The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has sealed a suspected illegal maternity facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and arrested three people over an alleged ₦13.5 million baby sale.   The development was reported by Channels Television on Thursday, August 20, 2026. The suspects include the owner of the facility, an alleged facilitator of the baby transfer and a staff member, according to NAPTIP. The agency said the facility, located in the Elelenwo area of Port Harcourt, was allegedly operating from a residential apartment. NAPTIP said its operatives from Abuja and Rivers State carried out the operation alongside officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health after receiving intelligence about a suspected child-trafficking syndicate involved in the procurement, sale and unlawful transfer of children. Preliminary investigations reportedly showed that a Liberian national residing in Belgium arrived in Nigeria without evidence of pregnancy but allegedly took custody of three children within about one month. NAPTIP said intelligence available to investigators indicated that about ₦13.5 million may have changed hands in connection with the transfer of the three children. Investigators are working to establish the identities, whereabouts and welfare of the children, as well as determine their biological and legal parentage. They are also tracing financial transactions and investigating the possible involvement of medical personnel and other individuals. The agency said the maternity facility was sealed to preserve potential evidence as investigations continue. NAPTIP vows prosecution NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Bello, expressed concern over the alleged involvement of some maternity and healthcare facilities in illegal adoption, child sales and trafficking. Bello said the agency was expanding its investigation to identify everyone connected to the alleged operation and warned that those found culpable would face prosecution under the law. She also urged members of the public to report suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption, baby-selling and other forms of exploitation to NAPTIP. The agency said the operation was part of a nationwide crackdown on fraudulent maternity and healthcare facilities allegedly operating as so-called baby factories.

Former Imo State Governor and Senator Rochas Okorocha has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the publication of Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election in 2027.   According to Channels Television, Okorocha is challenging INEC’s decision to recognise Uzodimma as the winner of the APC senatorial primary. Okorocha, a two-term former governor of Imo State, asked the court to determine whether INEC was bound by reports from its officials who monitored the APC primary conducted on May 18. He claims the reports showed that he won the primary after scoring 150,780 votes, while Uzodimma polled 102,158 votes. The former governor is also challenging the publication of Uzodimma’s name by INEC, arguing that it was wrongful because, according to his suit, Uzodimma did not emerge as the winner of the May 18 primary. Okorocha is seeking 10 reliefs from the court, including an order setting aside INEC’s publication naming Uzodimma as the APC candidate. He is also asking the court to direct INEC to recognise and publish his name as the duly nominated APC candidate for the Imo West senatorial election. In addition, Okorocha wants an order preventing Uzodimma, the APC or any other person from presenting him as the party’s nominated candidate for the election. The suit also raises questions over Uzodimma’s eligibility in relation to his tenure as governor. An affidavit filed in support of the case states that Uzodimma’s current tenure is expected to end at midnight on January 14, 2028, having been sworn in for his second term on January 15, 2024. The affidavit, deposed to by Amen Rochas, identified as Okorocha’s biological son and personal assistant on political matters, stated that Okorocha is a registered and financial member of the APC. The case places the APC’s Imo West senatorial ticket under further legal scrutiny ahead of the 2027 general election.

Nigeria will host the Global Alliance World Public Relations Forum in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026, with the Presidency pledging its support for the international event.   According to Channels Television, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, gave the assurance when he received members of the planning committee at the State House in Abuja. The conference, themed “Deepening Responsible Communications,” is expected to attract about 3,000 delegates from 126 member countries of the Global Alliance. The event is being organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. Onanuga said Nigerians should use the conference to project the country positively, expressing concern about what he described as negative portrayals of Nigeria in some quarters. He said the forum provided an opportunity to address misconceptions and present a broader picture of the country to international visitors. The President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku, said Nigeria was the first African country to secure hosting rights for the global forum. He noted that countries including Mexico, India and Germany had previously hosted the event. A key feature of the Abuja conference will be the signing of “The Abuja Declaration” by participating delegates. Neliaku also disclosed that Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema is expected to deliver the keynote address, while President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to receive a Lifetime Award of Excellence in Reforms. The planning committee said preparations were already at an advanced stage, with collaboration involving media organisations and security agencies. The conference is also expected to promote gender inclusion, with women and persons with disabilities included in the programme.

North Korea fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea on Thursday, hours after US President Donald Trump said he planned to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year.   South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from the Pyongyang area at about 5pm local time and travelled roughly 300 kilometres. South Korean and US authorities were analysing the specifications of the missiles. The launches came as the United States and South Korea conducted a shortened version of their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises. The drills are designed to prepare the allies for a potential North Korean attack. The exercises are due to end on Friday, about a week earlier than originally planned, following a US request. The Pentagon said the shortened drills would not reduce its training objectives. Trump said on Wednesday that he expected to meet Kim later this year, reviving efforts to establish direct contact with the North Korean leader. The two men previously held three meetings during Trump’s first term, including summits in Singapore and Hanoi and a meeting at the Korean Demilitarised Zone in 2019. Trump also said North Korea had 57 nuclear weapons. South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers on Thursday that Seoul estimated Pyongyang had between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the size of the North’s nuclear arsenal. Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, said on Wednesday that she was unaware of any current communication between Trump and her brother, although she described their personal relationship as excellent. South Korea’s presidential office held an emergency security meeting following the missile launches and condemned the tests as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. The latest launches underscore the tensions surrounding Washington’s renewed outreach to Pyongyang, despite the planned reduction in US-South Korean military exercises.