-action-against-election-disruptors/

Former CJN Olukayode Ariwoola’s council warns against Osun election violence, urging INEC and security agencies to ensure a credible and peaceful poll. Read More: https://punchng.com/osun-poll-ex-cjn-ariwoola-led-council-warns-against-violence-demands-credible-election/

Youri Tielemans issues an apology to Aston Villa fans after his comments about Manchester United being a ‘bigger club’ sparked controversy. Read more on hi Read More: https://punchng.com/epl-tielemans-apologises-to-villa-fans-over-man-united-comments/

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde calls for a strong opposition coalition to offer Nigerians a credible alternative in the 2027 general elections. Read More: https://punchng.com/credible-opposition-sustains-democracy-makinde-seeks-opposition-coalition-ahead-of-2027/

Ahead of Saturday’s Osun election, an APC chieftain warns party members against violence and sell-out, urging unity for Bola Oyebamiji’s victory. Read More: https://punchng.com/osun-poll-apc-chieftain-warns-against-violence-sell-out/

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill confirms he is feeling “much better” after a recent hospital procedure, missing a game but back with the team. Read More: https://punchng.com/celtic-boss-oneill-much-better-after-hospital-procedure/

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has doubled the winners’ prize money for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) from $1 million to $2 million ahead of the final between Malawi and Cameroon. The latest increase comes as CAF continues to raise the financial rewards for the women’s competition, with the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco featuring 16 teams for the first time in the tournament’s history. Morocco is hosting the competition from July 25 to August 16. A year after

Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the Northwest have called for stronger intelligence sharing and operational synergy to defeat terrorism, banditry and other security threats in the region. The call was made on Wednesday at the Northwest Conference of State Directors of Security (SDS), organised by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Katsina, with the theme: “Unite Against Terror.” The Katsina State Director of Security, Alhaji Alhassan Iliyasu, said the conferen

By Adesewa Adewale The Benue State Police Command has recovered a newborn baby allegedly taken from his mother at a healthcare facility in Gboko, with suspects arrested in connection with the incident. The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Peter Aondona, confirmed the recovery to journalists on Thursday, saying the baby was found in the early hours of the day. Aondona said the incident was initially reported at the A Division Police Station in Gboko before the case was

By Damilola Samuel The Federal Government has approved the procurement of 35 additional linear accelerators as part of efforts to improve access to cancer treatment across the country. The machines, expected to be procured between 2027 and 2029, will increase the country’s capacity to provide radiotherapy services to cancer patients. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed this in Abuja while receiving members of the Global Advisory Counci

Laleye Dipo in Minna The Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board has set September 20, this year for the payment of deposits by potential 2027 Hajj pilgrims. A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Board, Hajia Lubabatu Mohammed Kusherki, in Minna said the deadline followed a similar action taken by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). NAHCONs action, she said, is in line with a decision by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Hajia Kusherki said the Saudi

…Calls for diplomatic review of expenses incurred by Pretoria By Dennis Agbo Former Enugu State House of Assembly member and former South-East spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has rejected a reported demand by the South African government for Nigeria to reimburse about R292 million ($18.5 million) in expenses allegedly incurred in repatriating foreign nationals. Onoh, in a statement issued from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, described the demand as a matter that shou

…Unveils digital platform for campaign mobilisation By Daniel Abia PORT HARCOURT — The Ogoni Diaspora Coalition, North America, has endorsed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Dr Gabriel Pidomson, ahead of the 2027 Rivers State governorship election. The coalition, comprising Ogoni indigenes in the United States and Canada, also unveiled a digital platform, gabrielpidomson.org, to support its mobilisation and advocacy activities ahead of the election.

• Seek stronger collaboration to tackle scourge  Francis Sardauna in Katsina  Security chiefs, Katsina State Government and other stakeholders have called for stronger synergy, intelligence sharing and coordinated operations among security agencies to defeat terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities threatening the North-west region of the country.  The call was made at the North-west Conference of State Directors of Security, held in Katsina on Thursday, with the

Michael Olugbode in Abuja The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a stark warning that escalating hate speech, intimidation, incitement and divisive political rhetoric could plunge Nigeria into violence and chaos ahead of the 2027 general election. The commission said on Thursday that inflammatory statements by political and public figures were increasingly threatening human dignity, peaceful coexistence and citizens’ right to participate freely in the democratic process.

…writes AGF, NSA to prosecute Senator Fadahunsi, Sheikh Jingir By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA— As the country prepares for the 2027 general elections, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday urged the federal government to decisively tackle the rising spate of hate speech. The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, who addressed a press conference at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, maintained that if unchecked, the situation could escalat

By Osundiji Sekinat India recorded the highest number of enforced removals from Canada in the first half of 2026, with 3,323 Indian nationals removed from the country, according to the latest statistics released by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The CBSA recorded a total of 10,607 enforced removals between January 1 and June 30, 2026, with India accounting for the largest share. Mexico followed with 1,573 removals, while Haiti recorded 431. The United States ranke

By Henry Obetta The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and Founder of the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF), Iba Gani Adams, on Thursday, described Ifa as more than a system of divination, saying it represents the spiritual wisdom and religious heritage of the Yoruba people. Adams said this while speaking at the 2026 Ifa Festival organised by the OFF in conjunction with the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) at Ogunlowo, Alagbole, Ogun State. The gathering attracted traditional rulers, OPC member

By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe The Gombe State Government has signed the contract agreement and formally handed over the sites for the remodelling and upgrading of the Gombe Emir’s Palace and Gombe Central Mosque to Datum Construction Nigeria Limited. The projects, being executed through the Joint Projects Development and Essential Social Services Agency (JPDA), are expected to be completed within six months. Speaking during the site handover ceremony in Gombe on Thursday, the Director-G

Others insist there is no alternative to governor By Haruna Aliyu, Birnin Kebbi BIRNIN KEBBI — The Kebbi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been divided over calls to endorse Governor Nasir Idris for a second term in office, with some prominent party stakeholders backing his continuity while the state leadership has rejected the move. The disagreement followed an endorsement of the governor by a group of PDP elders led by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. I