The Click Report

Audio Brief

Listen to the latest top stories and editorial summary.

2026

Crime

Three children discovered dead in Anambra native doctor’s residence

Three children have been confirmed dead after they were discovered unconscious inside the residence of a female native doctor in Umuoduba Village, Ideani, located in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. A fourth child, who was found alive but unconscious at the scene, was rescued by residents and taken to a hospital, where the victim is currently receiving treatment in critical condition. The tragic incident, which occurred early Wednesday, has left residents of the community shocked and searching for answers. According to community sources, four children believed to be between six and 15 years old were found inside the woman’s compound. Three of them had already died by the time they were discovered, while the fourth was still breathing. Authorities have yet to determine the identities of the children or establish how they came to be at the residence. A resident, who requested anonymity, said the woman, popularly known as an “Ezenwanyi” and known for keeping livestock, including pigs and poultry was taken into custody by officers from the Ogidi Divisional Police Headquarters with the assistance of community leaders. Videos circulating online showed police officers, local vigilantes and community leaders inspecting the compound, while the suspect escorted investigators through various parts of the property, including shrines and residential sections. Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said officers attached to the Ogidi Division responded immediately after receiving a distress call. He explained that all four victims were rushed to a hospital, where doctors confirmed the deaths of three children, while the fourth remains in critical condition. Ikenga added that the female suspect is currently in police custody, while the State Criminal Investigation Department has taken over the case to carry out a thorough investigation. According to him, investigators hope the surviving child will be able to provide useful information once medically fit to speak. The police spokesperson also disclosed that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy. He extended condolences to the affected families and the Ideani community, urging residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and allow investigators to complete their work. Police said further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

Sports

Iniesta recommends Osimhen to Barca

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has urged the Spanish club to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen as the ideal replacement for Robert Lewandowski following the veteran forward’s departure to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire. Iniesta believes Osimhen possesses the qualities needed to spearhead Hansi Flick’s attack, especially as Barcelona continue to face difficulties in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, who remains the club’s preferred transfer target. Speaking in an interview with NTV Spor, the former Spain international said Barcelona should prioritise signing an out-and-out striker if Ferran Torres leaves the club. According to Iniesta, while youngster Lamine Yamal is an exceptional talent, he should not be deployed as a central striker. He described Osimhen as one of the best options available to replace Lewandowski and recommended that sporting director Deco pursue a deal for the Super Eagles forward. Osimhen’s reputation has continued to grow following another productive campaign with Galatasaray, where he played a key role in the club’s 2025/26 Turkish Super Lig title triumph. Despite missing several matches due to a forearm injury and the Africa Cup of Nations, the Nigerian striker recorded 15 league goals and five assists in 22 appearances. The 2023 African Player of the Year also became the fastest player to reach 50 goals for Galatasaray, achieving the milestone in just 59 matches. His performances included a decisive brace against Antalyaspor to secure the league title and a goal in the Istanbul derby against Fenerbahce after returning from injury. However, a move to Barcelona could be complicated by financial considerations. Reports indicate that Osimhen is seeking an annual net salary of around €15 million, a figure that would significantly increase the club’s wage bill under Spain’s tax structure and pose registration challenges under La Liga’s financial regulations. Despite the financial hurdles, the striker is reportedly willing to reduce his salary demands to facilitate a transfer. He had previously shown a similar willingness during discussions with Atletico Madrid, although the Spanish club eventually abandoned the move after deciding not to part with Julian Alvarez. Galatasaray are also expected to demand between €70 million and €75 million for the Nigerian international, who has scored 35 goals in 52 appearances for the Super Eagles. While Barcelona continue to monitor the situation, sporting director Deco remains focused on securing Alvarez. The club has already strengthened its attack with the arrivals of Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon but is still searching for a recognised number nine, with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic also under consideration. Meanwhile, Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are among the clubs reportedly interested in signing Osimhen before the transfer window closes.

Politics

Adeleke seeks explanation from EFCC chairman over Osun account freeze

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called on the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to publicly explain the decision to freeze the state government’s bank accounts. Speaking with journalists at the Government House in Osogbo on Wednesday, Adeleke described the action as unlawful, insisting that it was carried out without a court order and posed a threat to democratic governance. The governor argued that federal agencies should not infringe on the constitutional rights of state governments, warning that such actions could undermine the rule of law if left unchallenged. He maintained that the state government had not been presented with any legal justification for the account freeze and announced plans to challenge the decision at the Federal High Court in Osogbo through the state’s Attorney General. Responding to questions from journalists, Adeleke disclosed that several officials of his administration had previously honoured invitations from the EFCC and were cleared by the anti-graft agency before the accounts were frozen. Earlier, the Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada (SAN), confirmed that he had been directed by the governor to institute legal proceedings against the EFCC. According to Jimi-Bada, the state received a “Post No Debit” directive sent by the EFCC to First Bank, where the government’s accounts are domiciled. He argued that while the commission has the authority to investigate financial transactions, it cannot legally freeze government accounts without obtaining a court order. He warned that the action could disrupt government operations but expressed confidence that the courts would determine the legality of the commission’s decision. The Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, also criticised the development, alleging that police officers visited the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some members of staff. He insisted that state funds were not being used for political campaigns and urged the EFCC to consider the impact of the account freeze on governance and public service delivery. Prior to the action, Adeleke had raised concerns over an alleged plan by the EFCC to freeze all state government accounts as well as those belonging to top government officials. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor claimed the move was intended to disrupt government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election. Adeleke maintained that there was no legal basis for freezing the state’s accounts and insisted that the EFCC lacked the authority to take such action without following due legal process.

Education

WAEC dismisses circulating list of 50 schools with withheld WASSCE results

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has dismissed a viral document circulating on social media claiming that the results of candidates from 50 secondary schools in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) were withheld over alleged examination malpractice. In a statement shared on its official X account on Wednesday, the examination body described the document as fake and urged the public to disregard it. According to WAEC, the letter did not originate from the council and should not be considered an official communication. The forged document, dated August 2, 2026, was purportedly addressed to principals of public and private secondary schools across Nigeria. It falsely claimed that the results of candidates from 50 schools had been withheld over examination malpractice and instructed the affected schools to submit reports within 14 days or face further sanctions. The fake notice also listed schools from different parts of the country, including Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, and carried the forged name and signature of the Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, Dr Amos Dangut, alongside counterfeit official letterheads and stamps. To counter the misinformation, WAEC released a copy of the forged document marked prominently with a red “FAKE” stamp. The clarification followed the release of the 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE results for school candidates. Earlier, the council announced that it had withheld the results of 167,486 candidates, representing 8.59 per cent of the 1,950,726 candidates who sat for the examination, over allegations of examination malpractice. WAEC explained that the withheld results were linked to various forms of examination misconduct, including the use of mobile phones in examination halls and organised cheating in some schools. The council also disclosed that supervisors and invigilators found to have aided examination malpractice had been apprehended and would face disciplinary action through the appropriate state ministries of education.

Banking

Zenith Bank Database Hit by Hackers

Zenith Bank has confirmed that it experienced a cybersecurity breach that resulted in unauthorised access to limited customer information, including email addresses and phone numbers. The bank disclosed the incident in a notification sent to customers on Tuesday, explaining that the attack formed part of a wider global cyber campaign targeting organisations across various sectors. According to the bank, the compromised data was limited to basic customer contact information and did not include sensitive banking credentials or financial records. Zenith Bank assured customers that its banking services and digital platforms remain secure and fully operational despite the incident. The financial institution said it immediately activated its cybersecurity response procedures upon detecting the breach and has launched a full investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack. As investigations continue, the bank urged customers to remain vigilant against phishing attempts, warning them not to disclose passwords, Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), One-Time Passwords (OTPs) or any other security credentials through emails, phone calls or text messages. Zenith Bank reaffirmed its commitment to protecting customer information and expressed appreciation for the continued trust and support of its customers while efforts to investigate the incident continue. The breach follows growing concerns over cyber threats targeting financial institutions. In 2024, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) also reported an attempted cyberattack on its website domain, although it maintained that customer data was not compromised. The development also comes after the Central Bank of Nigeria warned members of the public about the rise in cyber fraud schemes involving fake emails and messages designed to steal personal and financial information by impersonating the apex bank.

Energy

Nigeria Shifts Focus to Refined Petroleum Exports – NMDPRA

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says Nigeria is repositioning its petroleum industry to focus on exporting refined petroleum products rather than crude oil as domestic refining capacity continues to grow. Speaking at the 49th Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council in Lagos, NMDPRA Chief Executive Officer, Rabiu Umar, said ongoing refinery projects and planned expansions are expected to transform Nigeria into a major refining hub for Africa. According to Umar, the country’s refining capacity has reached its highest level and is projected to increase further as new projects come on stream. He expressed confidence that Nigeria could eventually refine all of its targeted crude oil production locally. He explained that processing crude within the country would allow Nigeria to export higher-value refined petroleum products instead of raw crude, creating more economic benefits across the oil and gas value chain. Umar described the development as a significant milestone that would strengthen collaboration between the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors while boosting value addition in the petroleum, gas and petrochemical industries. He also disclosed that the NMDPRA is working closely with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to enforce the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation, a policy designed to ensure local refineries receive adequate crude oil supplies. According to him, expanding domestic refining capacity reduces the need to export crude oil and enables the country to maximise revenue by producing and exporting refined products. Umar added that stronger integration across the petroleum industry would enhance Nigeria’s position as a regional refining hub, supported by both conventional and modular refineries. Also speaking at the conference, the Chief Executive Officer of the NUPRC, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, stressed the importance of collaboration between regulators and industry stakeholders. She said the commission regularly engages operators through monthly meetings and consultations when developing new regulations, guidelines and policy frameworks. Eyesan noted that the global energy industry is evolving rapidly due to geopolitical developments, climate concerns, technological innovation, artificial intelligence, changing investment patterns and increasing energy demand. She emphasised that sustained partnerships between regulators and industry players remain essential to building a resilient energy sector, attracting investment and supporting long-term growth.

General News

Traffic Diversion Begins for Anthony Village Road Reconstruction

The Lagos State Government has introduced a temporary traffic diversion plan following the commencement of reconstruction work at Anthony Village Bus Stop. The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, announced the development in a statement shared on his X account on Tuesday. According to the commissioner, excavation has begun on the damaged section of the road, which has repeatedly deteriorated due to heavy rainfall. The affected area will be reconstructed with interlocking stones to provide a more durable and long-lasting surface. To ensure the project is carried out safely, the government has implemented temporary traffic adjustments for motorists using the corridor. Motorists travelling from Fadeyi towards the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway through Anthony Village will be unable to access the route throughout the construction period. Similarly, drivers intending to use the Anthony Village Bus Stop service lane to connect to Oshodi have been advised to remain on the expressway and use an alternative connecting route further ahead. The government also noted that motorists travelling from Oshodi towards Anthony–Ikorodu Road via Anthony Village should be aware that there is currently no through road at the project site. The Ministry of Transportation urged motorists to plan their journeys ahead of time, avoid the affected section where possible and make use of alternative routes to reduce traffic congestion. The state government appealed for patience and cooperation from road users, assuring residents that the reconstruction is aimed at providing a lasting solution to the recurring road damage. Authorities expressed appreciation for the understanding of commuters and urged everyone to comply with traffic management measures throughout the duration of the project.

Education

Sanwo-Olu Urges Boys to Learn Cooking for Future Success

The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has said teaching boys how to cook is not about redefining masculinity but equipping them with practical life skills that prepare them for adulthood, family responsibilities and career opportunities. She made the remarks on Monday during the prize-giving ceremony of the 2026 Lagos Boy Child Initiative Cooking Competition held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel in Ikeja. According to the First Lady, the initiative is designed to move beyond traditional classroom education by exposing young boys to skills that promote independence, creativity and responsibility. She said cooking is a valuable life skill that enables young people to care for themselves, support their families and explore opportunities within Nigeria’s growing hospitality and tourism industry. Sanwo-Olu explained that the competition, which featured boys aged 13 to 17 from public and private schools, military and faith-based institutions, orphanages and correctional facilities across Lagos, was created to challenge the belief that cooking is solely a woman’s responsibility. She noted that the programme also aims to encourage participants to consider careers in hospitality, culinary arts and related industries, describing the sector as one with enormous employment and entrepreneurial potential. The First Lady added that the initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ development agenda, particularly its focus on youth empowerment and social inclusion. She stressed that many young people will eventually live independently, pursue education abroad or work away from home, making self-reliance an essential life skill. Addressing cultural perceptions, Sanwo-Olu said domestic responsibilities should be shared among family members, adding that teaching boys to cook makes them more responsible and better prepared for adulthood rather than diminishing their masculinity. She also explained that the shopping vouchers presented to the winners were intended to teach budgeting, planning and financial responsibility. To further inspire participants, the ceremony was held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, where the boys toured the hotel’s commercial kitchen, interacted with professional chefs and gained first-hand exposure to careers in the hospitality industry. District II emerged overall winner of the competition with 47 points, while District IV and District VI finished second and third respectively. Members of the winning teams received shopping vouchers, while team leaders were awarded fully sponsored three-week Continental Culinary Arts courses at the Red Dish Chronicles Culinary School in Lagos. Sanwo-Olu also announced that the winners would represent the Lagos Boy Child Initiative at the Akwaaba African Travel Market Jollof Cooking Competition scheduled for September 13. She encouraged the participants to view their awards as the beginning of greater opportunities and urged them to remain disciplined, focused and committed to excellence. The Lagos Boy Child Initiative, launched in 2021, promotes the welfare and development of boys through mentorship, advocacy, life-skills training and empowerment programmes.

Education

Oyo Retirees Threaten Protest Over Pension Dispute

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Council, has warned that it will embark on an indefinite protest against the management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education over their alleged failure to implement approved pension increases. The warning was issued on Monday by the union’s state secretary, Segun Abatan, during a press briefing at the council’s secretariat in Ibadan. According to Abatan, the protest will begin on August 18, 2026, if both institutions fail to comply with Governor Seyi Makinde’s directive on pension adjustments. He accused the management of the two state-owned institutions of disregarding the governor’s approval, noting that the administration had in January 2025 approved a minimum monthly pension of ₦25,000 for the lowest-paid retirees, alongside several outstanding pension increases. The approved adjustments include the 33 per cent pension increase introduced in 2010, the 2019 consequential adjustment, the 20 per cent pension increase effective January 2024, and ₦17,500 from the approved ₦32,000 increase that took effect in August 2024. Abatan stated that while most government agencies implemented the governor’s directive without waiting for an official circular, the two institutions allegedly refused to comply and insisted on receiving formal documentation before taking action. He explained that the union engaged the institutions through letters and advocacy visits. While some state-owned tertiary institutions later complied with the directive, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education have yet to implement the approved pension adjustments. The union also alleged that despite repeated correspondence and meetings, the management of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital continued to delay implementation. According to Abatan, the union is no longer interested in further discussions but wants immediate compliance with the governor’s directive. He stressed that pensioners are demanding full implementation of all approved increases, including payment of accumulated arrears dating back to January 2025. Abatan commended institutions that have already complied with the directive and urged the remaining management teams to follow suit. He also disclosed plans to seek the intervention of the Nigeria Labour Congress to declare a three-day warning strike in the affected institutions. According to him, the planned protest will involve retirees from the affected institutions, government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as retired primary school teachers and local government pensioners. The union maintained that the planned action is intended to ensure compliance with the governor’s directive rather than undermine the state government’s pension policy.

Crime

Police Investigate Shooting of Adamawa Businessman by Soldier

The Adamawa State Police Command has launched an investigation into the alleged shooting of a businessman by military personnel in Mubi North Local Government Area. The command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday. According to the statement, the incident was reported to the police on August 3, 2026, by Muslim Abubakar, who alleged that his younger brother, Suleiman Abubakar, sustained a gunshot wound during an encounter with military personnel on the night of August 2. Following the report, officers from the Mubi North Division visited the scene and ensured the injured man received immediate medical attention. He was first taken to a hospital in Mubi before being transferred to a higher medical facility in Yola for further treatment. The Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State, CP Kabiru Hassan, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to carry out a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The police also confirmed that they have established contact with the relevant military authorities to facilitate cooperation throughout the investigation. The command appealed to residents to remain calm, assuring the public that the case would be handled professionally and transparently. It also encouraged anyone with useful information to report to the nearest police station or contact the Police Public Relations Office. The latest incident has renewed concerns over allegations of excessive use of force by security personnel in parts of the country. A similar case was reported in 2024 when a soldier allegedly shot and killed a young man in Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State after an argument reportedly linked to the soldier’s girlfriend. The incident sparked widespread condemnation and calls for greater accountability among security agencies.