President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, to ensure the immediate and timely release of all approved funds to Nigeria’s regional development commissions. The directive was delivered on Monday during the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) Summit in Abuja. The event, themed “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic Infrastructure and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region,” saw the President emphasize his administration`s commitment to unlocking the nation’s industrial potential through the Renewed Hope Agenda. Funding Directives and Financial Sustainability Speaking through the SGF, President Tinubu mandated that all statutory funds accruable to the commissions must be disbursed without delay. However, the President cautioned that these bodies must not rely solely on federal allocations. To drive transformative, long-term projects in rail, air transit, industrialization, and healthcare, the President urged the commissions to aggressively pursue alternative funding streams, including: Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) International donor funding Specialized development financing Zero Tolerance for Graft In a stern warning to the boards and management of the commissions, Tinubu declared that his administration would maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption, marginalization, and the politicization of development resources. "Such actions will not be tolerated, and government will not hesitate to sanction anyone found culpable," Tinubu warned. He clarified that the regional bodies are designed to complement, rather than duplicate or replace, the statutory functions of state and local governments. He added that the NCDC must prioritize collaborating on security efforts, noting that sustainable infrastructure development is impossible without a stable environment. Regional Leaders Bullish on Local Processing Reiterating the region`s vast economic capacity, the Chairman of the North Central Governors’ Forum and Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, stated that the zone is fully equipped to drive national growth. Governor Sule insisted on a policy shift from raw material extraction to local value addition. Sule highlighted Nasarawa’s industrial leap, noting that the state has transitioned from holding dormant mining licenses to hosting Nigeria’s two largest lithium processing plants. He also lauded the federal government`s fiscal reforms, stating that increased revenue allocations have enabled states to pay salaries seamlessly without commercial bank loans. A 20-Year Blueprint for Growth Earlier in the summit, NCDC Chief Executive Officer Cyril Tsenyil unveiled the commission`s 20-year strategic master plan. Tsenyil clarified that the NCDC’s mandate is strictly integrative and focused on resource mobilization. The long-term plan will target the creation of regional economic corridors, agricultural processing, and youth employment. Tsenyil stated that the ultimate benchmark for the zone is to transition from being just Nigeria’s food basket to becoming one of Africa’s most competitive agricultural economies.

A routine day at the farm turned into a tragedy for Yakubu Bitrus, a local farmer in the Agingi community of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, who had his hand severed by a group of Fulani herdsmen after he was unable to immediately assist them in lifting a fallen cow. The violent assault, which left Bitrus hospitalized, was recounted by the victim in a video clip shared widely on social media platforms. According to Bitrus, the incident began while he was working on his farm alongside two women. During a meal break, a young herder approached the group, stating that one of his cows had fallen into a ditch and gotten stuck. He demanded their immediate help to pull the animal out. Bitrus explained that he was the only man present and could not abandon the two women alone on the farm. He advised the herder to gather a larger group of farmers from nearby plots so they could collectively rescue the animal. "The Fulani herder rejected my suggestion and insisted that the three of us should follow him immediately," Bitrus stated from his hospital bed. "He feared that the animal might die and warned me that if the cow dies, there would be a problem." The herder then grew hostile, launching verbal insults before chasing Bitrus with a stick and a cutlass. Spotting another individual hiding nearby, Bitrus and the women fled the scene to avoid an escalation. Hoping to defuse the tension, Bitrus later returned to the spot with a larger group of community members to assist with the cow. However, both the herders and the animal were gone. The herders, it turned out, had allegedly concealed themselves nearby to track Bitrus`s movements. Later in the evening, as Bitrus, his wife, and another woman were walking home, the herders launched an ambush. When Bitrus`s wife stepped off the main path to gather firewood, she was suddenly attacked and struck on the head. Hearing her screams, Bitrus rushed to her defense, using a piece of wood to fight off the assailants. During the struggle, additional herders emerged from the surrounding bush to overwhelm the farmer. One of the attackers drew a machete and completely severed Bitrus`s hand before the group fled into the forest. The local community has expressed deep outrage over the brutal attack, calling on Plateau State security agencies to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has raised a fresh alarm over the state`s deteriorating security architecture, declaring a recent bandits` raid on a security base as clear evidence of critical security lapses under Governor Seyi Makinde`s administration. The opposition party`s reaction follows a daring Sunday morning attack where suspected bandits invaded a base belonging to Operation Burst, a joint security outfit, along the Igbeti/Igboho road in Olorunsogo Local Government Area. The attackers reportedly operated for over an hour, carting away properties including a motorcycle and a power generator. In a scathing statement issued on Monday by Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Sadare, the party questioned the functionality of the multi-billion naira surveillance aircraft recently procured by the state government. The APC noted with irony that the attack took place in Igbeti, the very axis where the base station for the highly publicized surveillance aircraft was supposedly located. "Since the day Gov Makinde celebrated the purported delivery of the two aircraft, nothing has either been heard or felt about their deployment to survey the airspace in the state," Sadare stated. "Sadly, the same Igbeti where the base station for the aircraft was reportedly situated came under heavy attacks for more than an hour, and there was no surveillance to track the attackers. Therefore, it is safe to say that the whole story about security surveillance aircraft is another scam." The APC further chastised Governor Makinde, urging him to focus on securing his state rather than focusing on national politics. The party described the governor`s frequent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms as a distraction that exposes his own poor knowledge of governance and economic management.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has fiercely questioned the President Bola Tinubu-led administration over the utilization of trillions of Naira saved from the petrol subsidy removal. This intervention follows a fresh, record-breaking spike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to a staggering N1,470 per litre across the country. In a strongly-worded statement released by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku raised the alarm over the continuous, unchecked escalation of fuel prices. He argued that the current pricing regime has completely crushed the purchasing power of regular Nigerians and plunged millions deeper into an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis. The opposition leader stressed that the latest price hike is not an isolated economic metric but an aggressive burden on everyday households. He noted that because Nigeria’s informal economy relies heavily on petrol, the immediate consequence of the hike has already manifested in a drastic surge in transportation costs and food prices. Atiku fundamentally challenged the economic rationale behind the painful removal of the petrol subsidy, demanding to know why the resulting financial windfalls have not been deployed to cushion the economy. He noted that the citizens, who were promised immediate relief and infrastructure development in exchange for their sacrifice, have instead been left completely vulnerable to severe economic hardship. "Petrol at N1,470 per litre is not merely a figure at the filling station," Atiku stated. "It enters the price of transportation, food, school runs, farming, manufacturing, and virtually everything Nigerians buy. After all the pain imposed on Nigerians, they have a legitimate right to ask: where are the subsidy savings, and where is the money?" Drawing a historic economic parallel, the former Vice President highlighted a stark paradox between the current administration`s energy policies and those of past leaderships. He recalled that during the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2008, global crude oil prices peaked at a historic high of roughly $147 per barrel, yet domestic petrol was maintained at a heavily stabilized rate of N65 per litre. In contrast, Atiku pointed out that with global crude oil currently trading at a significantly lower rate of around $102.52 per barrel, Nigerians are paradoxically being forced to pay an exorbitant N1,470 per litre. This massive discrepancy, he argued, highlights a severe failure in regulatory oversight and structural economic management by the current government. Atiku concluded his address by asserting that the sharp contrast between 2008 and today proves a fundamental divergence in governance philosophies. He emphasized that the Yar’Adua administration succeeded because it firmly understood that macro-economic policies must ultimately serve as a shield to protect, rather than exploit, the welfare and survival of its citizens.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that Nigeria has absolutely no reason to be poor, blaming the country’s lingering economic struggles on bad policies and an unhealthy obsession with foreign imports. Speaking during an interview on C-Suite Cafe, hosted by Ikem Okuhu, the former leader questioned why a nation blessed with vast arable land, abundant water resources, regular rainfall, and a massive population continues to grapple with extreme poverty. "Give me one reason why Nigeria should be poor," Obasanjo challenged. "Is it the land that we don’t have, or the desert that we are in, or the people that we don’t have, or the water that we don’t have, or the rain that we don’t have?" Obasanjo sharply criticized government policies that favor importing goods that can easily be produced locally. He noted that these practices actively discourage local farmers and domestic manufacturers, killing the nation`s economic potential. According to him, Nigeria’s massive agricultural potential must be treated as its primary economic asset to break the cycle of over-dependence on foreign products. To illustrate his point, the elder statesman recalled a diplomatic trip to Guinea-Bissau during his tenure as African Union (AU) Chairman, alongside John Kufuor, the then-Chairman of ECOWAS. He narrated how they observed wild bananas and abundant fruits growing naturally along the roads as they entered the country. Yet, upon arriving at their hotel, they were served imported apples and grapes. "That’s part of the reason why we are poor," Obasanjo warned, pointing out that Nigeria is currently repeating the exact same mistakes by ignoring its local resources.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) High Command has placed all its commands and tactical formations nationwide on a high security red alert. This drastic measure follows intercepted intelligence reports exposing coordinated plans by terrorist groups to launch major attacks on schools, places of worship, and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps across the country. The security alert is driven by fresh, credible intelligence indicating a massive mobilization of criminal elements aiming to disrupt public peace. Security agencies intercepted data showing a strategic, heavily armed migration of bandits and terrorists moving away from Katsina State, traversing through Kaduna, and advancing toward Plateau State to establish tactical launch bases. In a swift counter-response, the police leadership issued a comprehensive operational order to pre-empt and crush the impending threat. The directive explicitly mandates all state police commissioners and specialized unit commanders to immediately fortify vulnerable public spaces and eliminate the criminal elements before they strike. The urgent mobilization order was contained in a classified police wireless message dated September 13, 2026. The signal, bearing reference number CB: 0900/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL38/68, originated from the Nigeria Police Force Department of Operations (NIGPOL DOPS) based at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. Marked strictly as "Security General" and heavily tagged "Treat as Very Important," the wireless message was widely circulated across the entire law enforcement hierarchy. Recipients included the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) overseeing Zones 1 through 17, and Commissioners of Police across all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. To ensure an aggressive tactical response, the High Command also dispatched the operational signal to elite combat arms of the force. These include the Police Mobile Force (PMF), counter-terrorism units, and other specialized intelligence-gathering formations, with strict orders to intensify 24-hour border and highway surveillance. The operational document explicitly warned that the terrorists are targeting soft, highly populated locations to maximize casualties and public panic. Consequently, security presence is being heavily reinforced around learning institutions, mosques, churches, and critical infrastructure nationwide to deter any potential breach. At the time of going to press, official reactions from the Force Headquarters remained brief. Efforts to reach the Force Spokesperson, CSP Ani Iniedu, for a detailed briefing were pending, as an official who answered the enquiries stated that the police hierarchy would release a comprehensive statement in due course.

Former presidential aide and ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has asserted that the average Nigerian can comfortably survive on ₦3,000 a day, dismissing international poverty metrics as detached from local realities. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, Omokri argued that Nigeria`s cost of living cannot be evaluated using Western standards, particularly those of the United States. He revealed that his conclusion followed a firsthand, un-ticketed market survey across the country. "I travelled with a journalist, without security, and stopped along the way to price goods. I checked the prices of yam, rice, maize, and fruits," Omokri stated. "In Nigeria, people can live on that amount [₦3,000] in a day." Contrasting the economic environments, he noted that while surviving on the equivalent of ₦3,000 daily in the U.S. would equate to extreme poverty, context matters when defining wealth and lack in Nigeria. He further challenged the World Bank’s global poverty threshold, arguing that the institution applies a sweeping global benchmark that fails to reflect the domestic purchasing power of the Naira.

Fear has gripped residents of the Igbeti–Igboho axis in the Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State after heavily armed bandits launched a daring early-morning assault on a base belonging to the state’s joint security task force, Operation Burst. The incident, which occurred between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2026, saw the criminals target the security outpost located within a dense forest reserve. According to an official security update issued by the local government command, the attackers stormed the location in large numbers. Upon arrival, they opened fire indiscriminately on security personnel in what is believed to be a coordinated attempt to overrun the facility and plunder its armory. While the attackers failed to seize weapons or inflict any human casualties, they wreaked significant structural havoc before fleeing. A block within the security facility and an operational patrol van were completely razed. A distressed call triggered a rapid mobilization of a combined team of Operation Burst operatives and sister security agencies to the scene. However, the gunmen managed to retreat deep into the forest reserve before the reinforcement arrived. Security forces have since launched a massive combing operation across the forest reserve to track down the fleeing assailants. Investigation into the incident remains active as authorities vow to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The General Overseer of the Ministry, Bishop Akintayo Asamu, has strongly rebuked religious doctrines that forbid Christians from using orthodox and herbal medicines, labeling such teachings as life-threatening heresies. Speaking today, September 13, 2026, during a live broadcast of the Sunday Service program, "NIWAJU-OLUWA," aired on BRAVE 91.1FM OGBOMOSO, the cleric lamented the untimely deaths of many believers who were deceived into believing that seeking medical aid would sabotage their chance of entering paradise. Delivering a powerful sermon titled "You and Your Creator: Biblical Doctrine of Medicine," with scriptural anchors from Genesis 1:26-31 and Ezekiel 47:12, Bishop Asamu urged Christians to become deeply rooted in the true word of God. He warned the body of Christ against blindly accepting theological errors that claim using natural remedies is a sin. According to him, God has already provided an abundance of natural resources in creation specifically designed for the sustenance, health, and total well-being of humanity. The cleric meticulously walked the congregation through biblical accounts, pointing out that Genesis 1:29 and Genesis 9:3 clearly show God giving plants and seeds to humanity for food. He added that Ezekiel 47:12 and Revelation 22:2 explicitly describe the leaves of trees being designated by the Creator for the healing of nations. Apostle Asamu emphasized that historical biblical accounts, including Ezekiel 4:9, highlight the regular and valued use of various grains and legumes like wheat, barley, and beans, proving that physical remedies have always been part of God’s plan. Bishop Asamu firmly stated that the Holy Scriptures present absolutely no conflict between divine faith and medical science. Instead, the Bible teaches that God restores human health using a combination of supernatural interventions and physical means. To validate the role of medical professionals, he cited Luke 5:31, where Jesus Christ openly acknowledged the necessity of doctors, stating, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." He also referenced Sirach 38:1–4, which commands people to honor doctors because God created the medical profession and brought healing herbs out of the earth. To further debunk the anti-medicine narrative, the servant of God provided clear scriptural examples of natural treatments being endorsed by prophets. He cited Isaiah 38:21, where the prophet Isaiah instructed King Hezekiah to apply a poultice of pressed figs to a life-threatening boil to achieve recovery. He also pointed to Jeremiah 8:22, which references the "Balm of Gilead" as a standard physical ointment for treating deep wounds, and noted that Jesus Himself highlighted the use of oil and wine as antiseptics in the parable of the Good Samaritan. The cleric also drew the attention of believers to the prominent role of medical experts in early church history. He reminded the audience that Luke, the inspired author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, was explicitly referred to by the Apostle Paul in Colossians 4:14 as "the beloved physician." Bishop Asamu noted that Luke`s professional background was highly valued and never condemned by the early church, proving that Christians can work within or patronize the medical profession without any contradiction to their Christian faith. Addressing targeted medicinal advice in the New Testament, Bishop Asamu brought up Paul’s direct instruction to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23, where he was told to "No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities." He explained that this was a clear scriptural mandate to use a physical substance as medication to manage a chronic bodily ailment, cementing the fact that utilizing drugs for healing is completely normal and appropriate in the eyes of God. Clarifying the linguistic context of the scriptures, the man of God explained the Greek word "Pharmakeia," from which modern words like pharmacy and pharmaceuticals are derived. He made a crucial distinction between the positive use of medicinal botanicals—such as frankincense, myrrh, aloe, and hyssop to heal body tissues—and the negative translation of the word as "sorcery" or "witchcraft" in Galatians 5:20. He explained that the Bible only condemns pharmakeia when it involves mind-altering, toxic, or hallucinogenic herbs used in pagan rituals to manipulate people. In his concluding remarks, Bishop Asamu stated that the only time scripture warns against medicine is when it becomes an idol that completely replaces a person`s faith in God. Referencing 2 Chronicles 16:12, he explained that King Asa was rebuked not because he saw doctors for his severe foot disease, but because he completely abandoned his trust in God in favor of human strength alone. Ultimately, he declared that biblical doctrine treats medicine and faith as partners, not rivals, urging believers to use herbal and orthodox treatments as a wise application of God’s provisions, while backing it up with prayer.

Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has ordered volunteers of the newly formed Iru Ekun Security Network to intensify operations against kidnapping, banditry, and violent crimes across the Southwest region. Speaking during the inauguration of the Lagos State chapter of the outfit, Igboho charged operatives across Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti states to sustain the recent decline in regional insecurity while operating strictly within legal boundaries. According to a statement issued by his media office, the Iru Ekun initiative is a localized response to emerging community threats. The outfit is mandated to confront criminal elements disrupting the peace of the Southwest, regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds. Igboho revealed that the network’s operational successes are rooted in intelligence-sharing and synergy with statutory security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS). He explicitly warned the Lagos volunteers against overstepping their boundaries, instructing them to adhere to the standards set by Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, and the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi. "We have had a successful launching of Iru Ekun in Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, and Lagos with an overwhelming population of volunteers coming out to work for the effective security of Southwest states," Igboho stated. He credited the breakthrough to the formal approval of the private security framework by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside strategic cooperation from Southwest state governors and traditional rulers—including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade; and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. Highlighting the network`s impact, Igboho disclosed that Iru Ekun personnel recently restored normalcy to the Owa Onire community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. Residents who had previously fled their homes following armed bandit attacks have now returned under the protection of the local guard. "There is no gainsaying the fact that since the advent of Iru Ekun Security Network, cases of abduction, herders-farmers’ clashes, banditry, and other incidents of insecurity have subsided in the Southwest," he said. While projecting a long-term timeline for the outfit, Igboho cautioned volunteers against meddling in civil matters. He strictly forbade operatives from interfering in land disputes, debt recovery, or domestic and marital conflicts. Emphasizing the sustainability of the project, Igboho noted that the security initiative is structured for longevity. "Iru Ekun will outlive the regime of President Tinubu after the completion of his second term in office by 2031," he concluded, urging the guards to focus strictly on creating a safe environment to boost the region`s economic and social development.