According to a Day 12 update posted on its X handle on Sunday, NIS said the exercise continued without interruption on Saturday, 19 September 2026.

The Immigration Service said, “The Special Passport Intervention Exercise continued yesterday across the London and Manchester Centers uninterrupted, with a total of 516applicants enrolled, 370 in Manchester and 146 in London.

“This brings the total enrollment since the commencement of the exercise to 5,099 applicants.

It confirmed that passport production and dispatch for previously enrolled applicants are proceeding smoothly.

“The exercise remains ongoing, and applicants are enjoined to continue cooperating with officials,” NIS added.

The special exercise, launched on 7 September 2026 under the directive of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, aims to clear backlogs of new passport applications, renewals and pending cases for Nigerians in the United Kingdom.

High demand led to an extension of operations in London and Manchester beyond the original mid-September end date.

Eligible applicants are required to book appointments through official channels and present the necessary documentation at the designated centres.

Saheed OyelakinSaheed is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over two years of experience covering metro, technology, sports, politics, and human-interest stories. He focuses on producing clear, engaging reports across diverse beats. Saheed’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and balanced journalism.

 

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old woman, identified as Nwachukwu Blessing, in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy, fraud and suspected self-kidnapping, following the payment of N3 million ransom by her family.

It was gathered that the suspect allegedly conspired with a female associate identified as “Onyinye” and another male accomplice, whose identity is presently unknown, to stage her own kidnapping and obtain money from her family.

In a press statement released on Sunday, the spokesperson for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said she was arrested on Friday by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, following credible intelligence.

Ikenga added that the suspect was reportedly abducted along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway on August 29, but despite the payment of N3 million ransom by her family, she was allegedly not released, prompting further investigation by the police.

He said, “The suspect was arrested by Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, following credible intelligence received in the course of an investigation into a reported kidnapping incident.

“The lady was reportedly abducted along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway on 29th August 2026. However, despite the payment of N3 million ransom by her family, she was allegedly not released, prompting further investigation by the Police.

“Following sustained intelligence gathering and investigative efforts, Police Operatives, in the afternoon of September 18, 2026, traced and located the alleged victim in a room in Asaba, Delta State, where she was recovered.

“Preliminary findings from the investigation indicated that the lady allegedly conspired with a female associate identified as Onyinye, whose other names are yet to be established, and another male accomplice, whose identity is presently unknown, to stage her own kidnapping and obtain money from her family.”

According to Ikenga, the arrested suspect is currently assisting the police with useful information towards establishing the full circumstances of the incident, as well as identifying and apprehending her alleged accomplices.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Ama, has directed that the investigation be intensified to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that all persons found culpable are brought to justice in accordance with the law.

Isma’il Ishaq Magaji, a 400-level student of the Department of Public Administration at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), has been k!lled by a stray bullet.

This is contained in a statement by the Deputy Registrar, Information, Alhaji Baba Akote, issued to NAN in Lapai, Niger, on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

The registrar said Magaji lost his life after being hit by a stray bullet during a land dispute in his hometown, Wawa, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger.

Akote quoted the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Mohammed Sulaiman, extending condolences to the deceased’s family, friends, classmates and associates.

Sulaiman said the incident was distressing and a painful loss to the entire university community.

He prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings, grant him eternal rest, and provide his family and loved ones with the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The V-C appealed to the communities involved in the dispute to embrace dialogue, exercise restraint and prioritise peaceful coexistence to prevent further loss of lives and unnecessary bloodshed.

The board chairman, Major Adekoya Adesagba (retd.), announced this during a press briefing held at the authority’s headquarters in Ibadan, the state capital.

He explained that the measures were designed to ensure smooth traffic flow and safeguard motorists, pedestrians and other road users during the event, which is expected to attract a large number of attendees.

Adesagba said, “VIPs with valid event stickers or entry passes would park at Gate 2, while other guests and attendees would use the Recreation Field opposite Gate 3, Sabo, as the designated parking area. He added that PTS buses would be stationed at the recreation field to convey attendees to the concert venue.

“Gates 1 and 3 would be opened strictly to pedestrians, as vehicles would not be permitted to pass through the two gates.”

The chairman, therefore, advised attendees to make use of the designated parking facilities rather than attempting to drive directly to the venue.

He also announced the temporary closure of roads leading to the stadium to motorists and members of the public who have no business at the venue, urging them to use alternative routes during the period.

Adesagba further said, “The Danax en route Sabo Recreation Junction and Queen Cinema en route Eko Tedo would be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, Monday.”

The chairman appealed to motorists, commercial transport operators and residents within the affected areas to plan their journeys ahead and strictly obey traffic signs and directives from OYRTMA personnel deployed to strategic locations.

“The temporary traffic restrictions are necessary due to the expected influx of people to the concert. The measures are intended to minimise congestion and ensure the safety of all road users.”

He assured members of the public that the authority would deploy adequate personnel to monitor traffic movement and respond promptly to any challenge that might arise before, during and after the programme.

“Let me also use this period to appeal to members of the public to cooperate with OYRTMA and other security agencies. This compliance with the traffic arrangements would contribute to the safe and orderly movement of people and vehicles throughout the event,” the chairman assured.

The BOYE NATION/JAF Movement Concert is to mobilise and unify Oyo youths through music and entertainment while serving as the official platform for Boye Nation’s political declaration for the Allied Peoples Movement.

A woman, Bilkisu Sani, has been arrested in Rogo Local Government Area of Kano State for allegedly k!lling her husband, Hafisu Gausu, who was reportedly planning to take a second wife. 

‎A resident, Auwal Kazagi Rogo, told Daily Trust that the incident happened on Friday around 7pm, September 18, 2026 in the Katsalle area of Rogo town.

He said residents rushed to the scene after hearing cries from Gausu’s wife, who claimed her husband had been “kidnapped slaughtered.”

‎“On reaching there, we saw that he was not slaughtered but hit on the head with an object. He fell and d!ed. There was even a sign of bite on his ear,” Kazagi said.

He added that police were immediately called and later evacuated the body for investigation.

‎Kazagi added that it was alleged that Gausu had recently been engaged with another woman, with plans to marry her as a second wife.

His decision had sparked repeated quarrels with Bilkisu, who allegedly vowed to stop the marriage. 

Elders had earlier intervened in the dispute, but tensions persisted.

‎Kazagi said police have since arrested Bilkisu as the prime suspect while investigations continue.

‎The husband, on the other hand, was buried Saturday morning in Rogo according to Islamic rites.

‎The couple had been married for nearly seven years, with two children, and Bilkisu is said to be currently pregnant for the late husband.
‎
‎Sources at the area said Gausu had even asked his fiancée’s family to bring the wedding date forward by two months due to his wife’s resistance. 

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for repeatedly referring to President Bola Tinubu as “Bola” during a press conference on Friday.

Keyamo, in a post on his X handle on Friday, described Atiku’s reference to the President by his first name as “very disrespectful and discourteous”, saying the office of the President should be accorded dignity irrespective of political differences.

“The continuous reference to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT by His Excellency, ex Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in his Press Conference earlier today as ‘Bola’ is very disrespectful and discourteous,” Keyamo said.

“He should know better that no matter your differences with Mr. President, for the sake of the country, that office should be accorded all the dignity it deserves.”

Keyamo also accused Atiku of speaking from a position of personal grievance, saying, “The tone reeks of pain and bitterness in his heart.”

The minister further referred to Atiku’s recent claim about their ages, arguing that it was inconsistent for him to describe Tinubu as older than himself and simultaneously address him by his first name.

“After all, he made the outlandish claim the other day that Mr. President is older than himself. It is therefore a contradiction that he would also refer to an ‘elder’ by his first name,” Keyamo said.

Atiku had earlier urged Tinubu to adopt his proposal for government intervention to reduce petrol prices, saying the President could rename the idea and take credit for it if it would reduce the burden on Nigerians.

Atiku made the remarks at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, where he also called for measures to reduce the cost of petrol and warned against relying on palliatives to address rising living costs.

“Bola Tinubu should not be ashamed to do what is necessary to lower the price of petrol simply because Atiku Abubakar proposed a government intervention.

“He should just take the idea, rename it if he wishes, and even take the credit. What matters to me is that Nigerians pay less,” he said.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria for the improved coordination of the 2026 Hajj exercise, attributing the success of the pilgrimage to President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and decisive intervention.

According to a statement issued on Friday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima spoke in Abuja while receiving the comprehensive 2026 Hajj operations report from the NAHCON board, led by its Chairman, Ismail Abba Yusuf.

The vice president said NAHCON had demonstrated renewed vigour under its current management, stressing that the commission would remain crucial as global Hajj operations undergo a significant shift from a government-to-government to a business-to-business model.

The statement quoted Shettima as attributing the success of the 2026 exercise to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and decisive intervention at a critical time during the operations.

“And I must thank Mr President for decisively coming to the rescue of NAHCON. We want to thank him for the support that culminated in such a highly successful and seamless operation.”

Shettima also applauded the leadership of the NAHCON board, particularly its chairman, for “the confidence and capacity displayed in the last exercise,” urging the board to “continue in the same spirit.”

“I am very proud of the NAHCON chairman. He has shown capacity and exhibited a very high sense of professionalism and the willingness to carry on board members,” he added.

On the paradigm shift in Hajj operations from a government-to-government to a business-to-business model, the Vice President said the role of government remained critical to ensuring a hitch-free operation.

He noted that NAHCON would continue to play a vital role in championing the cause of a successful Hajj exercise.

Earlier, Yusuf thanked President Tinubu and Shettima for their unwavering executive backing, according to the statement.

The NAHCON chairman said their “critical, compassionate policy interventions, particularly in stabilizing foreign exchange access, securing the basic travelling allowance, and mitigating sudden spikes in aviation fuel significantly relieved the financial burden on a multitude of pilgrims.”

According to him, the timely support ensured that the sacred obligation remained accessible despite a highly challenging global economic and geopolitical climate.

Yusuf further noted that through the direct leadership and guidance of the Vice President, NAHCON was able to “harmonize collaboration across stakeholders to deliver what has been widely adjudged as a highly successful, seamless operation.”

He added that “from early arrangements and timely airlift to logistical management within MACA, Nigerian pilgrims were treated with utmost dignity.”

Also present at the report presentation were NAHCON’s Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance, AbdulRazak Aliu; Commissioner of Operations, Anofi Elegushi; and members representing the six geopolitical zones on the board of the commission, among others.