MORNING NEWS
THE HEADLINES
South East Security: Troops Rescue Kidnap Victims, Arrest Suspects After Shootout
Borno Deputy Speaker Withdraws from Senate Race, Declares Support for Ndume
Ogun APC Members Reject Imposition, Demand Primaries
Breaking: FG Declares May 1 Public Holiday
US Files Drug Trafficking Charges Against Mexican Governor
Arsenal, Atletico Madrid play 1–1 Draw in UCL Semi-Final First Leg
THE DETAILS
Troops of Operation Udoka in collaboration with other security agencies in furtherance of sustained operations in the South East under operation Eastern Sanity have rescued four kidnapped victims after a pursuit of the kidnappers and a firefight engagement.
Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, Deputy Director Army Public Relations while making this known, said, “Troops recorded significant successes with the rescue of kidnap victims in Enugu State and the arrest of a criminal network member in Ebonyi State on 28 April 2026.
In Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, troops of the 82 Division Garrison deployed at Akama acted swiftly on credible intelligence regarding a kidnap attempt along the Akama–Iwollo Road in Enugu state.
Troops chased and confronted criminals, rescuing four kidnapped victims—Chisom Kingsley, Chuoke Chinedu, Jonathan Paul Chukwu, and Patience John. A motorcycle and vehicle were also recovered, and all victims and items were handed over to the police for further investigation.
Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, has withdrawn from the Borno South senatorial race, backing his main rival, Senator Ali Ndume, to clinch the ticket of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Askira’s decision was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Bilyaminu Ngulde, in Abuja.
The development followed what the lawmaker described as extensive consultations and appeals by stakeholders of the party in Borno South.
Ndume, a former Senate Leader, is seeking a return to the Senate for a fifth term if he secures victory at the 2027 polls.
The statement partly read, “I write to respectfully notify you that after extensive consultations, our great party, the All Progressives Congress, has decided to award Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume the party’s ticket for the forthcoming 2027 general election.
Members of the All Progressives Congress in Ijebu East Local Government Area on Wednesday staged a protest at the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, rejecting what they described as attempts to impose candidates for the House of Representatives and House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 elections.
The protesters insisted that any candidate representing the federal constituency must emerge through a credible primary election in line with existing zoning arrangements.
Party members expressed dissatisfaction over what they termed a growing pattern of marginalising Ijebu East in the distribution of political offices within the constituency, which comprises Ijebu North, Ijebu East, and Ogun Waterside.
They alleged that the House of Representatives seat has been dominated by candidates from another local government for over a decade, warning that any move to extend such dominance would be resisted
The Federal Government has declared Friday a public holiday to celebrate this year’s International Workers Day.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this on behalf of the Federal Government.
A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani said the minister congratulated workers across the country on this year’s celebration.
While wishing workers a happy celebration, the Minister urged all Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding. He encouraged everyone to use this occasion to reflect on the importance of unity and hard work in building the nation”, the statement added.
FOREIGN NEWS
The US Justice Department on Wednesday charged the governor of the Mexican state of Sinaloa and other officials with drug trafficking.
The US attorney for the Southern District of New York said 10 officials, including Governor Ruben Rocha Moya, are accused of working with the Sinaloa cartel to distribute “massive quantities” of narcotics to the United States.
Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said it received extradition requests from the United States for “various people,” without disclosing their identity.
The governor denied the drug charges “categorically and absolutely” in a statement on X.
This attack isn’t only against me, it’s against the Fourth Transformation,” Rocha Moya said, referring to Mexico’s governing, left-leaning Morena party, which has been in power since 2018
SPORT NEWS
Julian Alvarez’s penalty secured Atletico Madrid a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in a nervy Champions League semi-final first leg clash on Wednesday.
Viktor Gyokeres sent the Premier League leaders ahead from the spot just before the interval after he was fouled, but Alvarez followed suit 10 minutes into the second half after Ben White’s handball.
Arsenal were upset at a late penalty decision being overturned following a VAR review when David Hancko made contact with Eberechi Eze in the area.
Atletico had the better for long periods but Arsenal’s solid defending helped them leave the Spanish capital in a good position to return to the Champions League final 20 years after their last appearance.
South East Security: Troops Rescue Kidnap Victims, Arrest Suspects After Shootout
Borno Deputy Speaker Withdraws from Senate Race, Declares Support for Ndume
Ogun APC Members Reject Imposition, Demand Primaries
Breaking: FG Declares May 1 Public Holiday
US Files Drug Trafficking Charges Against Mexican Governor
Arsenal, Atletico Madrid play 1–1 Draw in UCL Semi-Final First Leg
THE DETAILS
Troops of Operation Udoka in collaboration with other security agencies in furtherance of sustained operations in the South East under operation Eastern Sanity have rescued four kidnapped victims after a pursuit of the kidnappers and a firefight engagement.
Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, Deputy Director Army Public Relations while making this known, said, “Troops recorded significant successes with the rescue of kidnap victims in Enugu State and the arrest of a criminal network member in Ebonyi State on 28 April 2026.
In Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, troops of the 82 Division Garrison deployed at Akama acted swiftly on credible intelligence regarding a kidnap attempt along the Akama–Iwollo Road in Enugu state.
Troops chased and confronted criminals, rescuing four kidnapped victims—Chisom Kingsley, Chuoke Chinedu, Jonathan Paul Chukwu, and Patience John. A motorcycle and vehicle were also recovered, and all victims and items were handed over to the police for further investigation.
Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, has withdrawn from the Borno South senatorial race, backing his main rival, Senator Ali Ndume, to clinch the ticket of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Askira’s decision was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Bilyaminu Ngulde, in Abuja.
The development followed what the lawmaker described as extensive consultations and appeals by stakeholders of the party in Borno South.
Ndume, a former Senate Leader, is seeking a return to the Senate for a fifth term if he secures victory at the 2027 polls.
The statement partly read, “I write to respectfully notify you that after extensive consultations, our great party, the All Progressives Congress, has decided to award Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume the party’s ticket for the forthcoming 2027 general election.
Members of the All Progressives Congress in Ijebu East Local Government Area on Wednesday staged a protest at the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, rejecting what they described as attempts to impose candidates for the House of Representatives and House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 elections.
The protesters insisted that any candidate representing the federal constituency must emerge through a credible primary election in line with existing zoning arrangements.
Party members expressed dissatisfaction over what they termed a growing pattern of marginalising Ijebu East in the distribution of political offices within the constituency, which comprises Ijebu North, Ijebu East, and Ogun Waterside.
They alleged that the House of Representatives seat has been dominated by candidates from another local government for over a decade, warning that any move to extend such dominance would be resisted
The Federal Government has declared Friday a public holiday to celebrate this year’s International Workers Day.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this on behalf of the Federal Government.
A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani said the minister congratulated workers across the country on this year’s celebration.
While wishing workers a happy celebration, the Minister urged all Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding. He encouraged everyone to use this occasion to reflect on the importance of unity and hard work in building the nation”, the statement added.
FOREIGN NEWS
The US Justice Department on Wednesday charged the governor of the Mexican state of Sinaloa and other officials with drug trafficking.
The US attorney for the Southern District of New York said 10 officials, including Governor Ruben Rocha Moya, are accused of working with the Sinaloa cartel to distribute “massive quantities” of narcotics to the United States.
Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said it received extradition requests from the United States for “various people,” without disclosing their identity.
The governor denied the drug charges “categorically and absolutely” in a statement on X.
This attack isn’t only against me, it’s against the Fourth Transformation,” Rocha Moya said, referring to Mexico’s governing, left-leaning Morena party, which has been in power since 2018
SPORT NEWS
Julian Alvarez’s penalty secured Atletico Madrid a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in a nervy Champions League semi-final first leg clash on Wednesday.
Viktor Gyokeres sent the Premier League leaders ahead from the spot just before the interval after he was fouled, but Alvarez followed suit 10 minutes into the second half after Ben White’s handball.
Arsenal were upset at a late penalty decision being overturned following a VAR review when David Hancko made contact with Eberechi Eze in the area.
Atletico had the better for long periods but Arsenal’s solid defending helped them leave the Spanish capital in a good position to return to the Champions League final 20 years after their last appearance.