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The Lagos State Government has announced temporary road closures across major corridors in the state ahead of the inauguration of critical infrastructure projects scheduled for April 8 and 9, 2026, urging motorists to plan alternative routes to avoid traffic disruptions. In a travel advisory issued by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation and obtained by The PUNCH, the government said the restrictions are necessary to ensure safety and smooth movement during the commissioning activities. The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the partial closures would affect key locations in Ikeja, Ojota, Ajegunle and Victoria Island, as the state prepares to inaugurate major projects. “The Lagos State Government wishes to inform the motoring public of partial road closures for the commissioning events of critical infrastructure projects on Wednesday, 8th April, 2026, and Thursday, 9th April, 2026,” the statement read. It added that the temporary traffic restrict...

Popular Fuji musician, Saheed Okunola, popularly called Saheed Osupa, has declared that he truly engages in voodoo to better his life and become successful. Osupa disclosed while performing on stage at the 52nd-year celebration for veteran actor Fatai Odua, popularly known as Lalude, on March 30, 2026. In the now-trending video on Wednesday, the popular Fuji star was seen advising his backup singers to resort to voodoo to aid their remembrance, as they appeared not to be keeping pace with his musical delivery during the stage performance. He then revealed the items expected of them to take while clarifying that the effort does not make them fetish but only aids their well-being. Speaking further, Osupa revealed that someone had even advised him a while ago to deny using supernatural powers, fondly called juju. Still, he shunned the suggestion. “Somebody told me one time to grant an interview, denying that I’m a fetish person, but I told him that I am, and why should I deny ...

Nigeria is positioning itself to benefit from rising global oil prices while managing the associated economic risks, according to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. Speaking in Abuja at a World Bank presentation on Nigeria’s Development Update, Edun said the Federal Government intends to maximise revenue gains from higher crude oil prices amid ongoing global tensions, particularly the Middle East crisis. He noted that Nigeria, as an oil-producing nation, stands to both gain and lose from rising prices. While increased oil prices boost government revenue, they also raise costs across the economy, especially in energy and food production. Edun explained that higher gas prices are already contributing to inflation by increasing fertiliser costs, which in turn drives up food prices and places additional strain on households. He warned that inflation remains a major concern, especially as global uncertainties persist. He also highlighted...

Donald Trump has agreed to suspend the “destructive force” he previously threatened against Iran, announcing a two-week ceasefire aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the agreement as a “big day for World Peace,” adding that the United States would assist in easing traffic through the strait, which has remained largely closed during the ongoing conflict. The ceasefire was announced shortly before Trump’s deadline for Iran, with the waterway, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, having been effectively blocked over the past month. Trump said Iran had proposed a “workable” 10-point peace plan to help end the war, although he later described the same plan as fraudulent without providing further details. He stated that the decision to suspend military action followed discussions with Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir, who urged restraint, contingent on Iran agreeing to the immediate...

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kano State Command, has arrested 20 foreign nationals in the Danbare area of Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state. Saintbillion  learnt that the suspects, comprising individuals from Sudan, Chad, and other neighbouring countries, were apprehended following credible intelligence and a coordinated operation by corps operatives. The state NSCDC Commandant, Mohammed Agalama, confirmed the arrests while addressing a news conference in Kano on Tuesday. “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kano State Command, wishes to inform the general public of the successful arrest of 20 foreign nationals in the Danbare area of Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State,” he said. Agalama stated that preliminary investigations indicated that the individuals could not provide valid travel or identification documents, raising concerns over their mode of entry and activities within the state. He added that exhibits recovered fro...

At least three suspects in connection with the murder of a 35-year-old man, Saleh Ibrahim, and the subsequent unrest in Zaki Local Government Area of Bauchi State have been arrested by the Bauchi State Police Command. PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident occurred on March 15, 2026, when Ibrahim, a resident of Sansan Village in Zaki LGA, was attacked and killed with a sharp object, suspected to be a cutlass, by unidentified assailants while riding his motorcycle, which was also stolen. Confirming the arrests in a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Nafi’u Habib, said investigations led to the apprehension of three suspects: Muhammad Jauro Haladu Yako, 28; Muhammad Wito, 27; and Ibrahim Muhammad, 19, all from Alagarno Village in Zaki LGA. “The suspects are being investigated for criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and disturbance of public peace in Zaki LGA,” the statement read in part. Habib s...

The Police Command in Lagos State has apprehended an 18-year-old suspect in connection with a N20m threat-to-life and ransom demand case. The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, disclosed during a briefing on Tuesday at the command headquarters in Ikeja. He said the arrest followed a carefully executed decoy operation by police operatives. According to him, the command received a complaint from the Ojokoro Local Council Development Area concerning a threat to life and a demand for N20m. “Acting on the information, operatives were immediately deployed to track and apprehend the suspect. “The suspect was apprehended on March 27 while attempting to collect the ransom during a sting operation. “Items recovered from him include an HP laptop and a flash drive, which are currently being examined as part of ongoing investigations,” he said. The commissioner said the suspect confessed to the crime and also admitted involvement in a previous attempted burglary at a commercial bank....

The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives have arrested a 31-year-old man, Kelechi Wufurum, for allegedly killing a commercial bus driver identified as Ifeanyi Abobo in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state. The 51-year-old victim was said to have been lured to the Ubima community under the pretext of a transport job, unaware that Wufurum had sinister motives. The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen at the command headquarters along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. Iringe-Koko said the suspect and the victim had an initial altercation before the former used a cutlass on the minibus driver near a forest and subsequently sold his vehicle for N2.4 million. She stated, “He hit him on the head, and when the victim tried to resist, he used a cutlass and struck him again on the head. The victim collapsed, and he zoomed off with his minibus and sold both the vehicle and his mobile phone...

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has urged parents and candidates to speak up if they are confident in their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination scores but are not admitted to their desired institutions. Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said this during an interview on Good Morning Nigeria, a Nigerian Television Authority’s programme. In a video posted by NTA on Tuesday, the registrar explained that many parents still resort to illegal means because they have “climbed the ladder to illegality” and believe no other path exists. He, however, stressed that the system is now transparent and designed to ensure fairness. “People are so daring, and the parents, because they have climbed the ladder to illegality, they believe there is no other way. “I’ve seen many people who sent their children’s scores to me and asked what they could do. I tell them I will do nothing, and the candidate is admitted—and they thank me. I did nothing,” Prof. Oloyede said. He ...

Some state chairmen of the African Democratic Congress on Tuesday claimed they had taken control of the party following the removal of the David Mark leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The chairmen, claimed to be representing 25 states and backed by the ADC 2023 Presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, stated that they constituted the National Executive Committee of the ADC and had taken over the party leadership. The group unveiled the Kogi State Chairman, Kingsley Ogga, as the new chairman, in a move that signals a significant shift amid the party’s ongoing internal crisis. Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the Abia State Chairman, Don Obinna, explained that the NEC endorsed Mark’s removal as the party chairman. However, the David Mark-led leadership of the party has dismissed the group, alleging that they are being sponsored by elements of the ruling All Progressives Congress. Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, speaking on C...

Two residents, Kingsley Adieme and Rachel Onyekachi, were sentenced to 3 months in prison for indiscriminate dumping of refuse in Lagos State.  The State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that the duo was arraigned before the magistrate court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.   They both pled guilty, Wahab added. 

A heavy downpour on Tuesday, April 7, caused a major traffic gridlock along the Nyanya–Keffi Expressway in Abuja, following severe damage to the Kugbo Bus Terminal.  The rainfall impacted parts of the newly built terminal, with sections of the roof affected and debris scattered onto the highway, obstructing vehicular movement.  The incident led to severe congestion along the busy corridor linking the Federal Capital Territory to neighbouring Nasarawa State, leaving many commuters stranded for hours. The terminal was commissioned in June 2025

Bandits have attacked Lanta, Tunga and Bagna communities in Erena Ward, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, leaving four peopled d3ad and several others injured.  The attack reportedly began around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 in Bagna, the hometown of former Niger State Commissioner for Internal Security, Emmanuel Umar, before spreading to neighbouring villages.   A source in Bagna told Daily Trust that while casualties were believed to be high, the exact number had yet to be confirmed as the situation remained tense.   According to the source, the assailants, who arrived in large numbers on motorcycles, operated unchallenged for several hours.  "So far, we have recovered three bodies. Many others sustained injuries of varying degrees. Many people have fled to Erena town, the only nearby community considered relatively safe. We are calling on the government to come to our rescue,” the source said.  The Niger State Commiss...

The Nigerian Communications Commission has announced that its directive requiring telecom operators to compensate subscribers for poor service quality will take effect from this month. In an FAQ released on Tuesday, April 7, the Commission clarified that the directive applies specifically to Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) that fail to meet their Quality of Service (QoS) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These include major operators such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile, although the NCC did not specify which of them fell short of the required standards. The Commission explained that the compensation framework covers service failures affecting voice calls, data services, and SMS. It also applies to both individual and corporate subscribers. According to the NCC, subscribers will qualify for compensation if they experienced poor network service in an affected Local Government Area and carried out at least one revenue-generating activity, such as a billed call, SMS, or...

Iran has reportedly cut off all diplomatic and indirect communication channels with the United States following a series of escalating developments tied to statements by Donald Trump. The move comes after Trump posted a strongly worded message on Truth Social, warning of severe consequences and suggesting the possibility of “complete and total regime change” in Iran. His comments followed reports of a strike on Kharg Island, a key oil export hub located in the Persian Gulf. According to Mehr News Agency, multiple explosions were heard on the island, with claims that the attacks were carried out by what it described as an “American-Zionist enemy.” However, initial reports indicated that oil refineries on the island were not directly hit. The developments occurred just hours before a deadline set by Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for international oil shipments. Iran’s decision to sever communication channels signals a further escalation in te...

After a long battle with blood clotting on his leg, veteran actor, John Okafor aka Mr Ibu has died. The actor passed away in a hospital in Lagos state on Saturday, March 2.  According to family sources, the actor has been on life support after he underwent a second surgery for his ailment recently. The family source said that his blood pressure has been over 200 after he had the surgery and that efforts were being made to stabilize it before he sadly passed away this evening.  The actor battled with constant clotting of blood on his leg (diseased blood vessels) and other health challenges for years. In October 2023, he came out publicly to seek financial assistance to treat his ailment. There were plans to fly him abroad for further medical care but that plan was aborted by his doctors who believed he wasn't fit to fly. During the cause of his treatment, his leg was amputated in November 2023. The actor is survived by his wife and children. He was 62 years old. ...

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should be in the Guinness World Records for “causing Nigerians the most hardship .”   Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, the former Anambra state governor noted that the average Nigerian should be able to judge the performance of President Tinubu so far since May 2023.    Recall that President Tinubu said he deserves to be included in the Guinness World Records over his performances in the country since he assumed leadership.   Reacting, Peter Obi said; “He may actually be correct when he claims that his name deserves to be in the Guinness World Records. Don’t forget that people’s names don’t always make it into the Guinness World Records for only altruistic reasons. So, it depends on which angle he is coming from. If the idea is to put his name in the Guinness Book of Records for causing Nigerians the most hardship – untold hardship, of course he i...

A 26-year-old female National Youth Service Corps, NYSC member, Sanni Mariam, of 2023 Batch C Stream 2, was among those who died in an accident in Imo State on Thursday. Other passengers and the driver were also reported dead when their vehicle had an accident en route to Lagos. It was gathered that Mariam was returning from her state of deployment, Benue State, and boarded a commercial bus heading to Lagos through Imo. According to information gathered by Vanguard, Mariam took a camp exit from Benue State. She was undergoing the three-week compulsory orientation. And camping was expected to end by Thursday next week. Mariam, a Computer Science graduate from Universite Protestante de Lafrique de l’Ouest, Benin Republic, was said to have won many awards for her platoon, including the Scrabble platoon game. Efforts to contact the Benue State NYSC State Coordinator proved unsuccessful. He was neither taking calls nor responding to messages at press time.

The nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards has been announced, and top Nigerian artistes made the list.   Nigerian artistes, Davido, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Asake, and Olamide have all been nominated for the 66th Grammy Awards. Burna Boy bagged a total of four nominations, while Davido earned three nominations for the 2024 event. Asake, Arya Starr and Olamide  The Nigerian singers were all nominated in the maiden Best African Music Performance category alongside South Africa’s Tyla. Asake and Olamide’s ‘Amapiano’, Burna Boy’s ‘City Boys’, Ayra Starr’s ‘Rush’, Davido and Musa Keys’ ‘Unavailable’, and Tyla’s ‘Water’ were the nominees in the newly created category. Burna Boy’s other nominations include; ‘Sitting On Top of the World’ featuring 21 Savage – Best Melodic Rap, ‘I Told Them’ – Best Global Music Album, and ‘Alone’ – Best Global Music Performance. Davido’s other nominations are; ‘Timeless’ – Best Global Music Album, and ‘Feel’ – Best Global Music Performanc...