Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 22nd September, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 22nd September, 2025

Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has suggested that President Bola Tinubu may become president for life if Nigerians fail to unite and remove him in 2027.

Naija News reports that El-Rufai spoke while receiving former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, during a solidarity visit on Saturday.

Atiku had visited El-Rufai over a recent attack by All Progressive Congress (APC)-sponsored thugs at the inauguration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State.

The former governor described Tinubu’s administration as worse than any military regime in Nigeria, adding that Nigeria is facing a major evil ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the killing of three officers and the disappearance of seven others after a deadly ambush on its tactical teams in Katsina-Ala/Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack, which occurred on Friday, September 19, 2025, was reportedly carried out by suspected armed herdsmen and local militias at Agu Centre.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said six suspects had been arrested in connection with the assault and are currently assisting investigators.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, condemned the assault, describing it as “cruel, unwarranted, and an affront on the good people of Benue State.”

He ordered the deployment of additional tactical assets to the troubled area, assuring that “no stone will be left unturned in restoring peace and security in Benue State.”

Hundeyin added that the suspects in custody were providing useful information as part of the ongoing manhunt.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed gratitude to God following his reinstatement.

Naija News reports that Fubara attended his first Sunday church service at Saint Paul’s Anglican Church in his hometown of Opobo, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.

Fubara who was accompanied by his wife, Valerie, and a cross-section of stakeholders, acknowledged God’s faithfulness to his family, the state, and the nation.

He also used the occasion of International Day of Peace to thank his worshippers for their prayers and to urge calm as his administration resumes work.

The Deputy National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Timothy Osadolor, has defended its former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, against remarks that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government is out of touch with the suffering masses.

Naija News reports that Atiku, who lost to President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 polls, had warned that the government’s economic policies could spark public outrage comparable to the French and Russian revolutions if hunger and hardship remain unchecked.

But the APC dismissed his remarks as “reckless, irresponsible and a tacit instigation of revolution,” accusing him of stoking unrest to destabilise the Tinubu administration.

In an interview with Punch, Osadolor declared that Atiku merely “gave voice to the thoughts of millions who can hardly afford two meals a day.”

According to Osadolor, the APC government are only vilifying and harassing Atiku because they know he is saying the truth.

The Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 2023 governorship election in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has weighed in on the speculation that former President, Goodluck Jonathan, will return to active politics in 2027.

Naija News reports that there have been reports that some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are wooing Jonathan to contest the 2027 election on its platform.

Rhodes-Vivour, during an interview with Punch, stated that northerners who are behind Jonathan are very comfortable with his single term, which makes him a force.

However, Rhodes-Vivour expressed doubt about Jonathan’s possibility of becoming president, especially after swearing the oath of office twice.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded major breakthroughs in the fight against drug trafficking, arresting two men who returned from Brazil with heroin and cocaine in their bodies, alongside other seizures that stretched from Lagos to Zamfara, Adamawa and Edo.

In a statement released on Sunday, September 21, 2025, and signed by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, the agency disclosed that the arrests were made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and across several states.

One of the suspects, 46-year-old Ofoma Sunday, was stopped on September 16 after arriving from Brazil via Ethiopia. A body scan confirmed that he had ingested drugs.

While under observation, he excreted 111 wraps of heroin weighing 1.45 kilograms. NDLEA operatives later stormed a hotel in Amuwo Odofin, where he was instructed to deliver the drugs, and arrested 55-year-old Nweke Jude Chuckwudi, the alleged receiver.

Just days later, another returnee, Ukachukwu Frank Ikechukwu, was picked up on September 19. He was carrying cocaine internally and, under watch, expelled five large wraps weighing 145 grams.

He admitted he had inserted nine wraps in Brazil but could only reinsert seven after suffering anal pain while transiting through Ethiopia. He flushed the remaining two wraps in a toilet before boarding his flight to Nigeria.

In another case at Lagos airport, Okolonkwo Ebere Theresa, a businesswoman from Enugu, was caught on September 14 while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Doha.

There was additional drama on Sunday with the eviction of two housemates from season 10 of the Big Brother Naija reality TV show.

Naija News reports that Kuture and Joanna were evicted during the live eviction show presided by the host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.

Joanna was the first to be shown the door before Kuture was evicted later in the night.

It would be recalled that two season ten housemates, Thelma Lawson and Bright Morgan, were evicted from the ongoing reality show in a rare Saturday night eviction, shocking fans and fellow contestants alike.

Naija News reports that the eviction was announced shortly after the weekly party during the host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu’s visit to the house.

Thelma was the first to leave the house that night, followed closely by Bright, marking a double eviction that left the housemates visibly shaken.

The move broke away from the traditional Sunday format, with Saturday night evictions historically used by organisers to intensify competition and alter the game’s dynamics.

Nollywood actress, Sarah Martins, has expressed displeasure over the trend of body shaming women and talking down at those who undergo Liposuction surgery.

Naija News reports that the film star, in a post via Instagram on Sunday, stated that people should stop talking down on those who had undergone surgery.

She explained that if only people knew the amount of work that goes into achieving a good result, they would understand that Liposuction will not fix massive weight.

According to her, Liposuction does not guarantee a banging body and it is the reason many people also undergo gastric bypass to achieve good results.

Arsenal rescued a point in dramatic fashion against Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday, with Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time strike earning a 1-1 draw in one of the standout fixtures of Premier League Matchday 5.

City were in front as early as the ninth minute when Erling Haaland clinically finished Tijjani Reijnders’ pass, silencing the home crowd. Pep Guardiola’s men looked in control for much of the opening half, creating chances through Jeremy Doku and Reijnders, but a mix of poor finishing and solid saves from David Raya kept Arsenal alive.

Mikel Arteta’s men improved after the break, with the introduction of Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze injecting pace and creativity. Donnarumma stood firm to deny Eze and Saka, while Haaland had opportunities to seal the game but couldn’t beat Raya again.

Then came the late twist. With City trying to run down the clock, Martinelli slipped behind the defence in the 93rd minute and delicately lifted the ball over Donnarumma. The Emirates erupted as Arsenal salvaged a draw that keeps them unbeaten at home.

For Guardiola, the frustration was clear. His side dominated large parts of the game but let Arsenal off the hook, leaving them outside the early title-chasing pack.

Ghanaian giants, Asante Kotoko survived a tense evening in Kumasi to beat Kwara United 4-3 in a CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round clash that had fans on their feet until the final whistle.

Asante Kotoko twice looked in control, yet Kwara United’s ability to score three times away from home may prove decisive when the tie shifts to Abeokuta in Ogun state on September 28.

Kotoko struck first through Emmanuel Antwi in the 19th minute, but the Nigerians responded through Johnmark Atule, who found the net in the 34th minute. Albert Amoah’s penalty just before halftime restored Kotoko’s lead, only for Atule to level again in stoppage time.

The second half carried the same drama. Joseph Ablorh put Kotoko 3-2 ahead within two minutes of the restart, and Amoah struck again in the 73rd minute. That looked like the cushion the home fans needed, until Abdulraheem Shola pulled one back for Kwara with just two minutes of normal time left.

Note that the away goals rule still applies in CAF competitions, which means Kwara United need only one goal in the second leg without conceding to knock Asante Kotoko out. That prospect ensures the return fixture will be anything but straightforward.

Elsewhere, Nigeria’s Remo Stars took firm control of their CAF Champions League preliminary round tie with a 4-0 win over US Zilimadjou of Comoros.