1. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced the arrest of two candidates and a parent for falsifying 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination results using Artificial Intelligence and other electronic tools. The disclosure came on Friday as the board released scores for 632,788 candidates who sat the examination on Thursday, April 16.
2. Katsina State Police Command has arrested 26 suspected social miscreants in a major overnight operation aimed at restoring order in the state capital. The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Katsina on Friday.
3. The Federal Road Safety Corps, Kano Sector Command, has confirmed the death of four persons and 53 others injured in separate road crashes in Kano. The Public Relations Officer of the Sector Command, Abdullahi Labaran, confirmed the figures in a statement on Saturday.
4. Anambra State Police Command has arrested one male suspect, identified as Eric Nwombu, for alleged criminal impersonation and unlawful possession of JAMB examination materials. In a press statement on Saturday, the Spokesman for the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the operatives arrested the suspect under the IGP’s “Safe School Initiative”.
5. Plateau State Police Command has confirmed that two persons died and three others sustained injuries following an explosion at a filling station in Daffo District, Bokkos Local Government Area of the state. In a statement on Saturday signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, the command said the incident was mistakenly circulated online as a bomb blast, but was in fact an industrial accident.
6. The planned defection of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress has collapsed following disagreements over a proposed power-sharing formula. The consultations between the governor, his Turaki-led PDP faction, and the APC leadership ended in a deadlock after the ruling party reportedly rejected a 60–40 formula for the control of party structure in Bauchi State.
7. The All Progressives Congress, Kano State Chapter, has firmly debunked a statement allegedly issued by a group known as Arewa APC Forum, Kano State Chapter, claiming withdrawal of support for the second-term bid of President Bola Tinubu. In a statement on Saturday by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Auwalu Abdullahi, the APC described the claim as false, misleading, and a calculated attempt to tarnish the image of the party.
8. Suspected bandits have abducted a traditional ruler, his wife and another resident in a brazen midnight attack on the Olayinka community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The monarch is said to be among those recently elevated by the state government.
9. Tensions have sharply escalated in the Middle East as Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the United States of violating prior understandings amid an ongoing naval blockade. In a statement on Saturday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that control of the strategic waterway had “returned to its previous state,” citing continued US restrictions on Iranian ports as justification for the move.
10. The father of two victims abducted on Wednesday from a Benue Links bus en route to Otukpo has cried out over ransom demands by their captors, who he said are insisting on N9 million for each of his kidnapped children. The victims were among those seized when armed men intercepted the bus and forced passengers into nearby bush paths.
The Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Kwara State, Abubakar Kabir Basambo, has resigned from the party, accusing some of its leaders of hypocrisy, dishonesty and double standards.
Basambo announced his decision in a resignation letter dated October 23, 2026, addressed to the state party chairman through the Magaji Are 1 ward chairman and the chairman of Ilorin East Local Government Area.
He said his decision followed careful consideration of the party’s direction in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the letter, Basambo criticised some party leaders and members of the state executive committee, accusing them of failing to practise the values they publicly claim to uphold.
“This decision was not taken lightly. After deep reflection, I can no longer cope with the direction the party is going in the state.
“There is so much hypocrisy, lies, and double standards amongst some party leaders and State Excos who parade themselves as loyal leaders,” he stated.
The former spokesman also criticised the party’s governorship candidate, Zakari Mohammed, alleging that his arrogance, alongside the conduct of some members, had contributed to his decision to leave.
He warned that the alleged behaviour of some party leaders could prevent the ADC from growing if it was not addressed.
“If this situation does not change, it will surely bring the party down. This party cannot grow with hungry and hypocritical people parading themselves as leaders,” he wrote.
Despite his departure, Basambo said he had no regrets about leaving the party, describing the decision as the end of his political journey with the ADC.
He also expressed disappointment that he would no longer be working with his political leader, Abubakar Kannike, whom he said he had grown to respect over the past year.
Basambo described Kannike as a man of honour and sincerity, adding that his regard for him would remain unchanged despite his resignation.
He also wished the state chairman, secretary and woman leader success in their respective positions.
While thanking those who supported him during his time in the party, he said he had no apology to offer to those who disliked him.
Basambo further clarified his meeting with the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bolakale Kawu, insisting that it was not intended to work against the ADC.
“For the purpose of clarity and to exonerate myself from any anti-party allegation, my meeting with Mallam Bolakale Kawu was purely an act of brotherhood and that of a committed member trying to canvas for the party,” he stated.
He added that some ADC leaders had also been involved in similar activities privately.
Nigeria’s teenage sensation Kanyinsola Yusuf has emerged as one of the standout performers at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco after winning the Player of the Match award in the Flamingos’ sensational 3-1 victory over defending champions North Korea on Friday.
The prestigious individual recognition crowned an unforgettable afternoon for Yusuf, whose second-half goal helped Nigeria dismantle the tournament favourites and secure a place in the Round of 16.
Yusuf struck in the 56th minute to give Nigeria a commanding three-goal advantage, completing a remarkable attacking display against opponents who had scored 12 goals in their opening two group matches.
Oluwakemi Adegbuyi had opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 38th minute, leaving the defending champions stunned at half-time.
North Korea pulled a goal back through Yu Jong Hyang’s 82nd-minute penalty, but the Flamingos held firm to record a famous victory.
For Yusuf, the individual honour represents another significant moment in a rapidly developing World Cup campaign.
The youngster had already made an impact in Nigeria’s opening 2-1 defeat to Poland, coming off the bench and helping spark a late fightback, before playing her part in the team’s recovery.
Her emergence adds another exciting dimension to coach Akeem Busari’s squad, which has transformed its fortunes after beginning the tournament with defeat.
Nigeria followed that setback with a 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico before producing Friday’s stunning performance against the reigning champions.
Yusuf’s award also means Nigerian players have claimed the Player of the Match prize in consecutive victories, following Adegbuyi’s recognition against Puerto Rico.
With the Flamingos now through to the knockout stage, Yusuf’s growing influence could prove crucial as Nigeria chase a historic first title.
From an impact substitute against Poland to a match-winning star against North Korea, Yusuf is rapidly making her name on the world stage.