Morning recap: 31 states spend N252bn on security, actor Ogogo battles stage-four cancer, other top stories
August 18, 2026 7:53 am
Police Officers. Photo: TheCable
No fewer than 31 state governments spent an estimated N252.26bn fighting criminality and insecurity in the first six months of 2026, with Kogi, Plateau and Bauchi accounting for the largest shares.
Daughters of veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, cried out for help as hospitals refusef to continue treating their father who is battling stage-four cancer.
The West African Examinations Council comes under growing fire over alleged grading anomalies and technical issues linked to the expanded computer-based testing in the newly released 2026 WASSCE results.
Terrorists killed at least 28 people, including the chief imam of a local mosque, in an attack on Ungushi community in Sokoto State as the Army General Officer Commanding visited the area.
Retired military officers prepare to protest at the Ministry of Defence on Wednesday over the non-implementation of consequential adjustments to their pensions after salary increases for serving personnel.
Former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun hits back at Governor Dapo Abiodun, dismissing claims that the latter rescued the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate from forfeiture.
A policeman was injured in an accidental discharge as the Peoples Democratic Party local government chairmen and legislators seize council secretariats across Osun State following Governor Ademola Adeleke’s election victory.
And the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress governorship campaign in Osun State says the party will not rush to congratulate Adeleke, insisting it is still reviewing the poll results and does not accept the Independent National Electoral Commission declaration.
Here is a recap of the major stories making headlines this morning.
1. Insecurity: 31 states spend N252bn on security in six months:
Kogi, Plateau and Bauchi top the list as 31 states pour N252.26bn into security equipment, personnel, votes and operations between January and June 2026. The spending marks a sharp rise from the previous year even as killings, kidnappings and banditry persist across the country.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/insecurity-31-states-spend-n252bn-on-security-in-six-months/
2. Hospitals refusing to treat our father, Nollywood actor Ogogo’s daughters cry out over stage-four cancer:
Lima and Kira Taiwo appeal tearfully on Instagram for medical help, saying hospitals have refused further treatment for their father, veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, who has stage-four cancer.
The family insists it is not soliciting funds but needs any hospital or specialist willing to give him another chance. Hassan’s management has yet to issue an official statement on the diagnosis.
3. WAEC under fire over 2026 results, alleged grading anomalies:
School administrators and education advocates accuse the West African Examinations Council of grading irregularities and technical glitches after high-performing students received unexpectedly low scores in the 2026 WASSCE.
One school that previously recorded near-total A1s in Mathematics now reports only a handful, while a foundation has threatened legal action demanding an independent audit. Waec maintains the results followed rigorous, quality-assured processes.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/waec-under-fire-over-2026-results-alleged-grading-anomalies/
4. Terrorists kill 28 in Sokoto community, Army Goc visits:
Bandits linked to the Lakurawa group storm Ungushi community in Kebbe Local Government Area, killing at least 28 residents including the chief imam of the local mosque.
The General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Maj Gen Bemgba Koughna, visits the area to reassure residents and pledge continued troop deployment. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says condolences are no longer enough.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/terrorists-kill-28-in-sokoto-community-army-goc-visits/
5. Pension arrears: Ex-soldiers set to protest at Defence ministry:
Retired officers plan to protest at the Ministry of Defence on Wednesday over the failure to implement consequential pension adjustments after President Bola Tinubu approved salary increases for serving personnel.
Col Innocent Azubike (retd) warns that excluding pensioners will create sharp disparities between officers of the same rank who retired at different times. The Defence Minister’s spokesperson declines comment.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/pension-arrears-ex-soldiers-set-to-protest-at-defence-ministry/
6. Buhari Estate row: Amosun hits back at Abiodun:
Former Ogun Governor Ibikunle Amosun accuses Governor Dapo Abiodun of distorting history by claiming to have rescued the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate from forfeiture.
Amosun insists the infrastructure was already about 95 per cent complete and fully mobilised before he left office in 2019, and demands answers on the fate of the wider 500-hectare estate and its allottees. The estate is scheduled for inauguration by the First Lady.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/buhari-estate-row-amosun-hits-back-at-abiodun/
7. Osun Lg crisis: Policeman injured as Adeleke chairmen seize secretariats:
A policeman is injured in an accidental tear-gas discharge as Peoples Democratic Party local government chairmen and legislators attempt to resume duties at several council secretariats following Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory.
Police confirm the officer is receiving treatment and that the colleague who discharged the canister is under investigation. The command warns against forceful takeovers while the matter remains in court.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/osun-lg-crisis-policeman-injured-as-adeleke-chairmen-seize-secretariats/
8. Osun poll: Apc won’t rush to congratulate Adeleke – Campaign DG:
All Progressives Congress campaign Director-General Oluwole Oke says the party will not be pressured into congratulating Governor Ademola Adeleke and is conducting a thorough audit of the results.
Oke maintains the APC does not accept the Independent National Electoral Commission declaration and believes Adeleke did not score the highest valid votes. The party is collecting result sheets from agents and considering legal options.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/osun-poll-apc-wont-rush-to-congratulate-adeleke-campaign-dg/
Fawzi is a journalist and subeditor covering a wide range of beats including politics, metro, and international news, among others. He also optimises stories for digital audiences.
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