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Insecurity: Reps Minority Caucus Worried Over Spate Of kidnappings On Highway

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…urge President Tinubu to wake up to responsibility of protecting lives 
 
… says abducted medical students in Benue must not be left with criminals
 
By Gloria Ikibah 
 
The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has expressed worries over the increasing spate of insecurity in the country, urging President Bola Tinubu to “wake up” to his responsibilities of protecting lives and families, and declare a state of emergency in the security sector.
 
 
Minority Leader of the House and Leader of the Caucus, Rep. Kingsley Chinda in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the “frequent” abductions of travellers on the highways have become worrisome.
 
Rep. Chinda highlighted series of recent kidnapping of commuters, and said the 29 medical students taken away by gunmen in Benue while travelling for a conference threatens the future of education and healthcare in the country.
 
The caucus also condemned the kidnap of Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa district in Sokoto, Isa Muhammad Bawa and his son, and  described it as an affront to traditional institutions.
 
The caucus further stated that the killing of Tanimu Kunbiya, the Gara of Chanchanji, and his son Yusuf, in Taraba state, shows a total breakdown of security in the nation.
 
The statement reads: “These young men and women, dedicated to pursuing knowledge and bettering the lives of their fellow Nigerians, must not be left to suffer in the hands of criminals.
 
“The alarming rate in which criminals have seized our nation by the jugular, casting doubts on the capacity of the nation-state to defend itself and protect citizens calls for serious concerns.
 
“No section of our country appears safe for citizens to live their lives, uplift their wellbeing, and contribute to the growth and progress of our country.
 
“In particular, our interstate highway systems, which serve not only as the backbone of our transportation system but as the commerce corridors through which commercial entities and citizens move their goods and services, providing businesses lifelines, have become deathtraps and the staging posts of kidnappers, extortionists and criminal elements of the dark underworld. 
 
“The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, gravely worried about the prevailing conditions of our interstate highways and the general state of insecurity in our country, expresses its deep concern and outright condemnation of the recent kidnappings that have further highlighted the alarming state of insecurity in our nation.
 
“Furthermore, the kidnapping of the Anambra State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr Patrick Mba, and his wife on the highway in Kogi State, who was released yesterday by his abductors, underscores the terrifying reality that no one is safe, not even those who have dedicated their lives to public service.
 
“These incidents are not isolated; they represent a broader, more concerning trend of increasing lawlessness and insecurity in our country.
 
“The frequency and audacity of these attacks suggest a complete breakdown in our security architecture, and this cannot be allowed to continue while we pretend or console ourselves with the conclusion that the situation is improving.”
 
‘SECURITY AGENCIES SHOULD ACT SWIFTLY’
 
The lawmakers therefore called on security agencies, including the police, and Department of State Services (DSS) to “change their tactics of engagement and act swiftly and decisively”.
 
“It is imperative and indeed an unconditional demand that the kidnapped citizens are rescued unharmed, and the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice. 
 
“The government must prioritize the safety of all Nigerians. We cannot allow our nation to slide into anarchy, where criminals operate with impunity, and the citizens live in constant fear. The time for rhetoric is over; now is the time for action.
 
“As leaders, we must take responsibility and work collaboratively to restore peace and security across Nigeria. The Minority Caucus urges the government to invest in intelligence gathering, improve coordination among security agencies, and implement community-based security strategies that involve local leaders and stakeholders”, the caucus added.
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BREAKING: Finally, Power Minister, Adelabu resigns from Tinubu’s cabinet

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Finally, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Adelabu said the decision would take effect from April 30, 2026, to allow for a smooth transition.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

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Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

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Reps Begin Review of Police Trust Fund Law, Tighten Timeline for Committee Work

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By Gloria Ikibah

As part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture, President Bola Tinubu, has sent a formal communication to the House of Representatives on seeking legislative approval for the repeal and re-enactment of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF) Establishment Act, 2025.

The request which was transmitted to the House for consideration and passage on Wednesday at plenary, underscores the need to improve the management and administration of the fund, enhance police training, and provide modern equipment for the Nigeria Police Force.

According to the letter,, the proposed amendment is aimed at boosting the operational capacity, accountability, and sustainability of the Police Trust Fund in line with current security challenges.

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The President urged lawmakers to give the bill expeditious consideration, as the said the reform will improve the welfare of police personnel and support skill development across the force.

In another development,  the House Committee on Rules and Business has moved to tighten legislative discipline, directing all standing and ad hoc committees to submit reports on bills and motions within set timelines in line with House procedures.

Chairman of the committee, Rep. Francis Uwaive, reminded all committee chairmen to treat all assigned matters within 30 days, with the risk of losing such assignments after 60 days if no progress is made, except where a short extension is granted.

A firm deadline has also been set for all outstanding reports, with the end of April 2026 as the cut-off point, and non-compliance attracting automatic discharge.

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Amid the formal proceedings, lawmakers briefly paused to celebrate two members marking their birthdays, acknowledging their contributions to public service and national development.

The mood later shifted as the House paid tribute to a former member of the Fifth Assembly, observing a minute’s silence in his honour following his passing after a prolonged illness.

He was remembered for his dedication and service to his constituents in Benue State, with colleagues noting that his death represents a significant loss to the legislature and the country.

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Iran Seizes Two Ships attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz

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Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that their naval forces stopped two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and directed them to the territorial waters of the Islamic Republic.

“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,” the Guards said in a statement.

“The two offending ships… were seized by the IRGC’s naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast.”

They identified one ship as “MSC-FRANCESCA”, which they said belonged “to the Zionist regime” in reference to Israel, and the other as “EPAMINONDAS”, which they said was “tampering with navigation systems and jeopardising maritime security.”

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The Guards further warned against any action against the regulations imposed by the Islamic republic in the strait “as well as activities contrary to the safe passage” through the waterway.

Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave of enter the Gulf through Hormuz, through a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.

Source: AFP

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