Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 11th May, 2026

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 11th May, 2026.

Drama ensued on Sunday as Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, angrily stormed out of the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening hall in Abuja.

Naija News recalls that while other incumbent governors were successfully screened on Saturday, Fubara and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, were conspicuously absent.

Responding to questions about Fubara’s absence from the screening, the Chairman of the Committee, who also serves as the APC Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, said state governors with official engagements were excused.

He said, “Three governors have not come, so that is the issue. I said you should not single one person out when three governors have not appeared. All of them have their reasons for not appearing, and we know they are chief executives of their states with state responsibilities.

“So, any governor who has state issues to attend to, whether the governor of Kwara State, Ebonyi State, Rivers State, we excuse them.”

However, Fubara eventually arrived at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge, venue of the exercise, at about 3pm on Sunday, but walked out of the screening room after 20 minutes, and his demeanour visibly changed.

According to Daily Trust, Fubara, who was seen visibly angry from his countenance, refused to grant interviews to journalists who had waited hours for his arrival.

When reporters asked how the exercise went, a visibly distressed Fubara said, “No comment.”

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, may seek a return to the presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), sources close to his camp have said.

A top official in Jonathan’s team told Vanguard on Sunday that the decision to use the PDP followed extensive deliberations on where his chances would be brighter.

The source said the former president was considering a return to power to provide what his supporters described as quality leadership amid rising hardship and poverty in the country.

The confirmation that Jonathan may use the PDP has triggered a scramble among support groups seeking to purchase the party’s presidential nomination form for him.

The factionalised PDP has pegged the form at ₦100 million.

A source said the groups were aware that the deadline for submitting the form was Tuesday and were determined to buy it for Jonathan.

Scores of civilians have reportedly died after a military airstrike hit Guradnayi, a settlement near Kusasu in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident was said to have occurred in the early hours of Sunday while residents were fleeing from armed men operating in the area.

Witnesses, according to Daily Post, claimed that at least 12 persons were killed in one residence, while others affected were residents of Kusasu who had reportedly fled from terrorists.

A resident of Kusasu, Auta Awododo, said the airstrike happened around 5 a.m., adding that one of the victims was his cousin’s son.

He said, “It happened around 5 a.m.”

Awododo added, “Twelve people were killed in his house. The rest were Kusasu people who were fleeing from the terrorists.”

Troops of the Joint Task Force, North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled a night attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on the 120 Task Force Battalion in Goniri, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Naija News reports that the attack, which began in the late hours of Saturday, May 9, 2026, continued into the early hours of Sunday, May 10.

Goniri is a town in the Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.

He said the terrorists, who advanced from the Mandunari axis around midnight, were detected early by troops on operation.

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested three persons living with disabilities for drug trafficking during interdiction operations in parts of Anambra and Kwara states.

Naija News reports that the NDLEA’s Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a statement issued on Sunday, disclosed that operatives, acting on intelligence, tracked 60-year-old Romanus Nwabara to Akpaka Forest in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Babafemi said Nwabara was found with 250grams of skunk in retail sachets.

Similarly, the operatives of a Special Operations Unit (SUO) in NDLEA on Friday, May 8, raided a Lekki, Lagos mansion used as a stash house where 4,000 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of imported cannabis weighing 2,326 kilograms with a street value of over ₦5.8 billion, were recovered.

Also seized from the house located at 36 African lane Lekki Phase 1 include: two Mercedes benz buses and different designer sachets used in packaging the illicit substance for retail distribution.

The NDLEA, during a patrol along the Okene/Lokoja highway in Kogi State, intercepted a white commuter J5 bus heading to Abuja.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 76 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 766kg and the arrest of three suspects: Mathew Omohove, Ebuka Desmond, and Babangida Musa.

In an operation at the Ijora Badia area of Lagos State, NDLEA officers on Wednesday, May 6, raided a makeshift skuchies production factory, where two suspects, Bose Jamiu and Gbenga Gege, were arrested.

An aspirant for the Taraba Central Senatorial District seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bello Bodejo, has been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja following his arrest in Jalingo, Taraba State.

Naija News reports that Bodejo, who is also the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, was reportedly arrested on Thursday night after arriving in Jalingo through the Danbaba Suntai Airport.

According to Daily Trust, the APC aspirant was picked up by security operatives shortly after his arrival in the state capital.

His personal aide, Malam Umar, confirmed to journalists in a telephone interview that Bodejo had been moved to Abuja and handed over to the EFCC.

Umar said the family had not been informed of the exact offence allegedly committed by the senatorial aspirant.

He explained that Bodejo was arrested after some political associates accompanied him to the security agency’s office in Jalingo.

The aide said the development had created concern among Bodejo’s supporters, especially as the screening of aspirants for elective positions was ongoing.

He alleged that the arrest was politically motivated and linked it to what he described as Bodejo’s growing popularity in the Taraba Central Senatorial Zone race.

Nigerian influencer, Priscilla Ojo, has revealed that her husband cum Tanzanian singer, Juma Jux, was presumed impotent in his country because he did not have a child out of wedlock or babymama despite his fame and wealth.

Naija News reports that Priscilla disclosed this during an interview with media personality, Chude Jidenowo, while recounting the challenges she and her husband faced before welcoming their first child in August 2025.

Pricilla said the suspicion about Juma stemmed from the fact that his friends and colleagues in the music industry all have children.

According to Priscilla, even after the birth of their child, the suspicions did not end, as many people still speculated that their child was conceived through surrogacy or implantation.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has moved Big Brother Naija All Stars winner, Ilebaye Odiniya, and her two younger brothers into protective custody following an altercation involving their father, Emmanuel Odiniya.

Naija News reports that the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in an update issued on Sunday.

She said the reality TV star and her siblings were rescued after the weekend confrontation and taken for medical treatment.

Adeh said, “Following the rescue of Ms. Ilebaye Odiniya Emmanuel (27 yrs) and her two brothers, Godson Emmanuel Odiniya (14 yrs) and Devin Emmanuel Odiniya (10 yrs), they were rushed to Yabisam Hospital, Lugbe, alongside their father, who also sustained injuries during the confrontation, by the Area Commander Metro, ACP Ufomadu Georglyn.”

She added that the siblings were now under police protection.

Arsenal secured a vital 1-0 victory over West Ham United on Sunday, May 10, 2026, to strengthen their push for the English Premier League title.

‎A late strike from Leandro Trossard in the 83rd minute proved decisive as Arsenal claimed all three points in a tense encounter at West Ham’s home ground.

‎The victory ensured the Gunners maintained pressure in the title race while dealing a setback to Manchester City’s hopes of catching up at the top of the table.

‎The match looked destined to end in a stalemate after both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances for much of the encounter.

‎However, Trossard came to Arsenal’s rescue less than 10 minutes from time, calmly finishing off a well-worked attacking move to silence the home crowd.

‎The goal sparked celebrations among Arsenal players and supporters, who understood the importance of the victory at this crucial stage of the season.

José Mourinho has insisted Real Madrid have not approached him about a return, despite mounting speculation linking him with the Spanish giants.

Reports in Spain claim that although no direct talks have taken place with Benfica boss, Jorge Jesus, discussions have been held with his representatives, including agent Jorge Mendes.

Mourinho remains under contract with Benfica, but his deal is said to contain a clause allowing him to leave if a release fee of about €3 million is paid within 10 days of the season ending.

Speaking ahead of Benfica’s league meeting with Braga, the Portuguese coach dismissed suggestions that Madrid have made a move.

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