Good morning! Here is today’s digest of top stories from across Nigerian newspapers for Monday, March 2, 2026.
1. INEC Cannot Guarantee 100% Perfect Election in 2027 – Chairman
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, has stated that the commission cannot guarantee 100 percent perfect elections in 2027, particularly concerning the electronic transmission of results. He made this remark during a Citizens’ Townhall Meeting organized by the Civil Society Network on Election Integrity in Abuja on Sunday .
2. Presidency Denies Viral Claim of Plot to Poison President Tinubu
The Presidency has debunked viral social media allegations that a member of the kitchen staff at Aso Rock was arrested for attempting to poison President Bola Tinubu. Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the circulating video and its contents as entirely false .
3. Shi’ites Protest Across Six States Over Killing of Iranian Leader
Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, led by Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, staged protests in Gombe, Niger, Kano, Bauchi, Yobe, and Sokoto states. The demonstrations were held in reaction to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint US-Israeli airstrike .
4. Middle East Tensions Threaten to Push Nigerian Fuel Prices Higher
Rising tensions in the Middle East, following US and Israeli attacks on Iran, may lead to higher fuel prices in Nigeria. Crude oil prices reached $72.87 per barrel on Sunday amid the escalating conflict, which has also resulted in the deaths of key Iranian figures .
5. Troops Kill Eight Boko Haram Terrorists in Borno Offensive
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have dealt a heavy blow to Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Borno State, killing eight insurgents and seizing weapons, including RPGs and an armed drone. The coordinated attacks targeted Forward Operating Bases at Mayanti, Gajigana, and Gajiram between February 28 and March 1 .
6. Army Foils Cattle Rustling Attack in Kano, Bandits Suffer Casualties
The Joint Task Force Gwarzo, led by troops of 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, has successfully foiled an attempted cattle rustling attack in Mainika village, Gwarzo LGA, Kano State. The bandits suffered heavy casualties during the engagement with security forces .
7. Notorious Drug Kingpin Arrested After 13 Years in Hiding
A notorious drug kingpin, Reginald Peter Chidiebere, has been arrested by NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos after 13 years in hiding. His arrest followed the seizure of large consignments of cocaine and heroin linked to him .
8. Gunmen Abduct Father of Former Ebonyi Deputy Governor
Mr. Francis Igwe, father of former Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, has been abducted by gunmen. He was reportedly kidnapped on Sunday morning while on his way to church in his Ndufu-Alike community .
9. Stampede During Ramadan Alms-Giving Kills Four in Katsina
The Katsina State Police Command has launched an investigation into the death of four persons following a stampede during a Ramadan alms-giving exercise in Kofar Guga Quarters. The incident occurred on February 26, 2026 .
10. One Arrested in Connection with Killing of Ondo Youth Leader
The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of one suspect in connection with the killing of a youth leader, Ojo Abbey (aka Obesere), in Isua Akoko. The victim was allegedly abducted by gunmen while returning to the community from Edo State .
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Disclaimer: This summary is a curation of top stories from major Nigerian newspapers for Monday, March 2, 2026. CDA News Nigeria provides this digest for informational purposes and does not claim ownership of the original reports. For full details, please refer to the respective source publications.
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