Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Wednesday morning
Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian newspapers:
1. A forensic investigator with the Department of State Services, Segun Kayode on Tuesday alleged that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai and some of his associates earmarked $600,000 to settle officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and intermediaries. Kayode, the first prosecution witness in the ongoing trial, made the allegation while testifying before the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo, Kaduna, presided over by Justice Darius Khobo.
2. The revised All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council list for the 2027 general election has named the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola and the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, among its members. This was contained in the revised list made available to journalists on Tuesday.
3. The Presidential Campaign Council of the Allied Peoples Movement has demanded full disclosure of the procurement process, contractor selection, contract cost and payment records for the N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, citing concerns over transparency, accountability and the recent realignment of the road. The Director-General of the council, Felix Hyat, made the demand on Tuesday following the announcement by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, that the highway’s route had been realigned.
4. Three children aged six, eight and 12 have drowned in an abandoned fish pond in Saniko community, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. The victims were identified as Great Anthony Ikpera, 6; Goodluck Anthony Ikpera, 8; and Vwegba Jite Ikpera, 12. They were members of the Ikpera family from Awirhe Community, Agbarha-Otor.
5. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has uncovered underground tunnels at a heavily fortified suspected drug hideout in Asaba, Delta State, amid investigations into whether the facility was used for other criminal activities. The NSCDC said its Commandant’s Patrol Team discovered the tunnels during an operation on Monday, October 12, at Fallingwater Colehouse, Yahweh Close, off Akara Junction, along the 74 Junction–Asaba Specialist Hospital axis.
6. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has uncovered an alleged large-scale counterfeit alcoholic beverage operation at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, seizing products valued at more than N2 billion. The agency said its Investigation and Enforcement Directorate carried out the raid on Tuesday following credible intelligence, uncovering more than 20 illegal stores allegedly used for illicit activities within the complex.
7. The Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Benue State, has ordered the suspension of activities at its institutions, including schools and hospitals, in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area (LGA), over repeated attacks, arson, burglary and alleged harassment of its personnel. The affected institutions are St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, Salus Mind Care Center and its chaplaincy, and St. Winifred Parish.
8. The All Progressives Congress, APC, spokesperson, Felix Morka has dismissed reports of a rift between the party’s governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, saying there was no real tension between them. Morka said the perceived disagreement was a “false battle” because both the APC governors and Wike were committed to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.
9. Shell Petroleum B.V. on Tuesday announced the sale of its full interest in Shell Nigeria Gas Group to Vaaris Energy Limited, a Nigerian company. In a statement made available to reporters, the company said the deal covers its domestic gas distribution business in Nigeria.
10. The Senate has resolved to investigate budgetary provisions for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force, NAF. aircraft following a crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, that claimed 25 lives. The resolution followed a motion moved by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Osita Ngwu, on recurring military aircraft accidents and the need to strengthen aviation safety.
Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Wednesday morning