Nigeria witnessed major developments on Thursday, with President Bola Tinubu approving a massive expansion of the Nigerian Army, a Federal High Court sentencing three men to life imprisonment over the Oyo school kidnapping, and an Enugu Air aircraft overshooting the runway at Benin Airport without casualties. Other major stories include the Army declaring a soldier wanted over alleged sale of military uniforms to terrorists, fresh political exchanges between the Presidency and the ADC, and the mysterious death of a family of five in Abia State.
President Tinubu Approves Army Expansion
President Bola Tinubu approved a major restructuring of the Nigerian Army by increasing its divisions from eight to twelve as part of efforts to strengthen national security.
The President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to boost the Army’s manpower and improve its capacity to tackle security threats across the country.
Three Convicted Over Oyo School Kidnap
A Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their roles in the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
The convicts, identified as Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa, Yunusa Musa and Shamu Sani, were found guilty of offences linked to the abduction.
Dickson Says NDC Is Nigeria’s Biggest Opposition
Former Bayelsa State Governor and National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, declared that the party has emerged as Nigeria’s leading opposition platform.
He vowed that the NDC would continue to defend multi-party democracy and resist what he described as anti-democratic forces.
Enugu Air Plane Overshoots Runway In Benin
An Enugu Air Embraer 170 aircraft veered off the runway after landing at Benin Airport on Thursday.
All 67 passengers and five crew members were safely evacuated, with no injuries or fatalities recorded.
Army Declares Soldier Wanted
The Nigerian Army declared Private Mohammed Yusuf Amutu wanted over allegations that he illegally sold military uniforms to terrorists and other criminal elements.
The Army said the soldier, attached to the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, allegedly absconded from duty on June 3, 2026.
Court Confirms ADC Governorship Candidate In Ogun
A Federal High Court in Abeokuta recognised Otunba Jimi Adebisi Lawal as the authentic governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Ogun State governorship election.
The judgment resolved the prolonged dispute over the party’s ticket in the state.
NDLEA Seizes Over Two Billion Tramadol Pills
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) disclosed that it seized more than two billion tramadol pills within the last 18 months.
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), revealed the figure during a visit to the Lekki Free Trade Zone and Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos.
Police Confirm Death Of Family Of Five In Abia
The Abia State Police Command confirmed the mysterious death of five members of the same family in Umuimo, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area.
The victims, identified as Mr. Kachi Nnabugwu, his wife Chinaza and their three children, were found dead inside their residence after neighbours raised concerns over their prolonged absence.
ADC Dismisses Trump’s Letter To Tinubu
The African Democratic Congress dismissed the Presidency’s celebration of a letter reportedly sent by United States President Donald Trump to President Tinubu.
The party argued that no diplomatic correspondence from a foreign leader could influence Nigerians’ judgment of the administration’s performance.
PDP Insists It Remains Strong Political Force
Chairman of the PDP Interim National Working Committee, Tanimu Turaki, said the opposition party remains resilient despite its internal challenges.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, Turaki maintained that the PDP still has the capacity to overcome its current leadership crisis and remain a major force in Nigerian politics.
