Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Sunday 19th April, 2026

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the NaijaChoice News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday 19th April, 2026.

1. You Betrayed Atiku, Hurt The North — Nafiu Bala Gombe Hits Kwankwaso

A factional leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafi’u Bala Gombe, has rejected an overture from former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. He described any talk about Northern Nigeria with Kwankwaso as worthless. Gombe made the remarks following a phone call in which Kwankwaso proposed what he called a solution for the North.

Kwankwaso had reached out to Gombe to discuss the way forward for the region. The factional ADC chairman turned down the idea outright. He accused Kwankwaso and others of the same political stock of destroying the country through past decisions.

2. “I Blame My Mother For Being Unmarried At 37” – Woman Shares Emotional Story

A 37-year-old woman has sparked emotions online after opening up about her painful life story, blaming her current situation on years of sacrifice for her family.

According to her, she left Nigeria about 15 years ago, travelling through Libya and Italy before eventually settling in Germany, where she worked tirelessly to support her family back home.

3. Tinubu Signs ₦68.32trn 2026 Budget into Law

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced the development in a statement on Friday. NaijaChoice News reports that the National Assembly passed the budget on March 31 after Tinubu requested an upward review of ₦9.81 trillion from the original ₦58.47 trillion estimate presented to lawmakers in December 2025.

The new budget earmarks ₦4.79 trillion for statutory transfers and ₦15.8 trillion for debt servicing. It also sets aside ₦15.4 trillion for recurrent expenditure while dedicating ₦32.2 trillion to capital projects through the development fund.

4. Lagos Baby Factory Busted: 28 Victims Rescued

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, have dismantled a suspected baby factory in Okuju, Ilado area of Badagry. The late-night raid rescued 18 pregnant women and 10 children, bringing the total number of victims to 28. Two operators, Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu, were arrested on the spot.

The operation followed three weeks of intelligence gathering, according to Lagos NSCDC Commandant Adedotun Keshinro. Officers stormed the facility around midnight on Wednesday, uncovering multiple rooms where the victims were kept. One of the rescued women reportedly suffered a miscarriage during the ordeal.

5. Sheikh Gumi Curses Abductors Of UNIJOS Graduate, John Arum

Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has placed divine curses on the abductors of University of Jos graduate John Arum, describing the latest kidnapping as a damning sign of leadership failure in Nigeria’s security crisis.

The cleric made the remarks after a viral video surfaced showing Arum in captivity. Abductors are demanding N30 million ransom for the young graduate, who was seized along the notorious Jos-Kaduna highway while travelling with others. A second clip later placed him in Zamfara State, with threats to kill him if the money is not paid.

6. Bukola Saraki Slams Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq: ‘You’ve Dragged Kwara To The Gutter’

Former Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki has fired back at Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq over fresh criminal charges linking him to the 2018 Offa armed robbery. In a statement released on Friday, Saraki described the move as a “frivolous” attempt to embarrass him and abuse court processes. He insisted he had no direct or indirect connection to the robbery or any criminal matter.

Saraki reminded the public that the police investigation under the Buhari administration produced two legal advices from the Director of Public Prosecutions in 2018. Those documents, dated June 22 and August 23, stated there was no evidence establishing any nexus between him and the offence. The Kwara government later charged four other suspects who were convicted, with the matter now pending at the Supreme Court.

7. PCN Seals 598 Drug Outlets in Kaduna as Regulators Crack Down on Illegal Operations

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria has sealed 598 pharmaceutical premises across Kaduna State after a major four-day enforcement exercise targeting unlawful drug sales and unsafe practices.

NaijaChoice News gathered that the operation, which spanned 10 local government areas including Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Zaria, Igabi and Chikun, also resulted in the arrest of two vendors for breaching regulatory laws.

Officials inspected a total of 828 premises during the drive. These comprised 123 registered pharmacies, 631 patent medicine stores and 74 unlicensed outlets.

8. Lagos Deploys 1,710 Public Toilets Against Open Defecation

Lagos State Government has deployed 1,710 functioning public toilets across the state as part of its drive to wipe out open defecation and improve sanitation for millions of residents and visitors.

The facilities are strategically located in busy areas to make clean toilets more accessible in a city where daily movement is heavy and public convenience often remains a challenge.

9. If APC Diverted LG, Pensioners’ Funds, I Can’t – Adeleke

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused the All Progressives Congress of diverting local government funds running into N300 billion, claiming the action has stalled several state projects and forced his administration to step in for over a year.

The governor said his government now pays salaries of local government workers, primary school teachers, health workers and pensioners to prevent total collapse at the grassroots. “If Osun APC lacks conscience by diverting funds meant for local workers to their personal use, I cannot do it,” Adeleke declared through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.

10. Bandits Abduct Newly Installed Monarch, Wife & One Other In Kwara Community

Armed bandits stormed the palace of the traditional ruler in Olayinka community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, in the early hours of Saturday and abducted the monarch.

The assailants arrived heavily armed around 1:40am, firing shots sporadically before whisking away Oba Salman Aweda, his wife and one other person to an unknown destination. A community source who spoke on condition of anonymity said residents were too terrified to resist the attack.

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