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Again, Bandits Invade School, Kill Vice Principal, Six-Year Old, Others, Abduct Many In Kogi State

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Bandits in the North

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

 

No fewer than three persons including the Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu,  Mr Gani Anifowose, have reportedly been killed following the invasion and attack launched by suspected banditry elements.

 

Although the Police insist there is no conclusive evidence, some students, as well  as several residents of the community were  also said to have been abducted during the dawn attack on Wednesday June 10, 2026.

 

Eyewitness accounts informed that the terrorists had primarily targeted students currently sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE, with the UBE centre at which students from about three communities are said to be participating in the exercise the major focus.

 

“The major target of the attack was UBE  Iluke Bunu where students from three communities were  sitting for the SSCE examinations at the time of the invasion.

 

“The Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Aharha-Bunu, Gani Anifowose, was killed alongside two others. Three students and several residents were abducted by the attackers”, a local witness volunteered

 

But the Kogi State Police Command, a statement from its spokesperson Saliu Oyiza,  noted that preliminary findings indicated that there is, at the moment, no conclusive evidence of any mass abduction of students or residents.

 

However, the police said three persons , including the Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/primary School, Iluke Bunu, were killed by the suspected terrorists.

 

Other victims according to the police were 70-year old Sunday Jacob Alhassam, and 6-year old Sunday Ayele.

 

“At about 10,00 am, the Command received distress information that a large number of heavily armed bandits operatiing on about forty (40) motorcycles, had invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, with the suspected intention of abducting students ,and other residents of the community.

 

“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional police Officer, Kabba A’ Division, immediately activated a coordinated security response by mobilising personnel from the Division, alongside operatives of the Police Mobile Force and the Command’s Tactical Teams.

 

“Other security personnel already deployed in the area, including military personnel, and local vigilante groups, were equally alerted, and joined in the operation

 

“The combined security operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, forcing the criminals to flee into the surrounding bushes”, Oyiza stated .

 

According to the Police, one of the terrorists was neutralized during the gun duel, and one of the security operatives who sustained gunshot injuries presently receiving medical attention.

 

The Police Spokesperson further informed that  investigations are ongoing with a view to conclusively ascertain the actual circumstances surrounding the incident, as well as apprehend the perpetrators.

SEDC: A Development Intervention Must Not Become a Vehicle for Disillusionment

By
The Source
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Abraham Amah
Abraham Amah

By Abraham Amah

 

The recent revelations surrounding the finances and operations of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) have generated understandable concern across the South-East and indeed among Nigerians who sincerely desire the rapid development of the region.

 

The establishment of the SEDC was widely welcomed as a significant intervention by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. For many years, stakeholders across the South-East had advocated for a dedicated development framework capable of addressing critical challenges in infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare, technology, job creation, and economic revitalization. The commission was therefore conceived as a vehicle for regional transformation, not merely another government agency.

 

It is against this backdrop that allegations of questionable expenditures, inadequate financial disclosures, and apparent inconsistencies in financial reporting have become deeply troubling. Every naira allocated to the commission represents an opportunity to build roads, support farmers, equip schools, expand ICT infrastructure, empower entrepreneurs, create jobs for young people, and stimulate economic growth. When billions of naira cannot be properly accounted for, it is not merely a financial issue; it is a development tragedy with direct consequences for millions of people.

 

The South-East cannot afford to lose another opportunity. The region possesses some of Nigeria’s most talented entrepreneurs, professionals, academics, and innovators. An intervention agency established to accelerate development must never be allowed to degenerate into a special-purpose vehicle for waste, mismanagement, or personal enrichment. Such an outcome would not only undermine public confidence but also weaken future advocacy for greater developmental support for the region.

 

The management and governing board of the commission must therefore accept full responsibility for providing transparent and verifiable explanations regarding every expenditure under their watch. Public institutions are custodians of public trust. Where questions arise, accountability is not optional; it is mandatory. The appropriate response is not defensiveness but openness, transparency, and cooperation with all legitimate oversight mechanisms.

 

Equally important is the role being played by the Senate Committee responsible for oversight. The public intervention by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and members of the committee has brought important issues into the national conversation. Their insistence on clarity, accountability, and proper financial reporting reflects the essence of legislative oversight in a democratic society.

 

However, Nigerians and Ndigbo are watching carefully.

 

Citizens want to see a thorough, objective, and professional investigation that follows the facts wherever they may lead. They want to be assured that the current scrutiny is motivated solely by the public interest and not by any hidden agenda or competing interests. The credibility of the oversight process will ultimately be measured not by public outbursts but by concrete outcomes, transparent findings, and corrective actions.

 

So far, the committee has demonstrated a willingness to expose apparent irregularities and demand answers. That is commendable. But the task remains unfinished. The people expect the committee to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion, establish the truth, recommend appropriate sanctions where necessary, and strengthen safeguards against future abuse. If they do so, they will earn the respect and applause of Nigerians who believe that public service should be guided by integrity and accountability.

 

The South-East deserves development, not excuses. It deserves projects, not paperwork. It deserves measurable progress, not unexplained expenditures. Most importantly, it deserves leaders and institutions that recognize that every public fund entrusted to them belongs to the people and must be used exclusively for the people’s benefit.

 

This moment presents an opportunity for reform. Let there be a comprehensive audit. Let every questionable expenditure be explained. Let those responsible for any wrongdoing be held accountable. Let transparency replace suspicion and confidence replace doubt.

 

The future of the South-East is too important to be sacrificed on the altar of mismanagement. The people deserve better, and history will judge all those entrusted with this responsibility by whether they chose service over self-interest.

Elder Amah, a frequent commentator on current and national issues writes from Umuahia, Abia State

Northern Elders Forum Urges Tinubu To Declare State Of Emergency On Insecurity

By
Akinwale Kasali
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President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has called on President Bola Tinubu to up the ante in addressing the unprecedented insecurity that has bedeviled Nigeria.

The NEF has, accordingly, demanded that President Tinubu declare a National Security Emergency on the menace.

The Group, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Prof Abubakar Jiddere, said the security challenge in the country is already at its precipice, and needs urgent and drastic steps to salvage the country from falling into anarchy.

Jiddere on behalf of the Group said Nigerians live in deep in fear, and when citizens live in fear, communities are under siege, and criminal elements operate with increasing boldness; millions of law-abiding citizens remain vulnerable.

The statement reads in part: “The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) expresses its deepest outrage and concern over the relentless collapse of security across the Federal Republic of Nigeria. No nation can claim progress when its citizens live in fear, its communities are under siege, and criminal elements operate with increasing boldness while millions of law-abiding citizens remain vulnerable.

“Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

“Today, Nigerians are compelled to ask a painful but legitimate question: if the protection of lives and property is the foremost duty of government, why are citizens increasingly left to fend for themselves against kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, violent extremists, and organized criminal gangs?

“Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has confronted numerous security threats, including the Civil War, Maitatsine uprisings, armed militancy in the Niger Delta, sectarian violence, separatist agitations, cattle rustling, armed robbery, and the Boko Haram insurgency. Yet, never in recent history has the country witnessed the simultaneous spread of multiple forms of insecurity across virtually every region as is being experienced today.

“From the forests of Zamfara and Katsina to the highways of Kaduna and Niger; from communities in Plateau and Benue to parts of Kogi, Kwara, Borno, Oyo, Edo, Enugu, Imo and beyond, violence has become a recurring feature of daily life. Communities are attacked, citizens are abducted, farmers are displaced from their lands, travellers are ambushed on major highways, and businesses are forced to operate under conditions of uncertainty and fear.

“Independent security reports over the years have consistently documented thousands of deaths, abductions, and displacements arising from violent criminal activities. While governments may differ in their approaches and achievements, the reality confronting Nigerians today is that insecurity remains one of the gravest threats to national stability, economic growth, and social cohesion.

“The Forum is particularly disturbed by the growing normalization of mass abductions and kidnapping-for-ransom. What began as isolated criminal incidents has evolved into a sophisticated criminal economy that exploits weak enforcement, porous borders, illegal arms proliferation, and inadequate intelligence coordination.

“In many affected communities, criminal groups appear capable of operating for extended periods with little resistance, undermining public confidence in the capacity of the state to guarantee security.

“The consequences are devastating: farmers are abandoning farmlands; Food production is declining. Rural economies are collapsing; investors are losing confidence; children are deprived of education.

Families are being pushed into poverty by ransom payments and displacement. Entire communities now live under the constant threat of attack. No serious nation can accept such a situation as normal.

“The Northern Elders Forum notes with concern that despite repeated assurances from public officials, many affected communities continue to report inadequate security presence, delayed intervention during attacks, and limited prosecution of those responsible for grave crimes. These concerns deserve urgent attention from relevant authorities.

“The Forum further calls for comprehensive investigations into illegal mining activities and other forms of resource exploitation that have been linked by various studies and official reports to insecurity in parts of the country. Criminal networks thrive where governance is weak and oversight is absent. Every individual or organization operating within Nigeria must be subject to Nigerian laws and accountable to Nigerian institutions.

“The Northern Elders Forum therefore calls on the Federal Government to immediately declare a National Security Emergency and implement extraordinary measures to reverse the current trajectory.”

Other demands include: Immediate restructuring and strengthening of intelligence coordination among all security agencies; aggressive disruption of kidnapping and banditry networks through sustained operations and modern surveillance capabilities.

“Full investigation and prosecution of sponsors, collaborators, financiers, and beneficiaries of violent criminal groups, regardless of status, ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.

“Comprehensive auditing of illegal mining operations and criminal economic activities linked to insecurity.

“Enhanced protection of farming communities, schools, transportation corridors, and vulnerable rural populations.

Greater transparency and accountability regarding security expenditures and operational outcomes.

“The patience of citizens is not unlimited. Governments derive legitimacy from their ability to protect lives, uphold the rule of law, and maintain public order. Where insecurity persists unchecked, public trust inevitably erodes.

“This is not a partisan issue. This is not a regional issue. This is not an ethnic issue. This is a national emergency.

“Nigeria cannot prosper while its citizens live under fear. The blood of innocent Nigerians should trouble the conscience of every public office holder entrusted with the responsibility of governance. History will not judge leaders by the promises they made. It will judge them by the lives they protected, the communities they secured, and the nation they preserved.

“The time for assurances has passed. The time for measurable action is now,” the statement added.

Pastor Kumuiyi Distances Self From Religious Bandwagon In Succession Plan …Says He Won’t Hand Over To His Son

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Pastor Williams Kumuyi

By Akinwale Kasali

 

Pastor Williams Kumuiyi, General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, has disclosed his plan not to hand over the leadership of the Ministry to any of his sons.

 

The revered Cleric decided not to join the bandwagon of Religious leaders who, often, hand over their Ministry to their children, wife and family before their demise as a succession plan.

 

Rather, Kumuiyi  said he will not hand over the leadership of the Church to any of his biological children, stressing that the Ministry belongs to Jesus Christ and not to him.

 

He made the clarification during a Church service while addressing speculations that he could eventually pass the leadership of the Ministry to one of his sons which started trending on Wednesday.

 

According to him, some people had questioned whether he would search for one of his children and hand over the church to them after his tenure as leader.

 

The Cleric maintained that the Church remains the property of Jesus Christ and should be led according to divine direction rather than family succession.

 

The Clergyman said: “Many people were speculating, is he going to hand over the Church unto his son? Won’t he search for his first son, second son, where are they? Where do they live? Is he not going to hand over the church?”, he said.

 

The Cleric, however, dismissed the notion, insisting that the Church is not a personal enterprise that can be transferred to family members.

 

“Well, it’s not his church. And because it’s not his Church, Jesus said, upon this rock, I will build my Church. It’s the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and nobody has right to hand it over to his son,” he stated.

 

Making reference to the Bible, Kumuiyi said that neither Paul nor John, handed over the Church to their children.

 

“Peter did not hand over the Church to his son. Paul did not have any son or wife, but Paul did not hand over the Church to his son. And John did not hand over the Church to his son,” he said.

Kebbi Police Command Confirms Death Of Islamic Cleric, Maibarga In Bandits’ Enclave

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Alhaj Muhammad Maibarga
Alhaj Muhammad Maibarga

By Ayodele Oni 

 

Kebbi state police command has confirmed the death of a prominent Islamic cleric, Alhaj Muhammad Maibarga while in bandits’ enclave.

 

Alhaji Maibarga, had earlier been  kidnapped in Koko-Besse Local Government Area.

 

His reported death has ended efforts at securing his release.

 

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed that the deceased was abducted alongside a friend, a former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koko-Besse Local Government Area. 

 

While the cleric has now been confirmed dead, the former APC chairman remains in captivity.

 

The incident drew widespread attention after disturbing videos surfaced on social media, showing the two elderly victims in captivity. 

 

In the footage, believed to have been recorded around June 4, 2026, the men appeared weak and visibly distressed, pleading for help while reportedly being held in a forest area suspected to be around Birnin Gwari.

 

One of the captives was seen lamenting his deteriorating health condition and appealing for urgent medical assistance, raising concerns among family members, religious groups, and residents across the region.

 

Local sources and officials of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), popularly known as Izalah, identified the deceased as Malam Yahaya Billi, who was also referred to in some reports as Alhaj Muhammad Maibarga or Muhammad Mai Barga Besse. 

 

He was widely respected as the chairman and leader of the Islamic organization in Koko-Besse.

 

Following confirmation of his death, the JIBWIS chapter in Koko-Besse announced his passing and organized a funeral prayer in absentia, known as Salatul Jana’izah Ga’ib, at the entrance of the residence of the Sarkin Koko.

 

The death of the cleric has triggered grief and outrage among residents, with many expressing concern over the worsening security situation in parts of Northwest Nigeria. 

 

Community leaders and stakeholders have renewed calls for stronger security operations to tackle banditry and secure the release of those still being held hostage.

 

The Northwest region has continued to face recurring attacks by armed groups involved in kidnapping, cattle rustling, and violent raids on communities, leaving many families devastated.

 

Meanwhile, the Kebbi State Police Command has urged members of the public to provide useful information that could assist security agencies in tracking down the perpetrators and ensuring justice is served.

 

As authorities continue investigations, concerns remain over the fate of the second victim, whose whereabouts and condition are still unknown.

Labour Party Challenges INEC’s Exclusion From Enugu North Senatorial By-election, Seeks Judicial Redress

By
The Source
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0
Labour Party

 

The Labour Party has approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the wrongful exclusion of its candidate from the forthcoming Enugu North Senatorial District by-election scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take place on 20th June 2026.

 

It will be recalled that the Enugu North Senatorial District seat became vacant following the unfortunate demise of the late Senator Okey Ezea of the Labour Party, who passed away on 18th November 2025. Following the release of INEC’s timetable for the conduct of by-elections across the country, including that of Enugu North Senatorial District, the Labour Party, in compliance with the Commission’s guidelines, formally notified INEC on 11th May 2026 of its intention to conduct its senatorial primary for the purpose of the by-election on 25th May 2026.

 

A statement from the Party signed by Ken Eluma Asogwa narrated:

“At the well-attended primary election, which attracted thousands of party members from the six local government areas that make up the senatorial district, Amb. Simon Ejike Eze, a distinguished diplomat, emerged as the consensus candidate of the party.

 

“The party is, however, deeply concerned that despite complying with all statutory requirements and procedural guidelines, it was denied access to upload the particulars of its candidate on INEC’s nomination portal. Up until the close of the submission window on 2nd June 2026, the party made several efforts, including formal protests and correspondences to the Commission, seeking the resolution of the issue, but these efforts yielded no positive result.

 

“The Labour Party maintains that it fulfilled every legal and administrative obligation required under the Electoral Act and INEC’s extant regulations in the nomination of its candidate. It is therefore difficult to understand the basis upon which the party has been excluded from an election in which it has a legitimate and undeniable stake.

 

“It is both disturbing and deeply concerning that the head of Elections and Party Monitoring (EPM) in Enugu State reportedly justified his refusal to transmit the report of the Labour Party’s primary election on the flimsy ground that he was out of town on the date of the exercise and was therefore unable to observe or monitor it.

 

“This excuse is untenable and raises serious questions about the discharge of official responsibilities. The Labour Party cannot be made to suffer the consequences of an official’s absence, negligence, incompetence, or dereliction of duty. Electoral processes and the constitutional rights of political parties cannot be subjected to the convenience or personal circumstances of individual officers.

 

“If indeed the officer was unavailable, it was incumbent upon him or the INEC in Enugu to ensure that appropriate arrangements were made for the monitoring and reporting of the exercise, rather than penalising a political party that duly complied with all statutory requirements.

 

“In any case, the Electoral Act only requires political parties to duly notify INEC of their primaries, and it is worth restating that the Labour Party complied fully with this statutory requirement. In effect, the legality and validity of the exercise cannot be vitiated by INEC’s absence, as neither the Electoral Act nor INEC’s regulation makes INEC’s physical presence a mandatory condition for the conduct or validity of a party primary election.

 

“While the Labour Party continues to repose confidence in the leadership of INEC under the Chairmanship of Prof. Joash Amupitan, the party calls on the Commission to immediately investigate the actions taken by its senior staff in Enugu and take decisive action against any official found culpable. Electoral institutions derive their legitimacy from public trust, and every effort must be made to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

 

“It would amount to a grave injustice for the Labour Party to be denied the opportunity of presenting a candidate in an election convened to fill a vacancy created by the death of one of its serving senators. Such an outcome would not only undermine the rights of the party and its supporters but also amount to a double jeopardy for the party, even as it tends to diminish the democratic choices available to the people of Enugu North Senatorial District in the coming by-election.

 

“As the party places its confidence in the impartiality and wisdom of the Nigerian judiciary, it urges all its members and supporters in Enugu North and across the country to remain calm, law-abiding, and peaceful while the matter is being determined by the courts.”

Senate Mulls Single Term For President, Gov 

By
James Orji
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0
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele
Nigeria’s Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele has proposed  a single six-year tenure for presidents and governors. The bill to that effect will be tabled before the National Assembly after the 2027 election, he said.
The Senate Leader, representing Ekiti Stare in the Senate disclosed this to journalists while addressing them in his NASS office, Abuja, the nation’s on Tuesday.
According to him, the current system, where the president and governor are allowed to spend maximum two-term of four years each in office prevent them from focusing on governance, as they are distracted by the urge for re-election as soon as they win the election.
The senator said once the election is won, the president and governor immediately start re-strategising for the next election, which made them unable  to provide good governance to Nigerians.
Bamidele said the bill, which will be introduced in the 11th Senate will ensure that the holders of the two offices do not go beyond six years in office, calling on Nigerians to support the move when the times come, because the issue is likely to generate mixed reactions.
He said: One of the first set of bills that I look forward to moving, by God’s grace, when we come back for the 11th Senate, God willing, is for a bill that will only make it possible for anyone who wants to be president of this country, or governor in any part of this country, to spend only one term of six years.
“So that you don’t even have to worry about wasting almost one and a half years of your first term thinking and struggling and looking forward to how you’ll be re-elected.
“If you know you are there for six years, only one tenure, you put in your best from day one. You know this is the only chance that you have.”

No Police Pension Bill Is Awaiting Presidential Assent – Retired Officers

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Police Officer

By Ayodele Oni

 

The Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) has disowned one retired CSP Raphael Irawainu who issued an 11-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu to assent to the Police Pension Board Bill or face mass protests at the National Assembly.

 

The Association also maintained that at present, there is no bill passed by the national Assembly, waiting for the president’s assent.

 

In a  statement in Kaduna, the association described the claim as misleading and clarified that the purported ultimatum was allegedly issued by CSP Raphael Irawainu (Rtd), who retired from the Nigeria Police Force in March 2025.

 

The statement was jointly signed by the National Coordinator and Chairman of the Kaduna State Chapter, Retired CSP Mannir M. Lawal Zaria, the National Legal Adviser, Retired DSP Ofem Mbang, and the National Secretary, Retired ASP Elnathan Jared.

 

The association categorically stated that CSP Irawainu is not a member of its organisation in any state chapter, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

 

According to the statement, the association, which has existed for over 15 years with structures across the 36 states and the FCT, remains committed to pursuing the welfare of retired police officers through lawful and constructive engagement.

 

The group noted that it has consistently advocated the withdrawal of police retirees from the Contributory Pension Scheme and recalled that four separate pension-related bills had undergone public hearings at the National Assembly over the years.

 

It explained that one of the bills was passed by the 9th Senate, but was never transmitted to the President for assent before the expiration of the Senate’s tenure.

 

Another Police Pension Board Bill, it said, was passed by both chambers of the National Assembly in December 2025 and transmitted to the President on February 16, 2026.

 

The association, however, questioned claims that any Police Pension Board Bill is currently awaiting presidential assent, arguing that under Section 58(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), a bill cannot become law if presidential assent is withheld and the National Assembly does not exercise its constitutional power to override the decision.

 

It further maintained that the legislative process concerning the bill in question had effectively lapsed, making assertions that it is still pending before the President legally questionable.

 

“Which Police Pension Bill is currently before the President for assent?” the association asked, insisting that no valid Police Pension Board Bill is presently awaiting presidential approval unless a fresh bill has been introduced and passed by the National Assembly.

 

While acknowledging the prolonged hardship faced by retired police officers under the CPS, the association said it had adopted a pragmatic approach aimed at securing immediate relief for retirees.

 

It disclosed that discussions are ongoing with the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to improve the welfare of retired officers.

 

“Issues under negotiation include enhanced monthly pension benefits, harmonisation of pensions, healthcare support for retirees and their families, payment of previously denied debarment allowances, and the creation of a legal framework to guarantee these benefits.”

 

The association stated that the measures were designed to provide practical and immediate support to retirees who have endured years of economic hardship.

 

Although it acknowledged the constitutional right of every retired police officer to express personal views, the association cautioned against misinformation and unrealistic expectations, stressing that such actions do not advance the interests of retirees.

 

Consequently, it dissociated itself completely from the alleged ultimatum and urged retired police officers across the country to remain calm, law-abiding and united while engagements with relevant government agencies continue.

 

The association also called on security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), to monitor the activities of CSP Irawainu and his group, alleging that their actions could pose a threat to public order and national security.

Stop Integration Of Terrorists Into Military – Ondo Afenifere Cautions FG, Laments Rise In Kidnapping In SW

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Boko Haram and ISWAP

By Ayodele Oni 

 

The Ondo State Chapter of Afenifere, the Yoruba Socio-Political Group, has blamed rise in banditry in the South West on influx of undesirable elements from other parts of the country to the region.

 

In a statement in Akure on Wednesday, signed by Chief Korede Duyile, State Chairman and Bakita Bello, secretary, pointed out that recent happenings in the region are confirmation of past warning by the group to the governors .

 

“Afenifere Leadership had indeed continually warned, most times with facts, of the impending catastrophes portended by the unchecked and unrestricted influxes of undesirable elements, deliberately from some other parts of Nigeria into the South West. Unfortunately, our well-meaning warnings were never heeded.

 

“The Ondo State Chapter of Afenifere uses this development, though heartrendingly painful, to reiterate the call for immediate establishment of State Police, regional governments, and constitutional roles for the traditional heads of our communities.

 

“In the meantime, we advise all our traditional heads to immediately activate in all our communities, defence mechanisms, systems and structures designed to not only checkmate, but effectively destroy the orchestrated hegemonic territorial armed onslaughts of the marauders, codenamed bandits with their local facilitators. 

 

“We call on the good citizens of Ondo as well as other Southwest States, to be always alert and ever ready to mobilize proactively in self-defence.”

 

The Afenifere chapter lamented the unfortunate abductions of 42 schoolchildren, seven teachers on May 15, 2026, from Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota both located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

 

It added “Tragically, the godless bandits even decapitated one of the teachers! We denounce and condemn in the strongest terms their continuous captivity under the most callous and inhuman environmental conditions, as well as prolonged deliberate physical and emotional maltreatment ever imagined.

 

“We identify very sincerely with the affected children and teachers, their families, their communities and the government of Oyo State, at this critical time of enduring pain and reckless provocation. 

 

“The very act that has subjected all those affected to psychological and physical tortures, is not only condemnable as heinous and evil act.

 

“We pray for speedy divine intervention and rescue of all those in the marauders’ captivity in Oyo State, as well as other numerous captives being held in Ondo State and other parts of Nigeria. We also wish all victims speedy recovery from inflicted injuries and trauma.

 

“We appreciate the concern of the Federal Government. We do not forget all the good people that have been involved genuinely in the rescue operations. We commend you all.

 

 “We particularly salute the courage of Governor Seyi Makinde in the face of these challenges. How we earnestly wish that the current unfortunate abductions did not happen. 

 

“We also welcome the recent judicial pronouncement and sentencing to death by hanging, of the terrorists that inflicted heavy casualties on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, in 2023. 

 

“We however call for speedy trials and judicial determination of all cases involving terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other bloodletting criminals.

 

“We would like to commend the security operatives, who continue to commit their lives to protecting the society, in the face of daunting challenges. 

 

“We implore governments at all levels to ensure provision of necessary resources required for effective surveillance, intelligence gathering and tactical attacks, towards stemming timeously and permanently, the invasions of these heinous marauders

 

“Finally, we call for the stoppage henceforth, the unwise integration of terrorists under any guise into the Nigerian Military, as such a gesture has proved destructive and counter-productive to our nation’s anti-terrorism tactics and defence strategies.”

Bandits’ Threat: Edo Shuts Down Three Secondary Schools

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Governor Monday Okpebholo

By Ayodele Oni

 

Following intelligence report of a  planned mass abduction of students, the Edo State  Government, on Wednesday, ordered the immediate closure of three secondary schools in the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.

 

According to a circular issued by the Edo State Ministry of Education and signed by its permanent secretary, Enodolomwanyi Otamere, the impacted schools were Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School, and Makeke Secondary School.

 

The closure came against the backdrop of a security intelligence report by the State Security Service, (SSS).

 

 The reports in a memo dated June 5 warned of an alleged plan by suspected bandits to carry out a mass abduction of school children in Edo North Senatorial District.

 

According to the intelligence memo addressed to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the SSS intercepted communications between two suspects.

 

The two suspects allegedly discussed targeting school children after earlier attempts to kidnap wealthy individuals failed to yield expected financial gains.

 

The report indicates that the suspects believed abducting students would attract greater government attention and increase their chances of securing substantial ransom payments and other concessions.

 

The memo further revealed that a 25-year-old suspect was arrested while allegedly conducting surveillance around Makeke Secondary School in the Makeke community, one of the schools that the government subsequently shut down.

 

According to the document, the suspect’s activities heightened fears that preparations for the planned operation may already have been underway.

 

In response to the threat, the security agency advised authorities to strengthen protection around schools and educational institutions across the state, particularly in Edo North.

 

The SSS also recommended the deployment of additional security personnel, enhanced collaboration among security agencies, local vigilante groups and hunters, as well as intensified patrols and surveillance in vulnerable communities.

 

Meanwhile, in the memo directing the closure of the schools, the permanent secretary said that the decision followed security advisories from relevant agencies warning of threats to the safety of students, teachers and surrounding communities.

 

“The Ministry of Education has received intelligence reports and advisories from relevant security agencies regarding credible threats to the safety of students, staff, and school communities in some parts of Akoko Edo Local Government Area,” he said

 

He added that all academic and non-academic activities in the affected schools had been suspended until further notice as part of efforts to safeguard lives and property.

 

Mr Otamare said that, despite the closure, candidates sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination would continue to have access to examination centres under strict security arrangements.

 

He directed school principals to ensure the orderly release of students to their parents and guardians, to secure school facilities, and to maintain close communication with government authorities and security agencies.

 

He also urged parents and residents of the affected communities to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as efforts continue to neutralise the threat and restore normal academic activities.

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