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As the August 15 governorship poll in Osun State draws closer, the Independent National Electoral Commission has disclosed that 2,333,233 voters are registered to vote.

This was disclosed at the presentation of electronic voter registers to political parties by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola at the commission’s office in Osogbo on Thursday.

She said the exercise was provided for under the Electoral Act to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and credibility in the electoral process.

Her words: “The total number of voters registered for the governorship election in the State stands at 2,339,233.” The statistics on the voters are presented in the document.

“The Commission is guided in this responsibility by Section 20 of the Electoral Act, 2026 (As Amended ), which mandates INEC to compile, maintain, update, and make available the Register of Voters. In addition, Section 19 of the Electoral Act, 2026 provides that copies of the Register of Voters shall be made available to political parties in both printed and electronic formats not later than thirty (30) days before a general election and fourteen (14) days before an off-cycle governorship election. This statutory provision underscores the Commission’s commitment to openness and accountability in election administration.

“The Electronic Register of Voters being presented today will enable political parties to review the list of eligible voters across the State ahead of the election. It provides an opportunity for parties to adequately plan their campaigns, engage with the electorate in a lawful and meaningful manner, and contribute to a more transparent and inclusive electoral process”.

The document presented showed Osogbo Local Government with the highest number of registered voters, at 167,704, followed by Ife-East Local Government with 128,515 and Olorunda Local Government with 123,063.

Ife-Central has 122,454 voters; Iwo has 106,814 voters; Ede-North is fifth with 96,644 voters; Irewole and Ifelodun local governments have 96,528 and 94,870, respectively; Ilesa-East and Ilesa-West follow with 89,491 and 86,699 voters; Oriade local government has 84,238, while Odo-Otin and Boripe local governments have 82,574 and 81,067, respectively.

The local governments with the three lowest registered voters are Ifedayo with 28,361, Boluwaduro with 29,797, and Atakumosa-West with 44,076.

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The Nigeria Customs Service has arrested a suspected wildlife trafficker and rescued a captive baby gorilla during a raid in Kofar Mata, Kano State.

The arrest and rescue was made by NCS Special Wildlife Office of the Customs Intelligence Unit alongside Focused Conservation, the Customs Police Unit and officers of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command.

According to the Officer-in-Charge of the NCS Special Wildlife Office, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Anuhu Mani, the officers rescued infant gorilla had been transferred to veterinary care and is receiving specialised medical attention and rehabilitation.”

Mani said the operation targeted syndicates involved in the illicit trade and supply of protected primates within the Kano axis, adding that the success of the raid demonstrated the value of intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with conservation partners.

“Investigations are actively ongoing as we follow all actionable leads generated from this operation” he said.

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the indefinite suspension of the services of Online Integrated Solution (OIS Services), the operator of Nigeria’s Visa Application Centres in the United States, effective from July 1.

This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI), Mr Akinsola Akinlabi.

Akinlabi said that the development affected prospective travellers and Nigerians residing in the United States who required visas to enter Nigeria.

According to him, all applicants seeking Nigerian visas are now required to submit their applications directly at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or at the Consulates General of Nigeria in New York and Atlanta.

The Service Spokesman explained that the suspension of OIS Services would remain in force until further notice.

He however, clarified that the directive applied only to visa application submissions at the Nigerian diplomatic missions in the United States.

He said the suspension did not affect Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-Visa) system.

“Applicants can continue to apply for e-Visas through the official online portal,” he said.

Akinlabi said the service had put adequate measures in place to ensure the seamless submission, processing and issuance of visas in spite of the suspension of the Visa Application Centres.

He urged applicants to monitor the official communication channels of the NIS and the Nigerian Mission in the United States for updates on visa application procedures.

The NIS spokesman expressed appreciation to applicants for their understanding and cooperation during the period.

He however, reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Immigration Service to efficient service delivery.