A female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Jennifer Elohor, has recounted a brutal attack by Anambra vigilante operatives, known as Agunechemba, at a corps member’s lodge in Oba, Idemili LGA.
The incident, which occurred on 13 July 2025, was captured in a viral video showing armed operatives storming the lodge, accusing corps members of Internet fraud despite knowing their identities.
Elohor described how the masked vigilantes broke into the building, assaulted her and her colleagues, ransacked their rooms, and seized their devices, even ignoring their NYSC ID cards.
She revealed that she was slapped, pushed, and had her clothes torn, while one colleague was hit with an iron rod. Victims were forcibly taken away in a vigilante vehicle.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society, human rights groups, and lawmakers, prompting the Anambra State Government to issue a public apology. Eight operatives responsible for the assault have been identified, sacked, arrested, and detained, according to Ken Emeakayi, Special Adviser on Community Security and head of Agunechemba.
Emeakayi stressed that while the vigilante group was created to support policing in communities, some members have acted outside the law. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to justice, accountability, and reforms to ensure community policing in Anambra is safe, professional, and human rights-compliant.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Bright Ngene of the Labour Party (LP) winner of the rerun election in Enugu South Urban Constituency, Enugu State.
The rerun, held on 16 August 2025, marked the fourth attempt to complete the court-ordered election after the 2023 results were nullified in eight polling units. The process had faced repeated disruptions since February 2024.
Interestingly, Ngene is currently serving a seven-year jail term in Enugu State Correctional Centre following a conviction on 28 July 2024 over a communal crisis.
INEC spokesperson Sam Olumekun confirmed that Ngene secured the highest number of votes, defeating his closest rival, Sam Ngene of the PDP. According to him, elections previously disrupted by violence and thuggery in Enugu and Kano States have now been concluded.
Certificates of Return for elected candidates will be presented as follows:
National Assembly candidates: 21 August 2025 at INEC HQ, Abuja (3:00 pm)
State House of Assembly candidates: 22 August 2025 at respective State INEC offices (11:00 am)
The number of people killed in Tuesday’s dawn attack on worshippers in Unguwan Mantau community, Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, has climbed to 32.
Armed bandits stormed the community mosque around 5 a.m. while residents were observing Fajr prayers and opened fire on worshippers in what officials described as a reprisal attack.
Initial reports had put the death toll at 13, but a state government delegation that visited the community on Wednesday confirmed that 32 people lost their lives. An unverified number of residents were also abducted during the assault.
Some of the kidnapped victims were later freed after a Nigerian Air Force air strike disrupted the attackers. Others fled in the confusion and are now receiving treatment in hospitals.
Governor Dikko Umar Radda, who is currently on medical leave, directed the acting governor, Mallam Faruk Jobe, to send a high-level delegation to condole with the bereaved families.
The team, led by Secretary to the State Government Abdullahi Faskari, met traditional rulers and grieving relatives in Karfi town.
Describing the incident as “deeply painful and heartbreaking,” Faskari assured residents that the state government would intensify security operations to ensure the perpetrators face justice.
“Our hearts are with the families who lost their loved ones in this senseless attack. This administration remains committed to working with all security agencies to prevent such tragedies in the future,” he said.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, explained that the attack followed a confrontation days earlier, when residents of Ruwan Sanyi village ambushed bandits, killed several of them, rescued abductees, and seized weapons and motorcycles.
“The reprisal occurred while the community was observing morning prayers. The criminals started shooting sporadically inside the mosque,” Mu’azu said.
He added that troops and police reinforcements had since been deployed, with both aerial and ground operations launched to pursue the attackers.
“The bandits often hide under crops during the rainy season to commit their evil acts. We are working with security agencies to flush them out,” he added.
Mu’azu also praised the courage of residents who resisted the criminals, describing their action as gallant. He stressed that the government would continue to support community-based security initiatives and provide help to victims’ families.
The condolence team also included senior aides on community security, the Malumfashi lawmaker in the state House of Assembly, the council chairman, and heads of security agencies, including the Police Commissioner, the Commander of the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the DSS Director, and the NSCDC Commandant.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace and protecting lives, noting that immediate relief had been provided to victims’ families while a wider damage assessment was ongoing.
Oseloka Obi, the son of Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has reacted to viral allegations linking him to homosexuality following the circulation of photos showing him with London-based British-Nigerian Kent Okwesa earlier this week.
The images, which surfaced online on Wednesday, captured Oseloka and Okwesa sitting in close proximity at a restaurant in the United Kingdom, triggering widespread online gossip and speculation.
In a comprehensive statement, Oseloka refuted the allegations, describing them as malicious fabrications fueled by his father’s active role in Nigerian politics.
He further explained that although he usually avoids responding to such claims, the persistent spread of these baseless rumours made it necessary for him to issue a clarification.
“Because of my father’s involvement in Nigerian politics, there has been a persistent curiosity and, at times, malicious obsession with me.
“To assume that my life or choices are somehow political statements is a flawed and childish calculation. It reveals more about the pettiness of those spreading such narratives than it does about me or my father,” he said.
Oseloka, a professional actor, further addressed misunderstandings about his career choices, pointing out that even though his father has a background as a businessman and economist, he decided to pursue a different path in theatre and filmmaking. He dismissed suggestions of nepotism, stating: “I was raised to know that my father’s wealth is not mine, and that I must build my own life.”
“I have no social media presence and no interest in maintaining one, so I rarely correct these falsehoods. But perhaps it is time I address them,” he wrote.
Oseloka stressed that the photos of him in circulation were being misrepresented, insisting they were ordinary snapshots with friends and colleagues.
“The truth is simple: Peter Obi’s son appears in photos with his friends and colleagues, nothing more. If people wish to invent otherwise, I hope they sleep soundly knowing they are spreading lies,” he added.
He further stressed that neither he nor his father is without flaws, but affirmed his father’s integrity and dedication to Nigeria’s progress. “My father has my vote, not because he is my father, but because he is the right man for the job. If others wish to go low, invent scandals, or attack me to wound him, they are free to do so. But we will go high, and we will continue to focus on the future of Nigeria.”
Oseloka called on Nigerians to shift their focus away from baseless gossip and towards addressing the critical socio-economic issues confronting the nation.
“Our nation still struggles with insecurity, a weakened economy, crumbling infrastructure, failing healthcare, and politicians who steal from the people they swore to serve. And yet, for some, the priority is to spread gossip about who Peter Obi’s son appears with in a photo. This is a distraction from the real crises that matter to all Nigerians.”
He concluded by reaffirming his dedication to the core values he has embraced since childhood: honesty, diligence, and serving others.
Crystal Palace marked their first-ever major European night with a narrow 1–0 victory over Norway’s Fredrikstad in the UEFA Conference League play-off first leg at Selhurst Park on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second-half finish made the difference, but the story of the night was Eberechi Eze’s late withdrawal.
Why did Eberechi Eze pull out?
Eze was named to start, but called Oliver Glasner on the morning of the game to say he wasn’t well enough to play. Multiple reports described the absence as illness-related amid an imminent transfer to Arsenal, with a deal reported in the £60–67.5m range. Glasner said he is now planning without Eze.
ESPN: Glasner revealed Eze phoned in unwell on matchday and “won’t play for us again,” with Arsenal agreeing a fee plus add-ons.
The Times: Eze withdrew due to illness as Arsenal moved to complete the transfer.
The Guardian match report also framed the night as Palace “beginning life without Eze.”
Match review: Palace edge a historic first leg
Score: Crystal Palace 1–0 Fredrikstad Goal: Mateta 54′ (redirecting Will Hughes’ half-volley from close range)
Palace controlled territory but found Fredrikstad’s low block stubborn before the break. Key first-half moments included Mateta striking the post and Ismaïla Sarr seeing a header cleared off the line. After halftime, Palace upped the tempo: Marc Guéhi’s deep cross should have been finished by Justin Devenny, and soon after Hughes’ skidding volley was deftly helped in by Mateta for a landmark first European goal in the club’s history. Daniel Muñoz later hit the outside of the post, while Fredrikstad threatened a late equaliser through Henrik Skogvold in stoppage time.
Neutral outlets concurred on the pattern: territorial Palace pressure, limited clear chances, and Mateta providing the edge.
Second leg: Thursday, August 28, 2025, in Norway, with progression to the Conference League league phase on the line.
What Eze’s absence (and likely exit) means for Crystal Palace
Without Eze’s ball-carrying and final-third craft, Palace created via width, set pieces and volume rather than incisive central combinations. Expect Glasner to lean on Adam Wharton for progression, with Sarr/Mateta running channels and full-backs (Muñoz/Sosa) pushing high to stretch compact blocks.
Transfer-market urgency
Club leadership has acknowledged the need to back Glasner post-Eze, with recruitment required to replace creativity and maintain depth (especially with European commitments). Reports indicate Palace will act following Eze’s Arsenal move (fee up to ~£67.5m).
Squad depth and academy pathways
Glasner turned to Justin Devenny to start; Odsonne Édouard also featured off the bench. With European and domestic fixtures piling up, minutes could expand for young attackers unless reinforcements arrive promptly.
Second-leg approach
With only a one-goal cushion and an away tie ahead, Palace must manage transitions better and be more clinical. Fredrikstad showed late counter-threat; game state management in Norway will be critical.
The Federal Government has granted Colleges of Education the autonomy to independently run both National Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programmes without university affiliation.
Education Minister, Dr. Marufu Olatunji Alausa, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, announced the reform at the National Education Summit in Abuja, citing the Federal Colleges of Education (Establishment) Act No. 43 of 2023 as the legal backing for the policy.
Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, described the move as historic, noting that the dual mandate will revitalise teacher education, expand access for student-teachers, and enable institutions to produce graduates with both NCE and B.Ed qualifications. The reform marks a departure from decades of reliance on universities for degree awards, giving colleges legislative authority to leverage their manpower, infrastructure, and expertise in teacher training.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the reopening of its portal for candidates to upload their 2025 WASSCE results.
This comes just days after the board temporarily shut down the platform to address technical glitches that affected candidates who had earlier uploaded their results.
In a statement, JAMB also advised candidates to make use of its accredited facilities to complete the process.
“Dear UTME candidates, this is to notify you that the upload of the 2025 WAEC result has been reactivated. Kindly visit any of our accredited facilities near you to access the service. Thank you.”
The development is expected to bring relief to many candidates who had expressed concerns over the temporary suspension, especially those preparing for admission into various tertiary institutions.
The United States has signed separate deportation agreements with Honduras and Uganda as part of President Donald Trump’s wider effort to toughen immigration rules, according to documents obtained by CBS and shared by the BBC.
Under the arrangement, Uganda will accept an unspecified number of African and Asian migrants who had sought asylum at the US-Mexico border, provided they have no criminal record. Honduras, meanwhile, will receive several hundred deported migrants from Spanish-speaking countries over a two-year period, with the possibility of taking in more later, CBS reported.
The Trump administration has been seeking similar agreements with countries across different regions, including those facing criticism over human rights practices. Human rights advocates argue the policy puts deported migrants at risk, as they could end up in countries where they might face persecution or further displacement.
The US has already secured at least a dozen such arrangements. Last week, Washington signed a “safe third country” deal with Paraguay to help share the responsibility of managing irregular migration. Rwanda also confirmed earlier this month that it would take up to 250 migrants from the US, but said it would have “the ability to approve each individual proposed for resettlement.”
Other countries, including Panama and Costa Rica, had earlier agreed to host several hundred African and Asian migrants under similar deals. Government documents suggest that the administration has also approached Ecuador and Spain for possible cooperation.
Since starting his second term, President Trump has prioritized mass deportations of undocumented migrants, a central pledge of his campaign. In June, the US Supreme Court allowed the government to move forward with deporting people to countries that are not their homeland, without requiring an assessment of the dangers they might face there.
Three liberal justices — Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson — dissented from the ruling, calling it “a gross abuse.” United Nations rights officials and international human rights groups have also warned that deporting people to third countries could breach international law.
Uganda’s 2026 presidential campaign officially begins, as both ruling and opposition forces make bold moves toward next January’s vote
On August 19, 2025, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) officially backed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as its candidate. Senior party figures, including Al‑Hajj Moses Kigongo and Richard Todwong, unveiled his campaign portrait—signaling the formal start of his re-election bid.
Just a day earlier, on August 18, leading opposition parties joined the race. The National Unity Platform (NUP) and Democratic Party (DP) rallied around David Lewis Rubongoya and Joel Ssenyonyi (NUP), along with DP leaders, to collect nomination forms from the Electoral Commission.
The NUP stunned observers with its campaign slogan: “New Uganda Now.” The party pledged democratic reform and vowed to guard against electoral tampering, citing past instances of raids and theft.
Commission figures show the race is crowded—by the previous evening, 177 candidates had already picked up nomination forms.
Museveni Launches Seventh-Term Campaign
Museveni, who has governed since 1986 and will be 81, accepted his candidacy with promises of continuity, stability, and development. His long tenure—extended through constitutional changes—continues to draw criticism from human rights groups.
Opposition Mobilizes Under ‘New Uganda Now’ Banner
Opposition voices responded forcefully. Rubongoya emphasized defending the integrity of the process: “We are coming back with new energy… We hope history does not repeat itself,” referring to past campaign interference. Joel Ssenyonyi demanded: “Security must step back and let people participate fully.”
Legal Pushback Against Repression: On August 13, NUP filed a petition aiming to nullify a law reinstating military courts for civilians, citing concerns over fairness and past suppression.
Bobi Wine Surges as Key Challenger: Opposition leader Bobi Wine, who garnered strong support in 2021, confirmed he plans to run again. He faces an increasingly perilous political environment, with reported threats to his life tied to Museveni’s son, army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Election Day Confirmed: The Electoral Commission has scheduled the general election for January 12, 2026, where Ugandans will also choose lawmakers under the two-round system.
The annual Isese Day celebration, observed every August 20, has once again stirred cultural pride across the South-Western states of Nigeria. With Lagos, Oyo, Osun, and Ogun officially declaring the day as a public holiday in 2025, the recognition continues to reinforce the significance of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and identity.
What Isese Truly Means
The word Isese loosely translates to “our native ways” and refers broadly to the Yoruba traditional way of life. While many outsiders narrowly interpret it as a purely religious observance, cultural scholars argue that Isese extends far beyond ritual worship.
As culture enthusiast Oba Adeoye explained, “Isese is beyond religious or spiritual activities; it encapsulates much more and tells the whole story of the origin of a people, their history, their food, their language, their belief system, their practices on various fronts. You do not have to be a follower of an Orisa to observe your Isese.”
This understanding positions Isese not just as a festival but as a living memory of Yoruba culture; a mirror reflecting traditions that have shaped one of Africa’s largest and most influential ethnic groups.
Historical Roots and Religious Dimensions
Isese’s roots run deep into the spiritual practices of the Yoruba, whose religion emphasizes reverence to Olodumare (God) through intermediaries known as Orishas.
Unlike monotheistic religions, the Yoruba traditional religion recognizes dozens of Orishas, deities associated with nature, wisdom, fertility, and justice. Many of them were once legendary kings, queens, and warriors who became immortalized through worship.
Historically, Yoruba tradition was woven into every aspect of life, from governance, marriage, and trade to moral instruction. However, colonialism and the spread of Christianity and Islam pushed Isese practices to the margins, branding them as “pagan” or “backward.” The present revival of Isese Day is therefore seen as an act of cultural reclamation and identity assertion.
Controversies Around Isese
Despite its growing acceptance, Isese Day has not been without controversy. In some circles, the holiday is criticized by religious groups who perceive it as promoting idolatry. The debates often spark tensions between traditional worshippers and adherents of Abrahamic faiths in the South-West.
For example, attempts to formally recognize August 20 as a statewide holiday in certain states have faced pushback from those who argue that Nigeria, being a secular nation, should not institutionalize a traditional religious practice. Others counter that if Christian and Islamic public holidays are recognized nationwide, then the Yoruba indigenous faith deserves equal respect.
Still, beyond the religious debates, many Yoruba cultural advocates stress that Isese Day should be appreciated as a cultural, not exclusively spiritual, commemoration. They argue that it celebrates history, food, music, dance, and language; the very pillars of Yoruba identity.
How Isese Day Is Celebrated
The day is typically marked with prayers and rituals to the Orishas and ancestors, serving as a spiritual anchor for followers of Yoruba religion. But the celebrations extend far beyond shrines and sacred groves.
Cultural scholars and enthusiasts often organize lectures, debates, and exhibitions exploring Yoruba heritage. Music, dance, and art also play a central role, with performances such as Bata drumming, Apepe chants, and the famous Eyo masquerade displays showcasing the depth of Yoruba artistry.
Food, as always in Yoruba culture, remains central. Traditional delicacies such as Amala with Ewedu, Efo Riro, Pounded Yam, and assorted soups feature prominently, reminding participants of the inseparable link between cuisine and identity.
What Isese Day Means for the Yoruba People in Nigeria
The institutionalization of Isese Day in states like Lagos and Oyo symbolizes a larger movement: the reclaiming of indigenous identity in a rapidly globalizing world.
For many Yorubas, especially the younger generation exposed mainly to Western ideals, the celebration serves as a reminder that their traditions are not relics of the past but vibrant practices worth sustaining.
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