Ebola Scare: Hilarious Moment as Lawmakers Reject Motion to Visit Primary Case Site

FACT-CHECK: Claim That Nigerians Will Pay 25% Blanket Tax Under New Tax Act Is False Claims circulating across media channels that the National Assembly passed legislation mandating all Nigerians to pay 25 per cent of their gross earnings in taxes are false. The assertion gained traction following remarks by Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), during a political gathering where she reported that a new executive tax law passed by lawmakers imposes a flat 25 per cent tax deduction on citizens' earnings. However, detailed legislative analysis and fact-checks confirm that the senator's statement fundamentally misrepresents the personal income tax framework enshrined in the Nigeria Tax Act. Contrary to claims of a blanket tax, the legislation establishes a graduated, progressive personal income tax (PIT) structure designed to reduce the tax burden on low- and middle-income earners while increasing marginal rates for top earners. Under the Fourth Schedule of the statutory framework: Low-Income Exemption (0%): The first ₦800,000 of annual taxable income attracts zero tax, rendering minimum wage workers and low-income earners completely exempt. Middle-Income Bands (15% – 21%): Subsequent income bands above ₦800,000 up to middle-tier brackets attract progressive tax rates starting at 15 per cent. High-Earner Top Rate (25%): The 25 per cent tax rate applies strictly to the portion of annual taxable income that exceeds ₦50 million. Marginal Rate Versus Effective Tax Rate Financial and tax experts emphasize that under a progressive tax system, a top marginal tax rate of 25 per cent does not mean a high earner pays 25 per cent on their total gross salary. For instance, an individual earning ₦60 million annually pays 0% on their first ₦800,000, lower graduated percentages on intermediate bands, and 25% exclusively on the remaining ₦10 million that falls above the ₦50 million threshold. Furthermore, the tax law does not empower the government or financial institutions to deduct 25 per cent from bank account balances, savings, or general business deposits.

APC Youth Leader Dayo Israel Donates 12th Vehicle of 2026, Says Youth Empowerment Remains Priority The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Dayo Israel, has announced the donation of his 12th vehicle this year as part of his youth empowerment efforts. He said his philanthropic activities extend beyond material support, noting that young people are also being empowered financially, spiritually and through opportunities designed to broaden their exposure and development. According to Israel, more than 50 young people have participated in exchange programmes in various countries this year alone through initiatives facilitated by his office. He said the commitment to supporting young Nigerians would continue, adding that the initiative was guided by the biblical principle of giving without seeking public recognition. Israel reiterated his determination to create opportunities for young people and sustain efforts aimed at spreading hope among them.

BREAKING: FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Begins Contact Tracing for 44 People The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following laboratory tests conducted on October 20, 2026. According to a statement by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the patient is a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda and was admitted to a private hospital in Abuja, where she received treatment before the diagnosis was confirmed. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care, while the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), FCT health authorities and other relevant agencies have activated emergency response measures. The government said contact tracing has commenced, with 44 close contacts identified so far, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts who may have been exposed. Healthcare facilities nationwide have been urged to strengthen infection prevention measures, promptly isolate suspected cases and report them to public health authorities. Nigerians have also been advised to watch for symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, avoid contact with the body fluids of suspected cases and seek guidance from health authorities if exposed.

Cybercrime: FG Plans New Cybersecurity Law as AI-Powered Fraud Threats Rise

Tinubu Hails APC Youth Leaders, Assures Them: ‘You Will Not Be Left Behind’ President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) youth wing for their contributions to party development, grassroots mobilisation and support for his administration. Speaking at a meeting with the City Boy Movement, the President described young party members as the APC’s “engine room,” praising their efforts in expanding membership, taking the party’s message to communities and mobilising support through door-to-door campaigns. Tinubu also acknowledged their role in defending his administration during political activities, assuring them that their contributions would not be overlooked. “Hear me clearly, you will not be left behind,” he declared, as political mobilisation gathers momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

APC Youth Wing Hails Remi Tinubu for ₦819m Support to 1,638 Widows of Fallen Security Personnel The youth wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC), known as Mummy Men, has hailed First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for disbursing ₦819 million to 1,638 widows of security personnel who died in active service between 2023 and 2026. The financial assistance, provided through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), gives each beneficiary ₦500,000 to establish or expand small businesses. At a presentation ceremony in Abuja, the First Lady said the intervention was intended to support the families of fallen personnel, describing the widows as survivors who had demonstrated extraordinary courage in the face of adversity. According to the breakdown announced at the event, 1,315 military widows received a combined ₦657.5 million, while 323 police widows were allocated ₦161.5 million. Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede and Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu reportedly commended the initiative, stressing the importance of supporting families whose loved ones died serving the country. The programme builds on an earlier RHI intervention in November 2023, when ₦250,000 each was reportedly provided to 1,420 widows and orphans.

2027: ‘Stop Sending Money Home Until Leadership Changes’ — Peter Obi Tells Nigerians in UK NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi has urged Nigerians living abroad to use their influence to demand political accountability rather than continually sending financial assistance home to cushion the effects of poor governance. Speaking during a town hall meeting with Nigerians in the United Kingdom, Obi argued that corruption and the alleged diversion of public funds were undermining national development, despite billions of dollars sent home annually by Nigerians in the diaspora. Obi challenged Nigerians to scrutinize the records of political candidates and elect leaders with a demonstrated commitment to financial prudence. “I am not saying I am a saint, but I saved money. No governor has done what I did,” he reportedly said, defending his record in office. He also criticised public officials accused of acquiring expensive properties abroad while public schools, hospitals and other essential infrastructure deteriorated, urging diaspora Nigerians to encourage their relatives at home to demand systemic change.

Tinubu Receives Proposed $14bn UN Budget as Envoy Claims Historic First in 66 Years President Bola Tinubu has received the United Nations’ proposed 2027 budget from Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the global body, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, during a presentation at the State House in Abuja. Ibrahim presented a seven-volume budget proposal valued at approximately $14 billion, covering the UN’s regular operations and peacekeeping activities. The envoy described the presentation as historic, claiming Tinubu was the first Nigerian president in 66 years to receive the proposed budget directly from the organisation. .

Couple Arrested Over Murder of Enugu Bus Driver, Stolen Vehicle Recovered The Imo State Police Command has reportedly arrested a couple over the alleged murder of a commercial bus driver who was hired for a charter trip from Enugu State to Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State. Preliminary investigative reports indicate that the suspects allegedly lured the driver to a private residence in Ideato, where they killed him before taking possession of his vehicle. The arrests reportedly followed intelligence gathered after residents and local security vigilantes raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s arrival and the driver’s disappearance. Police operatives attached to the Ideato Division reportedly arrested the suspects and recovered the stolen commercial bus, while investigations continue to establish the circumstances of the alleged killing. The suspects remain in custody as homicide investigators prepare to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Owerri for further investigation and possible prosecution.

DSS Arrests Fugitive Son of Ex-Pension Boss Maina, Hands Him Over to EFCC The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly arrested Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina, the fugitive son of former Pension Reform Task Team chairman Abdulrasheed Maina, and handed him over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Security sources said Faisal, who had been on the run since 2020, was apprehended by DSS operatives in the Karsana area of Abuja following intelligence indicating that he had secretly returned to Nigeria. Faisal was prosecuted by the EFCC on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering and conspiracy but reportedly fled after violating his bail conditions. In 2021, Justice Okon Abang sentenced him to 14 years’ imprisonment following his conviction in absentia and ordered his arrest to ensure he served the sentence. The reported handover to the EFCC is expected to facilitate enforcement of the court’s judgment, although official confirmation of the arrest and transfer was not included in the statement provided.

Borno Attack: Up to 15 Soldiers Feared Dead as Suspected ISWAP, Boko Haram Fighters Overrun Military Base Suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have reportedly overrun a military base in Mairari village, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, following a midnight assault that left several military personnel and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) feared dead. Initial reports cited by security sources put the number of soldiers killed at up to 15, although the casualty figures have yet to be officially confirmed by military authorities. The attackers, reportedly arriving in gun trucks and motorcycles, allegedly set fire to the military facility, destroyed operational vehicles and looted weapons and communication equipment before withdrawing. The assault highlights continuing security challenges in northern Borno and the Lake Chad region, where insurgents have repeatedly targeted isolated military positions. Military authorities are yet to issue a comprehensive statement on the incident, including confirmed casualties and the extent of equipment losses.

OPay IPO Filings: Lending Overtakes Payments, Generates 50.6% of H1 2026 Revenue OPay’s proposed US stock market listing has reportedly revealed a major shift in its business model, with digital lending overtaking payment services as its biggest revenue source in the first half of 2026. According to the financial disclosures cited in the report, the fintech company generated $236.1 million from credit services, representing 50.6 per cent of its $467.1 million total revenue, while disbursing approximately $928 million in loans to Nigerian borrowers between January and June. Despite setting aside about $118 million in loan-loss provisions to cover potential defaults, OPay reportedly recorded $90.9 million in net income during the six-month period, with profitability said to have increased by 300 per cent year-on-year. .

Imo Kidnap: Five Suspects Arrested Over Abduction of 20 Prospective NYSC Members Joint security operatives comprising personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force have arrested five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate linked to the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State. The arrests were reportedly made during intelligence-led operations between October 10 and 14 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State, following the rescue of the victims from a forest hideout in Amakohia Ubi, Imo State, on October 7. The prospective corps members were reportedly abducted on October 1 while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. Three other suspected gang members allegedly escaped during the security raids with gunshot injuries, prompting an intensified manhunt across neighbouring areas. The five arrested suspects are in custody for interrogation as security agencies prepare for possible prosecution, while residents have been urged to report anyone seeking treatment for unexplained gunshot wounds.

Police Welfare: Inspector Samson Ikwuje Regains Freedom After Public Outcry Over Viral Interview Inspector Samson Ikwuje, a serving officer of the Nigeria Police Force, has reportedly regained his freedom following public outrage over his arrest after speaking about welfare challenges and operational hardship within the force. Ikwuje attracted nationwide attention after an interview with digital creator and activist D English Alhaji, in which he appealed to President Bola Tinubu to address concerns over police remuneration, inadequate equipment, medical care and the difficult economic conditions facing junior officers. His reported release followed calls by human rights advocates, civil society organisations and social media users for his freedom and protection against alleged victimisation. Activists have urged police authorities to investigate the issues raised in the interview, including working conditions, salary concerns and access to mental health support. However, the police hierarchy had yet to issue an official statement on his release or clarify whether any disciplinary proceedings remained pending, according to the information provided.

Tinubu Nominates Four New INEC National Commissioners, Two RECs Ahead of 2027 Elections President Bola Tinubu has nominated four new national commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill vacancies arising from the expiration of existing tenures. According to a State House press release issued on Friday, October 16, 2026, the President has also reappointed Dr Bala Bila as the national commissioner representing the North-East, while the Senate is expected to screen the nominees. The new national commissioner nominees are Professor Mustapha Aliu for the North-West, Bashir Muhammed Umar for the North-Central, and Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola for the South-West, alongside the reappointment of Bila. The two REC nominees are retired permanent secretary Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye for Ekiti State and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi of Jigawa State, who is to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura. Tinubu has urged the Senate to expedite their confirmation ahead of the forthcoming general elections scheduled for January, according to the statement.

Nigerian Army Raises Alarm Over Low Recruitment in South-East, Urges Leaders to Fill Quota Slots The Nigerian Army has urged traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders in the South-East to encourage eligible youths to enlist in the military amid concerns over low recruitment figures in Abia, Enugu and Anambra states. The appeal follows sensitisation campaigns by military teams, including officers of the 14 Brigade in Ohafia, who reportedly expressed concern that some states in the region were struggling to meet their recruitment quotas during recent Regular Recruits Intake exercises. The recruitment drive has renewed discussions about regional representation in the Armed Forces under Nigeria’s Federal Character Principle. Stakeholders have attributed the low participation to factors including distrust between communities and security agencies, preference for alternative career opportunities, and concerns about fairness in military career progression. While the Army is urging community and youth leaders to promote enlistment among eligible candidates, regional stakeholders say rebuilding public trust, ensuring transparent promotions and addressing socio-economic concerns will be important to attracting more applicants from the South-East.

Land Dispute: Residents Chase Ekiti Monarch From Palace, Seize Official Vehicle Tension has reportedly gripped Epe-Ekiti in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State after residents allegedly forced the traditional ruler, Oba Ayodeji Williams Adesoye, out of his palace and seized his official vehicle amid a dispute over land. The confrontation reportedly followed accusations by community members that the monarch invoked Afọṣẹ, a traditional spiritual utterance associated with binding consequences in Yoruba culture, against some of his subjects during the disagreement. The aggrieved residents are demanding his removal, accusing him of abusing his traditional authority and worsening relations within the community. The Ekiti State Government reportedly intervened through Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, who convened a reconciliation meeting with traditional leaders and community representatives to prevent further unrest. According to the account, the government placed the monarch on probation and required him to sign an undertaking to maintain good conduct and promote peaceful relations with his subjects. Afuye also appealed to residents to remain calm and allow the dispute to be resolved through administrative channels, while security operatives were reportedly deployed to protect lives and property. The circumstances surrounding the confrontation and the reported government measures should be confirmed through official sources.

Food Safety Alert: Experts Warn Against Smoked Fish Allegedly Treated With Shoe Polish, Toxic Chemicals Public health advocate on social media have raised concerns over reports that some vendors allegedly apply shoe polish, industrial oils and non-food-grade dyes to smoked and dried fish to improve their appearance and attract buyers. The practice, could expose consumers to hazardous substances, with potential health consequences ranging from nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain to liver and kidney damage, depending on the chemicals involved and the level of exposure. Consumers have been urged to exercise caution when purchasing smoked fish and report suspected food adulteration to the relevant authorities.

Abuja: Private Jet Loses Door at 3,000 Feet, Makes Emergency Landing After Mayday Call A private charter jet operated by Triton Aviation has made a safe emergency landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after its main door reportedly detached shortly after take-off on Thursday. The Bombardier Challenger 600 aircraft, with registration number T7-SEI and flight identification DWC052, was reportedly heading to Lagos when the crew issued a “MAYDAY” distress call at about 3,000 feet, approximately three nautical miles from the airport. Air traffic controllers reportedly directed the aircraft back to the airport, where it landed safely on Runway 22, with no casualties immediately reported. According to the incident account, air traffic controllers confirmed after landing that the aircraft’s door was missing, while the jet was subsequently escorted to the international apron. The detached door was reportedly discovered on farmland within the Federal Capital Territory by local farmers. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has deployed investigators to examine the incident, including the aircraft’s maintenance records and door-locking mechanism. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) also confirmed that the matter had been referred to accident investigators, with the cause of the incident yet to be established.