Federal Gov’t To Launch Digital TV, Offers Households Free Access To 100 Channels
The Federal Government has announced plans to launch FreeTV, a national digital television platform that will provide Nigerians with free access to more than 100 television channels without monthly subscription fees.
The initiative, scheduled for this Wednesday, June 17, 2026, was part of Nigeria’s Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme and is aimed at expanding access to digital broadcasting while supporting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to a statement posted on the verified X handle of the Presidency on Wednesday, the platform was designed to ensure that every Nigerian benefits from the country’s transition from analogue to digital television, regardless of location or income level.
The government said FreeTV will offer households access to over 100 national, regional and state channels featuring news, sports, movies, music, children’s programmes, educational content, and dedicated Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo language channels.
The service will be available through satellite, terrestrial transmission and the FreeTV mobile application, allowing users in major cities, rural communities and areas previously excluded from the DSO pilot phases to access digital television services.
The statement noted that Nigerians would not be required to purchase new television sets to use the platform. Existing televisions will function with compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders, while households that already own compatible free-to-air decoders may not need to acquire new equipment.
Speaking ahead of the launch, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, described the initiative as a major step toward expanding digital inclusion across the country.
“FreeTV speaks directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of Renewed Hope towards expanding access, creating opportunity and ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of location or income, can benefit from the digital economy. With FreeTV, families across Nigeria can enjoy quality digital television without a monthly subscription, while our local content producers, technicians and young creatives gain new platforms and new jobs,” Ebuebu said.
Beyond improving access to television services, the government said the platform is expected to stimulate growth in Nigeria’s creative and broadcast industry through the establishment of regional production studios in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Benin City.
The studios are expected to create employment opportunities for content producers, technicians, editors, camera operators, sound engineers and other young creative professionals.
The Federal Government also reaffirmed that the country’s final analogue television switch-off remained scheduled for December 31, 2028, urging Nigerians to begin preparations by checking the compatibility of their decoders and downloading the FreeTV mobile application.
The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) has projected that Nigeria will spend more than half of its revenue on debt servicing in 2026.
The projection is contained in the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest country assessment, which estimates that the federal government’s interest payments will consume 53.7 percent of revenue in 2026, up from 53.2 percent in 2025 and 40.8 percent in 2024.
The IMF expects the interest-to-revenue ratio to ease marginally to 52.4 percent in 2027.
Also, IMF projected improvements in inflation and external reserves, forecasting average inflation of 16 percent in 2026, while gross international reserves are expected to rise from $40.2 billion in 2024 to $58.1 billion in 2026 and $62 billion in 2027.
‘NIGERIA’S DEBT IS SUSTAINABLE, BUT DEBT-SERVICE BURDEN IS A CONCERN’
Speaking on ARISE Television on Tuesday, Christian Ebeke, IMF resident representative for Nigeria, said the country’s debt remained sustainable and the risk of sovereign debt distress was moderate.
“Our latest assessment in the Article IV that we just published on June 9 basically concludes that Nigeria’s debt is sustainable. And second, the risk of sovereign stress is actually moderate. So we don’t see Nigeria as a high-risk debt-distressed country,” Ebeke said.
He said Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio, which remains in the mid-30 percent range, compares favourably with many peer countries, adding that Nigeria’s debt portfolio benefits from a balanced mix of domestic and external borrowing and relatively long maturities.
According to Ebeke, the bigger concern is the amount of revenue being used to service debt.
“We actually estimate that in 2025 to 2028, the interest-to-revenue ratio, how much the federal government pays out of the tax it collects, is actually about 50 percent,” he said.
“When you have more than 50 percent of your tax collection devoted to repaying interest on your federal government debt, it leaves you very little room to actually pay for health, education, cash transfer, including security.”
Ebeke said the IMF’s focus remains on helping Nigeria strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation through effective implementation of recently enacted tax reforms.
He said the IMF’s priority is to support efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s domestic revenue mobilisation while taking into account prevailing economic challenges, including high inflation, widespread poverty and food insecurity.
Ebeke added that the successful implementation and enforcement of the country’s new tax laws would be critical to improving government revenue and reducing fiscal vulnerabilities.
The Federal Government spent N57.78bn on security-related projects and operations in the first four months of 2026, despite worsening insecurity across the country, with no fewer than 98 criminal incidents including 51 attacks and abductions recorded nationwide in just one week.
Data obtained from the Open Treasury Portal showed that the spending, which covered defence equipment procurement, security infrastructure, military barracks, police facilities and other security-related projects, represented a 127.97 per cent increase from the N25.35bn spent during the corresponding period of 2025.
The expenditure comes amid persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and armed criminals across several states, raising concerns among security experts over the effectiveness of government efforts to tackle the crisis.
Analysis of the Treasury Portal data showed that N57.78bn had been spent as of April 2026 from a total security allocation of N4.66tn, indicating that only 1.24 per cent of the approved budget had been utilised within the first four months of the year.
The largest share of the expenditure, N21.39bn, was spent on defence equipment procurement, accounting for about 37 per cent of total security spending during the period.
Another N14.16bn was spent on security equipment, while N5.84bn went to the construction and provision of military barracks. The government also spent N5.17bn on police stations and barracks, N3.26bn on rehabilitation of defence equipment, N2.39bn on defence facilities and N2.16bn on repairs of military barracks.
For routine operations, N3bn was spent on security services, while N320.94m was disbursed as security votes.
However, no expenditure was recorded under the military operations budget line tagged “Operation Lafiya Dole and Other Operations of the Armed Forces,” despite a N500m provision in the 2026 budget.
Similarly, no funds had been released for the kitting of Armed Forces personnel, although N2.53bn was earmarked for the programme.
A year-on-year comparison showed that spending on defence equipment rose from N9.48bn in the first four months of 2025 to N21.39bn in 2026, while military barracks construction increased from zero to N5.84bn.
Despite the increase in spending, budget implementation remained low across most security projects, with many critical programmes recording execution rates below three per cent.
The spending figures emerged as a police security report obtained by The PUNCH revealed that at least 98 criminal incidents were recorded across Nigeria within the last seven days.
The report showed that the incidents comprised 37 homicide cases, 27 banditry attacks, 24 kidnappings, eight armed robbery incidents and two terrorism-related attacks.
The incidents were reported across Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi and several other states, involving mass abductions, attacks on rural communities and kidnappings along major highways.
Among the most disturbing incidents was the abduction of 39 residents in Zamfara State after they reportedly travelled into the Fadama Forest to negotiate peace with a notorious bandit leader, Jimo Smally.
In Katsina State, bandits blocked the Katsina-Kankara highway and intercepted a commercial vehicle carrying 11 passengers. Police later rescued nine victims, while the driver and another passenger remained missing.
Reacting to the development, security analyst, Lekan Jackson-Ojo, described the situation as the worst insecurity crisis in Nigeria’s history.
“This is the highest level of insecurity in the military and political history of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
“It is an indirect pronouncement that Nigeria is an unsafe territory now. We are having a battered economy, and there is no economy anywhere in the world that thrives under insecurity.”
Jackson-Ojo said the country had suffered unprecedented security losses in recent months.
“During the civil war, I did not remember if a general died. In the war between Ukraine and Russia, a general has not lost his life. In the war between Iran, America and Israel, a general has not lost his life. But within the past three months, we have lost almost four generals — and there is no reprisal attack,” he stated.
The analyst also criticised the reintegration of repentant terrorists into society.
“I’ve never heard it anywhere in the world that terrorists who have terrorised, damaged and killed will be integrated back into society. To me, I think the government is totally helpless — total incapability, lack of political will. Something, or many things are wrong now,” he added.
He further lamented what he described as the political elite’s preoccupation with electoral activities rather than security challenges.
“What preoccupies our political class is campaign, campaign, campaign and campaign. This is a sad situation,” he stressed.
Another security analyst, Chidi Omeje, argued that the military remained overstretched despite increased government spending.
“The military, on their own, are completely overstretched. You can count almost over 30 terrorist operations in this country where military guys are deployed,” he said.
“One MRAP alone is almost N100 billion. If you put an aircraft in the sky to do an operation, do you know how much it costs for just one hour? By the time you put that N56 billion in dollars, it amounts to nothing.”
According to him, military operations alone would not solve Nigeria’s security challenges.
“Unless we are able to deal with the root causes, we will keep going in circles. Most of the issues are born out of bad governance, wrong prioritisation, corruption and pervasive poverty, which has made people see crime and criminality as an option for survival,” Omeje said.
He also blamed porous borders and instability across the Sahel region for worsening insecurity in Nigeria.
“From Mali to Burkina Faso to Nigeria — those places are the epicentre of terrorism. Nigeria is an attractive destination because we have porous borders and poor border management,” he stated.
Omeje urged the government to take decisive action.
“The government seems almost clueless about how to go about this matter. They are paid to find solutions — so they must find solutions,” he said.
The latest figures suggest that while the Federal Government has significantly increased security spending compared to last year, insecurity remains widespread, with violent attacks continuing across the country and a large portion of budgeted security funds yet to be utilised
A new assessment of the 10th National Assembly has found that lawmakers have failed to deliver 68 of 92 legislative commitments tracked since the beginning of their tenure, with the House of Representatives recording an overall fulfilment score of 26.8 per cent and the Senate 44.11 per cent.
The report, released on Sunday by civic-tech organisation AdvoKC Foundation, examined the performance of the House of Representatives and the Senate against promises contained in their respective legislative agendas as the Assembly enters its final year.
The assessment was conducted through the organisation’s Promise Tracker NG platform, which monitored 56 commitments made by the House and 34 commitments made by the Senate across sectors, including healthcare, education, economy, governance, security and political reforms.
According to the report, the House of Representatives fulfilled 13 of its tracked commitments, while four were classified as compromised and 39 as broken.
The Senate delivered nine commitments, 12 were considered compromised, and 13 were classified as unfulfilled.
The House recorded its strongest performance in healthcare, scoring 67 per cent, followed by justice and security at 57 per cent.
However, the chamber scored zero per cent in the economy and jobs category, while governance and political reform recorded only six per cent.
The report said commitments relating to electoral reforms and constitutional amendments remained largely unresolved.
The Senate performed better in some areas, recording 66.7 per cent in education and 57.1 per cent in economic development and jobs.
However, the report identified stalled reforms on constitutional amendments, youth inclusion and local government autonomy as major areas of concern.
Project Director of AdvoKC Foundation, Habib Sheidu, said legislative agendas represented binding commitments to citizens rather than political statements.
“Legislative agendas are not merely aspirational policy wish-lists; they are solemn public covenants made with the Nigerian people,” Sheidu said.
He urged lawmakers to use the remaining year of the Assembly to complete outstanding reforms and improve their record before the end of the legislative cycle.
“With only one year left before the curtain falls on the 10th Assembly, this report is not an indictment but a crucial wake-up call.
“Our lawmakers still possess a vital window of opportunity to salvage their legacies, fast-track trapped constitutional reforms, and deliver the transformational governance they promised.”
AdvoKC said the Legislative Agenda Meter was designed to provide citizens with a data-based mechanism for tracking legislative performance and holding elected representatives accountable.
The organisation said the platform would continue to provide updated information on lawmakers’ progress and encouraged citizens, civil society groups and the media to engage with the findings.
The full assessment reports on the House of Representatives and the Senate were made available through the Promise Tracker NG platform.
Since the conclusion of the presidential primary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) the presidential candidate of the party, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other stakeholders have insisted that their best bet is to pair Atiku with former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Atiku had paid Amaechi a visit shortly after the primary soliciting his continuous support for the party.
While party stakeholders are said to be favourably disposed to the emergence of Amaechi as the running mate, Daily Trust gathered the position will not be finalised until Atiku returns from his oversea trip.
Daily Trust reliably gathered that among those considered for the position of running mate to Atiku were Amaechi, former Governor of Imo, State Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Austin Akobundu and Chief Emeka Nwajuba.
A source within the party hierarchy said the thinking of the former Vice President and the ADC leadership was that the South South, where Amaechi hails from, will better serve the interest of the coalition going into the election.
He said, “This is because the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, President Bola Tinubu is from the South West, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Mr Peter Obi, is from the South East. So it is only the South- South that is without a presidential candidate from the South.”
He said as it stands, many Nigerians from the geopolitical zones will vote for the candidates from their region, hence the choice of Amaechi, adding “this was also part of the consideration.”
According to him, “If nothing changes, once Atiku returns from his trip abroad, Amaechi will be unveiled and the real politicking will commence.
“The ADC believes Amaechi has what it takes to attract the majority of the votes from the South South and other parts of the southern region.”
Another source also told our correspondent that Amaechi’s previous role as the Director-General of the Buhari campaign Organisation before he left the APC might be an avenue to woo some aggrieved members of the party to the ADC.
Following the opposition summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, earlier, Atiku was said to be considering Governor Seyi Makinde as his running mate.
However, that did not work out as Makinde himself announced his decision to contest the presidential election on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM.
Amaechi and Muhammed Hayatu-Deen contested the Presidential candidate of the ADC with Atiku Abubakar before he emerged as the winner.
Even though both politicians initially rejected the outcome of the elections citing irregularities and fraudulent allocation of figures, the party leadership seems to have resolved the impasse.
•…Suspect speaks on their links with governorship aspirants
Oloro asked me if Adebayo Adelabu still had a mother, and I said yes. He asked me again about where she was living and I told him — Suspect
Before his arrest by the operatives of the Force Intelligence Department-Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) and other tactical teams in Oyo State Police Command, Segun Balogun a.k.a. Alawaye was known among other drivers at the Motor Park in Iwo Road Area of Ibadan, Oyo State where he used to convey passengers to their destinations. Unknown to many, he decided to choose another route to make money.
He applied his driving skill to conveying members of a kidnap gang he joined to their operations and taking the victims to the ‘safe house’ prepared for them. This he hid very well until the gang’s cup became full. Alawaye is among the suspects arrested for their alleged involvement in the kidnap of the former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu’s sister, Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke, and her twin sons.
Segun has confessed to how he took the gang leader, Adewale Abolarinwa a.k.a. Oloro to the house where Adelabu’s extended family members reside, in preparation for the kidnap carried out on June 3.
Segun and one of the men working with a politician (name withheld), revealed how he was approached by Oloro, for the kidnap of the woman and her twin children.
It will be recalled that the kidnap victims were rescued last Saturday from where they were held hostage at Lako Community on Ayegun-Olomi Road, Ibadan, by police operatives following the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
Also arrested were the gang leader, Adewale Abolarinwa a.k.a Oloro, and Dare Oyedele a k.a Solution. It was learnt that Solution was well known as an automobile electrical technician, especially at Orita Challenge area, up to Podo area and its environs in Ibadan. He was also said to have a business where he accommodated other automobile technicians’ workshops. Saturday Tribune discovered that many people who knew him very well are still finding it hard to believe that the same Solution was a kidnap gang member.
According to police sources, the plan to kidnap the twins started on May 5. They mounted surveillance on the compound where the twins live and on the conveyance of the children, to and from school. It was learnt that Solution took up the job of officer in charge of surveillance for the kidnap gang, trailing the targeted twins. Communications between Oloro and Solution, which were intercepted by the IRT operatives, indicated the kidnap gang’s preparedness towards the kidnap operation.
Unknown to the targeted family, Solution knew the school being attended by the twins, he knew the process of opening the gates whenever the car approached the residence of the victims. He knew the make of the vehicle with its tinted side glasses. He observed the smartness of the driver. He knew when the grandmother (ex-minister’s mother) was in the compound.
In one of the intercepted messages, Solution was heard describing the school being attended by the children as posh, equipped with air conditioners and very expensive. Also, Solution, in a chat with Oloro, spoke on how he followed the driver back home to understudy the situation in the environment where the targets were residing, to which Oloro responded that Solution should not allow their plans to drag before they would strike.
Further information gathered about Solution revealed that he owned two buildings within the Ayegun Community and was the one who helped to get the caretaker from whom the gang rented the house turned into a kidnappers’ den. It was also discovered that his younger brother was living in the same area but had fled since the lid of the gang’s atrocities was blown open. During a search, a pump action gun was reported to have been found in Solution’s house, totalling three guns recovered from the gang.
Before the rescue of the victims and arrest of the suspects, information had it that the repeated kidnappings within Ibadan had raised suspicion about Oloro’s likely involvement, prompting a kickstart of intelligence-led gathering of information about him, especially when he allegedly jumped bail after his release from prison for a previous kidnap offence.
Since Alawaye was known to be Oloro’s friend, operatives of the Monitoring Unit, reportedly met and asked him of Oloro’s whereabouts, to which he responded that he had been calling him but had not been able to reach him. However, the operatives’ eagle eyes saw that he was making attempts to delete some information from his phone, which made them snatch it from him to have a look at what he was trying to do. To their surprise, they reportedly stumbled on a message involving the purchase of a gun by Oloro who told Alawaye that the gun seller had refused to give him the weapon after taking his money.
With that, the operatives detained the suspect for investigation, unknown to them that he was part of the kidnapping that occurred a day before he was picked. His involvement was revealed two days after.
Oloro asked me if Adebayo Adelabu still had a mother, and I said yes. He asked me again about where she was living and I told him — Suspect In an interview with Saturday Tribune inside the cell, Segun, aged 47 and an Ibadan indigene, opened up on his membership of the kidnap gang: “I’m a driver who transports passengers from Iwo Road Motor Park at World Oil axis. I didn’t start the operation with the gang from the onset. I have known Oloro for more than 10 years in our transport union. At a point, he committed some crimes and was arrested and remanded. Later, we heard that he was in Lagos.
“Along the line, he returned to Ibadan. One day, I saw him at Iwo Road Motor Park. It was in 2025. He gave me his phone number and some money. We used to chat.
“On a particular day, the transport union chairman and I were discussing Oloro, wondering what he was doing as a job. Before then, a police officer who had been looking for Oloro had told us that he jumped bail. We called him, and he came to us. We discussed his atrocities with him, and he promised not to do such again. He even placed a curse on himself if he ever committed a crime again.
“Oloro started frequenting the motor park. Then, we started discussing about upcoming elections and campaigns. In 2019, Oloro and I worked for (name withheld). When he did not win (the governorship), I left the motor park.
Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola (second left) and other senior police officers while briefing journalists on Sunday. Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola (second left) and other senior police officers while briefing journalists on Sunday. “This time (2026/27), we decided to work for (the 2019 candidate who did not win), and we used to call one another. However, at a time, he (Oloro) was not responding to my calls frequently as he said he was busy in Lagos. On his return to Ibadan, he stopped coming to the political group’s outings.
“Recently, Oloro moved to the camp (of the man who won the primary, name withheld), but I told them I would stay with (the old governorship aspirant, name withheld). However, that didn’t stop us from interacting. One day, in May, while we sat together, Oloro asked me if (Adebayo) Adelabu still had a mother, and I said yes. He asked me again about where she was living and I told him. He said I should take him to the place. One day we went to Liberty Stadium for (an aspirant’s) declaration. From there, we proceeded to Adelabu’s mother’s house.
“After showing him the house, he opened up to me that he was planning to kidnap the mother or a child from the Adelabu family. The reason he gave was that he was broke. He asked me to join him also, pointing out that I was also broke and just driving without making much money. He promised to pay me well and I agreed to join him. My role was to drive the vehicle used for the kidnap operation.
“On Tuesday, June 2, he called and told me that the operation would be carried out the following day. He described the spot where I would join him along expressway at Soka area. After we met on Wednesday, we left for Podo area where Solution was domiciled. From Podo, we left for Challenge. We were four in the operational vehicle — Oloro, Solution, Kelechi and me. I was the driver while three others were masked. We parked the car for about 20 minutes, waiting for the car conveying the children to school to pass by. Oloro had thought that a driver would be the one with the children. The twins were his target to collect ransom.
“As Oloro saw the targeted car, he asked me to follow it, then directed me to swerve and block it at the front. He and two others got down and bundled the mother and the children into our operational car. I drove the car to Ayegun, got down and left others. My heart was pumping hard. Inwardly, I was so afraid. Since that day till now, I have been unable to eat. I have been drinking water only.”
How I was arrested
“On Thursday, I was called by a police officer and a member of our transport union. I was told to enter the police vehicle. There, I was told that they were searching for Oloro. My heart flustered, but I also knew he had other issues, so I suggested we call him. We did, but he didn’t pick the calls. Later, he sent me a voice note, and the police took the phone from me. They heard other voice notes in which Oloro complained to me about the person he wanted to buy a gun from but who took the money without giving him the gun. That was how the police officers said I knew about gun purchase by Oloro. I was arrested, after which the police got to know about my involvement in the kidnapping on Saturday when Oloro was captured.”
During the operation, three of us, Oloro, Kelechi and I, used masks —Solution
The second suspect, Solution, also told his own story: “I’m aged 43. I’m from Ishara Remo in Ogun State, but Ibadan-based. I’m a member of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC). I trained in rewiring. I have a business named Solution Land Automobile Service. I got to know Oloro about a year ago. Oloro was initially a member of OPC but was expelled after the kidnap case he had back then. I heard about him from OPC members. He later went to Lagos but used to come to Ibadan. I didn’t know how he got my number. He called me and started interacting with me. He was a cab driver in Lagos, and whenever he needed money, he would call me and I would send him some amount.
“He came to Ibadan one day and asked me to meet him at Toll Gate at Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. He told me that he wanted to move around the city, asking if I could get him a vehicle for about a week. I told him I couldn’t because that day was the first time I was seeing him face-to-face and the car with me was not mine. I was repairing a vehicle’s gear that would need running for a week. However, I said I could go with him to wherever he wanted to go. That was last year.
“He was using his Corolla car for the operation. He bought it at Gbagi area about seven months ago. He informed me about joining his kidnap gang about six months ago, but what he asked me to do was to follow him in my own car. For example, if he was going to Iwo Road, he would ask me to wait at Oremeji area. After a while, he would ask me to make a U-turn. Sometimes, he would just call and tell me to join him at (a popular joint at Podo) or Mokola or another place. Whenever we returned from those places, I would be wondering on the reason for the patrol.
“I knew two people with him then. One of them was TJ who used to come to Ibadan from Lagos. Another one is a commercial motorcyclist at Apata area of Ibadan. I believe he introduced the operation to me when those ones were no longer with him. He said he wanted to use my car, but when he saw it, he told me it was too small. He brought one Toyota Corolla belonging to Kelechi to my house at Podo area on Tuesday, June 2. There were two pump action guns in it.
“On Wednesday morning, Oloro came to my place in his own Toyota Corolla car. The key of the car brought to me the previous day was handed over to Alawaye.
“During the operation, three of us – Oloro, Kelechi and I – used masks. Alawaye did not use a mask because he sat in the car. Oloro gave me an axe to hold. He and Kelechi held the two pump action guns. Oloro was the one who broke the side glass of the car conveying our victims. He opened the door and told me to pick one of the children who sat in the front. Kelechi picked the second child. Oloro was the one who bundled the mother into the car.
“The person who was preparing food for the captives was Oloro’s relative. He didn’t follow us for the operation, but it was as if he was always invited to handle feeding of the victims. Whenever Oloro needed money, he would ask me to lend him. I didn’t know how much was demanded as ransom because it was Oloro and Kelechi that used to go and collect it wherever they told the family of the victims to drop it.
“Before the last operation which I joined, he once gave me N300,000 for following him with my car. He gave me N200,000 at another time.”
How I was arrested
“On Thursday, the day after the operation, I called Oloro, but he didn’t pick my calls. On Friday, it was the same thing. I was disturbed by that but shrugged my shoulders and continued with my life. I was at home on Saturday but later went to Top One to relax. While there, I messaged him, asking for the reason he was not picking my calls, but he didn’t respond immediately. Later he asked me where I was and I told him. He said he would come to join me. That was when police arrived to arrest me. By then, Oloro had not told me the amount I would get as my share of the ransom when paid.
“I don’t know how I got into such a crime. I have a lucrative business. If God can save me from this, I will never venture near crime again.”
Getting Oloro for an interview was a difficult task. He has refused to talk since Sunday when the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola, briefed journalists on how the victims were rescued and suspects arrested, with two of them neutralised. It was learnt that not only has Oloro refused to talk, he also shunned food and water, and was soiling himself with urine and faeces in the cell he was kept in. On Tuesday, Saturday Tribune learnt that he was taken to hospital because of his condition but he refused to respond to doctor’s questions to know the treatment he needed.
Oloro was said to possess many charms recovered from him. The FID-IRT operatives said the charms he possessed were so many that some were even found in his car.
Past kidnap operations
Among the arrested suspects, Oloro had been known to be deep in criminal activities. On September 20, 2022, he was paraded by the Oyo State Police Command after his arrest along with his kidnap gang leader, BJ by the Monitoring Unit. At that time, the duo, with other suspects carried out several kidnappings within Ibadan and Ogun State. In his confession during an interview in a story published in Saturday Tribune on September 24, 2022, Oloro confessed that before he was caught for kidnapping, he had once been arrested for snatching cars at gunpoint which resulted in his being remanded in prison. But, according to him, he secured freedom when he enjoyed what he called “prerogative of mercy” which he claimed was bestowed on him by the judiciary.
After his arraignment for the kidnap, Oloro, who claimed to be a Muslim and Ogun worshipper, and another suspect, Aleshe, were remanded in prison as the matter was being heard in court. However, it was learnt that Aleshe was released on bail on April 26, 2024, because of a contagious disease he had, while it is yet unclear the reason Oloro secured a bail also.
However, Aleshe allegedly returned to kidnapping less than a month after he was granted bail, as he carried out an operation on May 16, 2024. Aleshe continued until he was arrested by the Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Ogun State. A credible source confirmed to Saturday Tribune that Aleshe is still in prison in Abeokuta.
A former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has dismissed claims that Chief MKO Abiola was poisoned, insisting that an autopsy conducted by pathologists from four countries attributed his death to natural causes.
The revelations are contained in Chapter 21 of Abubakar’s 264-page, 27-chapter autobiography titled ‘Call of Duty,’ obtained by our correspondent on Saturday at the public presentation of the book and two others at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
The presentation was held to mark the former Head of State’s 84th birthday and was attended by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima as Special Guest of Honour.
Writing on the events leading to Abiola’s death on July 7, 1998, Abubakar said the Bashorun collapsed during a meeting with a visiting American delegation comprising Mr Tom Pickering, then U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, and Ms Susan Rice, then Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.
“I do not believe Abiola was poisoned. The family requested an autopsy and we assembled American, British, Nigerian and Canadian pathologists to conduct it. The autopsy report attributed his death to natural causes,” Abubakar wrote.
He disclosed that Abiola had been managing pre-existing medical conditions, including hypertension and a heart ailment, as far back as 1994 when he was first detained.
The former Head of State said, “As far back as 1994 when he was arrested by the Abacha Administration for declaring himself President, it was public knowledge that Abiola was managing certain medical conditions which could seriously affect the quality of life of any human being.”
According to Abubakar, a radiological report by Colonel (Dr) O. Awofeso, then Chief Consultant Radiologist at the Nigerian Army Defence Hospital, Sokoto, dated September 28, 1994, found that Abiola’s heart was enlarged with “right ventricular preponderance” consistent with hypertensive cardiac disease.
The former military leader narrated how the fatal meeting unfolded, citing Rice’s 2019 memoir, ‘Tough Love: My Story of the Things Worth Fighting For,’ in which she recalled that Abiola began coughing mildly about five minutes into their conversation before it became “wracking” and “dramatic.”
“Rice said she noticed Abiola’s ankles were swollen. About five minutes into their conversation, according to her, ‘Abiola started to cough, at first mildly and intermittently, and then wrackingly with consistency,’” Abubakar wrote, quoting the memoir.
He said Abiola complained of feeling hot and asked that the air-conditioning be turned up, after which a doctor was summoned and diagnosed a heart attack.
Quoting Pickering’s account in a BBC interview shortly after Abiola’s death, Abubakar wrote that the politician “had trouble breathing, went into the toilet and came out obviously very distressed,” before being moved to a couch where he removed his shirt and asked for the room to be ventilated.
“A doctor arrived within 10 minutes and called for immediate hospital attention.
“We all helped to put him in a car, there was no ambulance immediately available. We followed him to the clinic of the Head of State of Nigeria, where doctors immediately began to work on him…but unfortunately at the end of their efforts it was not possible and he died,” Abubakar quoted Pickering as saying.
Abubakar recalled receiving the news from his Chief Security Officer, Abdulrasheed Aliyu, who had led the American delegation to the meeting.
“Aliyu, my CSO, called me. As soon as I picked, he said, in a shaky voice, that there was a problem. I asked: ‘What problem again?’ He said Abiola was dead. My head went blank,” Abubakar wrote.
He described breaking the news to Abiola’s family, recounting how one of the politician’s daughters broke down in tears and was consoled by Rice.
“If we had not allowed the American delegation to see him and he had died in custody, it would have been a different story. It would have been insinuated that he had long died and we were trying to cover it up,” he stated.
The former Head of State also addressed allegations that he received $500m in cash following Abacha’s death, describing the claim as “pure fantasy” and “an absolute imagination.”
He narrated, “I want to put it on record that nobody gave me $500 million or any amount, bigger or smaller.
“Is it possible to collect half a billion dollars in cash and only one person in the world would know about it?”
Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, had been in detention since 1994 after declaring himself President.
His death came just over a month after that of General Sani Abacha, fuelling widespread speculation that he had been eliminated to prevent his release and inauguration.
Abubakar succeeded Abacha as Head of State and oversaw Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule, handing over to President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999.
The death of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe in captivity has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing grief, concern over the country’s security situation, and reflections on leadership and public service.
Rabe, who was abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State about two weeks ago while travelling for a wedding, reportedly died while in captivity.
The Katsina State Government, through the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, announced on Saturday that the retired military officer died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while being held by his abductors.
Following the announcement, social media users took to Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to mourn the former general and comment on the broader challenge of insecurity in the country.
On Facebook, Usman Almustapha described the incident as a lesson for serving military personnel, urging them to protect ordinary citizens during their years of service.
“The death of Major General Abubakar Rabe (Rtd) should serve as a lesson to serving military personnel. Use your position to protect and safeguard ordinary citizens while you are in service,” he wrote.
Another commenter, Musa Hassan, said the incident underscored the temporary nature of power and public office.
“People in power should know that power is transient and their failures and inaction today can affect them in future,” he stated.
Similarly, Suleiman Zaria offered prayers for the deceased while stressing the importance of responsible leadership.
“Leadership is a trust, and history never forgets. Doing the right thing at the right time will always leave a legacy of honour and service,” he wrote.
Mohammed Abdullahi Nako wrote: “If an army general can be kidnapped and killed, then who is safe? We are in grave danger under this lackadaisical government. The nation is no longer safe. Incessant kidnappings, banditry, and other violent crimes against citizens have become the order of the day.
“The government appears preoccupied solely with strategies to win the next election, while the safety of lives and property is no longer its priority. This misplaced focus underscores a glaring level of incompetence. When those entrusted with the security of the state cannot protect even high ranking military officers, it exposes a total collapse of the security architecture and a dereliction of the government’s primary constitutional duty to its people.”
Other users reflected on the country’s security challenges. Orok Bassey suggested that experiences such as Rabe’s could influence future discussions on approaches to addressing insurgency and banditry, while Joel Yuyu called for accountability and justice in confronting wrongdoing.
On X, many users expressed concern over the state of insecurity and questioned the safety of citizens.
A user identified as @abba_laminu lamented what he described as the growing threat posed by bandits, noting that the death of a retired senior military officer highlighted the dangers facing Nigerians.
“After years of service and sacrifice, Allah ya jiqanshi da rahama,” he wrote.
Another user, @Isiyaq, called on political leaders to take stronger measures against insecurity, while @ReliableGov described the incident as tragic.
Several other users used the occasion to renew calls for more effective responses to kidnapping and banditry across the country.
Rabe’s death has added to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom and bandit attacks continue to pose significant challenges despite ongoing security operations.
The retired military officer’s passing has drawn condolences from citizens across the country, many of whom described the incident as a painful reminder of the need for sustained efforts to improve security and protect lives.
Traditional rulers in Yorubaland are considering invoking ancestral deities and deploying other indigenous spiritual mechanisms to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.
The development comes amid persistent insecurity across the South-West, where communities continue to grapple with rising cases of abductions and violent attacks
Some of the monarchs, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH on Thursday and Friday, said the move was being considered as a complementary measure to support conventional security efforts against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers operating in the region.
The development followed a call by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, urging traditional rulers across Yorubaland to deploy ancestral means to tackle rising insecurity in the region.
Oba Ogunwusi, who is the Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, made the call while speaking at the grand finale of the 2026 Ifa Festival.
He also urged traditional rulers to collaborate with the government to restore peace and order.
The South-West region has in recent times witnessed a surge in abductions and other violent crimes, with over 40 teachers and pupils of three schools in Yawota and Esinle communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State still being held hostage.
Traditional rulers adopt spiritual intervention
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the Olowu of Owu-Kuta in Osun State, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, said traditional rulers were “seriously considering the deployment of our ancient inherited deities to serve the purpose” in the fight against terrorists.
He expressed confidence in traditional means of tackling insecurity, saying many traditional rulers in Yorubaland believe in the potency of ancient powers and deities to protect their communities.
“The traditional rulers are seriously considering the deployment of our ancient inherited deities to serve the purpose of the moment, the invading bandits and kidnappers who are launching onslaughts on our various communities. We believe most of these deities can serve the purpose.
“Many Yoruba traditional rulers, at least 90 per cent of them, believe in the Yoruba gods, and they believe in the potency of the deities irrespective of their religion,” Oba Oyelude said.
Oba Oyelude revealed that the implementation had already begun in certain areas, though some communities were proceeding with caution due to potential implications on local trade.
“It is very certain that some communities are already taking these actions. We in the South-West will not fold our hands and wait for the Federal Government to do it all. We will support the government’s efforts because we are the direct beneficiaries.
“We are seriously working on all options. We are not limiting it to professional security forces. While we are asking Christians to deploy the Psalms they know, we are also asking Muslims to deploy the Quranic verses they know, while traditionalists, who are the custodians of the land, are being asked to move and invoke the spirit of the land to protect those who are on the land legitimately, not the invaders,” he said.
Similarly, the Ondo State Chairman of the Council of Obas and the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, said his kingdom was considering adopting traditional measures to protect its people against banditry and other security threats.
He maintained that Yoruba traditional institutions had, from time immemorial, served as custodians of both the physical and spiritual well-being of their communities.
Oba Ogunoye added that there was nothing unusual about deploying time-tested indigenous mechanisms to safeguard lives and property.
He said, “We are Africans, and before now, we had ways of addressing insecurity challenges. I believe in what the Ooni said. We have to combine everything to fight this challenge.”
Oba Ogunoye also reiterated that the creation of state police would go a long way in combating insecurity.
“If state police is in effect, supported by traditional means, it would be arms for arms, so our communities would be safe to a very large extent,” the monarch declared.
The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, also disclosed that the adoption of traditional mechanisms was already being considered in his kingdom to combat the invasion of terrorists.
He said, “We are having meetings to consider most of these suggestions on the need to use our traditional weapons in defending our people. We will also do this within the ambit of the law and ensure that no one is hiding under such a guise to perpetrate any illegality.
“We are already working with some of the vigilantes within our communities in this respect. We are hopeful that the results of these efforts will be visible in no distant time,” the monarch said.
Also speaking, the Onimeko of Imekoland in Ogun State, Oba Benjamen Olanite, said there was growing pressure on traditional rulers from their subjects to deploy indigenous spiritual mechanisms to tackle the worsening security situation in Yorubaland.
“This is the way our forefathers safeguarded their communities, and there is nothing wrong with deploying traditional means to combat criminality. Even the Nigerian Constitution recognises our traditions and the people’s right to defend themselves,” he said.
The monarch, however, called for caution, stressing that while traditional institutions might consider indigenous methods in addressing insecurity, such measures must remain within the bounds of the law and respect for human rights.
On his part, the Olu of Imasayi in Ogun State, Oba Lukmon Kuoye, said traditional institutions possessed indigenous protective mechanisms that could help secure communities and border areas, but stressed the need for proper legal backing and caution in their application.
He called on the National Assembly to urgently consider granting traditional rulers defined constitutional roles, saying this would enable them to contribute more effectively to the fight against insecurity.
“If we engage directly in the fight against insecurity, the government may rebuke us for exceeding our boundaries as traditional rulers. This is one of the things hindering the traditional institution from stepping forward to combat kidnapping and banditry in our region.
“We have a lot of means we can deploy. For instance, in our area, we have a charm we can place around our borders that can instantly kill any invader, even without physically confronting such an invader. We can use that to protect our boundaries,” Oba Kuoye said.
We are ready to invoke deities – traditionalists
Meanwhile, traditionalists have expressed readiness to collaborate with traditional rulers in efforts to tackle insecurity across Yorubaland, saying indigenous spiritual systems remain an important but underutilised tool for protecting communities.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the leader of Ijo Orunmila Ifa Koseunti, Ifaniyi Akinside, said the call by monarchs for a return to traditional practices reflected the urgent need to revive cultural mechanisms that once helped safeguard communities.
“Each deity in Yorubaland has its purpose and function. For example, the Oro deity is invoked to ward off danger; we appease the river spirit to repel invaders and their co-conspirators. There are things we can do as traditionalists to protect Yorubaland from marauders, but many of these practices have been abandoned because of the nonchalant attitude of our traditional rulers towards tradition and culture.
“The Ooni is not asking us to engage in physical warfare or carry arms and ammunition to fight bandits. What the monarch is trying to tell us is that we must engage our attackers in spiritual warfare. If we had been doing this, what happened in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, would not have happened.
“We must fortify our borders spiritually. We can use the wind, the land and the water to fight the invaders and prevent them from infiltrating Yorubaland. There are things we can do to cause confusion in the camps of the terrorists or even make them kill themselves without us engaging them physically,” he said.
Another traditionalist and Ifa priest, Ifashina Atanda, called on South-West governors to dedicate a portion of their security votes to traditional interventions, insisting that collaboration with indigenous spiritual leaders could help curb insecurity in the region.
He said government efforts alone might not be sufficient without the involvement of traditionalists, who, according to him, can provide spiritual solutions through consultations with the Ifa oracle and prescribed rituals to appease deities believed to govern the land.
Atanda explained that through such consultations, the Ifa oracle is believed to reveal impending dangers, their timing and possible preventive measures, adding that this could help authorities take early action against security threats.
“What happened in Oyo is unfortunate, but it would have been prevented if they had consulted the Ifa oracle, which would have revealed the danger ahead of time. The gods of the land would have prevented the bandits from taking away the schoolchildren if the right thing had been done before the incident.
“Each South-West state has its own deity, and these deities must be consulted and appeased regularly to prevent the invasion of evil. This does not prevent Christians and Muslims from practising their faith,” the Ifa priest said.
On his part, a traditionalist and Nollywood actor, Pa Peter Fatomilola, said the government must begin to explore indigenous methods alongside conventional security strategies in addressing the rising insecurity across the South-West.
He stated that citizens should also be encouraged to adopt protective measures rooted in Yoruba culture, insisting that the region’s rich traditional heritage provides tools that could help defend communities against attacks.
Meanwhile, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and National Leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress, Gani Adams, called for a combined spiritual and physical response to the worsening insecurity across the South-West, urging all religious groups and security stakeholders to be involved.
He said traditional rulers, traditional worshippers, Muslims and Christians all have roles to play in efforts to secure the region, stressing that the situation requires a collective approach beyond any single belief system.
According to him, spiritual intervention remains an important component in addressing insecurity, particularly through consultations and prayers across different religious platforms.
The Oodua Peoples Congress leader added that traditional worshippers, in particular, must intensify consultations with deities to seek protection for the land, while clerics of other faiths should also contribute through their respective spiritual obligations.
Tension In Ghana As Protesters Chant 'South Africa Must Go’, Storm MTN Headquarters In Accra
Tensions heightened in Ghana on Thursday as demonstrators under the banner of the “South Africa Must Go” campaign marched to the headquarters of MTN Ghana in Accra, intensifying growing protests against South African businesses in the country.
The protesters, who gathered in large numbers, converged on the telecommunications giant’s head office, demanding that South Africans and their businesses leave the country as anti-foreigner attacks escalated in South Africa.
Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators carrying placards and chanting slogans as they approached the premises of MTN Ghana in the Ghanaian capital.
The protest is part of a broader campaign dubbed “South Africa Must Go,” which has gained traction in recent days in retaliation against the ongoing xenophobic attacks and killings of African migrants by South Africans.
Recall that on May 27, 2026, the first group of Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa amid renewed xenophobic tensions arrived in Accra, as authorities moved to manage a widening humanitarian and diplomatic concern involving African migrants.
The Government of Ghana assured returning citizens that they would not be treated as refugees or abandoned persons, but would instead receive what officials described as a heroic and royal welcome upon arrival.
Speaking while receiving the first batch of about 300 evacuees, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the administration had already prepared a comprehensive support package for the returnees.
“You are not going to arrive in Ghana as if you are orphans,” Ablakwa said. “You arrive, you are a hero’s welcome. The Chief of Staff himself has called me to say that he would love to join me to receive you.”
He added that a high-level government delegation would be present at the airport to receive them.
“And he will be there leading a high-powered government delegation to receive all of you,” he said.
The minister further stated, “You have seen the arrangements that the President has made. We have met and discussed a five-item package that everybody will be entitled to.”
Although details of the support package were not immediately disclosed, Ablakwa stressed that the government’s response was aimed at affirming the dignity of citizens abroad.
“We want to show the world that we cherish our nationals. Our citizens matter to us,” he said.
He rejected any suggestion that the returnees should be viewed as displaced persons.
“You are not refugees. You are not some destitutes. Ghana is not some war zone where we cannot take care of our own. Ghana is a place to be,” he added.
Ablakwa also praised Ghana’s reputation as a stable and welcoming nation, noting continued inflows of foreigners into the country.
“And that’s why many, many foreigners are trooping to Ghana… they always feel at home,” he said.
He noted that returnees would continue to be treated with dignity and respect, saying, “We will accept you as royals.”
Dangote Petroleum Refinery is seeking to raise about $1 billion through a private placement that values the company at $39.1 billion.
According to an Information Memorandum, the refinery is offering three billion ordinary shares at a placement price of $0.35 per share. The transaction is expected to raise approximately $1 billion and has already attracted strong investor interest, with indications suggesting that the offer may be oversubscribed following the close of the indication-of-interest period.
The offer implies a valuation of approximately $39.1 billion for the refinery, making it one of the most valuable privately held industrial assets in Africa. The refinery currently has approximately 111.67 billion ordinary shares in its share capital. The private placement is expected to raise about $1 billion in fresh capital.
Applications require a minimum subscription of 1 million shares, equivalent to an investment of $350,000. Additional subscriptions are accepted in multiples of 500,000 shares, while investors will be subject to a 365-day lock-up period from the date of allotment.
According to the memorandum, the proceeds will be used to support ongoing expansion projects and general corporate purposes, with the fundraising exercise described as a key component of the refinery’s broader funding strategy.
The refinery’s $39.1 billion valuation reflects investor expectations regarding its strategic role in Nigeria’s energy sector and its growing influence across regional petroleum markets.
It also highlights the scale of the facility’s contribution to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products. The refinery has a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day and commenced petroleum product production in 2024.
Operations have expanded across multiple product lines, including diesel, aviation fuel, naphtha, and premium motor spirit (PMS).
Industry analysts noted that the facility has significantly altered fuel supply dynamics within Nigeria while creating new export opportunities.
The valuation further highlighted investor confidence in the refinery’s ability to generate long-term value through domestic supply and regional exports.
The current capital raise forms part of the refinery’s broader expansion programme as it continues to strengthen its position in regional energy markets.
Market observers viewed the transaction as a potential step toward broadening the company’s shareholder base ahead of any future listing.
Aliko Dangote has previously indicated plans to eventually list the refinery on the capital market.
With indications suggesting that demand has already exceeded the targeted raise, the transaction could rank among the most significant private capital raises in Nigeria’s corporate history while serving as a key test of investor appetite for large-scale Nigerian industrial assets
Barring any last-minute change of formation, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has succeeded in setting up a possible ‘AA’ ticket on the presidential ballot of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by picking former Transportation Minister, Chibuike Amaechi, as his running mate.
Also, yesterday, he declared that the actions by the Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration contradicted the spirit, sacrifice and legacy of June 12.
Coming after weeks of rigorous negotiations within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) coalition platform, which was threatened by post-primary recriminations, the choice of Amaechi comes as a bold counter to the OK ticket pairing of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso on the rival NDC for the January 16, 2027, presidential election.
By settling for Amaechi, Atiku seems to have decided to do what he failed to do in the lead-up to the 2023 election cycle, when he refused to accept former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, who emerged as the first runner-up in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary.
While the duo of the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Obi, and his New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) counterpart, Kwankwaso, joined the ADC, speculations were rife that the party had a predetermined plan to have Atiku run with the former transportation minister to achieve a North-East/South-South balance on the party’s presidential ballot.
But contrary to those conjectures, Amaechi, shortly after he filled and returned his N90 million presidential nomination form, said he was not positioning himself for a VP slot.
Further, pushing back on the reports of a possible pairing with Atiku after Obi and Kwankwaso left ADC for the NDC, Amaechi, on May 20, ruled out the possibility of a consensus rather than a direct primary.
Speaking to The Guardian on how the former Transportation Minister finally succumbed to pressures and entreaties from highly placed political leaders from both the North-West and South-South, a very close ally of Amaechi said Atiku assured that the “VP nominee would have extensive roles to play in the campaigns and government”.
Before the latest development, ADC chieftain, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, had dismissed comments credited to party stalwart, Dele Momodu, suggesting that Amaechi had rejected the party’s VP slot ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement posted on his verified social media accounts yesterday, Eze described Momodu’s remarks as personal opinion capable of creating unnecessary tension, mistrust and misunderstanding within the party.
According to him, Amaechi’s previous comments after the ADC presidential primaries had only indicated that no one had approached him regarding a VP position.
ATIKU, in a statement which he personally signed and released to commemorate another Democracy Day on June 12, urged citizens to stand up against bad governance, reject the politics of intimidation, and resist every manifestation of democratic backsliding.
He stressed that Nigerians must, once again, summon the courage of those who marched, protested, resisted, suffered and sacrificed for freedom for June 12 to retain its meaning.
The Adamawa politician said, over the past three years, Nigerians had witnessed a deliberate and coordinated effort to weaken, fragment and neutralise opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He added that through manufactured leadership crises, orchestrated defections, political intimidation and the abuse of state institutions, every credible opposition platform had come under sustained attack.
The former VP said institutions that ought to serve the Nigerian people impartially had increasingly been transformed into instruments of partisan warfare, adding that anti-graft agencies, the police, the National Assembly, and even segments of the judiciary had been deployed to harass, intimidate, and coerce opposition voices into submission or defection.
Tinubu orders breakup of Optasia’s 12-year monopoly on airtime credit lending
…FCCPC secures presidential backing to dismantle exclusive control over N3trn airtime advance market
…Capital flight and lack of local investment, cited among other reasons
....Nine Nigerian fintechs to be onboarded
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to break the 12-year monopoly of South African firm Optasia on airtime credit lending and data advance services in Nigeria, authoritative sources have told Vanguard.
The decision, which followed a high-level briefing by the FCCPC, marks a major policy shift aimed at opening up an estimated N3 trillion annual market to Nigerian fintechs.
According to multiple sources within the commission, the President was persuaded by arguments that Optasia’s exclusive arrangement has for over a decade facilitated substantial capital flight while contributing minimally to local tax revenues or employment.
“The Commission’s argument is that deregulating the sector will promote competition, the Nigeria First Technology Policy, employment for Nigerians and discourage capital flight to South Africa as hitherto perpetrated by Optasia,” an FCCPC official familiar with the briefing told this newspaper on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly.
The directive, which sources say was issued in writing late last month, effectively orders the FCCPC to use its statutory powers under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act to end exclusivity arrangements that have kept smaller players out of the airtime credit lending space.
Airtime credit lending allows mobile phone users to borrow small amounts of airtime or data when their balance runs out, repaying typically within days—a service used by tens of millions of low-income Nigerians.
Allegations of non-compliance
It is alleged that Optasia—formerly known as Channel VAS—has operated for 12 years without establishing any administrative infrastructure in Nigeria. Sources further alleged that the company employs no Nigerian staff and does not share credit data with Nigerian bureaus or other financial technology firms, creating an information asymmetry that has stifled local competition.
Attempts to reach Optasia for comment on these allegations were unsuccessful as of press time. The company’s legal representatives in Nigeria did not respond to multiple inquiries. However, it is understood that Optasia has already filed an interim injunction before a Federal High Court seeking to restrain the FCCPC from implementing any deregulation measures.
The allegations, if proven, could have significant regulatory implications. Under Nigerian law, foreign companies providing digital financial services to Nigerian consumers are generally expected to maintain a local presence, comply with data localisation requirements, and contribute to the national tax base. The FCCPC’s case, as presented to the Presidency, reportedly hinges on the alleged claim that Optasia has circumvented these expectations.
The FCCPC’s acting executive vice chairman, Adamu Abdullahi, has previously spoken publicly about the need to dismantle anti-competitive arrangements in digital lending.
In a recent industry forum, Abdullahi warned that “no single company, regardless of origin, will be allowed to hold an entire digital subsector hostage through exclusive contracts that do not serve Nigerian consumers.”
Industry analysts say the timing of the directive is significant, coming as Nigeria grapples with foreign exchange shortages and seeks to maximise local value from its digital economy.
The airtime credit lending market, estimated at N3 trillion in annual transaction value, represents a substantial pool of consumer spending that policymakers believe should benefit domestic firms.
A senior fintech executive who requested anonymity because his company is among those seeking to enter the market described the President’s decision as “a watershed moment.” He added: “For 12 years, one foreign firm has extracted value from Nigerian consumers with almost no local reinvestment. That model is now ending.”
The FCCPC is expected to publish implementation guidelines within 60 days, detailing how the monopoly will be unwound and what conditions new entrants must meet.
The nine companies which are expected to be onboarded are: Technotrends Platforms Nigeria Limited, Total Tim Nigeria Limited, Fonyou Technologies Nigeria Limited, Rane Interactive Medien CLS Limited, MRS Innovation Nigeria Limited, Mode NG Applications Nigeria Limited, ERL Telecoms Service Limited, Cloud Interactive Associate Limited, and Coverage Broadband Limited.
Among the requirements being considered are mandatory local data hosting, minimum Nigerian equity participation, and transparent credit data sharing with the Nigerian Credit Bureau.
Nigerian banks earned a combined N209.18bn from account maintenance charges in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 14.07 per cent increase from the N183.37bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, an analysis of the unaudited financial statements of 11 listed lenders by The PUNCH has shown.
The review also showed that total fee and commission income rose to N984.47bn in Q1 2026 from N866.30bn in Q1 2025, indicating a 13.64 per cent year-on-year increase.
The figures, drawn from the results of 11 of the 13 banks listed on the Nigerian Exchange, exclude FCMB Group and Unity Bank, which had yet to publish their unaudited first-quarter financial statements.
Account maintenance fees are regulated charges applicable only to current accounts, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions. The fee replaced the former Commission on Turnover and is intended to enable banks to recover the cost of operating active transactional accounts.
So This Happened (EP 401) reviews: Families still await return of abducted Oyo pupils0:00 / 0:00 An analysis of the banks’ earnings showed that Zenith Bank generated the highest account maintenance income at N25.07bn, followed by Ecobank Transnational Incorporated with N118.06bn recorded under cash management and related fees, which serves as the closest disclosed equivalent. Access Holdings posted N16.68bn, Guaranty Trust Holding Company earned N15.12bn, while United Bank for Africa generated N13.26bn.
In terms of total fee and commission income, Ecobank led the pack with N237.80bn, followed by Access Holdings with N205.03bn, UBA with N124.07bn, First Holdco with N96.12bn and Zenith Bank with N84.79bn.
Among lenders that disclosed account maintenance income separately, GTCO recorded the fastest growth, with charges rising by 42.15 per cent from N10.63bn to N15.12bn.
Sterling Financial Holdings followed with a 38.31 per cent increase to N2.38bn, while Wema Bank’s account maintenance earnings rose by 31.30 per cent to N3bn. Zenith Bank posted a 30.81 per cent increase to N25.07bn and UBA recorded a 27.65 per cent rise to N13.26bn.
For total fee and commission income, Zenith Bank recorded the strongest growth at 41.43 per cent, followed by Fidelity Bank at 39.70 per cent, Sterling Financial Holdings at 33.25 per cent, Stanbic IBTC Holdings at 30.37 per cent and First Holdco at 23.67 per cent.
However, not all lenders recorded growth in account maintenance income. Fidelity Bank’s earnings from the line declined by 2.52 per cent to N3.24bn from N3.33bn, while Stanbic IBTC’s account transaction fees, its closest equivalent to account maintenance charges, fell by 4.98 per cent to N1.91bn from N2.01bn.
The PUNCH also found mixed performance across other fee-generating lines.
Access Holdings grew fee and commission income by 17.5 per cent to N205.03bn, driven by credit-related fees, bills and letters of credit, and e-business income. Account maintenance income rose modestly by 4.1 per cent to N16.68bn.
Ecobank’s fee and commission income increased by 7.72 per cent to N237.80bn, supported by brokerage fees, portfolio management fees and cash management-related charges, which accounted for almost half of total fee income.
Fidelity Bank recorded a 39.7 per cent increase in fee and commission income to N33.28bn, largely driven by ATM charges, Fidelity Connect commissions and letters of credit fees. Account maintenance charges declined despite the strong overall growth.
First Holdco grew fee and commission income by 23.67 per cent to N96.12bn, with strong contributions from credit-related fees, brokerage income, custodian fees and financial advisory services. Account maintenance charges rose by 17.38 per cent to N10.46bn.
GTCO increased fee and commission income by 7.09 per cent to N80.31bn, supported by strong growth in e-business income, credit-related fees and asset management fees. Account maintenance charges contributed 18.82 per cent of total fee income.
Jaiz Bank recorded a 10.29 per cent increase in fee and commission revenue to N5.67bn, although it did not separately disclose account maintenance charges.
Stanbic IBTC expanded fee and commission revenue by 30.37 per cent to N83.14bn, driven by asset management, brokerage, custody and foreign currency service fees. Its account transaction fees declined by 4.98 per cent.
Sterling Financial Holdings posted a 33.25 per cent increase in fee and commission income to N16.88bn. Account maintenance fees rose by 38.31 per cent to N2.38bn, while other fees and commissions surged by 139.32 per cent.
UBA’s fee and commission income declined by 3.04 per cent to N124.07bn as lower earnings from credit-related fees, remittance fees and transactional service commissions offset gains from account maintenance charges and pension custody fees. Account maintenance income rose by 27.65 per cent.
Wema Bank’s fee and commission income fell by 30.57 per cent to N17.39bn due mainly to declines in electronic product fees, financial guarantees and foreign exchange transaction charges. However, account maintenance income increased by 31.3 per cent.
Zenith Bank recorded a 41.43 per cent increase in fee and commission income to N84.79bn. Account maintenance charges, which represented 29.57 per cent of total fee income, rose by 30.81 per cent to N25.07bn. Strong growth in foreign withdrawal charges, electronic product fees and letters of credit commissions supported performance.
Commenting on the development, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, said the increase in banking transactions and fee income reflected improving economic activity and rising confidence in the formal sector.
Yusuf said, “If the momentum of economic activities is growing, it reflects in the performance of the banks, particularly when we look at activities within the formal sector of the economy. The demand for banking activities is a derived demand because the demand for banking activities is in order to support economic activities.
“So if you are seeing growth in the economy, if you are seeing an improvement in business confidence in the economy, if you are seeing profitability of businesses, there is a positive correlation between what the economy is saying and what business performance is saying. All of these things are reflected in the transactions in the banks, which ultimately also reflects in the profitability of the financial institutions.”
The CPPE chief observed that there is a strong correlation between the tempo of economic activities and banking transactions and profitability.
“It is a reflection of the momentum that we are seeing in terms of economic recovery, business confidence, investors’ confidence and macroeconomic stability supporting business growth,” he concluded.
The growth in banking fees coincides with signs of strengthening economic activity. Nigeria’s private sector expanded to a nine-month high in May 2026, with the Stanbic IBTC Purchasing Managers’ Index rising to 54.1 points, supported by stronger demand, increased output, new product launches and improved logistics.
The banking sector has also continued to benefit from ongoing reforms. Earlier this year, the Central Bank of Nigeria said its financial-sector reforms, including the recapitalisation programme, were strengthening the foundations of the economy.
According to the apex bank, 33 banks had raised additional capital as of March 2026, while 30 institutions had already met the new minimum capital requirements for their licence categories.
Five worshippers abducted during an attack on ECWA Church in Omugo, Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have died in captivity.
The church’s minister, Rev. Timothy Omole, informed the congregation about the tragic development in a message to the church’s WhatsApp platform.
He, however, confirmed the development to Daily Trust in a telephone chat Wednesday night.
Among those killed was the pastor’s wife, Mrs Rachael Oluwaremilekun Omole.
The victims were among eight worshippers kidnapped when armed men invaded the church during a Sunday service on March 22, 2026.
According to Rev. Omole, the news left him heartbroken.
“It is with deep pain in my heart that I inform you that out of eight people that were abducted from ECWA Omugo on the 22nd of March, 2026, only three are still with the kidnappers”, he said, adding that “The remaining five have been with the Lord.”
The Clergy listed the deceased as “Elder Chief David Omopariola, Chief Joseph Ibitoye Afariogun, Mrs Iyabo Aniyi, Elder Joshua Akanbi Adeyemi and Mrs Rachael Oluwaremilekun Omole, his wife.”
“God to console their immediate family and the church at large.”
Rev. Omole said the information was relayed by Mr Sunday Bakare, one of the abductees, who escaped from captivity after spending more than a month with the kidnappers.
According to him, Bakare informed the church that five of the abductees had died while three others remain in captivity.
Some of the victims, it was gathered, were on medication but were allegedly denied access to their drugs by their captors.
Sources familiar with the negotiations had earlier disclosed that families of the victims were informed of the deaths, although details surrounding the circumstances remained unclear.
The attack occurred on March 22 when gunmen stormed the church during worship, shooting sporadically and forcing congregants to flee before whisking away eight worshippers into a nearby forest.
Following the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly demanded ₦1 billion ransom, an amount that the pastor confirmed was reduced to N150 million during negotiations.
Sources had told Daily Trust that relatives of the victims eventually raised about ₦20 million and also provided food items and other supplies allegedly requested by the abductors in a bid to secure their release.
Despite the efforts, the kidnappers reportedly collected the money and supplies but refused to release the victims.
Three of the abducted worshippers are still believed to be in captivity.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has said it would be “evil” for Deltans to vote against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, citing the president’s ties to the state through First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television aired on Tuesday, Oborevwori said Tinubu remains the only likely presidential contender with a direct affiliation to Delta State and should therefore enjoy the support of the people.
“Among the candidates that emerged, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the only one that has an affiliation to Delta State,” the governor said.
“The man is an in-law here, and it would be evil to vote against your in-law. It’s a family affair. In the South-South, the people in Delta are saying this is their own. They were deceived before; now they can’t.”
The governor also credited the first lady with strengthening the president’s support base in the state, particularly among the Itsekiri ethnic group.
“The First Lady is holding the state strong, and no Itsekiri person will vote against Tinubu. No Urhobo man will because their son is the governor,” he said.
Oborevwori further defended the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, arguing that recent reforms have boosted revenue available to states.
“The confidence we have is in the people. His reforms and programmes are working very well. Sometimes when I commission projects and tell people we have money, it’s because of the reforms. If they are not working, we won’t get money,” he added.
The governor’s remarks come months after First Lady Oluremi Tinubu was conferred with the traditional title of Utukpa-Oritse of the Warri Kingdom, also known as Ugbone, meaning “Light of God”, by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, during a ceremony in Warri in February 2026.
At the event, the First Lady, whose mother is of Itsekiri descent from Warri while her father was Yoruba, described the honour as a reaffirmation of her commitment to service and national unity.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said the red chamber is working towards securing tickets for some of the senators who lost the bid to contest the 2027 general elections.
Daily Trust reports that about 40 senators across the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), among other lost the primaries.
Speaking after the 4-week recess of the Senate Akpabio congratulated those who lost the primaries in anticipation of the desired results.
He said the Senate leadership was shocked by the high number of losses suffered by incumbent lawmakers.
“I felicitate, particularly those who have secured their mandates to represent their parties in the next election. I know that there will always be victories and disappointments, yet above every individual triumph stands a greater triumph, the triumph of democracy itself.”
“And in this Senate, we have promised that we will have very few disappointments, and I do know that the Senate leader and the leadership of the Senate are working very hard towards that, so in advance, I will say congratulations to all of us across party lines,” he said.
Senators Ned Nwoko, Gbenga Daniel, Danjuma Goje, Rufai Hanga, are among the lawmakers who lost return tickets.
Akpabio expressed concern over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, assuring that the government was doing its best to ensure their return.
Describing the incident as an assault on “our collective humanity”, Akpabio warned politicians against exploiting national tragedies for partisan advantage.
“At moments such as these, there is a temptation to divide, to accuse, and to seek advantage from tragedy. Politicians and aspirants must resist that temptation for such cheap publicity.”
“Let us continue to support every lawful and necessary measure to strengthen security, protect our schools, safeguard our communities, and ensure that every bandit faces the full weight of justice,” he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has broken its silence on the controversy involving Lere Olayinka, spokesman of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Olayinka had taunted Emeka Ike, a Nollywood actor, for registering in Imo State and transferring his registration details to the FCT on May 15.
He attached two images to the post, which social media users said contained details obtained from INEC’s administrative login portal.
The controversy erupted after announced that he was interested in contesting for the House of Representatives seat for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the FCT under the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
The issue generated widespread reactions as many wondered why it was leaked through an INEC administrative webpage.
In a statement on Tuesday, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said investigation was ongoing.
The statement said the aide did not have direct access but that he obtained the information via people who had such access.
“The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to allegations currently circulating on social media and in some sections of the media regarding the alleged unauthorised access to the Commission’s Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database and the subsequent publication of information on a candidate in the recent primaries of a political party in the Federal Capital Territory.”
“The Commission takes this allegation seriously and has immediately commenced a thorough investigation to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
“As part of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise nationwide, authorised INEC Registration Officers were granted controlled access to specific components of the CVR system to enable them register new applicants, process requests for transfer of registration and update voter records where necessary. Such access is restricted to official duties only and is withdrawn at the conclusion of the exercise.
“The audit trail from the preliminary investigation has enabled the Commission to identify the user account through which the information was accessed. Accordingly, relevant personnel have been questioned, and all units connected with the incident are cooperating fully with the investigation.
“The Commission is also examining all technical, administrative and operational factors associated with the matter in order to establish individual responsibility and determine the circumstances surrounding the use of those credentials and identify any breach of internal access-control protocols before taking appropriate action against anyone involved.
“Preliminary findings from the Commission’s audit trail so far, however, indicate that there was no external breach of the CVR database, no hacking incident, and no unauthorised external access to the Commission’s ICT infrastructure. Rather, the information in question was accessed through valid user credentials assigned to personnel participating in the ongoing CVR exercise but released without authority.
“The incident under investigation relates to the retrieval of a specific voter record and does not indicate any compromise of the Commission’s broader voter registration infrastructure or the personal data of over 90 million registered voters.
“The Commission wishes to state categorically that it takes the security, confidentiality and integrity of voter data with the utmost seriousness and remains committed to transparency, institutional integrity, and the protection of voters’ personal information.
“Furthermore, the Department of State Services (DSS), on its own accord, has commenced an independent investigation into the matter. The Commission will continue to cooperate fully with all relevant security agencies and will not hesitate to refer any person found culpable for appropriate legal action.
“Members of the public and the media are therefore urged to disregard unfounded speculations while investigations remain ongoing. The Commission will continue to keep the public informed of its final findings and any measures taken in response to the incident in due course.”
Lere Olayinka recently came under heavy criticism from Nigerians after leaking Ike’s voter information through an INEC administrative webpage.
By Ayomide Tella and Donatus Anichukwueze
Actor Emeka Ike says he is prepared to take action against Lere Olayinka, media aide to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over the exposure of his data from the portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ike contested for the House of Representatives seat for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) and lost.
Olayinka recently came under heavy criticism from Nigerians after leaking Ike’s voter information through an INEC administrative webpage.
On his X handle on Saturday, Olayinka tweeted that Ike was formerly a registered voter in Imo State before transferring his registration to the FCT on May 15.
He attached two images to the post, which many believed contained details obtained from INEC’s administrative login portal.
Some of the personal information contained in the screenshots included Ike’s application number, registration centre, Voter Identification Number (VIN), profile picture, name and date of application.
Reacting to the development on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Ike described Olayinka’s action as shocking and the height of political rascality.
“It’s quite shocking, extreme and it is the height of political rascality for government officer to access a citizen’s information from the INEC cyber. It tells you a lot, shows how much impunity we have flying around there and people have access to the things they shouldn’t be having access to and that’s quite deplorable and I see that as a huge insult and slap on every political party and every Nigerian.
“He is telling every Nigerian that whoever you are, I can pull your information from anywhere and I can do what I want and that rascality needs to be stopped,” he said.
The actor said he was ready to challenge Olayinka for exposing his private details to the public.
“Actions are ready, I’m ready to take him on. He has no right to exploit my privacy and insult Nigerians the way he did. If he has been doing it in the past, this should be the last time he does it.”
Speaking further on the breakfast programme, Ike explained the reason behind his decision to contest for the House of Representatives seat in the FCT.
“I actually wanted to run in my state but a couple of people came to me, it was like a clarion call. People came to me and told me, ‘sir, you need to do this now, we need you in Abuja’.
“And I’m like you know I’m already trying to run in my state, but they insisted and the surge was high and I considered it seeing the relevant issues they brought on board and I said okay fine let’s see how we can build Abuja. A municipal area needs to be properly guarded and looked into, so I decided to shift to Abuja,” Ike said.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has alleged that the Oyo State Government orchestrated the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in parts of the state as part of a plot to embarrass President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Fayose made the allegation while speaking on a televised programme, where he questioned the response of the Oyo State Government to the incident and suggested that political considerations may have influenced its handling.
The former governor’s comments followed the kidnapping of pupils and teachers by gunmen in some local government areas of Oyo State on Friday, an incident that drew national attention and prompted a response from the Federal Government.
In the aftermath of the abduction, President Tinubu dispatched a high-powered delegation to the affected communities and assured residents that efforts were underway to secure the release of the victims.
Reacting to the development, Fayose argued that state governments bear primary responsibility for local security challenges and should not immediately shift attention to the Federal Government.
“Let me branch to Oyo State, before you get to the president in the hierarchy of leadership and governance, there is local government, there is state, state has security votes and there are people that are supposed to be working,” he said.
Fayose claimed that Governor Seyi Makinde failed to respond promptly to the incident, alleging that the governor prioritised political activities over addressing the crisis.
“In Oyo State, I strongly believe though I might be wrong but this sometimes might be orchestrated. The governor of Oyo State had his nomination and that of his candidates in the face of this abduction,” he said.
“He did not take any action, no steps were taken, it was after those nominations that he went to the families to visit them.”
The former governor further alleged that the incident may have been deliberately arranged to cast the Federal Government in a negative light.
“I sometimes believe that the abduction at Oyo School was orchestrated by the Oyo State Government to blackmail President Tinubu,” Fayose stated.
Neither Governor Makinde nor the Oyo State Government had immediately responded to the allegation at the time of filing this report.
The abduction has continued to generate reactions from political stakeholders and security analysts, with renewed calls for stronger measures to tackle insecurity and protect schools across the country.
A notorious bandit leader, Kachallah Muhammad, has established communication with relatives of the abducted retired senior military officer, Major General Rabe Abubakar Batsari, Daily Trust learnt on Monday.
Sources told our correspondent that the bandit kingpin, who operates in parts of Katsina State, opened a line of communication with the family of the retired General on Monday morning.
The retired Major General and his wife were reportedly abducted on Saturday in Katsina State.
Their vehicle was ambushed along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area by gunmen, who, according to witnesses, emerged from hiding, blocked the road and opened fire on the vehicle, forcing it to a halt before abducting the retired officer and his wife into a nearby forest.
The road, according to residents of the area, is unsafe due to repeated bandit attacks.
A senior local government official in Batsari, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, confirmed to our correspondent that he personally spoke with the abducted officer during the conversation facilitated by the bandit leader.
“I spoke with Major General Rabe through Kachallah Muhammad. He told us that he is hale and hearty and that his wife is also fine,” the official said.
According to the source, the retired general assured his family and associates that they are being adequately taken care of by their captors, a development that has somewhat eased anxiety among relatives and residents of the area.
The official further disclosed that during the interaction, Kachallah Muhammad made his demands clear, insisting on the release of his relatives, allegedly being held by Nigerian security authorities.
“He said what he wants is the immediate release of his relatives in government custody,” the official added.
The bandit leader, the source said, also expressed willingness to return to negotiations, indicating openness to dialogue aimed at restoring peace in Matazu and other areas under his influence.
“He said he is ready to go back to the negotiation table to achieve peace in Matazu and neighbouring communities,” the official said.
Family, residents express concern
Relatives and residents of Batsari have expressed deep concern over the abduction of the retired senior military officer, describing the incident as a devastating blow to both his family and the community that has benefited from his years of service and philanthropy.
A family member, Mariya Ibrahim, said the retired general, whom she described as the family’s breadwinner, was travelling to Katsina for a wedding with his wife when they were abducted.
“He served this country with dedication and deserves protection even in retirement. We want him and his wife rescued unharmed,” she said.
A resident, Ibrahim Mamman Batsari, said: “If a retired senior military officer can be kidnapped, then ordinary citizens are even more vulnerable. Government must rise to its responsibility.”
Another relative, Aisha Abubakar Batsari, described the retired officer as the pillar of the extended family and appealed for his safe rescue.
Residents noted that the general had remained actively involved in community development projects in Batsari.
A community leader, Haruna Mai Maganin Kwari Batsari, said the retired officer was expected in the town on the day of the incident to discuss community matters.
Security expert, Abubakar Ibrahim, said the incident reflects a dangerous escalation of insecurity in Katsina State, warning that criminal groups appear to be growing bolder.
“The kidnapping of a retired Major General shows how emboldened bandits have become. It exposes the vulnerability of major highways and rural communities. If urgent and decisive action is not taken, the situation could further deteriorate.”
2027: ‘They live in rented apartments but want to be governor’ — Eno fires at challengers
Governor Eno has questioned the credentials of unnamed political challengers, saying some live in rented apartments yet seek to govern Akwa Ibom.
by Saviour Imukudo
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State appears to have begun his re-election campaign on an attacking note, questioning the credentials of some opposition figures seeking to contest the state’s governorship seat in 2027.
Speaking on Saturday during a media chat to mark his third anniversary in Uyo, the governor said some of his challengers lived in rented apartments but desired to govern the oil-rich state.
Mr Eno, however, did not mention the name of any politician or gubernatorial aspirant.
The governor’s remarks came amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition politicians and other stakeholders positioning themselves for the next election cycle.
Questions over opponents’ credentials
Mr Eno said critics often underestimate the realities of governance until they assume public office.
“My dear brothers and sisters, if you’re not a governor, you’re not a governor. That’s the truth. It’s sweet to stay outside to want… So if I were a governor, I would do this,” he said.
“When you come in as a governor, forget about the siren, area boys, and female youths. Leave all those things and become a governor and notice how you’ll feel.”
The governor also dismissed what he described as attempts by “recycled politicians” to present themselves as alternatives to his administration.
“When I see recycled politicians coming back to tell me stories, I look at them and say, ‘You had the opportunity; show me one thing you did,'” he said.
“We’re going on a campaign. I’d like to debate with them; let them tell me what they did.”
‘They live in rented apartments’
The governor intensified his criticism when he questioned the personal achievements of some of those seeking elective office.
“Some of them don’t have a house. They live in a rented apartment and want to become governors. Is that how it works?” he said.
“They should tell me what they’ve done in life that succeeded. Anything they laid their hands on died,” he said without offering details of what he meant.
“And you want me to hand over the state treasury to you. Akwa Ibom, we’ve gone past that level. They should stop deceiving people.”
Political background
Mr Eno was elected governor in 2023 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), succeeding former Governor Udom Emmanuel.
In a major political realignment, he defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2025, a move that reshaped the political landscape in Akwa Ibom and generated intense debate among political stakeholders.
Since joining the APC, the governor has repeatedly defended his administration’s record and urged residents to judge his government based on its performance.
While supporters of the governor argue that his administration has recorded significant achievements in infrastructure, education, health, and rural development, opposition figures have accused the government of failing to adequately address key governance challenges despite the state receiving trillions of naira in revenue.
With months before formal campaigns for the 2027 governorship election begin, Mr Eno’s latest remarks suggest that political contestation in Akwa Ibom is already gathering momentum.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has lamented the presence of cows roaming the streets of Abuja, describing the menace as a national security issue.
The Minister insisted that livestock should not be allowed to move freely in the nation’s capital city.
Wike stated this on Monday during his monthly media chat in Abuja while responding to concerns raised by journalists over the increasing presence of cattle in parts of the city, despite ongoing efforts to improve the capital’s infrastructure and aesthetics.
Asked about cows grazing on lawns and roaming across roads in the FCT, the minister said: “It is an issue of national security.”
When pressed further on how the issue relates to national security, Wike replied: “No, no, no. We must face reality.”
According to him, the Federal Government’s policy direction on ranching remains the best approach to addressing the problem.
“One of the things we have done when we came in, but look, the President said, now let’s do ranching and see how we can take these cows, animals out of the city,” he said.
Describing the situation as unacceptable, Wike added: “It is an eyesore. It is not fair. It is not good.”
The minister noted that in many developed countries, livestock were not allowed to roam freely within urban centres.
“We have developed countries where they have cows. You have to go and see them. Go to Saudi Arabia. Go to all the cities. You cannot see the cows there. You cannot see them,” he said.
Wike lamented that government’s efforts to implement policies aimed at addressing the problem were often misunderstood or politicised.
“When you begin to develop some policies, people find it weird. ‘Oh, they are pushing cows because of this.’ No, no, no. It is an issue of national security,” he said.
The minister also addressed concerns over street trading, begging and other forms of nuisance within the city centre.
According to him, the FCT Administration (FCTA) has continued efforts to remove illegal traders from roadsides and unauthorised locations but required greater public support to sustain the exercise.
“You see again, when you see traders, this is where it is provided for you to trade, not to adjust anywhere. The next thing you see is a market. There is no market here. That also constitutes nuisance,” he said.
Wike added that the administration’s actions were intended to protect the integrity of the nation’s capital.
“We have been trying to, we have been doing that. But again, we need the media support to be able to educate the public that what we are doing is for the interest and for the generality of the people.
“This is the only one city we have in Nigeria. We cannot allow it to be destroyed simply because they are saying, ‘Oh, I want to go and see where I can find my daily bread.’ That does not mean you shouldn’t do what the law provides,” he stated.
Arsenal’s dream of winning a first-ever UEFA Champions League title ended in heartbreak on Saturday night as they lost 4-3 on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain following a tense 1-1 draw after regulation and extra time.
The Gunners, making only their second Champions League final appearance and their first in 20 years, fell short after missed spot-kicks from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhães handed PSG victory.
The defeat quickly sparked reactions across the English Premier League, with rival clubs and players taking subtle and direct digs at Mikel Arteta’s side.
Chelsea were among the first to respond, using the moment to taunt their London rivals. In a post on social media, the Blues invited supporters to book a tour of Stamford Bridge, describing it as London’s “home of trophies” and accompanying the message with two stars symbolising their two Champions League titles.
“Come and visit London’s Home of Trophies. Book your Stadium Tour at Stamford Bridge now,” the club wrote.
Crystal Palace also joined the banter. Fresh from winning the UEFA Conference League, the South London club reminded supporters of their European success, highlighting that they now possess a continental title while Arsenal are still waiting for theirs.
Aston Villa, winners of this season’s Europa League, opted for a more subtle approach. The Midlands club posted about having “another trophy to fight for” when they face Champions League winners PSG in the upcoming UEFA Super Cup.
Nottingham Forest, two-time European champions, also weighed in by sharing an image of club legend John “Robbo” Robertson celebrating with the European Cup trophy.
Players joined in the mockery as well. Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison, who has often clashed with Arsenal supporters, posted a video of a baby laughing uncontrollably shortly after the final whistle.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland also appeared to take a swipe at the Gunners, sharing a photograph of himself and friends smiling broadly. The post was widely interpreted by fans as a reaction to Arsenal’s defeat.
Despite the Champions League disappointment, Arsenal moved quickly to shift focus back to domestic success. On Sunday, the club staged an open-top bus parade through London to celebrate their Premier League triumph as they sought to put the European final setback behind them.
These used Eberechi Eze’s Arsenal announcement sound to mock him after his missed penalty🙆♂️🙆♂️if you have Arsenal fans as friends, check up on them😂💔 pic.twitter.com/KAigesBwcq
Eric Omondi Sets the Stage for Tomorrow’s Celebration at Nairobi Archives as Manchester United Fans Mock Arsenal’s Champions League Final Defeat pic.twitter.com/F09uk5ouuF
The Federal Government delegation met with community leaders and relatives of the victims as efforts continue to secure the release of those still being held captive.
The Federal Government delegation met with community leaders and relatives of the victims as efforts continue to secure the release of those still being held captive.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday visited Ogbomoso, Oyo State, to meet with community leaders and families of teachers, students and pupils abducted from schools in the area.
The visit followed the abduction of teachers and pupils from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
During the visit, the Federal Government delegation met with community leaders and relatives of the victims as efforts continue to secure the release of those still being held captive.
The high-level visit comes amid growing public concern over the incident, which has sparked protests and renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect schools and rural communities across Oyo State.
Also on Saturday, Governor Seyi Makinde visited Ogbomoso and reassured residents that his administration would continue to deploy every available effort to secure the safe return of the abducted teachers and pupils.
Addressing members of the community, the governor appealed for patience, understanding and cooperation, urging residents not to apportion blame to either the federal or state government but to unite behind efforts to rescue the victims.
Makinde sympathised with the affected families and the wider community, describing the incident as unprecedented, particularly because it involved the abduction of underage children.
He said he shared in the pain and grief of the victims’ families, adding that regardless of any grievances the abductors might claim to have, their actions remained cruel, unacceptable and inhumane.
The governor also recalled the sacrifices made by operatives of the Western Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, some of whom have lost their lives while tackling security challenges across the state.
He disclosed that since the abduction occurred, he had been holding security meetings twice daily and working closely with relevant security agencies to facilitate the safe return of the victims.
Makinde further commended security commanders for their dedication and commitment to protecting lives and property in the state and called on residents to continue praying for the success of ongoing rescue efforts.
“Don’t cry. I have come here today because of you. You installed this government. I want to let you know that this government is responsible to you. By the grace of God and your cooperation, we will bring back our children and the teachers.
“Please, I want you to cooperate with us because we are doing everything humanly possible to get our children and teachers back,” Makinde said.
He added: “This is not the time to start trading blame on who should be responsible for the release of these children between the state and federal government. This is just the time to come together to rescue our children and their teachers.
“I feel your pain but have trust in us.”
The abduction occurred on May 15 when gunmen stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, and kidnapped 45 pupils and teachers.
Days later, one of the abducted teachers, reportedly a Mathematics teacher, was said to have been killed by the attackers.
The incident drew widespread condemnation, with both Governor Makinde and President Bola Tinubu promising swift action to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
However, with many of the abductees still in captivity more than two weeks after the attack, anxiety has continued to grow across Oyo State and beyond.
The mounting frustration culminated in a peaceful protest last Monday in Ogbomoso, where teachers suspended classroom activities and marched to the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) office to demand urgent government intervention.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the protesters called on authorities at all levels to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
They also urged the government to strengthen security around schools and guarantee safer learning environments for both students and education workers.
As public refineries struggle, the NNPC-Dangote legal war is reshaping Nigeria’s downstream oil sector, writes Festus Akanbi
As public refineries remain largely dormant, the legal confrontation between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is rapidly becoming a defining moment for Nigeria’s industrial policy, energy security and investment climate.
At the centre of the dispute is Dangote Refinery’s challenge to fuel import licences issued by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to rival marketers. The refinery argues that continued importation undermines local refining capacity and runs counter to the spirit of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which encourages backward integration and domestic production.
NNPCL, however, warned the Federal High Court in Lagos that restricting imports could expose Nigeria to supply disruptions, fuel shortages and potential monopoly risks. Yet many observers find it difficult to reconcile the national oil company’s legal position with its continued ownership of the Dangote Refinery project.
The contradiction has become more pronounced because NNPCL’s refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna have failed to deliver sustainable production despite billions of dollars committed to rehabilitation. Industry data indicate that over $3.1 billion was spent on refinery repairs, including $1.5 billion for Port Harcourt, $897.6 million for Warri, and $740.7 million for Kaduna. Yet the facilities remain largely ineffective.
Against this backdrop, the 650,000-barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery has dramatically reshaped Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector. The facility reportedly supplied nearly 80 per cent of Nigeria’s petrol consumption in April 2026 after reaching full operational capacity earlier this year.
For decades, Nigeria remained trapped in the paradox of being Africa’s largest crude oil producer while relying heavily on imported refined products. That dependence created a multi-trillion-naira import ecosystem that consistently exerted pressure on foreign exchange reserves, fuel subsidies, and the naira itself.
Former President of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria and former President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dele Oye, believes the refinery has disrupted that old structure in ways capable of transforming the economy.
According to Oye, Nigeria spent about N15.42 trillion on petrol imports in 2024 alone, describing the figure as evidence of structural weakness in the country’s energy architecture. He argued that local refining through Dangote could save the country over N15 trillion annually while generating up to $11 billion yearly in foreign exchange through exports of refined petroleum products.
He maintained that reliance on domestic refining would reduce pressure on the naira, improve macroeconomic stability and strengthen Nigeria’s balance of payments.
In one of the strongest criticisms of NNPCL’s position, Oye said maintaining import licences despite existing domestic refining capacity amounted to “penalising the player who built the stadium while rewarding those who merely show up to play.”
He rejected claims that the Dangote Refinery represents a monopoly threat, insisting instead that the project symbolises economic sovereignty and industrial self-reliance. According to him, Nigeria’s energy future should be built on domestic production rather than dependence on foreign refineries.
Built at an estimated cost of $20 billion, the refinery processes 650,000 barrels of crude daily and reportedly produces about 53.6 million litres of petrol and 23.6 million litres of diesel each day. It has also begun exporting refined products, including jet fuel, diesel and petrol, to markets across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Supporters of the refinery argue that exposing such a massive investment to unrestricted competition from foreign-supported refiners could discourage future industrial investments in Nigeria.
Their concerns stem partly from the structural advantages foreign refiners enjoy. International refiners typically access cheaper financing, state-backed infrastructure and lower logistics costs. By contrast, Dangote Refinery was forced to construct its own deep seaport, roads, power systems and storage facilities while operating within Nigeria’s high-interest-rate environment.
Energy economist Kelvin Emmanuel recently warned that Nigeria risks repeating policy mistakes that contributed to the collapse of local industries such as textiles and tyre manufacturing if domestic refining is prematurely exposed to uncontrolled reliance on imports.
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has repeatedly linked import dependency to the collapse of local industries and the loss of millions of jobs over the years. Analysts fear the petroleum downstream sector could suffer similar consequences if local refining investments are not strategically protected.
Supporters of the Dangote Refinery also point to Section 317 of the Petroleum Industry Act, which encourages backward integration and the development of local refining. They argue that imports should serve only as temporary supplements when domestic supply proves insufficient.
However, in court filings, NNPCL argued that the Dangote Refinery has not produced independently verified evidence demonstrating that it can consistently meet nationwide fuel demand without disruptions. According to NNPCL, energy security extends beyond refining capacity to include storage infrastructure, distribution networks, haulage systems, and strategic fuel reserves.
Some downstream operators, including the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, have supported the continuation of imports, insisting that competition remains necessary to stabilise prices and reduce supply vulnerabilities.
However, Dangote’s supporters counter that the downstream sector remains heavily regulated by the NMDPRA, making it difficult for any single operator to dictate market outcomes. They also argue that the real monopoly in Nigeria’s fuel market historically existed during the decades when fuel importation was dominated largely by NNPCL itself.
Beyond the legal arguments, analysts say the larger issue is investor confidence and policy consistency.
The Dangote Refinery is regarded as one of Africa’s biggest private industrial investments. Consequently, the public legal confrontation between the refinery and a government-owned shareholder raises difficult questions about Nigeria’s investment environment at a time when the country desperately needs fresh capital inflows.
Investor concerns have intensified as the Dangote Refinery reportedly prepares for a public listing around September 2026. Industry sources estimate pre-IPO interest at nearly $2 billion, while projected valuations range between $40 billion and $50 billion.
Analysts warn that uncertainty surrounding import policies, crude supply arrangements, and market access rules could weaken investor confidence in the project and in Nigeria generally.
During a recent visit to the Dangote Refinery, NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, described the partnership as essential for achieving domestic energy sufficiency, industrial growth and operational synergy.
That earlier show of cooperation now contrasts sharply with the adversarial tone adopted in court.
For Nigeria, the implications of the dispute extend far beyond a single refinery or legal battle. The country still spends substantial foreign exchange on imports of refined petroleum products despite being one of Africa’s leading crude oil producers.
At its core, the controversy raises difficult questions about how Nigeria intends to balance market competition with industrial protection. It also forces policymakers to confront a larger issue: can Nigeria genuinely pursue economic nationalism while exposing its largest domestic industrial investments to unrestricted foreign competition?
The Federal High Court may eventually settle the legal issues. But the broader economic and policy debate triggered by the NNPCL-Dangote confrontation could shape Nigeria’s industrial future far more profoundly than the lawsuit itself.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has announced Princess Damilola Sonayon-James as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 Lagos State governorship election.
Sonayon-James, an indigene of Badagry, will run alongside the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, in the 2027 poll.
A prominent politician, sustainability expert and business executive, she is known for her grassroots political engagement and advocacy for women’s participation in leadership and governance.
She currently serves as the Deputy State Chairman of the APC in Lagos State, a position she attained after previously serving as the party’s State Assistant Woman Leader.
Over the years, Sonayon-James has played key roles within the APC structure in Lagos and has also served as Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture and Social Services in Badagry West Local Council Development Area.
Academically, she holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, as well as a degree in Business and Human Resources Management from the University of Hull, United Kingdom.
Beyond politics, she has established a career spanning human resources, logistics and sustainability management. She is the Chief Executive Officer of DGS Chauffeurs and Logistics.
Her emergence as the APC deputy governorship candidate places her alongside Hamzat as the party prepares for the 2027 governorship election in Lagos State.
Suspected terrorists who abducted schoolchildren and teachers from three schools in Esinele, Yamota and Alawusa towns in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have opened communication channels with the state government, Saturday PUNCH can report.
Two highly credible sources told our correspondents that the hoodlums refused to speak directly with the families of the victims.
“They said they only want to talk to the governor and nobody else. That was the condition they gave for negotiation. So, nobody knows the details and what they are demanding,” a source said.
It cannot, however, be confirmed if the negotiation is being done by the governor himself or a representative of the state.
But a top source said the communication channel was a relief.
“It is not that security agencies don’t know what to do. But the risks are too high. The relief is that at least now, they are talking,” the source said.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the demands of the terrorists were being kept discreet in order not to jeopardise the lives of the victims.
The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, Abayomi Fagbenro, declined to comment on the matter.
“I can’t give any information at the moment,” he said in a terse message to Saturday PUNCH.
Fear over fate of toddlers
Teachers and pupils, including toddlers aged two and three, were reportedly abducted in three schools last Friday.
The victims have now spent eight days in captivity.
Families and community leaders say their fears have increased as the rainy season sets in, which makes movement through forests and rough terrains increasingly difficult and dangerous for the captives.
Sources within affected communities told Saturday PUNCH that the victims were being moved in thick forests and across states to evade security pressure.
They noted that survival for the children in such harsh conditions had become a major source of concern for parents already traumatised by the attack.
A community leader, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the press, said residents were in the dark about the whereabouts of the abductees.
“We are worried about their safety. We don’t know how they are faring. Children of two-year-old are among the abductees,” the source said.
Teachers, pupils abandon classrooms
Saturday PUNCH learnt that pupils in public and private primary and secondary schools in Ogbomoso and neighbouring communities like Ikose, Ikoyi, Tewure and Dananu had abandoned classrooms following the incident.
Findings by our correspondents revealed that school attendance had also dropped drastically across communities as many parents had refused to send their children to school over security concerns.
Also, despite assurances from the Oyo State Government, teachers and education workers said fear remained widespread among pupils, parents and school personnel.
A teacher at Ikose Primary School, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that attendance had dropped drastically.
She said, “All the schools, both private and public, in Ogbomoso have been empty since Monday. Pupils stopped attending school after the Esinele attacks. The matter became worse on Tuesday when some students at Areago Grammar School saw some men in the bush around them hunting squirrels.
“The students, because of the Esinele incident, raised the alarm that there were terrorists on the school premises. That led to pandemonium, and everybody started running helter-skelter. One of the pupils was knocked down by a vehicle around the Owode area of Ogbomoso, and he died instantly. His mother also died from shock after hearing about the death of her son. Ogbomoso was turned upside down on Tuesday.”
She added, “On Wednesday, only private schools had a few pupils, far below normal attendance. But pupils in public schools did not go at all. All the teachers in my school and other areas in Ogbomoso, Esinele, Yamota, Ikose, Ikoyi, Tewure and others had to return home around 12pm.
“The situation became worse on Thursday; the number of teachers and pupils also dropped across the area. We didn’t see any students, while many teachers also did not show up. We left school before 11am.”
The source disclosed that all teachers agreed not to go to school on Friday in honour of a former Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, Joel Adesiyan, who was killed by the terrorists during the incident.
Adesiyan was buried on Friday.
Similarly, a teacher in Tewure told Saturday PUNCH that some parents informed her last Sunday that their children would not be attending school because of the Esinele attack.
“They called at different times on Sunday evening to say that their children would stay away from school for some time because they were scared to attend school following the abduction of their mates in Esinele and Yamota. I could even tell from our conversations that they were scared.
“Since Monday till now (Thursday), the number of pupils in my school has reduced. The pupils who attended school on Wednesday were fewer than 20,” she said.
Another teacher in one of the schools in Ogbomoso, who identified herself simply as Oyeyemi, said fear had gripped many parents and teachers following the abduction incident.
She noted that several pupils who managed to go to school during the week were withdrawn before closing time by their parents due to growing panic and rumours of possible terrorist attacks.
“Since the incident happened, things have not been the same again. Many classrooms are half empty because parents are scared of sending their children to school. Some parents have been calling to say they would rather keep their children at home until they are sure the situation is under control. You cannot blame them because everybody is afraid.
“Attendance has dropped seriously within just a few days. In some classes, more than half of the pupils were absent. If urgent security measures are not put in place, more parents will withdraw their children completely because nobody wants to lose a child. Parents said they are no longer comfortable allowing their children attend schools located in isolated communities.
“What we need now is visible security presence around schools and communities. Parents want reassurance that their children are safe. Teachers, too, want to feel protected while doing their jobs. People are living in fear at the moment,” she said.
Teachers traumatised
Aside from Adesiyan who was killed by the terrorists during the attack, another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded in captivity.
Oyeyemi said the killing of the two teachers had worsened anxiety among education workers.
“To be honest, we are traumatised. Some teachers are already discussing whether to stop going to remote schools for now. When you hear that a fellow teacher was killed and another was beheaded, you will understand the level of panic. We are humans too. We have families waiting for us at home,” she lamented.
A secondary school teacher in Oriire LGA, who requested anonymity for security reasons, also said attendance had dropped sharply in the days following the attack as many parents chose to keep their children at home.
“Even among teachers, there is anxiety because nobody can confidently say such an incident will not happen again. We are trying to encourage the students, but the fear is still there,” the teacher said.
Another teacher at a public secondary school within the Ogbomoso axis, simply identified as Tayo, said rumours circulating on social media had compounded the situation.
He said, “Some of the videos being circulated may not be accurate, but parents are reacting based on what they see and hear. Once there is a kidnapping involving schoolchildren, every parent becomes afraid.
“Attendance has definitely reduced compared to what it was before the incident. We have students who have not returned since the news broke. Parents keep calling to ask whether the environment is safe.”
Tayo added that many schools located near isolated rural communities faced unique security challenges because of their proximity to forests and long distances between settlements.
“Some parents now escort their children to school and return to pick them immediately after closing hours because they are afraid.
“Teachers are equally concerned because we work in these communities every day. What happened has created psychological trauma not only for the victims and their families but also for other children who now fear they could be the next targets,” the head teacher said.
She called on security agencies to establish a stronger presence around vulnerable schools, especially those located close to forest corridors frequently exploited by criminal groups.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, in a telephone interview with Saturday PUNCH, said the fears being expressed by teachers and parents were worsened by misinformation circulating on social media.
The commissioner accused some bloggers of circulating misleading videos capable of escalating fear among residents.
He said, “Bloggers are posting videos to aggravate the situation, even when the videos are false. So, that is the position of the government.
“Yes, the state government is aware that such sad developments are taking place within the community where the incident occurred. However, most of the incidents can be attributed to fake news emanating from social media.
“You will see recorded videos showing panic among students and, of course, this resonates with parents, who naturally would not want their wards and children to come into harm’s way.”
Oyelade added that the government had already issued official statements to calm the tension and reassure residents about security efforts in the state.
49-year-old teacher buried amid tears
There was an emotional outpouring on Friday as the remains of Adesiyan were laid to rest amid tears in Ogbomoso.
The 49-year-old was killed during the abduction of pupils and teachers penultimate Friday at about 9.30 am.
The funeral service, held at Ayegun Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, had in attendance the Permanent Secretary, Ogbomoso Zone I, Michael Ojelabi, who represented Governor Seyi Makinde; officials of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, relatives, friends, church members, and sympathisers, who all demanded justice for the deceased and the release of the abducted victims.
Saturday PUNCH observed that as of 10am on Friday, mourners had already gathered at the church for the service, while emotional scenes played out as family members and colleagues paid their last respects.
In his tribute read by Ojelabi, Makinde expressed sadness over the incident and assured that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of those still in captivity.
He said, “The state government is sad about the incident, and the government is doing all within its capacity to ensure that those in captivity are returned unhurt.”
Also speaking, the state NUT Chairman, Fatai Hassan, described the late teacher as a dedicated, humble and peace-loving professional whose impact would be missed by colleagues and students.
He said, “Today, the classrooms you once taught in will miss your voice, the staff room will miss your presence, and the union will miss your courage. Your family will miss your love and care. Indeed, a great tree has fallen. As human beings, we may question this painful incident, but God knows all things.
“Even in our tears and confusion, we take solace in the fact that your life, though short, was meaningful and impactful. In the journey of teachers, you touched many lives and left behind family, friends and loved ones. We pray that God strengthens your wife and every member of your family during this difficult period.”
In his sermon, the Senior Pastor of Ayegun Baptist Church, Rev. Paul Olaleye, urged the relatives of the deceased to be comforted and leave everything in God’s hands.
He called on people to always prepare for death, saying it could come at any time.
Olaleye said, “Death will not tell anybody the day and time it will come, but we need to prepare ourselves because after death, we will know either we have eternal joy or eternal sorrow.
“We need to prepare. Life is unpredictable and fragile. A day is coming when we will stand before God and give account of what we came to do in life. We need to start behaving as if it is time for us to die.”
An uncle of the deceased, Oyegun Sangotoye, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH shortly after the internment at the deceased’s residence, described him as a pillar of support for the family, lamenting that his death had robbed the family of its strength.
Sangotoye, a teacher at Community High School, Onikoko, Oriire LGA, said the deceased’s absence would be deeply felt by the entire family.
He, therefore, demanded justice, calling on government and security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack and bring them to justice.
Beheaded teacher childless despite 10 years’ marriage – Family
The family of Michael Oyedokun, the Oyo State schoolteacher abducted and later beheaded by terrorists, has said he died without a child despite being married for over 10 years, describing his death as a devastating and irreplaceable loss.
The spokesperson for the family, Ebeni Adediran, said the late teacher was a humble and peace-loving man who dedicated over two decades of his life to educating young Nigerians before his tragic killing.
“He was a good man in our family and this is why his death is a big loss to us, an irreplaceable loss. His death is painful. We can’t even describe his death,” Adediran said in a report by Sahara Reporters.
He explained that Oyedokun attended primary school in his community, proceeded to Ogbomoso Baptist High School and later qualified as a teacher, serving for about 21 years in public schools.
According to him, the deceased had recently been transferred back to his hometown after years of service in Oke-Ogun and remained closely attached to his family, regularly visiting his parents every few weeks.
Adediran said one of the most painful aspects of the tragedy was that Oyedokun left no child behind.
“The most painful part is that he did not leave any child behind. He had a wife but they did not have any child.
“They had been married for more than 10 years and despite all their efforts, no child came out of the marriage. And now the same man has died and there is no child to continue his lineage,” he lamented.
The teacher’s killing sparked outrage after a disturbing video allegedly released by his abductors surfaced online, showing him bound and forced to speak before he was murdered.
Meanwhile, the family has appealed to Nigerians to stop circulating graphic videos and photographs of the slain teacher, warning that the continued sharing of such content is worsening their emotional trauma.
“We truly appreciate the love, concern and sympathy shown towards our family during this painful time.
“However, the continuous circulation of those videos and images is deeply traumatising for us as a family.
“His loved ones and all of us, his nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives, have been emotionally devastated, especially as these contents keep appearing on social media,” the family said in a statement.
Oyedokun’s killing comes amid renewed national debate on the safety of educators and rising insecurity affecting rural schooling in parts of Nigeria, where teachers and students face increasing kidnapping risks along isolated routes.
Gbaja writes PSC, requests ‘special promotion’ for eight police officers attached to politicians
by Sodiq Yusuff
Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, has asked the Police Service Commission (PSC) to grant special promotion to eight officers working with politicians, TheCable can report.
The requests, contained in two separate letters, raise legal and ethical concerns because the PSC Act vests promotion powers exclusively in the commission.
In one of the letters seen by TheCable, Gbajabiamila asked that the police grant “special promotion” to the “officers attached to the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
One of the letters, dated February 20, 2026, contained the names of three officers, while the other had the names of five officers.
The request was to promote one officer from the rank of assistant commissioner of police (ACP) to deputy commissioner of police (DCP), and two others from chief superintendent of police (CSP) to assistant commissioner of police.
“By this letter, therefore, I am recommending the promotion of the officers to their next ranks in recognition of their exemplary leadership qualities, gallantry, teamwork and general performance of their duties in their respective offices,” Gbajabiamila wrote.
“As I anticipate your expeditious consideration of the request, kindly accept the assurances of my highest esteem, please.”
REQUEST CONTRAVENES POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION ACT
TheCable understands that the move by the president’s chief of staff is against the provisions of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act of 2001.
According to section 6 of the act, the powers to promote across the force lies with the commission and not with any individual outside the commission.
“The Commission shall be responsible for the appointment and promotion of persons (other than the office of the Inspector-General of Police) in the Commission Nigeria Police Force,” the act reads.
“The Commission shall not be subject to the direction, control or supervision of any other authority or person in performance of its functions other than as is prescribed in this Act.”
While the act allows President Bola Tinubu, as commander-in-chief of the armed forces to give directives to the PSC, it limits that power to matters of policy.
“Subject to the provisions of this Act, the President may give the Commission directives of a general nature or relating generally to matters of policy with regard to the performance by the Commission of its functions, and it shall be the duty of the Commission to comply with the directives,” section 19 of the Act reads.
PROMOTING TINUBU’S MEN
The push for special police promotion is not new to the Tinubu administration. In January 2025, Nurudeen Yusuf, aide-de-camp (ADC) to President Tinubu, was promoted from lieutenant colonel to colonel.
By December, he was promoted again, to brigadier-general through “special presidential promotion”, before the intervention of two former chiefs of army staff.
TheCable reported the controversial plan to decorate him as a one-star general was shelved at the last minute to avoid further problems within the military rank and file.
A presidency source familiar with the matter told TheCable that the situation was becoming a pattern in the Tinubu administration.
“The president’s men are using their proximity to baba to get away with desecrating the military and police hierarchy, and if care is not taken, this may make a mess of the order within the armed forces,” the source said.
“In the past, I used to vouch that baba knows nothing about this, but with the drama that went on with his ADC, it became clear that he might just be looking away.
“You will expect that Tunji Disu, who promised his men improved welfare, will not approve this special promotion, but watch him dance to the tunes and pressure of our people. Once baba has spoken, who is Disu to drag his feet?”
SECURITY ISSUES AND OFFICERS’ MORALE
Another police officer familiar with the matter told TheCable that the special promotion plan may have negative ripple effects on those fighting insecurity.
“In Yobe, 17 police officers were killed; nobody from the villa called their families or went to pay condolence visits,” the officer said.
“In fact, the other police officers in that squad went on to fight Boko Haram the next day. Those ones don’t get special promotions; they don’t even get presidential handshakes, but the ones who salute the president, drive in AC vehicles, and eat presidential food get presidential promotions for enjoyment.
“If Tinubu continues like this, morale will be low, and men on the frontlines will have nothing to fight for again.”
He said promotion in the armed forces is inching closer to the exclusive preserve of godfathers and not meritorious service to Nigeria.
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