Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the NOP NIGERIA roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 12th April, 2026.
The Federal Government has released a list of 48 individuals and groups allegedly linked to terrorism financing in Nigeria.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the list was released by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC) on Saturday.
The publication contains names of individuals and entities suspected of involvement in terrorism-related activities, including persons linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ansaru and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The latest development came a few months after the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, disclosed that efforts to identify and prosecute terrorism financiers in Nigeria are ongoing, stressing that the process is complicated due to legal bottlenecks and international networks.
See the full list here.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has countered President Bola Tinubu’s claim that Nigeria is economically better than Kenya.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Tinubu had earlier stated that fuel prices in Nigeria are lower than in Kenya and other African countries.
However, speaking through a statement by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said Nigeria is now more expensive to live in than Kenya.
He argued that the comparison is ‘shallow’ and not only misleading but a grave distortion of the lived reality of Nigerians.
He wondered why the President would isolate fuel prices as a metric of economic comfort while ignoring the far more critical indicators of purchasing power, income levels, and cost of living.
According to him, when compared with the average living cost, Nigeria is more expensive than Kenya, despite the cheaper fuel pump price.
Atiku added that Kenya’s minimum wage is twice Nigeria’s ₦70,000.
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has announced a further extension of the deadline for the filing of individual annual income tax returns, moving it from April 14 to April 21, 2026.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the agency disclosed the development in a statement on Saturday, thanking taxpayers for their continued compliance and commitment to fulfilling their tax obligations.
The statement was signed by Monsurat Amasa-Oyelude, Head of Corporate Communications at LIRS.
According to the statement, the decision to grant the additional extension followed a significant increase in traffic on the LIRS eTax platform as more taxpayers attempted to meet the previous deadline.
The agency explained that the extension was necessary to allow taxpayers adequate time to complete their filings successfully.
The Joint Task Force (JTF) South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), has intercepted vessels carrying a large volume of suspected illegal crude oil.
According to information made available to NOP NIGERIA, the illegal crude oil intercepted by security forces is estimated to be worth $300 million.
This represents an intensified crackdown on illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, with the task force recently achieving major successes in seizing stolen crude oil and dismantling illegal refineries.
According to the NTA, authorities are currently processing the vessels and suspects to determine the full origin of the suspected cargo.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has recovered 531,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products in 183 operations across its key operational areas and arrested 18 suspects linked to crude oil theft and maritime-related crimes in the first quarter of 2026.
The successes were recorded under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, a maritime security operation launched on 13 January 2026 to strengthen the protection of Nigeria’s maritime environment and combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
This development was made known in a statement on Friday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho.
He explained that monthly operational data shows that February recorded the highest recovery with 360,700 litres, followed by 118,800 litres in January and 52,000 litres in March, indicating ongoing pressure on illicit oil activities.
The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has taken over the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
NOP NIGERIA understands that their action follows the unsealing of the facility by the Nigeria Police.
It would be recalled that the PDP has been engulfed in a prolonged leadership crisis, which escalated into a breakdown of order at its National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on November 18, when a faction of the National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed clashed with the Wike-aligned Mohammed-led faction of the party.
The unsealing and takeover were confirmed in a statement on Saturday by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee (NWC) through its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed.
It warned that no act capable of causing disruption or violence would be tolerated.
The Mohammed-led PDP praised the Nigeria Police Force for its professionalism and commitment to the rule of law, noting that the move reflects strong respect for constitutional order and due process.
Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has slammed former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, over their long-standing feud and allegations of theft.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Lamido, speaking in an interview with DCL Hausa on Saturday, recalled that Malami, during his tenure as Minister of Justice, initiated legal proceedings against him.
Citing Malami’s current ordeal with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Department of State Services (DSS), Lamido stated that he does not own what the former AGF have.
Speaking further, Lamido dismissed calls from critics urging him to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), questioning what he described as selective scrutiny of political associations.
Citing examples, the former Governor referenced the political movements of former Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, and meetings involving President Bola Tinubu.
Despite reaffirming his membership of the PDP, Lamido hinted at the possibility of strategic alliances.
The United Kingdom’s Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has condemned the method used by the Labour Party’s government in tackling crime.
She argued that in Nigeria, youths are made to face consequences for their actions.
Badenoch stated this in an opinion piece published in The Daily Mail UK.
She fumed that Britain considers crime, idleness, and bad behaviour as things to be explained rather than tackled.
She stated that the country is trying to be everyone’s “therapist, careers adviser or youth worker”.
According to Badenoch, “All of us were shocked by the phone footage of children smashing up shops in broad daylight, stealing, laughing, filming themselves as though it were a game.
“While the majority of young looters in Clapham, south London, seemed to have Caribbean or African heritage, the fact is that children in Lagos and Nairobi do not behave that way.
“Why? Because in Nigeria and Kenya, the boundaries are clear and actions have consequences. Parents, communities and authorities do not wring their hands or look the other way. It’s a lesson we’ve forgotten here.
“We didn’t get here overnight. For years, there’s been a drip, drip, drip of institutional and cultural change, not least the belief that social programmes matter more than tough enforcement in maintaining discipline. I profoundly disagree.
“It’s no wonder the police are at the end of their tether. Last year, almost 4,500 officers quit before they had completed their probation. Walking a beat in Croydon last month, I asked the sergeant escorting me about his main frustration.”
After mentioning the impact of illegal migration, Kemi Badenoch made reference to the positive effect of the Conservative Party’s deportation plan.
Nollywood actress, Toyin Abraham, has responded to criticism over a viral video of her kneeling to greet prominent socialite, Shade Okoya, her husband, Alhaji Rasaq Okoya, and other dignitaries at the event.
NOP NIGERIA reports that a netizen, identified as Lady Victoria, reacted to a video from former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s 70th birthday celebration, in which Toyin was seen kneeling before Shade Okoya and others.
The fan urged the movie star to stop what she described as unnecessary kneeling, arguing that it invited disrespect and amounted to eye service.
She wrote, “I’m a fan of Aunty Toyin Abraham but this her unnecessary kneeling down and greeting is becoming too much and looking like an eye service now.”
In response, Toyin Abraham insisted she would not stop the practice for those she deemed worthy of the gesture.
She wrote, “I won’t stop kneeling to people who value and deserve it, my darling. I will continue to go on my both knees to greet people who value and deserve it no matter the status.”
In a subsequent post, Toyin added, “I have seen the various opinions regarding the manner in which I greeted some elders at a recent event. It gives me pause to reflect on when we began to drift from our culture and traditions, to the point where kneeling as we were taught is now described as “abosi.”
“I, Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi, was raised to kneel when greeting those older than me. It is a value deeply rooted in who I am, and one I will continue to uphold with pride.
“As a commitment to our heritage, I will remain intentional about passing these values on to the younger generations, in order to preserve and honor our culture. Wishing everyone a pleasant day.”
Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, better known as Portable, has claimed Grammy award-winning singer, Burna Boy, paid him ₦20 million to fight Speed Darlington in a boxing match.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Portable made this known in a video shared on social media, while sending a message to his colleague, Ayo Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid.
Portable claimed that the ₦20 million from Burna Boy was a reward for his performance.
Portable further stated that he would have called out Burna Boy online if he had failed to fulfill his promise.
He stressed, “If he promise me money and he no give me, I go call am out. Na God say make I no call Burna Boy out, na why he come give me.”
Portable also extended a similar proposition to Wizkid, offering to confront Nigerian comedian cum streamer, Carter Efe, for a fee.
Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal’s shock home loss to AFC Bournemouth felt like a “big punch in the face” after the visitors snatched a 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Arsenal fell behind to an early strike from Eli Junior Kroupi before Viktor Gyökeres levelled from the penalty spot. The hosts dominated much of the second half but were stunned late on when Alex Scott fired the winner.
Arteta did not hide his frustration after the final whistle, questioning his side’s efficiency and decision-making.
“Disappointing. It’s a big punch in the face and it’s about how we react now,” Arteta said.
“They are a team that hasn’t lost 11 games for a reason, they did a lot right.
“We were far from efficient. The first chance they had to attack the box, it’s a deflection, a bad defending action and it’s a goal. That’s something we have to recover from.
“The second half you expect a different game. We did a lot of strange things today.
“We have been very consistent. This can happen, this is football.”
While Arsenal were left to reflect on missed chances, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola praised his players for delivering a fearless performance away from home.
