News
Police Didn’t Seek Court Order to Stop #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest — FPRO
The Nigeria Police Force has denied reports claiming it sought a court injunction to halt the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025.
Addressing the claims on Sunday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, clarified that the police did not initiate any legal action to prevent the demonstration. He emphasized that Nigerians have a constitutionally protected right to peaceful protest.
“It is an inalienable right of Nigerians to protest, and we did not approach the court to stop these gatherings,” Hundeyin stated via his official X (formerly Twitter) account. He also addressed inaccuracies in some media reports, noting, “The case was not adjourned to Tuesday as mentioned in some reports; it reflects a one-sided narration and lacks the depth of investigative journalism.”
The clarification came after media reports alleged that the police had asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the protest. The court reportedly declined the request, allowing the protest to proceed.
Reacting to the court’s decision, protest convener and activist Omoyele Sowore hailed the ruling as a victory for civil liberties. He claimed that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had directed police lawyers to file a suit aimed at halting the protest, which is scheduled to take place near Aso Rock Villa.
The protest, aimed at demanding the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, has drawn significant attention and continues to generate debate over freedom of expression, security, and civil rights in Nigeria.
The police statement appears intended to de-escalate tensions ahead of the protest and reaffirm the force’s commitment to upholding the rights of citizens while maintaining public order.
An angry mob has set a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus on fire after it reportedly crushed a commercial motorcyclist to death at Ogolonto Bus Stop along Ikorodu Road in Lagos State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 16, 2026. Eyewitness accounts and social media reports indicate that the motorcyclist was riding alone along the restricted BRT lane when the collision happened. He died at the scene.
Enraged residents and youths then attacked the bus driver and set the vehicle ablaze. Police officers and officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), who were nearby, intervened promptly and rescued the driver unharmed.
The identity of the deceased motorcyclist and the exact circumstances of the crash had not been officially confirmed at the time of filing this report. It was also unclear whether any arrests had been made in connection with the burning of the bus.
News
ARISE News Wins Seven Honours At Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards
The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.
• ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female)
ARISE News has emerged as one of the major winners at the just ended Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA).
ARISE News won seven honours across television broadcasting, news reporting, presentation and production during the ceremony.
The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.
The network’s flagship breakfast programme, The Morning Show, also won the Best TV Talk Show award, further strengthening its recognition in television broadcasting.
ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female).
Rufai Oseni was named Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Male), while Vimbai Mutinhiri-Ekpeyong received the Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Female) award.
The recognition extended to the network’s newsroom, with Ovieteme George winning Best TV News Reporter (Male) for his contributions to television news reporting.
Behind the camera, Sam Adeyemi received the Best Camera Operator/Cinematographer award, recognising his work in television production and visual storytelling.
News
Meta removes 3.7 million accounts in West Africa scam crackdown
The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has removed more than 3.7 million Facebook and Instagram accounts, pages and groups linked to suspected scam networks operating in West Africa.
The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.
The company announced the crackdown in a statement on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. It involved 14 technology companies and law enforcement agencies from 10 countries.
The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency coordinated the operation with the US Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies. Nigerian authorities were involved.
Other countries included Ghana, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India.Tech companies that took part included Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Coinbase, Starlink and Adobe.
Meta said the partnership let participants share intelligence across digital platforms, countries and financial systems to identify criminal networks.
JUST IN: Mob Sets BRT Bus Ablaze After Motorcyclist’s Death in Lagos
BREAKING: DSS Arrests Fugitive Maina Son, Hands Him to EFCC
BREAKING: 5 Arrested Over Imo NYSC Abduction
BREAKING: Lagos Govt Declares Today, Thursday Work-Free to Mark 2026 Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
