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Good morning! Nigerian Newspapers Headlines: Xenophobia: 130 Nigerians sign up for S’Africa evacuation

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1. At least 130 Nigerians have already registered for voluntary evacuation flights from South Africa as Nigeria moves to safeguard its citizens amid rising tensions linked to anti-foreigner protests in the country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in a situation report via her X handle on Sunday, said the evacuation arrangement is part of broader diplomatic and security measures being coordinated with Nigerian missions in South Africa

2. The African Democratic Congress has released its timetable for the conduct of its 2026 primary elections, setting May 25, 2026, for its presidential primary and pegging its nomination form at N100 million. In a statement issued by Bolaji Abullahi, spokesman of the party, the ADC said the timetable outlines guidelines and requirements for the nomination of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

3. The Federal Government has said that no Nigerian was killed and no Nigerian-owned property was destroyed during recent anti-foreigner protests in parts of South Africa. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this in a situation report titled “South Africa Protests: Situation Report”, published on her X handle on Sunday.

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4. The All Progressives Congress has criticised former presidential candidate Peter Obi over his political realignments, accusing him of frequently changing party platforms instead of contributing to long-term party development. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the remarks in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, where he questioned Obi’s pattern of political affiliations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

5. The Labour Party has fixed N50 million as the cost of expression of interest and nomination forms for aspirants seeking its presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections. The decision was contained in a press release issued by the party’s National Secretariat on Sunday, alongside a revised timetable for its electoral activities.

6. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, warned the Federal Government over poor economic management, citing the drop in external reserves despite rising oil earnings. Also, Nigeria’s external reserves fell to $48.45 billion as of April 24 from $48.72 billion recorded the previous week, representing a decline of about $1.57 billion since March 11.



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7. Peter Obi, on Sunday, urged members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress to shun litigation and internal disputes, warning that court battles could undermine efforts to build a viable political alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections. Obi made the appeal on Sunday, shortly after he and Rabiu Kwankwaso, were seen receiving membership cards of the party, signalling what appears to be their formal entry into the platform.


8. The United Bank for Africa has dismissed as false and defamatory a viral social media claim alleging that its Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, has divorced his wife, Awele. In a formal notice issued by the bank’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, on Sunday, the institution described the publication as “fabricated, reckless, and malicious,” adding that it was intended to damage the reputation of the bank and its chairman.

9. The Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, led by Sen. Adolphus Wabara, has summoned an emergency National Executive Committee meeting for Monday. Wabara spoke on Sunday in Abuja during the 84th meeting of his faction of the board. He said the decision became necessary to prevent a leadership vacuum following recent developments within the party.

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10. The Federal Government of Nigeria has summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner over recent reports of attacks targeting Nigerians and their businesses in the country. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the envoy has been invited to a meeting scheduled for today, May 4, 2026, in Abuja, where Nigeria will formally convey its concerns over the developments.

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Woman jumps into Lagos lagoon, rescued by boat operators

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A yet-to-be-identified woman has been rescued after reportedly jumping into the lagoon from the Idumota end of the Carter Bridge in Lagos state.

The incident, which reportedly drew the attention of passersby and local boat operators, occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, nearby boat operators responded and brought the woman back to safety.

video circulating on social media showed the woman, seated in a rescue boat shortly after she was brought out of the water.

The footage, shared on X by a user identified as CHUKS, also showed people gathered on the bridge expressing concern about the woman’s condition.

Some bystanders could be heard appealing to the boat operators to ensure that she received appropriate care.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm the woman’s identity and condition.

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Police seize truck-load of fake drug warehouses in Lagos, arrest two

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The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered two warehouses allegedly used for repackaging counterfeit pharmaceutical products and arrested two suspected members of a syndicate involved in the interstate and cross-border distribution of fake drugs.

Fatai Tijani, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command,  disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen at the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit in the Ijora Olopa area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Eze Okwudilichukwu, 52, and Chukwudi Mba, 42, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by detectives attached to the unit.

The police boss said the suspects were apprehended at a warehouse located at Number 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to various parts of Nigeria.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.

According to the police commissioner, “The suspects, Eze Okwudilichukwu ‘m’ 52 years, and Chukwudi Mba ‘m’ 42 years, were arrested at their warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were found repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to different parts of Nigeria.

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“Following their arrest and interrogation, the suspects led detectives to another warehouse, where a duly executed search warrant was carried out. During the search, a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products, bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina), was recovered alongside other exhibits.”

The police boss said items recovered during the operation included about 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole; six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton, and other pharmaceutical products; and about 10 cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra, and other drugs.

The CP noted that more than 300 empty printed packs and cartons were used to repackage counterfeit medicines.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated drugs for over two years.

He added that detectives uncovered evidence suggesting that the products were supplied to different parts of Nigeria, while large consignments were also destined for Lomé, Togo, indicating the existence of a transnational distribution network.

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“The investigation also suggests that the suspected adulterated drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State.

“While the production facility has not yet been located, detectives have intensified efforts to identify and dismantle the factory, arrest all those connected with the operation, and bring them to justice,” Fatai said.

The commissioner also alleged that attempts were made to compromise the investigation after the suspects were arrested.

“It is pertinent to state that since the arrest of the suspects, desperate attempts have been made through different channels to induce officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit to release both the suspects and the recovered exhibits.

“I wish to categorically state that these attempts were firmly resisted. The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, integrity, and the rule of law, and no amount of pressure or inducement will derail the course of justice,” he added.

Tijani said the suspects, recovered exhibits, and case file had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and possible prosecution.

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He explained that the handover was necessary because the case falls within the regulatory mandate of the agency.

The CP commended operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit for what he described as a professional and intelligence-driven operation while urging members of the public to provide useful information on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products and other criminal activities.

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NDLEA uncovers cocaine hidden in wooden mortar, backpack bound for China, Italy

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have uncovered fresh attempts by drug syndicates to export cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar and a specially modified backpack destined for China and Italy.

This was contained in a statement released by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, and shared on X on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, one of the consignments involved cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar, a local tool commonly used for pounding yam and grains, which was being shipped to China.

The agency added that another cocaine shipment destined for Italy was discovered concealed in the false bottom of a backpack hidden among lace materials.

He wrote, “Mortar is a traditional local wooden tool commonly used for pounding yams or grains but was used to conceal cocaine consignment heading to China in one of the latest seizures by #ndlea_nigeria officers who also discovered another shipment of cocaine going to Italy in the false bottom of a backpack hidden in lace materials.

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“Beware of every parcel you’re given to deliver. Remember the key word for liability is possession!”

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