Sports, politics, security and the economy dominate the headlines as Liverpool star Mohamed Salah reportedly settles into the house previously occupied by Nigerian striker, Anthony Nwakaeme, following his move to Turkey.
Meanwhile, a military officer accused of plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu claimed Nigeria was nearing collapse, while opposition parties began discussions on presenting a single candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
Security agencies also arrested 23 foreigners over an alleged Ponzi scheme in Ogun State, as seven states and the FCT borrowed N355bn in three months.
See the top stories below:
Salah moves into Nwakaeme’s house after Turkey move
Mohamed Salah has reportedly moved into the Trabzon property previously occupied by former Super Eagles striker Anthony Nwakaeme following his transfer to Turkish club Trabzonspor, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The development was disclosed by Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan, who explained that the club provides accommodation for some of its players and that Salah’s current residence was once home to Nwakaeme.
Dogan said, “We currently have some houses in Trabzon that we’ve arranged for, let me put it this way: For example, the house he’s staying in now is the same house Nwakaeme used to stay in,”
The Trabzonspor president added that the arrangement was part of the club’s existing accommodation system and should not be considered unusual.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/salah-moves-into-nwakaemes-house-after-turkey-move/
Nigeria was near collapse, says colonel accused of coup plot against Tinubu
File photo: Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji
Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, accused of involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has said his actions were motivated by patriotism and concerns over the country’s worsening condition rather than personal ambition.
Ma’aji said economic hardship, poor governance and declining welfare among Nigerians and military personnel contributed to his concerns about the direction of the country, according to Premium Times.
He said, “What has happened has a very long history, and it is driven by patriotism and I love the job and country.
“As we are all sitting down here, we have our biases and our thoughts and concerns on what was going on in our country from a state of gradual decline up to now, and we are almost at the point of collapse,” he said.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/nigeria-was-near-collapse-says-colonel-accused-of-coup-plot-against-tinubu/
DSS frees, compensates artisan cleared of Oyo school kidnapping link
File: The freed carpendter, Mustapha Marwana
The Department of State Services has released a carpenter, Mustapha Marwana, who was arrested in connection with the abduction and killing of pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State.
Marwana was freed on the orders of the DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, after investigators found no evidence linking him to the attack.
A security source familiar with the case said a DSS panel conducted a detailed investigation into the Katsina-born artisan’s alleged involvement before clearing him.
The panel reportedly established that Marwana was not a member of any terrorist organisation and had no operational connection with the Ansaru terrorist group, which has been linked to the attack.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/dss-frees-compensates-artisan-cleared-of-oyo-school-kidnapping-link/
23 foreigners operating Ponzi scheme nabbed in Ogun
The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended 23 foreign nationals suspected of running a Ponzi scheme, visa fraud, and other immigration-related crimes in the Onipanu-Ota area.
The state police spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the arrests took place last Tuesday around 11 a.m., after officers from the Atan-Ota Division stormed a gated residential property within an estate near Iyana Iyesi, Onipanu-Ota.
Babaseyi explained that the raid was carried out based on reliable intelligence pointing to suspected fraudulent activity taking place at the location.
He said their operatives responded swiftly, cordoned off the premises, and took the 23 suspects into custody for further questioning.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/23-foreigners-operating-ponzi-scheme-nabbed-in-ogun/
2027: Opposition parties begin talks on single candidate
Opposition political parties and stakeholders under the G-100 platform are set to hold a summit in Abuja on August 18, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and forge a common front ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The summit follows consultations between G-100 representatives and leaders of six opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress, Allied Peoples Movement, National Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party and Social Democratic Party.
The meeting is expected to provide a platform for further discussions on greater cooperation among opposition parties ahead of the 2027 polls.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/2027-opposition-parties-begin-talks-on-single-candidate/
APC Muslim-Muslim ticket: Cleric’s ‘infidels’ remark sparks condemnation
A controversial comment by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Jingir, describing Christians as “infidels” while canvassing support for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections has drawn widespread condemnation.
Vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Chairman of the Northern Christian Association, Rev Joseph Hayab, and human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, all criticised the remark.
Kwankwaso, in a statement on X, said Kano residents did not endorse or support what he described as divisive comments.
Hayab accused the cleric of highlighting what he described as the religious discrimination and marginalisation Christians in Northern Nigeria had experienced over the years.
Adeyanju, meanwhile, warned that such rhetoric could worsen religious divisions and undermine national unity.
Jingir made the controversial remarks at a political gathering organised by the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah in Kano.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/apc-muslim-muslim-ticket-clerics-infidels-remark-sparks-condemnation/
Seven states, FCT borrow N355bn in three months
Debt illustration. Photo: Channels TV
Seven state governments increased their domestic debt stocks by a combined N355.18bn in the first quarter of 2026, despite claims by some governors that they had not obtained fresh loans to finance their administrations.
Data from the Debt Management Office analysed by The PUNCH showed that the increase was concentrated in seven states, while 29 others recorded declines in their domestic debt between December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026.
The seven states’ combined domestic debt stood at N977.15bn during the period under review.
Overall, the domestic debt of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory rose from N4.36tn at the end of December 2025 to N4.52tn by March 31, 2026, representing a net increase of N163.25bn, or 3.74 per cent, within three months.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/seven-states-fct-borrow-n355bn-in-three-months/
Osun election: Sensitive materials arrive Osogbo, 30,000 corps members mobilised
INEC ballot box. Photo: INEC
Sensitive election materials have arrived in Osogbo ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, as the Independent National Electoral Commission prepares to select ad-hoc personnel from more than 30,000 National Youth Service Corps members.
Security preparations have also intensified, with 25,310 personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission deployed across the state for the poll.
The development was disclosed by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, who told The PUNCH on Monday that the commission would draw from the available pool of over 30,000 NYSC members for the August 15 election.
Oketola, however, said the exact number of ad-hoc personnel to be deployed had yet to be determined.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/osun-election-sensitive-materials-arrive-osogbo-30000-corps-members-mobilised/
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