Bago announced the curfew on Friday during a press conference, saying it would take effect immediately after the Friday congregational prayers.

The governor said the decision was taken to restore calm after protesters allegedly vandalised government facilities, a bank, political party offices and private businesses in parts of the state.

“Immediately after the Friday mosque, we are putting a 24-hour curfew here,” Bago said.

He listed the Niger State Transport Company, Sterling Bank and some political party offices among properties reportedly affected during the unrest.

According to the governor, the situation had resulted in vandals taking over some streets, making it necessary for the government to restrict movement and prevent further destruction of property.

“Vandals are taking over the street, and there’s need for us to curtail this thing so that we can have calm in the society,” he said.

Bago appealed to residents to remain calm and exercise restraint while security authorities work to restore normalcy across the state.

“So, we call on Nigerlites, please, to exercise restraint and be patient,” he said.

The protests followed the deaths of suspected illegal miners who were arrested by the NSCDC during enforcement operations against illegal mining activities in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State on September 15 and 16.

The state government had earlier confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners died while in NSCDC custody. Authorities are conducting forensic and medical examinations, including autopsies, to establish the circumstances and cause of the deaths.

Following the incident, the NSCDC constituted an investigative team to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the condition of the suspects at the time of their arrest, their period in custody, detention conditions and the medical attention provided to them.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and ordered a full investigation into the incident.

The Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said anyone found responsible would be held accountable, while cautioning against reaching conclusions before the investigation is completed.

Former Vice President and 2027 ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has also called for accountability, saying anyone found responsible through action, abuse or negligence should face the consequences.

However, the cause of the deaths has not yet been established.

The development has raised concerns from Moscow and Beijing, with both countries urging Washington against further militarisation of outer space.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Russia believed space should remain free of weapons and called for stronger international efforts towards the complete demilitarisation of the space domain.

“We believe that space must be free of any weapon,” Peskov told reporters.

He added that Russia was counting on wider international cooperation to continue efforts aimed at preventing the deployment of weapons in space.

China, which is an ally of Russia, also criticised the US move and called on Washington to stop preparations for what it described as war in outer space.

The reactions followed confirmation from the United States on Monday that it had deployed space-based weapons capable of countering hostile actions against American forces.

US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the capabilities were designed to protect US forces from potential attacks by adversaries.

A US Space Force spokesperson said the weapons formed part of the country’s broader space-control mission, which involves both offensive and defensive capabilities.

According to the spokesperson, space control involves the use of kinetic and non-kinetic means to affect an adversary’s capabilities and protect US interests in space.

The US Space Force, however, did not disclose specific details about the weapons that had been deployed.

The development comes against the backdrop of growing international concerns over the militarisation of outer space and the potential consequences of an arms race beyond Earth.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, to which the United States, Russia and China are parties, prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit around the Earth.

However, the treaty does not impose a blanket prohibition on military activities or conventional weapons in space.

AFP

The initiative is part of NNPC Retail’s plan to deploy between 50 and 70 smart self-service stations across the country within the next six months.

Under the new system, motorists can select the amount of fuel they want, make payment through the NRL Fuel App and use a generated code to activate the pump.

NNPC Retail shared a guide explaining how motorists can use the facility.

How to use the NNPC self-service fuel facility:

• Download the NRL Fuel App:
  Motorists should download and open the NRL Fuel App to begin the process.
• Select fuel purchase:
  Tap Fuel Purchase on the app and select the type of fuel required.
• Choose a participating station:
  Select an NNPC Retail station offering the self-service option. Participating stations are identified with a green “Self-Serve” badge.
• Enter the amount and pay:
  Enter the amount to be spent on fuel, review the transaction and select Pay from Wallet.
• Get the self-service code:
  After a successful payment, the app generates a digital receipt containing the Order ID, Self-Service Code and QR Code.
• Activate the pump:
  At the fuel pump, enter the eight-digit Self-Service Code on the terminal and press the # key.
• Dispense the fuel:
  Once the code is validated, pick up the nozzle and dispense the exact quantity of fuel purchased.

NNPC Executive Vice President, Downstream, Mumuni Dagazau, said the initiative was part of efforts to transform conventional filling stations into broader energy and mobility hubs.

Speaking at the commissioning of a smart station on Bill Clinton Drive, Airport Road, Abuja, NNPC Retail Executive Director, Retail Operations and Mobility, Shettima Baba-Kukawa, said the system allows customers to complete transactions on their phones and dispense the exact amount of fuel purchased.

The company said the smart stations would also offer services including electric vehicle charging, liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas and other mobility solutions.

Mandiya reportedly died on Monday, September 7, 2026, according to a statement by Ibrahim Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda.

The governor, who expressed shock over the death, described Mandiya’s passing as a great loss to Katsina State and Nigeria.

Radda said the deceased was a committed public servant who contributed to the development of the state and the country during his years in public service.

Mandiya previously served as Chief of Staff to former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, before he was elected to the Senate in 2019.

He represented Katsina South Senatorial District in the Ninth Senate from 2019 to 2023.

“Senator Mandiya dedicated part of his life to public service and served our people with commitment. His contributions will remain remembered,” Radda said.

The governor commiserated with Mandiya’s family, former Governor Masari, the people of Katsina South, his political associates and friends, as well as his former colleagues in the Ninth Senate.

Radda prayed for the repose of Mandiya’s soul and asked God to grant his family and loved ones the strength to bear the loss.

The launch is expected to strengthen Africa’s role in assessing its own economies and address long-standing concerns over the way African countries are rated by major international credit rating agencies.

The AU announced the development on Wednesday through a post on its official X account, describing AfCRA as a major step towards achieving greater financial sovereignty for the continent.

The Union said the agency was created to provide credit assessments that take into account the economic realities, resilience and growth prospects of African countries and companies.

According to the AU, African nations have for decades faced what it described as an unfair risk premium when accessing international capital due to perceptions about the continent’s creditworthiness.

The agency is expected to provide an alternative perspective to major global rating firms, including Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Ratings and S&P Global Ratings.

Concerns over sovereign credit ratings have persisted among African governments, with countries such as Ghana and Zambia arguing that repeated downgrades have contributed to increased borrowing costs and compounded their debt challenges.

The African Peer Review Mechanism has also previously criticised Fitch Ratings over its assessment of the African Export-Import Bank, arguing that the rating reflected an inadequate understanding of African financial institutions.

Fitch, however, has maintained that its ratings are based on consistent and transparent global criteria.

AfCRA was initially expected to launch in September 2025 but was later delayed.

The agency is expected to operate independently of African governments and focus primarily on ratings for local-currency debt instruments.

The AU said the establishment of AfCRA would demonstrate Africa’s ability to develop independent institutions, shape its economic narrative and exercise greater influence over its financial future.

The October 7 launch in Mauritius comes as African countries continue efforts to improve perceptions of the continent’s creditworthiness and reduce the impact of what they consider excessive risk assessments on access to global capital.

The government disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday while responding to concerns raised by some retirees over pension payments in the state.

According to the government, the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) has paid N92 billion in accrued rights to more than 25,000 retirees between May 2019 and August 2026.

It explained that accrued rights comprise the gratuity and pension components owed to retiring public servants.

The government said the state increased its pension contribution rate in 2020 to 10 per cent for employers and eight per cent for employees, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen the pension scheme.

It also highlighted a N5 billion payment made to 1,963 retirees in July 2024, which it said cleared the outstanding backlog of pension obligations under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

The government added that it had introduced expedited gratuity payments for sick pensioners, while their pension components continued to be paid into their Retirement Savings Accounts.

It said welfare programmes were also being organised twice yearly to provide additional support to retirees amid rising living costs.

For retirees under the Defined Benefits Scheme, the government said it extended the N25,000 wage award given to serving state workers to more than 10,000 retirees between December 2023 and February 2024.

According to the government, this was followed by pension increases of 20 per cent and 28 per cent in March 2025.

It added that in May 2026, the state matched the Federal Government’s N32,000 pension wage award for its Defined Benefits Scheme retirees.

The government said the various interventions had increased the pension wage bill by more than 100 per cent.

It further disclosed that LASPEC had paid more than N4 billion to 1,862 retirees in 2026, with an additional N1 billion expected to be disbursed to another 700 retirees within a week.

The state government maintained that the measures reflected the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of retired public servants and ensuring timely payment of pension benefits.

Enitan will succeed Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is set to retire from the Federal Civil Service after attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.

The appointment was announced on Wednesday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, Enitan, an indigene of Osun State, is currently the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education and the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.

He has served as a Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months, with previous postings to the Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President.

Tinubu described Enitan as an experienced civil servant with extensive institutional knowledge and a deep understanding of the workings of the Federal Civil Service.

The President directed the incoming Head of Service to consolidate ongoing reforms and innovations, deepen professionalism and efficiency, and build a more effective and responsive civil service capable of delivering on his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Tinubu also charged Enitan to lead a civil service that is professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative and responsive to the needs of Nigerians.

The President commended Walson-Jack for her years of service and contributions to reforms and innovations in the Federal Civil Service, wishing her a fulfilling life after retirement.

Enitan, who was born on December 12, 1966, attended Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife, for his secondary education.

He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking from the University of Lagos in 1988 and later earned a Master of Science degree in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia, in 2015.

He is expected to formally assume office on August 27, 2026, following Walson-Jack’s retirement.

Wike gave the directive after expressing concern over the conversion of areas designated for recreation and environmental purposes into car lots.

According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the directive is part of measures by the FCT Administration to address flooding in parts of the territory.

The minister directed relevant authorities to closely monitor the affected areas and ensure that unauthorised use of parks and green spaces is stopped.

He also approved the establishment of a task force to enforce the directive and prevent further encroachment on designated green areas.

Wike further ordered an investigation into allegations that some civil servants had been granting illegal approvals for the use of green areas.

The statement said affected officials, particularly directors in the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs, had been summoned by the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Nathan.

The minister’s directive is part of broader efforts by the FCT Administration to protect Abuja’s green spaces and improve environmental management, particularly amid concerns over flooding in the capital.

Agbebaku tendered his resignation on Monday, ending his tenure as Speaker of the state legislature.

His media aide, Ivy Adodo-Ebojele, confirmed the development in a post on Facebook, announcing that the Speaker had stepped down from office.

“EDO ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RT HON CHIEF BLESSING AGBEBAKU RESIGNS,” she wrote.

The resignation comes amid mounting political tension within the Edo State House of Assembly, with reports that some lawmakers had been making moves to initiate impeachment proceedings against Agbebaku.

The circumstances surrounding his resignation were not immediately clear as of the time of filing this report.

Adodo-Ebojele said further details on the development would be made available later.

Agbebaku’s resignation is expected to trigger a leadership transition within the Edo State House of Assembly, with lawmakers expected to determine his successor.

More details later.

Trump announced Rideout’s release in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, saying the former hostage had been reunited with his wife, Krista, and was preparing to return to the United States.

“I am happy to reveal that former hostage Kevin Rideout is getting ready to fly home to the United States after having been reunited with his beautiful wife, Krista,” Trump wrote.

The President described Rideout’s release as the “110th captive American liberated” since he began his second term.

“I look forward to seeing Kevin and Krista at the White House soon!” he added.

Rideout, a Christian missionary and pilot with SIM International, was abducted outside his home in Niamey, Niger, in October 2025.

According to SIM International, Rideout was in good health and receiving care from US officials following his release.

Three armed men reportedly abducted him and transported him to the Tillaberi region in western Niger, an area affected by militant activity.

However, details surrounding his release, including the identity of his captors and how his freedom was secured, have not been disclosed.

Rideout had lived and worked in Niger for 19 years and served as a pilot with SIM International, a Christian organisation operating in more than 70 countries.