This morning recap features quite interesting major stories across different sectors. In the general news, there was an update on the 20 freed prospective corps members who were abducted in Imo State on their way to Akwa Ibom where they were posted for their national service year. All of them have now been offered the opportunity to choose their preferred states in the South-West for the service.

In politics, the Court of Appeal has rejected the bail application of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in another development in his ongoing legal battle with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over alleged financial offences arising from his administration..

Meanwhile, in sports, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen made a remarkable return from injury, coming off the bench to inspire Galatasaray’s comeback victory in the Turkish Super Lig.

These and other major developments across security, business, and entertainment are in today’s morning recap.

Read the full stories below.

NYSC kidnap: Freed graduates get S’West posting offer

The 20 prospective corps members released by suspected kidnappers on Wednesday have reportedly been offered postings to any of the six South-West states.

A parent, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH in confidence on Friday, said the survivors were allowed to choose the states where they would continue their national service.

“They have been given the opportunity to choose states in the South-West to continue their service with the current batch,” she said.

The parent also disclosed that the families paid N6m in ransom for each of the graduates.

“As for the ransom, we eventually paid N6m each, but we wanted them freed before disclosing that,” she said.
A relative of another survivor, Joy Zainab, confirmed that family members and well-wishers contributed towards the N6m ransom.

She said, “Alhamdulillah, he has been released and is safe with us at home. Thank you to everyone who prayed, reached out, showed concern, shared his story and supported us financially towards his ransom.”
(https://punchng.com/nysc-kidnap-freed-graduates-get-swest-posting-offer/)

A’Court rejects El-Rufai’s bail application

The Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna has dismissed an appeal by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, challenging the refusal of a fresh bail application by the Kaduna State High Court.

According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment obtained by our correspondent on Friday, a three-member appellate panel, in a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, held that El-Rufai failed to establish fresh facts or special circumstances to warrant interfering with the lower court’s decision to deny him bail.

The lead judgment, delivered by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, affirmed the ruling of the Kaduna State High Court, which refused the former governor’s second bail application on June 10, 2026.

El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over alleged financial offences arising from his administration.

The former governor has denied wrongdoing and challenged the circumstances surrounding his continued detention.

The Kaduna State High Court had earlier dismissed the bail application filed by the former governor and ordered an accelerated hearing in the matter.

Dissatisfied with the decision, El-Rufai approached the appellate court.
(https://punchng.com/acourt-rejects-el-rufais-bail-application/#google_vignette)

Super-sub Osimhen powers Gala comeback on injury return

Victor Osimhen came off the bench on his return from injury and set up a late goal as 10-man Galatasaray beat Kasımpaşa 3-1 in the Turkish Süper Lig at RAMS Park on Friday.

The Super Eagles striker replaced Deniz Gül in the 77th minute, his first appearance since he was hurt on September 4.

The match was level at 1-1 when he came on, and Galatasaray scored twice in the closing stages to win.

Galatasaray had led in the 45th minute through defender Abdülkerim Bardakcı, who headed in from Aleksey Batrakov’s free-kick. Their task became harder in the 65th minute when midfielder Lucas Torreira was sent off after a VAR review upgraded his yellow card to a red for denying a clear goalscoring chance.
(https://punchng.com/super-sub-osimhen-powers-gala-comeback-on-injury-return/)

Petrol: NNPC restricts discount sales, may forgo N4.6bn

Motorists seeking to benefit from the Federal Government’s N66-per-litre petrol discount must download the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s mobile application and pay digitally, as the reduction is not automatically available to customers at filling stations, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.

Checks at NNPC retail outlets in Abuja on Friday revealed that petrol was still being sold at N1,405 per litre to customers paying directly at the pumps, while those using the company’s mobile application paid N1,339 per litre.

The findings indicate that the government’s petrol price relief initiative, intended to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on Nigerians, particularly commercial transport operators, remains tied to a digital payment arrangement.

The development comes as NNPC extended its N66-per-litre discount until October 31, while the company could forgo an estimated N4.62bn in gross revenue if all its average monthly petrol sales qualify for the reduction.

At the NNPC mega station along Obasanjo Way, a fuel attendant confirmed that customers could only access the discount through the company’s application.

“You can only qualify for the N66 discount if you download the app. You would also make payment via the application. So, it is not yet directly when you come to our pump stations.
(https://punchng.com/petrol-nnpc-restricts-discount-sales-may-forgo-n4-6bn/)

I didn’t kill my wife, I’m ready for probe – Husband

Moses Ukoh, the husband of the late 40-year-old Mary Ugwoma, tells AYOOLA OLASUPO about his wife’s final moments, the medical treatment she received, the circumstances surrounding her death

Your wife died recently, and one of her relatives has accused you of being responsible for her death. What can you say about what happened?

My wife, Mary Ugwoma, recently died, and I was surprised to see a social media post in which her niece accused me of being responsible for her death.
On September 4, we celebrated our New Year festival. My wife prepared a meal for the family, and we all prayed together. The following day, a Saturday, I left for work at about 5am. After work, I decided to sleep over because it is difficult to get a vehicle on Sundays, and I had to resume work by 6am the next morning.

I spoke with my wife around 7pm that Saturday. She sounded well and was as lively as usual. We could not speak on Sunday because she was preparing the children for church. We have two children, an 11-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl.
(https://punchng.com/i-didnt-kill-my-wife-im-ready-for-probe-husband/)