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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four armed robbery suspects who have been terrorizing motorists across Lagos and neighboring states.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the arrest in a statement.

Adebisi said the suspects were apprehended at their hideout in the Igando area during a major operation against violent crimes.

She noted that the gang, aged between 34 and 46, was arrested during intelligence-led operations by the command’s Tactical Squads between 1 am on Wednesday and 3 am on Friday.

According to the police, the suspects reportedly confessed to robbing several vehicle owners at gunpoint and were linked to multiple operations in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Edo states

Daniil Medvedev won his first title in two years on Sunday, defeating Frenchman Corentin Moutet 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Almaty.

Since winning in Rome in May 2023, Medvedev, ranked 14 in the world, has lost six finals including the US Open the same year, and the Australian Open the following January.

This year he lost in the second round in Melbourne before going out in the first round at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows.

After the US Open, Medvedev started working with new coaches Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke and responded by reaching the semifinals in Beijing and Shanghai.

Troops of the 3 Division/Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, have raided a bandits’ hideout and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition in Rawaya Village, near Kazok, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Major General Samson Zhakom, spokesperson for Operation Enduring Peace, confirmed the development, noting that the recovery was part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to disrupt illegal arms trafficking and proliferation in the region.

According to him, the operation followed credible intelligence indicating that bandits were stockpiling arms and ammunition in Barkin Ladi.

‘Following this discovery, troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), raided the hideout of a notorious bandit at Rawaya village near Kazok in Barkin Ladi LGA. The suspect fled shortly before troops arrived,’ Zhakom said.

He added that a thorough search of the hideout led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one revolver pistol, four AK-47 magazines, three G3 magazines, 1,198 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, four rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, three mobile phones, and other items.

The recovered weapons and materials, according to Zhakom, are now in custody for further investigation.

He further stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing bandit and his accomplices, assuring that the operation remains committed to decisively tackling criminal elements across the state.

As the race toward the 2027 general elections gathers momentum, former presidential candidate Peter Obi appears to be standing at a political crossroads.

The man who captured national attention and inspired a generation of young Nigerians in 2023 is again at the centre of Nigeria’s opposition politics, torn between loyalty to the Labour Party and the pull of new alliances.

Since the 2023 elections, Obi’s Labour Party (LP) has been dogged by internal crises. The party, once seen as the face of a new political awakening, is now split into competing camps. One loyal to the embattled national chairman Julius Abure, another to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and a third built around Obi’s passionate supporters, the ‘Obidient’ Movement.

The crisis deepened after the party’s March 2024 national convention, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) described as non-compliant with its rules.

The lingering crisis within the LP ranks appears to have weakened the kind of momentum Obi gained on the platform during the 2023 election. It has thus put him at crossroads as to whether to still fly the party’s flag or look elsewhere, observers noted.

Meanwhile, Obi has been seen working closely with opposition figures under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has become the nucleus of a new coalition.

The coalition, presented earlier this year as a ‘third force’ against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), includes other heavyweight politicians such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, though the ADC itself faces its own internal and structural weaknesses.

But with the likes of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar positioning himself to clinch the ticket of the coalition ADC, there are concerns of what the chances will be for Obi should he choose to seek the presidential ticket of the party.

Recently, Atiku came out to clear the air over reports that he was ready to abandon his presidential ambition for a younger candidate in 2027, indicating that he was very much in the race.

While there are speculations that Obi may settle for a vice-presidential slot under the coalition ADC with Atiku, there are concerns that he may lose his Obidient Movement support base, who are only keen on having him run for president rather than for vice president.

Obi is also speculated to be hobnobbing with his former party, the PDP but with the deepening crisis in the party, analysts said his chances there appear dicey, especially as speculations increase on the potential return of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the race. Obi and Jonathan share the same political demography and this along with other developments, observers noted, has put Obi at a crossroads in terms of which platforms to align with in actualising his ambition in 2027.

Last week, he reaffirmed his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, saying he can change Nigeria’s trajectory within four years if elected.

He’ll announce political platform by November or December – Aide

Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement and one of his spokespersons, insisted that despite the uncertainty, Obi remains firmly committed to the coalition’s broader ideals and still holds membership in the Labour Party.

‘At the moment, His Excellency is a member of the Labour Party. He’s also a coalition member,’ Tanko told Daily Trust in an interview.

‘The coalition has not been made on a political party basis but on individual commitment, and that’s where he stands.’

Tanko revealed that Obi will announce his definitive political platform before the end of the year. ‘He’s going to make a decision on the political party at the end of November or December,’ he said.

While critics have questioned the slow pace of decision-making, Tanko dismisses fears that Obi’s prolonged silence could weaken his base.

‘The support for Mr. Obi has grown beyond anybody’s imagination,’ he said confidently, adding that ‘what people are just waiting for is for him to take the platform he’s going towards. Once that is made, you will see the level of influence.’

Tanko maintained that Obi’s popularity remains nationwide. ‘As we speak now, the Obidient Movement is everywhere in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ he said.

‘Even in Borno and Yobe, there is trust in his leadership. If you do a fact-check, in every political discussion today, if the name of Peter Obi is not mentioned, that discussion is not solid.’

On the much-discussed relationship between Obi and Atiku, Tanko was quick to dismiss any suggestion of rivalry.

‘His Excellency Peter Obi and the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have a very good working relationship,’ he said. ‘Peter Obi highly respects Atiku Abubakar. You could see anywhere they go; he gives him his mark of respect as an elder. We don’t see their relationship as a hindrance but as a strength to the opposition.’

Analyst: Obi is playing a waiting game

Meanwhile, political analyst Jide Ojo believes Obi’s indecision reflects a strategic waiting game rather than confusion.

‘The way I see what’s playing out, not just Peter Obi but all of them are playing waiting games,’ Ojo told Daily Trust.

He explained that the coalition’s future depends on several legal and political factors, noting that ‘there are still court cases against the takeover of the ADC, and they’re not too sure how the court will rule,’ he said, adding that ‘what Obi and others are doing is watching to see if their alternate platform, the African Democratic Alliance (ADA) will be fully registered by INEC.’

‘Maybe Obi and Atiku are waiting in the wings for the official registration of ADA. Once that happens, they’ll have a neutral platform without litigation issues,’ he said.

However, Ojo also identified Obi’s personal dilemma; one that could shape his political destiny. ‘If there’s one politician that Peter Obi is afraid of, it’s Atiku,’ Ojo noted, adding that ‘he doesn’t want to be in the same party primary where Atiku’s influence and financial muscle could tilt the process. He’s also wary of being seen as a perpetual running mate.’

The analyst said Obi’s loyal supporters would resist any arrangement that reduces him to a secondary role. ‘They don’t want him to be a running mate in 2027. They want him to be the candidate,’ he said.

Beyond internal politics, Ojo believes Obi faces regional and structural hurdles. ‘Even if he reconciles with the Abure faction in the Labour Party, it’s not going to be easy,’ he said. ‘There’s a lot of damage done, and no mutual trust between Obi’s camp and Abure’s. Unfortunately, it has not been successful in uniting the party.’

He added that the 2027 election would be Obi’s ‘brightest window.’ ‘He’s about 62 or 63 now,’ Ojo said. ‘If he doesn’t win in 2027 and power shifts back to the North in 2031, he may have to wait for another 12 years. That’s why this coming election is so crucial for him.’

Analysts believe that unless he can reconcile his movement with a stable party base and align with other key opposition figures, the 2027 dream may remain elusive. Yet, Obi’s loyalists insist he is still the most credible face of Nigeria’s opposition.

As Tanko put it, ‘What he’s looking for is to ensure that everybody comes together to work as a team to rescue Nigeria.’

One of Nigeria’s leading commercial banks, First Bank Nigeria Limited, the Nigeria Polo Association (NPA) and other co-sponsors have pooled a whopping N150m for this year’s Kaduna International Polo Tournament.

This was disclosed by the President of Kaduna Polo Club, Alhaji Mohammed Babangida, at the end of the traditional cheque presentation which was held over the weekend at the Murtala Mohammed Square Kaduna.

Speaking on the positive development, Babangida commended the sponsors for their unwavering commitment to the development of the polo.

Meanwhile, the polo enthusiast said contrary to the impression that the sport is for only the rich, it is actually for everyone.

He reiterated that polo is for whoever has a passion for the sport, adding that in the last five years, new and passionate players have entered the scene due to the level of improvement.

‘Polo is sustainable in Nigeria and people should understand that 90% of polo players in this country are not from the affluent families.

‘They are the ones being supported by the sponsors and patrons and we need both sides,’ said Babangida

In the same vein, the Tournament Manager, Atiku Abubakar Saleh, expressed appreciation to the sponsors and invited guests who joined in celebrating a century of polo excellence and tradition.

The week-long Kaduna International Polo Tournament is one of Africa’s most prominent Polo sporting and social events, drawing top players and dignitaries from across the country and beyond.

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has called for a unified front among the 19 northern states to tackle the region’s security and economic challenges, stressing that collaboration is essential for sustainable development.

Lawal made the call while chairing the opening session of the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialization Summit held recently in Abuja.

The event, organised by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) under the leadership of Professor Ango Abdullahi, was themed ‘Unlocking Strategic Opportunities.’

The summit brought together key stakeholders from across the northern region to deliberate on strategies for unlocking the region’s economic potential through investments in mining, agriculture, and power.

‘By convening this gathering under the theme ‘Unlocking Strategic Opportunities,’* you have once again demonstrated a clear-eyed focus on our collective future,’ he said, adding that ‘the choice of sectors; Mining, Agriculture, and Power is not accidental. It is a strategic diagnosis of the core pillars upon which the prosperity of Northern Nigeria must be built.’

The governor lamented the paradox of the North’s vast mineral and agricultural wealth amid widespread poverty and underdevelopment, saying the region must now focus on transforming its potential into prosperity.

‘The key question for us as leaders is not what needs to be done, but how we can collectively turn potential into prosperity,’ he said. ‘To attract necessary investment and industrialize our region for the nation’s benefit, we must move beyond rhetoric and adopt a new approach of collaboration’ he added.

The Zamfara governor highlighted his state’s ongoing reforms in the mining and agricultural sectors, noting that his administration is formalizing mining operations, promoting mechanization and agro-processing, and expanding access to credit for farmers.

‘In Zamfara, our commitment is clear. We are moving from a past of informality and illegality in the mining sector to a regime of formalization, regulation, and value addition,’ he said. ‘We are revitalizing our agricultural sector and creating the secure and stable environment that is the bedrock of it all’, he said.

The Zamfara State Government has approved the reinstatement and payment of seven months’ salary arrears for 103 teachers earlier affected by the verification exercise conducted by the Ministry of Education, Science and lTechnology.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Malam Wadatau Madawaki, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the review of the teacher verification exercise.

Madawaki said the affected teachers were wrongly omitted from the list of verified staff due to what he described as ‘commission or by omission’ during the verification process.

‘After the verification exercise, we found out that 103 of these teachers were mistakenly affected. They were supposed to be in the list of declared teachers,’ he explained.

The commissioner said following the discovery, the ministry wrote to Governor Dauda Lawal seeking his approval for the reinstatement of the affected teachers and the payment of their withheld salaries.

‘From January up to July 2025, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology wrote a letter to His Excellency, the Executive Governor, requesting him to graciously approve the registration of these 103 teachers,’ he said.

‘Alhamdulillah, the Executive Governor, as a caring father, has approved their registration and also the payment of their outstanding monthly salaries from January to July 2025’, he said.

He emphasized that the ongoing reforms in the education sector are part of the government’s broader efforts to sanitise the system and ensure efficiency in public service.

Ahead of the FCT area councils’ chairmanship elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, not less than 104 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kuje Area Council have dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The APC’s chairmanship candidate in the council, Danjuma Samuel Shekwolo, received the decampees at the weekend.

Shekwolo, who was joined by the party chairman, state welfare secretary, and some party leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), received the defectors at a brief ceremony at Kayarda-Kasa in Kuje Area Council.

Our correspondent reports that among the defectors were the Special Adviser on Nomadic Affairs to the incumbent chairman of the Kuje Area Council, Surajo Suman, Alhaji Bala Umar, Mallam Ibrahim Bello, among others.

The APC chairmanship candidate, while addressing the decampees, congratulated them for making a wise decision to join the ruling party and assured them that they would not regret their decision.

He described the decampees as leaders and solid members of the PDP and assured them that the APC would provide equal opportunities and privileges for both old and new members, adding that the party doors were still open for others to join.

Speaking on behalf of the decampees, Mr. Surajo attributed their decisions to the absence of pro-people leadership in the PDP administration in the council.

The call to ‘Free Nnamdi Kanu’ has grown louder as activist Omoyele Sowore convenes a protest to demand the release of the separatist leader.

Kanu, detained since 2021 on charges of treason linked to his separatist movement, continues to challenge the allegations through his lawyers.

In this episode of Nigeria Daily, we ask, why should he be released?

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed the immediate past Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to lead its election observation mission to the upcoming presidential election in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire scheduled for 25 October 2025.

This was disclosed on Sunday in a statement by Mohammed Brimah from Osinbajo’s media Office.

According to the statement, the Mission was deployed on Sunday, 19 and will remain active until 29 October 2025, in line with the provisions of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

‘As Head of Mission, Professor Osinbajo will lead a team of eminent West Africans tasked with engaging key national stakeholders to support a peaceful and credible electoral process, fostering cooperation with other international and domestic observer groups, and assessing the conduct of the polls,’ the statement disclosed.

The deployment of this observation mission underscores ECOWAS’s unwavering commitment to promoting peace, stability, and credible elections in the sub-region.