NURTW Chairman Sego Dismisses Voter Threat Allegations, Blames Political Rivals

Mustapha Sego, Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has denied claims that he threatened voters in Lagos ahead of the 2027 elections. He confirmed that the Department of State Services (DSS) invited him over a viral video, but described the allegations as “false and baseless.” In the video, Sego, speaking in Yoruba to union members, warned that mistakes from the 2023 elections would not be repeated in 2027 and stressed support for the All Progressives Congress (APC). “Anybody who makes any mistakes in 2027 will be dealt with. Let them know that the APC is the party you’ll vote for, anybody who refuses to do so will meet us,” he said. Sego clarified that his remarks were directed only at union members and not meant as threats to voters. “I have always been a man of peace. Everyone has the right to freely associate and choose their political affiliations, and I fully respect that,” he said. He also claimed that the allegations were part of a scheme by rival union members to destabilize his leadership in Lagos State. “There is always opposition in every role. This is clearly an attempt to undermine me and the NURTW in Lagos,” Sego added.

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Laide Bakare Admits Introducing Daughter To Alcohol And Clubbing At 17

Laide Bakare has revealed that she took her daughter to a club and introduced her to alcohol when she was 17. In a recent interview with content creator Mr Lilgaga, the Nollywood actress said she appreciates that her daughter may one day reference her in a memoir as the person who first introduced her to nightlife. “I took my daughter to the club for the first time at 17. And I like the fact that in her memoir, she would reference me as the person who introduced her to alcohol and clubbing,” Bakare said. The disclosure has generated mixed reactions online, with some criticizing her for exposing her teenage daughter to alcohol and the clubbing scene.  

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Senator Ishaku Abbo Denies Alleged Assault, Says He Is Not In Police Custody

Senator Ishaku Elisha Abbo, former representative of Adamawa North in the 9th and early 10th Senate, has denied claims that he is in custody at the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja. He also rejected reports linking him to the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old secondary school student in June. Media reports on Thursday suggested that the senator had been taken into custody following accusations by the mother of the alleged victim. In a statement to journalists on Friday, Abbo said the reports were false and politically motivated. He confirmed that he was at his residence in Katampe Extension, Abuja, throughout Thursday and had not been at any police station. “The report is the handiwork of my political detractors. It is an orchestrated smear campaign to disturb my peace,” he said. Abbo acknowledged a separate matter in which he reported a woman who allegedly demanded N5 million from him to the FCID. Both parties were invited for questioning, but he expressed concern that unrelated stories have circulated weeks later. Online speculation claimed the senator assaulted a minor at his Katampe residence on June 29, 2025, and attempted to silence the family with money. The allegations also suggested that Senator Aishatu Binani, 2023 Adamawa governorship candidate, intervened to dissuade the family from pursuing the matter. This controversy adds to previous scandals in Abbo’s career, including a 2019 viral video showing him assaulting a woman at a sex toy shop in Abuja and earlier allegations of attempting to blackmail a married woman with an alleged sex tape.

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CAC, SMEDAN Launch Free Registration Drive for 250,000 MSMEs

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have launched a nationwide drive to provide free business registration for 250,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).   The free business name registration drive is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem by promoting formalization and reducing barriers to growth, in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope vision. The initiative was announced in Abuja on Friday, September 26, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two agencies. Formalization has long been a challenge for many small businesses, with cost, bureaucracy, and lack of awareness keeping millions in the informal sector. This often denies them access to finance, markets, and government support. The new CAC–SMEDAN scheme removes these barriers by covering the cost of registration and linking beneficiaries directly to SMEDAN’s MSME database. Through this database, registered businesses will gain access to aftercare services and opportunities such as grants, capacity-building programmes, technical support, and market linkages. CAC Registrar-General Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, emphasized that the free registration drive is aimed at breaking barriers that keep many businesses informal by removing the cost of registration and helping entrepreneurs access growth opportunities. SMEDAN Director-General Dr. Charles Odii added that formalization is the gateway to support, noting that registered businesses will benefit from continuous aftercare such as grants, training, and market access. Together, they highlighted that the initiative represents a major investment in Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem, with CAC foregoing about ₦3 billion in fees, while SMEDAN provides the support system to ensure businesses not only register but also thrive. They agreed that this collaboration gives practical meaning to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda by lowering barriers and creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs.

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Police Arrest Armed Robbery Suspects, Recover Operational Motorcycle

Operatives of the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested two armed robbers, Segun Adeyemi ‘m’, aged 32, and Abayomi Ajayi ‘m’, aged 24, who were caught in the act of dispossessing unsuspecting citizens of their valuables, around Shoprite Ikeja and Maryland axis.   The suspects, who were part of a three-man gang operating on a motorcycle, were trailed and arrested following a swift Police response to a distress call.   On 29th September, 2025, at about 1915hrs, the operatives received a distress call that the vicious gang was attacking people in the area. The Police operatives acted promptly, two (2) of the suspects were arrested, while the third escaped. The operational motorcycle used by the gang was recovered as an exhibit. Preliminary investigation revealed that the three-man gang came from Mushin to carry out their criminal activities in Ikeja before luck ran out on them. Investigation is being intensified to arrest the third suspect now at large. The arrested suspects are currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to track down the other members of the gang. All the suspects involved will be prosecuted upon conclusion of investigations. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, commended the operatives for their swift intervention and appreciated members of the public whose cooperation made the arrests possible. He reassured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to rid Lagos State of criminal elements and urged citizens to continue to provide timely and credible information to the Police for effective crime prevention and control.

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FIFA Unveils Official Match Ball of World Cup ’26: TRIONDA

The countdown to the game-changing FIFA World Cup 26 has reached its latest significant milestone with the launch of the adidas TRIONDA, the Official Match Ball of the competition. The name TRIONDA can be translated from Spanish as “three waves”, and, alongside other unique and innovative design features, celebrates the fact that, for the first time, three host countries – Canada, Mexico and the United States – are uniting to host the FIFA World Cup. This reveal builds upon other recent landmark tournament events, including the unveiling of the Official Mascots , the news that FIFA will donate USD 1 to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund for every FIFA World Cup 26 ticket sold and the announcement that more than 4.5 million fans from 216 countries and territories entered the Visa Presale Draw – the first of several ticket sales phases for the eagerly anticipated event. “The Official Match Ball for the FIFA World Cup 26 is here and it’s a beauty!” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “I am happy and proud to present TRIONDA. adidas have created another iconic FIFA World Cup ball, with the design embodying the unity and passion of next year’s host nations Canada, Mexico, and the United States.” “I can’t wait to see this beautiful ball hitting the back of the net. The countdown to the greatest FIFA World Cup ever is on – and the ball is rolling!” The ball’s vibrant design features a red, green and blue colour scheme that pays homage to the three host countries, while a brand-new four-panel construction with fluid geometry replicates the waves referenced in the ball’s name. These panels connect to form a triangle in the centre of the ball in a nod to the historic union of the three host nations. Iconography that represents each host country adorns the ball, with the maple leaf for Canada, an eagle for Mexico and a star for the United States, while gold embellishments pay tribute to the FIFA World Cup Trophy, underlining the significance of the stage provided by FIFA’s flagship tournament. TRIONDA boasts several key performance innovations. The four-panel construction incorporates intentionally deep seams, creating a surface that produces optimal in-flight stability by ensuring sufficient and evenly distributed drag as the ball travels through the air. Additionally, embossed icons that are only visible up-close elevate grip when striking or dribbling the ball in wet or humid conditions. Connected ball technology again features in the Official Match Ball of the FIFA World Cup, with a state-of-the-art 500Hz motion sensor chip delivering insight into every element of the ball’s movement. This technology sends precise data to the video assistant referee system in real time, enhancing match officials’ decision-making, including in relation to offside incidents. TRIONDA’s arrival continues the momentum leading up to the 23rd edition of the global extravaganza and comes ahead of important international match windows in October and November, during which more nations are set to seal their berths at the tournament, and the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26 in Washington DC on Friday, 5 December 2025.

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Federal High Court Directs Police To Halt Tinted Glass Permit Enforcement

The Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, on Friday ordered the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to suspend the enforcement of the tinted glass permit for vehicle owners. The court instructed the police to maintain the status quo and “respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter.” The interim order was issued as hearing began in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, filed by lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins against the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force, challenging the legality of the new tinted glass permit enforcement. Senior Advocate Kunle Edun, SAN, who led Aikpokpo-Martins’ legal team, confirmed the development, describing it as “a significant step in upholding the rule of law while the substantive issues in the case are being determined.”

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U20 World Cup: Flying Eagles Edge Saudi Arabia 3-2 to Brighten Round of 16 Chances

Nigeria defeated Saudi Arabia 3-2 in an eventful group F encounter in Talca on Friday morning to earn three points and brighten their chances of reaching the Round of 16 at the ongoing 24th FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile.   Midfielder Nasiru Salihu scored Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament by converting in the 10th minute, but the Asians were back on level terms in the 21st minute through Amar Alyuhaybi.   Undaunted, the seven-time African champions went in front again as Amos Ochoche scored with seven minutes left in the first period. The first half ended with Nigeria leading 2-1.   Six minutes into the second half, Saudi Arabia were again back on level terms, thanks to Talal Haji.   Nigeria secured victory with four minutes into added time when captain Daniel Bameyi converted from the penalty spot.   Victory means the two-time World Cup finalists will reach the Round of 16 if they get a result against Colombia on Monday.  

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