Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on the Federal Government to conduct a new national Population and Housing Census, stressing that Nigeria has gone two decades without the exercise.

In a statement posted on his official X account on World Population Day (July 11, 2026), Kwankwaso noted that the country still relies on figures from the 2006 census for critical national planning.

He warned that outdated data undermines effective decision-making in areas such as education, healthcare, security, infrastructure, employment, and resource allocation.

“The last exercise, held in 2006, has left us relying on outdated population figures for critical national decisions,” he said, adding that accurate and current statistics are vital for governance, national security, sustainable development, and inclusive growth.

Kwankwaso urged the government to prioritize a credible, transparent, and technology-driven census, declaring: “The time for excuses is over. The time to act is now.”

His demand comes amid growing concerns that Nigeria’s lack of updated demographic data continues to hinder equitable development and long-term planning.

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Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, says all 39 pupils abducted in Oriire LGA have regained their freedom, alongside five of the seven teachers kidnapped with them, but some security personnel lost their lives during the rescue operation.

Speaking on Saturday after visiting the rescued pupils and teachers, who are receiving medical care following their release from captivity, Makinde said that although the victims were relieved to regain their freedom, many were still battling the psychological effects of their ordeal.

On Friday, the Nigerian Army announced that the victims were rescued after a month-long intelligence-led operation involving troops and other security agencies.

The army said multiple arrests disrupted the kidnappers’ network and forced the group to release the victims.

‘WE LOST SOME OFFICERS’

Makinde expressed gratitude to the military and other security agencies for securing the victims’ release.

“I’m very happy the children are back, all of them, 39 of them,” he said.

“Also, five of the seven teachers, so we give glory to God and we say thank you to our troops, the officers and men. We lost some officers and part of our troops as well.

“So all the families that have lost loved ones in this whole process, we want to assure them that their loved ones will not have died in vain. So I’m extremely, extremely happy.

“First, I can say that they were happy to be out of captivity, just like any of us.

“When your freedom is taken away, it’s a different state of mind. But they are glad to be back. Some of them are still very afraid.

“They have to do quite a bit of medical intervention, post-traumatic issues to be addressed. But we have the team ready to do that.”

Makinde said the pupils and teachers would remain under medical observation for another 48 hours before being formally handed over to the Oyo state government.

“With the plan right now, we’ll watch them over the next 48 hours,” he said.

“So by Monday, we think an assessment will be done. And maybe there will be a formal transfer from the military to the state.

“And then we can manage the process from that point forward.”

He said arrangements were being made to enable family members visit the rescued victims.

“But also today, we are putting logistics together to at least bring the family members to come and see them,” he said.

“There’s a small girl in there that basically has been asking, ‘Where’s my mom? Where’s my mom?’

“So at least we want the mom to be able to come and then see her.”

‘NIGERIA’S CHALLENGES REQUIRE UNITY’

Makinde urged Nigerians to unite in confronting the country’s security challenges.

“My final message is that it’s our country,” he said.

“All countries around the world, they do have challenges.

“So when we’re challenged, it’s not usually the best time for us to sow seeds of division.

“It’s the best time for us to come together and confront our challenges.

“So that’s really what, at this moment, I want to say to the people.”

The governor added that he would officially brief Oyo residents and Nigerians later in the week on the circumstances surrounding the
abduction and the rescue operation.

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The UK government has announced sweeping changes to its immigration framework, introducing stricter visa requirements, expanded deportation powers, and new compliance obligations for employers, schools, and sponsors.

The reforms, detailed in Statement of Changes HC 259 laid before Parliament on July 9, 2026, amend 42 sections of the Immigration Rules.

They take effect in two phases: July 30 for EU-related provisions, and August 3 for all other routes. Applications submitted before August 3 will still be processed under the old rules.

Key ChangesDeportation rules: Foreign nationals convicted on or after March 22, 2026, who receive suspended sentences of 12 months or more will face deportation, aligning them with custodial offenders.

Unified overstaying restrictions: A single, standardised text now applies across 30 visa categories, removing previous variations.

Asylum fast-tracking: The Home Office can bypass personal interviews for claims deemed “clearly unfounded,” particularly for EEA and Swiss nationals.

Work and corporate routes: Adjustments to Skilled Worker salary rules, neonatal leave protections in Scale-Up visas, and stricter child care compliance under family visas.

Diplomatic exemptions: Indian nationals with diplomatic passports gain a specific visitor visa exemption.

The reforms also introduce a statutory requirement for the Secretary of State to review immigration regulations every five years, ensuring that burdens on institutions cannot be achieved through less restrictive means.

The UK Home Office says the overhaul is designed to strengthen national security, streamline immigration processes, and close loopholes across work, study, and family migration pathways.

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The dramatic rescue of 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity was the result of a month-long intelligence-driven operation led by the Nigerian Army and supported by multiple security agencies.

Residents of Ogbomoso and surrounding communities celebrated as news of the victims’ release spread, with travellers and locals breaking into spontaneous jubilation.

The operation was coordinated by Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army.

He supervised the intelligence-led mission that dismantled the kidnappers’ network around Old Oyo National Park, cutting off their logistics routes and camps.

Key Highlights of the Rescue

Maj. Gen. Nnebeife: Assumed command of 2 Division in August 2025 and has since led several successful operations, including rescues in Kwara State.

Multi-agency collaboration: The mission involved personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, DSS, NIA, NSCDC, Amotekun Corps, local hunters and vigilantes.

Elite units: Special Boat Service, Defence HQ Special Operations Forces, Army SOF snipers, Police IRT, and DSS tactical teams played critical roles.

Casualties: The Army confirmed losses among security personnel but withheld details, stressing the operation was carefully planned to avoid harm to the victims.

Victims’ care: The freed pupils and teachers were taken to hospital for treatment before being handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.

The Presidency confirmed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and several neutralised during the operation. Importantly, the rescue was achieved without ransom payments or concessions, despite demands for the release of a detained Boko Haram suspect.

President Bola Tinubu commended the security agencies, noting that the children and teachers were freed unharmed and without ransom.

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At least one person is feared trapped after a two-storey building under construction collapsed on Sultan Road in Kano metropolis around 9 a.m. on Friday.

As of the time of reporting, rescue workers had successfully pulled three people from the rubble, while efforts continued to locate and rescue a fourth victim believed to be trapped beneath the debris.

Eyewitnesses reported that construction workers on the upper floor noticed warning signs of an imminent collapse and quickly fled the site. However, four individuals, including a security guard and a commercial tricycle (Keke Napep) driver were trapped when the structure gave way.

One of the construction workers, Shu’aibu Yaro, confirmed the sequence of events. “The engineer noticed signs that the building was about to collapse, so the workers immediately ran for safety,” he said.

Three of the victims, including the security guard and one of his friends, were rescued and rushed to Sir Muhammadu Sanusi Specialist Hospital in Kano for treatment after sustaining injuries. Rescue officials were still searching for the fourth person.

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Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said nobody is threatening the life of Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC,.presidential
candidate, Peter Obi.

Umahi while inspecting some legacy projects in Ebonyi State, dismissed Obi’s statement that political opponents want him dead.

He attributed Obi’s statement to frustration, saying the former Anambra governor is worried about President Bola Tinubu’s acceptance in the South-East.

The minister said: “Nobody wants Obi dead, it’s not just reasonable. We all want him alive to contest this election and watch himself lose again.

“What he is afraid of is because he said South-East is his catchment area because of the last election which I call accident of history, but we have come with visible development in the zone and our people have now agreed with us that we are better off with President Tinubu to complete the good works he is doing for us than playing Artificial intelligence kind of politics.”

Umahi reiterated his readiness to debate with Peter Obi on the many gains of the Tinubu administration and reason the South-East should be grateful for inclusion in national politics.

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President Bola Tinubu has submitted his All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination form and retained Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

Ibrahim Masari, the president’s special adviser on political affairs, announced the development on Tinubu’s behalf.

Masari submitted the nomination forms for Tinubu and Shettima during a brief event attended by APC leaders at the Continental Hotel in Abuja.

The submission formally confirms Tinubu’s decision to retain Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 general election.

In June 2022, Tinubu selected Masari as his running mate, in placeholder capacity. The “placeholder” designation was intended to keep the joint ticket in place while Tinubu and the APC decided on the final VP nominee.

The president later named Shettima as his substantive running mate.

Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo and chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, led APC governors to the event.

Also in attendance were members of the APC national working committee (NWC), the party’s caucus in the national assembly, members of the federal executive council (FEC), and other party leaders and stakeholders.

The submission of the nomination forms marks the formal commencement of Tinubu’s bid for a second term on the APC platform, with Shettima again completing the party’s presidential ticket.

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President Bola Tinubu says the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire LGA of Oyo state has brought relief to the entire nation.

Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, said in a statement on Friday that Tinubu “expressed profound joy” over the successful rescue of the victims.

Onanuga said the president commended the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the police “for working round the clock in the last 56 days to secure the release of the abducted children and their teachers without any collateral damage and for arresting eight of the abductors and neutralising others.”

Onanuga said Tinubu also expressed regret over the suffering endured by the children, their teachers, their families, and the nation since the abduction.

The president praised the Oyo state government for working closely with the federal government throughout the rescue operation and urged the state to strengthen security around schools.

“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Orire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State today after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists that perpetrated the evil act and the arrest of eight of them,” the statement reads.

“This successful military operation has ended the siege and standoff of over 50 days and has brought relief to the entire nation and the affected families in particular.

“On behalf of the country, I express my gratitude to the officers and men of our armed forces, the intelligence agencies and the police for the safe rescue of the children and their teachers.

“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered.

“I must commend the government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end.”

The president also directed emergency agencies to work with the Oyo state government to provide the rescued children and teachers with all necessary medical care and relief support.

It is understood that the pupils and their teachers were rescued during a joint operation involving personnel of the Nigerian Army and the police, backed by intelligence from the DSS.

A security source said at least nine of the bandits were killed during the operation, while eight were arrested and are in the custody of the DSS.

On May 15, gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all in Oriire LGA.

The Oyo police command said two people were killed during
the attack on the schools. At least 45 schoolchildren and teachers were
reportedly kidnapped during the incident.

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The kidnapped pupils and teachers from Orire, Oyo State, have been freed by their abductors.

The development comes after more than 50 days in captivity.

Their release was announced in a post on X on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, spokesman for the presidency.

“Finally, the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo, have been freed by their abductors,” Onanuga wrote.

Details to follow…