Education News August 29, 2026 JAMB moves deadline for candidates to accept or reject old admission offers

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the deadline for candidates with outstanding admission offers dating from 2021 to accept or reject the offers.

The new deadline is now September 30, 2026, replacing the earlier August 31 date set by the board.

JAMB disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by its Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin.

The board said the extension applies to all affected candidates, including those offered admission through the regular process and the Centralised University International Admission (CUIIA) scheme.

Benjamin urged candidates who still have unaccepted admission offers to use the additional time to indicate their decisions before the new deadline.

“Candidates should not wait until the deadline, as failure to take action within the stipulated period will have consequences for the status of such admissions,” he said.

According to him, candidates who accept their offers will be able to print and obtain their admission letters.

He added that candidates who reject their offers would have their dashboards changed to “Not Admitted”, enabling JAMB to update its records and ensure that its admission database reflects their current status.

Benjamin explained that candidates who had moved to other institutions after receiving their previous admission offers could still accept the outstanding offers and thereafter apply for the relevant correction or deletion.

The same provision, he said, applies to candidates who are now studying different programmes from those for which they were previously offered admission.

The JAMB spokesman also advised candidates who are currently pursuing second-degree programmes but still have unaccepted earlier admission offers to reject the old offers and continue with their present courses.

He also sought to allay the concerns of candidates who secured admission during the 2026 admission exercise but still have earlier offers pending.

“The board wishes to make it clear that candidates who have been offered admission in the 2026 admission exercise but still have a previous admission offer pending should not be apprehensive.

“Such candidates may reject the previous admission offer, and doing so will have no adverse effect whatsoever on their 2026 admission,” he said.

Benjamin said the extension was granted to provide affected candidates with a final opportunity to regularise their admission status.

He said the measure would also assist JAMB in keeping its national admission records accurate, updated and reliable.

“At the expiration of the deadline, all outstanding admission offers from 2021 to date that have neither been accepted nor rejected will automatically be reverted to “Not Admitted” status.

“They will remain so on the board’s records,” he said.

He therefore advised all affected candidates to take action before September 30, stressing that waiting until the last day could have serious consequences.

Benjamin warned that any admission offer that is not accepted within the stipulated period would become invalid.

News World August 29, 2026 Gunfire rocks Niamey as Niger Republic soldiers clash with presidential guards

A fresh security crisis erupted in Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Saturday after soldiers reportedly attempted to gain access to the presidential palace, triggering a confrontation with members of the presidential guard.

The incident followed hours of gunfire and explosions around parts of the capital, raising concerns of another challenge to the military authorities that have governed the West African country since the 2023 coup.

“There was an attempt by insurgents from the Nigerien armed forces to enter the presidential palace,” a security source told AFP.

“They were pushed back by the presidential guard. Exchanges of gunfire are continuing at the palace.”

An African diplomat based in Niamey said the presidential guard remained loyal, at least for the time being, to the country’s military ruler, General Abdourahamane Tiani.

Meanwhile, the military authorities said they were “gradually regaining control” after soldiers were reportedly taken hostage by mutineers at a military facility near the capital’s airport.

In a statement broadcast on public television and signed by Defence Minister General Salifou Mody, the authorities urged citizens to “remain calm and freely go about their business”.

The unrest began in the early hours of Saturday, with the military earlier appealing to residents through social media to remain calm and “avoid sharing unverified information”.

“Our defence and security forces have been mobilised for the defence of the homeland,” the statement said.

A resident who spoke to AFP described the situation at Air Force Base 101 in Niamey as involving “heavy gunfire and explosions”. Other witnesses reportedly corroborated the account.

Niger’s national broadcaster, Tele Sahel, was also temporarily taken off air for more than an hour. Its normal programming was replaced by a black screen on both satellite television and its online platform before transmission resumed at about 10:00 am local time.

Residents said soldiers subsequently restricted movement around the presidential palace and the national television station.

According to a local journalist who posted a video from the area around the airport, the first sounds of gunfire were heard at approximately 1:00 am and continued through the night until daybreak.

Another resident reported hearing “bursts of gunfire” around 7:00 am.

“I went to get credit for my phone. I saw a military vehicle heading towards the base that had to turn back,” he added.

“The weapons we’re hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry. The fighting has been non-stop since last night.”

A resident in another part of western Niamey also reported sporadic small-arms fire around 5:00 am.

Reports of explosions and shooting circulated widely on social media, particularly from the administrative district housing the presidential palace and national broadcaster.

Footage shared online also appeared to show armoured vehicles moving into areas close to the airport as security forces reinforced their positions.

Jihadist threat

The latest development comes against the backdrop of persistent jihadist attacks in Niger, including two assaults on Niamey airport this year.

The Islamic State in the Sahel reportedly attacked the facility in January, while the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, known by its French acronym JNIM, launched another assault in late June.

Both groups have targeted security forces and civilians while simultaneously competing for influence and territorial control across the Sahel, particularly in Niger.

Authorities said 20 attackers were killed and four soldiers wounded during the January assault.

General Tiani, who has led Niger since the July 2023 coup, subsequently described the incident as exposing “a flaw in the system” that “enabled the attack”. He said the “objective was to destroy all of the air capabilities” of the army.

During the June attack, the Defence Ministry said at least 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed, alongside 22 attackers. The military said it successfully repelled the assault.

The Islamic State in the Sahel and JNIM also operate in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, which, together with Niger, are governed by military regimes.

The three countries have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States and moved away from traditional Western security partners, particularly France, while strengthening military cooperation with Russia.

Air Force Base 101, located inside the international airport complex, is considered a strategically important military facility. It hosts the headquarters of Niger’s Russian Africa Corps partners and serves as the command centre for the joint force of the Alliance of Sahel States, comprising Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.

The base has also been described as a sensitive location because it reportedly housed a major consignment of uranium concentrate between December and January while arrangements for its export were being awaited. There has been no reported movement of the consignment since then.

 

News August 29, 2026 JUST IN : Tinubu seeks US court order blocking release of alleged drug investigation records

President Bola Tinubu has approached a United States federal court seeking to stop the release of documents reportedly linked to past allegations of drug trafficking involving him.

The Nigerian President is challenging efforts by the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to release records requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The documents are being sought by American transparency activist Aaron Greenspan, who instituted a FOIA lawsuit against several U.S. government agencies in an attempt to obtain records relating to investigations involving Tinubu.

Among the materials requested by Greenspan are the FBI’s complete file on Tinubu and FBI Form 302 interview records covering the period between 1992 and 1993.

The case also concerns records reportedly associated with a 1993 civil forfeiture proceeding in the United States involving approximately $460,000 linked to Tinubu.

Tinubu has denied any wrongdoing.

In a 16-page court filing dated August 28, 2026, and made available by Tinubu’s legal team comprising Christopher W. Carmichael, Victor P. Henderson and Oluwole O. Afolabi, the President argued that releasing the documents would violate his privacy rights.

“Submitted in that proceeding, did not reveal the details of a possible criminal investigation (or its results) involving Intervenor. Other than by speculation or labels, Plaintiff does not point to an existing public record that contains details of a governmental criminal investigation or findings about Intervenor. (DE 85-3, No. 16.)

“The purpose of Plaintiff’s motion is to obtain such information because it is not public. Moreover, Plaintiff’s argument that the limited disclosures in connection with the forfeiture negates all privacy interests is not consistent with precedent. The Supreme Court explained that an individual retains a privacy interest in an entire file or document being produced, even where there are “scattered” disclosures of information from that same file. See Reporters Committee, 489 U.S. at 764-67 (“our cases have recognized the privacy interests inherent in the non-disclosure of certain information even where the information may have been public at one time.”).

“While some information may appear in portions of public records, an individual still retains a privacy interest in the details that remain undisclosed. Applying Reporter’s Committee, this Court explained that an individual retains a privacy interest even if they were previously publicly associated with criminal activity. Judicial Watch, Inc. v. United States Dept. of Justice, 898 F.Supp.2d 93, 104-05 (D.D.C. 2012).

“Other decisions have likewise described the fact someone was under investigation as “distinct” from the contents of the investigative files. See Electronic Privacy Info. Center v. United States Dept. of Justice, 18 F.4d 712, 719 (D.C. Cir. 2021) (“Although the names of – 6 – Case 1:23-cv-01816-BAH Document 98 Filed 08/28/26 Page 7 of 16 Trump campaign officials appear in public portions of the Report, they retain a privacy interest in ‘avoiding disclosure of the details of the investigation.’”)

“Regardless of the prior disclosure in the forfeiture proceeding, Intervenor retains a privacy interest in potential disclosure of the investigative files sought by Plaintiff”, the document read in part.

The President’s lawyers also challenged Greenspan’s arguments concerning the manner in which the FBI conducted its search and the DEA’s Vaughn Index, as well as issues relating to document redactions, exemptions and confidential sources.

According to the legal team, the various issues raised by Greenspan should not be considered separately from what it described as his primary objective of obtaining government documents containing Tinubu’s name.

“Plaintiff’s motion critiques the FBI’s search efforts, the DEA’s Vaughn Index, segregability, document specific withholdings, and the applicability of exemptions to deceased individuals and confidential sources. All of Plaintiff’s other critiques should be viewed in the context of Plaintiff’s overarching goal.

“Plaintiff’s filings, overwhelmingly, demonstrate that his singular focus is obtaining documents with Intervenor’s “name on them.” (See supra pgs. 1-3, 10, and 11.) Any other issues should – 14 – Case 1:23-cv-01816-BAH Document 98 Filed 08/28/26 Page 15 of 16 not allow Plaintiff to access documents that should otherwise be withheld or redacted under Exemption 7(C) or the Privacy Act.

“If this Court finds that Plaintiff cannot use FOIA to mine information in government files about a private individual, he should not be able to access documents with Intervenor’s “name on them.

“Conclusion For all the foregoing reasons, Intervenor requests that the Court deny Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment and allow the redactions or withholdings made by the FBI and DEA to stand”, Tinubu’s legal team further argued.

The court is expected to determine whether the records sought by Greenspan can be released under FOIA or remain protected under the privacy-related exemptions relied upon by Tinubu’s legal team.

(CHANNELS)

Crime News August 29, 2026 Police rescue 2 Colombian women held captive by Chinese trafficking syndicate in Lagos

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex, have rescued two Colombian nationals allegedly trafficked into Nigeria and held captive by a human trafficking syndicate in Lagos.

The victims, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were rescued on August 26 following actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, concerning their abduction and illegal detention.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the two women were allegedly lured to Nigeria under false pretences before being held against their will.

The suspects, identified as certain Chinese nationals, reportedly confiscated the victims’ travel documents and kept them in captivity at a hideout in Lagos.

“The successful operation followed actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, on August 26, 2026, regarding two female citizens of Colombia, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa. The victims were fraudulently lured to Nigeria, held against their will, and had their travel documents confiscated by certain Chinese nationals who are currently at large.

“​Upon receipt of the intelligence, police operatives promptly launched a covert tracking operation, locating the hideout in Lagos where both victims were safely rescued on the same day. The fleeing suspects abandoned the location upon sighting the approaching team, and efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest all members of the syndicate,” the statement said.

The police said efforts had been intensified to locate and arrest all members of the syndicate involved in the alleged trafficking operation.

The rescued Colombian nationals are currently in safe custody and receiving necessary support, according to the statement.

The Colombian Embassy in Accra is also collaborating with the NCB-INTERPOL to provide hotel accommodation for the victims and facilitate the issuance of emergency travel documents for their return to Bogotá.

The development, according to the police, underscores the growing collaboration between Nigerian law enforcement authorities and their international counterparts in tackling transnational organised crime.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting the lives and property of residents in the country.

The IGP also pledged to deepen international law enforcement cooperation in the fight against cross-border crimes.

 

Crime News August 29, 2026 Alleged organ harvesting: Police arrest 2 doctors, 2 others

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested four persons allegedly involved in a syndicate linked to organ harvesting and human trafficking in Nasarawa State.

The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad following intelligence on the activities of the alleged syndicate, the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, said in a statement on Friday.

According to Iniedu, the suspects were paraded on Thursday after their arrest during an operation carried out in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

He said the operation took place at about 6pm on August 19, following the receipt of credible intelligence by the police.

Among the items recovered during the operation were clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds from the suspected criminal activities.

The police spokesperson identified the suspects as David Udoko, Emmanuel Ode, a medical doctor and consultant at a private hospital in Life Camp, Abuja and another doctor/Acting Director of Clinical Services at the same hospital.

According to the police, Ode allegedly admitted during interrogation to recruiting victims by deceiving them with false promises.

“During interrogation, Emmanuel Ode confessed to recruiting victims under false pretenses.

“He disclosed that on 24th April 2026, he lured one Samuel Ezekiel, 22, to the hospital in Life Camp, Abuja, where his kidney was allegedly harvested for the sum of $1,250 USD (One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty US Dollars), equivalent to ₦1,700,000.00 (One Million Seven Hundred Thousand Naira) at the current exchange rate.

“A second victim alleged that he was lured by the same agent in 2022 to a hospital where his kidney was harvested, for which he was paid the sum of ₦7,000,000.00 (Seven Million Naira).”

Iniedu said police investigations indicated that the alleged operators focused on vulnerable young people, particularly those who were uneducated and experiencing financial hardship in Nasarawa State and surrounding communities.

He explained that the victims were allegedly persuaded to undergo illegal organ removal after being targeted because of their difficult economic circumstances.

The investigation also uncovered alleged attempts to falsify documentation used in the process, with the police saying the suspects and their associates forged documents relating to victims.

Among the documents allegedly falsified were names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.

The Force spokesman said the investigation was still ongoing, adding that security operatives were making efforts to arrest other members of the alleged syndicate who remained at large.

(The. CABLE)

Crime News August 29, 2026 Police arrest female students over viral assault video in Plateau

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested some female students following the emergence of a viral video allegedly showing them assaulting another female student in Pankshin Local Government Area of the state.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Friday in Jos.

According to Alabo, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ayodeji Faniyan, ordered the Area Commander in Pankshin to immediately investigate the incident and apprehend those responsible.

“Immediately the CP got wind of it, he directed the Area Commander in Pankshin LGC to act immediately, which they have done,” he said.

Alabo explained that the suspects would be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) once preliminary investigations had been completed.

He added that they would be prosecuted after the investigation was concluded.

The police spokesperson condemned the alleged assault, stressing that jungle justice and other acts of violence constituted criminal offences.

He further warned that individuals who record and share violent incidents on social media could face additional charges under relevant cybercrime laws.

“In the process of committing this crime, sometimes you will commit several other crimes,

“It is not just you beating somebody or meting violence against your fellow human being; even having the mind to record it is cybercrime,” Alabo said.

He appealed to young people and other members of the public to avoid taking the law into their own hands, regardless of the circumstances behind disputes.

“Learn to report to a third party that has the authority to hear your matter and give you the justice that you deserve,” he said.

Alabo advised residents with grievances or knowledge of criminal activities to approach the Police or other authorised security agencies instead of resorting to violence.

He also called on the public to provide security agencies with prompt and reliable information to enable them intervene quickly and prevent disputes or criminal situations from escalating.

The command reiterated that the arrested students would be transferred to the State CID and prosecuted upon completion of investigations.

“Stay clear of jungle justice. Report cases anytime you are aggrieved to the right and appropriate authority,” Alabo said.

PlatinunPost reports that the students involved are undergraduates of the Federal University of Education, Pankshin.

News August 29, 2026 Naira gains N9.69 against US dollar in five trading days

The naira extended its steady recovery against the United States dollar on Friday, closing at N1,337.28 at the official foreign exchange market.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that the local currency appreciated by N1.29 compared with the N1,338.58 recorded on Thursday.

The latest figure represents a 0.09 per cent gain over Thursday’s exchange rate.

The naira has maintained an upward trajectory throughout the week, continuing a recovery that has lasted for about two weeks.

Trading resumed on Wednesday following Tuesday’s Eid-el-Maulud public holiday, with the currency quoted at N1,343.59 to a dollar.

It subsequently gained N5.01 on Thursday to close at N1,338.58 per dollar.

At the beginning of the week, the naira traded at N1,346.97 to the dollar on Monday before recording further gains in subsequent sessions.

Overall, the currency strengthened by N9.69 against the dollar between Monday and Friday at the official market.

Friday’s closing rate also represents a 0.72 per cent appreciation from Monday’s N1,346.97/$ level.

The latest performance indicates that the naira continues to consolidate its recent gains in the official foreign exchange market.