An employee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been kidnapped by gunmen and a ransom of ₦40 million demanded for her release in Anambra State.

The incident was said to have occurred at the Ebenebe axis of Awka North Local Government Area of the state.

The abduction was reported by security analyst Zagazola Makama who said it occurred shortly after another attack on a businessman in the same area.

The report says the INEC staff identified as Christy Nkiru Okeke was seized around 7 pm on July 24.

Her husband later reported the incident at the B Division Police Headquarters in Awka after the kidnappers contacted the family, demanding a sum of ₦40m for her release, the report added.

Details surrounding her kidnapping weren’t immediately clear as of the time of this report.

But security operatives are said to have commenced search for the victim and rescue her from the abductors.

A businessman, Emmanuel Nwobodo, was said to have escaped a similar attack around the Ebenebe Community Secondary School about one hour before the INEC worker was abducted.

According to the report, Nwobodo was coming back from Oba when four armed men dressed in dark clothing allegedly opened fire on his Mercedes-Benz.

The businessman is said to have sped away to escape the scene despite the attack.

Later he learned he had been shot in the left knee.

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The report also said the gunmen damaged his vehicle, damaging the rear seat belt guard and radiator.

Another staff member known as Tochukwu Afunenu was also said to have fled into a nearby bush during the incident.

The report said when he allegedly ran into the bush, Afunenu had with him the businessman’s ATM card and two mobile phones.

Nwobodo allegedly became suspicious when messages were allegedly sent from Afunenu’s phone claiming the staff was kidnapped.

The messages demanded a ransom of ₦40m for his release, it was reported.

The development has raised concerns among security operatives who are now investigating whether the staff member was actually kidnapped or if the incident was linked to the earlier attack on the businessman.

The police had started a rescue operation for the abducted INEC staff and those behind the attacks, the report said.

“Extensive combing of surrounding bushes and intelligence-led tracking operations are underway to rescue the abducted victim and arrest the perpetrators, the report said.

Security operatives are also investigating the possibility that the two incidents are related.

The report added that investigators were trying to find out whether the attacks along the same road in a short period of time were perpetrated by the same criminal gang.

INEC says attack on one of its Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection centres in Osun State will not affect preparations for the August 15 governorship election in the state.

Naija News reports that the assurance was given by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Dayo Oketola, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Suspected hoodlums on Sunday attacked officials and carted away electoral materials at the commission’s PVC collection centre at Oyinlola DC School, Ward 2, Okuku.

The stolen items include Permanent Voter Cards and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS devices, it was reported.

The commission, Oketola said, has reported the incident to the police, adding that investigation was already ongoing.

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Media aide to Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, Ossai Ovie Success has lambasted Nigerian singer, Davido, over his absence at the wedding of music executive, Soso Soberekon.

It was recalled that Soso wedded his lover, Princess Ebiere, in a star-studded ceremony in Warri, Delta State, over the weekend.

However, Soso’s long-time friend and business partner Davido was absent and this sparked buzz on social media.

Reacting on his Facebook page, Success said Davido is ungrateful, adding that Soso had done so much for the singer over the years.

“Soso Soberekan introduced Davido to the international community and even marketed him locally,” he said.

The governor’s aide said, “What Davido did is a slap on the face of Soso.

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He wrote, “Davido is not thankful to Soso. “I am disappointed in Davido and Chioma for not attending Soso’s wedding. The truth is, Soso Soberekon has done a lot for Davido in the past couple of years. Soso introduced Davido to the international community and even promoted him locally.

“Loyalty is two ways. And time to prove it. His wedding is one of the most important moments in any man’s life. After all Soso has done, to miss that day feels like a slap in the face.

I hoped for more presence and gratitude. Soso came out for Davido, Davido didn’t come out for Soso. That’s not loyalty. That is not appreciation. Weddings are a once in a life time thing. You’re either there for your people, or you’re not.” And in this one he didn’t.

“None of this is about the money, the fame or the busy schedule. It’s about giving respect to the people who gave you respect when nobody was watching. You don’t miss a wedding like that, because it sends the wrong message: That success makes you forget the people who helped you rise up.

“I am really disappointed that Davido wasn’t able to be there.”

The post ”Davido Is Ungrateful to Soso’ – Gov. Aide Ossai Success Expresses Disappointment’ appeared first on TheNigerian.

Sky Sports News has been told Vinicius Junior will be staying at Real Madrid beyond this summer.

The Spanish club do not want to sell him and are confident he will sign a new deal.

His current deal has a year to run but Arsenal are interested and are watching his situation closely.

Sky Sports News broke the news on Monday that further talks over his future between Real and his representatives will take place this week. That is with a view to making progress on a new long-term contract at the Bernabeu.

Read Also: ‘No One Owns Rivers State’ – Eze Chukwuemeka Eze Issues Strong Warning Ahead of 2027 Elections

New manager Jose Mourinho is understood to rate Vinicius highly and wants him to remain one of his top Galacticos.

Were Vinicius rumors only a contract row?
Analysis by Sky Sports News’ Lyall Thomas:

The situation surrounding Vinicius Junior has some of the classic ingredients of a new contract dispute; reports of an impasse over salary demands, new interest from Arsenal and further talks on the horizon.

But as yet there is no strong public evidence that Vinicius wants to leave Real Madrid for any reason, sporting or otherwise, no quotes, no interviews, no suggestive social media posts.

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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has appealed to residents of Rivers State not to make the same mistake they made in the 2015 election.

Eze made the plea in a statement on Tuesday, it was reported. The challenges facing the state are the direct result of the decision taken during the 2015 governorship election, he said.

He accused Rivers residents of turning a blind eye to the passionate appeal of then Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who called on the people to reject Nyesom Wike at the polls.

Amaechi had warned that the choice before Rivers people in 2015 was between light and darkness as he presented then APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, as a visionary leader with the competence, character and capacity to sustain developmental strides recorded between 2007 and 2015, Eze said.

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“Unfortunately, through the influence of powerful political forces at the centre and circumstances that remain part of our political history, Rivers State ended up on a path that has brought over eleven years of stagnation, division, insecurity, institutional decline, and the dismantling of many of the visionary programmes that once made Rivers State a model of development in Nigeria,” he said.

“I condemn in no uncertain terms Wike’s incessant bragging about determining who becomes the next Governor of Rivers State,” Eze said while speaking on the 2027 governorship election.

“Rivers State is not the property of any individual, irrespective of his political influence. The era of political godfatherism ends. Any attempt to impose a governor on the people of Rivers is not only undemocratic but a direct assault on the sovereignty of the electorate, whoever attempts it. He declared: “Rivers people must reject such a devilish agenda with every democratic means available to them.

The post ‘No One Owns Rivers State’ – Eze Chukwuemeka Eze Issues Strong Warning Ahead of 2027 Elections appeared first on TheNigerian.

Justice Baba Gana Ashigar, a retired judge of the Federal High Court, has died after a brief illness.

Ashigar reportedly died in Maiduguri, Borno State, in the late hours of July 25, 2026.

He was buried according to Islamic rites on July 26.

Dr Catherine Oby Christopher, the spokesperson for the Federal High Court, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday.

“The late judge was a distinguished jurist who served the judiciary with dedication and integrity,” Christopher said.

“Hon. Justice Baba Gana Ashigar, Rtd, was a great jurist who served with diligence, dedication, integrity and an unwavering commitment to the administration of justice,” the statement said.

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Ashigar made significant contributions to the Bench and the legal profession throughout his judicial career, she said.

His considerable contributions to the Bench and to the legal profession will be fondly remembered by his colleagues, members of the outer Bar, court staff and all who had the privilege of working with him,” Christopher added.

The Federal High Court extended condolences to the family of the late judge and prayed for strength for them to bear the loss.

“The Chief Judge, the judges, management and staff of the Federal High Court, commiserate with his immediate family and pray that the Almighty God will grant them the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the statement added.

The court also prayed for repose of the soul of Ashigar.

“May Almighty Allah forgive him his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus,” it added.

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President Bola Tinubu received a delegation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House, Abuja on Tuesday.

The clergymen were learnt to be on a courtesy visit to the State House, Abuja.

The delegation was headed by the Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, Archbishop of Kaduna and President of the CBCN.

Elsewhere, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah has raised alarm over what he called relentless daily killings in Nigeria.

The cleric warned that the level and pattern of violence was not seen anywhere else in the world.

Kukah said this at the public presentation of a book titled The Man They Could Not Stop, written by Solomon Kumangar, former Director-General of Media and Communication to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, in Yola, Adamawa State.

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Kukah lamented the frequency of killings across the country, saying the country had become dangerously polarised along religious lines.

“This is something that is happening in Nigeria that cannot happen in Sudan, Cameroon, Niger, Ghana or any country in the world,” Kukah said.

There is no other country in the world where 10 people are shot down on a Monday, 50 on a Tuesday, 100 on a Wednesday, and the shooting continues every week. “How can such a country move on?”

“Religious identities have become the lens through which violence is reported and understood,” he added.

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NLNG has announced it has commenced preliminary work on Trains 8, 9 and 10 as it looks to expand its liquefied natural gas (LNG) production beyond the ongoing Train 7 project.

The gas company also called on Nigeria to hasten the commercialisation of its abundant natural gas resources before the global energy transition closes the window of opportunity.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NLNG, Mr Adeleye Falade, disclosed this at the presentation of NLNG Facts and Figures, an engagement aimed at providing insights into NLNG’s business performance, strategic priorities and contributions to Nigeria’s energy sector and sustainable development in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said: While the completion of Train 7 is the company’s immediate priority, it has already begun strategic discussions and technical assessments to underpin the next phase of expansion.

He said the proposed projects were designed to reinforce Nigeria’s position in the global LNG market and to maximize the value that could be derived from the country’s gas resources.

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“We’re looking at Train 7 right now, but we have begun discussions on what it would take to go to Trains 8, 9 and 10. “We have to keep growing. We have people in the company already working on what that future looks like,” he said.

NLNG boss also highlighted the company’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy since it commenced operations.

The company, he said, has generated more than $149.6 billion in revenue over the years, and paid close to $50 billion in dividends to shareholders, including to the federal government.

He said NLNG has also emerged as one of the highest corporate taxpayers in Nigeria since the expiration of its pioneer tax status, paying about $10 billion in taxes, while consistently earning recognition from the Federal Inland Revenue Service as one of the most tax-compliant companies in the country.

Falade stressed that Nigeria is still more of a gas nation than an oil nation but warned that having huge reserves alone would not guarantee future prosperity.

“We have gas resources in abundance, but what matters is what we do with them. The energy transition has not progressed far enough yet for there to be a window of opportunity to monetise these resources. “If we don’t act now, we may lose a lot of value,” he said.

He noted that while natural gas is widely recognised as the transition fuel in the global quest for cleaner energy, countries with substantial gas reserves must act quickly to develop infrastructure, attract investment and commercialise their resources.

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Suspected armed herders raided Efeyi village in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday, allegedly killing several locals.

According to local reports, the early-morning attack resulted in over ten fatalities and numerous injuries.

Youths in the neighborhood started scouring the surrounding bushes and locations after an unknown number of persons were reported missing.

According to the locals, the attackers broke into the community as farmers were getting ready to leave for their farms.

Many residents were reportedly forced to escape for their lives when the terrorists opened fire indiscriminately.

“On Tuesday morning, the attackers broke into the community and began shooting at everybody they could find. Many people are still unaccounted for and at least ten people were killed, according to a local source.

At the time this story was filed, the authorities had not yet verified the number of casualties.

After the attack, local adolescents reportedly started looking for others who were still missing.

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Although it was not immediately possible to determine the number and health of the injured residents, several were allegedly rushed for medical attention.

Concerns concerning frequent attacks on rural villages in Benue State, where armed groups have killed locals and uprooted families in recent years, were raised by the occurrence.

Leadership claims that attempts to get a response from Otukpo Local Government Area Chairman Ogiri Maxwell were fruitless.

He didn’t return calls or a text message about the attack.

DSP Edet Udeme, a spokeswoman for the Benue State Police Command, confirmed the event and stated that police had been sent to the village.

“An attack that took place in a village early today is known to the police. There are police officers on the site. According to Udeme, “they are taking the necessary steps to restore calm and begin a thorough investigation into the incident.”

He continued by saying that the leadership was keeping an eye on the issue and will provide further details once investigators determined the attack’s causes.

However, the police spokesperson did not provide an official number of casualties.

The post Fresh Attack in Benue Claims More Than 10 Lives appeared first on TheNigerian.

The President directed the security agencies to trace the attackers and rescue the victims abducted and restore peace in the affected communities, it was reported.

According to reports, the attack claimed about 30 lives including women and children. Tinubu, who condemned the attack, gave the directive on Tuesday.

Several houses were also reportedly set on fire in the incident.

The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga described the attack as a barbaric and cowardly act against innocent residents.

“Tinubu warned that justice will not elude the perpetrators.

He said criminal elements bent on disturbing the relative peace and improved security in Kaduna State would be decisively dealt with.

The President also condoled the families of the victims, Governor Uba Sani, the Kaduna State Government and the people of the state.

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Tinubu assured the affected communities of the support of the Federal Government, saying his administration was committed to fighting insecurity in the country.

“I have directed the Armed Forces, police and relevant intelligence agencies to intensify operations across the affected areas to track down the perpetrators swiftly, secure the release of abducted persons and restore normalcy to the region, the President said.

He said the government would continue to upgrade security infrastructure and equip personnel involved in responding to violent attacks.

“Our administration is committed to strengthening security infrastructure, equipping response personnel and neutralising criminal networks that are trying to disrupt the peace of the nation,” Tinubu said.

The President urged residents of the affected communities and the general public to support the ongoing operation by providing timely and useful information to security agencies.

“I call upon our local communities to assist security forces by providing actionable intelligence that would inform early response efforts,” he said.

Tinubu restated his administration’s commitment to the protection of lives and property and assured Nigerians that the ongoing operations to cripple criminal networks will continue across the country.

The Federal Government will continue to make efforts to restore peace and prevent further attacks in Kaduna and other parts of the federation.

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The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd) has said that President Bola Tinubu will soon announce a new salary increase for personnel of the armed forces as part of the federal government’s plan to improve troops welfare.

Musa was reported to have revealed this at a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of service personnel in Lungi Barracks, Abuja.

The federal government is committed to making sure military personnel are adequately compensated for the sacrifices they make to protect the nation, he said.

I want to say that a few weeks ago I said that soldiers are now getting ₦100, 000 and I know that it generated both positive and negative reactions.

“When I was the chief of defence staff, soldiers were earning ₦49,000. Two years ago I asked for ₦100,000 and it was achieved.

‘But we are trying to boost it again. We know our President is a listening father who knows the sacrifices our troops are making and is committed to making sure they are well paid. I am sure, Mr. President, that you will soon be announcing another increase in wages for our men.”

The workshop themed, ‘’Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development’’ was organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

He said the programme was a reflection of the commitment of the federal government to improve the economic welfare of military families, especially widows and spouses of non-commissioned officers serving in different operational theatres across the country.

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With members of the armed forces continuing to face complex security challenges and long periods away from their families, he said the government recognised the vital role played by their spouses and dependants in maintaining their morale and effectiveness.

“Our personnel face complex security challenges daily in defending the sovereignty of Nigeria and the lives and property of our citizens.

“Many operate in challenging environments, away from their families for long periods and under significant risk. Their courage and sacrifice are rightly celebrated, but the families firmly behind them also played an invaluable role that must be duly recognised

“To the spouses here today, your strength, patience and constant support give your loved ones the confidence to stay focused on their tasks.

“To our widows whose husbands served Nigeria with honour and distinction, your strength and perseverance in the face of loss remain an enduring source of inspiration,” the minister stated.

“A strong military is built not only on capable personnel and modern equipment, but also on stable and economically secure families”, he said.

“When military families are economically secure they are more resilient to the unique challenges of military life,” he said. This means service personnel can have confidence that their loved ones are well supported, and they can focus on their operational duties.”

“Thus, strengthening the economic resilience of our military families is an important investment in the effectiveness of our Armed Forces and the security of our nation.

“The entrepreneurship programme was aimed at equipping participants with practical business and enterprise management skills, which would enable them establish sustainable businesses, generate income and contribute to national economic development,” Musa said.

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