News September 20, 2026 Jehovah’s Witnesses make major changes in blood transfusion policy

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has revised its guidance on blood-related medical decisions, allowing members to personally determine whether to accept or donate four major blood components.

The components are red cells, white cells, plasma and platelets.

The religious organisation disclosed the change in a statement issued by its World Headquarters in Warwick, New York, and published on its website on Friday.

According to the statement, “the decision to accept red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets from another person’s blood is a matter of personal conscience.”

It added that “each Witness must decide whether or not to donate blood for the clearly expressed purpose of providing components or fractions for use by another person.”

Despite the adjustment, the organisation stressed that its longstanding position against whole-blood transfusion remained in place.

“The long-standing refusal of whole-blood transfusions on religious grounds, a core teaching based on the command to ‘abstain from blood’ (Acts 15:20), is unchanged,” the statement said.

Paul Gillies, international spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses at the organisation’s World Headquarters, explained that the group continued to regard blood as sacred while recognising individual responsibility in medical decisions involving blood components.

“Blood remains sacred to Jehovah’s Witnesses, who continue to regard life and blood as precious gifts from God.

“We recognise that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah.”

The organisation said the latest decision was an extension of previous clarifications concerning blood fractions and the use of an individual’s own blood during medical treatment.

It added, “Since the Bible does not comment on such decisions, they are a matter of individual conscience. That same reasoning has now been extended to the four main components of blood.”

On healthcare, the religious body said its members were encouraged to seek appropriate medical treatment while making decisions consistent with their beliefs and personal values.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses love life and want the best available medical care. They do not practise faith healing, and they seek out doctors who can provide effective treatment in accord with their wishes, values and beliefs.”

Gillies further said congregations would not dictate to individual members on matters considered to be personal conscience.

“Congregations do not involve themselves in personal decisions that rest with the individual conscience. We will continue to respect and support the personal decisions of our fellow believers.

“We are grateful, too, for the many skilled and compassionate physicians who provide quality medical care that respects our personal wishes regarding blood,” he said.

The organisation said Jehovah’s Witnesses number “over nine million worldwide, in congregations across more than 200 lands.”

The latest announcement follows an earlier clarification reported in March concerning the use of a member’s own blood during surgery and other medical procedures.

Under that clarification, individual Witnesses were allowed to determine whether their blood could be withdrawn, stored and subsequently returned to them during treatment.

The organisation, however, maintained its longstanding position against receiving blood from another person.

News September 20, 2026 FG sets up panel to probe deaths in NSCDC custody, lists Deji Adeyanju, others as members

The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee, including human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the committee on Saturday, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident.

The reported deaths occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026, after the victims were arrested and detained on suspicion of illegal mining.

Tunji-Ojo also ordered the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.

The minister said the deaths were deeply disturbing and stressed the need for the government to provide the families of the deceased and the public with a transparent account of what happened.

According to the statement, the committee will establish the identities of the deceased and examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.

It will also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, while recommending appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.

Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the panel and ordered the preservation of all records and material evidence connected with the incident.

“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he warned.

The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, a former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, will serve as secretary.

Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, a Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; a representative of the Niger State Government; and Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria.

Adeyanju, a lawyer and human rights activist, is also a member, alongside Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.

The panel has been given two weeks to conclude its assignment and submit its report to the minister.

The government said the committee could co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and receive memoranda from members of the public.

Meanwhile, 20 NSCDC officers have been suspended in addition to the Niger State Commandant of the Corps.

Those affected include the officer in charge of the station guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard ASCI Hassan Mohammed; Station Guard CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer and Officer-in-Charge of Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; and Arresting Officer DCC Obafemi Elvis.

Others are CSC Annas Shitto Lamino; DCC Philip Ajayi, Head of Intelligence/Investigation; ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado, Officer-in-Charge of Legal; ASCI Alhassan Mohammed, Day/Night Duty Officer; and several officers assigned to guard duties.

The minister extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds.

News September 20, 2026 2O NSCDC officers suspended over detained miners’ deaths ( See full list )

The Federal Government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the Corps’ custody in Niger State.

The suspension, ordered by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also affects the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, who had earlier been suspended over the incident.

The officers will remain suspended pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the deaths, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

Tunji-Ojo announced the latest development in a statement issued on Saturday, adding that the Federal Government had constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident.

The panel is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, as well as determine what caused their deaths.

It is also mandated to establish responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate measures, including compensation where necessary.

The 20 officers suspended are:

O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka

Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed

Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed

Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday

Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis

Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino

HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi

O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado

Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed

Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale

Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada

Guard Duty, CAI Liman Abubakar

Guard Duty, CAI Bala Usman

Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Jiya

Guard Duty, DSC Isah Suleiman

Guard Duty, CAI Ahmed Wushishi

Guard Duty, IC Sale Adamu

Guard Duty, IC Haruna Mohammed

Guard Duty, ASCI Aliyu Sallah

Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi

The deceased were among scores of suspected illegal miners arrested by the Niger State Command of the NSCDC during enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state on September 15 and 16.

The Corps said the operations were aimed at curbing illegal mining, adding that various exhibits were recovered from those arrested.

However, some of the detainees were discovered dead in NSCDC custody in Minna the following day.

The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak and said the bodies had been transferred to the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to determine the actual cause of death.

The precise cause of the deaths has yet to be officially established.

A survivor, Dauda Shehu, told journalists that detainees were kept in a poorly ventilated cell where they struggled to breathe. His account has not been established as the official cause of the deaths.

Another survivor alleged that a substance resembling perfume was sprayed into an overcrowded cell shortly before some detainees began collapsing.

The incident triggered protests in Minna and prompted the Niger State Government to impose a curfew following the ensuing unrest.

Governor Umar Bago confirmed the death toll and ordered a state-level investigation into the incident.

President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed a comprehensive investigation into the deaths.

News September 18, 2026 What ICC ruling has done to Mambilla power project – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has described Nigeria’s victory in the arbitration proceedings involving Sunrise Power at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris as a major breakthrough for the long-delayed Mambilla hydropower project.

The President said the ruling had eliminated what he described as the “single biggest legal hurdle” that had stalled the multibillion-dollar project for several years.

The ICC tribunal, on Thursday, dismissed Sunrise Power’s $2.35 billion claim against Nigeria over an alleged breach of contractual obligations relating to the Mambilla hydropower project.

The tribunal also ordered Sunrise Power and its promoter to reimburse Nigeria $11.8 million in legal costs.

Reacting to the judgment, Tinubu said the outcome demonstrated the Federal Government’s resolve to protect the country’s resources and interests from what he described as exploitative claims.

In a statement issued by the President, he said Nigeria would continue to defend its commonwealth against “opportunistic claims”.

“This latest decision affirms the Nigerian State’s determination not to succumb to predatory and exploitative claims by corrupt local and international entities and their enablers and funders,” the statement reads.

Tinubu praised Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, as well as officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice, for their role in the arbitration.

“On behalf of the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I strongly commend the tremendous efforts of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi and the entire team at the Federal Ministry of Justice for their efforts in this matter.

“I also commend the FRN defence team, led by Ms Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Mr Tolu Obamuroh, both of Paul Hastings LLP, for their professional and excellent defence of the country.

“I commend the patriotism and support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, and late President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who testified in the case, which dated back to an illegal 2003 contract to build a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant in Taraba State under a build-operate-transfer model. The Federal Executive Council never authorised the contract.

“I thank the other witnesses in this case, including former Ministers Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and Suleiman Adamu, and the experts, for their active participation in defending Nigeria’s interest in the arbitration.”

The arbitration proceedings began on October 10, 2017, after Sunrise Power sought $2.354 billion from Nigeria over an alleged breach of a 2003 agreement for the construction of the 3,050-megawatt Mambilla hydroelectric plant in Taraba State.

The proposed project was to be executed under a build-operate-transfer arrangement and was valued at about $6 billion.

According to the Presidency, the Federal Executive Council had never authorised the 2003 contract.

Tinubu said the latest ICC decision had now removed the principal legal obstacle that had hindered progress on the Mambilla project, potentially clearing the way for further action on the long-standing development.

News September 18, 2026 FG suspends Niger NSCDC commandant over deaths of suspected miners

The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Suberu Aniviye, over the deaths of suspected illegal miners in the state.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered the immediate suspension on Friday and directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, the Niger State capital.

The minister’s directive was disclosed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde.

The suspected illegal miners were reportedly arrested during enforcement operations carried out in parts of the state on September 15 and 16, 2026.

“It is an unfortunate incident, however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended.

“We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this,” the minister declared.

Tunji-Ojo appealed to residents to remain calm and law-abiding as the authorities conduct the investigation, which he said would be transparent.

He also expressed condolences to the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, as well as the families and relatives of those who died.

Reports indicated that at least 33 suspected illegal miners had died while in custody, although the NSCDC has not confirmed a specific death toll.

The development had earlier led the NSCDC to set up an investigative panel to establish what happened to the suspects while in custody.

The corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said in a statement on Thursday that the investigative team was headed by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation.

According to the NSCDC, the team was expected to examine the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, their treatment during detention, the conditions under which they were held, the medical attention they received and other factors connected to the deaths.

The corps also urged the public to avoid drawing conclusions about the cause of the deaths, stressing that claims linking the incident to a particular disease had yet to be established through medical and laboratory tests.

News September 18, 2026 FG, states, LGs share N2.34tn as revenue falls

The Federal Government, the 36 states and 774 local government councils shared N2.338tn from the Federation Account in September, representing a N669bn decline from the previous month’s distribution.

The allocation, which was based on revenue generated in August 2026, was approved at the monthly meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee held in Abuja.

The amount distributed was 22.2 per cent lower than the N3.007tn shared by the three tiers of government at the August FAAC meeting from revenue generated in July.

The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation disclosed the latest allocation in a statement issued on Thursday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa.

The statement read, “A total sum of N2.338tn, being August 2026 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared to the Federal Government, States and the Local Government Councils.”

The reduction was largely driven by a substantial fall in statutory revenue during the month under review.

According to the FAAC communiqué, gross statutory revenue declined by N1.508tn, representing a 34.6 per cent drop, from N4.359tn in July to N2.850tn in August.

“Gross statutory revenue of N2.850tn was received for the month of August 2026. This was lower than the sum of N4.359tn received in the preceding month by N1.508tn,” the statement read.

The August decline came after statutory revenue had recorded a strong increase in July, rising by N658.09bn from N3.700tn in June to N4.359tn.

Despite the decline in statutory revenue, collections from Value Added Tax continued to rise, increasing by N40.875bn during the month.

Gross VAT revenue climbed to N834.843bn in August from N793.968bn in July, representing a 5.1 per cent increase.

The statement said, “Gross revenue of N834.843bn was available from the Value Added Tax in August 2026. This was higher than the N793.968bn available in the month of July 2026 by N40.875bn.”

The total gross revenue available for distribution in August stood at N3.685tn. However, N125.142bn was deducted as the cost of collection, while N1.221tn was allocated to transfers, refunds and savings.

Following the deductions, N2.338tn was available for distribution, comprising N1.565tn in distributable statutory revenue and N773.233bn from VAT.

The Federal Government received N804.897bn from the total distributable revenue, while the 36 states received N794.313bn.

The 774 local government councils got N555.142bn, while N184.388bn was distributed to benefiting states as the 13 per cent derivation revenue from mineral resources.

A further breakdown showed that the Federal Government received N727.573bn from the N1.565tn distributable statutory revenue, while the states got N369.035bn and local governments N284.511bn.

The benefiting states also received N184.388bn as derivation revenue.

From the N773.233bn distributable VAT pool, the Federal Government received N77.323bn, states got N425.278bn, while the local government councils received N270.632bn.

The FAAC communiqué also revealed divergent movements in the various revenue sources during August.

Revenue from Petroleum Profit Tax, Hydrocarbon Tax, Value Added Tax, Common External Tariff levies and excise duty recorded increases during the period.

However, revenue from Companies Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Stamp Duties Tax, petroleum royalties, mineral royalties, gas-flared penalties, import duty, rental gas-flared fees and miscellaneous oil revenue declined.

The latest distribution represents a significant reversal from the record allocation shared in August, which had followed the strongest monthly FAAC revenue performance recorded in 2026 at that point.

News Politics September 18, 2026 2027: Obi-Kwankwaso Movement unveils 59-member campaign council

The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has constituted a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council as part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The council, unveiled on Thursday, comprises zonal and state coordinators as well as directors overseeing mobilisation, women affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs and other areas of the campaign.

Director-General of the movement, John Ughulu, was appointed Director-General of the campaign, while the National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, is also part of the campaign leadership.

The campaign structure covers the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory, with coordinators designated for the 36 states.

Other positions created include directors for grassroots mobilisation, women affairs, contact and engagement, special duties, procurement, information technology, legal affairs, strategy and planning, security and intelligence, and administration.

The development followed the movement’s intensified preparations to mobilise support for the joint presidential ticket of Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, ahead of the 2027 election.

In a congratulatory message to the newly appointed council members, Sani described their selection as a responsibility and charged them with taking the message of the movement’s principals to Nigerians across the country.

She said, “Your selection is not merely an appointment; it is a call to duty, sacrifice, leadership and service to Nigeria. At this critical moment in our nation’s history, the responsibility before the presidential campaign council is enormous.

“You have been entrusted with the task of taking the vision, message and aspirations of our principals directly to the Nigerian people from the cities to the grassroots, from the states to the local governments, and from the wards to every community across the federation.

“Your appointment is an honour, but more importantly, it is a responsibility. The journey has begun. The assignment is clear. The mission is Nigeria.”

Sani said the campaign would focus on a broader national vision rather than individuals seeking personal recognition.

“The OK Movement is not built around individuals seeking personal recognition. It is a movement driven by a larger national vision: to mobilise Nigerians around the possibility of a better, more prosperous, united and functional Nigeria.

“We therefore expect every member of the Presidential Campaign Council to approach this assignment with discipline, loyalty, humility, courage and an unwavering commitment to the collective vision of the movement.

“The road ahead will require hard work. It will require strategic thinking, grassroots mobilisation, effective communication and, above all, the ability to work together as one formidable political family,” she stated.

The National Secretary further said the council’s immediate task was to take the message of its principals to voters across the country.

She said, “Our responsibility is to ensure that the message of our principals reaches every Nigerian and that the voice of the people is heard across the length and breadth of our nation.”

Those appointed as zonal coordinators include Suleiman Abubakar for the North-Central; Hashimu Dungurawa, North-West; Amadu Gwambe, North-East; Dr Adebayo Adefolaseye, South-West; Christopher Ighodaro, South-South; and El-Shaddai Ikeh, South-East.

State coordinators were also appointed for the 36 states and the FCT.

Other members of the council are Rev Mike Agbon, Director, Inter-Ethnic Group in Northern Nigeria; Sabo Gashua, Grassroots Mobilisation; Glory Adayi, Women Affairs; Kabir Yahaya, Contact and Engagement; Abdumumini Tijjani, Mobilisation; Yusuf Mani, Special Duties; Peace Daful, Procurement; Prof Charles Nwekeaku, South Eastern Town Hall; and Sunmisola Adebayo, Information Technology.

Kingdom Okere was appointed Director of Legal Affairs; Abiodun Dabiri, Strategy and Planning; Richard Enemona CSP (retd.), Security and Intelligence; while Aisha Abdulrahaman was named Director of Administration.

The group had last month reiterated its decision to maintain an independent structure rather than merge with another political organisation ahead of the 2027 elections. It also reaffirmed its support for Ughulu as its founder and Director-General.

The latest development comes days after the movement condemned the reported disruption of Obi’s convoy during his visit to Benue State and demanded an impartial investigation into the incident.

The OK Movement said its security personnel deliberately exercised restraint to prevent the situation from escalating into violence.