Chaos broke out in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Wednesday afternoon when heavily armed hoodlums ambushed the convoy of Governor Ademola Adeleke. The attack occurred just as the governor was departing the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji. Governor Adeleke had visited the traditional ruler to present his newly received Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following his recent re-election victory. According toTHENEWSCREDIT, the governor arrived at the royal palace around 3:15 pm in a 20-vehicle motorcade straight from the INEC state headquarters. Shortly after royal blessings were concluded and the governor boarded his official vehicle, attackers arriving in an unregistered Toyota Sienna opened fire. An eyewitness near the scene described the terrifying moments:"The shooting lasted for about 12 to 15 minutes before the governor’s convoy could safely pull out. The governor`s security team engaged the hoodlums in a fierce shootout before the attackers eventually retreated." The assault caused widespread panic, forcing nearby traders, residents, and passersby to flee for their lives. The hoodlums also reportedly destroyed the main gate of the Ataoja’s palace and extended their gunfire exchange with security forces down to the Osogbo Central Mosque before escaping through the Ita Olokan axis along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road. Reacting to the incident, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the ambush but assured the public that the governor was unharmed. "They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security details successfully repelled them. The attack happened at the Ataoja’s palace. Thankfully, no casualty was recorded," Alimi stated. Despite the security team successfully clearing the path for the governor`s exit, sporadic gunshots were heard in the area up until late afternoon, forcing business owners to hurriedly lock up their shops over fears of reprisal attacks. Security agencies have commenced an investigation to track down the fleeing perpetrators.

Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has made a passionate appeal to fans, colleagues, and well-wishers to sustain their prayers for ailing movie icon Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo. Speaking on behalf of the family, Kosoko clarified the critical logistical and medical reasons why the actor cannot be moved from his current facility, despite hundreds of urgent offers for alternative, traditional, and spiritual treatments. The statement, which was shared via Kosoko’s official Instagram page, expressed profound gratitude to the global community for the overwhelming outpour of solidarity. The veteran actor emphasized that while the family deeply values every gesture of support, Ogogo’s fragile medical state makes it highly dangerous and practically impossible to relocate him from the hospital where he is currently undergoing specialized care. According to Kosoko, the family has been inundated with well over 500 distinct offers from individuals who sincerely believe they possess spiritual or traditional remedies capable of restoring the actor’s health. He noted that the sheer volume of these requests created an impossible dilemma regarding how to safely transport a critically ill patient to multiple alternative locations without disrupting his ongoing clinical treatment. Addressing traditional healers, religious leaders, and specialists who have extended invitations, Kosoko urged them not to feel offended or slighted by the family’s inability to bring Ogogo to their locations. He clarified that the decision is born out of strict medical necessity rather than a lack of respect or a rejection of their good intentions, reiterating that the family is deeply moved by the love shown to them. Instead of physical visits and alternative relocations, the veteran filmmaker urged the public to channel their faith and support through remote prayers and positive energy. He encouraged well-wishers to continue interceding for the actor from their respective comfort zones, emphasizing that unified spiritual support from afar is what the family needs most during this trying period. Public anxiety regarding the actor`s health escalated rapidly after an emotional video surfaced online, featuring Ogogo’s daughters, Shakira and Haleemah Hassan. In the viral footage, the distraught sisters broke down as they disclosed that their father is currently battling stage-four cancer, sparking a massive wave of concern across the Nigerian entertainment landscape. The public outcry immediately mobilized the film industry, with prominent Nollywood stars such as Femi Adebayo and Toyin Abraham leading aggressive fundraising and advocacy campaigns to secure adequate care. However, the revelation of a stage-four diagnosis has also prompted medical professionals to warn the public against recommending unverified herbal concoctions, which could severely complicate his existing treatment. Medical experts have noted that management at this advanced stage centers heavily on rigorous palliative care aimed at minimizing pain and maintaining the highest possible quality of life. Kosoko’s latest update confirms that Ogogo remains under the direct supervision of qualified medical doctors, ensuring that his treatment aligns strictly with standard healthcare protocols.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially validated the re-election of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, presenting him with his Certificate of Return following his victory in the August 15 governorship election. True to his vibrant reputation, Adeleke celebrated the milestone with singing and dancing during the presentation ceremony. Olalekan Badmus, the Special Assistant on Digital Media to the Governor, confirmed the event on Wednesday via a post on X, stating, “Governor Ademola Adeleke receives Certificate of Return from @inecnigeria as the winner of August 15th, 2026 gubernatorial election in Osun.” The certificate presentation formally seals Adeleke’s mandate for a second term in office. It follows Sunday`s official declaration, where the electoral body confirmed Adeleke won 19 out of the 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. Contesting on the platform of the Accord party, the incumbent governor defeated his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured victories in 11 LGAs. Following the ceremony, Governor Adeleke expressed deep gratitude to the people of Osun State. He assured residents that he would not take their mandate for granted, promising to use his second term to consolidate his administration`s achievements and correct past mistakes.

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration has officially unveiled the fiscal scorecard of its economic overhauls, revealing that Nigeria saved a staggering ₦15.8 trillion following the termination of the petrol subsidy regime over the last three years. The disclosure marks the first comprehensive account provided by the administration regarding the financial windfall generated from its toughest economic policies. Speaking at an Abuja press conference monitored on Wednesday, the Minister of Finance presented a detailed breakdown of the revenue accruals. According to the treasury chief, the massive savings did not remain trapped at the centre but were directly funneled into the Federation Account to boost the financial capacities of all tiers of public administration. A further breakdown of the ₦15.8 trillion pool showed that State Governments emerged as the highest beneficiaries, pocketing ₦6.52 trillion to fund localized development. The Federal Government received the second-highest share at ₦5.43 trillion, while the 774 Local Government Areas collectively walked away with ₦3.88 trillion to improve grassroots governance. Beyond the baseline subsidy savings, the Finance Ministry noted that the administration’s wider economic adjustments yielded an extra ₦3.12 trillion in incremental revenues. However, to stay afloat amid severe macroeconomic headwinds, the government was also forced to source an additional ₦11.85 trillion through incremental borrowings during the period under review. Consequently, the Federal Government amassed a total of ₦20.4 trillion in incremental resources over the three-year timeline. Despite this substantial inflow, officials quickly dispelled public misconceptions that the government is sitting on an idle hoard of cash, clarifying that national expenses heavily outweighed the newly generated funds. The Ministry revealed that additional expenditures incurred during the same period reached ₦30.64 trillion, outstripping the reform gains by over ₦10 trillion. Officials argued that the subsidy removal did not create a surplus pool of cash, but rather acted as a crucial buffer that prevented the country from plunging into a catastrophic debt crisis. To justify the heavy spending, the government detailed that ₦9.39 trillion went into civil service wage adjustments and welfare palliatives, while ₦9.37 trillion was gulped by external debt servicing. Furthermore, ₦6.47 trillion was injected into critical infrastructure projects, and another ₦3.14 trillion was spent on cushioning electricity tariff subsidies. It will be recalled that upon assuming office in mid-2023, President Tinubu executed the immediate deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market. While these twin policies sparked unprecedented inflation and sharp hikes in domestic pump prices, the government insists they remain the only pathway to saving Nigeria from total fiscal collapse.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has declared that Peter Obi severely compromised his chances for the 2027 presidential election by ditching a united opposition coalition. Speaking on TVC News’ Politics Tonight, Fayose argued that the fragmentation of major opposition figures has effectively cleared a smooth path for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He noted that the decision by Obi and other prominent politicians to splinter into different parties shattered any realistic hope of presenting a formidable, united front against the incumbent power. “When they were all together, I would tell anybody that they will make an impact. The day Obi left for another party, that day he lost his 2027 chances,” Fayose remarked. While describing the former Labour Party standard-bearer as a "fantastic Nigerian who has made his mark," Fayose maintained that ego and division within the opposition camp will continue to hand easy victories to the ruling party. Fayose added that the opposition has crossed the point of no return, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already processed and accredited candidates for the upcoming polls. “It’s too late now,” he stated. “INEC has accredited everybody. Even if you say you are not running anymore, you’re on your own. You have put your feet in the water; you can’t get out. You are wet already.” Analyzing the political math for the 2027 cycle, the former governor projected a landslide victory for President Bola Tinubu, particularly in the South-West geopolitical zone. Driven by the alignment of key regional political heavyweights and 2023 voting data, Fayose predicted a massive turnout for the incumbent. Tinubu is expected to secure nearly 4 million votes from the South-West alone. Based on emerging realignment patterns, the President is statistically positioned to sweep the election with up to 65 percent of the total votes. Fayose also waded into the fallout of the recent Osun State governorship election, dismissing claims that electoral malpractice was exclusive to a single political party. He confirmed that security agencies caught operatives from multiple major parties, including the APC and PDP, red-handed in vote-buying schemes. Terming the behavior "mere desperation," Fayose emphasized that trading money for votes is a deeply rooted institutional crisis rather than an isolated incident. He concluded that sanitizing Nigeria`s electoral process requires collective cultural reform from both the political class and the electorate.

Nigerian music icon Davido has stated that there is nothing wrong with married couples maintaining separate bank accounts, emphasizing that financial independence is vital for personal security. Speaking on The Uncut Podcast, the singer responded to a question about whether women should keep private bank accounts away from their partners. Davido supported the idea, clarifying that financial autonomy should apply equally to both husbands and wives. "Yeah, I think it`s good. I actually think they should; you never know," Davido said. "If I ever found out that my wife had a secret bank account, I`d not be angry; I think everybody should have their own." The Afrobeats star explained that independent finances serve as a safety net since the future is unpredictable. He urged both men and women to remain financially prepared to stand on their own if circumstances change, concluding that individual financial independence strengthens relationships regardless of marital status.

The Ogun State Government has declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a public holiday to mark this year’s Isese Day celebration. According to an official statement from the government, the holiday reflects the administration’s continuous commitment to preserving, honoring, and promoting Yoruba cultural heritage and traditional values. The annual holiday was officially institutionalized in 2023 following a resolution by the Ogun State House of Assembly and subsequent assent by Governor Dapo Abiodun. The government emphasized that Isese Day offers traditional religion adherents a dedicated time to honor their ancestors, conduct spiritual rites, and uphold the core teachings of their faith. Furthermore, the administration noted that the celebration fosters community bonding among practitioners while encouraging the public to appreciate the depth of Yoruba history. Residents across the state have been urged to observe the day peacefully, responsibly, and with mutual respect for all religious practices.

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a resident, identified as Jacob Irewa, following a severe domestic altercation that left his spouse with critical injuries. The incident, which has drawn widespread condemnation from local advocacy groups, occurred late Friday evening at the couple’s residence in the state capital. The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Afusat, issued an official statement on Sunday detailing the command`s response. According to the report, the confrontation escalated within the Oworo Estate area of Felele, prompting immediate intervention from law enforcement after distress calls were placed by concerned neighbors. Officers from the B Division Surveillance Team arrived at the scene shortly after the report was filed. Their swift arrival facilitated the apprehension of the suspect, who was reportedly attempting to leave the premises. The victim was immediately provided with emergency medical attention and transported to a nearby healthcare facility. Preliminary findings by investigators suggest that the dispute was triggered by a disagreement over household items and personal property. Detectives noted that the verbal argument rapidly turned into a physical assault, resulting in the victim sustaining significant injuries that required urgent hospitalization. The victim is currently receiving intensive care at Honey Gold Hospital in Felele. Medical staff are working to manage the injuries sustained during the encounter. While the victim’s condition is being monitored closely, the severity of the incident has highlighted the ongoing challenges of addressing domestic safety within the community. The suspect is currently in police custody and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Statements taken during the initial interrogation indicate that the altercation was fueled by unresolved marital tensions. Police are continuing to compile evidence to ensure a thorough legal process as the case moves toward formal charges. Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, spoke out against the incident, emphasizing the command`s commitment to tackling gender-based violence. He noted that such incidents are a priority for the state’s law enforcement and that every resource would be deployed to ensure justice is served according to the law. The Commissioner further advised members of the public to utilize established mediation services and community counseling centers when dealing with domestic conflicts. He reiterated that resorting to physical force is a criminal offense and urged citizens to seek peaceful resolutions to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested 19-year-old Khadija Ibrahim for allegedly faking a nine-month pregnancy and stealing a newborn baby in Rikoto, Zuru Local Government Area of the state. The suspect allegedly used a clever ruse to execute the crime on July 23, 2026, moments after the child`s biological mother, Fatima Muhammad, gave birth. According to a public statement issued on Sunday by the command`s spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, the teenage suspect had offered to help the nursing mother fetch hot water before fleeing with the infant. Preliminary police investigations revealed that Ibrahim committed the act due to intense societal pressure over her inability to conceive, especially as many of her peers had already started families. To cope with the pressure, she successfully deceived her husband for nine months into believing she was pregnant. Immediately after stealing Muhammad`s baby, Ibrahim returned home and presented the infant to her husband as their newborn child. The suspect`s web of lies unraveled following a sustained investigation by security operatives. Ibrahim was tracked down and arrested on August 14, 2026. The stolen infant was safely recovered and has since been reunited with the biological mother. The Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, highly commended the investigating officers for their diligence and professionalism in securing the child`s safe return. The police command confirmed that the suspect remains in custody and will be formally arraigned in court once the investigation is fully completed.

A horrific tragedy has thrown the Ore community in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State into profound shock and tension, following the brutal murder of a 60-year-old woman, Mrs. Olufunke Akuade, allegedly by her own son. The 23-year-old suspect, Samuel Akuade, reportedly attacked his mother with a cutlass on Sunday at their family residence located in the Powerline Axis along the Ore–Okitipupa Road. According to local sources, the victim suffered horrific, deep machete wounds during the unprovoked assault and died on the spot. The motive behind the gruesome killing remains unknown. The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the incident, stating that the suspect fled the scene initially but has since been apprehended after a swift manhunt by law enforcement operatives. "The Command received a report that the deceased was found lying in a pool of blood at her residence," Jimoh said. "Preliminary information revealed that the victim had sustained deep machete cuts and was already dead when she was discovered." Police operatives from the Ore Division responded to the scene, secured the area, and recovered the machete used in the attack. The case has now been officially transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Akure for a comprehensive homicide investigation. Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police for Ondo State, CP Felix N. Ohagwu, ordered a thorough and professional investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the matricide. He assured residents of the state`s commitment to safety and urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the authorities.