A man identified simply as Seyi has been killed by suspected cultists who allegedly mistook him for a member of a rival group at Ijako Market in Owode-Ijako, Ogun State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday, September 23, when suspected cult members stormed the area in search of another man identified as Dammy. A police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, told Punch the attackers arrived at a location behind the market and opened fire on Seyi.

“We got a report that the incident happened just behind the market. Some boys came to the market looking for a certain target. They got to the spot where the boys were, and they shot the victim,” the source said. The source also said the incident was believed to be connected to the drug trade, adding that police had begun investigating the killing and were working to identify and arrest those responsible.

An anti-cultism advocacy platform, Naija Confra, separately alleged that the attackers had been searching for Dammy when Seyi was killed. The group claimed Seyi was also attacked with an axe after being shot. “It was reported that as soon as the NBM attackers arrived, they echoed ‘Aye Axemen’ and mentioned Dammy’s name before someone was killed,” the platform said. “People initially thought it was Dammy who had been killed until they saw the body and realised it was Seyi.”

The Federal Government has begun talks with the World Bank for three new loans totaling $1.5 billion, even as Nigeria’s public debt reached a record ₦166.79 trillion at the end of June 2026.

Documents from the World Bank show the proposed package consists of three separate $500 million facilities focused on climate resilience, social protection, and early childhood development.

All would come from the International Development Association (IDA), the Bank’s concessional lending arm.

The most advanced request is a $500 million additional financing for the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project.

The World Bank’s board is scheduled to consider it on October 29, 2026. If approved, the funding would increase ACReSAL’s total size from $700 million to $1.2 billion.

The Federal Ministry of Environment would implement the project.

The extra funds are intended to expand landscape restoration, watershed rehabilitation, erosion and flood control, irrigation, water storage, reforestation, and other climate-resilient measures across 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Of the $500 million, $310 million would go to dryland management, $165 million to community climate resilience, and $25 million to institutional strengthening.

The World Bank notes that desertification and land degradation already affect about 43 percent of Nigeria’s land area. Without stronger action on climate change, GDP could shrink by roughly 2.6 percent annually by 2030 and up to 6.7 percent by 2050.

The second proposed loan is a $500 million IDA credit for the Household Prosperity and Empowerment-Social Protection (HOPE-SP) Project. It is still at an earlier stage, with a technical design review set for October 30, 2026, and tentative board approval on March 16, 2027.

The Federal Ministry of Finance is the borrower, while the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction would implement it.

The programme aims to deliver regular cash transfers (both unconditional and conditional) to poor and vulnerable households, modernise the social registry, link it to the National Identification Number system, and gradually shift funding responsibility to federal and state budgets.

The third $500 million facility would support the Nigeria Early Childhood Development programme, with a planned approval date of March 15, 2027.

It would improve access to integrated health, nutrition, early learning, childcare, water, and sanitation services for children aged 0–5 across all 36 states and the FCT.

These borrowing plans come as Nigeria’s total public debt rose 9.44 percent year-on-year to ₦166.79 trillion in June 2026.

In dollar terms, the debt climbed more sharply, from $99.66 billion to $120.93 billion, reflecting exchange-rate movements and new liabilities. Domestic debt still accounts for the larger share (about 55 percent), while external debt makes up the rest.

Nigeria’s outstanding debt to the World Bank Group stood at $20.73 billion at the end of June, making the institution the country’s single largest external creditor.

Iranian prosecutors have opened a criminal case against a theatre company after footage showed a female actress apparently resting her head against a male co-star during a performance in Tehran. The scene, from the play Tehran Paris Tehran at Tehran’s Book Garden, featured actress Fatemeh Masoudifar, who plays the lead character Sara, alongside Mehrdad Sedighian, who portrays her brother.

Footage shared online appeared to show Masoudifar leaning her head towards Sedighian’s chest while embracing him, with the actor placing his hand over her head. The scene attracted scrutiny because Iran imposes strict rules governing physical contact in public between unrelated men and women.

Prosecutors subsequently opened a case over the performance, which authorities reportedly considered a possible violation of social norms and standards of public decency. Fars News Agency also criticised the scene, describing the controversy as evidence of what it called “the gradual erosion of the boundaries governing artistic freedom and public conduct”. “It seems there is no supervision over theater stages,” the outlet wrote.

The production company disputed the interpretation of the footage, saying the camera angle created a misleading impression about the distance between the two actors. It also stressed that the characters involved in the scene are brother and sister and that the interaction takes place during a “moment of crisis”.

The company maintained that the performance did not violate Islamic regulations and said the actors’ positioning had since been changed to prevent further misunderstanding. Tehran Paris Tehran follows Sara, a young woman who travels from Iran to France and back as she seeks to avenge her father’s murder.

The controversy comes amid continued enforcement of Iran’s social and religious restrictions on public performances. In a separate case, singer Parastoo Ahmadi and seven other people involved in a concert were reportedly sentenced to 74 lashes, a two-year ban on audiovisual and musical activities and a two-year travel ban. An appeals court in Qom reportedly upheld the ruling, finding that the performance violated religious, legal and public morality standards.

Iran’s parliament has also approved the general framework of legislation proposing tougher penalties for certain unauthorised interactions with foreign media, organisations and institutions. The measures form part of longstanding restrictions imposed by Iranian authorities on activities they consider contrary to the country’s religious, cultural or national-security rules.

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.

Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 after the President mandated him to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual global gathering.

According to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President delivered Tinubu’s national statement at the General Debate, where Nigeria renewed its call for reforms to the United Nations Security Council.

According to the statement, President Tinubu reinforced his call for a more representative and equitable global order.

The statement said, “Nigeria advocated permanent African representation on the council, fairer global financing, stronger climate support and deeper multilateral cooperation.

“At the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, Tinubu urged African countries to move beyond exporting raw minerals and focus on processing, manufacturing and value addition.”

At a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy, Shettima reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to education and supported the Global Partnership for Education’s $5bn financing campaign.

The Vice President described education as “a critical investment in productivity, human capital and national prosperity.”

The statement said Shettima also met with Nigerians in the Diaspora, where he highlighted the importance of their investments, expertise and networks to national development.

It added that the Vice-President also held meetings with the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States Commission and the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed.

The statement said the engagements focused on development financing, regional integration, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security.

Recall that Success was on his way to school last Tuesday when the school bus conveying him and other occupants was trapped and overturned by floodwaters.

Nine other occupants of the vehicle, seven schoolchildren and two adults, were rescued alive by operatives of the Anambra State Police Command in collaboration with concerned residents and taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (Amaku), Awka.

Success, however, was swept away by the flood and remained missing until his remains were recovered on Wednesday morning.

Soludo, reacting to the development, said the profound loss has deeply touched the Ezenwafor family, the entire Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School, the good people of the Ekwulobia community in Aguata LGA, and the entire state, drawing widespread sorrow among citizens and leaders alike.

The governor conveyed his sympathy on Sunday, speaking at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith in Awka during a church service commemorating Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, and shared in the grief of the bereaved.

“In addition, we offer fervent prayers that Almighty God grants the family, the school, and the community the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable separation,” Soludo stated.

Nevertheless, even though the state government had already commiserated with the family through various channels, the governor used the solemn occasion to issue a vital public safety call.

“Specifically, we strongly urged Ndi Anambra to take immediate action by containing rainwater running off from their compounds, refraining from blocking drainages, planting trees, and actively cleaning drainage systems.

“Ultimately, while praying for the peaceful repose of the soul of Master Success Ezenwafor, we urged the public to use the tragedy as a catalyst to take personal responsibility for the environment.

“Everyone has a critical role to play in safeguarding our communities, so as to prevent future occurrence of this sad development,” he added.

Also taking to his Facebook page, on Sunday, Soludo wrote, “Today, together with my dear wife Nonye, my Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the Speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze, members of the State Executive Council, the House of Assembly, and Ndi Anambra from all walks of life, we gathered at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith, Awka for an interdenominational thanksgiving service to mark Nigeria at 66.

“As we reflect on 66 years of our nationhood, it reminds us that nation-building is a collective responsibility. It requires our resilience, our sacrifice, and our active participation. True freedom, as Archbishop Alexander Ibezim reminded us in his powerful sermon titled ‘From Bondage to Freedom, God’s Purpose for Nigeria’, is beyond the raising of flags. It is about a people determining their own destiny. And while governments will come and go, Nigeria remains.

“Yes, we have challenges. The agricultural boom of old has waned, but Nigeria has not failed. Our duty is to bless this country, to speak well of her, and to brighten the corner where we are. For personal integrity is national integrity.

“As your government, we remain deeply committed to peace, progress and good governance in Anambra.
May Nigeria continue to rise, and may Anambra continue to win. God bless Anambra State. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The Assembly said the arrest order became necessary because the institution’s VC failed to honour the invitation of the Ad Hoc House Committee investigating the disbursement of funds to the university by the state government since 2017.

Also, the Assembly urged the Rivers State Government to set up a committee to recover all unaccounted funds in the possession of PAMO University and deposit them in the state’s Consolidated Revenue Account.

Recall that the House had last week extended the deadline for the VC to appear before the committee, headed by the House Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

The Assembly’s order was made during a plenary session on Friday presided over by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.

A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, on Friday said the House deliberated on the report of the Ad Hoc Committee probing the scholarship funds disbursed to the university.

The statement reads, “Rivers State House of House
deliberating on the report of its Ad Hoc Committee on the investigation of scholarship funds to PAMO University of Medical Sciences, which was presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol, the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Friday, at the 53rd Legislative Sitting, resolved to issue a warrant of arrest for the Vice-Chancellor of PAMO University of Medical Sciences in line with the recommendation of the Committee.

“The House among other recommendations also urged the State Government to set up a committee to recover all unaccounted funds in possession of the PAMO University and deposit them in the Consolidated Revenue Account of the State.

“The House resolution came amidst the refusal of the PAMO University VC to appear before the Ad hoc Committee after several invitations, to explain how money given to the university under the scholarship scheme was expended.

“The Ad hoc Committee Report chronicled how the university received over 29 billion Naira from the State government with no corresponding student enrolment, giving credence to the reason behind the Vice Chancellor’s refusal to honour the invitations.

“Commenting on the Report, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule said that though the intentions of the government in entering into the scholarship scheme agreement were good, the implementation was a cog in the plan.”

“Rt. Hon Amaewhule frowned at the situation where documents presented by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, and the Office of the Accountant-General were at variance; adding that by simple deduction, out of the over 29 billion Naira released by the State Government to PAMO University, it merely utilised only 5 billion Naira.

“The Speaker harped on the determination of the Assembly under his leadership to do the right thing irrespective of whose ox is gored.”

Amaewhule,. according to the statement emphasized that ‘no individual can be bigger than the House as an institution empowered by the Constitution’.

Recall the House of Assembly had yanked off the sum of N6 billion allocated to the PAMO University of Medical Sciences in the state 2026 budget of N1.84 trillion presented to it by Governor Siminalayi Fubara before presenting the same to the governor
on September 3rd for his assent which he appended without question.

PAMO University is owned by former Rivers State governor, Dr Peter Odili, who doubles as the Pro-Chancellor.

He noted that his support for the President is in his capacity as a governor and member of the National Economic Council.

Otti made the clarification in an exclusive interview aired on Arise Television on Friday, after he was asked whether his support for Tinubu’s re-election amounted to a “comfortable arrangement” between him, a Labour Party governor, and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The governor said he was not in a position to oppose Tinubu’s candidacy, adding that doing so while being part of the government could lead to “implosion”.

“It works the way you have said. It’s a statement of fact. I am not in a position to oppose his candidacy,” Otti said.

He, however, distinguished between supporting Tinubu’s administration and having a presidential candidate for the Labour Party in the 2027 election.

Asked directly whether he was supporting Tinubu for re-election, Otti said he had previously stated that he had a presidential candidate for the Labour Party.

When the interviewer identified Tinubu as that candidate, Otti rejected the suggestion.

“No, that’s not what I said,” he said.

Asked whether he was referring to a Labour Party presidential candidate, Otti replied, “Yes.”

The interviewer then returned to the question of whether he was supporting Tinubu.

“What do you expect me to say? To say I’m not supporting him?” Otti responded.

He said Tinubu had a right to contest the 2027 election and noted that, as a state governor and member of the National Economic Council, he was involved in some of the decisions and policies of the Federal Government.

“I had also said that as a governor in this republic, that a lot of the things that are being, in fact, I’m part of all the things that have been done as a member of National Economic Council. So, we should distinguish that.

“When somebody now says, ‘Oh, you are supporting or you’re not,’ I have to support him,” he said.

Otti also said his approach to political disagreement was to raise concerns within government meetings rather than openly oppose the President.

“And sometimes people don’t understand opposition. When you say opposition, and you are part of a government, then what you are driving towards is implosion.

“So if I do have a problem with anything, I’ll sit down in one of our meetings and I’ll make my point. So I’m not going to oppose his candidacy,” he added.

He added that some of Tinubu’s policies resonated with his own views, citing the removal of the fuel subsidy as an example.

“Quite frankly, there are a lot of things that we have talked about now, that he has implemented, that resonate with me and my thinking.

“People don’t have to agree with me, but from where I sit, I know that for instance, the fuel subsidy was even unsustainable,” Otti said

The Anambra State Government has released new documents alleging that former governor Peter Obi left behind unpaid salary arrears amounting to ₦363.38 million for workers, pensioners, and next of kin of the defunct Anambra State Water Corporation and Environmental Protection Agency.

According to the document, dated May 24, 2025, and signed by the then Head of Service, Dame Theodora Okwy Igwegbe, the funds represented the second tranche of payments agreed upon in a February 2024 settlement with organized labour.

The release was made public by the Anambra State New Media Office in a post on X, shortly after Obi appeared on Arise Television denying that he borrowed money during his tenure.

The Soludo administration claims it has already cleared the first tranche of arrears and is now processing the second, stressing that the payments demonstrate its commitment to workers’ welfare and social justice.

The government’s post was captioned: It added, “The Soludo administration paid the first tranche of State workers’ entitlements—entitlements Peter Obi left unpaid during his eight years as governor. Gov Soludo has now, also, paid the second. Peter Obi knows we know he’s lying.”

The document is a request to release N363m to clear part of workers’ unpaid salaries, after the government settled with their union out of court.

According to the document, the payment was part of the terms of settlement reached on February 6, 2024, concerning arrears owed to workers, pensioners and next of kin of the defunct Water Corporation and Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency.

According to the document, the second tranche was due for disbursement in 2026.

“That the agreed second tranche payment of Three Hundred and Sixty-Three Million, Three Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand Naira only (N363,381,000.00) is due for disbursement in line with the Terms of Settlement signed on 6th February 2024,” the Head of Service wrote.

According to her, the payment would be processed through the State Government Payroll System via a dedicated account.

The document further stated that the payment would “further reinforce your administration’s commitment to social justice, workers’ welfare, and adherence to agreements reached with organised labour”.