Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Thursday morning

Osun State Police Command confirmed on Wednesday that the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, and five others were arrested, and N4.81 million, Permanent Voter Cards, and a voter register were recovered during a raid at his residence. Police said exhibits recovered during the operation included N4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two PVCs and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.

The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has appointed General Officers Commanding, GOCs for the newly established Army divisions. The appointments followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of the new formations to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity across the country. 

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his declaration that he is prepared to “fight to the finish” politically, saying he should focus on defeating terrorists rather than the opposition. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it was disturbing that the President made the remarks during a meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria while the country continues to grapple with worsening insecurity.

The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday failed to produce the self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC, Mr. Adeyemi Adeniyi, before the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the activities of the alleged phantom agency. Instead, police representatives told the committee that they would require a written court warrant authorising the suspect’s release from custody before they could comply with the House’s directive.

At least three persons were killed inside a mosque, while several others were abducted when bandits attacked Tsamaye village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Residents told journalists that the attackers, who arrived in large numbers at about 8:30pm, on Tuesday, remained in the village until about 3:00 a.m, on Wednesday.

Four security operatives were killed while a soldier was declared missing in an attack on Tudun Bicci community in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The Chairman of Danko Wasagu Local Government, Hussaini Aliyu Bena, confirmed the incident to journalists on telephone.

The Department of State Services on Wednesday arraigned five suspected members of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, popularly known as Ansaru, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the alleged killing of two victims.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards for the August 15 Osun State governorship election to July 31, assuring residents that the outcome of the poll would be determined by votes and not violence. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance on Wednesday during an Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting in Osogbo, saying the commission had concluded a comprehensive readiness audit and was fully prepared.

The campaign team of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday demanded the immediate release of supporters allegedly arrested ahead of the state’s governorship election, accusing the Nigeria Police Force of targeting members of the Accord Party. Addressing journalists after a visit to the Force Intelligence Response Team headquarters in Abuja, the campaign’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that more than 86 members had been arrested across Osun State and detained without any lawful basis.

Popular TikTok creators Hamzat Habeeb Adelaja, popularly known as Peller, and Amadou Elizabeth Aminata, known as Jarvis, have formalised their union with a civil wedding. The ceremony took place on Wednesday, marking the commencement of the legal process ahead of their white wedding scheduled for August 1, 2026.