Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 17th June, 2026

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 17th June, 2026.

1. Appeal Court Blocks Judgement For INEC To Deregister ADC, 4 Other Parties

The Appeal Court in Abuja has ordered the suspension of the High Court order for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.

INEC had earlier approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja seeking a stay of execution of the judgment that ordered the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.

Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, had on Monday, ordered the deregistration of ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) over their failure to meet the conditions for retaining their registration.

However, Naija News reports that in a unanimous decision on Tuesday, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice A. B. Mohammed, berated Justice Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja for flouting an order it made on May 22, which directed him to suspend proceedings before him.

The appellate court held that Justice Lifu’s action amounted to an affront to the hierarchy of courts.

It held that the lower court’s action was “the highest form of judicial impertinence,” stressing that the Supreme Court previously held that a judge who acted in such manner “is unfit for the bench as it amounts to judicial rascality.”

2. Police Confirm Killing Of Three Security Agents During NIPSS Attack

The Plateau State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the death of three security personnel during the Tuesday early morning attack by gunmen on the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State.

The death was confirmed in a statement on Tuesday by the Plateau Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah, has deployed additional security reinforcements to the area, while patrols have been intensified to ensure the safety of residents and prevent any further breach of security.

Police added that the situation has been brought under control and normal activities have resumed in and around the institute.

The police spokesman added that investigations are ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

3. Katsina Bans POS, Public Phone Charging, ‘Black-market’ Fuel Sale To Stop Banditry

The government of Katsina State has announced fresh security measures aimed at curbing banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.

Naija News reports that the new measures by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s government include a statewide ban on the sale and transportation of fuel in jerrycans, as well as restrictions on activities believed to be aiding criminal networks.

The directives were contained in an Executive Order issued after an emergency security meeting involving security agencies, traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed.

According to the statement, the meeting was convened to assess the security situation across the state and adopt stronger measures to disrupt the operations of bandits and kidnappers.

Under the new directive, the sale, purchase, transportation and storage of petroleum products in jerrycans have been prohibited across Katsina State with immediate effect.

The government said the decision was taken to prevent fuel from being diverted to bandits and other criminal elements operating in forests and remote hideouts.

The statement explained that intelligence reports had linked the movement of fuel in containers to the sustenance of criminal activities in parts of the state.

It added that the governor considered the restriction necessary to cut off supplies to armed groups and weaken their operational capacity.

As part of the security measures, the state government also ordered the immediate closure of all Point of Sale businesses and commercial phone-charging centres in Matazu and Musawa Local Government Areas.

4. Makinde Assures Oyo Pupils, Teachers Will Be Rescued

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured residents that the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in the state will be rescued, saying his administration is doing everything possible to secure their release.

Naija News reports that Makinde gave the assurance while addressing social media influencer, VeryDarkMan, and other protesters at the Oyo State Government House in a video circulating on Tuesday.

The governor said he was personally distressed by the abduction, noting that the victims, including nursery and primary school pupils, had been in captivity for over a month.

Makinde said he understood the pain of the affected families because he also had children.

“I am also distressed because I have children of my own. I’m also distressed with what has happened to our children. It has been one month, just one month and one day already,” Makinde said.

He, however, said he could not disclose details of the ongoing security operation because of its sensitive nature.

5. Court Dismisses Yahaya Bello’s Bid To Quash ₦110 Billion Fraud Charge

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has dismissed an application filed by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, seeking to strike out the ₦110 billion fraud charge instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court, presided over by Justice Maryanne Anenih, held that it possesses the jurisdiction to entertain the case and ordered that the trial should continue.

Naija News reports that Bello is being prosecuted in Charge No. FCT/CR/778/2024: FRN v. Yahaya Adoza Bello & 2 Ors.

The former governor, through his lead counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), had urged the court to strike out the 16-count charge on the grounds that the FCT High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction to hear the matter.

He also argued that the case constituted an abuse of court process because a related criminal case involving him was already pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The defence maintained that the existence of Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 before the Federal High Court made the present proceedings improper.

6. ‘Very Strange’ – Senate Denies Forgery Allegation By Oshiomhole In Senator Natasha’s Suspension

The Nigerian Senate has denied an allegation that some signatures were forged in the incidents leading to the suspension of Kogi Central lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, said the forgery allegation by Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole is totally untrue.

Naija News recalls that Oshiomhole alleged that the signatures of at least three lawmakers were forged or improperly included in the report that recommended the six-month suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

He made the claim while reacting to comments by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as one of the lowest points of the 10th Senate.

Speaking on Monday during an interview on AIT, the former Edo State governor said that some senators whose names appeared in the report had privately told him they had neither signed the document nor endorsed its recommendations.

However, Adaramodu, in a phone conversation with The Cable on Tuesday, dismissed Oshiomhole’s claim.

7. Derenle Edun Marries Himself On 45th Birthday

Nigerian media personality and actor Denrele Edun marked his 45th birthday by marrying himself, Naija News reports.

The entertainer shared a video on his Instagram page, where he announced that he had chosen to “marry” himself as part of his birthday celebration.

Denrele said the decision was a way of showing self-love and recognising his personal journey through the years.

He explained that he has gone through many phases in life, including challenges, fame, and personal growth, and decided to honour himself for standing strong through it all.

The actor added that the gesture was not about a real marriage ceremony but a personal statement of acceptance.

According to him, he was celebrating every version of himself that has survived different experiences and changes over time.

8. God Had Power To Save Him But Decided To Flex Muscles – Niniola Breaks Down Over Husband’s Death

Nigerian singer Niniola Apata has opened up on the deep pain she is experiencing following the death of her husband, Michael Ndika, saying she wished she had been the one to go instead of him.

Naija News reports that the singer shared her feelings in a series of posts on her Instagram Story, weeks after announcing her husband’s death on May 20.

Although details surrounding his passing have not been made public, burial arrangements released by the family showed that a service of songs was held on June 4, while the burial took place on June 5.

In her latest posts, Niniola shared photographs from their court wedding in the United States and spoke about the emptiness she has felt since losing her husband.

She described Ndika as the person who gave meaning to her life and admitted that coping with his absence has been extremely difficult.

The grieving singer said she would have preferred to endure any personal hardship rather than lose her husband.

According to her, no physical sacrifice would have been too much if it meant keeping him alive.

9. Amorim Lands AC Milan Job Six Months After Manchester United Exit

Ruben Amorim has been appointed as the new head coach of AC Milan, just six months after his dismissal from Manchester United.

The Portuguese manager has moved to Serie A after Milan finished fifth last season and missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification. He replaces Massimiliano Allegri and has reportedly signed a two-year contract with an option to extend his stay until 2029.

Speaking after his appointment, Ruben Amorim said: “There are ambitions that stay with you throughout your career, and coaching AC Milan has always been one of mine. I know exactly what this Club means: history, prestige and an extraordinary fanbase around the world. It is a challenge I embrace with pride and enthusiasm, fully aware of what these colours represent. I can’t wait to get started and to experience every day the passion that drives AC Milan.”

Amorim, 41, began his managerial career in Portugal with Casa Pia, Braga and Sporting CP before taking charge at Old Trafford in November 2024. His spell with United lasted 14 months and ended in January after a difficult campaign that saw the club record their lowest-ever Premier League finish and miss out on European qualification.

10. Iran Coach Blasts World Cup Travel Disruption, Calls Team ‘Most Oppressed’

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has described his side as the “most oppressed” team at the World Cup after being ordered to leave Los Angeles immediately following their 2-2 draw with New Zealand and return to their training base in Mexico.

Speaking after Monday night’s Group G encounter, Ghalenoei revealed that Iran had planned to remain in Los Angeles overnight and hold a recovery session before travelling back the following day. Instead, the team was instructed to depart straight after the match.

“After the game, they said to us, ‘You have to leave immediately’,” Ghalenoei said.

“We’ve been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana and we are really troubled by that.

“They are forcing us to go back early. They are making the situation more and more difficult, more hurdles, but we’re not going to let that stop us from doing our best.”

Iran’s World Cup campaign has been overshadowed by logistical challenges and uncertainty linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and wider security concerns.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.