Publication

Why we tracked, arrested kidnappers’ families –Tinubu

•Militants from Mali, B’faso, Niger fuelling Nigeria’s insecurity –Tinubu

Beyond pipeline security: Battle over Tantita’s operations in N’delta

Afresh controversy has erupted over the operations of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, the private pipeline surveillance firm linked to former Niger Delta militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo,...

FG overshoots borrowing limit as new debt reaches N12.62tn

TWEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2026 he Federal Government exceeded its 2024 borrowing target by N4.79tn after a wider-than-projected budget deficit forced it to raise significantly more financing than originally planned, the Budget Office of the Federation has...

Fake agency probe: House faces pressure to summon Gbajabiamila

The house of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee probing the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council has come under growing pressure to widen its investigation by inviting Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, even as...

FG earmarks nearly n1tn for Suvs, empowerment amid borrowing pressure

tHE Federal Government has earmarked N962.83bn for the procurement of sport Utility Vehicles and empowerment projects in the 2026 Appropriation Act, an amount that exceeds the combined allocations to seven key federal ministries, according to a review...

Firstholdco Delivers N1.93 Trillion Gross earnings and N653.5 Billion PBT in h1 2026

Firstholdco plc has reported another outstanding financial performance for the half year ended June 30, 2026. most notably, profit before tax rose by 83.5% to N653.5 billion, it recorded gross earnings of N1.93 trillion, representing a 16.7%...

How I will reorganise Lagos, tackle insecurity, flooding, slums – Hamzat

For Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the challenge before the next administration in Lagos is not merely building more roads or rail lines, but creating a city where residents can live, work and move around with greater ease, safety and dignity. In this interview...

States defy Supreme Court, control N10tn LG allocations

•Lgs’ faac allocation jumps 33% two years after Supreme court verdict

Fake agency scandal: Atiku, Presidency clash as Senate rejects fresh probe

THe controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council deepened on Wednesday as the Senate rejected, for the second time in one week, a request to investigate the controversial budgetary allocation to the alleged...

Presidency slams Makinde over demand for UN probe

The Presidency on Monday criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, describing the demand as unnecessary and politically motivated. Makinde,...

•president in closed-door engagement with security chiefs as attacks persist

•President Bola Tinubu (7th left) after security meeting with service chiefs at the Presidential Villa in Abuja...on Thursday. Photo: State House

2027 elections: Six legal hurdles before INEC

BARELY four months after the Independent National electoral Commission unveiled its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, the electoral body has become embroiled in a wave of litigation that could reshape the...

Shettima, Obasanjo, Gowon, others celebrate Army Day

•Representative of the President/vice President Kashim Shettima; Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.); Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu...

2027 candidates: Saturday deadline puts parties under pressure

WITH the July 11, 2026 deadline for the submission of presidential nomination forms to the Independent National electoral Commission fast approaching, political parties are running against time to beat the closing date. the commission fixed 6pm on...

Atiku vows 2027 fight as court clears Mark-led ADC

•Govt’s plot to weaken opposition will fail –Atiku

Post-primary row: INEC, APC may clash over official Senate list

THe All Progressives Congress may trigger fresh controversy over its 2027 National Assembly primaries after restoring six serving senators to the party’s ticket, despite the earlier declaration of other aspirants as winners, The PUNCH has learnt. The...

Xenophobia: Nigerian embassy packed, 269 return as S’africa protests rise

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians still residing in South Africa of their safety, even as fresh concerns over xenophobic tensions and renewed antiimmigrant protests continue to trigger calls for stronger diplomatic action. This comes after...

2027 candidates: Fresh crisis hits parties as INEC portal opens

Abdulrahman Zakariyau, Deborah musa, Godwin isenyo, Salisu Kabuga, Isah Ojo and John Charles The Independent National Electoral Commission’s portal access for the 2027 elections has sparked fresh power struggles within major political parties, as...

Obi,kwankwasoleadndc’sbattleagainstderegistration

The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has wrapped up marathon strategy meetings involving its presidential candidate, Peter Obi; national leader, Seriake Dickson; National Working Committee members and other key stakeholders ahead of...

State police: Senate votes today as Tinubu transmits bill to N’assembly

RETIRED military and police chiefs have expressed differing views on the extent of powers governors should wield under the proposed policing structure, warning that while decentralised policing could strengthen security, adequate safeguards must be put...

State police: Governors demand greater powers

STATE governors are seeking greater constitutional authority over security operations within their domains and guaranteed funding arrangements for the proposed State Police Services, according to a report of a high-level strategic meeting involving...

Fed Govt raises N500bn emergency security fund

•govs engage attorneys-general on state police structure

Police report: Bandits launch over 50 attacks in one week

The Federal Government spent N57.78bn on security-related projects and operations in the first four months of 2026, despite worsening insecurity across the country, with no fewer than 98 criminal incidents including 51 attacks and abductions recorded...

State police closer as NASS defines federal, state powers

tHE National Assembly on thursday took a significant step in the quest for the establishment of State Police as both the Senate and House of Representatives demonstrated sufficient eagerness to amend the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for the...

School closures spread after fresh bandit attack

Schools in some parts of the country closed early on Wednesday as fears of bandit attacks spread. The schools were hurriedly shut down following an attack by bandits on the UBE Secondary/primary School, Iluke, Kogi State and a threat of possible...

Dangote refinery ramps Up to 700,000 Barrels per Day, strengthening africa’s energy Landscape

DANGOTE petroleum Refinery & petrochemicals has increased its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) in a performance test conducted by the Process Licensors, marking a significant milestone in the facility’s operational...

RECEIVER/MANAGER’S press release

THE attention of the Receiver/manager has been drawn to the erroneous and misleading conclusions being peddled in the social and print media on the interpretation of the recent Judgment of the Supreme court in Sc/cv/1130/25 delivered on monday 01, June...

Schoolchildren abduction: Oyo protests go nationwide, NASS moves on state police

The abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo state has sparked widespread outrage across the country, prompting condemnation from the senate, coordinated nationwide protests by teachers, and renewed...

Nestoil wins Big as supreme Court Vacates all Court of appeal restorative Exparte Orders; Describes It as Judicial Tragedy

the Supreme Court sitting in Abuja yesterday delivered a unanimous 5 member panel judgement that contained some of the strongest rebukes against the weaponization of judicial processes in recent history. the Apex Court strongly criticised the Court of...

Firstholdco secures shareholder approval for N1 Trillion Capital – signalling Bold strategic reset

Firstholdco plc (“Firstholdco” or “the group”), the parent company of Nigeria’s oldest and one of its most systemically important financial institutions, Firstbank, has secured shareholders’ approval at its 14th Annual general Meeting (AGM) held on 29...

How tyre burst claimed three lives on

THREE persons were burnt to death while 15 others sustained varying degrees of injuries after a commercial bus reportedly suffered a tyre burst and burst into flames along the Lagos-abeokuta Expressway. The spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic...

Children’s Day: Captive Oyo, Borno pupils cast shadow over celebration

Gift Habib, Stephen Angbulu, Adebayo Folorunsho-francis, Deborah Musa, Ademola Adegbite, Dayo Oyewo, Wale Akinselure, Ayoola Babalola and Gabriel Oshokha CHildren’s Day celebrations across the country were on Wednesday overshadowed by growing concerns...

30,000 Fulani militants fuelling Nigeria’s insecurity

@mobilepunch @punchnewspapers

Dangote faces price war as NNPC backs fuel imports

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has told the Federal high Court sitting in Lagos that petroleum products from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE are sold at “significantly high and fluctuating market prices”, warning...

2027 race: ADC picks Tinubu’s challenger today

The African Democratic Congress will today commence the process of selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, with party members across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory expected to participate in the...

Oyo kidnap carried out by dislodged JAS terrorists

•Musa

APC primaries: Governorship aspirants shun consensus deal in 10 states

Abdulrahman Zakariyau, Olugbenga Ige, Tunde Oyekola, Animasahun Salman, Salisu Kabuga, Bankole Taiwo and James Abraham AHEAD of Thursday’s governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress, resistance to consensus arrangements has intensified in...

Daniel, Amosun, rochas crash, Abiodun, Uzodimma, Bello win

•APC disqualifies 44 aspirants, ex-ogun govs, deputy gov, others shun poll; Akpabio, Barau, Bamidele, Ndume, Oshiomhole win

AMBASSADOR Of ITALY TO NIGERIA PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO POLO

L-R: Jennifer Obayuwana; His Excellency, Roberto Mengoni; and John Obayuwana, during the visit of the Italian Ambassador to the Polo Head Office aimed at bolstering trade relations between Polo and Italy’s luxury and fashion industry in...

Fierce lobbying, tension as APC primaries begin

•Kaduna moves to calm post-screening tensions; Apc chieftains sue for peace

Pre-primary screening: Tension mounts as APC panels disqualify over 150 aspirants

PEtitions, protests, legal threats and accusations of imposition have trailed the ongoing screening of aspirants by the ruling All Progressives Congress across several states ahead of the 2027 general elections, exposing widening cracks within the...

Pre-primary screening: Tension mounts as APC panels disqualify over 150 aspirants

PEtitions, protests, legal threats and accusations of imposition have trailed the ongoing screening of aspirants by the ruling All Progressives Congress across several states ahead of the 2027 general elections, exposing widening cracks within the...

FG, World Bank in talks over second-largest $1.25bn loan

The Federal Government has stepped up engagement with the World Bank for a fresh $1.25bn loan to support economic reforms, job creation, and competitiveness, as findings by The PUNCH showed that the facility has reached a critical stage in the lender’s...

Deepening Security, Counterterrorism and Bilateral Relations with the United States

•Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu (left) with American Vice President J. D. Vance, during a working visit to the United States, where the NSA engaged with senior American government officials on strengthening security cooperation and...

Firstholdco Profit Rockets 72.2% in Q1

Firstholdco plc delivered a masterclass performance in its first-quarter 2026 financials, recording a 100% year-on-year profit before tax (PBT) growth. Profit before tax (PBT) jumped to N321.12 billion from N186.48 billion in the corresponding period...

Amupitan’s security concern: Opposition kicks against troop deployment for 2027 elections

New worries about the credibility of the 2027 general elections came up on wednesday, with the Independent National electoral Commission warning that growing insecurity across Nigeria could make it hard to hold free, fair, and credible polls. But the...

Consensus coup: Govs tighten grip on senate tickets, displace incumbents

No fewer than 10 state governors and ex-governors are actively working to replace incumbent senators ahead of the 2027 general elections, in a sweeping political realignment reshaping Nigeria’s legislative landscape. The sitting governors, whose...

Obi, Kwankwaso join NDC, demand litigation-free politics

FOrmer Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-kano State governor rabiu Kwankwaso have formally joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, calling on members to avoid litigation and focus on advancing the nation’s development. The two...

2027 election: ADC, PDP await crucial S’court verdict today

THe Supreme Court is set to deliver judgment today on the leadership disputes in the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, a decision that could redefine both opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. Ahead of the...

Power shifts as defections redefine Edo political landscape

The political setting in Edo State constantly experiences alignments and realignments. This has intensified ahead of this year’s local government election in the state and the general election in 2027. The scenario is typified by a plethora of...

Ekiti gov: APC leaders back oyebanji’s re-election bid

•L-R: Kaduna State Governor/chairman, APC National Campaign Council, Senator Uba Sani; Chairman, Progressives Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma; APC National Chairman, Prof. Nantaweyilwatda; Senate Leader/chair, Ekiti Governorship Campaign...

Suspense as S’court delays PDP, ADC verdict

THe Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved judgment in the leadership tussles within the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress, heightening uncertainty over the internal stability of both parties ahead of the 2027 general...

Yewa South deserves better representation – APC aspirant

A marketing communications professional and the Group Managing Director of First Katalyst Group, Soji Odedina, speaks with on why he is seeking to be a candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Yewa South/ipokia Federal Constituency for the 2027...

2027 battle lines: APC may scrap consensus plan in flashpoint states

UNCERTAINTY may be mounting within the ruling All Progressives congress over its preferred consensus strategy for the 2027 elections, with party sources indicating that direct primaries may be adopted in states where “agreements prove difficult.” It...

FG moves to tighten airport, prison security

•Security experts demand drastic action against terrorism

Troops repel fresh attack as fallen General, soldiers buried

THe Nigerian Army has laid to rest the remains of the late Commander, 29 Joint Taskforce Brigade, Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, Captain Ismail, and other soldiers killed in recent insurgents attacks in Borno State. The attacks, which occurred on...

ADC convention: mark, Atiku, Aregbesola tackle tinubu on hardship, insecurity

The embattled National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, former Senate President David Mark, former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the ADC National Secretary and other party leaders have declared that there would be no easy victory for President...

Tinubu moves against terrorists after fresh military casualties

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Monday held a closed-door meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and a French General at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Sources close to the President, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of...

Military defends Borno strike as death toll rises

The Nigerian military has defended an air strike on Jilli village market near the Borno–yobe border, calling the target a terrorist enclave as public anger grows over reported civilian casualties. The strike, carried out on Saturday under Operation...

Fresh blow for ADC as state congresses stall

The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress shows no sign of abating as internal wrangling and legal hurdles have stalled the state congresses scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026. The crisis, which has since fragmented the party...

2027 elections: Political storm brews over PVC revalidation

The African Democratic Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Obidient movement, and civil society groups on Sunday warned that the implementation of the voter revalidation exercise by the Independent National electoral Commission could...

2027 battle: INEC under fire as ADC crisis worsens

The Independent National electoral Commission has come under intense criticism, following the derecognition of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress on Wednesday. Opposition heavyweights and top leaders of the ADC on Thursday condemned the...

INEC derecognises Mark, Aregbesola, parties revolt

THe African Democratic Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi have protested the decision of the Independent National electoral Commission to derecognise the ADC National Chairman, David Mark, National...

FG eyes oil windfall to fund N9tn budget gap

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed tinubu on tuesday asked the National Assembly to approve a N9.09tn increase in the 2026 budget. The government plans to finance the budget increase through crude oil gains linked to the Unites States-iran conflict and by securing...

Military gets N2.3tn special funding amid security crisis

MILITARY and paramilitary agencies received a total of N2.3tn in special intervention funding between October 2023 and September 2025, according to the latest Federation Account Allocation Committee documents obtained by The PUNCH on Monday. The...

PDP convention: Wike bloc installs new NWC in Abuja

DELEGATES from Kebbi, Ekiti, Bauchi nd several other states on Sunday led the charge at the 2026 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, which was backed by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The party unveiled 19 new...

32 governors, 8,450 delegates arrive Abuja for APC convention

PResident Bola tinubu and members of his cabinet, as well as 32 state governors and 8,453 delegates from across the country, are expected to participate in the national Convention of the All Progressives Congress scheduled for Friday (today) and...

PDP factions open peace talks as Wike denies split

2027 polls: PDP govs reject Wike bloc’s consensus chair

THE crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party worsened on Tuesday as governors in the party distanced themselves from the consensus selection of a national chairman and secretary by the Nyesom Wike-backed faction, insisting on legal...

Hamzat, Yayi, Alli may emerge APC consensus gov candidates

• Party moves to compensate affected aspirants, how meeting addressed aspirants’ popularity

Makinde meets Kwankwaso as PDP reconciliation falters

AHEAD of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party governors – Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) – met with the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Seriake Dickson and former Kano State Governor and...

Starmer pushes strategic uk-nigeria alliance with N1.4tn fresh deal

THE United Kingdom and Nigeria have sealed new export agreements as both countries committed to taking their economic partnership to another level, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday. Starmer made the disclosure during a bilateral meeting...

Nigeria, Britain set for fresh security alliance

PResident Bola Tinubu on Wednesday stated that the country’s collaboration with the United Kingdom in addressing insecurity remained crucial, adding that he planned to discuss nigeria’s counter-terrorism initiatives and challenges to regional stability...

Killings spark fury, defence chiefs move into Maiduguri

SECURITY chiefs have relocated to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to take charge of the security situation following Monday night’s coordinated suicide bombings that killed 23 people and injured 108 others. President Bola tinubu, who on tuesday...

FG activates evacuation plan as Middle East crisis worsens

THE Federal Government on Monday said it is working out administrative procedures and the release of funds for the evacuation of Nigerians affected by the ongoing crisis in parts of the Middle-east East. The decision comes amid escalating tensions in...