Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Sunday, 12th July, 2026

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 12th July, 2026.

1. Rescued Oyo Children Will Be Handed Over To Gov Makinde – Presidency

The presidency said on Saturday that the rescued children and teachers from the Oriire Local Government Area in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, are currently undergoing medical examinations.

It added that after the medical process, they will be handed over to the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this known while responding to inquiries on whether and when the rescued pupils would be presented to President Tinubu.

He, however, clarified that information from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) indicated the rescued victims would be handed over to Governor Makinde.

“The children are still undergoing medical examination. They will thereafter be handed over to Oyo Governor Makinde,” he said as quoted by Vanguard.

2. Oyo Abduction: You Are Too Lazy – Atiku Blasts Presidency Over Silence Claim

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has berated the presidency over claims that he failed to react to the rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

Naija News reports that the ADC flag bearer was responding to criticism from the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who had faulted Atiku for not publicly reacting to the release of the Oriire pupils and their teachers nearly 18 hours after they regained their freedom.

He described the claim that he failed to react to the rescue of the victims as a distortion of facts that collapses under the weight of documentary evidence.

In a statement issued by his senior special assistant on public communication, Phrank Shaibu, on Saturday, Atiku said there are only two possible explanations for the presidency’s latest outburst.

“It is astonishing that a presidency with limitless public resources could accuse someone of silence without carrying out the most basic verification. Either they failed to read our statement because they were too lazy to do so, or they deliberately ignored it because it exposed uncomfortable truths about their misplaced priorities,” the statement read.

3. Fresh Video Shows Some Of The Terrorists Arrested During Rescue Of Oyo Schoolchildren

A fresh video which emerged on social media has shown some of the terrorists arrested during the rescue operation of the schoolchildren and teachers by security operatives in Oyo State.

Naija News reports that the video, which emerged on social media on Saturday, captures the activities of troops deployed as part of the tactical team of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) during the rescue operation.

The troops on Friday rescued the schoolchildren and teachers abducted from Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State after the victims had spent over fifty days in captivity.

The video was shared on 𝕏 by Deji Adesogan and shows some of the terrorists restrained by the troops after their arrest.

4. This Is A Grievous Mistake – APC Chieftain Warns Tinubu Over Retention Of Shettima As VP

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has condemned the decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

He warned that the move might lead to problems in the future, as Christians will not support another Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Naija News reports that Vatsa shared his reservations in a statement issued in Minna on Saturday.

He argued that the circumstances that justified the same-faith ticket in 2023 no longer existed.

The former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism described the move as “a direct insult” to the Christian community, saying it was politically insensitive and could cost the ruling party Christian votes.

“I think this is a grievous mistake by the APC. It is highly insensitive,” he said.

According to him, those behind the decision “did not mean well” for the President or the party.

“With the current situation in the country and the concerns over the safety of Christians, nobody expected the President to repeat this arrangement,” Vatsa said.

He argued that the APC would struggle to convince Christians to support its ticket in 2027, especially if other political parties field Christian candidates.

“What do you expect us to tell the Christian community, to vote for another Muslim-Muslim ticket?” he insisted.

5. He Has To Become A Presidential Candidate First – Peter Obi Replies Umahi Debate Challenge

The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that there is no basis for debate with the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.

Speaking during an interview with Jude Chidenowo, Peter Obi said he started the debate by complaining about the damaged Nigerian roads, and Umahi has responded accordingly by starting the repairs on the specific road he complained about.

The former Governor of Anambra State, however, added that if the Minister wants another debate, inviting him as a presidential candidate, he must first become a presidential candidate too.

Recall that Umahi, had accused the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of always attacking his integrity and personality.

Speaking at the launch of construction of the Akwanga-Jos superhighway, Umahi said that Obi is ignorant of governance.

He accused the former Anambra State Governor of making a mockery of governance by snapping the bad portion of the road and posting it on social media to score cheap political points.

Naija News reports that the Minister thereafter challenged Obi to a debate.

Obi had earlier urged the federal government to prioritise the rehabilitation and maintenance of existing roads rather than embarking on new road construction projects.

Obi said the country’s scarce resources should be channelled towards fixing major highways that have fallen into disrepair instead of initiating new projects that, according to him, offer limited immediate benefits.

He made the call in a statement titled “My Stance on Road Development,” via his 𝕏 handle on Monday, June 29.

The former Anambra State governor cited the Asaba-Benin Road as one of the country’s most strategic highways that requires urgent intervention.

6. Oyo: Extends Same Urgency To Borno, Kwara Captives – ADC Tells FG

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the Federal Government to deploy the same urgency, intelligence and operational commitment that led to the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State to securing the freedom of victims still held by kidnappers in Borno and Kwara states.

The opposition party warned the government against adopting what it described as a selective approach to rescue operations, insisting that every kidnapped Nigerian deserved equal attention, regardless of location or public interest surrounding the case.

Naija News reports that in a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC welcomed the release of the pupils, teachers and other victims abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.

The party congratulated the victims and their families, describing their return as a relief after weeks of anxiety and trauma.

The party, however, said the successful rescue operation in Oyo State should not overshadow the plight of Nigerians who had remained in captivity for months in other parts of the country.

It specifically drew attention to pupils abducted in Borno State in May and more than 100 persons reportedly kidnapped in Kaiama, Kwara State, who had yet to regain their freedom.

The ADC maintained that the lives and safety of victims in Borno and Kwara were no less important than those of the rescued Oyo abductees.

It called on the government and security agencies to sustain the momentum generated by the Oriire operation until every Nigerian held by criminal groups had been rescued.

7. Tinubu’s Wife Reveals How She Supported An Akara Seller

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has defended her controversial remarks about empowering women through small-scale businesses, insisting that petty traders deserve support from both the government and the private sector.

Naija News reports that Tinubu spoke on Saturday during the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Lokoja, Kogi State.

She had attracted criticism in June after suggesting that women could benefit from grants to establish businesses such as akara frying, corn roasting and kuli-kuli production.

Some Nigerians, including the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Ìgbìnmọ́ Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, faulted the comments, arguing that they belittled the economic challenges facing women.

The First Lady, however, maintained that the grassroots empowerment programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative was creating opportunities for low-income earners.

Tinubu also called on prominent Nigerian entertainers to establish foundations and use part of their earnings to assist vulnerable citizens.

She cited Senegalese-American singer Akon as an example of a successful entertainer involved in charity work.

The First Lady said there was nothing wrong with entertainers acquiring expensive vehicles, but urged them to balance luxury with philanthropy.

8. Makinde: Can We Just Leave Recused Oyo Pupils, Teachers Out Of Dirty Politics? – Femi Branch

Nollywood actor, Femi Branch, has urged Nigerian politicians to stop politicising the release of kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oyo State.

Naija News reports that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, during a closed-door meeting with his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, at the Government House, Bauchi, said the abduction occurred only hours after he formally declared his intention to contest the presidency.

Reacting to Makinde’s remark about the incident, Femi Branch, who accused politicians of politicising the abduction, urged them to leave children out of their dirty political games.

9. IK Ogbonna Opens Up On Alleged $75k Romance Scam, EFCC Invitation

Nollywood actor, IK Ogbonna, has denied being invited and investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), over a $75k romance scam.

Naija News reports that the denial follows the complaint made against him by a 49-year-old American woman named Kimberly Ann, who alleged to have been in an online relationship since 2025.

However, Ik Ogbonna, in a post via his Instagram story, described the reports as completely false, malicious, and without any factual basis.

While warning the general public against impostors, the movie star noted that it was not the first time his name, image, and identity had been used by unknown individuals operating fake social media accounts to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.

10. Wolves Reject Fiorentina Bid For Super Eagles Striker Tolu Arokodare

Wolverhampton Wanderers have rejected a bid from Fiorentina for Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare as speculation over his future continues to gather pace.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Serie A side made an approach for the Super Eagles forward, but Wolves turned it down. He also disclosed that Turkish club Trabzonspor submitted a proposal, although Tolu Arokodare, 25, has no interest in making the move.

“Understand Fiorentina had a proposal turned down by Wolves for striker Tolu Arokodare. Trabzonspor also made a proposal but the player is not keen on the move,” Romano posted on 𝕏.

Wolves are reportedly demanding more than €20 million for the 25-year-old and are not prepared to sell unless their valuation is met.

Arokodare has attracted interest from several clubs following Wolves’ relegation from the Premier League, with Fiorentina becoming the latest side to test the Championship club’s resolve.

The Nigeria international joined Wolves from Belgian side KRC Genk last summer in a £23.4 million deal, signing a four-year contract that includes the option of an additional year.

He arrived at Molineux after an impressive spell with Genk, where he established himself as one of the Belgian top flight’s most prolific goalscorers.

His first season in English football, however, proved far more challenging. Arokodare managed three goals and one assist in 33 Premier League appearances as Wolves suffered relegation, with the majority of his outings coming from the bench.

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