Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Saturday morning

Abductors who seized 19 graduates travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, orientation camp have demanded N950 million for their release. The victims were travelling in two buses when gunmen attacked them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, on Thursday.

At least 20 people have been confirmed dead in a fatal motor accident that occurred in Hawan Kibo community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Friday. Eyewitnesses said the accident occurred at about 5pm along the notorious Hawan Kibo bend, throwing the community into panic.

Two people were confirmed dead by the police on Friday in Osogbo, Osun State, following clashes involving suspected members of rival cult groups. The incident reportedly occurred at a lounge in Owoeba, a community in Osogbo located along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road, where the deceased were attacked by some yet-to-be-identified assailants around 5pm.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to identify projects and political empowerment he attracted to Evo Kingdom and Rivers State during his 24 years in public office. Wike spoke on Friday in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he questioned the development legacy of his predecessor, who served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor and Minister of Transportation.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has assured Nigerians that it is taking practical steps to ensure that the 2027 general elections are free, fair, inclusive and credible. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, gave the assurance on Friday in Akure at the 2026 edition of a political programme tagged “The Convocation,” with the theme, “Electioneering and the Future of Nigeria’s Democracy.”

Again, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar on Friday faulted the government’s handling of petrol subsidy removal, as he expressed deep sympathy for Nigerians struggling under the weight of surging transport, food and energy costs. The former vice president pledged a direct policy shift if elected, declaring, “I will make life affordable again.”

The Sokoto State Police Command has foiled an attempted bandit attack on the Tsabre community in Isa Local Government Area, recovering two rocket launchers and other items abandoned by the fleeing attackers. The incident occurred around 1am on Friday when the armed men reportedly invaded the village and opened sporadic gunfire, causing panic among residents. The Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly killed 15 farmers around Ala and Musune wards of Marte Local Government Area of Borno State. It was gathered on Friday that the victims were ambushed on their farmlands on Wednesday evening. According to sources, only 15 bodies out of the 18 people who went to the farms were found and buried on Thursday, while three others remained missing.

The Kano State Police Command has reiterated the ban on durbar and horse-riding activities in public places, warning organisers to comply with the directive. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, stated this while briefing journalists at the command’s headquarters in Bompai, Kano State.

Veteran actor, Olu Jacobs has been laid to rest, with family, friends and colleagues gathering for his funeral service on Friday at This Present House Church, Lekki, Lagos. The service drew members of the entertainment industry and other dignitaries, who came to pay their last respects to the late thespian.