Author: Daily Post Nigeria

The Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Saliu Mustapha, has vowed to become the next governor of the state come 2027 despite renewed concerns over the resurgence of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Mustapha expressed his confidence on Thursday when he submitted his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to the APC.

Mustapha will slug it out with many other contestants in the APC primaries for the party’s sole ticket for the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State.

Announcing the development on his verified social media pages, the senator described the submission of the forms as a major step in his political journey toward leading Kwara State.

“I have formally submitted my Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to contest for the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship primary ticket for Kwara State.

“This marks my official entry into the party’s screening process and represents a significant step in the journey toward building a more progressive and inclusive Kwara State.

“I look forward to continued engagement with the people of Kwara State, party leaders, and political stakeholders as the process progresses.

“Together, we will continue to work towards the future our state truly deserves.”

2027: Mustapha moves to succeed AbdulRazaq in Kwara

Real Madrid have confirmed that Federico Valverde has suffered “a traumatic brain injury”.

The Uruguay midfielder will now miss this weekend’s El Clasico against Barcelona, which could decide the LaLiga title.

A club statement read: “The tests carried out today on our player Fede Valverde by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.

“Valverde is at home in good condition and will need to rest for 10 to 14 days, as per medical protocols for this diagnosis.”

The injury is suspected to have happened during a training ground clash with Aurelien Tchouameni.

LaLiga: Valverde suffers brain injury after Tchouameni clash, to miss Barcelona clash

Real Madrid on Thursday night released a statement over the training ground spat between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Valverde had to be taken to hospital after a “very serious” confrontation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni.

This forced head coach Alvaro Arbeloa to summon an emergency meeting to address a dressing room that is spiralling out of control.

The LaLiga giants have now confirmed that both midfielders will face disciplinary proceedings.

It read: “Real Madrid announce that, following the events that took place this morning, the club has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players, Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni.

“The club will announce the outcome of both cases in due course, once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed.”

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LaLiga: Real Madrid release statement on Valverde, Tchouameni training ground clash

The member representing Umuahia North Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Anderson Akaliro, has cried out over the destruction of farms belonging to his constituents in Umuagu Autonomous Community, Umuahia North LGA.

The destruction, according to the lawmaker, was caused by cattle belonging to suspected herdsmen.

Presenting a matter of urgent public importance before the Abia State House of Assembly, Akaliro expressed worry that the destruction of crops in the farms occurred despite the 2018 anti-open grazing law.

He urged the Abia State House of Assembly to urgently intervene in the matter in order to stop the situation from degenerating into a deep crisis.

Responding to the Umuahia North representative’s petition, the Abia State House of Assembly committed the matter to its joint committee on security and agriculture for legislative action.

In another development, the Abia State House of Assembly received H.A.M. 50, a motion calling on the Abia State Government to take over the Erei Palm Plantation Farm Settlement in Okon Aku, Ohafia South, to avert further mayhem and bloodshed in the community.

Kalu Mba Nwoke, who represents Ohafia South Constituency in the Assembly, presented the motion, saying that the state government’s takeover of the palm plantation would contribute to lasting peace in the Okon Aku community.

Abia Lawmaker urges intervention, as cattle destroy farms in constituency

UEFA, on Thursday, included four Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain players in the UEFA Champions League Team of the week.

This follows the conclusion of the Champions League semi-final second leg fixtures played on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

DAILY POST reports that Arsenal eliminated Atletico Madrid from the Champions League on Tuesday, while PSG sent Bayern Munich packing from the competition.

However, the likes of Arsenal stars, David Raya, William Saliba, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have all been included in the Champions League Team.

Here is UEFA’s Champions League Team for this week:

David Raya (Arsenal)
Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid)
William Saliba (Arsenal)
Willian Pacho (PSG)
Desire Doue (PSG)
Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
Luis Diaz (Bayern).

UEFA Champions League Team: Four Arsenal, PSG stars, two Bayern Munich players included

In a move aimed at widening access to affordable real estate investment across Nigeria, Mercy Divine Properties Limited has officially opened sales for its latest Lagos estate project, Mercy Divine Lagos, strategically located at Mowe of Ada in Ogun State.

The new development, unveiled as part of the company’s growing expansion drive, offers investors and aspiring homeowners an opportunity to own secured plots of land with Certificate of Occupancy, CoFO, alongside flexible payment options designed to ease property acquisition.

According to details released by the company, plots within the estate are currently selling from ₦18 million for 300 square metres, while larger 500 square metre plots are available for ₦25 million under an ongoing promotional offer.

Positioned within the rapidly developing Lagos corridor, the estate is expected to attract investors seeking long-term value, future security and guaranteed ownership in one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing real estate hubs.

Speaking on the project, the management of Mercy Divine Properties stated that the Lagos expansion represents the company’s commitment to making premium property investment accessible to Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.

The company noted that beyond land sales, the estate is designed to provide a modern residential environment capable of meeting the increasing housing demand around Lagos and Ogun axis.

“With flexible payment plans and verified ownership documents, we are creating opportunities for more Nigerians to secure their future through real estate investment,” the company stated.

Industry observers say the opening of Mercy Divine Lagos further strengthens the company’s presence in Nigeria’s property sector, especially as demand for secured estates continues to rise amid rapid urban expansion.

Mercy Divine Properties, which operates from its head office at Bejowil Plaza, Peter Odili Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, also maintains a Lagos office at 53 Agip Estate, Satellite Town.

The company says interested subscribers can take advantage of the ongoing promo while allocation opportunities remain open.

Website: https://mercydivineproperties.com/
Tel: ​+234-803 667 3241

Mercy Divine Properties opens Lagos estate sales, expands nationwide reach

 

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping following the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers during a coordinated security operation in Rukubi Community, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

According to the police, the operation was launched after armed hoodlums invaded the community on the night of May 6, 2026, shooting sporadically and creating panic among residents before abducting two victims from their homes.

Police operatives from the Nasarawa State Command, working alongside other security agencies, local vigilante groups, and community youths, swiftly mobilised to the area and carried out coordinated operations that led to the arrest of the suspects.

The arrested suspects were identified as Adamu Alfa, Muhammed Alfa, Shuaibu Alfa, Usman Alfa, Ali Alfa, Isa Alfa, another Adamu Alfa, and Ja’afaru Alfa, all said to be from Rugan Alhaji Alfa in Rukubi Village.

Security operatives also recovered two AK-47 rifles, four Bajaj motorcycles, and two expended 7.62mm ammunition shells linked to the attack during the operation.

The police further disclosed that one of the suspects sustained fatal injuries during the encounter and later died while receiving medical treatment.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the operatives for their professionalism and bravery, describing the operation as another success for intelligence-led policing and inter-agency collaboration in tackling violent crimes across the country.

The Force also appreciated the support of local vigilantes, community youths, and residents whose cooperation contributed to the successful operation.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has arrested an alleged billionaire drug baron, Amadi Simon, and two suspected female kingpins in a coordinated international operation targeting a transnational drug money laundering network.

The operation was carried out by operatives of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US DEA) Lagos Country Office and law enforcement partners from Switzerland, France and Greece.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA, the syndicate was involved in drug money laundering operations running into hundreds of billions of naira across Europe and Nigeria.

The agency said the multi-country investigation led to the simultaneous arrest of Amadi in Switzerland and two alleged co-conspirators in Nigeria on April 28, 2026.

The two other suspects were identified as Jecinta Amara Ikechi, 34, who was arrested in Anambra State, and Blessing Ngozi Amadi, 28, who was arrested in Agbor, Delta State.

The NDLEA said the arrests followed months of intelligence gathering and investigations across several jurisdictions.

The agency said it had traced several multi-billion naira assets allegedly linked to Amadi’s network in Nigeria and abroad.

Babafemi explained that properties identified as alleged proceeds of drug funds include Jovi Hotel at 1 Isiayei Street, GRA Phase 1, Asaba, Delta State; Jovi Hotel and Suites at 4 Orikeze by Deeper Life Road, Agbor, Delta State; and Jovi Apartment at Jamieson Court, Mabushi, Abuja.

The NDLEA also said several bank accounts and cryptocurrency addresses allegedly used by the cartel to conceal illicit funds had been identified and blocked.

The agency alleged that Amadi’s Nigerian operations involved the use of front and shell companies, pass-through arrangements, delegates, traditional bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets to hide and launder proceeds of drug and financial crimes.

It said the operation formed part of a wider effort to disrupt the financial base of international narcotics trafficking networks.

Speaking on the operation, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the successful operation had sent a strong message to drug traffickers and their collaborators.

He said the agency maintained “a zero-tolerance policy toward crimes that jeopardize the safety of the Nigerian people, the integrity of our national reputation, and the stability of our economy.”

Marwa also commended the support of the US DEA and other international partners in dismantling the network.

The NDLEA boss said the agency would continue to deepen cooperation with foreign partners in intelligence, evidence collection, case management, tactical operations and equipment support.

“The NDLEA remains relentless in its pursuit of those involved in narcotics trafficking and associated financial crimes, regardless of where they attempt to hide,” Marwa stated.

“The NDLEA is committed to ensuring that Nigeria is neither a haven for drug traffickers who profit from illicit substances nor a sanctuary for their criminal proceeds.” Copied

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has reacted to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s recent partnership with Chinese firms to restart the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

In a statement by NUPENG President, Otunba Salimon Oladiti, he said the refineries’ restart would reduce the economic pressures Nigerians face.

DAILY POST reports that a partnership was recently signed with Chinese firms to revive the country’s refineries.

Reacting, he said the move would effectively address “the long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s petroleum sector and reduce the country’s heavy dependence on imported petroleum products despite its position as a major oil-producing nation.

“The agreement with the Chinese firms presents an opportunity for the country to reposition its oil and gas sector, restore public confidence in the nation’s refining capacity, create employment opportunities, encourage industrial growth, strengthen energy security, and reduce the economic pressure associated with fuel importation.”

He, however, noted that “Nigerians are tired of repeated refinery rehabilitation promises and projects that have consumed huge public resources without delivering lasting results,” and therefore urged all parties involved in the partnership to ensure transparency, accountability, professionalism, and timely execution of the agreement.

It would ease economic pressure – NUPENG reacts to NNPCL’s partnership on Nigerian refineries’ restart

Hon. Natasha Osawaru-Idibia, the lawmaker representing Egor Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly and wife of music star 2Baba, has announced her defection to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

She disclosed the move during a visit to the residence of the party’s national chairman, Senator Seriake Dickson, where she formally aligned with the platform and got her membership card.

Osawaru-Idibia also confirmed the development in a post on her Instagram page, where she shared a picture of her visit alongside former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso.

Before her defection, she was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and currently represents Egor Constituency in the 8th Edo State House of Assembly.

2Face’s wife Natasha Idibia dumps PDP for NDC