The Nigerian Army has confirmed that a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Abdulsamad Jamiu, died after being struck during a gunfire exchange between troops and suspected armed robbers in Abuja.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Shagari Estate in Dei-Dei, when troops from the Guards Brigade Quick Response Group responded to a distress call reporting an armed robbery attack in the area.
Upon arrival, the soldiers encountered resistance as the fleeing suspects opened fire, triggering a brief but intense exchange.
The Acting Army spokesperson, Lieutenant Olawuyi Odunola, explained that the confrontation occurred in a volatile and rapidly evolving situation, as troops attempted to repel the attackers and secure the neighbourhood.
“In the course of the engagement, Mr. Jamiu was caught in the crossfire.
“Despite efforts by troops to secure the area and preserve lives, he sadly succumbed to his injuries.
“This heartbreaking loss has cast a deep shadow over all personnel of the Guards Brigade.
“Preliminary information indicates that the situation was fluid and highly volatile, as troops worked to repel the attackers and protect residents of the community from harm.”
Odunola confirmed that the remains of the deceased have been transferred to the appropriate civil authorities and deposited at Kubwa General Hospital.
Odunola also disclosed that an investigation to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting has been launched, while assuring that the process will focus on accountability and clarity.
“We remain committed to transparency and accountability and findings will be made available in due course” he said.
The Guards Brigade leadership, alongside officers and soldiers, extended condolences to the victim’s family, the NYSC, and others affected, acknowledging the impact of the incident on both the military and civilian community.
“We share in their grief and stand in solidarity with them during this moment of profound sorrow.
“We will continue to review our operational procedures to further enhance civilian safety, even as our troops confront criminal elements who threaten the peace of our communities” the statement noted.
The 2026 National Sports Fiesta of the Unity Schools Old Students Association, USOSA, has ended in Enugu, with the Federal Government College, FGC, Enugu emerging champions.
It topped the table with eight gold, three silver and two bronze medals.
FGC Ikot Ekpene Old Students Association finished in second place with seven gold, seven silver, and three bronze medals.
DAILY POST reports that the keenly contested sports fiesta that featured 30 Unity Schools from across the country.
The week-long sports festival, which was held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, brought together alumni from federal unity colleges nationwide.
Events featured at the fiesta included football, tug of war, march-past, swimming, lawn tennis, table tennis, snooker, ludo, draughts, badminton, volleyball, basketball, golf, among others.
FGC Ikot Ekpene, one of the strong contenders, battled alongside 29 other schools in its bid to retain the trophy but ultimately settled for second place as FGC Enugu dominated the medals table.
Speaking after the tournament, the President-General of USOSA, Michael Magaji, said the fiesta goes beyond competition, describing sports as a vital tool for national unity and development.
“We are fully aware of the power of sports as a unifying force—one that brings people together and fosters prosperity. This event in Enugu provides us with yet another platform to strengthen our bonds, celebrate our diversity, and demonstrate that we are models of responsible citizenship,” he said.
Magaji noted that while the association remains committed to advancing public education, sports serve as an additional platform to deepen relationships and promote nation-building.
“Through this initiative, we aim to build bridges across the country and reinforce relationships that, in many cases, span 30, 40, or even 50 years,” he added.
He emphasised that USOSA’s interventions are voluntary and aimed at giving back to society, particularly the public education system that shaped its members.
According to him, the association is working to restore the high standards once associated with unity schools.
“These were once centres of excellence, and while standards may have declined over time, our goal is to restore and even surpass those standards, one school at a time,” he said.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to join its party and contest the 2027 presidential election.
In a post on X on Sunday, the party said the two politicians have about two weeks to switch over and secure its presidential ticket.
“All we need right now. Just all we need. Two weeks to deadline,” the party wrote.
The post included a photo of Obi and Kwankwaso shaking hands with the caption, Nigeria will be OK.
This comes shortly after supporters of both men launched the “OK Movement” to build support for a possible joint presidential bid ahead of 2027.
The group’s spokesperson, Justin Ijeh, also announced new appointments into its national and state structures.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where both politicians belong, is facing internal leadership problems that could affect its chances in the next election.
On April 22, the Supreme Court reserved judgement in a case between factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala.
At the same time, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set May 30, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to submit membership lists and nominate candidates.
Opposition parties, including the ADC, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have asked INEC to extend the timeline to the end of July.
They argued that the current schedule is unfair and could put them at a disadvantage.
Veteran Nollywood actor Jim Iyke has identified internal sabotage as a major challenge confronting the Nigerian movie industry.
According to the actor, the industry is plagued by individuals he described as saboteurs, hindering its growth and progress.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Jim Iyke said that if there were one thing he would change about Nollywood, it would be to eliminate such elements from the industry.
“If there is one thing I would love to change about Nollywood, it would be to purge saboteurs from the industry. The industry is full of saboteurs. They can’t help themselves. They need therapy,” he said.
The actor also reflected on a deeply personal moment in his career, revealing that his proudest achievement came when his son praised his performance and described him as a “genius.”
He said the commendation moved him to tears, adding that he had to excuse himself to the bathroom to process the emotional moment.
Jim Iyke further named Kate Henshaw as the actress he enjoys working with the most.
The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed support for Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as he intensifies consultations with key stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Gbajabiamila affirmed confidence in Hamzat’s capacity to lead the state to greater heights.
“I believe it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves. We have two things. We have an election to win, and we have a state to govern and take it to another level,” he said in a video shared by an X user, Ayekooto (@DeeOneAyekooto) on Sunday.
He added, “I have no doubt that you have the capacity to do that. Like I said earlier, you can count on my support.”
Hamzat said his meeting with Gbajabiamila focused on the direction of the state and the work required to move it forward.
“We discussed the direction of our state and the work required to move it forward. It remains our shared responsibility to strengthen Lagos and continue delivering better outcomes for our people. I am focused and clear about the work ahead,” he wrote on X.
Hamzat has been engaging APC power brokers as part of efforts to secure the party’s ticket ahead of the primaries schedule for next month.
Since April 13, he has met with several key party men. They include former deputy governors Femi Pedro and Sarah Adebisi Sosan, as well as former governor and ex-minister Babatunde Fashola. Others are Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, Shakiru Akanni Seriki, Senator Tokunbo Abiru representing Lagos East, immediate past Minister of Finance, Wale Edun and elder statesman Femi Okunnu, alongside former deputy governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.
Within the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision making body of the APC, he has engaged with its chairman, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, and other leaders such as Adeseye Ogunlewe and Biodun Ogunleye. He also met with the Lagos APC leadership, including state chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, and held talks with Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on his policy direction.
Gbajabiamila’s backing comes about two weeks after a member of the House of Representatives, James Faleke, publicly backed Hamzat’s ambition and urged party faithful to rally behind him.
The endorsement, however, drew criticism from an indigenous group, Ibile Parapo, which described the move as provocative and questioned Faleke’s neutrality over his alleged role in an APC screening committee.
TRAGIC LOSS OF NYSC CORPS MEMBER DURING ARMED ROBBERY INCIDENT IN DEI-DEI
Headquarters Guards Brigade regrets the tragic loss of Mr. Abdulsamad Jamiu, a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member during a security incident in the early hours of 25 April 2026 at Shagari Estate, Dei-Dei, Abuja.
The unfortunate incident occurred when troops of the Guards Brigade Quick Response Group, on routine night patrol, responded to a distress call following an armed robbery attack in the area. Upon arrival, the troops came under gunfire from the fleeing armed robbers, resulting in a brief but intense exchange.
In the course of the engagement, Mr. Jamiu was caught in the crossfire. Despite efforts by troops to secure the area and preserve lives, he sadly succumbed to his injuries. This heartbreaking loss has cast a deep shadow over all personnel of the Guards Brigade.
Preliminary information indicates that the situation was fluid and highly volatile, as troops worked to repel the attackers and protect residents of the community from harm.
The Commander, Guards Brigade, officers and soldiers extend their deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the National Youth Service Corps, and all who are affected by this painful loss. We share in their grief and stand in solidarity with them during this moment of profound sorrow.
The Brigade has since initiated a thorough investigation to fully ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. We remain committed to transparency and accountability and findings will be made available in due course.
The remains of the deceased have been respectfully handed over to the appropriate civil authorities and deposited at Kubwa General Hospital.
Guards Brigade affirms its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property within the Federal Capital Territory. We will continue to review our operational procedures to further enhance civilian safety, even as our troops confront criminal elements who threaten the peace of our communities.
Members of the public are urged to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies as we work collectively to maintain safety and security.
Residents of the Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have received assurances of purposeful, inclusive, and effective representation at the House of Representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This assurance was given by an aspirant for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency seat, Sarah Ivie Adidi, during a courtesy visit to the Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bwari Area Council over the weekend, where she formally declared her ambition and congratulated the newly elected party executives.
Sarah was received by the party chairman, women leader, and other key executives, who expressed optimism about her candidacy and pledged their support, emphasizing the need for unity and collective progress within the party.
Speaking during the visit, Sarah noted that her engagement with party stakeholders and supporters in Bwari underscores her commitment to grassroots politics and inclusive governance. She stressed the importance of collaboration in addressing the developmental challenges facing the constituency.
Describing Bwari Area Council as a critical and strategic component of the FCT’s political landscape, she said its relevance in shaping electoral outcomes and governance priorities cannot be overstated.
Sarah outlined her vision to transform the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency into a model constituency in Nigeria through people-oriented programmes.
According to her, these initiatives will focus on infrastructure development, quality education, skills acquisition, youth empowerment, and improved healthcare delivery.
Sarah further assured residents that, if elected, she would work closely with the Area Council leadership, community stakeholders, and relevant agencies to drive sustainable development and improve the overall standard of living for constituents.
She reiterated her commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsive representation, promising to amplify the voices of the people and ensure their needs are adequately addressed at the national level.
On his part, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Joshua Ishaku Musa in Bwari Area Council expressed readiness and assured supporters that the party would work to support Sarah in achieving her political ambitions.
Enzo Fernandez’s first-half header settled a scrappy FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United at Wembley as Chelsea made a winning start after Liam Rosenior’s sacking.
Calum McFarlane was put in interim charge until the end of the season and will now lead Chelsea out against Manchester City on Saturday, 16 May.
Leeds’ hopes of reaching a first FA Cup final since they lost to Sunderland in 1973 were dashed as they were left to regret missed chances that might have turned a tight game in their favour.
Daniel Farke’s side had the game’s first big opportunity when Brenden Aaronson raced clear from Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s touch but Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez made a crucial save with his legs.
It proved to be an expensive miss as Chelsea went ahead after 23 minutes, Fernandez meeting Pedro Neto’s cross with a firm header to give Lucas Perri no chance.
As Chelsea took control, Joao Pedro struck the foot of the post before Leeds finally forced their way into contention after the break.
Anton Stach, on at half-time, forced a diving save from Sanchez within seconds, then Calvert-Lewin missed a glorious opportunity when he headed straight at Chelsea’s keeper from close range.
The closing stages were tense as Chelsea closed out the win, a response to Rosenior’s dismissal after only 106 days, and they will now attempt to end a run of losing their past three FA Cup finals.
Chelsea emerged from the chaos and discontent of Rosenior’s final days in charge at Stamford Bridge by setting up the chance to save a turbulent season with silverware.
Rosenior left after a run of five league defeats without a goal, the first time this had happened to Chelsea since 1912.
And the sign of Chelsea’s poor form was illustrated when Fernandez arrived with perfect timing to head past Leeds keeper Perri. It ended a run of 498 minutes without a goal against Premier League clubs in all competitions.
As is so often the case, the departure of a head coach who appeared to have lost the faith of his players galvanised Chelsea into action with a performance that was much improved – if hardly scintillating.
Keeper Sanchez, the target for much criticism in recent months, emerged as a key figure with those crucial saves from Aaronson and Stach.
But the match-winner and game’s outstanding performer was Fernandez, who was also at the centre of controversy during Rosenior’s reign when he received a two-game internal ban for publicly discussing a potential transfer to Real Madrid.
He took the acclaim from Chelsea’s jubilant supporters after the final whistle as the dark clouds that had been hanging over them were, on this day at least, lifted.
Meanwhile, Leeds’ desolate players and fans will leave Wembley nursing regrets as the chance to reach the FA Cup final passed them by.
In a surprisingly timid first-half display, Leeds still had a huge opportunity to take charge of the game when Aaronson ran through with only Sanchez to beat, manager Farke holding his head in anguish on the sidelines as the keeper stuck out a leg to save.
Leeds finally, and belatedly, performed with purpose and intensity after half-time and Calvert-Lewin should have made more of the sort of service he thrives on when he headed straight at Sanchez while unmarked.
It was Leeds’ last big moment as they simply did not possess the firepower to seriously trouble Chelsea, despite having plenty of possession.
Premier League safety will still rank as a very creditable achievement by Farke and his players this season, but they will know they could have made this a day of glory as opposed to bitter disappointment.
The sun had barely risen over Western Rogo when Abubakar Hafizu loaded his cart for what he believed would be an ordinary morning run to the Sundu Market.
He had done this hundreds of times — hauling maize across the Gwangwan Bridge, exchanging greetings with neighbours along the road, arriving at the market in time to meet his regular buyers. He was 56 years old and had built his life around this rhythm.
That morning, the bridge was gone.
By the time he reached the crossing and saw what had happened, much of what he had stored — grain that had taken a full farming season to grow, harvest, and dry — had already been ruined by water. He stood at the edge of the broken span and watched. There was nothing else to do.
“I lost over four million naira worth of maize,” he said. “Most of it drowned. I didn’t know the bridge had collapsed.”
For the communities strung along the Gwangwan corridor in Western Rogo Local Government Area of Kano State, the collapse of the bridge did not arrive as a single catastrophe. It arrived slowly, in the shape of things that stopped happening.
The woman who used to carry soybeans on her head to sell before nightfall stopped going. The children who crossed every morning for school started missing days, then weeks.
The pregnant woman who needed to reach Rogo General Hospital in an emergency found the road leading nowhere.
The bridge, many residents will tell you, was never just concrete and steel. It was the arrangement their lives were built around. It was what made morning possible.
Sani Shuaibu Rogo, a community advocate who grew up watching trucks cross that bridge at dawn, has spent months trying to make the outside world understand what its loss has meant to the people who depended on it. He speaks carefully, like a man who has told this story many times and worries that it still is not being heard.
Resident conveying corpse.
“Household incomes have dropped drastically,” he said. “Youths are idle. Women who depended on petty trade to feed their families have nothing. The bridge was our connection to everything.”
What he describes is not merely hardship. It is the quiet unravelling of a community’s daily life.
Cultural gatherings that once brought villages together have dwindled. Religious events and family visits that relied on ease of movement have grown infrequent.
The elderly, who once moved between communities with the help of younger relatives, now remain in place — sometimes unable to access care when they need it most. The social bonds that infrastructure silently holds together have begun to fray.
Patients requiring urgent medical attention — among them pregnant women who need emergency obstetric care — can no longer reach Rogo General Hospital along the route the bridge once provided. Health workers have described situations where vulnerable residents, cut off and without alternatives, are left to manage without the help that should be available to them. The distance that was once bridgeable has become, in the most literal sense, impassable.
For the children, the consequences may prove to be the longest-lasting. Parents in communities beyond the collapsed bridge now face the daily dilemma of whether it is safe to send their sons and daughters to school. Many have decided it is not.
The classrooms that should hold them sit at a distance no longer easily crossed, and the years in which children learn what they cannot unlearn are slipping past.
“It directly undermines the government’s Education for All agenda,” said Usman Abubakar, a resident, his voice carrying the weariness of someone who has made this point before without result. “How can policy ambitions be achieved when basic infrastructure lies in ruin?”
What deepens the anguish for many is the sense that this did not have to happen — or, having happened, need not have been allowed to persist. Election after election, residents say, politicians have arrived in Western Rogo with promises.
The bridge, the roads, the neglected infrastructure of a community that has waited patiently for its turn — all of it has featured in campaign speeches. And after each election, the same silence.
“Year after year, politicians come here to campaign,” Shuaibu Rogo said. “They promise to fix the bridge and the road network. After the elections, you never see them again.
“People have lost faith. They no longer believe that their votes translate into anything meaningful.”
That loss of faith may be the wound that heals last. A community that once engaged in the life of its local government, that believed participation mattered and that leadership listened, has grown disenchanted in ways that go deeper than politics. What residents describe is a feeling of abandonment — not dramatic or sudden, but accumulated over years of broken promises and unrepaired bridges.
Shuaibu Rogo has written on behalf of his people to the Kano State Government, to the Rogo Local Government Council, to every elected representative whose constituency includes the communities now stranded behind a collapsed crossing. His message is not elaborate.
“The Gwangwan Bridge is not just concrete — it is the lifeline of Kano West,” he said.
“Its collapse has created year-round poverty, youth redundancy, and declining living standards for farmers, traders, women, and families who once thrived on this corridor. We are not asking for charity. We are asking for what was promised and what is owed.”
Abubakar Hafizu, 56, is still farming. He has not stopped. But the morning runs to Sundu Market that once defined his days are gone, and the loss he carries is not only the grain that drowned at the crossing. It is the life that was organised around a bridge that is no longer there — and the quieter grief of not knowing when, or whether, it will be rebuilt.
The Kano State Internal Revenue Service has announced that it generated over N102 billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2025, marking a sharp increase from the N74 billion recorded in 2024.
Chairman of the agency, Zaid Abubakar, disclosed this during the Service’s 2026 Award Night held in Kano on Saturday, describing the performance as unprecedented.
He attributed the growth to sustained reforms, improved taxpayer compliance, and enhanced operational efficiency, noting that coordinated efforts across government institutions played a key role.
“Reforms must translate into measurable results, and we have seen that happen,” Abubakar said, adding that the agency’s revenue administration systems have significantly improved in recent years.
He highlighted the impact of digital transformation, explaining that upgraded platforms have strengthened taxpayer engagement and compliance monitoring.
The KIRS boss also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to achieving its N200 billion IGR target in the coming years, urging staff and stakeholders to sustain the momentum.
Abubakar commended taxpayers, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and other partners for their continued support, stressing that collaboration remains vital to maintaining growth.
At the event, outstanding staff and contributors were recognised for their performance. Abubakar said the awards were meant to encourage excellence and inspire greater dedication among employees.
Earlier, Executive Director of Human Resource Services, Fatima Nuhu, who chaired the award committee, said the selection process was transparent and merit-based.
She explained that nominations were drawn from various departments and rigorously assessed using defined criteria to ensure fairness and objectivity.
Nuhu added that the committee also undertook stakeholder engagement and corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at strengthening public trust and improving awareness of tax obligations.
She praised both staff and taxpayers for their contributions, noting that their commitment has been central to the agency’s improved performance.
