Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised the alarm over a horrifying trend of young Nigerians allegedly selling their kidneys to survive the country`s relentless cost-of-living crisis. In a scathing statement on Thursday, Atiku directly blamed President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies for driving citizens into extreme desperation. He noted that it should "offend the conscience of every Nigerian" that youths are now forced to view their body organs as emergency savings. "Young Nigerians should be building careers, starting businesses, raising families, and pursuing their dreams, not calculating how much parts of their bodies can fetch simply to stay alive," Atiku stated. He added that vulnerable youths are reportedly selling kidneys for as low as ₦1.7 million. While acknowledging existing laws against organ trafficking, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate argued that legislation alone cannot cure poverty. He called for immediate economic reforms with a "human face," promising to "make Nigeria affordable again."

The Yobe State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka, has withdrawn a controversial statement urging married women to divorce their husbands if barred from voting for the ruling party. The initial comment, made on Thursday during a defection rally in Nangere town, sparked massive backlash across the state. Islamic scholars and residents swiftly condemned the remarks as "reckless" and a threat to family values. In his speech, Gadaka had gone as far as pledging to pay the "new bride price" for any woman who dissolved her marriage over party allegiance. Following the widespread outrage, Gadaka issued a 42-second video apology via the Facebook page of Mamman Mohammed, the Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni. In his retraction, the APC chairman claimed his statement was misconstrued, framing it as cultural teasing rather than political directive. Gadaka explained the comment was "joking banter" rooted in traditional teasing between his ethnic group, the Ngamo, and the Kare-Kare people. "My statement... does not in any way represent the ideals I stand for or intended to encourage divorce among married people," Gadaka stated. "I offer apologies for my statement, and I hereby withdraw it." While political observers note the retraction was forced by mounting criticism ahead of the general elections, it remains unclear if the initial comment was triggered by actual reports of husbands restricting their wives` voting choices.

The Federal Government has expressed profound appreciation to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for donating $265,854 to support the ongoing emergency evacuation of distressed Nigerian citizens from South Africa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the intervention comes at a critical time when many Nigerians are seeking immediate repatriation following a renewed wave of violent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks. According to an official statement signed on Friday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the substantial financial contribution will completely fund 500 one-way airline tickets. This intervention is aimed directly at providing immediate relief to stranded citizens who have lost their livelihoods or face severe safety threats due to the recurring hostilities targeting foreign nationals. The ministry described the swift intervention by the church, which is led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, as a profound reflection of humanitarian leadership. The government lauded the gesture as “a significant demonstration of RCCG’s compassion, solidarity, and genuine commitment to providing succour to distressed and stranded Nigerians” who are currently facing severe hardship abroad. Highlighting the importance of civic synergy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the intervention serves as a prime model for national crisis management. The statement emphasized that the gesture further demonstrates the massive impact that structured collaboration between faith-based organisations and public institutions can have in addressing critical social challenges and advancing the common good. The repatriation exercise was officially launched by the Federal Government on June 10, 2026, in response to the escalating targeting of foreign Africans and other nationals in South Africa. Since the commencement of the emergency operation, a total of 1,640 Nigerian nationals have been successfully evacuated and brought back home safely. A breakdown of the evacuation funding reveals that the Federal Government directly sponsored the return of 1,385 citizens, while private philanthropic donations successfully funded the repatriation of 255 individuals. Currently, another batch of 202 Nigerians is stranded in South Africa, awaiting final security and documentation screening by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before their final airlift. To ensure no willing citizen is left behind, Nigeria`s diplomatic missions—the High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg—remain fully operational. The ministry confirmed that diplomatic staff are working around the clock, leveraging Nigerian Community Associations and established local channels to identify, screen, and assist citizens who desire an immediate return home. The Federal Government reiterated its unwavering commitment to the welfare of its citizens worldwide under President Bola Tinubu`s "4Ds" foreign policy framework. This follows the President`s recent decisive address at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, on August 30, 2026, where he strongly condemned the recurring xenophobic violence and called on continental leaders to implement permanent solutions.

The Federal Government has uncovered a thriving dark-web marketplace where National Examinations Council (NECO) question papers were sold for as low as N3,000 before exams. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the shocking disclosure on Thursday during a high-level stakeholder meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and education officials in Abuja. Describing the scale of the syndicate as "mind-boggling," Alausa revealed that the illicit trade went by the street code "Wushishi"—an apparent reference to the dark web platforms used by racketeers to compromise exam integrity. The Minister lamented that deep-rooted collusion among parents, teachers, and school principals had created an unfair academic environment. This systemic corruption, he warned, actively disadvantages students who study honestly and threatens to push them into malpractice just to compete. "Before we came, the acceptance of examination malpractice, cheating, and leakages in this country was a nightmare," Alausa said. "I don’t blame the students that much. When you have an ecosystem where parents, schools, teachers, invigilators, and principals are in full connivance, the students are the smallest players." Alausa recounted his grueling experience during the 2025 examination cycle, revealing that he and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, regularly intercepted leaked English and Chemistry papers at dawn. "I was always waking up with trepidation every morning," the Minister shared. "She would send questions to me... I would send it to the exam authorities and ask, ‘Is this correct?’ And the answer I got was, ‘Unfortunately, that’s the question we’re doing today.’" To combat the cartel, the Ministry of Education is rolling out aggressive institutional reforms under President Bola Tinubu`s education renaissance agenda. Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad announced that the government will introduce serialized examination questions to neutralize leakages. She warned that tighter controls might initially cause a drop in the superficial high performance of some schools, exposing students who previously relied on leaked materials. Ahmad urged private proprietors to complete their curricula early and foster a culture of genuine merit.

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has strictly prohibited operatives of the secret police from arresting individuals involved in purely civil matters. Speaking in a media interview on Thursday, Ajayi explained that the directive is part of a broader institutional overhaul designed to enforce strict adherence to the rule of law and clean up the agency’s human rights record. Since taking the helm of the DSS, Ajayi noted that he has rolled out sweeping reforms targeting five core pillars: law enforcement, inter-agency synergy, accountability, respect for human rights, and infrastructural and administrative modernization. These changes, he stated, have established a definitive boundary between civil and criminal jurisdictions within the agency`s operations. Reflecting on his career experience, the DSS chief acknowledged that the agency had historically conflated civil disputes with criminal acts—a practice he vowed to end, emphasizing that the deployment of state force in private disputes is entirely inappropriate. “You cannot apply the use of force in civil matters. Even some criminal matters don’t require force,” Ajayi stated. To illustrate the agency`s shifting approach, Ajayi cited a high-profile case involving political economist Prof. Pat Utomi regarding allegations of attempting to establish a "shadow government." Rather than moving to detain Utomi, the DSS opted to seek judicial interpretation. The court subsequently ruled that the move was unconstitutional, illegal, and a threat to national security, achieving resolution without a controversial arrest. He further referenced a legal battle with the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which dragged the agency to court over allegations that two DSS operatives had invaded its premises. Ajayi highlighted that the DSS allowed the judicial process to run its course without ordering any retaliatory arrests, even after the court ultimately awarded over ₦100 million in damages against the agency and in favor of SERAP. When pressed on whether the DSS is now fully deferring to the judiciary on civil contentions, Ajayi confirmed the paradigm shift. “Yes. I have told my people that there should be no arrest in any civil case," Ajayi said. "And I’m sure you have found out that, even in cases involving journalists, we would rather approach the court because we do the same job." Extending an olive branch to the media, the DSS Director-General added: “I call you guys our professional colleagues. The only difference is that, while you inform the public, we inform the Government. And because we inform the Government, our information is classified until we declassify it.”

The Federal Government is facing intense labor pressure as civil servants demand an immediate increase in the national minimum wage to N300,000 per month. The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) made the formal demand in a letter dated September 2, 2026, addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly. The forum declared that the current N70,000 minimum wage has been completely eroded by Nigeria’s skyrocketing cost of living. Under the workers` proposed salary structure, the lowest-earning civil servant (Level 1, Step 1) would receive N300,000, while the highest-paid bureaucrats (Level 17 officers) would top out at a monthly salary of N1.5 million. The FWF criticized the Federal Government for failing to fully execute the previous wage agreement passed over two years ago. According to the forum, federal workers are still battling for the full implementation of consequential adjustments and associated allowances. "It will surprise you to hear that the Federal Government has not fully implemented the new national minimum wage since July 2024," the statement read. "We have been in the battle for full consequential adjustment." This fresh agitation follows a recent demand by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in August 2026, which pushed for an even higher baseline of N500,000. Although President Tinubu approved an increase from N30,000 to N70,000 in July 2024, hyperinflation has severely devalued the currency. The cost of living for average Nigerian households has effectively tripled between 2024 and 2026, rendering the current salary structure unsustainable.

The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to married men, stating that forcing a spouse into sexual intercourse carries a penalty of life imprisonment upon conviction. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Haroun Adebayo, disclosed this during a media briefing in Alausa, Ikeja. The event, hosted by the Executive Secretary of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, marked the commencement of the agency’s Awareness Month for September 2026. Addressing legal distinctions regarding marital intimacy, Adebayo clarified that while Lagos State law does not technically categorise non-consensual marital sex as "rape" if the couple is cohabiting on good terms, it is strictly prosecuted under other severe criminal charges. "Once there is an issue between a couple and the wife refuses to have sex, the husband cannot force her," Adebayo explained. "If the husband forces her and the wife reports him, we will not charge him for rape but for sexual assault by penetration, and the punishment is life imprisonment." He further debunked the misconception that traditional rites exempt men from accountability, asserting that paying a bride price or dowry does not grant immunity for domestic or sexual violence. Aggrieved women retain the full legal right to report such violations to the DSVA for immediate prosecution.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has strongly cautioned politicians and their supporters against dragging the name of Jesus Christ into partisan political debates. The apex Christian body issued this directive as political activities intensify ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections. The warning follows a public controversy triggered by remarks from Precious Oruche, a popular political commentator known as "Mama Pee." In her viral commentary, Oruche explicitly referenced Jesus Christ while making a political case for the candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi. Reacting to the development, the National President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stated that the association felt compelled to intervene. He noted that while robust political discourse is expected, a sacred line has been crossed by citizens seeking to validate their choices. According to THENEWSCREDIT,Archbishop Okoh emphasised that the name of Christ must never be weaponised for electoral gains. The cleric reminded the public that Jesus Christ is not a political candidate, a campaign slogan, or a tool to advance one politician against another. The association further declared that no human leader, regardless of their popularity or achievements, should be elevated to a place that belongs to God alone. CAN stressed that intense political loyalty must not diminish the absolute reverence due to the Christian faith. While clarifying its stance on civic participation, the apex body noted that Nigerians remain fully free to support or criticise any candidate. It explicitly named prominent leaders like Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and President Bola Tinubu as figures citizens can openly evaluate. However,THENEWSCREDIT reports that the council urged voters to shift their focus away from religious sentiments and concentrate on tangible governance metrics. Supporters were advised to channel their passion into debates about competence, policy frameworks, character, and track records. Concluding the statement, Archbishop Okoh reminded the nation that no politician is a messiah, and no electoral victory is worth compromising sacred honors. He urged all political actors to conduct their upcoming campaigns with the utmost responsibility, restraint, and mutual respect.

Panic has gripped residents of Kebbe town in the Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State following an audacious N40 million levy demanded by suspected bandits. The terrorists have threatened to slaughter residents and burn the entire community to the ground if the deadline is missed. The criminal syndicate delivered their ultimatum through a local farmer, forcing him to hand over a mobile phone directly to the District Head of Kebbe, Mallam Lawal Labbo. According to updates tracking the situation, the bandits initially gave the town five days to produce the cash but extended it to seven days after desperate pleas from community leaders. The mobile device has since been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area. However, the gunmen issued a chilling warning that the phone must remain switched on, charged, and answered at all times, stating that any missed call would trigger an immediate, bloody invasion. The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the high-stakes threat. Command Spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, stated that strategic countermeasures are already underway. "We are aware of the information, and we, together with our Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU), are already working on the information," Rufai assured, confirming the reality of the multi-million naira ultimatum. As the countdown to the deadline ticks away, tension remains at a breaking point across Kebbe, with locals desperately calling for heavy military reinforcement to avert a catastrophe.

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of a 74-year-old cleric, Joseph Adeniran, at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for allegedly defiling his nine-year-old granddaughter. The prosecution, led by ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji, informed the court that the defendant, who resides at No. 12, Araromi Street, Baba Egbe Road, Meiran, Lagos, committed the offence on June 18, 2026. The prosecution informed the court that the matter came to light following observations by a neighbor, which subsequently led to a police report and the defendant`s arrest. According to the prosecution, the alleged offense violates Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The Presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs. C. M. Kushanu, did not take the defendant`s plea during the arraignment. She ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre until September 24, 2026, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).