After spending about five months in captivity, terrorists have killed a Catholic catechist and five others abducted during the February 9, 2026, attack on Kutaho and Kugir communities in Aribi Ward of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Despite months of ransom negotiations and payments by members of the affected communities, the abductees were not spared but were eventually killed.

A church source, who pleaded not to be named, said the development has thrown the communities into mourning and renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in Southern Kaduna.

According to the source, “The communities made frantic efforts to secure the release of the abductees through ransom payments and contributions from residents, many of whom reportedly sold personal belongings and farm produce in the hope of bringing their loved ones home alive.”

The source identified those killed as Friday Agama, Kunama Dogo, Monday Tanko, Lami Williams, a man identified simply as Pawpaw’s brother, and the Catholic catechist, who was reportedly subjected to severe torture before dying in captivity.

The source further explained that the victims were among the 32 residents kidnapped when heavily armed terrorists invaded the two communities in a midnight raid in February, firing sporadically before forcing villagers from their homes and marching them into the forest.

The source said many residents fled the communities for fear of further attacks, while families and religious leaders repeatedly appealed to the government and security agencies to intervene and curb the menace in the area.

According to the source, the kidnappers initially demanded N30 million and four motorcycles for the release of the captives. Despite months of negotiations and financial contributions by residents, the terrorists later demanded an additional N15 million before releasing the victims.

Residents said the prolonged captivity, repeated ransom demands and eventual killing of the six victims have devastated the affected communities and undermined their livelihoods. They appealed to security agencies to intensify rescue operations, strengthen security in vulnerable rural communities and ensure those responsible for the killings are arrested and prosecuted.

The Kaduna State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the killings as of the time this report was filed.

Electricity supply has been restored to parts of Lagos State that were thrown into darkness after severe flooding disrupted operations at a major transmission facility.

The spokesperson for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Ndidi Mbah, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday.

According to Mbah, TCN successfully restored its 60-megavolt-ampere (MVA) transformer, identified as TR1, at the Oworonshoki Transmission Substation after it was shut down by heavy flooding.

The restoration means the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) can now resume electricity distribution to customers in the affected areas.

“The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) hereby informs the public that the TR1 60MVA transformer at the Oworonshoki Transmission Substation, which was out of service due to heavy flooding at the station, has been successfully restored by TCN’s maintenance crew at exactly 07:53 hrs on 30th June 2026,” the statement read.

The development comes barely a day after flooding caused the 60MVA transformer at the Oworonshoki Transmission Substation to go out of service, leading to power outages across parts of Lagos State.

TCN had earlier declared a force majeure on the affected transmission facilities after continuous rainfall inundated the substation, disrupting electricity supply in several areas served by the network.

The Federal High Court judgment nullifying the legal recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has sparked fresh political controversy with divergent opinions from political actors and stakeholders.

To the Kwankwasiyya Movement, the ruling was part of a deliberate plot by the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST in Kano, the movement’s spokesperson, Habibu Saleh Mai Lemo, said the judgment did not come as a surprise, alleging that the ruling party had consistently deployed various tactics to undermine political opponents.

“We already knew that Tinubu and the APC will do anything in their power to suppress the opposition, so we were not shocked by this new development because they have used several tricks to wound other opposition parties before us. So this will not destroy or delay any of our plans ahead of the 2027 elections.”

Mai Lemo expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn the ruling, which he said was contrary to the rule of law.

“We have hope that the Court of Appeal will ensure justice is served because this ruling goes totally against the rule of law and we will not stand for it. This is not a fight for our political future alone; it is a struggle to ensure that the Tinubu administration does not succeed in destroying the opposition bloc and promoting a one-party system as it is clearly trying to do.”

He argued that the issue goes beyond the fortunes of the NDC and other opposition parties, warning that it poses a threat to Nigeria’s democratic principles.

“We must strive to protect democratic principles because this doesn’t just affect the members of the NDC or other opposition parties; it affects the fundamental rights of the average Nigerian by trying to take away our right to choose our leaders from a variety of choices as it should be in any functional democratic society.”

The controversy follows Friday’s ruling by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, where Justice Isah Dashen set aside the court’s December 10, 2025 judgment that had compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.

In Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025, the court upheld an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), holding that it was a necessary party that ought to have been joined in the original suit. Justice Dashen ruled that the failure to include the PMP amounted to a denial of fair hearing, rendering the earlier judgment invalid.

The judge consequently ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the December 2025 judgment pending the fresh determination of the substantive case, noting that material facts were not brought before the court during the earlier proceedings.

DAILY POST reports that the latest development comes at a time Nigeria’s opposition parties are facing a wave of legal and internal challenges that could shape the outcome of the 2027 general elections.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has continued to grapple with leadership disputes and litigation over its national leadership, while the Labour Party remains mired in a prolonged factional crisis that has divided its leadership and organisational structures.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has recently emerged as a rallying platform for a coalition of prominent opposition figures seeking to challenge the APC in 2027, has also faced legal contests over its leadership and internal administration.

Political observers believe the succession of court cases, leadership tussles and internal wrangling across opposition parties could weaken their ability to mobilise supporters, conclude candidate selection processes and present a united front against the ruling APC.

Reacting to the ruling, NDC National Chairman, Sen. Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, maintained that the party had not been deregistered and announced that its legal team had been directed to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.

In a statement, Zuwoghe said the NDC was duly registered by INEC following the December 2025 judgment and has since conducted nationwide congresses and conventions, participated in INEC activities, fielded candidates in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states, and concluded primaries for the 2027 general elections.

He also questioned the legal standing of the Peace Movement Party, arguing that it is not a registered political party and insisting that the Federal High Court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in the suit against INEC.

Speaking exclusively in an interview with DAILY POST, Kano-based legal practitioner, Barrister Zulkallani Sani Tsanyawa, said the Federal High Court’s decision does not mark the end of the legal battle, stressing that the ruling remains open to challenge.

“The implication of the unprecedented latest ruling regarding NDC is that the ruling can be challenged before the same court and also can be appealed to the Court of Appeal. Yes, the ruling can be challenged and may be set aside.”

Tsanyawa noted that Nigeria’s judicial system provides equal opportunities for both the ruling party and opposition parties to ventilate their grievances in court.

“Well, judiciary is for both ruling party and opposition parties. This can be seen and attested by the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal on deregistration of ADC and other four political parties.”

He, however, urged judges of both the state and federal High Courts to adhere to legal standards and principles in order to strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice.

“Both judicial officers and legal practitioners, both state and federal High Courts should adhere to the apex court to maintain the confidence of the general public in the judiciary.”

The NDC’s appeal is expected to determine the party’s legal status as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather pace, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for the ever evolving political landscape.

The OK Movement has said that the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, remains committed to delivering a new direction for Nigeria.

The Movement said this on Tuesday in a post on its verified X handle.

This came after the the meeting between the Vice-presidential candidate and the national leader of the party on Tuesday.

“With both our presidential and vice-presidential candidates duly uploaded, the NDC remains united, focused, and fully committed to delivering a new direction for Nigeria.

“The National Leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, today held a strategic meeting with our Vice Presidential Candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

“We are pleased to announce that Kwankwaso has been successfully uploaded to the INEC portal as the duly nominated Vice Presidential Candidate of the NDC for the 2027 Presidential Election.

“Nigeria Will Be OK,” the Movement wrote.

Director of the Abuja School of Social Thought and Politics, Sam Amadi, says the one year service of members of the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, should not be compulsory.

Amadi made the suggestion on Tuesday when he featured in an interview on News Central Television.

He was speaking on the recent NYSC reforms proposed by president Bola Tinubu.

“National service should not be compulsory. The NYSC has become a cheap labour for private sector. So, the argument here is that the proposed National Youth Service Corps reforms should go beyond structural changes.

“There should be a redesign of the scheme to prioritise literacy, skills development and innovation as part of Nigeria’s broader development agenda.

“You should make it a status that the corps members have a lot of advantages and it’s competitive.

“So, my worry is that this reform still keeps it like a kind of a loose platform that does not address any seriously thought out development agenda,” he said.

France captain, Kylian Mbappe, on Tuesday, made history after scoring two goals against Sweden at the World Cup.

Mbappe led France to beat Sweden in the World Cup Round of 32 fixture as they progressed to the Round of 16 stage.

A brace from Mbappe and a goal from Bradley Barcola gave the French team the victory against Sweden at New York Jersey Stadium.

The brace against Sweden means Mbappe has scored nine goals in nine knockout stage games at the FIFA World Cup.

The Real Madrid forward now has the most goals ahead of any player in these rounds, overtaking Leônidas and Ronaldo (both 8 goals), according to OptaJoe.

Mbappe has so far scored six goals at the ongoing World Cup tournament. He is the joint-top scorer alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who also has six goals.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, Ikoyi, on Monday, June 29, 2026, arraigned Abdulkarim Muhammad Arome, and his company, Cresco Oil and Gas Limited before Justice O. A. Okunuga of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja over an alleged N336,993,863.35 ( Three Hundred and Thirty-six Million,  Nine Hundred and Ninety Three Thousand,  Eight Hundred and Sixty Three Naira, Thirty-five kobo) fraud involving Lotus Bank.

 

The defendants were arraigned on an amended three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct.

 

According to the charges, the offences are contrary to Sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, Section 285(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, and Section 17(a) and (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

 

 

Count one reads:

“Abdulkarim Muhammad Arome, Peter Daniels Prosper, (at large) and Cresco Oil and Gas Limited sometime 2022 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to Steal money, property of Lotus Bank”.

 

Count two reads:

“Abdulkarim Muhammad Arome, Peter Daniels Prosper and Cresco Oil and Gas Limited sometime between 2022 and 2023, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use an aggregate sum of N336.993,863.35 (Three hundred and thirty-six million, nine hundred and ninety-three thousand eight hundred and sixty-three Naira, thirty-five Kobo), property of Lotus Bank”.

 

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.

 

Following the arraignment, prosecuting counsel, E. S. Okongwu, asked the court for a trial date and urged that the defendants be remanded in a Correctional facility pending the commencement of trial.

 

Defence counsel informed the court that she intended to file bail applications and prayed for a short adjournment to enable the applications to be heard.

 

Justice Okunuga ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until October 7, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

The lawmaker representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Victor Umeh, says the Peace Movement Party, PMP, is being used to block the participation of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in the 2027 general elections.

Umeh made this allegation on Monday when he appeared as a guest in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

He maintained that the victory-sign logo is a global symbol, stating that it does not belong to the PMP.

“PMP is being used to block the NDC’s participation in the 2027 Elelection.

“When Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and some of us joined the NDC on May 3, the very next day, May 4, an application was filed seeking to set aside the party’s registration, even though the NDC had already been registered for about five months.

“The logo does not belong to the PMP because it is not a registered political party. A symbol only becomes exclusive to a party once it is registered with INEC as part of that party’s official registration.

“After that, no other political party can use it because it legally belongs to the registered party,” he said.

Recall that a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the NDC as a political party.