Morning Recap: INEC ends voter registration today, five state to adopt security outfits as state police, and other top stories

Momentum is building for the creation of state police as five state governments signal plans to transform their existing security outfits into state policing structures once the constitutional process is completed.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission is set to end the Continuous Voter Registration today despite opposition calls for an extension.

In the North-East, a senior ISWAP finance operative has surrendered to troops in Borno, while Anthony Joshua returned to winning ways with a knockout victory over Kristian Prenga. Super Falcons star Esther Okoronkwo also alleged theft at Nigeria’s WAFCON camp in Morocco.

 Five govs to adopt security outfits as state police

Five state governments, Ondo, Kaduna, Anambra, Zamfara and Abia, have indicated plans to convert their existing security outfits into state police once the constitutional framework establishing the new policing system is completed.

Read here: https://punchng.com/five-govs-to-adopt-security-outfits-as-state-police/

Voter registration: INEC ends exercise today as opposition demands extension

The Independent National Electoral Commission has insisted that the Continuous Voter Registration exercise will end today despite appeals from opposition parties and civil society groups for an extension. INEC urged eligible Nigerians who are yet to register to take advantage of the final hours before the registration window closes.

Read here: https://punchng.com/voter-registration-inec-ends-exercise-today-as-opposition-demands-extension/

 ISWAP senior finance chief surrenders to soldiers in Borno

The Nigerian Army has announced the surrender of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province finance operative alongside two male children to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State. The military described the development as another major breakthrough in its ongoing counter-insurgency operations, noting that dozens of terrorists and their family members have surrendered in recent days.

Read here: https://punchng.com/iswap-senior-finance-chief-surrenders-to-soldiers-in-borno/

Anthony Joshua beats Kristian Prenga by knockout

British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua bounced back in dramatic fashion by knocking out Kristian Prenga after surviving two early knockdowns. Joshua recovered from a difficult opening round before forcing a stoppage in the second round to secure victory.

Read here: https://punchng.com/anthony-joshua-beats-kristian-prenga-by-knockout/

Okoronkwo alleges theft at Super Falcons’ WAFCON hotel

Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo has alleged that $700 was stolen from her wallet while the Nigerian team camped at a hotel in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. She also claimed that some of her teammates lost money under similar circumstances while away from their rooms.

Read here: https://punchng.com/okoronkwo-alleges-theft-at-super-falcons-wafcon-hotel/