Governor Seyi Makinde has declared a 16-hour curfew across 10 local government areas in Oyo State following the recent abduction of 39 students and seven teachers. The security measure targets municipalities surrounding the Old Oyo National Park, a vast reserve where bandits are reportedly holding the hostages. The affected educators and students were seized last month from various communities within the Oriire Local Government Area. The restriction was announced late Tuesday in a statement by the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, and distributed by the Governor`s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju and available to THENEWSCREDIT The directive takes effect today, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Residents must remain indoors between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. daily. State officials confirmed that the curfew will last for an initial 48 hours while security agencies conduct tactical operations. THENEWSCREDIT reports that,the containment zone spans the following council areas:Oriire (Ikoyi-Ile)Orelope (Igboho)Irepo (Kisi)Saki West (Saki)Saki East (Ago-Amodu)Atisbo (Tede/Ago-Are)Itesiwaju (Otu)Iseyin (Iseyin)Olorunsogo (Igbeti)Atiba (Offa-Meta) Local leaders have long voiced concerns regarding the porous boundaries of the national park. Security forces have now sealed the perimeters of these locations to restrict bandit mobility and facilitate rescue efforts.

A major security coalition was formed at the weekend as sixty-five traditional rulers from the Orire Local Government Traditional Council converged on the Soun Palace to deliberate on critical security issues affecting Ogbomosoland. The high-level meeting, hosted by the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, brought together frontline Obas and Baales. The traditional rulers engaged in frank, constructive, and strategic discussions aimed at designing immediate, practical measures to combat rising security challenges and protect lives and property across local towns and villages. Addressing the council, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III emphasized that absolute unity among the royal fathers is the most effective weapon against regional instability. He noted that the true strength of Ogbomosoland lies in a cohesive leadership structure where all traditional custodians speak with a single, unwavering voice,THENEWSCREDIT reports. "When our royal fathers stand together, speak with one voice, and pursue a common vision, we are better equipped to address challenges, preserve peace, and promote sustainable development within our communities," the frontline monarch stated. He reminded the traditional rulers that security remains a continuous, shared responsibility that demands high vigilance, mutual cooperation, and proactive leadership at the grassroots level. To ensure total stability, the council adopted a comprehensive resolution focused on three key areas of cooperation: Enhancing local surveillance networks within all towns, borders, and villages to spot potential threats early.Deepening operational ties and information sharing with statutory law enforcement and local security forces.Collaborating directly with state and local government authorities to attract critical infrastructure and rapid response teams. THENEWSCREDIT reports that,Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III expressed profound appreciation to the sixty-five Obas and Baales who attended the session. He described the impressive, historic turnout as an undeniable testament to their collective resolve to protect their people and uphold long-term regional peace. Moving forward, the Soun urged the traditional council to remain steadfast, vigilant, and unified. He expressed absolute confidence that with sustained collective determination, Ogbomosoland will successfully overcome its present security hurdles and build a much safer, stronger, and more prosperous domain for future generations.

Nollywood actress Angela Okorie has sparked widespread conversation online after revealing that she destroyed the clothes she wore to the burial of late actor Alex Ekubo. The movie star shared the development with her fans through a video post on her official Instagram page, explaining that her actions were driven by deeply rooted traditional and spiritual advice. According to Okorie, the decision to set the outfit ablaze was not a random act but a cautionary measure passed down by a close elder. She noted that keeping garments worn to a funeral can attract negative energy. "My godmother told me it is not good to keep the clothes you wore to a burial around you; you must burn them," the actress told her followers. Okorie stated that she felt a strong sense of responsibility to share this ritualistic practice with her wider circle to protect them from spiritual implications. Okorie urged friends and family members to adopt the same practice. She concluded her post by praying for long life and divine protection for her loved ones. The disclosure has since triggered mixed reactions across social media, with fans debating the relevance of such traditional beliefs in modern times.

Nollywood star Nancy Isime has sparked fresh debate on marriage, asserting that financial instability destroys marital bliss. Speaking on the Tea With Tay podcast, the actress stated that she does not believe marrying a poor partner can lead to a "fantastic life." While acknowledging that love can exist without wealth, Isime argued that severe financial pressure ultimately strips couples of joy. "Marriage is not a poverty alleviation scheme, but I don’t believe marrying a poor man can make you happy," Isime said. "When rent is due, school fees can’t be paid, and there is no food, it is difficult to have a fantastic life." The media personality urged intending couples to achieve financial stability before tying the knot or starting a family.

THE Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has declared that he would implement a total nationwide ban on tinted vehicles if he had the sole authority to do so. Disu stated that heavily tinted windows pose severe security risks, serving as operational tools for kidnappers, armed robbers, and "one-chance" criminal syndicates. The police boss spoke in Abuja in response to concerns raised by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), regarding the management of tinted glass permits. NBA kicks against fees While supporting police oversight, Osigwe strongly opposed turning the permit process into a commercial, revenue-generating venture. The NBA president questioned the necessity of periodic renewals, arguing that vehicle details only need to be captured once in a central database. He also condemned outsourcing permit administration to private entities for fee collection. Osigwe, however, clarified that the NBA fully backs enforcement against vehicles that completely conceal occupants from security agencies. Rising security threats Rejecting the NBA`s stance on renewals, the IGP cited the country`s prevailing security challenges as justification for strict measures. "I have a different view about it entirely. We have a security situation in the country now. If I have my way, there would be no vehicle that would be tinted in the country," Disu stated. Drawing from his tenure as Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Disu revealed that investigations into "one-chance" syndicates showed a direct link to tinted cars. He noted that out of 27 vehicles recently impounded from criminal syndicates, the vast majority had heavily darkened windows. Impending nationwide crackdown The IGP criticized the growing trend of tinting windscreens and rear windows, calling it a direct threat to the lives of officers during stop-and-search operations. He reiterated that only individuals with verifiable medical or security justifications are legally permitted to use tints, which must still maintain baseline visibility. Disu warned that the Nigeria Police Force will soon launch a massive, nationwide enforcement campaign to clear illegally tinted vehicles off the roads.

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has finalized a lucrative new contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following high-level talks in the nation`s capital. The breakthrough agreement was reached on Tuesday during a decisive meeting at the National Sports Commission (NSC) headquarters in Abuja. The session brought together top sports chiefs, including NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, and NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. Under the terms of the new deal, the 48-year-old Malian tactician receives a massive financial upgrade. His monthly salary will skyrocket to $100,000, more than doubling his previous $45,000 earnings. In another major shift, the NFF has officially agreed to take over the financial responsibility for paying Chelle’s assistant coaches,THENEWSCREDIT reports. Chelle took the reins of the national team in January 2025. He quickly proved his worth by guiding Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, justifying the federation`s massive financial commitment to secure his long-term future.

Following an intensive field operation on Monday, 22 June 2026, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has initiated a sweeping crackdown against unauthorized road blockades, extortion, and indiscipline within the ranks of the command. The police boss personally led a high-powered team of senior officers on a statewide monitoring and inspection tour of major highways. The operation covered strategic transit corridors, including the busy East-West Road spanning Ikwerre and Emohua Local Government Areas, as well as critical boundary points near the Rivers-Imo border. The crackdown aligns strictly with the national directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, aimed at reforming highway policing, eradicating motorist harassment, and restoring public confidence in law enforcement. During the tour, THENEWSCREDIT reports that CP Adepoju directly confronted several operatives found obstructing traffic and operating unapproved checkpoints. The Commissioner ordered the immediate dismantling of the illegal structures and directed that the identities, ranks, and commands of the violating officers be documented for immediate disciplinary action at the state headquarters. "We have directed that nobody should block the road," Adepoju stated while addressing journalists at the Rivers-Imo boundary. "Our men are deployed on the highways primarily to ensure the safety and security of citizens, not to disrupt the free flow of traffic or bring the image of the Nigeria Police Force into disrepute." The command has warned that supervisors, including Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and tactical unit commanders, will be held accountable for infractions committed by personnel under their watch. Moving forward, highway patrol officers must carry out professional stop-and-search operations without creating blockades or gridlocks. Furthermore, any officer caught on duty improperly dressed or without a clearly visible official name tag will face severe administrative sanctions. While noting that compliance has significantly improved and illegal checkpoints have dropped along key corridors, the CP assured residents that the monitoring exercises will remain continuous and unscheduled. The enforcement drive on 22 June 2026 has drawn widespread reactions from the motoring public and transport unions, who have long complained about man-hours lost to illegal highway shakedowns. Representatives of local transport unions lauded the CP`s physical presence on the highways. They noted that removing extortion bottlenecks along the Port Harcourt-Aba and East-West corridors will significantly lower transport costs and prevent artificial gridlocks. Several interstate drivers expressed relief, stating that the reduction of illegal checkpoints will safeguard them against aggressive roadside intimidation. However, they urged the command to sustain the unscheduled visits, noting that errant personnel often return to the roads once monitoring teams leave the area. The Rivers State Police Command has assured residents that these oversight inspections will remain continuous and unannounced to ensure permanent compliance across all local government areas.

Lionel Messi rewrote football history once again on Monday night, striking twice to send defending champions Argentina into the knockout rounds while matching a legendary World Cup scoring record. The 38-year-old maestro scored both goals in a dominant 2-0 victory over Austria. With this brace, the Inter Miami forward has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, matching a historic feat previously achieved only by France`s Just Fontaine in 1958 and Brazil`s Jairzinho in 1970. Messi entered the Group J clash in Dallas in spectacular form, fresh off a historic hat-trick against Algeria in the opening match. Carrying his scoring streak over from Argentina`s magical 2022 championship run in Qatar, the legendary forward also surpassed Germany’s Miroslav Klose to claim his position as the tournament`s outright all-time leading goalscorer. Argentina has already secured its place in the Round of 32. The Albiceleste will wrap up their group stage campaign against Jordan in the coming days, where their captain will look to stand entirely alone by extending his scoring streak to seven straight games.

The Oyo State Government has issued a strict seven-day ultimatum to families and next of kin to identify and claim bodies deposited in state-owned mortuaries, or face seeing them buried in a mass grave. The directive, aimed at decongesting overflowing public health facilities, was announced on Monday in a statement by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi. According to the Commissioner, a massive influx of unclaimed bodies has pushed public mortuaries to their maximum storage capacities. Many of these corpses were brought in by law enforcement and emergency response agencies over an extended period. "The corpses were brought to the facilities by the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Correctional Service, and other relevant agencies," Ajetunmobi stated. "Over time, the bodies have remained unclaimed, resulting in severe congestion." With public health standards at risk, the government is urging citizens with missing relatives to immediately visit public hospital mortuaries across the state for verification. Final arrangements for the mass burial are already underway. The exercise will commence exactly one week from the date of the official announcement. Ajetunmobi emphasized that the window is a final opportunity for families to give their loved ones a proper, individual burial while ensuring state healthcare facilities can return to efficient operations.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, June 22, 2026, ordered the immediate remand of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The decision was handed down by Justice Mohammed Umar, who directed that the Sahara Reporters publisher remain in custody pending the hearing and determination of a motion filed by his defense team. The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore on a two-count cybercrime charge. The state accuses the activist of: Arising from an August 2025 social media post where he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a "criminal" during the President’s trip to Brazil. Sowore previously declined DSS demands to delete the posts, maintaining they are protected under free speech. In May 2026, the court ruled that the DSS had established a prima facie case, requiring Sowore to open his defense. Shortly after, on June 5, his initial legal team withdrew from the case following a judicial directive for daily trial hearings. Justice Umar had previously revoked Sowore’s bail on June 16, 2026, and issued a bench warrant following his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. During Monday`s proceedings, the court dismissed a motion filed by Sowore asking Justice Umar to step down (recuse himself) over allegations of bias. Sowore`s newly appointed counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), has filed an application for a stay of execution against the bail revocation and the bench warrant. Sowore arrived at the court premises accompanied by supporters holding placards. Following the ruling, mild unrest broke out outside the courtroom as some of his supporters attempted to obstruct security operatives from transporting him into custody. Speaking defiantly to journalists, Sowore stated that he had anticipated the ruling and brought his personal belongings with him, asserting that imprisonment is part of the sacrifice required to liberate the country. He additionally urged prison officers to "let the prisoners breathe" during his transfer. The court has adjourned the matter until Wednesday, June 24, 2026, to hear the defense`s application to restore his bail status. During Monday`s proceedings, the court dismissed a motion filed by Sowore asking Justice Umar to step down (recuse himself) over allegations of bias.