Fifty students who were earlier feared abducted in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, have safely returned to their homes, the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has confirmed. The individuals, mostly students of St. Mary’s School, Papiri, had fled into the bush following an attack by suspected bandits earlier this week. According to the Diocese, all 50 persons listed have reunited with their families as of 23rd November 2025. In a document issued and signed by Rev. Fr. Jatau Luka Joseph, the Diocesan Secretary, the Church provided the complete names of those who returned, assuring the public…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
Bandits who kidnapped worshippers from the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Igan, Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have demanded an alarming N3.5 billion — translating to ₦100 million for each victim. Pastor Lawrence Bamidele, who leads the church, confirmed that between 30 and 35 members were seized during Tuesday evening’s violent attack. Family members and community leaders said on Thursday that the kidnappers had started contacting relatives using the victims’ phones. Josiah Agbabiaka, secretary of the church, revealed that the abductors divided the victims into groups and that the first batch of 11 people had each been…
Barely 72 hours after bandits attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State and abducted 25 schoolgirls, terrorists have abducted students and staff members of St. Mary’s School in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. Confirming the incident on Friday in Minna, the Niger State Government said the exact number of abducted persons was yet to be determined, adding that security agencies were still assessing the situation. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, said in a statement that the attack occurred despite earlier intelligence…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disowned Zuldal Microfinance Bank Limited, warning that the entity is operating illegally and without any form of regulatory approval. In a detailed statement issued on Thursday, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi Ali, cited the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020, noting that Section 2(1) clearly states that “no person shall carry on any banking business in Nigeria except it is a company duly incorporated in Nigeria and holds a valid banking licence issued by the CBN.” The apex bank said it became aware of reports that the firm,…
A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on the first count of the seven terrorism charges filed against him by the federal government. Delivering the judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution had successfully established its case on the first charge. The court relied heavily on video evidence tendered by the federal government, including recorded interviews in which Kanu allegedly issued violent threats against Nigeria and its citizens. The judge ruled that the content of the videos amounted to incitement and posed a threat to national…
The Imole Progressive Network has unveiled a new agricultural empowerment programme targeting farmers across the Ondo North Senatorial District. The initiative, approved by the organisation’s Director-General, Engineer Michael Abayomi Adeyanju, is designed to boost productivity and support smallholder farmers with essential tools and inputs. According to an internal memo signed by the Secretary General, Olorunfemi Christopher Ibukun, the empowerment exercise will be conducted in phases across the seven local government areas of the district. The programme will kick off on November 28, beginning with Ose and Owo Local Government Areas. It will continue on December 5 in Akoko South-West and…
The House of Representatives has resumed its investigation into the alleged misappropriation of N1.2 trillion in Federal Government agricultural intervention funds disbursed through various departments, agencies, schemes, and programmes. Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Rep. Chike Okafor (APC–Imo), said the motion was referred to the committee after extensive deliberations, with lawmakers resolving to thoroughly probe all agencies involved in the disbursement and utilisation of the funds. According to him, the inquiry covers major institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), the Bank of…
APC stalwart, Engr. Michael Adeyanju, has congratulated the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Biyi Poroye, on his recognition by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) with the prestigious Friend of the Bar award. The honour was conferred during the 2025 Law Week of the NBA Akure Branch, held at the International Culture and Event Centre (The Dome), Akure, where the Association celebrated individuals whose contributions have strengthened the legal community, promoted justice, and supported the professional development of legal practitioners. Prince Poroye, widely admired for his dynamic leadership and commitment to grassroots development, was acknowledged…
Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has urged security agencies to deal decisively with criminals, regardless of their religion or ethnic background. Speaking at the 10th General Assembly of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), held at the Bola Babalakin Auditorium in Gbongan, Osun State, the Sultan called for unity among Nigerians, warning against attempts by external forces to sow division. He condemned the killings carried out by terrorists and bandits across the country, stressing that such acts have nothing to do with religion. According to…
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK), has condemned what he described as “insensitive and cruel assertions” denying that Christians are being killed in Nigeria, saying such claims are not only false but dangerously divisive. In a strongly worded statement posted on his Facebook page, Fani-Kayode warned that both Christians and Muslims are being targeted and murdered by the same terrorists, and that attempts to frame the violence as a religious war only empower extremists and undermine national unity. According to him, “Christians are targeted and killed in large numbers in Nigeria, and anyone that denies this, plays it down,…