Month: October 2026

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will address Nigerians at 7am on Thursday, October 1, as part of activities marking the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Onanuga advised television and radio stations, as well as other electronic media organisations, to link up with the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) for the broadcast.

The address will be Tinubu’s fourth Independence Day broadcast since he assumed office as President on May 29, 2023.

The annual presidential broadcast has become a major part of Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations, which commemorate the country’s attainment of independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960.

During the nationwide address, Tinubu is expected to speak on the state of the nation and outline key policies and programmes of his administration.

The 2026 Independence Day celebration is expected to be low-key, with the government placing emphasis on reflection rather than elaborate festivities.

The Federal Government has also announced the theme of this year’s anniversary as “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Three vigilantes from Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State have reportedly been killed by suspected bandits while returning from Agwara in neighbouring Niger State.

The incident was reported on Wednesday by North-West crisis reporter Bakatsine in a post on his X account.

The victims were identified as Abubakar Mai Nera, the vigilante commander in Saminaka, Tanko Sarki and Amadu Saminaka. They were said to be from Saminaka and Bakinturu communities.

According to local sources cited by Bakatsine, the vigilantes came under attack around Kasabo, Binuwa and Mago, locations along the River Kwara near the Niger-Kebbi border.

The attackers reportedly set the victims ablaze after the assault.

The incident was said to have occurred on Friday, but the bodies of the three vigilantes had not been recovered as of Wednesday.

Local authorities and residents were reportedly conducting search operations to locate the victims and establish further details about the incident.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least three people have died while several others sustained injuries after a stampede at the Niger State Government House in Minna.

The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday night after a large crowd gathered at the Government House. The injured victims were taken to the General Hospital in Minna for treatment.

Reports indicated that the gathering was initially linked to efforts by government officials to engage youths who were planning a protest over the recent deaths of 37 artisanal miners in the state.

Two of the victims were identified as Dije and her daughter, Hurairat, who were internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area.

Hurairat’s husband, Abubakar, was reportedly killed by bandits in 2023 along the Allawa–Pandogari Road. Following repeated attacks that forced residents to abandon the community, Hurairat relocated to Minna as an IDP.

Sources said Dije, who was living with her husband in Gurmana, had travelled to visit her daughter when they heard reports that money would be distributed at the Government House. They subsequently joined the crowd.

Mallam Musa Allawa, an IDP, told journalists that the mother and daughter were scheduled to be buried on Wednesday morning.

Earlier, some government appointees had posted on social media that youths gathered at the Government House to express solidarity with Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.

However, a government source said the crowd later increased after reports spread that the governor would distribute N10,000 to people who gathered at the venue.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said the state government would issue an official statement on the incident.

The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, also said he would verify the incident and provide further details.