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PDP in Turmoil: NEC Sacks Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Bode George, Others in Massive Purge

Toyin Adebayo
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PDP in Turmoil: NEC Sacks Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Bode George, Others in Massive Purge

…Dissolves Oyo, Bauchi, Ekiti, Lagos, Zamfara Excos Over Anti-Party Offences

The Wike-aligned faction of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday executed one of the most sweeping disciplinary purges in the party’s history, expelling Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), as well as top party figures Chief Bode George and Senator Adolphus Wabara for alleged anti-party activities.

In a dramatic escalation of internal hostilities, the NEC also dissolved the State Executive Committees of Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti, ordering the immediate constitution of caretaker committees to oversee fresh congresses.

The far-reaching decisions were endorsed during the 103rd NEC meeting held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Acting National Chairman Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, who tabled the memo seeking the expulsions, accused the affected members of “blatantly disregarding court orders” and “bringing the party into disrepute,” which he said were clear violations of Articles 58(1) and 59(1) of the PDP Constitution.

Reading the communiqué, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu said NEC acted to restore discipline and safeguard the party’s constitutional foundation.

“NEC expressed deep concern over the actions of some members who violated subsisting court orders by organising and attending a purported and unauthorized convention, triggering factionalisation and mass defections,” the communiqué stated.

It warned that the PDP “draws its legitimacy from strict adherence to its Constitution,” stressing that the era of impunity was over.

NEC also approved the commencement of disciplinary proceedings against several other prominent members including Ben Obi, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Taofiq Arapaja, Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, Udom Emmanuel, Emmanuel Ogidi, Setonji Koshoedo and others.

The committee further directed Chief Ali Odefa to refund all salaries and allowances received after his expulsion in December 2024.

In additional resolutions, NEC ratified Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck as Acting National Vice Chairman (South East) and ordered deputies in vacant National Working Committee (NWC) positions to assume acting roles. It also formally confirmed Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman.

The communiqué added that the PDP legal team would immediately initiate constitutional processes to recover seats of elected officials who defected from the party, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, NEC also approved a nationwide reconciliation drive, membership revalidation, and structural reforms.

Earlier, Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and the Acting National Chairman urged members to remain resolute, expressing optimism that the PDP would emerge stronger after the sweeping sanctions.

NEC assured party faithful that the hard decisions were taken to “stabilise, strengthen, and rebuild” the party.

“With unity, discipline, and renewed purpose, the PDP will restore public confidence ahead of the next electoral cycle,” the communiqué added.

CAN Raises Alarm: ‘Christian Genocide Is Real’ — Archbishop Okoh Demands Urgent Government, Global Action

Toyin Adebayo
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0
CAN Raises Alarm: ‘Christian Genocide Is Real’ — Archbishop Okoh Demands Urgent Government, Global Action

***“Silence in the Face of Injustice Is Unbiblical,” Archbishop Declares in Jos

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has reaffirmed that Christian communities across Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt are facing what he described as a “Christian genocide,” insisting that the Association will not retreat in demanding justice, accountability, and protection for persecuted believers.

Speaking Tuesday at the opening of the Fourth Quarterly National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting of CAN at Crispan Hotel in Jos, Plateau State, Okoh said the scale of killings, mass displacement, and repeated attacks on Christian communities has reached a crisis point that can no longer be ignored—either by the government or the international community.

“You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned,” Okoh assured Christian communities in Plateau and across Northern Nigeria.

He recalled his delegation’s visit earlier this year to displaced Christians in Bokkos, where he encountered harrowing scenes of murdered families, burnt homes, razed churches, and entire villages wiped out.

“CAN has spoken clearly and courageously on this matter, and we stand unwaveringly by our position that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria,” he said.
“We declare with one united voice: You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. The Body of Christ stands firmly with you.”

Okoh described the ongoing attacks as an existential threat to Christian communities, stressing that moral duty and Christian doctrine require the Church to speak out.

“Our calling demands that we speak, because silence in the face of injustice is not only irresponsible; it is unbiblical,” he said.

He noted that several international bodies have begun drawing attention to the crisis an intervention he said the Christian community welcomes if it will compel meaningful action.

“Although we are pained that Nigeria is being spotlighted for such grievous reasons, if international attention is what is required to spur decisive governmental action to protect lives and bring lasting peace, then we welcome it,” he stated.

The CAN President urged the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to end killings, kidnappings, and mass displacement in predominantly Christian communities across the North.

He insisted that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) must be returned to their homes.

“Their prolonged stay in IDP camps is a painful indictment on our national conscience. If not addressed, this humanitarian crisis may escalate into something far more devastating. God forbid!”

Okoh commended the Plateau State Government for hosting the meeting and for its continued support to the Christian community.

Addressing Governor Caleb Mutfwang, he said:
“We encourage His Excellency to continue in this path of service… so that this blessed land may fully enter into the peace, stability, and prosperity ordained for it. Plateau will rise again.”

The CAN President said the choice of Jos as the venue for the NEC meeting was symbolic, describing the city as one that has “wept bitterly, prayed fervently, and continues to rise with resilient hope.”

He urged Christians nationwide to remain steadfast despite “deep scars” inflicted by years of violence.

“This darkness shall not overcome the light of Christ,” he declared.
“Continue to sow seeds of hope, even in the soil of sorrow. In God’s time, the dawn shall break.”

Okoh prayed for the guidance of the Holy Spirit over the NEC deliberations, expressing hope that the meeting would strengthen fellowship, deepen unity, and advance justice and peace across the country.

Turkey Streamlines Visa Process for Nigerian Business Travelers in Bid to Bolster Trade Ties

Toyin Adebayo
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0
Turkey Streamlines Visa Process for Nigerian Business Travelers in Bid to Bolster Trade Ties

ABUJA — In a diplomatic overture aimed at supercharging bilateral trade, Turkey has authorized its embassy in Abuja to issue visas directly to Nigerian businessmen without requiring approval from Ankara, eliminating longstanding bureaucratic hurdles that have long frustrated cross-border commerce.

The announcement came during a courtesy call on Monday by Mehmet Poroy, Turkey’s Ambassador to Nigeria, to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike. Poroy, who has been in post for nearly six months but is still awaiting formal presentation of his credentials, positioned the visa simplification as a cornerstone of Ankara’s strategy to deepen economic engagement with Africa’s largest economy.

“We have facilitated visa procedures for businessmen so they can travel easily,” Poroy told Wike. “We no longer need to ask Ankara for their visa. At the embassy, we can give it directly under certain conditions.” 0 He underscored that economic cooperation forms “the most important aspect” of Nigeria-Turkey relations, highlighting the deployment of two commercial counselors and active partnerships with Nigerian ministries.

Poroy also revealed that internal approvals have been finalized to establish a Turkish Consulate General in Lagos, a development expected to streamline trade facilitation, investment flows, and cultural exchanges in Nigeria’s commercial hub. 3 Expressing gratitude for the warm reception afforded to Turkish expatriates in Abuja, he added: “Your services and institutions provide all the services we enjoy. Thank you for hosting us very comfortably. I believe I will have very nice and fruitful years here.” 1

Wike, a key architect of President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure agenda, warmly reciprocated, hailing the visa reforms as a game-changer for Nigerian entrepreneurs. “Let me thank you for expediting the process of obtaining visas. It has been quite worrisome to Nigerians, particularly Abuja residents. Businessmen who want to go to Turkey will now not find it difficult,” he said. 2

The FCT minister pledged to cultivate a harassment-free business climate, inviting Turkish investors to leverage Abuja’s growth as a nexus for regional commerce. “We intend to provide a free environment where citizens, without molestation, can carry out their businesses,” Wike affirmed. He expressed keen interest in twinning Abuja with Istanbul to foster joint ventures in trade, urban development, and technology transfer, building on the historically cordial ties between the nations.

This engagement arrives amid broader Turkish efforts to expand its footprint in Africa, including earlier announcements in May targeting a $5 billion trade surge with Nigeria through eased visa regimes and new consular outposts. 9 Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at approximately $2.3 billion in 2024, dominated by Turkish exports of machinery, textiles, and construction materials, with Nigerian oil and agricultural products forming key imports.

As Poroy’s first major outreach to a Nigerian federal heavyweight, the meeting signals Ankara’s proactive diplomacy under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s administration. Stakeholders anticipate that these measures could catalyze a new era of investment, potentially unlocking opportunities in renewable energy, housing, and logistics—sectors where Turkish firms have already made inroads in Nigeria.

PDP Factions Set for Showdown at National Secretariat as Post-Convention Rift Deepens

Toyin Adebayo
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0
PDP Factions Set for Showdown at National Secretariat as Post-Convention Rift Deepens

ABUJA — The internal strife within Nigeria’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated sharply on Monday, just two days after its national convention in Ibadan, with rival factions gearing up for a physical confrontation over control of the party’s headquarters.

The Wike-aligned group, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, issued a summons for an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting scheduled for Tuesday at the PDP’s Wadata Plaza secretariat, which has remained under lock amid the ongoing dispute. A notice bearing the signature of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a close associate of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, directed BoT members to convene at 11 a.m.

Sources indicated that PDP governors and loyalists plan to occupy the premises early Tuesday, signaling a bid to assert dominance following the Ibadan convention where Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum’s faction prevailed, electing Tanimu Turaki as national chairman.

In response, Turaki’s newly installed National Working Committee (NWC) announced its own inaugural meeting at the same venue, starting at 10 a.m. After filing a formal complaint with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command against Anyanwu and other expelled members, Turaki met with FCT Commissioner of Police Dantawaye Miller to request security cover.

Addressing journalists post-meeting, Turaki dismissed the rival summons as invalid, emphasizing that the Ibadan convention’s decisions — including expulsions — supersede other party organs. “Next to God, in the management of a political party is the national convention. The decision taken in a national convention overrides every other decision,” he stated. “These elements are no longer members of our party.”

Insisting on their legal right to access the secretariat, Turaki declared: “We are holding the meeting in our national secretariat… Anybody that is sitting there without our consent is an interloper.” He affirmed the group’s resolve, adding, “To defend our party, to defend this nascent democracy, we are prepared to lay down our lives.”

The commissioner assured Turaki of measures to prevent a breach of peace, a commitment Turaki said would enable the NWC to proceed undeterred. Invitations for the meeting extend to governors, National Assembly members, BoT elders, state chairmen, and other stakeholders.

The fresh escalation follows months of legal wrangling, including rulings from an Abuja Federal High Court and an Oyo State High Court, which have fueled parallel claims to legitimacy. While Damagum’s faction celebrated Turaki’s emergence in Ibadan on Saturday, the Wike camp — representing a significant anti-Atiku Abubakar wing — has rejected the outcome, vowing to reclaim influence.

Analysts warn that Tuesday’s standoff risks further polarizing the PDP ahead of key 2027 election preparations, potentially inviting judicial intervention or security escalation. Party insiders expressed hope for dialogue, but with both sides digging in, the secretariat could become ground zero for the deepening schism.

Nigerian Lawmakers Champion 15% Female Quota in Police to Enhance Gender Balance

Toyin Adebayo
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0
Nigerian Lawmakers Champion 15% Female Quota in Police to Enhance Gender Balance

ABUJA — The Nigerian House of Representatives has thrown its weight behind a legislative push to mandate at least 15% female recruitment in the Nigeria Police Force, framing the reform as a critical step toward more effective and equitable policing.

Speaking at a public hearing on Monday, Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Makki Abubakar Yalleman, underscored the need to end women’s marginalization in the force. “Effective policing demands stronger female participation,” he said, highlighting the bill’s aim to foster a gender-responsive framework across recruitment, training, postings, discipline, and marital policies, including a dedicated monitoring unit.

Yalleman argued that elevating female enlistment beyond symbolism would yield tangible benefits, especially in addressing domestic abuse, sexual violence, and crimes impacting women and children. The proposal aligns with the 10th Assembly’s agenda under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, positioning it as a pathway to professionalize the force.

The Ministry of Police Affairs endorsed the bill unequivocally, with Okorie Kalu from its Legal Unit calling it “timely and commendable.” The ministry is already advancing reforms to scrap discriminatory barriers, such as pregnancy-related restrictions, while introducing equitable training, revised dress codes, maternity leave, and a Women and Children Protection Centre under the Inspector-General of Police.

Kalu stressed that while the amendment would anchor these changes legally, success hinges on robust funding, ongoing training, and enforcement mechanisms. He noted complementary initiatives, including integration of the NPF Gender Policy, grievance redress systems, and structural tweaks to the Inspector-General’s office for human rights and internal affairs.

Speaker Abbas, represented by Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, echoed the sentiment, portraying the bill as a quest for justice and diversity rather than mere gender parity. He decried decades of underrepresentation that have stifled talent and eroded trust, citing international data linking female officers to reduced use of force, better handling of gender-based violence, and elevated public confidence.

The reforms dovetail with Nigeria’s constitutional imperatives and global pacts like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality. Yet Abbas cautioned that laws alone suffice not; the bill’s proposed tracking unit is vital for accountability, urging collaboration across government, civil society, and security entities.

Stakeholders, including women’s rights advocates, civil society, police brass, and experts, lauded the hearing as a pivotal move to modernize the force. Kalu, reaffirming the ministry’s commitment — personally approved by the Permanent Secretary — quipped, “Anything that supports women’s visibility… why not? This will make them happy,” while calling for sustained partnership.

If passed, the amendment could reshape a force long criticized for gender imbalances, potentially setting a precedent for inclusivity in Nigeria’s security architecture. The committee continues deliberations, with proponents optimistic about bridging rhetoric and reality through measurable progress.

Dangote Refinery Attributes Recent Fuel Price Drop To Own Price Reduction

Toyin Adebayo
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0
Dangote Refinery Attributes Recent Fuel Price Drop To Own Price Reduction

Dangote Petroleum Refinery clarifies that the recent reduction in PMS pump prices by oil marketers was a direct response to our price cut on November 6.

“It was not caused by the temporary reversal of the 15% import tariff.

“We reduced our PMS gantry price from N877 to N828 and coastal price from N854 to N806, and marketers adjusted afterwards.

“We remain committed to delivering high-quality, competitively priced fuel and ensuring Nigerians enjoy the full benefits of domestic refining”.

This explanation counters speculation that the price reduction stemmed from the temporary reversal of the 15% import tariff on petroleum products.

On November 6, the refinery lowered its PMS gantry price from N877 to N828 per liter, while the coastal price was reduced from N854 to N806 per liter.

The significant price adjustment set a new benchmark in the domestic fuel market, prompting downstream marketers to follow suit and reduce pump prices.

The refinery emphasized that the import tariff, temporarily reversed, was not the cause behind the marketers’ decision to cut prices.

Instead, it was a market response aiming to maintain competitiveness following Dangote Refinery’s price strategy.

The move by the refinery underscores its commitment to providing high-quality fuel at competitive prices, enhancing the accessibility and affordability of refined products for Nigerian consumers.

It also reinforces the role of domestic refining as a key driver of price stability in the fuel sector.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s pricing strategy demonstrates confidence in its operational efficiency and capacity to influence the domestic petroleum price structure, offering an alternative to reliance on imported fuel.

By directly adjusting prices at the refinery level, the company aims to ensure that Nigerians benefit fully from the advantages of locally refined fuel, including better supply reliability and reduced exposure to fluctuating global market prices.

The development marks an important milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its petroleum industry through domestic refining and reduce dependency on imports, thereby promoting economic self-sufficiency and consumer protection.

Nigeria’s Inflation Eases to 16.05% in October, Signaling Seventh Straight Monthly Decline

Ola Akinola
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Nigeria’s Inflation Eases to 16.05% in October, Signaling Seventh Straight Monthly Decline

ABUJA — Nigeria’s headline inflation rate continued its downward trajectory in October 2025, dipping to 16.05% from 18.02% the previous month, according to fresh data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). 0 The figures, released Monday, mark the seventh consecutive monthly decline and offer a glimmer of relief for households battered by years of soaring prices, though analysts caution that underlying pressures in food costs remain a stubborn drag on the economy.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the average change in prices for a basket of goods and services, climbed to 128.9 points in October, a modest 1.2-point increase from September’s 127.7. 2 On a year-on-year basis, inflation stood at 17.82%, a sharp improvement from the 33.88% recorded in October 2024 — a drop attributed partly to a rebased calculation period starting from November 2009. 9 Month-on-month, the rate ticked up slightly to 0.93% from September’s 0.72%, hinting at lingering short-term volatility. 1

Food prices, long the Achilles’ heel of Nigeria’s inflation battle, were the dominant force behind the October uptick. The food and non-alcoholic beverages category contributed 6.42% to the overall rate, with staples like onions, fruits, shrimp, and meat seeing notable increases. 1 Food inflation itself eased to 13.12% year-on-year, down 26.04 percentage points from 39.16% a year earlier, buoyed by seasonal harvests and a stronger naira. 2 Other key contributors included restaurants and accommodation services at 2.07%, and transport at 1.35%. In contrast, sectors like health, clothing and footwear, and insurance saw more subdued impacts, each under 1%.

The three-month average CPI ending October rose 22.09% year-on-year, while the 12-month average climbed 22.02% — both reflecting a 10.24 percentage-point slowdown from October 2024’s 32.26%. 2 This broader cooling trend underscores the effects of recent policy measures, including the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) interest rate cut to 27% in September — the first in five years — amid stabilizing global oil prices and improved agricultural output.

Urban and Rural Divides Persist

Inflation’s retreat was evident across urban and rural landscapes, though disparities highlight ongoing inequities. Urban year-on-year inflation fell to 15.65%, a 20.73-point plunge from 36.38% in October 2024, with the 12-month average at 22.68% — down 11.84 points. 3 Month-on-month urban pressures edged higher to 1.14% from 0.74%.

In rural areas, the rate stood at 15.86% year-on-year, 15.73 points lower than the prior year’s 31.59%, with the 12-month average at 20.81% — a 9.42-point improvement. 3 Rural month-on-month inflation dipped to 0.45% from September’s 0.67%, suggesting some seasonal relief in agricultural communities.

These patterns point to a fragile stabilization, with economists eyeing the CBN’s upcoming Monetary Policy Committee meeting on November 24-25 for potential further rate adjustments. 6 “While the headline drop is encouraging, the base effect and persistent food vulnerabilities mean true relief for low-income families is still uneven,” said one analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Sustained investment in supply chains and subsidies will be key to locking in these gains.”

The NBS data arrives as Nigeria grapples with broader economic headwinds, including subsidy removals and currency reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Yet, with inflation now at its lowest since March 2022, there is cautious optimism that the worst may be over — provided structural reforms keep pace. 6

Africa Can Eliminate Cervical Cancer in One Generation, Says WHO

Toyin Adebayo
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0
Africa Can Eliminate Cervical Cancer in One Generation, Says WHO

ABUJA — The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that cervical cancer can be eliminated across Africa within a single generation, provided countries urgently scale up HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment services.

In a strongly worded message marking World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day on 17 November, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti (correction: the original text incorrectly named Dr. Mohamed Janabi; the current Regional Director is Dr. Matshidiso Moeti), called for renewed political will and sustained investment to end what she described as a “preventable tragedy.”

“Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer death among women in our region, yet it is also one of the most preventable and treatable when detected early,” Dr. Moeti said. “With the tools we have today — safe and effective HPV vaccines, simple screening tests, and accessible treatment — elimination is not a dream. It is a realistic target.”

Progress and momentum

Significant strides have been made in recent years. Thirty-two African countries have now introduced the HPV vaccine into routine immunisation programmes, reaching nearly half of eligible girls. Several additional nations launched national roll-outs in 2025, with at least eight more scheduled to begin in 2026.

“Every new country that introduces the vaccine is saving lives before the cancer even has a chance to develop,” Dr. Moeti noted.

The WHO is also promoting the Women’s Integrated Cancer Services (WICS) framework, which integrates cervical and breast cancer screening and early treatment into primary health care. The initiative, presented to African health ministers at the 75th WHO Regional Committee for Africa, aims to deliver “continuous, women-centred care” at the community level.

Global partners, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the Government of Spain, are supporting countries with updated national cancer plans, training for health workers, and essential radiotherapy and diagnostic equipment.

The remaining gaps

Despite these advances, the WHO warns that major barriers persist. Millions of women still have no access to screening or timely treatment, and many health systems lack the resources and infrastructure needed to close the gap.

“Too many women continue to be diagnosed late, when treatment is less effective and more costly,” Dr. Moeti said. “We cannot accept a situation where a woman’s postcode determines whether she lives or dies from a preventable disease.”

She urged all African governments to accelerate action across the three pillars of the global cervical cancer elimination strategy:

  • Achieve 90% HPV vaccination coverage of girls by age 15
  • Screen 70% of women at least twice in their lifetime
  • Ensure 90% of women with cervical disease receive appropriate treatment

A call for sustained commitment

“Elimination will not happen overnight,” Dr. Moeti emphasised. “It demands long-term political leadership, predictable financing, community engagement, and the active involvement of men and boys in supporting women’s health.”

Concluding her message, she stated: “Together, we can create an Africa where no woman dies from cervical cancer — a future in which every girl and woman, no matter where she is born, has the protection, care, and dignity she deserves.”

World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, observed annually on 17 November, was established by the World Health Assembly in 2020 as part of the global strategy to eliminate the disease as a public health problem by 2030 in every country.

AEPB Launches Citywide Sanitation Crackdown with 54 New Contractors

Toyin Adebayo
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0
AEPB Launches Citywide Sanitation Crackdown with 54 New Contractors

Official: “In Five Days, Abuja Will Forget Its Filthy Past”

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) kicked off a rigorous sanitation enforcement campaign on Monday, deploying 54 freshly contracted solid waste management firms to scour and clear refuse across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The initiative stems from last week’s mandate by FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike, who convened the contractors and demanded swift sanitation upgrades, tolerating no pretexts or foot-dragging.

During an on-site inspection of the inaugural operations, Enwerem Benjamin, AEPB’s Director of Solid Waste Management (North), underscored the minister’s resolve to reclaim the city’s luster. “This launch aligns directly with the minister’s instructions. We’re evaluating their rollout of machinery and staff today,” Benjamin said.

The oversight squad had already surveyed the Central Business District, Maitama, and sections of Asokoro, reporting an encouraging debut. “Their showing is solid—they’ve hit the ground running. Maintain this pace, and as the minister predicted, in just five days, Abuja residents will scarcely recall the squalor of recent months,” he affirmed.

Benjamin lauded Wike’s endorsement of the overdue cleaning pacts, while appealing to the public for cooperation through disciplined waste handling. “Households lacking approved bins must acquire them without delay; enforcement sweeps are imminent,” he alerted.

He reiterated the perils of littering, stressing that a pristine capital demands seamless contractor execution paired with civic accountability.

AEPB plans ongoing daily audits to uphold compliance, as the FCT Administration strives to reestablish Abuja among Africa’s most immaculate urban centers.

Kebbi School Abduction: Police, Govt Confirm 25 Girls Kidnapped by Armed Terrorists

Ola Akinola
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0
Kebbi School Abduction: Police, Govt Confirm 25 Girls Kidnapped by Armed Terrorists

Raid Highlights Security Lapses Despite Checkpoints; Rescue Efforts Underway

The Kebbi State Police Command and state government have verified the early-morning raid on Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area, where armed terrorists abducted 25 female students from their dormitory, killing one staff member in the process.

In a statement on Monday, Police Public Relations Officer Nafiu Kotarkoshi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), detailed the assault, noting that the attackers—armed with sophisticated weaponry—breached the school perimeter around 4 a.m. A police tactical unit engaged the assailants in a firefight, but the bandits scaled the fence and fled with the victims to an undisclosed location.

“Unfortunately, the suspected bandits had already… abducted twenty-five students… to an unknown destination,” Kotarkoshi said, confirming the death of a school staffer during the chaos. He clarified that a local guard identified as Ali was injured, not killed, contradicting initial reports that listed two fatalities: teacher Hassan Makuku and Ali.

The Kebbi State Government echoed the confirmation, with Chief Press Secretary Ahmed Idris stating that Deputy Governor Umar Tafida had dispatched a delegation of officials and security forces to the site for on-ground assessment and support.

Raid Amid Security Gaps

The brazen incursion has stunned residents, particularly given the presence of military checkpoints in the vicinity. One is located in Damarke, under Bukkuyum LGA in neighboring Zamfara State, approximately seven kilometers away, while another sits less than a kilometer from the school.

Community sources expressed bewilderment at the lapse, alleging the attack might have been thwarted had soldiers followed Governor Nasir Idris’s directive. After receiving prior intelligence on a potential threat, the governor reportedly ordered reinforcements from the nearby outpost. However, the troops allegedly withdrew, leaving outnumbered police to respond alone.

“The terrorists overpowered the police officers who confronted them,” one local intelligence operative with the State Security Service (SSS) told PREMIUM TIMES under anonymity. Queries to Nigerian Army spokesperson Appolonia Anele remain unanswered as of press time.

Kotarkoshi assured that reinforced police units, military detachments, and local vigilantes are actively pursuing the kidnappers. “They are currently combing the bandits’ routes and nearby forests with a view to rescuing the abducted students and possibly arresting the perpetrators,” he added.

Suspects: Dogo Gide or Falando?

The identity of the perpetrators remains unconfirmed, but security sources point to notorious bandit leaders operating in the region. Dogo Gide’s faction, known for cross-border raids, could have exploited the terrain, one SSS contact suggested. Alternatively, the attack bears hallmarks of Falando’s group, which bases in the nearby Gando forest.

“It may be the group of Falando operating from Gando forest,” a Maga-area resident speculated.

Echoes of Chibok: A Pattern of School Raids

This incident revives traumatic memories of the 2014 Chibok kidnapping by Boko Haram, which spurred a wave of student abductions across Nigeria’s Northwest and North-Central zones. Kidnappers often demand ransoms, enforce forced marriages, or enslave victims.

Kebbi’s history includes the June 2021 seizure of about 80 students and five teachers from Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri by Dogo Gide’s men. Releases occurred in phases through 2023, though some girls returned pregnant; the state now funds scholarships for survivors resuming education.

Similar horrors unfolded in May 2021 with nearly 200 abductions from an Islamic school in Tegina, Niger State, shortly after 14 Greenfield University students in Kaduna were freed. February 2021 saw 300 girls taken from Jangebe, Zamfara, most later released. In 2024, over 100 Kuriga elementary pupils in Kaduna were snatched and subsequently rescued, with authorities denying any ransom payment.

As search operations intensify, the Maga abductions underscore persistent vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s education sector, where schools remain soft targets despite federal vows to fortify security. Families and officials alike await swift resolution, with the girls’ safe return a top priority.

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