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Edo: AAU Lecturer Found Dead in Hotel After Alleged Encounter With Sex Worker

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Police Probe Death of AAU Academic After Hotel Visit in Ekpoma

The death of a senior lecturer at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Dr Matthew Uwuigbe, has triggered a police investigation after he was found dead in a hotel room in Edo State.

Uwuigbe reportedly died on Sunday, October 5, 2026, at a hotel located in the Mosco area of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.

The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, although the police have arrested three people in connection with the incident.

According to the Edo State Police Command, Uwuigbe had lodged at the hotel with a 21-year-old woman, Angela Defa Jacob.

Jacob was identified by the police as a commercial sex worker.

Police spokesperson Eno Ikoedem said the lecturer allegedly engaged Jacob’s services before sending her out to purchase water.

She reportedly returned to the room and found Uwuigbe lying lifeless on the bed.

The matter was reported to the police at about 8pm, leading to the commencement of an investigation.

Ikoedem said the three people arrested were the hotel owner, the manager and Jacob.

She explained that detectives were working to determine what happened before the lecturer’s death and whether there were circumstances requiring further criminal investigation.

Read Also: Fr Mbaka Says Nigeria’s Challenges Are Spiritual, Defends Peter Obi Supporters

The police spokesperson also confirmed that Uwuigbe’s remains had been deposited at the Oriaifo Memorial Hospital mortuary.

Meanwhile, Ambrose Alli University has confirmed the deceased’s affiliation with the institution.

The university’s Public Relations Officer, Otunba Mike Ade Aladenika, said Uwuigbe was a member of the university’s staff but stressed that the incident took place away from the school.

“We are not denying that he is our staff, but whatever he did and what happened, it is his private life,” Aladenika said.

He also clarified that Jacob was not a student of Ambrose Alli University.

The university therefore described the incident as a private matter that occurred outside its premises.

The police have not announced the cause of death. Investigations are continuing, while the three people arrested remain in custody as authorities seek to establish the full circumstances of the lecturer’s death.

Fr Mbaka Says Nigeria’s Challenges Are Spiritual, Defends Peter Obi Supporters

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Catholic priest and founder of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, AMEN, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka has described Nigeria’s challenges as “spiritual”, saying the country’s youths should not be blamed for supporting the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi.

Mbaka made the remarks in a video recorded during one of his church programmes.

The cleric said Nigeria was endowed with abundant human and natural resources but had failed to translate its wealth into improved living conditions for its citizens.

“Like what Nigeria is passing through now, Nigeria’s case is a spiritual one. We may not understand it,” Mbaka said.

Read Also: Don’t Marry a Man Just Because He Chose You, Damilola Adegbite Tells Women

He described Nigeria as one of the most blessed countries in the world, particularly in terms of its human resources, saying the country had “the best youths”, whose potential remained largely unrecognised.

According to him, Nigeria also has vast mineral resources, including gold and coal, yet many Nigerians continue to live in poverty and face inadequate electricity supply.

“Enugu is sitting upon a multi-trillion-dollar worth of coal, yet the indigenes of the city are all poor,” he said.

Mbaka also criticised successive governments over policies and actions that, according to him, have negatively affected poor Nigerians, including the demolition of shops and disputes over land.

He further attributed the country’s insecurity challenges, including kidnapping, to political factors.

The Catholic priest said Nigerian youths were naturally industrious and should therefore not be blamed for rallying behind Obi.

“That’s why nobody should blame Nigerian youths when all of them started following Peter Obi because they are looking for whoever will save them,” Mbaka said.

Don’t Marry a Man Just Because He Chose You, Damilola Adegbite Tells Women

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Nollywood actress Damilola Adegbite has urged single women to stop accepting relationship proposals solely because a man has expressed interest in them.

Adegbite gave the advice during a recent edition of her podcast, which was shared on her YouTube channel.

According to the actress, women should not feel pressured to settle with men who are ready for marriage simply because they have been selected by those men.

Instead, she encouraged women to consider whether the person is genuinely compatible with them and capable of building a healthy relationship.

“Ladies, don’t choose someone because they chose you. Choose someone because they are right for you,” Adegbite said.

She explained that age should not be the deciding factor when choosing a life partner. Whether a prospective partner is younger, older or the same age, she said, the important questions should concern love, support and the ability to build together.

Read Also: Ex-American Idol Contestant Gets Life Sentence for Killing Wife

“At the end of the day, we are not looking for numbers. We are looking for a partner,” she said.

Adegbite also spoke specifically to older women who are approached by younger men.

She warned that being admired by a younger man should not automatically be interpreted as a reason to accept his proposal.

According to her, women should first determine whether such a man is respectful, emotionally mature and genuinely prepared for commitment.

“To the older woman, if a younger man is interested in you, please don’t make the mistake of choosing him because he makes you feel desirable,” she said.

Adegbite urged women to consider whether the prospective partner makes them feel safe and supports their personal lives.

She added that older women with children should ensure that a younger partner respects their children and understands their responsibilities.

“Only choose him if he is emotionally mature and knows what he wants, respects your children and your life, and actually wants to build something with you,” she added.

The actress emphasised that genuine compatibility should take priority over age, attention or the desire to simply settle down.

Ex-American Idol Contestant Gets Life Sentence for Killing Wife

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Life Sentence for Caleb Flynn After Jury Rejects Intruder Defence

Caleb Flynn, a former American Idol contestant and music pastor, has been sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole after being convicted of murdering his wife, Ashley.

A jury found the 40-year-old guilty last week after a short deliberation, rejecting his claim that a stranger had entered his Ohio home and shot his wife as she slept.

Flynn was convicted of aggravated murder and eight other offences, including tampering with evidence.

The case centred on the February killing of Ashley Flynn, a 37-year-old teacher. The couple’s two daughters, aged nine and 11, were asleep inside the home when their mother was killed.

Flynn told investigators that he had been asleep when he heard gunshots. He said he discovered Ashley’s body in bed and noticed the garage door was open.

His account suggested that an intruder had entered the house, but prosecutors argued that the scene had been staged to make it look like a burglary.

Investigators presented police body-camera footage and digital information from Flynn’s iPhone and Apple Watch. Prosecutors said the evidence contradicted elements of his account.

The prosecution also presented evidence from witnesses, including Botner, whom Flynn met while she was an intern at his church.

Botner read messages from their extensive correspondence, which reportedly contained around 100,000 texts.

Among the messages was one in which Flynn allegedly discussed staying awake until 4am thinking about ways to kill Ashley without going to prison.

He also allegedly wrote that he wanted his wife “dead and gone.”

Read Also: Minister: Food Prices Have Dropped by as Much as 50% Since 2023

Flynn did not testify during the trial, while his defence called no witnesses.

At sentencing, his daughters delivered some of the most emotional statements in the case.

One wrote to Flynn, “Dear Daddy, I don’t even know where to start. How could you do such a thing?”

She described Ashley as a perfect mother and expressed anger that her father had killed the only mother she had known.

The second daughter addressed Flynn only as “Dear Caleb”. She demanded that he tell people what he had done and accept the consequences.

“You made me feel like an idiot thinking I could trust you,” she wrote.

She also said she would not visit him in prison.

Flynn sobbed as the letters were read.

In his own statement, Flynn expressed love for his family and apologised for unspecified decisions. He admitted failing the vows he made to Ashley but maintained that he did not kill her.

Judge Jeannine Pratt described Flynn as an “extreme” public risk and imposed the life sentence without parole.

Flynn’s lawyer, Patrick Mulligan, said an appeal would be filed. He argued that prosecutors had not produced sufficient evidence of prior calculation and design.

Mulligan also questioned the use of infidelity evidence and challenged the tampering conviction because the alleged murder weapon was never recovered.

Following the verdict, Ashley’s family described her as a deeply religious woman who loved people and cherished motherhood.

“Ashley loved Jesus with her whole heart,” the family statement said. “She loved people. Most of all, she loved being a mum.”

Flynn had previously appeared briefly on American Idol in 2013 and spoke then about loving Ashley “more than anything.”

Minister: Food Prices Have Dropped by as Much as 50% Since 2023

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The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, says prices of some essential food commodities have fallen by as much as 50 per cent compared with their levels before 2023.

Kyari made the claim on Monday in Maiduguri while speaking at the opening of a Community of Practice Meeting involving commissioners responsible for agriculture, health, environment and rural development from across Nigeria.

The meeting was organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in partnership with the Borno State Government, with support from the German government.

The summit, themed “Stronger Partnerships for a Food Secure Nigeria,” focused on strengthening Nigeria’s food production and food security.
Kyari said the Federal Government’s goal was to increase food production, make food more affordable, strengthen rural economies and build a more resilient food system.

“We have seen the reduction of up to 50 per cent in prices of some essential food commodities, alongside expanded input delivery, investment in rural infrastructure, and support to smallholder farmers,” he said.

The minister said President Bola Tinubu’s administration had made food security a major priority, urging Nigerians to assess the government’s performance using available data rather than politicising the rising cost of living.

Read Also: Nigeria Climbs Four Spots as Bloomberg Updates African Investment Risk Ranking

“Let’s be honest, how much was a bag of rice and maize in 2023, and how much is it now? What is the percentage? Let us not play politics with these things,” Kyari said.

He said the Maiduguri meeting would also examine the Kampala Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Declaration and its Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2035.

According to him, the Kampala framework covers sustainable food production, investment, financing, food and nutrition security, trade, inclusion, climate resilience and improved governance.

Kyari added that Nigeria had already developed and validated a 10-year National Agrifood System Strategy and Action Plan to implement its commitments under the framework.

Nigeria Climbs Four Spots as Bloomberg Updates African Investment Risk Ranking

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Nigeria has overtaken Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya and Namibia to rank eighth among 19 African economies assessed for relative investment risk by Bloomberg Economics, recording one of the biggest improvements in the 2026 Bloomberg Economics Investment Risk-O-Meter.

The four-place rise reflected improvements in three of the five indicators measured by the gauge: economic strength, fiscal strength and external vulnerability.

Bloomberg said Nigeria’s latest position was one of the more notable movements in the scorecard, while Mauritius emerged as the continent’s most investable economy among the 19 countries assessed.

“The continent’s biggest oil producer and refiner rose four places to eighth in the 2026 Bloomberg Economics Investment Risk-O-Meter, overtaking Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya and Namibia as it improved in three of the five metrics assessed by the gauge, economic strength, fiscal strength and external vulnerability,” Bloomberg reported.

Nigeria’s improved standing came against a mixed performance among other major African economies. Botswana dropped two places, while South Africa, which topped last year’s ranking, fell by one position, with Bloomberg attributing the decline to weaker economic growth outlooks.

The improvement in Nigeria’s ranking follows a series of economic reforms introduced since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in 2023, including the removal of the petrol subsidy, liberalisation of the foreign exchange market and the introduction of electricity tariffs aimed at reducing losses in the power sector.

The reforms have coincided with a gradual strengthening of economic growth during the period covered by the assessment.

Nigeria’s real gross domestic product (GDP) growth rose from 2.54 per cent in the third quarter of 2023 to 3.46 per cent in the fourth quarter. Growth averaged 3.19 per cent in 2024 before strengthening to 3.85 per cent in 2025, the strongest annual performance within the review period.

In the first quarter of 2026, the economy expanded by 3.89 per cent, bringing average quarterly growth between the third quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2026 to about 3.46 per cent.

Read Also: President Tinubu Assesses Nigeria’s Defence, Security Architecture

The sustained expansion in economic activity helped improve Nigeria’s position on the Bloomberg investment-risk gauge, although the ranking also highlights the continuing tension between macroeconomic reforms and fiscal pressures.

Nigeria’s public debt and debt-servicing obligations have risen sharply since the Tinubu administration assumed office.

Data from the Debt Management Office (DMO) showed that Nigeria’s total public debt stood at N87.38 trillion as of June 30, 2023, shortly after the administration took office. By December 31, 2025, the figure had risen to N159.28 trillion.

The DMO attributed the increase to higher borrowing, exchange-rate adjustments and the securitisation of legacy obligations.

The rise in debt remains a significant fiscal challenge even as Nigeria’s relative position in the Bloomberg assessment improves.

The latest ranking places Nigeria ahead of Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya and Namibia on the five-metric investment-risk gauge, with its gains concentrated in economic strength, fiscal strength and external vulnerability.

Mauritius ranked first in the 2026 scorecard, while Nigeria’s four-place rise made it one of the biggest movers in the assessment.

President Tinubu Assesses Nigeria’s Defence, Security Architecture

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), at the Presidential Residence in Lagos for a review of Nigeria’s national defence and security framework.

The discussions covered ongoing counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations, frontline operational requirements and inter-agency security strategies.

This was made known in a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde.

The meeting also reviewed current defence initiatives and proposed reforms aimed at “strengthening troop morale, modernising military hardware and improving military infrastructure across the country.”

Read Also: N802bn Audit Breaches: Reps Summon NNPCL, INEC, Issue HYPREP 7-Day Deadline

President Tinubu expressed satisfaction with progress recorded in securing vulnerable communities and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Ministry of Defence.

General Musa briefed the President on current defence initiatives, operational logistics and proposed reforms, while expressing appreciation for the President’s continued guidance and support for Nigeria’s security apparatus.

The Minister assured that the Ministry of Defence remains committed to carrying out its mandate with resolve and integrity.

The engagement formed part of the President’s continuing security briefings and policy alignment sessions with key government officials as the administration works to address security and economic challenges nationwide.

N802bn Audit Breaches: Reps Summon NNPCL, INEC, Issue HYPREP 7-Day Deadline

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The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee is set to question officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over alleged financial breaches amounting to more than N802.19 billion.

The allegations are contained in the reports of the Auditor-General of the Federation, AuGF, covering the 2021, 2022 and 2023 financial years, which raised queries over procurement procedures, revenue management, payments and compliance with financial regulations by government agencies.

The committee, chaired by the lawmaker representing Ede North/Ede South/Ejigbo/Egbedore Federal Constituency of Osun State, Bamidele Salam, is empowered under Sections 85, 88 and 89 of the Constitution, as well as Order 20, Rule 6 of the House Rules, to examine public accounts and investigate issues relating to revenue losses, non-remittance of statutory funds and breaches of financial regulations.

A member of the committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, disclosed that the audit reports raised several questions against NNPCL in its 2021, 2022 and 2023 audits.

According to him, INEC will also be required to provide explanations on issues highlighted in the AuGF’s 2022 and 2023 reports.

Among the issues reportedly flagged by the Auditor-General are N83.66 billion allegedly warehoused from miscellaneous revenue in a sinking fund account, N82.95 billion in unauthorised deductions from Federation revenue, and a N3.75 billion shortfall arising from the sale of petroleum products.

The committee is expected to demand supporting documents and explanations from NNPCL regarding the transactions and audit queries.

Speaking on the allegations against INEC, the lawmaker said the electoral body had “many questions to answer” concerning procurement processes, payments to contractors and failure to remit statutory deductions.

He noted that the queries covered transactions during the tenure of former INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who has since been appointed an ambassador.

When asked to disclose specific allegations against the commission, the lawmaker declined but stated: “There are questions to be asked on money spent starting from the 2019 general election.”

Meanwhile, the House Public Accounts Committee has given the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, seven days to explain audit queries involving more than N400 billion.

The ultimatum was issued during a public hearing after the agency allegedly failed to honour four previous invitations by the committee.

Salam described the latest invitation as a final warning, directing HYPREP’s Programme Coordinator to appear before the committee by October 12, 2026, or face further action by the House.

The committee also invited the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Remediation Trust Fund to address issues linked to the audit findings.

Read Also: NRS Cautions Nigerians Over Fake FIRS Job Recruitment Notice

Among the queries raised against HYPREP are its alleged failure to submit audited accounts to the Auditor-General’s Office between 2017 and 2021, contracts involving $2.1 million over alleged irregular awards and failure to deduct statutory taxes, N986 million paid for consultancy services without evidence of execution, N315 million spent on training, and N7.2 billion allegedly expended on poorly executed contracts.

The auditors further queried N268 million paid without pre-payment audit and N32 million in statutory taxes that were not deducted, as well as N31.8 million paid to external solicitors without approval from the Attorney-General of the Federation.

In a related development, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has demanded full disclosure of the reported N11.2 trillion oil-backed loans, warning against the use of future crude production to solve present financial challenges.

In a statement issued on Sunday, HURIWA National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the reported commitment of about 340 million barrels of future crude to service three loans raises serious concerns about transparency, fiscal responsibility and the interests of future generations.

“Nigerians have every right to demand to know whether the country is receiving fair value and what future generations are being asked to surrender,” Onwubiko said.

Comparing the arrangement to a father selling family assets to meet immediate needs, he added: “This is the danger Nigerians must confront.”

While noting that borrowing against future oil production is not unlawful, Onwubiko stressed that the scale of the reported commitments makes public scrutiny necessary.

He urged the Federal Government and the NNPCL to disclose details of the financing arrangements and explain how the proceeds were spent, including whether the funds were invested in projects capable of generating sustainable economic returns.

NRS Cautions Nigerians Over Fake FIRS Job Recruitment Notice

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The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has warned Nigerians to disregard a fake recruitment notice circulating online in the name of the defunct Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The Service issued the warning in a public notice titled “Fraudulent Recruitment Notice” published on its official X account on Monday.

According to the NRS, the fraudulent notice, titled “Federal Inland Revenue Service – FIRS Job Vacancy – Replacement,” has been circulated across social media and other online platforms.

The notice reportedly claims to advertise employment opportunities and directs interested applicants to submit their details through the email address [recruit@replacementnhrmt.org](mailto:recruit@replacementnhrmt.org).

However, the NRS said the recruitment advert did not originate from the agency.

“The NRS wishes to state categorically that the notice is fraudulent and did not emanate from the Nigeria Revenue Service,” the Service said.
The agency also reminded Nigerians that the FIRS had been succeeded by the NRS.

Read Also: Jigawa Speaker: Buhari Wouldn’t Have Completed Two Terms Without Tinubu

It urged members of the public to exercise caution and independently verify any recruitment information purportedly issued in the name of the former tax agency.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the NRS has not authorised or commenced the recruitment exercise referenced in the notice and has not appointed or authorised any individual, agent, consultant or third party to conduct any recruitment exercise on its behalf,” the agency stated.

The NRS advised Nigerians not to respond to the fraudulent advert or click on links associated with it.

It stressed that any genuine recruitment exercise by the agency would be officially announced through its website and other authorised communication channels.

The Service therefore urged job seekers and members of the public to verify recruitment-related information through its official platforms before providing personal information or taking any action.

Jigawa Speaker: Buhari Wouldn’t Have Completed Two Terms Without Tinubu

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The Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly and Coordinator of the City Boy movement in the state, Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, has urged Northerners to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
According to him, Tinubu and the Southwest supported late President Muhammadu Buhari; hence, the favour should be reciprocated.

It was reported that the Speaker spoke with reporters shortly after the All Progressives Congress (APC) Jigawa Central Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting in Jahun, Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa State. BreakingNews Alerts

He said, “If not for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the support of the Southwest, our brother, the late President Muhammadu Buhari, would not have become President of Nigeria and served two terms.

“President Buhari contested the presidency several times without success. But when he received the support of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the people of the Southwest, he eventually won the election and served two terms.

Read Also: INEC Plans Stakeholder Engagement Ahead of 2027 General Election

“So, we have to reciprocate that support. It is a payback and the fulfilment of the understanding between the North and South to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to complete his remaining term, just as the Southwest supported a Northerner to become president.”

Dangyatin said APC remained firmly in control of the area, dismissing the party’s gathering in Jahun as a formal campaign launch.

According to him, the exercise was a grassroots mobilisation and introduction of APC candidates to ward executives, local government party leaders and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.

“This is not the formal launch of the campaign. What we are doing is moving from one local government to another to meet ward executives, local government executives and other party leaders to introduce our candidates,” he said.

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