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A 38-year-old man, Vinoth Kumar, allegedly killed his three children by slashing their throats in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district just because his estranged wife refused to return to him.

He reportedly surrendered himself to the police on Friday after carrying out the horrible act.

The incident, according to local media reports, took place at Periyakottai village near Pattukottai.

Kumar, a resident of Madhukur village, was said to be married to Nithya.

The couple had been living separately for the past six months. They were parents to 11-year-old Oviya, 8-year-old Keerthi, and 5-year-old Eeshwar.

Police disclosed that Kumar had recently met his wife, urging her to return and live with him.

However, after she refused, he allegedly bought sweets for his children, fed them, and then killed them by slashing their throats.

After committing the crime, Vinoth Kumar reportedly went to the Madhukur Police Station and surrendered.

The police immediately registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident.

According to India Today, a similar incident was reported in Andhra Pradesh’s Nagarkurnool district, where a 36-year-old man allegedly killed his three children, set their bodies on fire, and later took his own life in what police believe was an act driven by marital discord.

Officials suspect that domestic conflict and emotional distress were at the root of the crime.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Professor Joash Amupitan, the newly nominated chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ‘prioritise and ensure the effective prosecution of politicians and their sponsors who are suspected to be responsible for electoral offences, including violence, bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence during the general elections and off-cycle elections since 2015.’

SERAP urged him to ‘prioritise the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections in 2027, in conformity with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international obligations.’

SERAP also urged him to ‘ensure that any reform of the Electoral Act includes provisions for the timely prosecution of electoral offences and access of voters to justice and effective remedies for violations of their fundamental rights.’

President Bola Tinubu had last week nominated Amupitan as the new INEC chair. If confirmed by the Senate, he will replace Mahmood Yakubu, who left the position last week, weeks before the expiration of his second term of five years.

In the letter dated 11 October 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: ‘Impunity for past electoral offences is a major barrier to free and fair elections in Nigeria. Mr Amupitan must demonstrate that INEC under his watch would not tolerate electoral offences in the country’s elections.’

SERAP said, ‘Unless the legacy of impunity for these grave electoral offences is combated and perpetrators, especially high-ranking politicians and their sponsors are effectively prosecuted and voters provided with access to justice, those contemplating electoral crimes will feel unconstrained in future elections.’

According to SERAP, ‘the general elections and off-cycle elections conducted since 2015 have been characterised by grave electoral offences, including violence, bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence, making a mockery of INEC.’

The letter, read in part: ‘High-ranking politicians and their sponsors are rarely brought to justice for electoral offences, reinforcing a culture of impunity for violations of Nigerians’ democratic rights.’

‘There cannot be a fair electoral process if the body managing the electoral process fails to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of electoral offences and access of voters to justice and effective remedies.’

‘No right is more precious in a democratic society than that of having a voice in the election of those who govern the citizens, and other rights, even the most basic, are illusory if unresolved electoral offences are not thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, and voters are not provided with access to justice.’

‘We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken upon your confirmation by the Senate and your assumption of office. Should you and INEC fail to act as recommended, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.’

‘The persistent failure by INEC leadership to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of electoral offences makes a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy and undermines public trust in the electoral body.’

‘The 2027 general elections and the off-cycle elections are crucial for the promotion and protection of the human rights of Nigerians.’

‘Ensuring accountability and ending the impunity of perpetrators of electoral offences would enhance Nigerians’ rights to participate in their own government including to vote in free and fair elections, as well as ensure respect for the rule of law.’

‘The effective prosecution of electoral offences and access of voters to justice and effective remedies would serve a legitimate aim, namely, the proper functioning and maintenance of the democratic and electoral processes.’

‘It would also enhance the integrity of the electoral process and public trust and confidence in the ability of INEC under your leadership to impartially and independently carry out your responsibilities.’

‘The crisis confronting the country’s elections and lack of public trust and confidence in the electoral process can be addressed if impunity for electoral offences is combated through a transparent, credible and effective investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators.’

Electoral offences are clearly contrary to the express provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and international standards.’

‘Persistent cases of electoral offences in the country’s elections gravely violate Nigerians’ right to vote, which is central to the effective participation of every citizen.’

‘The Nigerian Constitution provides in Section 14(1)(c) that, ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.”

‘Sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act prohibit electoral bribery and undue influence before, during and after any election. Section 145(2) provides that, ‘a prosecution under this Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission or any legal practitioner appointed by it.”

‘Similarly, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance guarantee the right to political participation, including the right to vote.’

‘These human rights treaties to which the country is a state party contain broad provisions on the right of Nigerians to democratic elections.’

‘The right to vote is fundamental and is the essence of a democratic society, and any restrictions on that right strike at the heart of representative government. Nigerians should have the final say in the election of governmental officials.’

‘According to the African Union’s (AU) Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa, AU member states including Nigeria must ‘take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging or any other illegal practices throughout the whole electoral process, in order to maintain peace and security.”

Legendary French football icon and former Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has spoken about his long-awaited return to football management and the team he dreams of coaching.

Zidane, who has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, said he has not lost his passion for the game and remains eager to return to the dugout when the right opportunity comes.

‘For sure, I’m coming back as a head coach that’s part of my plan,’ Zidane said while speaking at the Festival Dello Sport. ‘My greatest desire is to become the head coach of the French national team one day. Let’s see how things turn out.’

The 53-year-old football legend, who led Real Madrid to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, has been linked with several top European clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Juventus, but has so far turned down all offers.

France’s current head coach, Didier Deschamps, has been in charge since 2012 and guided Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018.

However, reports suggest that Deschamps could step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which might create the perfect opportunity for Zidane to take over the national team he once captained as a player.

Fans across France and beyond continue to hope that one of football’s greatest midfielders will soon return to the sidelines this time to lead his country to even greater success.

The Founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Dr Boniface Aniebonam has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s choice of Prof. Joash Amupitan as INEC chairman.

Aniebonam’spoke against the background of controversies surrounding Amupitan’s appointment on Sunday in Lagos.

The National Council of States on Oct. 7, approved the appointment of Amupitan to take over from Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu as INEC chairman.

The appointment is awaiting confirmation by Senate.

According to Aniebonam, Amupitan already has his work cut out for him and should hit the ground running as soon as his appointment is confirmed.

‘The first task for Amupitan is to change the battered image of INEC and return the trust of Nigerians in the umpire.

‘INEC’s image has been so eroded over the years that the first task before Amupitan is righting the wrongs by the commission and re-creating confidence in it.

‘Amupitan needs to study the commission thoroughly and correct issues currently before it that Mahmoud ignored,’ he said.

According to Aniebonam , President Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council members must have seen Amupitan’s capacity before nominating him, pointing out that the President is truly committed to right the wrongs in Nigeria, and may be starting with INEC.

‘What we need in Nigeria at the moment shall be leaders who can take informed and hard decisions, if we must reinvent the Nigeria of our dreams

‘Our experience with INEC over the internal leadership crisis in NNPP have given us an insight into the ills of the commission and how the body worked sometimes.

‘For the immediate past leadership of INEC to ignore subsisting court orders and directives to upload the NNPP new national executives was a shocker and very shameful in constitutional democracy.

‘What could have stopped the former INEC boss from obeying the court orders should be looked into. These and many more are part of issues that can erode a people’s confidence in an institution.

‘Amupitan has the choice to either follow the path of past INEC chairmen or write his name in Diamond,’ he said.

According to Aniebonam, unattended matters, especially disobedience to court judgments should be cleared forthwith by the new INEC boss once confirmed.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a two-week total and comprehensive warning strike across all public universities in Nigeria.

The union’s National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced this on Sunday during a press briefing at the University of Abuja.

According to him, the strike will take effect from midnight on Monday, October 13, 2025.

‘Compatriots of the press, it goes without saying that there is nothing sufficient on ground to stop the implementation of the ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike at the expiry of the 14-day notice given on the 28th September 2025,’ Piwuna said.

He added that the warning strike would be ‘total and comprehensive,’ as agreed at the last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

The development comes despite ongoing talks between the Federal Government and the union to prevent another disruption in the nation’s universities.

Earlier in the week, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the government had made progress in resolving the issues, including the release of N50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances and another N150 billion captured in the 2025 budget for needs assessment.

Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, the Ogun State governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general elections, has congratulated international lawyer and chairman of the party in Ogun State, Barrister Femi Aina, on the occasion of his birthday celebration today, Sunday, October 12, 2025.

Ajadi, in a goodwill message released to journalists in Ogun State, described Barrister Aina as ‘a man of uncommon intellect, integrity, and courage,’ whose professional and political commitments have contributed immensely to the growth of the NNPP in Ogun State and beyond.

‘Barrister Femi Aina is not only a brilliant lawyer with international recognition but also a loyal party man whose dedication continues to strengthen our political movement. His consistency, wisdom, and leadership have been invaluable to our collective progress,’ Ajadi said.

Ajadi highlighted Barrister Aina’s contributions to party unity and grassroots mobilisation, particularly during and after the 2023 elections, when the NNPP made remarkable inroads into new political territories across the South-West

‘Leadership in politics is not just about ambition; it is about service, strategy, and sacrifice. Barrister Aina embodies all these virtues. On behalf of all NNPP members and supporters in Ogun State, I celebrate him today and wish him more strength, wisdom, and fulfilment in his service to humanity,’ Ambassador Ajadi added.

Barrister Femi Aina, a seasoned legal practitioner with over three decades of experience in international law, has earned widespread respect for his advocacy for justice and good governance. Beyond his legal career, he has been instrumental in mentoring young politicians within the NNPP and promoting inclusiveness in Ogun State politics.

Ambassador Ajadi, who has consistently championed youth involvement, entrepreneurship, and national unity through both his political and philanthropic engagements, reaffirmed his admiration for Aina’s steadfastness in advancing the party’s ideals.

‘Barrister Aina and I share the same vision of building a new Nigeria rooted in fairness, development, and opportunity for all. His birthday is a reminder of the many lives he has touched through his professionalism and patriotism,’ Ajadi reiterated.

The felicitation, which has since been widely shared among party faithful and admirers on social media, has drawn commendations from political associates, who lauded the cordial relationship between the two leaders as a model of mutual respect and ideological commitment in Nigeria’s political space.

The Kogi West FGYB Legacy Group, comprising stakeholders from the seven Local Government Areas of Kogi West Senatorial District, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for a second term in office.

According to a statement by Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Olorunfemi Fanwo, the endorsement was made in a communique at the end of a meeting held in Kabba, Kogi State, on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

The communique was jointly signed and read by its drafting committee chairman, Fanwo; Secretary, Barr. Tanko Mohammed; and Member, Hon. Shaibu Ipinmisho on behalf of the group.

The stakeholders unanimously passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu, citing his bold economic reforms, efforts towards energy stability, and massive infrastructural development across the nation.

They pledged over 90 percent of the votes from Kogi West Senatorial District in future elections in recognition of his people-oriented leadership.

The meeting commended Governor Ododo for his impactful leadership and remarkable achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, youth and women empowerment, and humanitarian development.

The stakeholders particularly lauded the governor’s strategic approach to tackling security challenges across the state, especially in Kogi West, and for fostering peace and stability in all communities.

The meeting applauded the governor for his ongoing and completed projects across Kogi West Senatorial District.

These include massive projects at the Kogi State University, Kabba, the Model Secondary School, Okebukun, and the Township Road reconstruction projects in Mopa and Ayetoro Gbede.

The stakeholders also commended the take-off of projects at the College of Education (Technical), Mopa.

The stakeholders expressed deep appreciation for the governor’s personal visit to troubled areas and his efforts in ensuring security in the Senatorial District.

The group called on traditional rulers, community leaders, and citizens to support government efforts towards restoring and sustaining peace across Kogi State.

They reaffirmed their unwavering support for the administrations of President Tinubu and Governor Ododo, pledging to mobilize citizens in support of government policies.

The meeting commended security agencies for supporting the governor in ensuring security in the district. Local hunters also commended for complementing security agencies in Kogi West.

The stakeholders resolved that leaders of every LGA in Kogi West should mobilize people to participate in Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and commended the stakeholders’ turnout.

Earlier, during the meeting, the APC Chairman, Kogi State, Hon. Abdullahi Bello said the party is for progressive people with loyal leaders.

He commended former Governor Yayaya Bello raising people at the grassroots and laid a solid foundation for the incumbent Gov Ahmed Ododo to build on.

He emphasised that APC stakeholders’ meeting would strengthen the party in the state and the country at large.

Bello urged members to be focused and united and beware of inexperienced and self-centered politicians.

The APC Chairman commended President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigerians and urged party members to sustain support for Tinubu and Gov. Ododo.

Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones and that of Finance and Budget Planning, Asiwaju Idris; Environment and Ecological Management, Olusegun Joseph who spoke on behalf of Kabba-Bunu, Yagba East, and Yagba West, respectively, lauded Gov. Ododo and President Tinubu’s achievements.

The meeting was attended by all Commissioners, LG chairmen, Assembly members, federal lawmakers, and former and present political appointees from Kogi West, as well as former Sen. Smart Adeyemi.

Other signatories for each of the seven LGAs are Aliyu Umar Yusuf, Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly – Lokoja LGA; Cdr Jerry Omodara retd, State Security Adviser – Kabba/Bunu; Mrs Folashade Ayoade, Secretary to the State Government – Yagba East; Kingsley Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications – Mopamuro LGA; Engr. Bashir Gegu, Commissioner for Solid Minerals – Kogi LGA; Engr. Olusegun Joseph, Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management – Yagba West, and Dr. Helen Adeniyi, Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology – Ijumu LGA.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 52-year-old businessman, Ejiofor Godwin Emeka, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, after he excreted 127 wraps of cocaine concealed in his private part and stomach.

Emeka, who operates boutiques in Lagos and Onitsha, Anambra State, was apprehended on arrival from Bangkok, Thailand, via Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 on October 8, 2025, following credible intelligence.

NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi said a body scan confirmed that Emeka ingested illicit substances and concealed others in his underwear.

He added that a total of 58 wraps of cocaine were immediately recovered from his pants before he was placed under excretion observation and that over several days, he excreted 69 additional pellets in seven rounds, bringing the total to 127 wraps weighing 1.388 kilograms.

In another major breakthrough, NDLEA operatives intercepted three consignments of illicit drugs destined for the United Kingdom at a courier company in Lagos on October 9 and 10.

The first shipment contained 1.74 kilograms of methamphetamine cleverly hidden inside blocks of glass ceramics, while the second and third contained 114 grams of pentazocine, 168 grams of tramadol injections, and 48 grams of tramadol capsules concealed in Vitamin C containers.

The statement further said attempts by criminal syndicates to export other consignments were also foiled.

These included 2.6 kilograms of skunk and 422 grams of tapentadol tablets concealed in black soap heading to Turkey, 169 grams of cocaine hidden in ladies’ handbags bound for Australia, and 568 grams of ‘loud’ cannabis packed in containers of herbs destined for the United Arab Emirates.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted 27,510 pills of rohypnol disguised in sachets of alcoholic drinks being smuggled to South Africa.

Following the arrest of a freight agent and a cab driver linked to the shipment, a follow-up operation led to the arrest of 46-year-old Samuel Omoruyi, also known as Yellow, at Oyingbo Market, Lagos, identified as the mastermind behind the attempt.

The same day, an Italy-based businessman, Enehizena Augustine Uyimwen, was arrested while attempting to export 3,700 tramadol pills and 2,600 tapentadol tablets hidden in food items to Europe.

According to NDLEA, He confessed that he was trafficking the drugs on behalf of another person for a fee of pound 945.

Elsewhere across the country, NDLEA officers continued their crackdown on drug traffickers. In Edo State, a raid on the home of Emmanuel Sunday at Ugbekpe Ekperi, Etsako Central Local Government Area, led to the recovery of 47 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis.

In Osun State, two suspects were arrested at Omifufun village, Ife South Local Government Area, after 635 kilograms of skunk were found in their Toyota Hiace bus, while another 100 kilograms were recovered from two other suspects in the same area.

In Rivers, Kaduna, Niger, Katsina and Ondo states, operatives seized thousands of opioid pills, cannabis, and other controlled substances in separate operations, arresting several suspects in the process.

Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers for their professionalism and resilience, urging them to sustain the momentum in the ongoing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reduced the cost of kidney dialysis from ?50,000 to ?12,000 per session, a 76 per cent subsidy.

The initiative aims to make dialysis more affordable for thousands of Nigerians battling kidney-related diseases.

The hospitals where you can access the subsidy are: The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute-Metta, Lagos; The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja; the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri.

Others include the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH); the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta; the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos; the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Azare; the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin; the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar, and the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.

This initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to ensure Nigerians have access to affordable healthcare.

The Federal Government on Sunday night warned that it may enforce the no-work-no-pay policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) if they proceed with their planned strike.

This was contained in a statement issued by Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, who accused ASUU of being uncooperative despite several government efforts to prevent the strike.

According to the statement, the government said it has continued to prioritise the welfare of university staff and the stability of the academic calendar under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The statement read partly, ‘Dialogue remains the most effective and sustainable path to resolving disagreements, and government remains open to engagement at any level to prevent unnecessary disruption in the education sector.’

However, the ministry warned that the no-work-no-pay policy remains an existing labour law in Nigeria and would be applied if academic activities are disrupted.

‘While the government continues to demonstrate goodwill and flexibility, it will not abdicate its responsibility to uphold fairness and accountability in the use of public resources,’ the statement added.

The ministry also assured students, parents, and the general public of its commitment to maintaining industrial peace in tertiary institutions.

It further appealed to all academic unions to embrace dialogue rather than confrontation, noting that the ongoing education reform agenda aims to improve teaching and research conditions, promote institutional autonomy, and ensure universities operate in a climate of respect and productivity.

Meanwhile, ASUU has declared a total and comprehensive warning strike starting Monday, October 13.