Nigeria

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Wole Alamu, husband of Rachael Alamu, the abducted principal of a Community High School in Ogbomoso, has appealed to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to step up efforts aimed at securing her release and that of other victims still in captivity.

Alamu made the appeal on Saturday when the governor visited families of victims affected by the abduction incident. He became emotional during the visit and was seen in tears while speaking about his wife’s ordeal.

Rachael Alamu was among teachers and students abducted on May 15 when armed men invaded three schools along the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Oriire Local Government Area in Ogbomoso. The attackers reportedly arrived on motorcycles and took away dozens of pupils and staff from Community High School, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.

During the attack, an assistant headmaster identified as Adesiyan and a commercial motorcyclist were killed. Governor Makinde also disclosed that seven teachers were taken away, while one of them, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity.

In a video shared on Instagram on Friday, the abducted principal called on both federal and state authorities not to use force in any rescue operation, warning that such action could endanger lives. She also said the kidnappers threatened to kill another victim if security forces attempted a forceful rescue.

Speaking during the governor’s visit, Alamu expressed gratitude for the efforts so far but urged him not to slow down in the rescue operation.

“Our governor, we thank you because we know the efforts you have made since this incident happened. But please, don’t be weary in the rescue mission for our people in captivity,” he said.

He also described the emotional pain caused by the circulation of his wife’s video in captivity.

“My wife is the one being used to make the videos that are being circulated. It is very disheartening and depressing,” he said in Yoruba while kneeling and pleading with the governor.

Governor Makinde later embraced the distraught man as he broke down in tears.

The governor said he understood the pain of the families and assured them of ongoing efforts to secure the release of the abductees.

“All I need is your cooperation. Please trust us. I cannot speak much because of security implications. I know your hearts are bleeding. My heart is also bleeding. Please trust us. We will secure their release,” Makinde said.

The incident has added to growing concern over rising cases of abductions and attacks spreading into the South-West region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has pledged to raise Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts if elected president in the 2027 general elections.

Obi made the promise on Saturday in Abuja after emerging as the NDC’s sole presidential candidate at the party’s national convention, where his nomination was formally ratified.

In his acceptance speech, he criticised the country’s current power situation, describing it as unacceptable for a nation of over 200 million people to remain at a generation level of about 4,000 megawatts.

He said Nigeria’s electricity output falls far below what is recorded in some other major African economies.

“It is totally unacceptable. Today, Nigeria is a country with the highest number of citizens without access to electricity in the whole world. About 100 million Nigerians don’t have access to electricity,” he said.

“In today’s world, it is unacceptable. A country of over 200 million people only generates and distributes 4,000 (megawatts)

“The biggest economies in Africa— South Africa and Egypt — generate over 40,000 megawatts today.

“So we are not even producing 10% of what these two African nations are producing and distributing. Both of them are less than 50% of our population and they generate 10 times the electricity we generate. These are African countries.

“It is unacceptable. It cannot happen. And I pledge on behalf of our government that in four years, this country will generate and distribute at least 10,000 megawatts from the 4,000 they are doing today.”

Obi also faulted official unemployment figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), particularly the 4.3 percent rate reported for the second quarter of 2024, saying it does not reflect the reality faced by Nigerians.

He said his administration would prioritise job creation through support for small businesses and targeted incentives aimed at expanding economic opportunities.

Meanwhile, data from the federal government in April 2026 showed a slight improvement in electricity generation, which rose from 3,951 megawatts on March 28 to over 4,300 megawatts by April 10.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The crisis engulfing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) burst into the open again this week as a faction loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike flatly denied any plans to field former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2027 presidential election—even as a competing splinter group moved to ratify him as its candidate.

The Wike-backed faction, which claims legitimacy as the party’s authentic leadership, said Jonathan has neither purchased nomination forms nor engaged with its structure.

“Goodluck has not purchased our form yet and he has not been romancing with us, so we are not expecting him to come,” Mohammed Haruna Jungudo, National Publicity Secretary of that faction, told reporters. “You are not talking to Kabiru Turaki’s group.”

The denial came days before a parallel faction led by former Minister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki scheduled a special national convention for May 30 at the A’ Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja, to formally ratify Jonathan as its presidential flag bearer.

On May 19, 2026, the Turaki faction’s screening committee—chaired by former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu—granted Jonathan a waiver and cleared him as its sole presidential aspirant, citing his prior service as deputy governor, governor, vice president, and president.

“He has been declared and cleared as a candidate of the PDP for the presidential election,” Aliyu said.

The PDP has been mired in leadership disputes since losing power in 2015, with multiple factions operating parallel structures and pursuing court battles. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognizes certain leadership claims while other groups exist in legal limbo. Key fault lines involve Wike, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and other chieftains vying for control.

Jonathan, who served as president from 2010 to 2015 and has largely stayed out of active politics since leaving office, has not publicly confirmed or denied interest in a return. He did not appear for screening, and his team has maintained a low profile, fueling speculation.

A federal High Court in Abuja recently dismissed a suit challenging Jonathan’s eligibility, ruling he can contest and awarding costs against the plaintiff—a decision the Turaki faction hailed as a victory.

Political analyst Victoria N. Ikeano described the situation as “a mystery,” suggesting it could be either a calculated strategic ruse or a reflection of factional maneuvering with no real candidate yet.

Meanwhile, another faction has reportedly adopted former Senator Sandy Onor as its consensus presidential candidate, further illustrating the multiple parallel tracks within the fractured opposition party.

By Uzair Adam

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), says the administration of President Bola Tinubu has achieved between 65 and 70 per cent success in addressing insecurity, terrorism and other security threats across the country.

Speaking on ARISE TV during a programme marking Tinubu’s three years in office, Musa said terrorism in Nigeria had been reduced significantly, leaving mostly isolated incidents such as kidnappings.

“We’ll give 65 to 70 per cent performance in the fight against terrorism and insecurity. No nation is totally free from crime and criminality,” he said.

According to him, the level of terrorism across the country has reduced drastically, adding that many current security challenges are linked to societal problems and declining family values.

The defence minister described kidnapping as more of a social crisis than purely a security issue, noting that some cases now involve relatives abducting one another.

“We have fathers kidnapping children, children kidnapping each other, brothers kidnapping sisters. It tells you that something is wrong with the family,” he said.

Musa also blamed greed and the desire for quick wealth for the rise in kidnapping and related crimes, urging Nigerians to embrace hard work instead of shortcuts.

He cited the recent killing of a deputy ISIS commander as evidence of improved military operations, explaining that the operation followed months of surveillance and intelligence gathering.

“The recent killing of that deputy ISIS commander was a painstaking operation that began since last year. We followed through and ensured we were certain of our target before striking,” he said.

The minister added that security agencies were receiving stronger cooperation from Nigerians, which he described as a major operational advantage in the fight against insecurity.

He also highlighted support from international partners including the United States, Britain, France, Brazil and Turkey, saying the countries were providing expertise and platforms to strengthen Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.

Musa warned against allowing terrorism to become deeply rooted in Nigeria, citing Turkey’s decades-long battle against insurgency as an example of how difficult it can be to reverse.

His comments come amid concerns over rising abductions in parts of the country. Amnesty International recently reported that at least 1,100 people were kidnapped between January and April 2026.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops attached to Operation Enduring Peace have arrested two soldiers over their alleged involvement in an assault incident in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident reportedly left three vigilante members and a woman injured.

Details of the development emerged in a post shared on Thursday night by security analyst, Zagozala Makama, on X.

According to the report, the incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m. on Thursday in Kugiya, located in the Bukuru area. The confrontation allegedly followed a disagreement linked to the seizure of a motorcycle and the presence of suspected armed men in the area.

Security sources disclosed that troops from Sector 6 under Operation Safe Haven responded after receiving a distress call.

The operatives reportedly discovered that three vigilante members and a woman identified as Mrs. Kaneng Nyang Bot sustained injuries during the incident.

The two soldiers were later taken into custody over their alleged roles in the assault.

They were identified as Pte. Adam Saheed of the 123 Special Forces Battalion, who was said to be on pass, and Gnr. Mohammed Shuaibu of the 351 Artillery Regiment attached to the 376 Artillery Regiment in Damaturu. Reports indicated that Shuaibu’s pass had expired since April 24.

Preliminary investigations suggested that the clash started during an attempt to confiscate a motorcycle at the scene.

The soldiers are currently in custody and are expected to undergo disciplinary and administrative procedures.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday assured Nigerian children held captive by criminals in Oyo, Borno, and other states that they have not been abandoned by his administration, as he issued a series of directives to security agencies to intensify rescue operations nationwide.

In a Children’s Day statement released by the State House, the President also acknowledged the pain of grieving families, saying, “Your government will not turn your pain into ceremony.”

The address, which coincided with Eid-el-Kabir, struck a somber tone as Tinubu noted that while the nation celebrates its youngest citizens, some children and their teachers remain in captivity instead of being home with their families.

“To those children, their parents, and their teachers, I say this as a father and your President: you are not forgotten. You are not abandoned,” Tinubu said.

He directed all relevant security agencies to sustain and intensify coordinated rescue operations for abducted children and other vulnerable citizens, insisting that such operations must be “intelligence-led, carefully executed and focused on the safe recovery of our children.”

The President also ordered the strengthening of school protection measures in high-risk areas, including updated school vulnerability mapping, closer coordination between state governments and security commands, rapid response links between schools and local security units, and stronger community-based early warning systems.

The Federal Ministry of Education, working with state governments, is to deepen the implementation of the Safe Schools framework “with clear reporting, clear responsibility and clear timelines,” Tinubu added.

Beyond rescue, the President directed relevant ministries and agencies to ensure recovered children receive proper reintegration support, including medical attention, counselling, education, and dignity. “Rescue is not the end of the government’s duty,” he said.

Tinubu also appealed to parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, transport unions, local vigilantes, and the media to play active roles in protecting children, warning that silence about suspicious movements around schools places children at risk.

“The fight to protect children must begin before an attack happens, not after one has already occurred,” he said.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in education, healthcare, nutrition, social protection, digital skills, and safer communities, adding: “Childhood must not be a privilege reserved for a few. It is the right of every Nigerian child.”

He ended with a direct message to Nigerian children: “You matter—your dreams matter; your safety matters. Your education matters. Be assured that your future matters to this government and to this nation, and we will safeguard it.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Presidency has called for legal action against social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over an audio clip allegedly linked to President Bola Tinubu.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, accused the influencer of spreading false information capable of misleading Nigerians and damaging the President’s reputation.

In a post shared on X on Wednesday, Onanuga condemned the circulation of the recording, which allegedly contained fabricated comments attributed to Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform,” Onanuga wrote.

The controversial audio, which many observers suspect may have been generated through artificial intelligence voice-cloning technology, allegedly featured Tinubu making sensitive political remarks. Among the claims in the recording were allegations that insecurity in the South-East was intentional, that the President once asked former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2023 race in his favour, and that he was unconcerned about the country’s economic difficulties.

The recording also alleged that funds obtained through World Bank loans were being channelled into election activities.

VDM shared the clip alongside a video message directed at his followers. He urged Nigerians to listen carefully to the audio before deciding whether to support Tinubu in the next presidential election.

“You people watch it, see this next video I’m about to play. After you people watch it, we’ll come decide whether na for shrine them cook una mind. All the people wey wan support Bola Ahmed Tinubu for 2027, you go come know whether they don cook your mind (“Watch this next video I’m about to play. After you watch it, we will decide whether your minds have been influenced in a ritualistic manner. All those who intend to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 will then understand whether they have been mentally manipulated),” he said.

After playing the audio, the influencer openly rejected the possibility of Tinubu returning to office in 2027.

“This man does not have anything to offer. Come 2027, any other option is welcome, but for me, myself and I, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot offer us anything anymore. So he should go,” he added.

By Uzair Adam

A Nigerian pilgrim participating in the 2026 Hajj exercise has died in Muzdalifah shortly after arriving from Arafat during the early hours of Wednesday.

The deceased, believed to be from Bauchi State, reportedly collapsed during the overnight movement of pilgrims between the two holy sites.

Witnesses said Saudi security personnel and emergency medical officials swiftly evacuated the pilgrim from the area after the incident.

He was seen being wheeled away by security officers alongside members of the emergency response team.

Two officials attached to the Bauchi State pilgrims contingent were also present during the evacuation.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not officially confirmed the identity of the deceased, while the cause of death remained unknown pending an official statement.

The incident occurred during one of the most physically demanding stages of the Hajj pilgrimage, as millions of pilgrims move between holy sites amid large crowds and intense weather conditions.

Thousands of Nigerian pilgrims had earlier arrived in Muzdalifah after observing the Day of Arafat, regarded as the spiritual climax of the annual pilgrimage.

By Uzair Adam

As part of efforts to ensure an inclusive Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Kano State Government has donated Sallah cows to persons with special needs and vulnerable homes across the state.
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The intervention, coordinated by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, saw six clusters of persons living with disabilities receive one cow each alongside N20,000 transport support.

The benefiting groups include persons with spinal cord injuries, persons living with albinism, persons affected by leprosy, the visually impaired, the hearing impaired, and persons with physical disabilities.

Speaking during the distribution ceremony at the Nassarawa Children’s Home, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi Sani, said the gesture reflects Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable residents in the state.

She noted that the administration considered it important for persons with special needs and other disadvantaged groups to celebrate the Sallah festivities with joy and dignity alongside their families.

According to her, the donation is part of the government’s broader humanitarian and inclusive governance agenda aimed at supporting vulnerable members of society.

The Director of Persons with Special Needs, Dr. Binta Bala, commended the ministry for sustaining initiatives targeted at improving the lives of vulnerable persons in Kano State.

In a similar gesture, the state government also presented one cow each to Nassarawa Children’s Home, Remand Home Goron Dutse, Kwalli VVF Centre, and Tudun Maliki Torrey Home to enable residents celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.


Representatives of the benefiting associations expressed appreciation to the governor and the ministry for the support, describing the intervention as timely. They also offered prayers for continued guidance and protection for the governor.

By Uzair Adam

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has won the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries held in Kano State.

Announcing the outcome, chairman of the electoral committee, Dr. John Ayuba, said the exercise was successfully conducted across the 44 local government areas and 484 wards of the state.

The collated results showed that Atiku polled 155,595 votes to emerge ahead of other contenders. Mohammed Hayatu-Deen secured 15,914 votes, while Rotimi Amaechi received 9,994 votes.

Dr. Ayuba explained that the results would be forwarded to the party’s National Coalition Centre in Abuja for ratification and official confirmation of the party’s presidential candidate.

He urged party members to remain united and committed ahead of the 2027 general elections to ensure the ADC produces Nigeria’s next president.

Meanwhile, the party has delayed the announcement of results for the Kano governorship primaries pending further directives from the national leadership.

The governorship race is being contested by Ibrahim Ali Amin Little and Malam Ibrahim Khalil, with the party reportedly considering a consensus arrangement to choose its candidate.