Evening recap: Army reshuffles top brass, FG pays lecturers’ tools allowance, other top stories

Federal Government has paid Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance to university and polytechnic lecturers.

The Nigerian Army also announced a major reshuffle of its senior leadership, with several generals redeployed to key command, operational and staff positions.

In Ondo State, 24 people died after consuming a herbal liquid substance in Araromi Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area.

Meanwhile, in politics, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo condemned the reported blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue State and called for media neutrality in reporting political confrontations.

PUNCH Online curates these and other headlines dominating Wednesday evening.

FG pays university, polytechnic lecturers tools allowance

The Federal Government has fully paid the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) to academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for January to August 2026.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa announced the release after inaugurating a ministerial committee on accreditation.

He said the payment fulfils the 2025 FG–ASUU agreement and that funds for non-academic staff are expected soon.

Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/just-in-fg-pays-university-polytechnic-lecturers-tools-allowance/

24 die after consuming herbal drinks in Ondo

The Ondo State Government confirmed the deaths of 24 residents in Araromi Obu and Odigbo town in Odigbo Local Government Area after they consumed a herbal liquid substance on Saturday.

Eight died in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town. Some became unconscious and died, while others remain hospitalised.

Officials are awaiting autopsy results to confirm the exact cause and have banned the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the area as a precaution.

Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/24-die-after-consuming-herbal-drinks-in-ondo/

Army reshuffles top leadership, names new theatre commander

The Nigerian Army has carried out a strategic reshuffle of senior officers, approved by Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.

Major General IA Ajose has been appointed Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI.

Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/army-reshuffles-top-leadership-names-new-theatre-commander/

Akpabio petitions DSS over anti-North statement

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has petitioned the Department of State Services over a circulating graphic that falsely attributes an anti-Northern statement to him.

The petition describes the post “Northerners, You Will Be The Ones To Suffer The Most, If You Allow Tinubu To Lose The Election” as fabricated and dangerously divisive.

Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/akpabio-petitions-dss-over-anti-north-statement/

Gas truck collision triggers emergency shutdown on Kwara highway

A multiple-vehicle collision involving a pickup truck loaded with 50kg cooking gas cylinders on Ibrahim Taiwo Road in Ilorin, Kwara State, prompted an emergency advisory and temporary shutdown of the affected section.

The crash near the Stadium Complex Gate around 5:30pm spilled inflammable materials.

Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/just-in-gas-truck-collision-triggers-emergency-shutdown-on-kwara-highway/

Keyamo condemns Obi’s Benue blockade, calls for media neutrality

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo condemned the blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy by youths in Benue State that prevented the NDC presidential candidate from visiting Yelwata.

Keyamo said politicians must be allowed to move freely regardless of affiliation and urged the media to drop partisan double standards in reporting such incidents, applying the same standards to all parties.

Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/keyamo-condemns-obis-benue-blockade-calls-for-media-neutrality/