At least 37 people suspected of illegal mining have died while in the custody of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, sparking protests and raising questions over the circumstances surrounding their deaths. The victims were among more than 50 people arrested on Tuesday over suspected illegal mining activities around Borgu, an area known for small-scale gold mining. According to NSCDC spokesman Babawale Afolabi, the suspects had not been charged before the deaths because authorities were still carrying out profiling and documentation. The NSCDC initially attributed…
Read MorePolice Arraign Two Women Over Alleged Cyberstalking of Access Bank
The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned two women before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly conspiring to circulate a false publication claiming that Access Bank Plc was shutting down its operations. The defendants, Idorenyin Samuel Umoh and Fineness Monday Esu, were arraigned on a three-count charge filed by the police before the Federal High Court, Lagos, in suit number FHC/L/CR/773/2026. Police prosecuting counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, of the Directorate of Legal Services, Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, told the court that the defendants allegedly acted together…
Read MoreNigerians Mock Power Minister Over ‘Freezers Are Freezing’ Remark
Nigerians have taken to social media to poke fun at Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, after he claimed that some electricity consumers had asked him to “slow down” efforts to improve power supply because their freezers were now working continuously. Tegbe made the statement on Wednesday while speaking at the commissioning of a 3-megawatt solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja. According to the minister, some areas that previously went for months without electricity were now receiving as much as 18 hours of power…
Read MoreVeteran Actor Olu Jacobs Dies at 84
Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84. Jacobs died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, according to a statement released by his family through his son, Olusoji Jacobs. The family described the late actor as “The Lion of Lufodo” and expressed gratitude to God for his life and legacy. “It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought, that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The Lion…
Read MorePoco Lee Breaks Silence, Denies UK Rape Allegation
Nigerian dancer and entertainer, Poco Lee, has broken his silence over the sexual assault allegation against him in the United Kingdom, insisting that he is innocent of the accusations. Poco Lee, whose real name is Iweh Pascal Odinaka, reportedly addressed the controversy during a conversation with social commentator VeryDarkMan. The dancer maintained that he was confident throughout the ordeal because he knew he had not committed the offence alleged against him. According to him, if he had actually committed the alleged offence, he would be prepared to face the consequences,…
Read MoreUS University Probes Nigerian-Born Professor Uju Anya Over ‘Threat’ Post
Carnegie Mellon University in the United States has launched a review of social-media posts by Nigerian-born professor, Dr Uju Anya, after one of her recent posts triggered widespread backlash online. The university described the posts as “hostile and threatening” and said they were contrary to its community standards and commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful and welcoming campus. Anya, an associate professor in Carnegie Mellon’s Department of Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics, is currently on voluntary professional leave and is not teaching courses on the university’s campus during the 2026–27…
Read MoreAirline Operators Claim They Pay 54 Taxes, NCAA Insists It’s Just 4
Nigerian airline operators and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have disagreed sharply over the number of taxes, levies, fees and charges imposed on airlines operating in the country. While airline operators claim they are burdened with as many as 54 different taxes, fees and charges, the NCAA has rejected the description, insisting that only about four statutory tax or ticket-related charges should properly be regarded as taxes. The disagreement came to the fore at the 30th Annual Conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents, where stakeholders discussed…
Read MoreChimamanda Adichie: I Don’t Want to Return to Nigeria After Son’s Death
Award-winning Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has revealed that the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, has drastically changed her feelings towards Nigeria. Adichie made the disclosure in an interview with The New York Times, where she spoke emotionally about the loss of her son and how the circumstances surrounding his death have affected her relationship with her home country. Asked whether Nigeria still felt close to her heart, the celebrated author said: “My feelings toward Nigeria have changed.” “I do not want to go back to Nigeria,” she added.…
Read MoreFidelity Bank Rallies Support for Northern Businesses at Kano SME Forum
Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) through the Kano edition of its Quarterly Business Forum, which brought together entrepreneurs, business owners, industry stakeholders and customers to explore practical strategies for business growth and resilience. The forum, themed, “Positioning Northern Businesses for Growth,” provided participants with valuable insights into strengthening business operations, improving access to finance, enhancing financial management and leveraging opportunities that can drive sustainable enterprise development across Northern Nigeria. Speaking at the event,…
Read MoreLagos Real Estate CEO Edwin Omokhuale Arrested Over Alleged US$23m Fraud
A 39-year-old Nigerian businessman, Edwin Omokhuale, has been arrested in Ireland over an alleged US$23 million fraud involving an Australian mining company. Omokhuale was detained by officers of An Garda Síochána at Dublin Airport on Wednesday afternoon while he was reportedly preparing to board a flight to Paris. His arrest was carried out on the basis of a warrant issued by authorities in the United Kingdom, where the National Crime Agency (NCA) is investigating the alleged multimillion-pound fraud. According to the NCA, Omokhuale is wanted in connection with money-laundering allegations…
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