1. A fresh xenophobic violence in South Africa has claimed the lives of two Nigerians, triggering fear and panic within the diaspora community and prompting urgent diplomatic engagement by the Federal Government.

The development comes as Nigerians living in South Africa demanded protection by the Federal Government, saying that protecting Nigerians abroad is both a constitutional and moral obligation of the government.

2. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, announced the endorsement of his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election in the state.
He announced this after a closed-door meeting at Lagos House, Marina.

3. The Labour Party will hold its national convention today under the leadership of the Senator Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee, amid a lingering leadership crisis with the faction loyal to former National Chairman, Julius Abure. The convention, scheduled to take place in Umahia, Abia State, is expected to attract delegates from across the country and address key party matters, including leadership structure and future political direction.

4. The court martial over last year’s foiled coup plot in Nigeria will resume on May 8, a spokesman for the country’s Defence Headquarters said on Monday. Three dozen officers are on trial for allegedly planning to overthrow the government.

5. The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg yesterday confirmed the killing of two Nigerians in South Africa amid rising xenophobic tensions. It identified the victims as Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew. The Consul-General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, said in a statement that Emmanuel died from injuries allegedly sustained after being beaten by personnel of the South African National Defence Force on April 20.

6.The national leadership of the Accord Party has distanced itself from reports linking it to a proposed opposition coalition aimed at producing a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The National Publicity Secretary of Accord, Joseph Omorogbe, made the clarification in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, describing the party’s inclusion in the reported Ibadan summit as misleading and unjust.

7. Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, Mr Peter Obi, and some South East leaders have met with former President Goodluck Jonathan. The meeting which took place behind closed door held in Jonathan’s House in Abuja on Monday evening.

8. Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Monday said it intercepted controlled pharmaceutical drugs, including tramadol weighing 748.02kg, on the Benin-Lagos Expressway. The NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement while presenting the latest operational breakthrough to journalists in Benin.

9. Officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Kogi State have rescued 17 pupils abducted from an Islamic school in Lokoja, as security agencies intensify efforts to free the remaining victims.
PUNCH Metro learnt on Monday that the pupils were kidnapped on Saturday at about 11:45pm when gunmen invaded Daarul Kitab School, an Islamic institution with an attached orphanage located in Zariagi along NNPC Road, Kabba Junction.

10. To tackle Nigeria’s worsening jet fuel shortage and price surge, the Federal Government has asked marketers to grant airline operators a 30-day credit window and sell aviation fuel directly to them. The development is sequel to a series of high-level engagements convened by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, following an earlier meeting called by the Minister of Aviation and Airspace Management on April 22-23, 2026

The Executive Chairman of Bariga Local Council, Hon. (Dr.) Adedeji Bukola Omope, FCPA, took another major step aimed fostering peace and unity in the LCDA on Saturday, after she officially unveiled the Bariga Unity Monument Pillar.

Also on hand for the unveiling was Hon. Samuel Olufemi Apata, member representing Somolu Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly,

The monument is a symbolic structure representing the unity and collective spirit of the people of Bariga.

The monument is strategically located at the intersection of Shogbamu Street (Orita Fogo). Prior to its construction, the site had been notorious for indiscriminate refuse dumping by residents and passersby.

In a proactive move to address this environmental concern, the Executive Chairman conceptualized and executed the idea of erecting the monument to discourage waste disposal and restore cleanliness to the area.

The Bariga Unity Monument Pillar is beautifully finished with marble tiles and adorned with the official logo of Bariga Local Council, reflecting both aesthetic value and civic pride.

While unveiling the monument, Hon. Apata commended the Executive Chairman for her visionary leadership and thoughtful initiative in transforming a previously neglected and refuse-ridden environment into a symbol of unity and environmental sanity.

Residents of the community expressed their joy at the development, noting that the project marks the end of unhealthy odours and environmental hazards caused by accumulated waste in the area.

The unveiling of the Bariga Unity Monument Pillar further underscores the Executive Chairman’s unwavering commitment to fostering unity, promoting environmental sustainability, and enhancing the overall well-being of the people of Bariga and its environs.

Dignitaries present at the historic event included the Vice Chairman of Bariga Local Council, Hon. Babatunde Adesida; the Council Leader, Hon. Balogun Wasiu; Councillors; the Secretary to the Local Government, Alhaji Suri Kareem; Supervisors; the Council Manager, Otunba Lai Giwa; members of the Council Management Staff; Men of LAGESC, Lawma, NOA, LNSC and the Chairman’s aides.

Earlier on the day, the chairman had led her executive members, residents of the LCDA and other community leaders to observe the monthly Environmental Sanitation exercise.

The Kogi state police command says its operatives have rescued 17 pupils following an attack by gunmen on an orphanage and school facility in the Zariagi area of Lokoja.

In a statement issued on Monday by the command’s public relations officer, Saliu Afusat, the police said the incident occurred on Sunday at about 11:45 pm at Daarul Kitab School, an Islamic institution with an attached orphanage.

According to the statement, some gunmen invaded the premises and abducted 26 persons, including 24 pupils and two wives of the proprietor, taking them to an unknown destination.

Afusat said that when the command received the report, “the Divisional Police Officer in charge of ‘B’ Division Lokoja swiftly mobilized a joint team of security operatives and proceeded to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment”.

“The operatives immediately mapped out strategies and commenced coordinated rescue operations. Through these efforts, seventeen (17) of the abducted pupils/students have been successfully rescued,” the statement reads.

“Rescue operations are ongoing by joint security operatives comprising the Police, Military, and other security agencies, with concerted efforts being intensified to secure the safe release of the remaining nine (9) victims, consisting of seven (7) pupils and the two (2) wives of the proprietor.”

Afusat added that Naziru Bello Kankarofi, the Kogi state commissioner of police, has visited the scene and ordered the deployment of tactical teams to strengthen bush-combing, intelligence gathering, and surveillance operations aimed at rescuing the remaining victims and apprehending the perpetrators.

“The Command assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims. Members of the public are urged to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid the ongoing operation,” the statement added.

The police also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements through the command’s control room numbers: 0703 832 9084 and 0815 219 5982.