The Yobe State Police Command has taken a nine-year-old boy into custody following a horrific arson attack that claimed the lives of his two stepmothers and two younger brothers. The tragic incident occurred at Rugan Badal, a rural settlement within the Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, throwing the entire community into deep mourning and shock. According to police authorities, the minor intentionally set the family home ablaze as an act of retaliation against his father, Abubakar Idi. The father had severely disciplined the boy the previous day after community members caught him trying to steal and sell a family fowl, subsequently reporting the incident to his parents. Paraded by the police alongside his father in Damaturu, the minor confessed to the crime, detailing how he orchestrated the fatal attack. He disclosed that he purchased ₦50 worth of matches from a neighborhood shop and struck the fire while his stepmothers and younger brothers were fast asleep inside the house, ensuring they were trapped as the flames rapidly spread. In a chilling admission, the suspect revealed that he initially raised an alarm for help to conceal his involvement while the house burned. His role in the tragedy only came to light three days later during a community prayer session for the deceased, where he confessed to his family, leading to his immediate arrest by local police. Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Adamu-Ali, stressed the gravity of the offense despite the suspect`s tender age. He assured the public that the Command is conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arson to determine the appropriate legal and juvenile justice procedures. Meanwhile, the heartbreaking incident has sparked intense national concern over parental discipline and the emotional wellbeing of minors. It has also renewed urgent public debates regarding psychological monitoring for troubled children and the ease with which minors can access potentially dangerous materials like matches and accelerants.

A senior lecturer at the Edo State-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, has died following an alleged sexual encounter with a 21-year-old commercial sex worker in a hotel room, THENEWSCREDIT reports. The deceased, identified as Dr. Matthew Uwuigbe, reportedly slumped and died on Sunday at a hotel located in the Mosco area of Ekpoma, within the Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. According to details gathered by THENEWSCREDIT, Dr. Uwuigbe checked into the hotel with the sex worker, identified as Angela Defa Jacob, and died moments after the romp. The Edo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Tuesday, revealing that three individuals—including the sex worker, the hotel owner, and the hotel manager—have been taken into custody. The Spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, detailed the report received by the authorities: "On October 5, 2026, at about 8 pm, the command received a report that Matthew Uwuigbe, a lecturer at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, had lodged at a hotel in Ekpoma and engaged the services of a 21-year-old sex worker, Angela Defa Jacob. He subsequently sent the woman to purchase water for him, and upon her return, she found him lying dead in the room." Spokesperson Ikoedem added that an active investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of death. The lecturer`s body has since been deposited at the Oriaifo Memorial Hospital mortuary. "We are not denying that he is our staff, but whatever he did and what happened, it is his private life," Aladenika stated. "The girl in question is not our student, and everything happened outside our institution."

Gunmen suspected to be terrorists have ambushed a chartered vehicle along a major highway, killing the driver and abducting at least 18 students from the Gamji College of Health Technology, Sokoto. The victims, who are indigenes of the Oke-Ogun zone in Oyo State, were traveling home for academic holidays when the tragic incident occurred. The heavily armed attackers reportedly intercepted the commercial bus within the past 48 hours, catching the passengers off guard. Witnesses stated that the assailants opened fire on the vehicle to force it to a halt, killing the commercial driver on the spot before marching the terrified students into the nearby forests. Intelligence sources indicate that the kidnappers led the victims towards the Mokwa axis in Niger State, a region notorious for serving as a transit route for criminal gangs. Security agencies and local vigilante groups have reportedly been activated along the axis to track down the perpetrators and secure the safe release of the students. The incident has triggered widespread panic among parents and regional associations. An Oke-Ogun youth leader confirmed the development, clarifying that the affected youths were indeed students of the health technology college and correcting earlier media speculations that falsely identified them as students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. However, conflicting narratives have emerged following the viral report. The management of Gamji College of Health Technology has come out to strongly deny the incident. The institution`s Registrar, Abdulrahman Bello, issued a statement declaring that all students of the college are safe and accounted for, labeling the viral kidnapping reports as entirely false and misleading. Despite the school`s denial, regional youth groups and local sources maintain that the chartered bus departed Sokoto with Oyo-bound passengers who have yet to arrive at their destinations. Family members of the traveling students have expressed immense anxiety, urging security agencies to thoroughly investigate the route to verify the true situation. Highway kidnappings targeting students and mass commuters have remained a critical security challenge across Nigeria`s northern and central transport corridors. Security experts continue to advise educational institutions and student unions to coordinate travel itineraries directly with security escorts to minimize vulnerability on volatile roads. As at the time of filing this report, the police commands of the affected transit states have not released an official situation report. Joint security operations are expected to continue combing the border forests between Kwara, Niger, and Kogi states to locate the missing vehicle and its occupants.

A peaceful burial ceremony in Aleto, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, descended into tragedy when a presiding cleric collapsed and died while delivering a sermon on mortality. The deceased, identified as Deacon Steve Eyo, was the Resident Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Aleto. According to eyewitness accounts, over 300 mourners were in attendance, listening to the cleric`s sermon titled "The Certainty of Death and Hope Beyond." During the sermon, Deacon Eyo reportedly emphasized the unpredictable nature of mortality, comparing human life to a marketplace where some departures happen early and others later. "Number your days and prepare, for it can happen anytime," the pastor reportedly told the congregation moments before the tragedy struck. At approximately 1:25 p.m., roughly 15 minutes into his message, the cleric abruptly dropped his microphone and collapsed to the ground. Because the sermon had focused heavily on the suddenness of death, several attendees initially believed the collapse was a dramatic illustration to enforce his point. However, the congregation quickly realized the minister was in severe medical distress. Church ministers and choir members immediately gathered to administer first aid while offering prayers. In a desperate bid to save his life, Deacon Eyo was rushed to a nearby medical facility using the same ambulance hired to convey the remains of the deceased individual being buried. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital, and his body was subsequently moved to the mortuary. The incident has left the local community, church members, and the bereaved family in deep shock, mourning a minister whose final words tragically mirrored his own sudden passing.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has officially reduced the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, across its retail outlets. This downward adjustment offers immediate, much-needed relief to Nigerian motorists and households navigating a challenging economic climate. A market survey conducted on Wednesday morning confirmed that NNPCL retail stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and its immediate environs have already updated their electronic display boards to reflect the cheaper pricing template. The state-owned oil giant effectively slashed its fuel price by ₦25 per litre. Consequently, consumers who previously paid ₦1,395 per litre will now purchase the essential commodity at ₦1,370 per litre at all authorized NNPCL stations. The immediate implementation of this new price regime was observed at several major NNPCL hubs in Abuja. These include high-traffic stations located at Wuse Zone 6, Wuse Zone 4, and the Air Junction axis, where motorists were already enjoying the reduced rates. This strategic price review is a direct response to a recent supply-chain intervention by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The mega-refinery recently initiated a market-friendly move by cutting its gantry petrol price by ₦25, bringing it down to ₦1,325 per litre. The NNPCL is not the first major marketer to respond to the refinery’s price drop. Major Energies Marketers, including MRS filling stations, had already adjusted their retail prices downward to ₦1,370 per litre forty-eight hours earlier to remain competitive. Meanwhile, this domestic price reduction occurs against the backdrop of a highly volatile international energy market. At the time of filing this report, global benchmark Brent crude stood at $103 per barrel, while the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) blend traded firmly at $90 per barrel.

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old housewife, Hauwa’u Haruna, for allegedly killing her co-wife during a violent domestic fight. The tragic incident took place at the Tafawa Balewa Housing Estate in Bauchi. The police spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Monday. He said the incident happened around 4:05 p.m. on September 27, 2026, after the police received an emergency report about the fight. According to preliminary police investigations, Hauwa’u, who is the second wife, allegedly attacked the first wife, 43-year-old Jamila Adamu. Authorities believe the suspect was suffering from hallucinations at the time of the attack. During the argument, the suspect allegedly picked up a wooden pestle and hit Jamila hard on her forehead. The heavy blow caused the older woman to instantly lose consciousness and collapse to the ground. Detectives from the C-Division quickly moved to the scene after getting the report. They documented the crime scene and rushed the unconscious victim to the Specialist Hospital in Bauchi for urgent medical care. Unfortunately, doctors at the hospital certified Jamila dead upon arrival. Her body has been deposited at the hospital mortuary, where medical experts will perform an autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death. Police officers have recovered the pestle used in the attack to serve as evidence in court. The state Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered the case to be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a deeper investigation. The Commissioner offered his deep condolences to the grieving family and warned the public against domestic violence. He also advised families to seek medical and mental health support early whenever a relative shows signs of psychological challenges.

A deadly wave of alcohol poisoning caused by a local concoction known as ‘monkey tail’ has claimed at least 48 lives and left 134 others hospitalized across Ondo State, health authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The tragic breakthrough was made public following a joint laboratory investigation by the National Medical Association (NMA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Liaison Committee. According to officials, chemical analysis of samples retrieved from Odigbo, Irele, and surrounding Local Government Areas revealed lethal concentrations of industrial methanol mixed with Cannabis indica. Out of 182 individuals affected by the toxic batch so far, 48 fatalities have been recorded, while the survival of many hangs in the balance. The chemical aftermath has also proven catastrophic for survivors, leaving five victims permanently blind and two others with partial visual impairment. Dr. Azim Adekunle Ashimi, Chairman of the NMA-NAFDAC Liaison Committee, explained that methanol is an industrial solvent strictly prohibited from human consumption. He noted that once ingested, the human liver metabolizes the chemical into formic acid, a highly toxic compound that aggressively destroys the optic nerve and retinal cells. According to medical findings, this destructive metabolic process triggers rapid bodily failure. Victims across the affected local government areas presented with severe headaches, abdominal pain, generalized weakness, altered consciousness, acute breathing difficulties, and a distinct blurred or "snowfield" vision before collapsing. In response to the escalating health crisis, the committee has issued an urgent medical alert to healthcare providers in Ondo and neighboring states. Doctors and clinicians have been advised to maintain a high index of suspicion for patients exhibiting sudden blindness or unexplained metabolic failure following the consumption of local herbal or alcoholic mixtures. Dr. Ashimi emphasized that saving remaining victims requires immediate and aggressive medical intervention, including prompt resuscitation, airway management, and urgent haemodialysis where indicated. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have intensified operations, leading to the arrest of 15 suspects linked to the distribution of the lethal batch. To prevent future tragedies, the NMA-NAFDAC committee is demanding a total federal crackdown on informal distilleries, illegal herbal blending hubs, and open-market distribution loops. They have also called for an aggressive nationwide public sensitization campaign alongside stricter regulatory tracking of industrial methanol to block its illegal diversion into consumer beverages.

A routine stop-and-search operation turned fatal in the Egbeda area of Lagos State when a 20-year-old motorist allegedly ran over and killed a police sergeant. The tragedy, which threw the immediate community into panic, has once again raised concerns over the safety of law enforcement officers on the frontline of public safety duties. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, disclosed the grim incident while briefing journalists at the command headquarters. Speaking on Tuesday during a review of the state command’s security achievements and activities for the month of September, the police boss expressed deep regret over the avoidable loss of the officer. According to the police commissioner, the incident occurred along Olugbede Street in Egbeda when a team of officers on routine duty signaled a Lexus ES 350 with registration number FKJ 223 KX to pull over. The vehicle was being driven by the 20-year-old suspect, identified as Olumide Olusola. CP Fatai alleged that while the young driver initially complied with the police signal, he suddenly accelerated the vehicle just as Sergeant Johnson Okediji approached to conduct the inspection. The abrupt surge caught the officer off guard, knocking him flat onto the asphalt before he was trapped beneath the moving sedan. In a desperate bid to escape, the motorist allegedly dragged the helpless police sergeant beneath the vehicle for several metres. Horrified fellow officers and a crowd of passing commuters immediately raised an alarm and gave hot chase, eventually forcing the vehicle to a halt and arresting the driver. Sergeant Okediji, who sustained severe head injuries and multiple bodily fractures, was rushed to a nearby medical facility for emergency treatment. He was subsequently referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where medical personnel unfortunately pronounced him dead on arrival. While speaking during a formal parade of suspects, Olusola vehemently denied intentionally causing the officer’s death, attributing the entire disaster to an unpredicted mechanical malfunction. "I did not kill the policeman intentionally; it was due to the vehicle’s brake failure," the driver pleaded, as police confirmed that the vehicle has been impoured and forensic investigations are ongoing.

Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested two suspected kidnappers in connection with the abduction of a 38-year-old resident, identified as Nathaniel Peter. The victim was reportedly abducted from his residence at Layeri Village, located via Ikoyi-Ile, in Oyo State. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the development in an official statement released on Sunday. According to Ayanlade, the arrested suspects—identified as Muhammadu Abubakar and 17-year-old Jayun Danali—are currently in police custody and assisting with investigations. Detailing the incident, the police spokesperson revealed that a three-man armed gang forced their way into Peter`s room before whisking him away to an unknown destination. “Preliminary findings revealed that three of the armed men forcibly gained entry into the room of Nathaniel Peter, aged 38 years, and abducted him from the premises,” Ayanlade said. “In continuation of the investigation and efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction, operatives arrested two suspects, namely Muhammadu Abubakar, male, adult, and Jayun Danali, male, aged 17 years, who are currently assisting the police with information relevant to the investigation.” The police added that a manhunt has been launched, and tactical efforts are actively ongoing to track down and arrest the remaining members of the criminal gang.

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 43-year-old Edebiri Temitope for allegedly beating his neighbour to death with a bamboo stick. The incident occurred at the Bluestone Treasure Estate in the Mowe-Ofada area of Ogun State. The suspect allegedly attacked 38-year-old Michael Oje, a Guidance and Counselling graduate from Benue State University, after accusing him of playing too roughly with his three-year-old son. According to Peter Adum, a younger cousin of the deceased, the altercation began on August 26. Oje had just returned from work when the suspect’s young son ran to him. Oje reportedly hugged the boy, playfully threw him into the air, and caught him before heading to his room to rest. "While he was sleeping, Edebiri came and knocked on his door," Adum explained. "When Mike came out, the man accused him of playing roughly with his child. Mike explained that he only hugged the boy and lifted him into the air. That was how the man started slapping Mike. He then picked up a bamboo stick from the ground and hit him about three times. Mike fell and died on the spot." Following the incident, Temitope reportedly fled the estate and went into hiding with his family. Confirming the arrest on Friday, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, stated that the fleeing suspect has been apprehended and moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further interrogation. "Edebiri Temitope, ‘M’, aged 43 years, who was earlier reported to be at large, has been arrested in connection with the death of Oje Michael Eje," DSP Babaseyi said. "The suspect has been transferred to the State CID, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation."