NaijaWORLD Pulse Briefing
Verified reporting on Edo State, Nigeria, and the world — curated for September 19, 2026
📊 At a Glance — Today's Headlines
- Edo: Police arrest suspected kidnapper Sunday Irabor with foreign currency; statewide movement restriction announced for LG elections; power generation plan at Ologbo attracts investors
- Nigeria: Shettima says Nigeria not rushing for full BRICS membership; Tinubu meets Bolloré in Paris on creative economy investment; 5-million-man march planned for Tinubu
- World: Trump bans CNN, MS NOW, Politico from White House; Russia begins 3-day parliamentary election voting; ABC News Live covers breaking national and world news
Edo State & Benin City
Edo Police Arrest Suspected Kidnapper Sunday Irabor in Hotel Raid Near Oluku Market
Personnel of the Edo State Police Command on Friday, September 18, 2026, arrested a suspected kidnapper identified as Sunday Irabor during a coordinated raid at a hotel near Oluku Market in Benin City. The operation, which was carried out based on credible intelligence, resulted in the recovery of $1,500 in foreign currency and ₦897,500 in cash believed to be ransom proceeds from previous kidnapping operations.
According to police sources, Irabor had been on the command's watchlist for several weeks and was believed to be a key member of a syndicate responsible for a series of abductions along the Benin–Auchi Expressway and in the Ekpoma axis. The foreign currency found in his possession is suspected to be ransom payments from victims' families, indicating the syndicate's involvement in high-value kidnappings targeting business owners and travellers in the state.
The Commissioner of Police has commended the operatives involved in the operation and has directed that the suspect be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and prosecution. The command also appealed to residents to continue providing timely information to security agencies, assuring that all tips would be treated with strict confidentiality as the fight against kidnapping in Edo State intensifies.
Edo Police Announce Statewide Movement Restriction Ahead of 2026 Local Government Elections
The Edo State Police Command has announced a statewide restriction of movement from 12:00 midnight to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026, as part of security arrangements for the 2026 Local Government elections in Edo State. The restriction, which affects all 18 local government areas of the state, is designed to ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral process.
According to the police statement, the movement restriction exempts essential service providers, including medical personnel, emergency responders, and accredited election officials. Voters are expected to cast their ballots at their designated polling units within the stipulated hours, with security personnel deployed strategically across the state to maintain law and order and prevent any form of electoral malpractice or violence.
The local government elections are seen as a critical test of the political landscape in Edo State ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have fielded candidates for chairmanship and councillorship positions across the state. The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) has assured voters of a transparent and credible process, with results expected to be announced within 48 hours of the polls closing.
Power Supply: How Okpebholo's Power Generation Plan at Ologbo Is Attracting Investors and Jobs
The Edo State Government's ambitious power generation plan at Ologbo, in the Ovia South-West Local Government Area, is beginning to yield tangible results, attracting significant private sector investment and creating new employment opportunities for residents. The project, which is part of Governor Monday Okpebholo's broader infrastructure agenda, aims to address the chronic power shortages that have long hindered economic growth in the state.
According to government sources, the Ologbo power project is designed to generate sufficient electricity to supply industrial clusters, small businesses, and residential communities across Edo State. The initiative has already attracted interest from several domestic and international investors who see the potential for reliable power supply to unlock the state's industrial and agricultural potential. Early-stage construction and site preparation activities have created hundreds of jobs for local youths and skilled workers.
Economic analysts say the power project could be a game-changer for Edo State, which has struggled with unreliable electricity supply from the national grid. Reliable power is expected to reduce the cost of doing business, attract manufacturing investments, and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises. The project aligns with the federal government's broader energy transition goals and the state's vision of becoming an industrial hub in the South-South region.
Benson-Idahosa Donates Solar-Powered Borehole to Correctional Centre in Edo
The Benson-Idahosa family, through its charitable foundation, has donated a solar-powered borehole to a correctional centre in Edo State, providing a sustainable source of clean water for inmates and staff. The donation, which was officially commissioned on Thursday, September 18, 2026, is part of the foundation's ongoing commitment to improving living conditions in correctional facilities and supporting rehabilitation efforts across the state.
The solar-powered borehole is expected to serve hundreds of inmates daily, addressing a critical need for reliable water supply at the facility. Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Edo State expressed gratitude for the donation, noting that access to clean water is essential for maintaining hygiene, preventing disease outbreaks, and supporting the overall wellbeing of inmates. The foundation also pledged to continue supporting the centre with educational materials and vocational training equipment.
The donation reflects a growing trend of private sector and philanthropic involvement in supporting Nigeria's correctional system, which has faced chronic underfunding and overcrowding. The Benson-Idahosa family, known for its longstanding contributions to education, healthcare, and community development in Edo State, said the initiative aligns with its values of compassion, dignity, and social responsibility.
Nigeria
Shettima: Nigeria Not Rushing to Become Full BRICS Member, But Door Remains Open
Vice President Kashim Shettima has