Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Thursday morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:

1. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), respectively. INEC announced on Wednesday that it would suspend recognition of all factions within the party and refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by groups aligned with the affected leaders.

2. The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 3, and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani.

3. There was pandemonium on Wednesday in Jos, Plateau State capital, a few hours after the state government relaxed the 48-hour curfew imposed following the deadly Sunday night attack in Anguwan Rukuba. According to Channels Television, sporadic violence broke out in parts of the city, with unconfirmed claims of fresh casualties.

4. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Wednesday condemned the recent attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, which claimed the lives of innocent citizens. In response to the situation, the IGP has now intensified operations through the deployment of additional tactical teams, Police Mobile Force units, and intelligence operatives, in conjunction with other security agencies, to tackle the ongoing security challenges and forestall any further breakdown of law and order across the state.

5. Former presidential media aide, Bashir Ahmad, has claimed that an American missionary, Alex Barbir, has been asked to leave Nigeria. Ahmad, who stated this in a tweet on Wednesday evening, accused Barbir of trying to cause religious tension in communities across the North-Central.

6. The Department of State Services, DSS, again, on Wednesday, took custody of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, moments after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. DAILY POST reports that El-Rufai, standing trial over alleged corruption, concluded a hearing on his bail application filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC, when DSS operatives bundled him into a waiting vehicle and drove him away, reportedly heading to Abuja.

7. The Nigerian government has announced a ban on the importation of used vehicles without proper certification, introducing stricter regulations for automotive imports into the country. The minister of state for industry, trade, and investment, John Enoh, made this known on Tuesday during an event organized by the National Automotive Design and Development Council.

8. Celebrity Nigerian cryptocurrency entrepreneur, Linus Williams Ifejirika, popularly known as Blord, has been remanded in Kuje prison for impersonating VeryDarkMan. Blord was remanded after his arraignment before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.

9. The authorities of Seat of Wisdom Secondary School, Aliade, in Benue State, have dismissed 11 students over their alleged roles in an assault that led to a female student being stripped during a fight. The decision follows the emergence of a disturbing viral video showing the victim being attacked and stripped by fellow students in uniform.

10. The Super Eagles of Nigeria maintained 26th position on the latest men’s ranking released by the Federation of International Football Associations, FIFA, on Wednesday. Eric Chelle’s side played two matches in March against Iran and Jordan, recording a 2-1 win and a 2-2 draw, respectively.