News September 12, 2026 Ex-PDP chairman, Bamanga Tukur, is dead

Former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bamanga Tukur, has died at the age of 90, just three days before his 91st birthday.

The former politician and businessman died on Saturday, September 12, 2026, with his family announcing his death.

Tukur, who was born on September 15, 1935, in Adamawa State, was a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political, business and public sectors, serving in several senior positions during his career.

He became governor of the old Gongola State after winning election in 1982 under the Second Republic. His administration was brought to an end following the military coup of December 1983.

He later served as Minister of Industries under the military government headed by the late General Sani Abacha between 1993 and 1995.

Prior to his emergence as governor, Tukur headed the Nigerian Ports Authority as its General Manager and Chief Executive Officer from 1975 to 1982.

His political career reached another major milestone in March 2012 when he was elected national chairman of the PDP. He remained in the position until 2014.

Away from partisan politics, Tukur was also active in business and African economic development. He founded BHI Holdings, popularly known as Daddo Group, and was among the founders of the Africa Business Roundtable, where he later served as president and life patron.

He was also chairman of the NEPAD Business Group and became the first African vice-president of the International Association of Ports and Harbours.

Tukur pursued his postgraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh in the United States, where he earned a master’s degree. Benue State University, Makurdi, subsequently conferred an honorary doctorate in law on him.

The late elder statesman also held traditional titles including Tafidan Adamawa and Wakilin Ganye in Adamawa State.

Crime News September 12, 2026 Police arrest man over girlfriend’s death after phone call dispute

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested Manaseh Jatau in connection with the death of his 35-year-old girlfriend, Rebecca Jeremiah, following an alleged altercation over a phone call involving another woman.

Jeremiah was found dead along Mai Angwa Street in the Romi area of Kaduna at about 7am on Saturday, September 5, 2026, according to the police.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

Hassan said the Officer-in-Charge of the Romi Outstation reported the discovery, after which detectives were immediately deployed to the scene.

He said, “The lifeless body of the deceased was sighted along Mai Angwa Street, Romi, with cotton wool stuffed in her nose.”

The police spokesman said officers took Jeremiah to St Gerald Hospital, Kakuri, Kaduna, where a doctor confirmed her death.

He added that her remains had been deposited at the hospital mortuary pending an autopsy.

According to Hassan, preliminary investigations indicated that Jatau was the last person to have contact with Jeremiah and had asked her to meet him at Ebano Joint, Romi.

He said, “The suspect was subsequently traced and arrested at his place of work, Tomato Jos Company, Maraban Jos Area, Kaduna.”

Hassan stated that the suspect allegedly admitted during interrogation that he had an altercation with Jeremiah in his room after a phone call from another woman.

The PPRO stated, “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to having had a fight with the deceased in his room over a phone call from another lady, which resulted in her death.”

He further said the suspect allegedly confessed to disposing of Jeremiah’s body in an open field near his residence in an attempt to hide the alleged crime.

Hassan said, “He further confessed to have dumped the body in an open field close to his house in an attempt to conceal the crime.”

The suspect remains in police custody while detectives continue investigating the circumstances surrounding Jeremiah’s death.

Hassan said Jatau would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, according to the statement, “condemns all acts of violence and urges members of the public to embrace peaceful resolution of disputes.”

(PUNCH)

News Politics September 12, 2026 2027 : Atiku unveils plan to lower petrol prices

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has unveiled a proposal to subsidise crude oil supplied to Nigerian refineries as part of measures to reduce the cost of petrol if he wins the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the proposal would focus on supporting domestic refining rather than subsidising imported petroleum products.

He explained that the policy became necessary amid recent concerns raised by the Dangote Refinery over government-imposed petrol pump prices.

The former vice-president, in a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, accused the Tinubu administration of deliberately presenting his proposal as an attempt to compel private refineries to sell petrol below their production costs.

“Dangote raised a legitimate business concern. The presidency turned it into a campaign of fear,” the statement reads.

“A refinery that has invested billions of dollars cannot be commanded to sell indefinitely below cost and absorb the losses.

“That would be reckless, economically destructive and unfair to any private investor. But that is precisely why our proposal is different.”

Atiku said his proposed model would redirect government support from imported petrol to crude oil supplied to qualifying domestic refineries.

“We are restoring subsidy through a production subsidy model, not an import subsidy model,” he said.

“The difference is simple enough for every Nigerian to understand. Import subsidy spends public money supporting petrol refined abroad and brought into Nigeria.

“Production subsidy supports crude refined here in Nigeria so that Nigerian refineries can produce fuel more cheaply and Nigerians can pay less.”

According to him, the approach would be similar to government interventions aimed at lowering the cost of food production by supporting local farmers rather than subsidising imported food.

“That is exactly what we are proposing for fuel. We are restoring subsidy but moving it from importation to production. The subsidy follows the barrel refined in Nigeria,” he said.

He said the arrangement would involve reducing the cost of crude supplied to eligible domestic refineries through a transparent and capped system subject to independent verification.

“If the crude entering a refinery becomes cheaper, the cost of producing petrol should also come down,” he said.

“That reduction should then reach the average Nigerian while preserving legitimate refining costs and a reasonable commercial margin.”

Atiku maintained that government assistance aimed at lowering production costs should not be confused with forcing refinery operators to sell their products at a loss.

“The Tinubu Presidency knows this. If it pretends otherwise, then it is not confused. It is deliberately misleading Nigerians,” Atiku.

The ADC candidate stressed that the proposed subsidy would be restricted to crude refined within Nigeria.

“Under our plan, support will be tied strictly to crude refined in Nigeria. Nigerian refineries will benefit. Nigerian workers will benefit. Nigerian businesses will benefit. Nigerian consumers will benefit,” he said.

“If you do not refine in Nigeria, you do not qualify. This is not a subsidy for foreign refineries. It is not a subsidy for importers. It is not a subsidy for middlemen. It is a subsidy for Nigerian production.”

Atiku also said his administration would not compel domestic refineries to sell petrol at an arbitrarily fixed pump price.

“If government wants to provide additional relief beyond what lower crude-input costs can sustainably deliver, then government must pay for that relief openly,” he said.

“It must be budgeted. It must be capped. It must be audited. Nigerians must know exactly what is being spent and what they are receiving in return.”

He argued that government should bear any additional cost arising from a decision to provide consumers with petrol below the sustainable market price, rather than shifting the burden to refinery operators.

“You cannot announce a politically convenient petrol price and quietly dump the cost on the refinery,” he said.

“That is not policy. That is confiscation by another name.”

 

News September 12, 2026 Military eliminates 18 terrorists, destroys logistics bases in Borno

The Nigerian military has recorded a major success in its counter-terrorism operations in Borno State, with more than 18 terrorists neutralised and several logistics facilities destroyed in precision air strikes.

The operation was carried out by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in the Tumbunma Baba area of the state, according to the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Capt. Mohammed Goni.

Goni disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, explaining that the operation involved a coordinated deployment of air and ground forces against a suspected terrorist enclave in the Tumbuns general area.

He said the military had spent weeks gathering intelligence on the activities of high-profile terrorists believed to be using meeting points and logistics locations within the islands.

According to him, additional surveillance and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions conducted on September 9 helped security forces identify the terrorist structures and logistics facilities targeted in the operation.

The intelligence gathered subsequently led to precision strikes in the early hours of Friday.

Goni explained that air assets attacked the identified targets with precision-guided munitions, while ground troops positioned themselves along possible escape routes to engage fleeing terrorists.

“The air strikes successfully destroyed the targeted structures and neutralised over 18 terrorist elements,” he said.

He added that the operation significantly disrupted the terrorists’ logistics network and weakened the enclave’s ability to function as a meeting point and support base.

The military spokesman said an assessment carried out after the strikes indicated that about 85 per cent of the operation’s objectives had been achieved.

He attributed the outcome to effective intelligence gathering, timely confirmation through ISR operations and the coordinated use of air and ground forces.

Goni assured that OPHK would continue its intelligence-driven operations aimed at preventing terrorists from freely operating, regrouping or establishing logistics facilities.

He also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible and timely information that could assist ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.

News September 12, 2026 Xenophobia: National Assembly bans South Africa visits, boycotts legislative events

The National Assembly has halted all official visits to South Africa and announced a boycott of legislative programmes organised or hosted by the country until further notice, following renewed reports of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals.

The decision was reached after consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured and displaced, with some allegedly forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties.

In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the leadership expressed serious concern over the situation, noting that repeated appeals by the Federal Government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to safeguard Nigerians and other foreign nationals and prosecute those responsible had failed to stop further incidents.

The National Assembly acknowledged measures already taken by the Federal Government, including efforts to assist Nigerians affected by the violence and facilitate the return of those wishing to leave South Africa.

Under the new resolution, all official trips to South Africa involving the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff have been suspended.

The ban also extends to conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other programmes organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.

It further covers both physical attendance at such programmes in South Africa and participation through virtual or online platforms.

The Clerk has consequently been directed to communicate the resolution to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff to ensure full compliance.

According to the leadership, the suspension will remain in place until further notice and may be reviewed depending on developments.

The National Assembly’s decision is the latest in a series of measures taken by Nigeria in response to renewed hostility against African migrants in South Africa.

Nigeria commenced the evacuation of its citizens from South Africa in June following fresh reports of xenophobic attacks. The first batch of 258 Nigerians arrived in Lagos on June 11, with additional flights subsequently bringing more citizens back home.

By July 9, the number of Nigerians evacuated had reportedly reached about 1,000.

The Federal Government said Nigerians who voluntarily registered for evacuation, underwent screening and were cleared would be safely transported home.

The repatriation exercise continued in the following months. In August, 83 Nigerian returnees arrived in Lagos, followed by another 67 a week later.

Government agencies received the returnees for documentation, profiling and reunification with their families.

Beyond the evacuation exercise, Nigeria has continued to demand stronger action from South African authorities to end attacks against Nigerians.

In July, the Federal Government called on South Africa to take decisive steps against recurring xenophobic attacks. Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa also disclosed that the government had begun documenting businesses and properties abandoned by Nigerians who returned home, with a view to pursuing possible compensation.

President Bola Tinubu later took the matter to the African Union, seeking collective action and urging the continental body to place xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has equally condemned the mistreatment of Nigerians and other African nationals while maintaining that Nigeria remains committed to dialogue and peaceful engagement with South Africa.

The National Assembly, however, stressed that its latest action should not be interpreted as an attempt to damage the longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people ties between Nigeria and South Africa.

Rather, it described the suspension as a firm expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.

The lawmakers called on the South African government to urgently take concrete steps to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further xenophobic attacks, investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable under the law.

The National Assembly also urged state Houses of Assembly to take note of the resolution and consider similar measures where necessary.

It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens abroad and said it would continue monitoring developments surrounding the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.

News September 12, 2026 Kwara monarch dies days after release from kidnappers’ den

The Onigbesi of Igbesi Land, Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I, has died days after he was freed from kidnappers who abducted him in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The traditional ruler was seized on August 22 after armed men reportedly invaded Igbesi community. He regained his freedom five days later when security operatives rescued him during an operation around the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro axis.

News of the monarch’s death was announced on Saturday by the National President of Omo Ibile Igbomina, Bisi Fakayode, who mourned the traditional ruler and prayed for the repose of his soul.

The development was also confirmed by one of the deceased monarch’s sons, Prince Olasunkanmi, who disclosed that his father died at a hospital in the early hours of Saturday.

“Yes, the news is true. He died after a brief illness following his release. We took him to the hospital, hoping he would survive, but he died there very early this morning,” Olasunkanmi said.

Oba Iwedunmoye was among three kidnapping victims rescued by security personnel during the operation in the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro area.

The rescue operation followed information received at about 10am at the Oro Police Station from a vigilante, who reported that one of his colleagues had suffered a gunshot wound while operating in the bush around Elerin/Ijomu-Oro.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer of the Oro Police Station led a joint team comprising police officers, military personnel and vigilantes to the area.

The police said the suspected kidnappers engaged the advancing security personnel in a gun battle after sighting them. One of the suspected kidnappers was reportedly killed during the exchange of fire.

Other members of the gang fled into the surrounding area while the security team continued the pursuit, eventually locating the three abducted victims.

The rescued victims were subsequently taken away for medical treatment.

 

(PUNCH)

News September 12, 2026 Saudi pipeline attack : Trump fingers Iran, says Houthis seek to avoid US involvement

United States President Donald Trump has said Iran was probably behind an aerial attack that forced Saudi Arabia to shut down its East-West oil pipeline, a major route for transporting crude without using the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump made the assertion on Saturday while speaking to reporters in Dublin, Ireland, where he was asked whether Tehran was responsible for the attack on the critical oil infrastructure.

“I ​think they are, probably they are,” Trump told ​reporters in Dublin when asked if Iran was responsible for the attack on the vital oil conduit.

The East-West pipeline, which runs across Saudi Arabia, provides an alternative route for the kingdom’s crude exports by allowing oil shipments to avoid the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Trump also disclosed that he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following the incident, describing the Saudi royal as a “good friend.”

The attack comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran-aligned Houthi forces and shipping routes in the region, with the security situation raising concerns over the movement of oil and other commercial vessels.

Trump said Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis had contacted his administration and indicated that they did not want Washington to become directly involved in the conflict.

“They would much prefer not having us ​involved, and they’re letting most ships ​go ⁠through. There’s just one country that they’re not too happy with, and we’ll get ⁠that straightened ​out,” Trump added.

The development could further heighten concerns over the security of energy infrastructure and shipping routes in the Middle East, particularly as the Strait of Hormuz remains a crucial passage for global oil supplies.

Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline is strategically important because it gives the world’s leading oil exporter an alternative export route to the Gulf and helps reduce its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump’s comments, however, amount to an assessment rather than a definitive attribution of responsibility, as he said Iran was “probably” behind the attack.

(REUTERS)