The Federal Government and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have launched a strategic ₦140 million ($100,000) pro bono legal service initiative in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to guarantee comprehensive legal protection for vulnerable children across Nigeria. Speaking at the official launch in Abuja on Monday, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, declared that no Nigerian child would be left behind under the current administration’s justice reform system. Fagbemi, who was represented by Ayoola Daniels, a Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, revealed that justice for children has now been formally integrated as a distinct sector in the National Policy on Justice. "Access to justice is not a privilege; it is a foundational right of every child," Fagbemi stated. "A child who comes into contact with the law—either as a victim, witness, or an alleged offender—deserves a system that protects, restores, and does not stigmatize them." The AGF noted that the framework will prioritize children`s rights awareness, expand free legal aid, promote restorative justice, and end the unnecessary detention of minors. He reaffirmed the ministry`s commitment to providing the legislative support and policy leadership necessary to make Nigeria`s justice system entirely child-friendly. In his remarks, the NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, commended UNICEF for its continuous efforts in strengthening Nigeria`s child protection systems. He explained that the ₦140 million partnership aims to mobilize lawyers nationwide to provide high-quality, free legal representation to children whose rights are violated or who are in conflict with the law. "Children are the leaders of tomorrow, and we cannot have a secure future if we do not invest in them and protect them today," Osigwe said. "This initiative ensures that every Nigerian child, regardless of background, can access justice and protection." Osigwe challenged NBA branches and private law firms across the country to dedicate their time, expertise, and resources to child protection cases. He emphasized that the legal profession holds a unique statutory power to advocate for the vulnerable. "When a child survivor of abuse requires legal representation, there should be a lawyer ready to stand by that child. When a child is unlawfully detained, let there be a lawyer ready to insist that the right thing be done. If a child must be detained, let us ensure they are kept in age-appropriate facilities and not mingled with adults," the NBA President charged. The NBA boss expressed optimism that a successful rollout of the project would prompt further funding from UNICEF, while institutionalising child-focused pro bono work as a nationwide movement within the Nigerian legal space.

Armed tactical operatives on Sunday disrupted a church service at the Chapel of Redemption, located inside the University of Calabar (UNICAL) campus, to avert what authorities described as an imminent bloody clash over a lingering leadership tussle. The heavy security deployment, led by the Cross River State Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Godwin Etim, triggered widespread panic as panicked worshippers fled the sanctuary for safety. The operation followed an intelligence report warning of a potential outbreak of violence between two warring factions. Despite the heavy presence of security personnel, leaders of both groups openly continued to layout opposing claims to the leadership of the chapel. Addressing the shaken congregation, DCP Etim explained that the aggressive intervention was a necessary preemptive strike to preserve human lives. "My primary duty as a law enforcement officer is to protect lives and property," Etim stated. "Based on the intelligence gathered, allowing this service to proceed would have likely resulted in bloodshed right inside this house of God." The DCP further disclosed that the decision to halt the liturgy was reached after brief, high-level consultations with key stakeholders on the ground. "I have formally engaged the two contending Reverends, the two chaplains, and members of the Board of Trustees. They all conceded that stopping the service was the most viable option to defuse the escalating tension. The volatile atmosphere is clear to everyone here, and if we did not deploy this tactical strategy immediately, a physical fight would have broken out," he added. The leadership crisis revolves around a bitter succession battle between the current Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Joseph Ushie, and Rev. Israel Eyo. The dispute is currently the subject of an ongoing lawsuit in court. Meanwhile, the police command has issued an official ultimatum summoning all principal actors and factional leaders to a critical mediation meeting at the State Police Headquarters on Diamond Hill Road, Calabar, by 12:00 PM on Monday.

President Bola Tinubu has called on religious and spiritual leaders to aggressively condemn terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and the weaponisation of faith to justify violence. The President made the call on Sunday in Kano during a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the Grand Maulud of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tijani. In a statement signed by his media aide, Yomi Odunuga, the President emphasized that religious institutions possess the social leverage needed to combat extremism and identity-based divisions. He noted that spiritual fathers act as the "guardians of conscience" and must use their platforms to foster peace literacy and moral rectitude among youth. "Your voices must be raised consistently against the murder of innocent people, against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and the misuse of religion to justify cruelty," the President stated. "No genuine service to Allah is advanced by destroying the innocent human life that Allah has made sacred." Tinubu highlighted that his directive comes at a volatile period, citing a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report which revealed that 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide at the end of 2025. Given Nigeria`s strategic position linking West Africa, the Sahel, and the Lake Chad Basin, Tinubu argued that transnational networks like the Tijjaniyya community are critical partners in building regional security. He praised the delegation—which included scholars from Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt—and paid posthumous tribute to the late Islamic scholar Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who passed away in November 2025, calling him a voice of moderation. The President`s remarks arrive amidst an intensifying national debate regarding the intersection of faith, governance, and politics in Nigeria. Just weeks earlier, on July 28, a delegation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria met with the President to express deep concern over worsening economic and security hardships. Following that closed-door meeting, John Cardinal Onaiyekan publicly warned that presidential aides were painting an unrealistic "rosy picture" of the nation`s realities, while alleging that the administration seemed intent on winning future elections "by all means." While state officials have fired back at the Christian clergy, accusing them of political partisanship, President Tinubu`s latest address in Kano signals an attempt to pivot the conversation, reminding Islamic and Christian leaders alike that their primary civic duty lies in stabilizing the grassroots against crime and lawlessness.

A routine prayer request made "in jest" has culminated in a miraculous multi-birth testimony at the ongoing Annual Convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Ogun State. A worshipper from the church`s Region 12 left the congregation spellbound during the Friday Holy Ghost Service when she narrated how a playful request during the 83rd birthday celebrations of the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, resulted in the birth of triplets. According to her, during the birthday events last year, the congregation was instructed to ask God for any desire. Inspired by the General Overseer`s age, she made a casual request based on a mathematical coincidence. “Last year when Daddy GO, Pastor Adeboye, was celebrating his 83rd birthday, they asked us to request from God whatever we wanted," she told the massive crowd. “So I jokingly said, ‘Daddy GO is celebrating 83 years, so I want the ‘three’ on it.’ I asked God for triplets.” The playful petition quickly turned into a surprising reality when she conceived. Initial medical scans indicated she was carrying twins. However, a subsequent scan in her seventh month revealed a third baby. Stunned by the news, she underwent four separate scans across different facilities just to confirm the unexpected reality. However, the joy of delivery was met with a terrifying medical crisis shortly after birth. One of the newborns began bleeding heavily from the mouth and nose. In a moment of desperation, the mother used her scarf to pray, challenging the "God of Adeboye" and making a daring vow. "I said, ‘God of Adeboye, this was not what I requested for. It was just a joke.’ I then vowed not to worship God if one of those triplets died, but if they survived, I would bring them to the altar for testimony," she recounted. The health crisis was averted, and the children fully recovered. To the roaring applause of the congregation, the proud mother introduced the healthy triplets—named Destiny, Desmond, and Diamond—at the altar, confirming their survival as a divine seal on a request that started as a joke. The testimony remains one of the major highlights of this year`s convention, which has drawn millions of worshippers from across the globe to the Redemption City.

The lack of electricity in Nigeria’s rural communities has been directly linked to early bedtimes and accelerated population growth. Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, made this observation in Abuja following his official inauguration as the Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) governing board. Fayose argued that the absence of functional grid infrastructure leaves millions of rural residents completely cut off from modern nightlife and commercial activities. Without public lighting or domestic power, local communities face total darkness immediately after sunset, severely restricting their daily routines. Speaking after the ceremony, the newly appointed chairman noted that the onset of darkness at 7:00 PM forces a massive shift in human behavior across underserved villages. He emphasized that the complete absence of alternative entertainment drives residents indoors much earlier than their urban counterparts. In a video broadcast by ARISE News, Fayose candidly explained that early room confinement naturally leads to increased intimacy among couples. "The people at that level have no alternative attraction," he stated, attributing the rapid rural population expansion directly to this daily infrastructural vacuum. The former governor insisted that the solution to managing this demographic surge lies heavily within the energy sector. He maintained that introducing stable electricity would fundamentally alter rural lifestyle patterns by offering alternative ways to spend evening hours. According to Fayose, the introduction of dependable power grids would stimulate active nightlife and boost local economies outside regular daylight hours. Providing brightly lit community spaces and evening entertainment would naturally defer early bedtime routines and diversify recreational choices. The inauguration ceremony was conducted by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, who officially ushered in the new leadership team to steer the agency`s mandate. The newly constituted REA board is heavily tasked with expanding sustainable energy access to Nigeria’s unserved regions. Fayose takes the helm alongside Abba Aliyu, who was formally installed as the agency’s Managing Director, as well as board members Ahmadu Abubakar, Ilyasu Makinta, and three non-executive directors. The new administration faces immediate pressure to bridge the country`s vast rural-urban energy divide.

A rescued victim of the February 3 terrorist onslaught on the Woro and Nuku communities in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State has shared a harrowing account of survival, resilience, and medical heroism during her six-month ordeal in captivity. Amirah Salihu, a professional nurse and daughter of the traditional chief of Woro community, Umar Salihu, revealed that she single-handedly took delivery of 10 pregnant women using nothing but her bare hands while being held hostage in the forest. Salihu made the shocking disclosures during an exclusive broadcast interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today. Detailing the severe deprivation faced by the hostages, Salihu painted a grim picture of their daily survival under the custody of the insurgents. The captives, primarily women and children, were subjected to extreme weather and starvation. “The kind of food they were giving us was bad," Salihu recounted. "The day we arrived, they just dropped guinea corn for us with salt and Maggi. Every day after that, they gave us one bag of corn without oil, pepper, or anything. There was a day they didn’t even give us Maggi again, just salt.” She added that the abductors briefly provided kuka (a local baobab leaf preparation) before cutting off the supply entirely. Shelter was non-existent, leaving the victims exposed to torrential rains. “They kept us inside a river. The place where we slept was right by the river. Rain fell heavily on us. If we tried to set a fire to stay warm, they ordered us to put it off immediately,” she said. Despite her own suffering, Salihu`s professional instincts kicked in when fellow captives went into labor. Fearing for her safety, she initially hid her medical background when the terrorists began searching for healthcare workers. “They asked, ‘Is there any nurse with us?’ I said no, because I was scared. But as a nurse, I couldn’t watch them suffer. I just started helping the pregnant women deliver. I assisted about 10 women through childbirth without gloves. I used my bare hands to deliver those babies,” Salihu stated. The terrorists eventually discovered her skills and attempted to forcibly recruit her into their ranks. “When they found out, they wanted to keep me. They insisted I should stay back with them permanently, but I refused. I told them I wanted to go home.” When questioned about the attackers` motives, Salihu explained that the insurgents claimed to be executing a divine mandate against democratic governance. “They kept saying they are doing Allah’s work and that we must live strictly by their interpretations. They claimed democracy and the constitution are evils. That is why they invaded our village and killed people,” she said. The invasion hit Salihu`s family directly. Her senior and junior brothers were both executed during the raid. According to her, the killings were a retaliatory measure against her father, the community chief, who had previously resisted the terrorists` encroachment and requested military protection for the area. Unfortunately, the terrorists struck unexpectedly after the deployed soldiers had departed. “They arrived at our house suddenly. Looking at their dressing and appearance, I knew immediately they were Boko Haram,” she stated. She, however, confirmed that despite the brutality, there were no incidents of rape or sexual assault against the female captives during her time in the camp. Salihu was among the 176 women and children abducted during the February 3 raid. The surviving hostages regained their freedom following a coordinated operation. According to official figures released by the Kwara State Government, 13 children tragically lost their lives due to the harsh conditions in captivity, while 12 other individuals remain unaccounted for. Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, officially received the rescued victims in Ilorin. He extended his deepest condolences to the families of those who died in the forest and expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian military hierarchy for securing the release of the citizens. The governor subsequently visited a state general hospital where 14 of the rescued victims—including three women who gave birth while in the forest—are currently undergoing intensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Popular Arise Television anchor Rufai Oseni has stated that the recent decision to unfreeze the Osun State Government`s bank accounts is a futile attempt at damage control, as the anti-graft agency has already achieved its core objective of destroying the state`s reputation. Speaking on The Morning Show on Friday, Oseni argued that the controversy surrounding the initial freezing had successfully weaponised a corruption narrative against the state government. He maintained that no subsequent reversal by the Federal Government or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could undo the severe political and public relations damage already inflicted. Oseni strongly criticised the handling of the situation, warning that it reflects deeply rooted systemic issues within Nigeria`s public institutions. He drew a direct parallel to international political history, comparing the EFCC`s actions to former FBI Director James Comey’s controversial handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation just days before the 2016 U.S. presidential election. "I was telling [EFCC spokesperson] Wilson Uwujaren yesterday that the EFCC has already achieved its aim. Even if the President reverses this, the damage stands," Oseni asserted. "They have already blackmailed the state government. This is exactly what happened between James Comey and Hillary Clinton leading up to the 2016 elections." The broadcaster further emphasised that the psychological impact on the electorate and the general public cannot be erased by simply unlocking the state`s funds. According to Oseni, the political opposition and institutional actors have already achieved their goal by shaping permanent public perception. To back his claim, Oseni pointed out that digital data and internet search algorithms have already been heavily skewed against the state. A simple search linking Osun State with "frozen account" and "corruption allegations" yields widespread results, proving that the negative narrative has firmly taken root in the public consciousness. "This reversal is a little too late because you had already blackmailed the candidates," Oseni concluded, noting that the institutional stigma will linger long after the administrative correction.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately lift the restriction placed on an Osun State Government statutory allocation account. The President`s intervention follows intense political controversy and public outrage just days before the state’s August 15 gubernatorial election. Tinubu expressed deep embarrassment over the timing of the anti-graft agency`s action, warning that federal institutions must not appear to be interfering with democratic processes. The controversy began on Wednesday when the EFCC directed First Bank of Nigeria Limited to freeze the state`s account. According to the commission, the action was triggered by the sudden, suspicious movement of funds. The agency revealed that the restriction was part of an active investigation into the alleged fraudulent handling and laundering of approximately ₦11 billion in Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds, and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations. Defending its actions, the EFCC stated that it operated strictly within its legal mandate. The commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, explained that the agency acted under Section 34 of the EFCC Act and Section 7(6) of the Money Laundering Act, 2022. These provisions allow a temporary 72-hour restriction on suspicious accounts before securing a formal court order. Uwujaren emphasized that the move was purely driven by intelligence gathered on August 2 to preserve public funds, noting that a similar non-political intervention was successfully executed in Edo State prior to its recent election. However, the timing of the freeze sparked immediate resistance from the Osun State Government. Led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, the state authorities swiftly filed a lawsuit against the commission at the Federal High Court in Abuja. In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1762/2026, the state is demanding ₦2 billion in exemplary damages. The plaintiffs argue that the EFCC and First Bank restricted the statutory account without a subsisting court order, leaving the state`s financial operations paralyzed on the eve of a critical election. In its originating summons, the Osun State Government strongly condemned the bank directive as an act of executive lawlessness and a flagrant abuse of statutory powers. The state`s legal team has asked the court to determine whether the freeze constitutes an unlawful suppression of the constitutional functions of a federating unit. They contend that the agency`s actions directly threaten the financial autonomy of the state and infringe upon the democratic rights of the people of Osun. The situation has also ignited a fierce wave of public fury across Nigeria, particularly on social media. Citizens and opposition groups have heavily criticized the anti-graft agency, with many demanding the immediate resignation or removal of the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede. While some civil society groups and legal experts have backed President Tinubu`s decision to maintain regional stability, opposition parties remain skeptical, openly questioning the presidency`s explanation of the events. In a personally signed statement, President Tinubu clarified that while he supports the independent mandate of anti-corruption agencies, preserving public confidence in election credibility remains paramount. "Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial election," Tinubu stated. "Therefore, nothing ought to be done to give an impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the Federal Government is being used to interfere with the election." Following the presidential directive, the EFCC is expected to approach the federal court immediately to vacate the restriction order and discontinue its current proceedings against the state account. The development leaves the ₦11 billion corruption investigation in a delicate balance as political actors refocus their attention entirely on the upcoming August 15 polls.

Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command, in a joint security operation, have successfully rescued a 17-year-old boy who was kidnapped near a government forest reserve in the state. THENEWSCREDIT reports that the victim, identified as Daneri Alhaji Yaro, was abducted by gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday, 5 August 2026, at Aladere Village, located via Ikoyi-Ile in the Oriire Local Government Area of Ogbomoso. Following the sudden abduction, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area immediately activated an emergency response protocol and mobilized a high-powered tactical team to storm the axis. The rescue squad comprised a combined team of regular police operatives, members of the Western Nigeria Security Network popularly known as the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes, and hunter associations. The security forces launched a coordinated search-and-rescue mission inside the dense terrain surrounding the Government Reserve Forest, forcing the criminal elements to abandon their captive. In a statement available to THENEWSCREDIT on Thursday evening, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the total success of the joint security operation. Ayanlade stated that the victim was rescued entirely unhurt from the forest and has since been reunited with his family, while security forces maintain a presence in the area to track down the fleeing suspects.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered two additional fake federal agencies set up by a syndicate inside the government. The phantom bodies, named the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, were created using forged legislative documents to run illegal operations. This discovery emerged during an ongoing probe into Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi, the self-proclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, disclosed the fresh details on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after presenting an interim report to President Bola Tinubu. Investigators established that the entire PFIPC operation was a fraud, as Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government. The council itself had no legal backing, having never been created by an Act of the National Assembly or any executive order. Armed with a forged appointment letter, Adeyemi and his syndicate unlawfully took over the offices and official instruments of the defunct Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC). Operating directly from the former PEAC headquarters, the group engaged in impersonation and false representation by exploiting weak verification links between government organs. To expand their reach, Adeyemi later altered the name of the illegal body from the Foreign Investment Promotion Council to the Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. The ICPC revealed that this tactical name change was specifically aimed at widening the fake agency`s scope to include illegal revenue generation. Despite the sophistication of the operation, the ICPC confirmed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and State House financial networks remained secure. The interim findings showed that no public funds were approved or disbursed to the fake PFIPC or PEAC accounts, ruling out systemic financial breaches. However, the probe exposed deep institutional rot, naming key officials across major government offices as active collaborators. The implicated workers span the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. Other accomplices were traced to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Budget Office, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The anti-graft agency has now recommended the immediate prosecution of Adeyemi and strict disciplinary action against all compromised civil servants. Dr. Aliyu stressed that the investigation is still ongoing and more details are being gathered to file comprehensive criminal charges against the suspects. Receiving the report, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency and vowed to ensure absolute accountability in resolving the matter.