MORNING NEWS
THE HEADLINES
Enugu Police Arrest Wanted Robbery Suspect
Nigeria approves 30-day visa-free entry for Rwandan nationals
2027: APC Constitutes Appeal Committee for National Assembly Primaries
Lagos NMA condemns EFCC raid on UUTH, threatens solidarity strike
Israel says Gaza strike targeted head of Hamas’ armed wing
Aston Villa humble Liverpool, Secure Champions League
THE DETAILS
The Enugu State Police Command says it has a wanted armed robbery suspect in its custody, following a successful operation by its personnel.
The command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued in Enugu and made available to newsmen on Friday.
Ndukwe added that the command also recovered a stolen vehicle, motorcycle, hard drugs, phones and other exhibits from different operations in Enugu.
He ascribed the feat to the efforts of the operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit
He stated, “In separate intelligence-led operations, the VCRU operatives caught and detained a wanted armed robbery suspect and recovered the incriminating exhibit
The Nigeria Immigration Service has announced a 30-day visa exemption for Rwandan nationals.
This directives follows the announcement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.
The statement reads:
“NIGERIA IMPLEMENTS 30-DAY VISA EXEMPTION FOR RWANDAN NATIONALS
“Following the announcement by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, granting Rwandan nationals a 30-day visa exemption, reciprocating a similar gesture by the Rwandan Government to Nigerian citizens, the Nigeria Immigration Service has completed all arrangements for the directive’s implementation.
Under this bilateral arrangement, Rwandan nationals may enter Nigeria without a visa for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days for lawful purposes, including tourism, business, and official engagements.
“However, individuals seeking to remain in Nigeria beyond the approved 30-day period will be required to obtain the appropriate visa through a Nigerian Embassy or High Commission abroad, or through the Nigeria e-Visa channel.
“Consequently, all international entry points, including airports, land borders, and seaports, have been directed to commence immediate implementation of the policy in line with the Presidential directive.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has announced the composition of the Primary Election Committees and Primary Election Appeal Committees for the upcoming National Assembly primary elections
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, made this known in a statement on Friday.
The party called on all members and stakeholders to uphold transparency and fairness and remain peaceful during the exercise.
The APC postponed its House of Representatives primary election for the 2027 general elections by one day, while maintaining the rest of its previously announced timetable.
The party said the adjustment does not affect other scheduled primaries, including those for the Senate, State Houses of Assembly, governorship, and presidency.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says that all 22 registered political parties have successfully submitted their membership registers as required by the Electoral Act 2026.
The statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said the Commission had granted the extension after political parties raised concerns during a meeting on March 24, 2026. The original deadline of April 21 was moved to May 10 to give parties sufficient time to compile their registers and conduct primaries.
Political parties are scheduled to hold their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, while membership registers must be submitted at least 21 days before each party’s primary.
INEC said the submitted registers will now undergo verification in line with the law.
The Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State Branch, on Friday condemned the alleged invasion of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), warning that doctors in Lagos may join the ongoing indefinite strike action in Akwa Ibom if the matter is not urgently resolved.
The Chairman of NMA Lagos, Dr Babajide Saheed, in a press statement issued, described the alleged assault on the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of UUTH, Prof. Eyo Ekpe, and other hospital staff are unlawful, unethical and capable of worsening fear among healthcare workers nationwide.
The association also accused EFCC operatives of disrupting medical services at the hospital during the operation reportedly linked to allegations of a fake medical report issued by the institution.
FOREIGN NEWS
Israel said on Friday that it carried out a strike in Gaza targeting Ezzedine Al-Haddad, who it described as chief of the armed wing of Palestinian movement Hamas.
Since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, the Israeli military and intelligence services have waged an extensive campaign targeting the group’s senior political leaders and militant commanders in Gaza and across the region.
Gaza’s civil defence agency, a rescue service operating under Hamas, said one person was killed and around 20 others wounded after Israeli warplanes “bombed a residential building” in the Al-Ramal area of Gaza City.
The agency did not identify the victim
Israeli television aired footage of a building on fire in Gaza, saying it was the site where Haddad had been targeted.
SPORT NEWS
Aston Villa secured Champions League football with a 4-2 win over Liverpool on Friday that leaves the Reds still at risk of missing out on Europe’s elite competition next season.
Ollie Watkins struck twice as Villa boss Unai Emery was rewarded for naming a strong side just days before the Europa League final.
Liverpool slip to fifth and remain just four points ahead of Bournemouth, who have two games remaining.
Even if the Reds do limp over the line to Champions League qualification, the manner of another dismal defeat raised fresh questions over Arne Slot’s future.
The Liverpool boss has remained confident he will be in charge next season despite a desperately disappointing title defence.
Enugu Police Arrest Wanted Robbery Suspect
Nigeria approves 30-day visa-free entry for Rwandan nationals
2027: APC Constitutes Appeal Committee for National Assembly Primaries
Lagos NMA condemns EFCC raid on UUTH, threatens solidarity strike
Israel says Gaza strike targeted head of Hamas’ armed wing
Aston Villa humble Liverpool, Secure Champions League
THE DETAILS
The Enugu State Police Command says it has a wanted armed robbery suspect in its custody, following a successful operation by its personnel.
The command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued in Enugu and made available to newsmen on Friday.
Ndukwe added that the command also recovered a stolen vehicle, motorcycle, hard drugs, phones and other exhibits from different operations in Enugu.
He ascribed the feat to the efforts of the operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit
He stated, “In separate intelligence-led operations, the VCRU operatives caught and detained a wanted armed robbery suspect and recovered the incriminating exhibit
The Nigeria Immigration Service has announced a 30-day visa exemption for Rwandan nationals.
This directives follows the announcement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.
The statement reads:
“NIGERIA IMPLEMENTS 30-DAY VISA EXEMPTION FOR RWANDAN NATIONALS
“Following the announcement by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, granting Rwandan nationals a 30-day visa exemption, reciprocating a similar gesture by the Rwandan Government to Nigerian citizens, the Nigeria Immigration Service has completed all arrangements for the directive’s implementation.
Under this bilateral arrangement, Rwandan nationals may enter Nigeria without a visa for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days for lawful purposes, including tourism, business, and official engagements.
“However, individuals seeking to remain in Nigeria beyond the approved 30-day period will be required to obtain the appropriate visa through a Nigerian Embassy or High Commission abroad, or through the Nigeria e-Visa channel.
“Consequently, all international entry points, including airports, land borders, and seaports, have been directed to commence immediate implementation of the policy in line with the Presidential directive.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has announced the composition of the Primary Election Committees and Primary Election Appeal Committees for the upcoming National Assembly primary elections
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, made this known in a statement on Friday.
The party called on all members and stakeholders to uphold transparency and fairness and remain peaceful during the exercise.
The APC postponed its House of Representatives primary election for the 2027 general elections by one day, while maintaining the rest of its previously announced timetable.
The party said the adjustment does not affect other scheduled primaries, including those for the Senate, State Houses of Assembly, governorship, and presidency.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says that all 22 registered political parties have successfully submitted their membership registers as required by the Electoral Act 2026.
The statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said the Commission had granted the extension after political parties raised concerns during a meeting on March 24, 2026. The original deadline of April 21 was moved to May 10 to give parties sufficient time to compile their registers and conduct primaries.
Political parties are scheduled to hold their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, while membership registers must be submitted at least 21 days before each party’s primary.
INEC said the submitted registers will now undergo verification in line with the law.
The Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State Branch, on Friday condemned the alleged invasion of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), warning that doctors in Lagos may join the ongoing indefinite strike action in Akwa Ibom if the matter is not urgently resolved.
The Chairman of NMA Lagos, Dr Babajide Saheed, in a press statement issued, described the alleged assault on the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of UUTH, Prof. Eyo Ekpe, and other hospital staff are unlawful, unethical and capable of worsening fear among healthcare workers nationwide.
The association also accused EFCC operatives of disrupting medical services at the hospital during the operation reportedly linked to allegations of a fake medical report issued by the institution.
FOREIGN NEWS
Israel said on Friday that it carried out a strike in Gaza targeting Ezzedine Al-Haddad, who it described as chief of the armed wing of Palestinian movement Hamas.
Since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, the Israeli military and intelligence services have waged an extensive campaign targeting the group’s senior political leaders and militant commanders in Gaza and across the region.
Gaza’s civil defence agency, a rescue service operating under Hamas, said one person was killed and around 20 others wounded after Israeli warplanes “bombed a residential building” in the Al-Ramal area of Gaza City.
The agency did not identify the victim
Israeli television aired footage of a building on fire in Gaza, saying it was the site where Haddad had been targeted.
SPORT NEWS
Aston Villa secured Champions League football with a 4-2 win over Liverpool on Friday that leaves the Reds still at risk of missing out on Europe’s elite competition next season.
Ollie Watkins struck twice as Villa boss Unai Emery was rewarded for naming a strong side just days before the Europa League final.
Liverpool slip to fifth and remain just four points ahead of Bournemouth, who have two games remaining.
Even if the Reds do limp over the line to Champions League qualification, the manner of another dismal defeat raised fresh questions over Arne Slot’s future.
The Liverpool boss has remained confident he will be in charge next season despite a desperately disappointing title defence.