Overnight update: Authorities dismantle illicit Lagos maternity operation, JAMB unveils UTME exam scores, 1,000 kidnapped Nigerians still being held, plus more major news.

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A disturbing discovery in Lagos has exposed a baby factory where newborns were allegedly sold for as much as N1m, underscoring the persistence of organised human trafficking networks in Nigeria’s urban corridors.

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At the same time, thousands of candidates can now access their UTME results after the examination body released thier results, while families of over 1,000 abducted Nigerians continue to wait in anguish as kidnappers fall silent.

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In a separate development, the Lagos State justice system has come under scrutiny following the release of policemen accused of killing traders, even as global oil shifts raise cautious hope of easing petrol prices.

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Stay with us for full details of each story as the day unfolds.

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1. Uncovered: Lagos factory selling newborns for N1m

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Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos Command, have uncovered a baby factory in Okuju, Ilado, Badagry, where newborns were allegedly sold for up to N1m.

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During the overnight raid, officials rescued 18 pregnant women and 10 children, while two suspects, Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu, were arrested.

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Read Here: https://punchng.com/uncovered-lagos-factory-selling-newborns-for-n1m/n

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2. JAMB releases Thursday’s UTME results

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has released results for candidates who sat the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination on Thursday, April 16.

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A total of 632,788 results have been made available

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Read Here: https://punchng.com/jamb-releases-thursdays-utme-results/n

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3. 1,000 abducted Nigerians: Families beg as kidnappers go silent

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Families of no fewer than 1,000 abducted Nigerians are facing growing despair as their relatives remain in captivity across various parts of the country.

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Read Here: https://punchng.com/1000-abducted-nigerians-families-beg-as-kidnappers-go-silent/n

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4. Lagos frees policemen who killed six traders over land… DCP, Falana fume

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The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has released four policemen and a developer accused of killing six traders in Owode Onirin, Kosofe area of the state.

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Read Here: https://punchng.com/lagos-frees-policemen-who-killed-six-traders-over-land-dcp-falana-fume/n

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5. Police reject tribal narrative in extradition of UK murder suspect

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The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed claims framing the extradition of a murder suspect, Matthew Adebiyi, to the United Kingdom as ethnically motivated.

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Read Here: https://punchng.com/police-reject-tribal-narrative-in-extradition-of-uk-murder-suspect/

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6. Petrol prices to crash as Strait of Hormuz reopens

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Global oil market tensions may be easing following the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after a Middle East ceasefire.

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Experts say the development could push petrol prices down to around N1,000 per litre in Nigeria if market forces are allowed to play out, although immediate relief is unlikely.

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Read Here: https://punchng.com/petrol-prices-to-crash-as-strait-of-hormuz-reopens/#n

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