Author: Gabby

Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, representing Oyo North, has shed light on why the Nigerian government cannot launch a military offensive against the bandits holding the abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State. According to him, any such attack would likely result in the deaths of all 47 pupils.

Gunmen recently kidnapped students from schools in Ogbomosho and Oriire Local Government Areas of Oyo State. Senator Buhari revealed that the criminals are using the children as human shields within their hideout.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday night, Buhari said: “When the Federal government delegation came, we visited all the families, including the one where a woman was brutally murdered. We consoled her. She pleaded with us, even asking if we could recover her husband’s corpse—we don’t know if they buried him or threw it away.”

He further explained: “The forest spans seven states: Oyo, Kwara, Niger, Kebbi, Sokoto, and we share borders with Benin and Niger. In most cases, these people enter the forest, which is very thick, with no beginning or end. The sad aspect is that they keep moving, making tracking extremely difficult.

“This is not a conventional war. These are individuals crossing from other countries and moving constantly. Initially, they surrounded themselves with the children, and it was raining. If we decide to attack, they would kill all 47 children—they are using them as human shields.”

Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has voiced deep concern over the escalating security challenges across the country, suggesting a direct link to the upcoming 2027 general elections. Speaking during the inauguration of a road project in Gombe State on Thursday, the minister questioned the recurring pattern of heightened insecurity preceding electoral cycles.

Umahi stressed that security matters should never be turned into political tools or exploited for personal gain. He pointed out that it is troubling how violence and criminal activities intensify whenever elections draw near. The minister warned that those who orchestrate or benefit from such unrest will face divine justice.

“Those who take innocent lives under any pretense must remember that God sees everything, and He will repay accordingly,” Umahi declared.

The former Ebonyi State governor accused certain politicians of deliberately destabilizing the country’s security situation to gain an advantage in the 2027 polls. He cautioned that such individuals would encounter divine opposition in their quest for power.

“If anyone is complicit in creating insecurity just to seize power, God will stand against that person,” he added.

Despite the grim assessment, Umahi expressed optimism that the current phase of instability will eventually pass. He reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu and urged Nigerians to remain steadfast.

“We stand with the President, we pray for him, and we work alongside him. This difficult period will not last forever. By God’s grace, we will emerge victorious in the coming elections,” he concluded.

Amid escalating insecurity across Nigeria, a coalition of religious organizations and state officials have gathered for separate prayer events, appealing for divine intervention. The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) led by Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, convened a special session during the Manna Water Service, focusing on the nation’s worsening security situation, particularly the surge in banditry and kidnappings. Olukoya delivered a sermon titled ‘Violent Spiritual Practices to Defeat Violent Problems,’ urging citizens to intensify prayers for peace, justice, and national stability, emphasizing that prayer is a crucial weapon against national challenges.

Simultaneously, the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT) publicly condemned the persistent insecurity, describing attacks on innocent citizens and communities as tragic and deeply troubling. The Islamic organization voiced concern over the loss of lives and destruction of livelihoods, calling for urgent action from all stakeholders. NASFAT announced that special prayers would be held across all its branches worldwide on Sunday to seek divine intervention for Nigeria’s security issues.

In a related development, Christian leaders from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), alongside political appointees and government officials in Oyo State, held an interdenominational prayer meeting at the Oyo State Government House Chapel. The gathering included religious leaders, government representatives, students, and worshippers from various denominations. Participants prayed for the safe release of abducted teachers and students, and called for divine intervention to address the country’s security challenges.

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration to present concrete evidence to back up assertions that security drones bought during the previous government have vanished.

The opposition party described as baseless the allegations that five drones acquired under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s tenure could not be located, insisting that official records must be produced to verify the claims.

The controversy erupted after the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, announced that the current administration had failed to trace five security drones reportedly paid for by the preceding government. Rasheed also indicated that the government was exploring the purchase of new drones to bolster security operations in the state.

In response, Osun APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi rejected the allegations and warned the public not to be deceived by what he termed false information. Olabisi stated that the Adeleke administration should concentrate on tackling current security issues instead of blaming its shortcomings on the previous government.

He asserted that former governor Oyetola never procured any drones during his four-year term and challenged the state government to provide documentary proof if such purchases were indeed made. Olabisi called on citizens to dismiss what he described as a blatant lie intended to mislead the public for political gain.

The APC spokesperson criticized the governor’s approach, arguing that after more than three years in office, it was unnecessary to keep referencing the previous administration. He expressed disappointment that the governor continued to rely on falsehoods and deceit, noting that it seemed impossible for a leopard to change its spots.

Olabisi also urged residents to hold the current administration accountable for maintaining security across the state, emphasizing that the government in power bears the responsibility for safeguarding lives and property.

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has announced a 51 percent subsidy on fertilizer, cutting the price of a bag to N28,000 for local farmers. This initiative aims to boost agricultural production and secure food availability across the state.

Speaking at the launch of the 2026 Fertilizer and Agricultural Inputs Sales and Distribution Programme at the Benue Fertilizer Blending Plant in Makurdi on Thursday, the governor highlighted that the subsidy is intended to ease the burden of rising farming costs and encourage more residents to engage in agriculture.

Alia emphasized that the distribution effort is part of a broader agricultural strategy focusing on expanding farmland through land consolidation, improving access to quality inputs, and raising overall productivity. He stated that this is not just a one-time measure but a sustained policy aimed at enhancing food security, enlarging cultivated areas, and boosting rural economies.

The governor noted that the program will cover all 23 local government areas, with enhanced monitoring to ensure fairness and prevent misuse. He also revealed that the state has increased the quantity of fertilizer and other inputs this year to meet the growing demand from expanded farming activities.

Key components of the administration’s agricultural agenda include building and rehabilitating rural roads, expanding irrigation for year-round farming, promoting agro-processing and value chains, and offering training for farmers, youth, and women in agribusiness. Alia urged farmers to utilize the subsidized inputs to enhance food production and warned officials to maintain transparency and accountability, with strict penalties for any diversion or malpractice.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security Benjamin Ashaver assured that substandard fertilizer distribution is now a thing of the past, with comprehensive monitoring to guarantee quality. He warned that those who bypass approved procedures or engage in unethical conduct will face sanctions. The program is expected to benefit thousands of farmers as the 2026 farming season approaches.

A man who survived a kidnapping in Benue State has disclosed that armed herdsmen have transformed a forest in Otukpo Local Government Area into a criminal stronghold they call ‘Little Sambisa,’ where hostages are kept while ransoms are negotiated.

The survivor, Akubobi Fabian, made this known after he was set free following six days in captivity. He had been seized along the Ojano Road corridor near Ochobo Bridge.

Fabian recounted that he was heading home after purchasing supplies when assailants ambushed his vehicle around 9 p.m. They shot at the car, blew out a tire, and forced everyone into the bush.

“At first, we believed they were just robbers after our money, but they led us deep into the forest,” he said.

The captives walked throughout the night until they reached the kidnappers’ camp, where conditions were harsh during the entire six-day ordeal. Fabian stated that the abductors demanded N10 million for his release, while some other victims were told to pay up to N20 million.

“They asked for N10 million from me. Others were charged N20 million. My brother managed to gather N1 million, and after six days, they let me go,” he explained.

The kidnappers repeatedly referred to their camp as “Sambisa Forest,” a name famously linked to the Boko Haram hideout in northeastern Nigeria. Fabian added that the camp is located behind the Idoma Doctors Association building in Otukpo, and the abductors openly identified themselves as Fulani herdsmen.

Citizen journalist Meddy Olotu, who interviewed Fabian after his freedom, corroborated the story. Olotu noted that the same location has been used multiple times as a collection point for ransom payments related to kidnappings on the Ojano Road axis and surrounding areas.

“Several previous cases, involving students and travelers, had ransoms delivered at that very spot behind the Idoma Doctors Association building,” Olotu said.

He expressed concern that criminal activities persist in the area, with kidnappers conducting negotiations and collecting payments without any interference. Olotu also recalled an incident where a man was shot in Ojano, later died in hospital, and his body was placed in a morgue.

Fabian confirmed that one person lost their life during the attack that led to his abduction, as the gunmen opened fire near a checkpoint before forcing the group into the forest. He and other survivors reported the incident to the police upon their release.

The revelations have intensified worries about security in Benue South, especially along the Otukpo-Ojano route, where residents have frequently voiced concerns about rising kidnapping and violent attacks. As of now, security authorities have not formally responded to the allegations regarding the existence of the hideout.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has officially distanced itself from the Take It Back Movement, a group led by activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore. NANS accuses the movement of disguising political ambitions under the cloak of activism.

In a statement released from Abuja, NANS President Akinteye Babatunde Afeez declared that the student body will not participate in any protests organized by the movement. He stressed that NANS’ advocacy methods are fundamentally different from those of the group.

Afeez raised concerns that the Take It Back Movement has muddied the waters between activism, journalism, and partisan politics, casting doubt on its genuine objectives. He asserted that the movement’s actions appear to serve political interests rather than advocating for pressing national issues.

The NANS president also refuted reports questioning his student status, labeling them as false and irresponsible. He affirmed that he is a legitimate student at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology and criticized the publishing media house for failing to verify facts before going to print.

Afeez urged media organizations to uphold professional standards of accuracy and fairness. He further claimed that the Take It Back Movement is increasingly viewed as a political entity rather than an independent advocacy group.

Without providing evidence, he alleged that some individuals have linked the movement to groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN). Regarding the recent abductions of students and teachers, Afeez stated that NANS will not collaborate with Sowore or his movement in any related protests.

However, he commended organized labor and education stakeholders, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), for their advocacy on behalf of kidnap victims. Afeez reaffirmed NANS’ commitment to demanding the safe return of abducted students and holding authorities accountable for protecting educational institutions.

He emphasized that the association will continue to champion student interests through peaceful and lawful means, maintaining a dedication to national peace and stability and opposing any actions that could incite violence or public disorder.

In a significant counter-insurgency operation, soldiers from Operation Hadin Kai have successfully extracted five children who managed to flee from Boko Haram strongholds in Borno State. The escape occurred as intensified military actions put pressure on terrorist hideouts.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama, based in the Lake Chad region, shared the details via a social media post. He explained that the rescue missions took place on June 4, during routine perimeter sweeps and fighting patrols conducted by military forces in the northeastern theater.

According to Makama, troops from the 82 Division Task Force Battalion came across two female escapees—Aisha Idrisa, 13, and Fatima Abubakar, 11—near the Amuda area in Gwoza Local Government Area. The girls reportedly fled from a terrorist enclave in Sahalawa after relentless aerial bombardments and ground offensives forced insurgents to desert their positions.

Initial questioning revealed that both girls are natives of Pulka community and were kidnapped by terrorists in 2025. Makama quoted them as saying, “The constant military pressure and shelling made the terrorists run away, giving us a chance to escape.”

After being rescued, the girls underwent screening, documentation, and were joyfully reunited with their families at the Pulka Internally Displaced Persons Camp, with camp officials overseeing the process.

In a separate incident, three other female escapees—Wuriya Kaka, 12, Fauza Abu, 13, and Hussaina Usman, 13—voluntarily gave themselves up to soldiers from the 26 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza. They had fled from Guduf Nagadayo in the Mandara Mountains. Makama noted that these three are now undergoing standard screening and profiling procedures.

Sam Amadi, the former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has voiced strong disapproval of the primary elections conducted by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). In a scathing assessment shared via X on Thursday, Amadi characterized the NDC’s internal polls as deeply flawed and tainted by widespread manipulation.

According to Amadi, the NDC’s primaries were the least credible among the three major political parties that recently held internal elections in preparation for the 2027 general elections. He noted that while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) also conducted problematic primaries, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) fared relatively better in terms of organization, though it was not without its own irregularities.

Amadi ranked the parties based on organizational efficiency, placing the ADC first, the APC second, and the NDC last. Despite this ranking, he emphasized that all three parties presided over primaries that were extensively rigged. He argued that achieving truly free and fair primaries is almost impossible under the current political climate and with the constrained timeframes available.

Amadi suggested that the NDC’s shortcomings might be partly excused by the limited time it had to prepare for the elections. However, he called on the party to significantly improve its processes if it hopes to be recognized as Nigeria’s primary opposition force. He pointed out that many participants in Nigerian politics are driven by greed and poverty, which exacerbates the challenges of conducting credible internal elections.

The Accord party has strongly condemned the assassination attempt on its Osogbo Local Government Area Chairman, Asimiyu Ajibola, describing the attack as politically motivated. The party is calling for a thorough investigation by the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services to identify and prosecute the perpetrators.

In a statement released by its National Chairman, Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem, Accord expressed gratitude for the chairman’s survival and prayed for his swift recovery. The party noted that two gunmen opened fire on a Toyota Corolla carrying Ajibola and his associates in the MDS area of Osogbo on the night of June 3, 2026, resulting in multiple gunshot wounds. The chairman was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital in Osun State, where he is receiving treatment.

Accord condemned the increasing political violence targeting its members ahead of the August 12, 2026, governorship election, calling the attacks outrageous, barbaric, and wicked. The party alleged that opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) thugs have repeatedly attacked Accord members, the Imole Campaign, and public properties, including billboards and party secretariats, in an attempt to intimidate and suppress them. Accord further claimed that despite reporting these threats to security agencies, no arrests or prosecutions have been made.

“Enough is enough of this political violence. It is obvious that the ballot is stronger than the gun,” the statement read. Accord reiterated its commitment to issue-based politics and peaceful campaigning for the upcoming election. The party declared that it will not be cowed or intimidated by what it termed anti-democratic forces in Osun State.

Accord emphasized that Osun State remains its stronghold, with a pro-people governor who has delivered democratic dividends and deserves a second term. The party affirmed that the people of Osun are united behind Governor Ademola Adeleke, and together they will elevate the state to new levels of development and prosperity.