₦airaland Forum

lagonovo:
Our police stations are filled with DPOs and other officers below the age of 40. They are doing well

fergie001:
iwaeda, you no well.

Leave me ooooooo 😂😂😂😂

Thousands Of Kwara Students May Miss WAEC, NECO Exams As Bandit Threats Force School Closures

Thousands of secondary school students across several communities in Kwara North and parts of Kwara South risk missing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the forthcoming National Examination Council (NECO) examination following prolonged school closures triggered by worsening insecurity in the areas, SaharaReporters has learned.

Findings by SaharaReporters revealed that schools in vulnerable rural communities were abruptly shut after rising fears of attacks and kidnappings forced residents to restrict movement, leaving students unable to complete crucial examination registration processes.

One of the affected communities is Ara in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, where academic activities have been paralysed amid growing security concerns.

Community sources who spoke to SaharaReporters on Sunday evening said the sudden closure of schools by the state government had disrupted ongoing online registration and biometric capturing required for WAEC.

According to the sources, many students who had already paid examination fees are now stranded without clear communication from school authorities.


“The students were about to start biometric capturing when the schools were suddenly shut. Now students don’t even know what will happen next,” a community member told SaharaReporters.

“The government has ordered all schools to reopen but you know a few weeks back we received a threat from the bandits that they would attack us. This is why many of the schools in Kwara South are not opening. No teacher wants to risk their life,” the source said.

“Many parents have already paid for WAEC and NECO, but the students have not been briefed on any alternative arrangement about their registration. There is confusion everywhere.”

The source added that uncertainty surrounding whether examinations would eventually be held in rural schools has forced families with financial means to relocate their children to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

“Parents who can afford it have started moving their children to Ilorin to complete registration because nobody is certain if exams will be held here again. Those who cannot afford relocation are the ones suffering most,” the source said.

Another resident from Ifelodun local government area of the state described the tense atmosphere, noting that fear has gripped residents following reports of armed groups operating within nearby forests.

“We are living in fear every day. People are afraid to move around freely, and children cannot go to school. Education has completely stopped here,” the resident said.

Residents also alleged that security presence in the community has been inconsistent, leaving locals feeling exposed.

“Security operatives come occasionally, but they are not stationed here permanently. Sometimes they move to neighbouring communities facing similar threats, and we are left on our own,” the source told SaharaReporters.

“This is why it is not yet safe for the schools to open fully. Nobody wants to risk the lives of their children,” the source added.

Parents expressed frustration that students preparing for national examinations have been the worst affected by the disruption.

“Our children were asked to come for thumbprinting and biometric capturing, but because of insecurity and the school closure, they couldn’t go. Now their future is uncertain,” a parent said.

SaharaReporters gathered that similar disruptions are affecting several rural communities in Kwara North and Kwara South, where rising insecurity has forced schools to suspend activities indefinitely.

Some teachers reportedly advised students preparing for the examinations to relocate to safer areas, particularly Ilorin, where schools remain operational.

However, many families say relocation is financially impossible.

“Not every parent has relatives or money to send their children to Ilorin. Many students are now stranded and may miss these examinations entirely,” another parent told SaharaReporters.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from Kwara State Commissioner of Education, Lawal Olohungbebe, were unsuccessful, as he has not responded to messages sent to him on WhatsApp seeking his comment on the developments.

President Bola Tinubu and First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, have described the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, as “one of our nation’s greatest gifts” as the renowned clergyman marked his 84th birthday on Sunday.

In a joint tribute released on Sunday by the State House, the President and First Lady praised Pastor Adeboye, fondly called Daddy G.O., as “a spiritual fortress, interceding for Nigeria and its people to God Almighty.”

The tribute read, “His humility is genuine, and his wisdom runs deep beyond the ordinary. His contributions to our nation extend beyond the pulpit, where he ministers to souls, to philanthropy, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.”

The presidential couple joined Adeboye’s wife, members of the RCCG worldwide, and the Christian community in thanking God for the clergyman’s “exceptional life of impact that transcends cultures and borders.”

President Tinubu commended Pastor Adeboye for his “unceasing prayers for our nation” and acknowledged his “patriotic zeal, manifest determination and commitment to Nigeria’s progress.”

The tribute also recognised the RCCG leader’s unique leadership role, noting that his teachings over the past five decades “continue to shape and transform lives across generations in the country and beyond.

“As Daddy G.O. celebrates this special day, we pray that God Almighty continue to bless him with good health and strength as he continues his good work in the Lord’s vineyard.”


Born on March 2, 1942, in Ifewara, Osun State, Adeboye holds a doctorate in Applied Mathematics from the University of Lagos.

He joined the RCCG in 1973 and became General Overseer in 1981, succeeding the church’s founder, Pastor Josiah Akindayomi.

Under his leadership spanning over four decades, the RCCG has grown from a small congregation in Lagos to one of the world’s largest Pentecostal denominations, with parishes in over 190 countries.

The church’s monthly Holy Ghost Service, held at the Redemption Camp along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, regularly attracts millions of worshippers and is considered one of the largest Christian gatherings globally.

Beyond his pastoral work, Adeboye has established the Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State, and overseen numerous educational and healthcare initiatives through the church’s various foundations.

The Presidency has debunked viral social media claims alleging that a member of the kitchen staff at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa was arrested for attempting to poison President Bola Tinubu.

The denial was issued on Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who shared the circulating video on his verified X account and described its contents as entirely false.

The video, which shows scenes purportedly from the presidential villa, features a voiceover narrating an alleged security breach involving a presidential chef.

In the footage, the narrator claims:“Today we examine reports surrounding the shocking arrest of a presidential chef over an alleged plot to poison President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an incident that has prompted swift intervention by a special police squad and triggered heightened security measures within the presidential environment.

“According to preliminary information from security sources, the arrest followed intelligence alerts suggesting suspicious activities connected to food preparation procedures within restricted areas linked to presidential operations.

“Authorities moved quickly after receiving credible reports that indicated a possible threat to the safety of the president, leading to a coordinated investigation involving specialised security personnel tasked with protecting national leadership.

“Officials emphasized that the operation was carried out professionally and discreetly to avoid public panic while ensuring that all potential risks were neutralised.

“The suspect, identified as a member of kitchen staff attached to presidential services, was reportedly taken into custody for questioning as investigators began examining evidence and verifying claims connected to the alleged poisoning attempt.

“Security agencies have urged the public to remain calm, stressing that the investigation remains ongoing and that allegations do not automatically imply guilt until due process.”

Responding directly to the allegations, Onanuga dismissed the claims as fabricated.

“No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated by this video,” he wrote.

Also reacting, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said the video was entirely unfounded.

“The trending video about a poison attempt on President Tinubu and arrest of an Aso Villa cook is fake and totally unfounded. There is no truth to it. It should be disregarded,” he said.

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has reacted to the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Gumi described him as “a lucky soul” who “died in jihad.”

In a post shared on his Facebook page on Sunday, Gumi said Khamenei died “in jihad against killers of innocent children and women in Gaza and elsewhere.”

He added that Khamenei’s blood “will fuel the change in the ummah,” noting that the Iranian leader stood firmly for justice and didn’t hide in bunkers.

Gumi wrote: “Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: A lucky soul, he died in Jihad against killers of innocent children and women in Gaza and elsewhere.

“His blood will fuel the change in the ummah. He stood firmly for Justice and didn’t hide in bunkers. For those who killed him or assisted in killing him, let us see what they will live to do in this world.”

DAILY POST reported that Khamenei, who served as Iran’s Supreme Leader for decades, was a central figure in the country’s political and religious leadership.

The Iranian Supreme Leader died after an Israeli strike in Tehran on Saturday.