Naija & Western gistNews · Celebs · Trends

Trend Naija

Monday, 9 November 2026Lagos · LondonUpdated 14:42 GMT

Home › Naija news

Naija news
Reported

Kano APC council chairman freed after 68 days in kidnappers' hands

The Lagos skyline seen from the water
Stock image: kopee15 / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Kano State police say they have rescued the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Rogo Local Government Area, Abdullahi Alasan Beli, popularly known as Abdullahi Fanka, after 68 days in captivity.

The rescue

Commissioner of Police Adamu Bakori announced the rescue while briefing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at Government House, Kano, on Sunday, 8 November 2026, according to a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. The police chief said the rescue was achieved through coordinated tactical operations, and that the command would step up efforts against kidnapping.

His ordeal

Beli was abducted by armed men from his home in Beli community, Rogo LGA. After his release, he said his kidnappers moved him through several places, including Danja, Ikara and Giwa in Kaduna State, as well as parts of Zamfara State.

Reactions

Governor Yusuf commended the police for securing the release of the APC chieftain.

Background

Kidnapping for ransom has affected parts of Kano, especially areas bordering Katsina and Kaduna states. It was not disclosed whether any ransom was paid.

More gist

Naija newsReported
The Lagos skyline seen from the water
Stock image: kopee15 / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Osun government offices shut as NLC begins three-day strike over council funds

Government offices and public schools in Osogbo were shut on Monday as workers in Osun began a three-day strike in solidarity with local government employees over withheld statutory allocations to the state's councils.

Read more

Government offices in Osun State were shut on Monday, 9 November 2026, as workers began a three-day strike over withheld allocations to local governments.

What happened

The gates of the state government secretariat and the House of Assembly in Osogbo were locked, with no workers or business activity at either, according to reports. Local government secretariats in Olorunda and Osogbo were also closed, and pupils in public schools in Osogbo were sent home after teachers joined the strike.

Why workers are striking

In a statement on Sunday, the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by its chairman, Christopher Arapasopo, directed all affiliated unions to join the strike in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). The NLC said the action followed the expiry of a seven-day ultimatum to the federal and Osun state governments over the continued withholding of statutory allocations to local councils in the state, which it said remained unresolved.

Background

Osun's local governments have been at the centre of a long legal and political dispute over who controls the councils, which has led to federal allocations being withheld. Osun is governed by Ademola Adeleke, who has backed President Bola Tinubu's re-election.

Naija newsReported
A Nigerian 500 naira note
Photo: CBN / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Naira up about 6% against the dollar in a year as reserves reach $55bn

The naira has strengthened by about 6.3% against the US dollar over the past year, trading at about ₦1,347 on 6 November compared with ₦1,437 a year earlier, while Nigeria's foreign reserves have risen to about $55.1 billion.

Read more

The naira has gained ground against the US dollar over the past year, according to official exchange rate data.

The figures

The naira traded at about ₦1,346.79 to the dollar on 6 November 2026, compared with ₦1,436.74 on the same date in 2025, a gain of about ₦90, or 6.26 per cent, according to reports on Monday, 9 November. Nigeria's external reserves have risen to about $55.13 billion.

Why it matters

A stronger naira could reduce the cost of imported raw materials, machinery, medicines and other goods priced in foreign currency. However, how quickly that feeds through to lower prices for consumers depends on businesses passing on the savings.

Background

The naira lost much of its value after the government unified the exchange rate in 2023, when the official rate was about ₦461 to the dollar. The Central Bank of Nigeria has since taken steps to stabilise the foreign exchange market and improve dollar supply. The naira's performance has become a campaign issue: President Bola Tinubu said last week that it would have become worthless without his reforms, while the campaign of APM candidate Seyi Makinde said the President could not claim credit for a recovery after policies that weakened it.

Naija newsReported
The Lagos skyline seen from the water
Stock image: kopee15 / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Soldier, teenager and two others killed in fresh Plateau attack

Gunmen reportedly killed a soldier and three residents, including a 15-year-old boy, in an attack on Bell village in Sho community, Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State, on Sunday night.

Read more

Gunmen have reportedly killed a soldier and three residents, including a 15-year-old boy, in an attack on a village in Plateau State.

What happened

The attack took place at about 9pm on Sunday, 8 November 2026, in Bell village, Sho community, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. A resident said the attackers stormed the village and opened fire on residents, leaving some dead and others injured. A local youth association confirmed the killings, identifying three of the victims, aged 15, 28 and 32.

Official response

The police and the military had not publicly commented on the attack at the time of writing.

Background

Barkin Ladi and other parts of Plateau State have suffered repeated deadly attacks on rural communities in recent years. On Sunday, APM presidential candidate Seyi Makinde visited Angwan Rukuba in Jos North to console families of 33 people killed in an attack in March. Bishop David Oyedepo also warned politicians last week about the failure to stop killings and kidnappings.

Naija newsReported
The Lagos skyline seen from the water
Stock image: kopee15 / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Edo consumer committee uncovers fake kpomo hub in Benin market

The Edo State Consumer Protection Committee says it has uncovered a hub in New Benin Market where fake, chemically treated kpomo (cow skin) was being prepared and sold. Two women were arrested.

Read more

The Edo State Consumer Protection Committee says it has uncovered a site in Benin City where fake and chemically treated kpomo, the popular cow-skin delicacy, was being produced and sold.

What happened

The committee's chairman, Osaro Iyamu, said officials acted on a tip-off in the early hours of Monday, 9 November 2026, and raided a spot near Efehi Street in New Benin Market. He said two women were arrested with the products, while others ran away, and that some market women later admitted to the practice. The two suspects were handed to the police for further investigation.

The danger

Chemically treated food products can pose serious health risks, and fake kpomo has been a recurring concern in Nigerian markets.

Background

Kpomo is widely eaten across Nigeria in soups and stews. Regulators have previously urged consumers to buy food from trusted sources.