The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) at Oke Isegun in Eruku, Kwara State, returned to its sanctuary for a solemn Sunday service, nearly a week after a deadly bandit attack that left three people dead and 38 worshippers abducted. The mood in the large church was somber, with only around 30 congregants present an atmosphere of quiet prayer and reflection rather than celebration. Last Tuesday’s raid by armed assailants shattered the calm of the congregation, scattering fear among those present. In the wake of that violence, the Sunday gathering was dominated by heartfelt supplications, as members prayed intensely for the safe…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State has confirmed that fifty students abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara LGA, have escaped from captivity. According to a statement on Sunday, the students regained their freedom between Friday and Saturday and quietly reunited with their families. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, CAN chairman in Niger State and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, provided the update. Bishop Yohanna said the pupils who escaped could not immediately return to the school, but their whereabouts were traced after CAN officials contacted and visited some parents. “We were able…
Thousands of passengers across Europe are grounded as major airlines, including British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, and Swiss, report over 65 flight cancellations and 1,824 delays. Airports in Manchester, Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich, Brussels, and other major cities are experiencing disruptions due to a combination of operational challenges and adverse weather conditions, leaving travelers struggling to find alternative arrangements. KLM reported the highest number of disruptions among European carriers, with 15 flights canceled and 307 delayed, accounting for 44 % of its flights. Lufthansa recorded 331 delayed flights, while Air France experienced 268 delays, representing 42 % of its schedules. Smaller carriers…
The Defence Headquarters has announced that it is investigating a claim by Kebbi State Governor Mohammed Nasir Idris that troops withdrew from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, before 25 students were abducted. The review aims to determine the circumstances surrounding troop deployment and movement at the time of the attack. Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, said the military is fully involved in operations to rescue the kidnapped students and bring those responsible to justice. He emphasized that the Armed Forces remain committed to the safety of the students and the affected communities. Governor Idris had…
Messaging platform WhatsApp has launched native multi‑account support for iPhone users, bringing the iOS version closer to its Android counterpart. iPhone users can now add up to two WhatsApp accounts on the same device. Each account maintains separate chats, notifications, privacy settings, and profile information, while switching between them is made simple through a new “Account List” option in the Settings menu. The feature is currently available to beta testers on iOS version 25.34.10.72 and later, while Android users have enjoyed similar multi-account functionality since 2023. Notifications are clearly labeled to indicate which account a message belongs to, and switching…
This week, Nigeria was marked by heightened insecurity, political turbulence, and deepening anxieties across religious, regional, and institutional lines. “Join me as I recap the key events that shaped Nigeria this week.” A spate of high-profile kidnappings, including the mass abduction of more than 300 students and teachers from a Catholic school in Niger State, has catalysed national outrage and sharpened the spotlight on my country’s fragile security environment. Simultaneously, armed gangs attacked a church in Kwara State, leading to fatalities and prompting the closure of schools across multiple districts. In response, the federal government has deployed additional security personnel…
Former Military Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar has appealed to Nigerians to increase their cooperation with security agencies as the nation continues to grapple with rising cases of kidnapping. He made the call during a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday where he stressed the importance of public involvement in boosting national security efforts. Abubakar urged citizens across the country to provide timely and accurate information that could help security operatives track down individuals involved in abductions and other criminal activities. He explained that effective intelligence sharing between the public and security officers remained one of…
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has raised fresh concerns over rising insecurity in the South West, saying armed groups have already infiltrated several communities across the region. Speaking during an interview with Central TV at his Lagos residence, he said growing intelligence reports point to an urgent and dangerous situation that requires immediate attention. He noted that recent events in different parts of the country clearly show that Nigeria is facing what he described as a serious security threat. Adams explained that information available to him confirms that terrorists are already operating within many communities in Yorubaland.…
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced that he has already activated specific steps aimed at securing the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the Indigenous People of Biafra leader who was recently convicted. Kanu received a life imprisonment sentence from Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja on November 20, a judgment that has continued to attract wide public interest across the country. Governor Otti explained that the plan to work towards Kanu’s freedom did not begin after the conviction but was initiated while the trial was still ongoing. He noted that the discussions and groundwork for the strategy…
The National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has directed all individual insurance customers to link their National Identification Number, NIN, to their insurance policies by April 30, 2026. The commission also instructed corporate clients to provide their Certificate of Incorporation and other relevant Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) documents before the deadline. The directive was issued through circular number NAICOM/TD/MCCB/CIR/73/2025, titled “Mandatory Submission of National Identification Number and Certificate of Incorporation as Material Information for all Insurance Contracts, Including Group Life Cover.” It was addressed to all managing directors and chief executive officers of insurance companies and brokers across Nigeria. NAICOM stated that…
The Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Dr. Adamu Abubakar Maje, has warned newly appointed Imams and their deputies against intervening in matters related to judicial rulings, stressing that such issues should always be referred to the appropriate authorities. The directive was given at his palace during the appointment ceremony of eleven Juma’at Mosque Imams and five Deputy Imams across the Hadejia Emirate. Speaking at the event, the Emir reminded the clerics that their primary duty is to provide spiritual guidance, uphold religious values, and serve as moral leaders within their communities. He emphasised that maintaining the dignity and integrity of their…
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has led a leadership training for nearly 1,000 secondary school prefects in Ogun State, emphasising that the foundation of nation-building rests on strong ethical values and social responsibility. Speaking in Abeokuta at the inaugural Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Training Programme for Secondary School Prefects, organised by the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI), he said development must be rooted in character as much as in economics and politics. Obasanjo stressed that social responsibility is more than a concept it is a “fundamental pillar of nation-building” that should guide both institutional decisions and personal behavior. For him, sustainable growth…