1. The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has dismissed reports that it rejected an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe the 2027 general elections.
The reports had claimed that the EU would not deploy an election observation mission for the polls, citing worsening insecurity in the country and alleged hostile treatment of its observers and officials following its 2023 election observation mission.
However, in a statement by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, on Monday, August 10, the EU Delegation described the reports as inaccurate and clarified that it had accepted INEC’s invitation, although it would deploy an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM) rather than a conventional election observation mission.
2. A coalition of opposition political parties and stakeholders under the G-100 platform is set to convene a summit in Abuja on August 18, 2026, as part of efforts to forge greater unity among Nigeria’s opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
3. Security forces in Enugu State have successfully apprehended three perpetrators of the August 2 kidnap during an attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, Udi Local Government Area. Cash believed to be ransom payment, arms and ammunition were recovered during the operation. During the gun duel that accompanied the operation, one of the suspects was neutralized.
4. The Department of State Services has released a carpenter, Mustapha Marwana, who was arrested over the abduction and killing of pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State. The Director-General of the service, Tosin Ajayi, ordered his release after investigators cleared him of any link to the attack. A security source who is privy to the case but wished to remain anonymous said a DSS panel carried out a thorough probe into Marwana’s alleged involvement in the inicident before clearing him.
5. Troops of Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA deployed for counter terrorism and anti-banditry operations in Kebbi State have said that they ambushed Lakurawa Terrorist Group on transit to wreak havoc in Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State. According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olayinka Osoba, the troops, acting on credible intelligence on the movement of Lakurawa terrorists who were on transit, swiftly mobilised and laid a tactical ambush for the terrorists.
6. As the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) intensifies it December 2025 phase-out deadline for sachet alcohol and alcoholic drinks packaged in PET bottles below 200ml, many traders are already counting their losses amid an uncertain future. The crackdown, introduced as part of efforts to curb underage drinking and substance abuse, has led to seizures and disruption of businesses dealing in sachet alcohol and small-sized PET alcoholic beverages across the country.
7. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, National Chairman of the African Democratic Party, David Mark and the National Secretary of the party, Rauf Aregbesola, on Monday, urged the electorate in Osun State to support the candidate of the party, Dr Najeem Salaam, in the August 15 governorship election. While Atiku said the best of Nigerians were in the ADC, Aregbesola stated that the party would revive the legacy of the late Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
8. The Labour Party (LP) senatorial candidate for Anambra Central, Ven. Tochukwu Ikezue, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the recent upward review of salaries and allowances for personnel of the Armed Forces. Ikezue, in a statement yesterday by his Director of Media and Communication, Uche Kalu, described the move as recognition of the sacrifices and risks undertaken by military personnel.
9. Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested one Kehinde Makinde, popularly known as Pastor Kenny, in Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly obtaining N2.5m from 18 fellowship members in Saje, Adatan, under the false pretence of organising a government-sponsored pilgrimage to Jerusalem and promising each member N2m.
10. Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, in collaboration with personnel from the Nigerian Army, has recovered 65 bags of skunk cannabis, 604.5kg, in a raid in the state. The state NDLEA commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, said the raid was carried out at a notorious drug hub in Ewe Luleha, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, on August 5, 2026.
