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Tragedy struck in Bauchi as police confirmed the death of a 24-year-old woman, Fatima Salihu Mohamed,m days after she was declared missing.

The Bauchi State Police Command said Fatima was last seen on September 24 when she left home to buy groceries at Birshin Fulani but never returned. Her father, Salihu Mohammed Chimo, 62, lodged a missing person report the following day at the ‘E’ Divisional Police Headquarters.

Police spokesperson, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, said detectives and surveillance experts were deployed to trace her whereabouts.

A breakthrough came when the village head of Birshin Fulani relayed a report from one Bashar Adamu, who discovered a decomposing body on his father’s maize farm near the Federal Polytechnic Staff Quarters. Detectives led by CSP Yahaya Yunusa later confirmed the corpse to be that of the missing Fatima.

She was found with her shopping bags and groceries by her side. Her body was taken to the Federal Polytechnic clinic, where a medical practitioner confirmed her death before it was released to her family for burial.

Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered a homicide team to investigate the case thoroughly.

According to Wakil, the commissioner assured that the inquiry will be evidence-driven to ensure justice is served.

As the United States battles through a government shutdown, rumours have gone viral that America’s borders are now wide open for illegal immigrants. But Washington has moved quickly to shut down the claims, insisting immigration laws remain intact and border enforcement as strict as ever.

In a statement issued on X, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stressed that immigration laws and border enforcement remain fully intact despite the shutdown.

‘There is no change to U.S. immigration laws or border enforcement. Rumors that a shutdown will allow illegal immigrants to enter the United States are false,’ the advisory stated.

The ICE clarified that border security remains strict, and anyone attempting to cross without authorization will face the full weight of the law.

The message comes amid rising speculation online that the budget standoff in Washington had created loopholes at U.S. entry points. But authorities insist the shutdown only affects funding to some government operations and has no bearing on immigration enforcement.

Crossing America’s borders without legal clearance, they warned, ‘remains a crime.’

The U.S. government shutdown has sent ripples across global markets, and Nigeria, as an oil-dependent economy and frontier market, stands right in the middle of the storm.

This isn’t really another Washington drama. It’s a market event with real consequences. From Wall Street to Broad Street, from the dollar index to the naira, the tremors are already here.

What Happens At Global Scene?

Dollar weakens: As trading opened, the U.S. dollar index dipped, making way for stronger currencies and boosting gold.

Gold rallies: Investors ran for cover, pushing gold past $3,800/oz, an all-time high.

Oil wavers: Brent crude traded around $66.31/barrel; U.S. crude hovered at $62.63/barrel. The market is torn between fears of weaker demand and supply constraints.

Stocks stumble: Wall Street futures slipped, with traders worried about delayed U.S. economic data releases, including payrolls, that normally guide global interest rate expectations.

History tells us shutdowns rarely cause long-term market collapses. But in the short term, volatility is the rule.

Where Nigeria Stands

For Nigeria, this shutdown is a double-edged sword.

The good edge:

Oil is priced in dollars. When the dollar weakens, Nigeria earns more in local currency terms. This could temporarily lift dollar inflows and strengthen external reserves.

Higher gold prices usually signal a weaker dollar, a trend that makes Nigeria’s crude receipts more valuable.

The bad edge:

Investors fleeing risk could pull capital from emerging markets like Nigeria, weakening the naira and hitting the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

If the U.S. slowdown drags global demand, oil prices could sink further, eating into Nigeria’s revenue despite the dollar advantage.

Currency pressures are already familiar. In April, the CBN had to sell nearly $200 million to stabilize the naira after global shocks. A prolonged shutdown could trigger similar interventions.

My Take

Nigeria doesn’t escape this spared. The dollar’s weakness looks like a gift, but it’s the kind that comes with strings. Yes, oil earnings may shine brighter in the near term, but capital flight and demand risks lurk in the shadows.

In the end, this shutdown is neither fully good nor completely bad for Nigeria. It is exactly what it looks like, a double-edged sword, and the sharper side depends on how long Washington keeps the lights out.

A couple have been captured by CCTV stealing a gold necklace from a jewellery showroom in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Police are investigating with CCTV footage to identify the accused soon, local media reported on Wednesday.

The video of the couple has gone viral, showing them posing as customers before discreetly stealing a gold necklace from the jewellery showroom.

According to INDIA TODAY, the theft came to light when the shopkeeper noticed a shortage of 6gms of gold during closing stock checks.

This prompted the checking of the CCTV installed in the showroom which footage revealed that, while browsing necklaces, the woman cleverly tucked one under her saree and walked out of the store with her partner.

According to the owner of the jewellery showroom, Gaurav Pandit, who immediately reported to the police, the missing gold necklace is worth nearly Rs 6 lakh.

Though the thieving couple were yet to be apprehended as of press time, a police official is reported to have confirmed that the footage was being examined closely.

He reportedly assured that the couple would soon be identified and brought to justice.

Arsenal secured a commanding 2-0 win over Olympiacos Piraeus in their latest European outing, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka finding the net in a game filled with drama, missed chances, and VAR controversy.

The Gunners started brightly and nearly struck early when Viktor Gyökeres hit the post in the 12th minute.

Moments later, Martinelli pounced on a loose ball inside the box to score from close range, handing Mikel Arteta’s men the breakthrough they deserved.

Olympiacos responded with a few dangerous moments, particularly through Daniel Podence and Ayoub El Kaabi, but David Raya produced key saves to keep Arsenal in front.

The visitors thought they had equalised in the 67th minute when Chiquinho found the net, but VAR intervened and ruled the goal out for offside, a decision that infuriated the Greek side.

Arsenal remained in control, with Martin Ødegaard pulling the strings in midfield and forcing a goal-line clearance after his low strike in the 82nd minute.

As Olympiacos pushed for a late leveller, Arsenal punished them on the counter. In stoppage time, Ødegaard slid a clever pass into Saka’s path, and the winger finished clinically into the bottom corner to seal the win.

The match ended with frustrations boiling over for Olympiacos, as late yellow cards compounded their disappointment.

For Arsenal, the result not only secured three points but also underlined their growing efficiency in Europe, balancing attacking flair with defensive resilience.

As Nigeria celebrates its 65th Independence Anniversary, a South-West chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take urgent steps toward revamping the nation’s economy and tackling unemployment, especially among graduates.

In a statement to journalists, Ajadi expressed concern over the persistent decline of the economy despite Nigeria’s abundant resources and democratic governance.

He urged the Tinubu-led administration to seize the independence milestone as a moment of reflection and accountability.

‘President Tinubu should use this occasion to look back and tell Nigerians what he has done in the past two years to improve their lives. The condition of the average Nigerian is pitiable, and there is a pressing need to rescue citizens from the terrible state of things,’ he said.

Ajadi, who congratulated Nigerians on the anniversary, lamented that the country has regressed since independence.

According to him, Nigeria’s past economic glory stands in stark contrast to the present hardships faced by its people.

‘In the 1970s, the Naira was stronger than the British Pound and the US Dollar. The economy was booming, agriculture brought in foreign exchange, and jobs were waiting for graduates even before they completed school. Sadly, today’s reality is the opposite,’ Ajadi noted.

He questioned how the nation had descended into such economic decline, stressing that the government must urgently fashion out policies to strengthen the Naira, improve livelihoods, and provide sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.

‘Years back, the Naira was stronger than the CFA and Ghanaian Cedi, but now the reverse is the case. After 65 years of independence, Nigeria remains like a toddler. This is a sad story for our nation,’ he added.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on his 60th birthday celebration.

In his congratulatory message released on the 1st of October, the President described Abbas as a worthy partner in government and in implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda.

While affirming that the House under Abbas has passed many impactful pieces of legislation, the President commended the Speaker’s deep knowledge, wisdom, and openness.

‘Speaker Abbas has displayed uncommon capacity as a leader of equals. His drive for integrity, excellence and selfless service has proved helpful in maintaining stability in the House. I rejoice with the family, friends and associates of this fine lawmaker and leader of men on this milestone. I also congratulate the people of Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State for picking Abbas to represent them in the House of Representatives since 2011,’ he stated.

President Tinubu also prayed for many more years and good health for Speaker Abbas.

The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro on Tuesday unveiling sweeping reforms in the state’s criminal justice system that have prioritised efficiency, transparency, and restorative justice.

Addressing journalists in Ikeja as part of his second-year review, Pedro highlighted figures that he said demonstrated how far-reaching changes have reshaped the administration of justice in Lagos.

From digitisation of case management to prison decongestion and restorative sentencing, the Attorney General insisted that Lagos is setting new benchmarks for justice delivery in Nigeria.

In two years, he said the Ministry of Justice processed 361 plea bargain applications, saying of these, 314 were approved and only 37 declined, with the approved cases expediting justice while easing the strain on already congested courts.

The Attorney General explained that the adoption of the plea bargain process not only reduced trial delays but also directly impacted correctional facilities by lowering the population of awaiting-trial inmates.

‘This mechanism is saving valuable judicial time,’ Pedro said. ‘It has given us a faster route to justice while ensuring fairness.’

To further decongest correctional facilities, Pedro said the state has exercised the Governor’s constitutional power of Prerogative of Mercy and that since 2023, 263 inmates deemed deserving by the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy were granted release.

‘These are individuals who had spent long years in prison, shown remorse, and were recommended for a second chance,’ Pedro explained, adding that ‘Their reintegration into society speaks to the humane side of our justice system.’

Pedro disclosed that the Lagos Restorative Justice Unit, established to give victims and offenders the opportunity for reconciliation and restitution, recorded 348 cases in two years.

He said of these, 192 cases were successfully resolved through agreements, while 45 are ongoing, saying that another 111 cases were referred back to the courts for full trial.

Pedro said the figures show the growing relevance of restorative justice in reducing adversarial litigation and fostering community healing.

The Attorney General also reported progress in non-custodial sentencing, disclosing that within two years, 4,800 offenders served community service sentences in Lagos, which ranged from public sanitation duties to repairs and other forms of labour that serve the public good.

Although the Community Service Unit had initially faced operational challenges, Pedro said it had been revitalised.

The Attorney General said one of the most striking figures came from the Lagos Criminal Information System (LCIS), a digital databank that now serves as the state’s comprehensive record of criminal cases.

‘From September 2023 to September 2025 alone, the system captured 25,822 new cases. Overall, the database now holds 78,982 cases, including those filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

‘The LCIS contains biometric data, photographs, and offence details of all defendants across Lagos State’s Magistrate and High Courts,’ he said.

According to Pedro, this level of digitisation enhances transparency, strengthens case management, and allows policymakers to use reliable data for long-term criminal justice reforms.

‘Data is the new oil. With almost 80,000 cases captured, Lagos now has the most comprehensive criminal justice databank in Nigeria,’ he added.

To ease mobility challenges in correctional facilities, Pedro said the state government procured two purpose-built coaster buses supplied through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

The Lagos State Government has unveiled sweeping legal reforms designed to ease rental disputes, formalise marriage registration, and reduce delays in civil litigation.

The reforms, officials say, will strengthen justice delivery and boost investor confidence in Africa’s largest city economy.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), announced the measures during a press briefing on Tuesday to mark his second year in office.

He explained that three key Bills-the Tenancy Law reform, the Registration of Marriages and Dissolution Bill, and the Administration of Civil Justice Bill, have been forwarded to the Lagos State House of Assembly for consideration.

On tenancy, Pedro disclosed that a new law is being proposed to repeal and re-enact the existing Tenancy Law of Lagos State.

The Bill, which has already undergone public hearing, introduces measures such as compulsory registration of agents, a limit of three months’ rent advance for monthly tenants, automatic termination of tenancies after three months of arrears, and a simplified procedure for recovery of premises in court.

According to him, these changes are expected to strike a fair balance between landlords and tenants while encouraging private developers to invest in rental housing for the benefit of ordinary Lagosians.

Turning to family law, the Attorney General revealed that Lagos is set to become the first state in Nigeria to provide official registration and certification of customary, Islamic, and Christian marriages.

The proposed legislation, he noted, would give Lagosians the opportunity to obtain documentary proof of their marriages and provide greater legal certainty in family relations, particularly in cases of dissolution.

In addition, Pedro highlighted the state’s determination to reform the civil justice system, which he described as vital for protecting investments and enhancing economic growth.

The Administration of Civil Justice Bill seeks to ensure that litigation in Lagos trial courts is concluded within 18 to 24 months.

It introduces innovations such as allowing courts to decide uncontested motions in chambers, encouraging trials based on documents where appropriate, and setting strict cost penalties for unnecessary adjournments and frivolous suits.

These measures, Pedro said, would promote efficiency, deter abuse of court processes, and create a more predictable, business-friendly legal environment.

The Attorney General stressed that the reforms reflect Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to entrenching efficiency, fairness, and innovation in the Lagos justice sector, while also delivering tangible benefits to citizens and investors alike.

Rivers governor, Siminalayi Fubara on Wednesday sacked all commissioners and other appointees of administration affected by the Supreme Court’s judgement which declared the three-man factional House of Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo unlawful.

The commissioners and appointees affected were those screened and approved for appointment by the factional Oko-Jumbo Assembly.

Fubara was reportedly working with 19 commissioners whose appointments were confirmed by Oko-Jumbo before he was suspended on 18 March following declaration of state of emergency on the state by President Bola Tinubu.

The apex court had in its judgment recognised the 27-member Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule as the lawful legislative body in Rivers State.

The Court also nullified passage of budgets, screening and confirmations of commissioners and other public officers holders by the 3-man Oko-Jumbo Assembly.

The sack of the commissioners and other appointees was announced by Fubara during a valedictory session he organised for his cabinet to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday at Government House, Port Harcourt, according to a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi.

Fubara had also at the event appealed to all stakeholders to work with President Bola Tinubu in building a peaceful, secured and prosperous country.

He also thanked members of his cabinet for their services and contributions to the development of the state in the last two years..

‘He called on all Nigerians to work together with Mr President to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous country and a brighter future for all,’ the statement said.

The Governor also reiterated commitment to serve the State with renewed vigor and thanked all citizens for their support, and wished all Nigerians a happy Independence anniversary.

It was also gathered that the Governor could consider the inclusion of some of them in the list of fresh nominees he was preparing to send to the House of Assembly.

Recall that the Rivers House of Assembly at its first legislative sitting following the lifting of the state of emergency on the state by President Tinubu asked Fubara to submit names of nominees for appointment as members of his cabinet.

The lawmakers at the session presided over by Speaker, Mr Martins Amaewhule, also resolved to invite Fubara for the presentation of 2025 Appropriation Bill without further delay.