Oyo Nuggets

Nigerian Priest in US Dies by Su***de After Ordered Return to Nigeria

A Nigerian Catholic priest serving in the United States, Rev. Benjamin Okwy Madu, has died by su***de in Massachusetts, days after he was directed to return to Nigeria following the expiration of his religious worker visa.

The 54-year-old priest died on July 2, 2026, at his residence in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, according to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, where he had served as a hospital chaplain and parish priest on Cape Ann since 2021.

His R-1 religious worker visa was due to expire on July 29, but reports by the Boston Globe indicated that his home Roman Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki had instructed him to return to Nigeria before that date in preparation for a new pastoral assignment scheduled to begin on August 4.

According to reports, Madu had repeatedly expressed fears about returning to Nigeria. In a farewell message published on his parish's website and in remarks made to parishioners weeks before his death, he disclosed that leaving the United States was not his personal decision but one compelled by circumstances beyond his control.

The Boston Globe further reported that the priest suffered a panic attack while driving to celebrate Mass on the Sunday preceding his death and was treated at a hospital emergency department before being discharged.

In an internal email to fellow clergy, Boston Archbishop Richard Henning confirmed that Madu had "tragically took his own life," according to the National Catholic Register. However, the Archdiocese's official public statement announcing his death did not specify su***de as the cause.

Authorities in Massachusetts have opened an investigation into the incident. The Essex County District Attorney's Office confirmed that the Massachusetts State Police are investigating the death but said there was no indication of foul play.

Meanwhile, the US-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition linked the tragedy to what it described as the emotional trauma Madu experienced over the prospect of returning to southeastern Nigeria, where Catholic priests have increasingly faced kidnapping, attacks and killings. The coalition also cited delays in the renewal of religious worker visas under current US immigration policies as a contributing factor.

Born on May 15, 1972, in Ebonyi State, Madu was ordained a Catholic priest at St. Theresa Cathedral, Abakaliki, and had ministered in the Archdiocese of Boston for nearly six years under successive religious worker visas. He was due to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination on July 7, just five days after his death.

His passing has sparked renewed conversations within religious and advocacy circles over the security challenges facing clergy in parts of Nigeria and the immigration hurdles confronting foreign religious workers serving in the United States.

Source: Punch Newspaper

NAF Publishes 2025 Recruitment List, Successful Candidates to Begin Training July 19

The Nigerian Air Force has released the list of successful candidates for its Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) 46/2025 recruitment exercise, with successful applicants directed to report for training on July 19, 2026.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Ehimen Ejodame, and posted on the Force's official page.

According to the statement, the names of successful candidates have been uploaded to the Nigerian Air Force's official recruitment portal following the completion of the selection interview process.

The Air Force directed all successful applicants to report to the NAF Military Training Centre, NAF Base, Kaduna, on Sunday, July 19, 2026, where they will commence the Basic Military Training Course.

Candidates have also been instructed to report with the original copies and photocopies of all their academic and personal credentials, alongside other required items specified in the joining instructions available on the recruitment portal.

The service urged successful applicants to carefully study the reporting guidelines before proceeding to the training centre to avoid delays or disqualification during documentation.

The Nigerian Air Force further reiterated that its recruitment process remains completely free of charge, warning applicants against fraudsters or individuals demanding money in exchange for enlistment or recruitment assistance.

It advised candidates and members of the public to disregard anyone claiming to have the capacity to influence the recruitment process, stressing that no payment is required at any stage of the exercise.

Applicants were encouraged to visit the official Nigerian Air Force recruitment portal to verify the list of successful candidates and obtain detailed joining instructions ahead of the commencement of training.

Source: Punch Newspaper

Kebbi Governor Approves ₦2.11bn Gratuities for 772 Retirees, Families

Governor Nasir Idris has approved the release of ₦2.11 billion for the payment of gratuities and death benefits to 772 retirees and families of deceased public servants in Kebbi State.

The approval covers retired state and contract workers, former employees of the Local Government Service, retirees from the Local Government Education Authorities, as well as the next of kin of deceased workers entitled to death benefits.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the state's Head of Service, Malami Shakari, through the Director of Administration, Rashidu Muhammad Bala.

According to the statement, the governor approved the release of ₦2,110,403,965.83 to offset gratuities and death benefits that accrued between September 16, 2025, and January 15, 2026.

The Head of Service said the approval underscores the administration's commitment to the timely settlement of retirement entitlements and the welfare of retired civil servants who dedicated years of service to the state.

He added that the payment is expected to ease the financial burden on retirees and the families of deceased workers while reaffirming the government's resolve to fulfil its obligations to public servants.

The latest intervention forms part of Governor Idris' broader efforts to improve workers' welfare, strengthen confidence in the civil service and ensure that retirement benefits are paid without unnecessary delays.

Source: Punch Newspaper

INEC Recognises David Mark-Led ADC, Confirms Submission of 471 Candidates for 2027 Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission has confirmed that it will recognise only the candidates submitted by the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 general election, effectively shutting out the party's rival faction from the nomination process.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed that the electoral commission granted the Mark-led National Executive Committee access to its restricted nomination portal following the Supreme Court judgment affirming its leadership of the party.

According to Haruna, the recognised faction has already uploaded candidates for 471 elective positions, comprising two presidential candidates, 109 senatorial candidates and 360 House of Representatives candidates.

He explained that the Supreme Court judgment established the legal authority of the Mark-led leadership, adding that the rival faction had no legal basis to submit candidates after failing in its bid for recognition.

The clarification came amid claims by a factional leader, Nafiu Gombe, that his camp had successfully uploaded the ADC's candidates through INEC's nomination portal.

Reacting to the commission's position, the ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, welcomed INEC's clarification and accused Gombe of attempting to mislead the public.

The party further called for the investigation and prosecution of the factional leader, insisting that INEC never issued him or members of his camp access credentials to the commission's restricted portal.

The latest development appears to settle the dispute over which faction has the legal authority to present candidates for the 2027 elections, following months of internal leadership tussles within the ADC.

Source: Punch Newspaper

Edo Police Rescue Kidnapped AAU Students, Kill One Suspect

The Edo State Police Command has rescued three students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who were kidnapped by gunmen in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The students were abducted on Sunday, July 12, 2026, during an attack in the Ujemen G.T. Extension area of Ekpoma. One student, Peter Ekpen, a 24-year-old 300-level undergraduate, was killed during the attack.

The rescued students were identified as Praise Obagbalu, 18, Favour Okoroji, 21, and Balogun Precious, 19.

State Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Agbonika, disclosed the development on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the Nigeria Police Divisional Headquarters in Ekpoma.

Represented by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Moses Joel Yamu, the commissioner said the command received a distress report that armed men suspected to be kidnappers had attacked the area and abducted the students.

He said the commissioner immediately ordered the deployment of tactical teams for a joint rescue operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) and local hunters.

According to the police, the rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday at the kidnappers' hideout in the Erah Forest, where security operatives engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle.

One of the suspected kidnappers was neutralised, while another was arrested with gunshot injuries. The three abducted students were rescued unharmed.

The police said the operation led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, three magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, five mobile phones, two power banks, a charger, a lady's handbag and other incriminating items.

Agbonika commended the bravery, professionalism and resilience of officers and personnel of the Edo State Police Command, the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps and local hunters whose joint efforts led to the successful operation.

He also appreciated the support of the Edo State Government and members of the public for providing timely and credible information that aided the operation.

Speaking to journalists after their rescue, the three students said they were held in the forest by their captors, who repeatedly moved them from one location to another while demanding that they contact their relatives to raise ransom.

They said they were eventually rescued by the joint security team without any ransom being paid.

Fake PFIPC DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi Arrested

The self-styled Director-General of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, has been arrested. His arrest comes moments after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a warrant for his arrest.

: BREAKING: Tinubu Breaks 46-year Jinx as Ajaokuta Steel Finally Comes Alive with $NNPCL 20-year Gas Deal

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unlocked Ajaokuta Steel Company with a historic 20-year Gas Supply Agreement between Ajaokuta Steel and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.

Tinubu Breaks 46-year Jinx as Ajaokuta Steel Finally…
The deal was signed by Prof. Nasir Abdulsalam, MD/CEO of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.

For the first time since 1979, the steel plant now has what investors said it needed most: guaranteed, uninterrupted gas for the next 20 years.

—THE DEADLOCK IS OVER—

Built to be the heart of Nigeria’s industrial revolution, Ajaokuta has sat idle for nearly half a century. Billions were spent. Committees came and went. But no gas, no steel.

Africans& Diaspora

That wall just fell.

Industry experts are calling this “the single biggest breakthrough in Nigeria’s industrial history.”

With gas secured, the last major obstacle to production has been removed.

—WHAT THIS MEANS FOR NIGERIA—

Analysts say this is a direct win for Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” focused on industrialization and economic diversification.

Here’s what’s coming:

1. THOUSANDS OF JOBS- Direct and indirect employment for Nigerians across construction, mining, logistics and manufacturing

2. END TO STEEL IMPORTS – Nigeria spends billions yearly importing steel. Ajaokuta will slash that bill and save foreign exchange

3. BOOST TO MANUFACTURING – From cars to construction to rail, local industries will now have cheaper, made-in-Nigeria steel

4. INVESTOR CONFIDENCE – With gas guaranteed, local and foreign investors are expected to flood in to complete the plant

“Investor confidence will skyrocket,” one analyst said. “This is the signal everyone has been waiting for.”

—A NATION THAT REFUSED TO GIVE UP—

For 46 years, Nigerians watched the “sleeping giant of Africa” rust away.

Today that giant is stirring.

“This agreement means Ajaokuta is finally on the threshold of production,” a senior industry source said. “It may soon begin fulfilling the role it was built for — to power Nigeria’s economic transformation.”

For millions of Nigerians who grew up hearing about Ajaokuta but never saw it work, this is more than a gas deal.
It’s hope. It’s jobs. It’s independence.

The 46-year wait may finally be over...

Kano Police Thwart Suspected Bandits’ Plot, Recover Ammunition, Fake Military Uniforms and Identity Card

The Kano State Police Command has recorded another major operational success, arresting a suspected bandit and recovering AK-47 ammunition, military uniforms, and other incriminating items during an intelligence-led operation in Bichi Local Government Area.

The operation followed credible intelligence from a vigilant resident who reported three men dressed in military uniforms riding a motorcycle through Rimaye Village on Sunday evening.

Police operatives swiftly intercepted the suspects, who attempted to flee on sighting the officers. After a brief pursuit, one suspect, Muhammad Isa, 28, of Dan Dinshe, Yamma Quarters in Dala Local Government Area, was arrested, while his two accomplices escaped into nearby bushes.

Lagos NURTW Organising Secretary Toba Ajiboye Dies After Gun Attack

The Organising Secretary of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Toba Ajiboye, has died after being shot by unidentified gunmen on Sunday night.

His death was announced on Tuesday, throwing members of the transport union, associates, and supporters into mourning.

According to sources, Ajiboye was attacked by armed assailants on Sunday night. Although the circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear, he reportedly sustained gunshot wounds and later succumbed to his injuries.

The motive behind the attack has yet to be established, while security agencies have not issued an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

News of Ajiboye's death comes after earlier reports suggested that he had survived the shooting. However, fresh information confirmed that he later died from injuries sustained during the attack.

His killing has sparked concern among transport workers and residents, with many calling on security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.