Morning recap: Governors spend N512bn on travels and offices, 19 oil licences expire this year, other top stories

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Thirty-three state governments have spent at least N512.10bn on Government Houses, Governors’ Offices and travel in the first six months of 2026, about 4,713 times higher than the combined six-month salary of Nigeria’s 36 governors.

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Ogun State Police Command had dismantled an illegal baby factory syndicate in Abaren Village, Mowe, rescuing two heavily pregnant women and four children while arresting six suspects.

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Country music icon, Dolly Parton, has died at the age of 80, prompting United States President Donald Trump to order American flags lowered across the country for one week.

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No fewer than 19 oil licences in Nigeria’s upstream sector have stated expiry dates falling within 2026, according to a Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission report.

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The Internally Generated Revenue of Nigerian states has soared by 34 per cent to N2.43tn in the first half of 2026 despite economic hardship on households.

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Chairman, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (retd.), has insisted that drug lords’ assets must be seized, saying arrests alone cannot defeat trafficking without recovering the proceeds of crime.

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Here is a recap of the major stories making headlines this morning.

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1. Governors spend N512bn on travels, offices

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Thirty-three states have spent N512.10bn on Government House, Governors’ Office and travel expenditure in the first half of 2026. The figure dwarfs the combined six-month salary of all 36 governors, estimated at just N108.65m. Kogi recorded the highest Government House spending at N65.34bn.

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Read Here: https://punchng.com/governors-spend-n512bn-on-travels-offices/n

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2. Police uncover Ogun baby factory, rescue pregnant women, children

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Operatives of the Mowe Division have dismantled a baby factory syndicate at Abaren Village, rescuing two pregnant women and four children. Six suspects, including an attending nurse, were arrested. A newborn whose whereabouts could not be accounted for remains missing as the case moves to the State CID.

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Read Here: https://punchng.com/police-uncover-ogun-baby-factory-rescue-pregnant-women-children/n

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3. Dolly Parton: Us lowers flags for one week

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Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at 80, according to multiple international reports and a family announcement. President Donald Trump ordered United States flags lowered for one week in her honour, describing her death as a true loss for millions. Parton sold more than 100 million records and wrote hits including Jolene and I Will Always Love You.

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Read Here: https://punchng.com/dolly-parton-us-lowers-flags-for-one-week/n

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4. 19 oil block licences to expire this year

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A Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission report shows 19 oil licences, comprising 12 Petroleum Prospecting Licences and seven Oil Prospecting Licences, have stated expiry dates in 2026. Some are marked for possible extension or conversion. The development coincides with new upstream licensing awards and the Federal Government’s “drill or drop” policy.

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Read Here: https://punchng.com/19-oil-block-licences-to-expire-this-year/n

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5. States’ IGR soars 34% to N2.43tn despite economic hardship

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Thirty-five states generated a combined N2.43tn in Internally Generated Revenue in the first half of 2026, a 34 per cent rise from N1.815tn in the comparable period of 2024. The growth comes amid higher FAAC allocations and subsidy savings, yet analysts question whether the extra funds are translating into improved infrastructure and living standards for citizens.

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Read Here: https://punchng.com/states-igr-soars-34-to-n2-43tn-despite-economic-hardship/n

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6. Drug lords’ assets must be seized – Marwa

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NDLEA Chairman Brig Gen Buba Marwa (retd.) has told an international symposium that arrests alone cannot defeat drug trafficking unless the proceeds of crime are seized and recovered. He cited the forfeiture of a hotel sold for 7m as examples of the agency’s asset recovery drive. Marwa said a trafficker who loses liberty but keeps his fortune has not truly been defeated.

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Read Here: https://punchng.com/drug-lords-assets-must-be-seized-marwa/n

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