The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced a major shift toward automation with plans to roll out 50 to 70 smart, self-service filling stations across the country within the next six months. The disclosure was made by the Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPC Limited, Mumuni Dagazau, during the unveiling of a flagship smart mega station in Abuja. According to Dagazau, the initiative is a core component of a broader strategy to transition NNPCL’s conventional retail outlets into multi-functional energy and mobility hubs. The upgraded facilities will not only dispense petrol via automated self-service but will also feature electric vehicle (EV) charging ports, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) points, and compressed natural gas (CNG) stations. “We are hoping to roll out a significant number, probably about 50 to 70 of these types of stations within the next six months. So this is what you’ll be seeing going forward from NNPC,” Dagazau stated. While the energy transition marks a significant technological leap for Nigeria`s downstream sector, it has sparked widespread anxiety among fuel station workers. Industry stakeholders fear the rapid deployment of unmanned pumps could trigger massive layoffs for petrol attendants, worsening the plight of citizens in a country already grappling with severe unemployment.

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Manaseh Bitrus Jatau in connection with the alleged murder of his 35-year-old girlfriend, Rebecca Ojoniko Jeremiah, following a violent dispute over a phone call. The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansur Hassan, confirmed the incident in an official statement on Friday. According to the police, Jeremiah’s lifeless body was discovered on September 5 along Mai Angwa Street in the Romi area of Chikun Local Government Area, with cotton wool stuffed inside her nostrils. Detectives from the Romi Outstation initially rushed the victim to St. Gerald Hospital in Kakuri, where a medical doctor officially pronounced her dead. Her remains have since been deposited at the hospital`s mortuary pending an autopsy. A preliminary investigation by the police revealed that Jatau was the last person to contact the deceased, having invited her to meet him at a local spot known as Ebano Joint in Romi. Tracking teams later closed in on the suspect at his workplace, Tomato Jos Company, located in the Maraban Jos area of Kaduna, where he was taken into custody. During police interrogation, Jatau reportedly confessed to the crime. He admitted that an altercation broke out in his room after the deceased confronted him over a phone call he received from another woman. The suspect told investigators that the physical fight resulted in her death, after which he dumped her body in a nearby open field in an attempt to cover up the crime. The Kaduna State Police Command stated that the suspect remains in custody as deeper investigations continue. He will be arraigned in court immediately after the investigation is concluded.

Residents of Iwuru Obio Ntan in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State have been thrown into shock following the arrest of a man, Samson Matthew Ebop (popularly known as Ecomoc), for repeatedly sexually abusing his 15-year-old biological daughter. The suspect, who is reportedly in his 40s, allegedly subjected the teenager to prolonged sexual exploitation after she moved back into his custody following her parents` separation. Local sources revealed that the victim initially fought off her father’s advances, but eventually capitulated after he repeatedly threatened her with a knife and vowed to kill her if she exposed the illicit affair. The breakthrough came when the traumatised teenager began confiding in neighbours within her compound. On the advice of a resident, the victim formally reported the ordeal to her father’s local "age grade" association, presenting concrete proof of the abuse alongside corroborating medical reports. Following an emergency interrogation at the village square, Ebop—who initially maintained his innocence—allegedly confessed to the crime when confronted with the medical evidence. The confession sparked outrage among local youths, who reportedly beat up the suspect before dragging him to the village head. The traditional ruler subsequently directed that the matter be formally escalated to law enforcement. Fearing escape, the community youths handed Ebop over to military personnel operating in the area pending a formal handover to civil authorities. Investigation into the suspect’s background further revealed a history of alleged notorious activities, including past ties to cultism, the sexual assault of elderly women on local farms, and multiple cases of theft. Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Cross River State Command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, stated that the command has launched a full-scale investigation into the matter and assured the public that justice would be served swiftly.

A 19-year-old woman, Ugo Rejoice, has made a dramatic U-turn, pleading with the police not to imprison her father, Uche Didie, after exposing him for allegedly sexually abusing her for seven years in Lagos. The suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and handed over to the Police Tactical Unit in Araro, Ikorodu, before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department`s Gender Unit, led by ACP Oluwatoyin Kazeem. Narrating her ordeal, Rejoice revealed that the carnal exploitation began in 2019 when she was just 12 years old, and persisted once or twice every month until September 6, 2026. "He has been having sexual intercourse with me since 2019," Rejoice confessed. "I have never had a boyfriend. My dad is the only man who has had carnal knowledge of me. He did not convince me; he forced himself on me." She stated that the suspect used threats of physical violence alongside gifts to maintain secrecy, warning her of repercussions if the matter was disclosed. The victim indicated that her mother had previously confronted the suspect regarding the allegations, which he denied at the time. Rejoice later confided in a close friend, the son of her family`s pastor, who informed the cleric, leading to the subsequent intervention and arrest. Despite the severity of the allegations, Rejoice requested that her father not face imprisonment, citing concerns over the long-term impact and stability of her family and siblings. "I know the proper legal course involves arrest, but I am concerned about the impact on our future," she stated. "I am the second of three children. While I wish for his release, I intend to relocate and reside with my grandmother in Agege or my aunt in Egbeda." Following the arrest, a video recording emerged in which Uche Didie addressed the allegations. While acknowledging the relationship with his daughter, he disputed the reported timeline, claiming the abuse began in 2026 rather than 2019, asserting that the allegations were not occurring at the time his wife initially questioned him. The police Gender Unit is continuing its investigations to proceed with the legal process in court, in accordance with standard criminal procedure for major offenses, regardless of the family`s plea.

Public universities across Nigeria face another imminent shutdown as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to withdraw its services without further notice. The union issued the warning in a statement signed by its National President, Christopher Piwuna, following an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja. According to the statement, the looming industrial action stems from the government’s failure to fully implement the December 2025 agreement, which took over eight years to negotiate. Key grievances driving the fresh agitation include the non-payment of 3.5 months of withheld salaries and the failure to remit billions of Naira in deductions already made from lecturers` earnings. ASUU warned that it should not be held responsible for the disruption of academic calendars if the federal and state governments fail to take immediate steps to address the welfare of Nigerian academics.

A major health crisis has hit the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, with 30 people confirmed dead and 50 others hospitalised following the consumption of suspected contaminated herbal drinks and locally brewed alcohol. The fatalities, which occurred across Odigbo town, Newtown, Orita, and Araromi-Obu communities, have thrown the affected areas into deep mourning and triggered a swift regulatory clampdown by the state government.

Renowned Afrobeats singer, Adekunle Kosoko, popularly known as Adekunle Gold, has revealed that genetic compatibility took precedence over romantic feelings when he chose to marry his wife, fellow music star Simi. Speaking during a recent appearance on the One54 Africa Podcast, the 38-year-old artist, who has openly managed sickle cell anemia since childhood, disclosed that he would have abandoned the relationship if Simi did not possess the AA genotype. Adekunle Gold asserted that bringing a child into the world to suffer from preventable chronic illnesses is an unfair burden, urging intending couples to treat genotype verification as a matter of absolute priority. "I wouldn’t have married my wife if she were SS or AS. Forget love. I don’t think it makes sense to bring a child into this world and they would be sickly," he stated candidly. "When me and my wife first met, the first thing I did was to know her genotype. She is AA. That was why I proceeded with the relationship." The singer, who wedded Simi in a private ceremony in January 2019, has consistently leveraged his global platform to champion sickle cell awareness. Reflecting on his own medical history, he noted that his parents both carried the traits that led to his diagnosis, inspiring his lifelong advocacy to prevent future generations from enduring the same physical crises. The couple, who recently expanded their family with the birth of their second child in March 2026, continue to be vocal advocates for health literacy and medical compatibility in family planning.

Popular Nigerian comedian and social commentator, DeeOne, has strongly criticized the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, warning him to desist from making reckless public statements. The entertainer cautioned that imposing restrictions on citizens filming police officers on duty could inadvertently spark nationwide civil unrest. The comedian’s sharp rebuke followed a recent declaration by the IGP, who cautioned Nigerians against video-recording police officers during official operations. According to the police chief, the growing trend of citizens filming law enforcement agents on the road is highly demoralizing to the workforce and hampers their operational efficiency. Reacting to the directive in a viral Instagram video, DeeOne argued that the police chief’s stance is highly provocative and capable of inciting a massive public backlash. He noted that such sensitive statements could easily serve as a trigger for a fresh wave of public demonstrations, drawing a parallel to the historic 2020 #EndSARS protests. The entertainer emphasized that the landmark #EndSARS movement was primarily ignited by viral videos exposing police brutality and extortion across the country. He warned that stopping citizens from recording would only embolden indiscipline officers to continue intimidating, harassing, and victimizing innocent Nigerians on the road without fear of accountability. Highlighting the safety concerns of everyday citizens, DeeOne stated that public recordings remain the primary line of defense against rogue law enforcement agents. He claimed that many officers deployed on Nigerian roads lack the proper psychological evaluation or discipline to handle weapons safely, with some even operating under the influence of alcohol while on duty. The social commentator also commended the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for swiftly calling the Inspector General to order over the controversial directive. He reminded the police chief that under democratic tenets, no law enforcement officer is superior to the citizens they are paid to protect, and body cameras should ideally be standard issue for transparency. Concluding his remarks, DeeOne urged IGP Disu to stop making statements aimed merely at impressing the police force at the expense of national security. He advised the police leadership to focus heavily on reforming the institution and fostering genuine harmony, trust, and synergy between the police and the Nigerian populace.

The Federal Government has announced a landmark digital intervention that will grant Nigerian students 100 megabytes (MB) of free daily data starting October 1, 2026. The initiative is specifically designed to grant learners unhindered access to approved educational websites and digital learning platforms across the country. The ambitious project is being implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in a strategic partnership with major telecommunications operators and the Federal Ministry of Education. To ensure an orderly rollout, the scheme will initially benefit students in public senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions before expanding to other categories of learners. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the formal announcement on Thursday in Abuja during the official launch of the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria. "Let me let out the secret. This will be made available to Nigerian students from October 1st, 2026," Alausa stated, while praising the vital contribution of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON). Under the approved framework, participating mobile network operators—including industry giants MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, and Globacom—will provide the daily 100MB zero-rated allowance. This targeted data can only be utilized on specifically whitelisted educational platforms, preventing misuse while ensuring students stay connected to their studies. Minister Alausa emphasized that the cost of internet connectivity has become a severe barrier to modern education, especially for children from low-income households. He noted that providing zero-rated access will effectively transform personal mobile phones, tablets, and computers into digital classrooms and libraries for millions of struggling students. In a parallel development, the Minister disclosed that the government is actively designing strict measures to regulate internet access for children under the age of 16. He stressed that digital content made available to younger children must be appropriate, safe, credible, and fully aligned with the national curriculum, with comprehensive guidelines expected soon. Furthermore, the government is aggressively expanding its digital infrastructure through the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure and a unique Learner Identification Number (LIN) system. So far, over 240,000 schools have been geo-mapped across Nigeria as part of an ongoing effort to digitize the Annual School Census and track student enrollment and school safety. Providing technical clarity, the NCC Director of Policy, Competition, and Economic Analysis, Ayuba Shuaibu, explained that the ministry and the commission will jointly vet all learning platforms. The final whitelisted database will include comprehensive learning management systems, digital libraries, teacher development portals, and vocational training platforms. Addressing the socioeconomic impact, NCC Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, lamented that millions of students are currently shut out of e-learning due to data costs. She declared that the fundamental principle of the zero-rated initiative is to ensure that no child is denied quality education based on their geographic location or family income. Supporting the initiative, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, described the framework as a massive leap toward total digital inclusion. The NCC has assured the public that the system contains strict safeguards regarding cybersecurity, data privacy, net neutrality, and consumer protection to guarantee a secure digital environment.

The Osun State Police Command has arrested a man, identified as Taye Kasali, for the alleged murder of his biological mother, Kudirat Kasali. The arrest followed a rigorous investigation into the sudden disappearance of the matriarch, whose remains were eventually discovered buried in a shallow grave on the family’s property. The breakthrough was officially disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura. The police revealed that the case was treated with utmost urgency as soon as the alarm was raised regarding the safety of the deceased. According to the police, the incident first came to light on September 1, 2026, when a formal report was lodged indicating that both Kudirat and her son had gone missing under suspicious circumstances. In response, police operatives attached to the Bode-Osi Division were immediately deployed to launch a comprehensive search and investigation into the dual disappearance. Following days of intensive, intelligence-led tracking, detectives successfully located and apprehended Taye Kasali on September 7, 2026. Upon his arrest, the suspect was subjected to interrogation, during which he allegedly confessed to the gruesome killing of his mother on August 31, 2026. Explaining his motive to investigators, the suspect claimed he was driven to the act by his mother’s persistent verbal abuse, alleging she frequently referred to him as a mentally unstable person. He further stated that their relationship deteriorated completely after she threatened to lease out the family farmland, which he considered to be their sole economic lifeline. The police report further detailed that the suspect admitted to slitting his mother`s throat with a machete during the heated dispute. Following the murder, he carried her body to the farm and buried her in a shallow grave in an attempt to cover up the crime before fleeing the area. Following the confession, the suspect led a team of investigators to the farm where the shallow grave was excavated, allowing forensics to recover the remains of the victim. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura, confirmed that the murder weapon has been secured as an exhibit, adding that the suspect will be thoroughly prosecuted and charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.