Category: News

A wave of terror swept through Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday as suspected terrorists launched coordinated attacks on several communities, abducting 46 individuals. Among the kidnapped is a two-year-old pupil, Christianah Akanbi, from Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School. Community leaders have confirmed that seven teachers and 39 pupils and students from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School were taken. The attackers also seized four motorcycles belonging to residents—three from Yawota and one from the secondary school area.

The names of the abducted school officials have been released: Mrs. Alamu Folawe, Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele; Vice Principal Mr. Ojo Jonathan; and teachers Mr. Olatunde Zacchaeus, Mr. John Olaleye, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, and Mrs. Oladeji. A teacher from Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Mary Akanbi, was also reported missing.

From Ahoro-Esinele community, the victims include Rashida Tajudeen (11), Ahmed Ramoni (8), Abdulsalam Toyib (4), Baraka Abioye (16), Fatimo Jimoh (15), Hassan Azeez (14), and Joshua Adeleke (13). In Yawota community, those abducted are Samuel Oyedele (7), Emmanuel Oyedele (4), Idowu Taiwo (4), Christianah Akanbi (2), Juwon Sunday (7), Sikiru Salami (3), Soliu Salami (4), Ojo Joseph (8), Lydia Adewole (8), Testimony Jacob (5), Kehinde Kaosara (7), Sewa Seyi (7), Waliya Bello (4), Lydia Olohunloluwa (7), Damilare Oderinde (8), Deborah Adebowale (5), Aisha Oguntowo (10), Lege Taiwo (12), Balkis Ayanwale (8), and Asa David (10).

Oniya community residents abducted are Shuaibu Aliyu (10), Ahmed Aliyu (7), Muiz Aliyu (5), and Jomiloju Ogunlola (6). From Alawusa community, the victims are Agune Noah (8), Elizabeth Abadi (5), Tosin Abadi (9), Pius Stephen (5), Hannah Ojo (14), Habidat Ayanwale (7), Mary Gabriel (6), and Jacob Gabriel (age unknown).

The attacks have plunged the area into fear and uncertainty, with residents urging security forces and the government to act swiftly to rescue the victims and restore peace.

The President of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), Samaila Ibrahim Kaigam, has attributed the abduction of over 50 students from Mussa Askira School in Uba Local Government Area, Borno State, to a revenge attack by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). According to Kaigam, the kidnapping was a direct response to a previous assault by a rival Boko Haram faction, Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS).

Kaigam revealed that a fierce clash had occurred between JAS and ISWAP fighters, during which JAS militants overran several ISWAP camps in southern Borno. After JAS withdrew from the area, ISWAP members launched a retaliatory operation but, failing to locate their adversaries, instead targeted the school and took children hostage. The BOSYA leader stated that discussions with JAS leaders confirmed they were not involved in the abduction, pointing fingers at ISWAP.

The abduction, he emphasized, was not premeditated but occurred when ISWAP fighters, unable to engage their rivals, turned to the community. Negotiations are underway for the release of some captives, including women and children, with the insurgents requesting a list of potential releases. Efforts are also being made to contact ISWAP-linked individuals to verify the condition of the abducted pupils. Kaigam expressed concerns that ISWAP may not publicly acknowledge the act or seek ransom, highlighting the unpredictability of the group.

In a dramatic twist in the wiretapping trial of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the prosecution has leveled serious allegations against his family, accusing them of orchestrating a media campaign to undermine the judiciary. During Tuesday’s session at the Federal High Court in Abuja, lead prosecutor Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, asserted that relatives of the defendant have been leveraging social media and press appearances to portray the legal proceedings as a form of persecution.

Aladedoye detailed a specific incident on May 15, where one of El-Rufai’s wives reportedly arrived at the ICPC facility accompanied by cameramen and livestreamed claims that her husband was being denied food and family visits. He further alleged that politician Timi Frank publicly insinuated that the former governor might be harmed while in custody, prompting security agencies to transfer him to DSS custody to prevent further controversy.

The prosecution argued that the family’s actions escalated when two wives and a son visited DSS headquarters with journalists, openly criticizing the court’s bail conditions. Instead of pursuing legal remedies, Aladedoye contended, the family resorted to media campaigns that could erode public trust in the judicial system. He urged the court to admonish the defendant and his relatives to desist from further public attacks, emphasizing that the case is a criminal prosecution, not political persecution.

In response, the defense counsel claimed ignorance of the alleged incidents and maintained that El-Rufai should not be held accountable for statements made outside the courtroom. However, he assured the court that the defense would advise family members and supporters to exercise caution.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the relevance of social media narratives, stating she pays no attention to online discussions and instructing that such matters remain outside courtroom proceedings. She directed the trial to continue. Subsequently, the prosecution submitted a silver flash drive and a certificate of compliance, which were admitted as Exhibits B and B1. The court then reviewed the drive’s contents, which included an interview El-Rufai granted to Arise News Television.

Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has leveled serious allegations against President Bola Tinubu, claiming that the administration is employing unprecedented methods to influence and compromise individuals across Nigeria. In a statement posted on social media platform X on Tuesday, Effiong argued that many previously principled figures have become indifferent to governance failures, while others feign neutrality or make excuses for the government while quietly resisting reform efforts.

Effiong warned that the damage to national integrity would be so severe that a special census would be needed to count those whose moral compasses remain intact. He asserted that Tinubu’s approach to buying and compromising people is without historical parallel, leaving previously respected individuals blind and mute to issues of bad governance. Some, he said, are now pretending to be neutral while actively making excuses for Tinubu and tacitly opposing any push for change.

The lawyer’s comments come amid growing criticism of the administration’s policies and handling of security and economic challenges. Effiong’s remarks underscore a deepening concern among some Nigerians about the erosion of accountability and the manipulation of public figures through inducements.

Ungogo Local Government Area in Kano State has taken decisive action by shutting down Al-Hadeed Private School following allegations of sexual misconduct against its students. The closure, effective immediately, was announced on Monday, May 18, 2026, through a statement released by the council’s Education Councillor, Malam Abdullahi Wakili.

The decision came after reports surfaced that a teacher at the institution, identified as Uncle Kamal, had allegedly abused four underage female pupils. The local government chairman, Hon. Tijjani Amiru Bilyaminu, emphasized that the accused would face full prosecution under the law to ensure justice for the victims.

The teacher has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court at No-man’s-land in Kano on charges of rape. The court has remanded him in a correctional facility and set the next hearing for June 9, 2026. Ungogo LGA reiterated its commitment to safeguarding children’s rights and vowed to implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala has launched a scathing attack on Arise News anchor Rufai Oseni, branding him a liar and a propaganda tool for Peter Obi. In a post on X on Tuesday, Bwala accused Oseni of distorting his words and engaging in blackmail and hate speech. The conflict erupted after Oseni, during The Morning Show’s ‘What’s Trending’ segment, cited a December 2023 comment from Bwala when he served as Atiku Abubakar’s spokesperson. At that time, Bwala had stated that the APC would fail even if given 30 years in power. Oseni used the quote to criticize the current government’s handling of insecurity, but Bwala claimed his remarks were taken out of context.

Bwala’s response was blistering, as he referred to Oseni as an adult toddler and a fake journalist who has lost all credibility. He argued that Oseni is nothing more than an unofficial spokesperson for Peter Obi, masquerading as a neutral media figure. Bwala further likened Oseni’s journalism to a mechanic performing surgery, suggesting he should focus on documentaries about animals rather than spreading fake news. The presidential spokesman’s outburst highlights the ongoing tension between government officials and media personalities perceived as biased.

During a court session in Abuja on Tuesday, the prosecution introduced evidence to support claims that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai intercepted a classified conversation involving the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The trial is being held at the Federal High Court.

The prosecution played a recorded 43-minute interview that El-Rufai gave on Arise News Television, in which he allegedly stated that an unidentified person wiretapped the NSA’s conversation and forwarded it to him. In the broadcast, El-Rufai justified the act by asserting that governments routinely monitor communications of others.

Testifying before the court, a prosecution witness revealed that following the interview, investigators interviewed NSA Nuhu Ribadu, who confirmed that the conversation referenced by El-Rufai indeed occurred between him and the ICPC chairman. The witness further stated that the ICPC chairman also verified the discussion after portions of the interview were played to him.

The witness added that the program’s anchor, Charles Aniagolu, activist-lawyer Deji Adeyanju, and a cameraman were summoned for questioning. Aniagolu reportedly confirmed that El-Rufai admitted during the interview that someone intercepted the conversation and passed it to him, while also insisting that governments routinely engage in such practices. Statements from Aniagolu and Adeyanju were admitted as Exhibits C, C1, and E without objection from the defense.

A statement from Arise TV cameraman Ugochukwu Agalayana was also admitted as Exhibit D after he confirmed setting up the equipment for the interview, though he said he did not pay attention to the conversation. Investigators concluded that El-Rufai made an “open confession” during the broadcast regarding the interception, which they deemed capable of undermining national security, leading to his prosecution. A preliminary investigation report was admitted as Exhibit F.

Under cross-examination by defense counsel Chief Paul Erokoro, SAN, the witness acknowledged that investigators did not examine any communication devices belonging to the NSA, obtain IP addresses, or conduct forensic analysis of the alleged interception. However, he maintained that such steps were unnecessary after the NSA confirmed the authenticity of the conversation. The witness also agreed that El-Rufai never explicitly stated that he personally carried out the interception, but insisted that the former governor repeatedly stood by the claim that the conversation had been tapped and forwarded to him. When asked whether the defendant might have been boasting as a politician during a politically charged television appearance, the witness responded that he considered El-Rufai a person of integrity and believed he meant what he said.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the trial to June 22 and 23 for further proceedings.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained a permanent confiscation order for a private aircraft connected to the ongoing investigation into the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos issued the order on Monday, May 19, 2026, after reviewing the anti-graft agency’s request. The Bombardier Challenger 605 jet was seized as part of inquiries into alleged corruption, money laundering, and misconduct involving senior officials and contractors linked to the state oil firm.

During the hearing, EFCC lawyers argued that evidence showed the aircraft was purchased with funds likely derived from illegal activities and concealed through shell companies and intermediaries. The judge noted that the respondents failed to demonstrate that the jet was obtained through lawful means.

“The property is hereby finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the judge declared. The EFCC described the forfeiture as a significant step in its ongoing efforts to tackle financial irregularities within the NNPCL.

His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe CFR, the Obi of Onitsha and Chairman of The Delborough Lagos Board, has extended heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Stanley Uzochukwu for successfully completing advanced executive leadership and performance programs at two of the world’s most prestigious institutions: Oxford University in London and Harvard Kennedy School in the United States.

Dr. Uzochukwu, who serves as the Founder and CEO of Stanel Group and The Delborough Lagos, undertook multiple courses in 2025, including the High Performance Leadership program, Emerging Leaders, Leadership Decision Making, Leading Successful Programs Using Evidence, and Strategic Leadership for Personal Effectiveness. These programs underscore his commitment to continuous learning and excellence.

In a phone conversation on Monday, the Obi of Onitsha lauded Dr. Uzochukwu, who was recently inaugurated as Chairman of the UNIZIK Advancement Board, for his relentless pursuit of personal growth and academic milestones despite his demanding schedule as a thriving entrepreneur.

The monarch urged Dr. Uzochukwu to apply the newly acquired knowledge effectively, particularly as The Delborough Abuja project progresses. He said, “Congratulations, my son, and welcome back from Oxford! We anticipate the application of your fresh insights to the growth and expansion of The Delborough Lagos brand. Your dedication to self-improvement is evident in the achievements you’ve made at a young age. On behalf of the board members, I sincerely commend and congratulate you on your academic success.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries in Kebbi State were conducted in a peaceful manner, according to Governor Nasir Idris. The governor made this statement while commenting on the Monday exercise held at Haliru Abdu Stadium in Birnin Kebbi.

Governor Idris praised party members for their discipline, loyalty, and commitment to reaching consensus, underscoring that the event showcased unity among APC supporters in the state. He specifically acknowledged several aspirants who voluntarily withdrew from the race to foster party cohesion, naming Alhaji Kabir Sani Giant, Engineer Garba Haruna, Dr. Hussaini Suleiman Kangiwa, and Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah. Their actions, the governor said, demonstrated political maturity and a dedication to the party’s collective interest.

The primaries ultimately produced candidates through consensus agreements. Senator Adamu Aliero emerged as the flagbearer for Kebbi Central, Senator Yahaya Abubakar Abdullahi for Kebbi North, and retired General Jafar Muhammad Gajere for Kebbi South. The affirmation of these candidates was endorsed by Comrade Garba Muhammad, Chairman of the Primary Election Appeal Committee, and Barrister Attahiru Maccido, Chairman of the Affirmation Committee, amid enthusiastic cheers from party supporters.