Evening recap: Tinubu insists transport costs will drop from October 1, Jehovah’s Witnesses adjust blood transfusion policy, other top stories

This evening's top stories include a 10-member committee assembled by the Nigerian government to investigate the deaths of 37 individuals who were detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State, allegedly due to illegal mining activities. The committee, presided over by retired Deputy Director-General of the DSS, is expected to present its findings within two weeks and may recommend compensation for the victims and preventive measures to avoid future incidents.

The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses has announced a policy change, allowing individual Jehovah's Witnesses to decide personally whether to accept or donate the four main components of blood. This adjustment marks a departure from the organization's previous stance of refusing whole-blood transfusions.

In a separate legal development, the United States Department of Justice has charged three Nigerian nationals and 13 others from various countries with alleged illegal voting, false claims of US citizenship and related election offences. The defendants are currently presumed innocent until proven guilty.

President Bola Tinubu has pledged that Nigerians will start experiencing measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1 as a result of the increased use of CNG-powered vehicles. The President called on state governments to ensure that the savings from these vehicles are passed on to citizens through lower fares. So far, over 120,000 vehicles have been converted to CNG.

Finally, a statement from former President Olusegun Obasanjo touched on a personal anecdote involving entertainer Charlie Boy. Obasanjo expressed that he did not initially look favorably upon Charlie Boy, but his appreciation changed after observing the entertainer's care for his ailing father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, and his mother. Despite describing Charlie Boy as intelligent, Obasanjo referred to him as "jaga jaga" in his public persona.