Military Strikes Extremist Group in Northeast

The Nigerian military announced that a joint task force conducted seven precision airstrikes in Borno and Adamawa states, killing 103 members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The operations also destroyed logistics hubs and supply storage facilities, according to a military statement.

Political Developments Ahead of 2027 Elections

President Bola Tinubu again ruled out restoring the fuel subsidy, comparing the policy reversal to “returning to Egypt” and saying the removal is irreversible. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress postponed the inauguration of Peter Obi’s campaign council from October 20 to October 26. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde insisted the federal government is withholding ₦250 billion in NLNG dividends per state, rejecting the Presidency’s denial. Former Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan died at 70, with Tinubu and other leaders paying tribute.

Security and Justice

The Department of State Services arraigned five suspects linked to the October 1 abduction of 20 prospective NYSC members along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway. The victims were rescued on October 7; the suspects pleaded not guilty. In Plateau State, gunmen killed an NSCDC officer and abducted a businessman in Mangu Local Government Area despite a dusk-to-dawn curfew. Two people sustained severe burns after a diesel tanker fell from Otedola Bridge in Lagos and exploded.

Other Notable Stories

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria declared a nationwide prayer and fasting programme for peaceful 2027 elections. The Nigeria Labour Congress warned that workers remain under severe economic pressure despite the minimum wage increase to ₦70,000, maintaining its two-week ultimatum to the government. In Nasarawa State, flooding submerged 18 communities and killed two people.