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Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Presidential Candidate for the upcoming presidential election in 2027, Peter Obi, has pleaded with kidnappers holding school children and their teachers for over two weeks to release them for the sake of humanity.

Writing on his X platform on Wednesday, Obi said, “I am deeply shocked and heartbroken by the condition in which these abducted school children are, as seen from their flagellated bodies. It is a painful reminder of the depth of insecurity in our land.

“I have always made it clear that the society we abuse today will take its revenge on our children tomorrow. When I first began making that statement, some of these children were not even born. This is a classic example of how the abuse of governance and society today can produce devastating consequences long after the abusers are gone.

“It is on the same line that I argue that the loans our leaders take today will hurt our children in the future, as many of them will mature for repayment and consequences long after we are gone.

“To those holding these children, I make a direct appeal to your conscience. Remember that these are innocent children – sons and daughters of people who have placed their hopes, dreams, and entire future in them. In every one of them, you will find reflections of your own children, your own family, and your own humanity.

“No grievance, no hardship, no justification can ever outweigh the sanctity of a child’s life and innocence. Whatever path has led to this moment, there is still room for remorse, for humanity, and for a change of heart. I therefore appeal to your sense of mercy: release these children immediately. “Let them go. Return them safely to society to reunite with their families”

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The Plateau Initiative for Growth and Development, PIGD, has called on political actors in Plateau State, especially the factional governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sunday Biggs, to rise above what it described as unnecessary semantics, huff and puff, and focus on the realities on ground.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Nengak David, the group said Plateau’s political space should not be turned into an arena for tension, distraction or needless verbal confrontation, but should instead become a platform for serious engagement on ideas, vision and practical alternatives for the people of the state.

According to PIGD, Plateau people deserve a contest driven by substance, not noise, adding that any politician seeking to challenge Governor Caleb Mutfwang must be ready to tell citizens what he can do better than the present administration.

“Rather than stir unnecessary tension or engage in political shadowboxing, Sunday Biggs and other political actors should tell Plateau people what they can do better. The issue is not who can shout the loudest, but who can present a clear, realistic and people-centred vision for the state,” David said.

The group commended the Mutfwang administration for what it described as visible and measurable achievements across key sectors, particularly security, health, education, agriculture, transportation, water, energy, tourism and road infrastructure.
PIGD noted that in the area of security, the administration has revamped Operation Rainbow, recruited and trained over 1,500 personnel across communities, commenced the recruitment of 1,000 Forest Guards, launched the State Security and Information Centre with a toll-free line, and invested in security technology, operational vehicles and gadgets to support security agencies.

The group also pointed to major interventions in the health sector, including the recruitment of 22 medical consultants at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, construction of a modern laboratory complex, procurement of laboratory equipment worth over ₦2 billion, introduction of Electronic Medical Records, expansion of residency training and growth in PLASCHEMA enrolment from 93,605 beneficiaries in May 2023 to 319,429 by May 2026.

In education, PIGD said the Mutfwang administration has approved a 50 percent reduction in tuition fees for Plateau indigenes in state-owned tertiary institutions, increased scholarship funding by 300 percent, sponsored students abroad, constructed 397 classrooms, renovated 557 classrooms, drilled boreholes in schools and provided furniture and learning facilities through SUBEB and the AGILE Programme.

David said these achievements were too significant to be dismissed through political rhetoric, stressing that those seeking power must respond with stronger ideas rather than attempts to diminish progress already being recorded.

“It is not enough for anyone to play politics with words. Plateau people are seeing roads, health interventions, school projects, agricultural support, security reforms and efforts to restore the dignity of the state. Anyone seeking to challenge this administration must come with a better plan, not empty rhetoric,” the statement added.

PIGD further praised the administration’s agricultural interventions, including procurement of fertilisers and farming inputs worth over ₦20 billion, support for farmers with improved seedlings and equipment, youth training in modern agriculture, and the establishment of agro-processing zones in Shendam, Mangu and Heipang.
The group also highlighted ongoing road and urban renewal projects across the state, including the Utonkon–Nunku–Keana Road and flyover, Haske Gwafan road links, Jos urban road networks, zonal road projects, rural access roads under RAAMP and NG-CARES, as well as water schemes, solar-powered boreholes, mini-grids and renewable energy initiatives.

PIGD urged Biggs and other PDP actors to avoid statements capable of heating up the polity, warning that Plateau cannot afford political tension at a time citizens are looking for stability, development and responsible leadership.

“Plateau belongs to all of us. The contest for power must not become a contest for bitterness. Let those who want to govern tell the people how they will improve security, create jobs, support farmers, fix roads, strengthen education and expand healthcare. That is the kind of politics Plateau needs now,” David said.

The group reaffirmed its support for issue-based politics and responsible democratic engagement, urging Plateau citizens to demand vision, competence and realistic alternatives from all political actors instead of being distracted by semantics and political noise.

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…. one escapes, six still missing

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Suspected bandits raided an off-campus hostel of Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, early Tuesday and abducted seven students. One escaped, leaving three male and three female students in captivity, authorities confirmed.

Kaura Namoda LGA Chairman, Hon. Mannir Haidara Kaura, confirmed the attack in a chat with Daily Trust, which first reported the incident, saying security agencies have launched rescue operations.

“The incident occurred, and security operatives are currently carrying out rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped students,” Haidara said.

Zamfara Police Command spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the attack occurred at a residence on the outskirts of Low-Cost area.

“One of the students went outside during the night to urinate. In the process, he left the door open. Coincidentally, bandits passing through the area entered the house and abducted the students,” Abubakar stated.

Student Ibrahim Ahmad said one victim managed to escape, while six remain with the kidnappers.

–Locals: “Dajin Yamma camp still holding victims”–
kidnappers.

The Concerned Citizens of Kaura Namoda blamed notorious bandit leader Kachalla Bello Dansadiya and his gang. The group recalled previous abductions in the area, including two senior lecturers held for over two months despite ransom payment, and the kidnap of three residents plus a district head near a military base.

“Alarmingly, all these victims are reportedly still being held in a well-known bandit camp around Dajin Yamma, yet no rescue operations have taken place. Where are the fighter jets and armoured vehicles?” the group queried.

–Police response–

DSP Abubakar confirmed the polytechnic campus itself “remains well secured” with “adequate security personnel, making it extremely difficult for bandits to penetrate.”

He said the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, in collaboration with troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, has launched a coordinated rescue operation.

“Our VCRU personnel, together with troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, are working to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students,” Abubakar said.

The incident adds to growing fears over off-campus student safety in Zamfara, where armed groups continue to operate despite military offensives.