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President Bola Tinubu has called on the National Assembly to accelerate the passage of the bill establishing state police, saying the growing wave of kidnappings across the country highlights the urgent need for decentralised policing.

Tinubu made the call on Monday while reacting to the abduction of teachers, students, and pupils from schools in the Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The president said cases of kidnapping and insecurity in underserved communities have made the creation of state police increasingly necessary.

He noted that state police would strengthen local security architecture and improve response to criminal activities in remote areas.

“Cases of kidnapping further make imperative the establishment of state police to man some of our underserved areas. The National Assembly should accelerate the enactment of the law creating state police,” Tinubu said in a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu also sympathised with Governor Seyi Makinde, the government, and the people of Oyo State for the incident and assured them that the federal government will collaborate with the state government to rescue the victims.

He stated that security operatives are working around the clock to rescue the victims and apprehend the bandits and their collaborators within the community.

IEDs planted by bandits kill security operatives on rescue mission in Oyo

I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken on the matter. I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims.

“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims. I commend the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara States for their quick intervention and the deployment of a tactical and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) team to rescue the victims.

Imo APC primaries: Three senatorial aspirants step down for Nwabueze

“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.”

Bandits invaded the Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday, abducting staff, students, and pupils of Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery, and Primary School and L.A. Primary School.

One of the abducted teachers was killed by the bandits in captivity on Monday.

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Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje has lost the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to represent Gombe Central Senatorial District for the fifth term.

In the direct primary election conducted Saturday in Akko and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas, two LGAs that make up the district, DCP Mohammed Ahmed (Rtd) clinched APC in the Senatorial District.

The Returning Officer of the Election, Dr Habu Dahiru, declared that DCP Ahmed scored 42,785 votes against Senator Goje’s 10,425 votes.

Ahmed was earlier picked as the consensus candidate of the APC for the Senate seat in Gombe central.

Senator Goje, has been representing the zone since 2011, after his two terms as governor of the state.

The result would mark a significant shift in Gombe Central politics.

Speaking with journalists after the primaries, DCP Ahmed said the process was conducted without disruption, saying the atmosphere reflected the growing support for change in Gombe Central.

He said party members and residents were enthusiastic about the possibility of having a stronger representation for the zone at the National Assembly.

“You can see the excitement among the people. Many believe the time has come for Yamaltu-Deba to have a stronger voice at the national level,” he stated.

The APC’s candidate added that his ambition was not aimed at denying anyone the right to contest, “but was driven by the desire of the people for a new direction.”

When contacted, Goje’s aide declined comment, he said he would seek clearance from his principal before he could talk with journalists.

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Constituents and party faithful turned out en masse on Monday, May 18, for the affirmation of Senator Godswill Akpabio as the candidate for the Senate seat in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.

Akpabio who was returned unopposed as the sole candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, took part in the primary election at his Ward Centre at Methodist School Ukana, Ukana West 11, Essien Udim Local Government Area.

Although he was the only aspirant, his kinmen trooped out to the Ward Centre to support their son whom they said had given them effective representation in all the previous offices he had held having served as Commissioner, Governor, Minority Leader of the Senate, Minister and presently the President of the 10th Senate.

The venue wore the look of a carnival with party faithful singing and dancing to herald the election. Party members described the exercise as peaceful, orderly, and transparent, while officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, civil society groups, and other stakeholders monitored the process.

The Returning Officer, Mr Gabriel Ekong acknowledged the massive turn out of party members and thanked them for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.

Other APC stakeholders said Akpabio’s support base further strengthened the ruling party’s preparations ahead of the general elections, especially as the APC intensifies consultations and mobilization efforts across the state.

In his remarks, Senator Akpabio expressed gratitude to party faithful for the confidence they have always reposed in him, assuring constituents of continued quality representation and effective leadership at the National Assembly.

The Senate President reaffirmed his commitment to advancing development initiatives, promoting unity within the party, and supporting the policies of the APC-led Federal Government for the benefit of the people.

Senator Akpabio urged the people to extend their support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno and indeed all candidates of the APC. He pledged to continue to work harder to attract more dividends of democracy to the people.