Top 10 Nigerian News Updates You Should Know Today Aug 09
1. Police Arrest Osun Environment Commissioner Over Ilesa Rally Shooting
The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, over a shooting incident that disrupted an All Progressives Congress campaign rally in Ilesa. Police said tactical officers intercepted a white Lexus vehicle linked to the incident, where suspected Amotekun personnel allegedly opened fire, injuring at least four people, including a boy.
Expended cartridges and Amotekun caps were reportedly recovered from the scene. The arrest has triggered a political reaction, with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign council describing it as politically motivated and calling on the Inspector-General of Police to order the commissioner’s immediate release.
The development comes just days before the August 15 governorship election and has further increased tension between the ruling Accord Party and the APC, with both sides trading allegations of political violence and security agencies taking sides.
2. Defence Headquarters Says Troops Rescue 363 Victims, Kill 69 Terrorists in One Week
The Defence Headquarters has announced that Nigerian troops rescued 363 kidnapped victims and neutralised 69 terrorists and other criminals during operations across the country within one week.
The largest operation resulted in the rescue of 308 abductees from the Kainji Lake National Park, including 163 people abducted from Woro community in Kwara State and 145 others from Niger State. Security forces also arrested suspected informants and logistics suppliers linked to criminal groups across different theatres.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Michael Onoja, said troops recovered arms and ammunition, disrupted terrorist logistics networks and dismantled illegal refining sites during the operations.
3. Bauchi Declares Cholera Emergency After 16 Deaths
The Bauchi State Government has declared a cholera outbreak emergency after recording 398 suspected cases and 16 deaths across 13 local government areas as of the end of July.
The state Ministry of Health said laboratory tests confirmed six cases of Vibrio cholerae, with Toro Local Government Area recording the highest number of suspected cases at 231. Alkaleri and Kirfi followed with 46 cases each.
Authorities have activated a multi-sectoral response involving disease surveillance, treatment centres, water and sanitation measures and community engagement. The state government is also seeking support from development partners as health officials work to contain the outbreak during the rainy season.
4. Police Arrest Five Pakistani Nationals in Benue, Recover 35 Phones
The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals during separate intelligence-led operations in Otukpo and Ugbokolo and recovered 35 mobile phones from them.
Police said three of the suspects were arrested at Adoka Motor Park on August 4 while attempting to board a vehicle. They reportedly claimed to be marketing cosmetics and gadgets but could not produce any of the products, while two others were arrested the following day at a hotel in Ugbokolo.
The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi for further investigation. Police said their movements and activities in the rural communities raised suspicion, while investigations continue to establish the purpose of their presence in the state.
5. ADC Rejects ICPC Report on Fake Presidential Agency
The African Democratic Congress has rejected the interim report submitted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
The party described the report as inadequate and questioned how an organisation described as fictitious could allegedly obtain office space at the Federal Secretariat, access to civil servants, official vehicles, security and a N1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 budget.
ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi accused the Federal Government of attempting to contain the political fallout rather than conducting a wider investigation. The ICPC had recommended the prosecution of principal suspect Adeniyi Adeyemi while also pointing to possible institutional lapses.
6. Peller and Jarvis Exchange Vows as Lawyer Questions N400m Mansion Gift
TikTok stars Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, and Elizabeth Amadou, known as Jarvis, have exchanged vows at their white wedding in Lagos. Peller became emotional and broke down in tears as Jarvis walked down the aisle during the private ceremony attended by family members, friends and selected entertainment figures.
The wedding, held on Saturday, followed their traditional ceremony on August 1 and an earlier civil wedding. Guests included singer Peter Okoye, former Big Brother Naija housemate Tacha, broadcaster Frank Edoho and comedian Nasty Blaq, while the ceremony was also livestreamed for fans.
Meanwhile, a lawyer has questioned the legal status of the N400 million Abuja mansion reportedly gifted to the couple by real estate entrepreneur King Ochacho. The lawyer said the presentation of keys, a Power of Attorney and allocation papers does not, on its own, amount to a perfected transfer of property title under Nigerian law.
7. NFF Denies Supporting Calls for FIFA President Infantino’s Resignation
The Nigeria Football Federation has denied reports that it supports calls for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign, describing the reports as an “outright falsehood.”
The clarification comes amid international controversy surrounding a failed World Cup commercial deal and pressure from some football federations. The NFF said it remains focused on its responsibilities within African and international football structures.
The federation’s statement is expected to end speculation that Nigeria had joined campaigns calling for changes at the top of FIFA.
8. Atiku Says Tinubu’s Policies Have Made Decent Living Unaffordable
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, arguing that rising costs have made decent living increasingly difficult for ordinary Nigerians.
Atiku said Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities, including housing, vehicles and other everyday needs. He referenced recent economic data and household surveys to support his argument that purchasing power remains under pressure.
His comments add to growing opposition criticism of the administration’s fiscal and monetary reforms. Cost-of-living pressures, public debt and the impact of economic policies are expected to remain major issues in Nigeria’s political debate ahead of the 2027 elections.
9. Adeleke Campaign Council Demands Redeployment of Osun Police Commissioner
The campaign organisation of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called on the Inspector-General of Police to redeploy the state Commissioner of Police over alleged partisanship.
The demand follows the arrest of Environment Commissioner Mayowa Adejoorin after the shooting at an APC campaign rally in Ilesa. Adeleke’s campaign team has accused the police of selective enforcement and alleged that security agencies are not treating the political parties equally.
The August 15 governorship election has heightened tensions in Osun, with the APC and the ruling Accord Party trading accusations over political violence and alleged sponsorship of thuggery. The police have continued to maintain that their actions are guided by security considerations.
10. Military Reports Further Gains Against Banditry and Insurgency
Nigerian troops have continued clearance operations against terrorists and bandits in Zamfara and other areas affected by insecurity, with security authorities reporting the recovery of weapons, cash and military equipment.
The operations formed part of the wider military campaign that also produced the large-scale rescue of 363 kidnapped victims within one week. Defence authorities said troops are maintaining pressure on criminal networks across several operational theatres.
The military said operations would continue as security forces work to disrupt the activities of terrorist and bandit groups. The rainy season has added operational challenges in some areas, but authorities said the tempo of operations remains high.
