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Three siblings travelling from Abuja to Benue State with the remains of their late mother have reportedly been abducted by suspected armed herdsmen along the Ogobia–Otukpo Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.

The victims were said to have been kidnapped in the early hours of Saturday between Omutele and Ankpechi communities while transporting their mother’s body from Abuja to their hometown, Iklenyi in Okpokwu Local Government Area, LGA, for burial.

A source familiar with the incident said the family had encountered difficulties during the journey after their vehicle developed a mechanical fault, delaying their trip until the early hours of the morning.

“Even at about 2am they were still on the road because their vehicle had broken down. After repairing it, they continued the journey because they were determined to take their mother’s body home for burial,” the source said.

According to the source, the three siblings maintained contact with their relatives throughout the trip until they reached the stretch of road between Omutele and Ankpechi communities, where they were allegedly ambushed by armed men.

“It was the three of them travelling with the corpse of their mother. When they got to that area, the armed men abducted all three siblings and even took the corpse of their mother into the bush. As we speak, they are still being held,” the source added.

Describing the incident as heartbreaking, the source appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and recover the remains of the deceased.

“It is painful that a family already grieving the loss of their mother has been subjected to this ordeal. They kidnapped not only the children but also took the corpse of a dead woman. We appeal to the security agencies to act swiftly and ensure their safe rescue,” the source said.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Mr. Gabriel Adole, said he had received reports of the abduction and was on his way to the affected community to obtain firsthand information.

“I have been informed about the incident and I am heading to the area to ascertain exactly what happened,” Adole said.

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

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The University of Calabar has dismissed eight members of staff for various acts of misconduct, including examination malpractice, absenteeism, alleged fund diversion, result falsification and vandalism.

The university also sanctioned another staff member by delaying his promotion for two years over alleged negligence of duty and examination misconduct.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Dr Icha Chukwuka, the decisions were taken at the institution’s 174th Governing Council meeting after consideration of disciplinary cases presented before the council.

According to the statement, Prof Emilia Oyira of the Department of Nursing Science was dismissed over alleged examination misconduct.

Four other academic staff members, Ukachukwu Darlington of the Department of Chemical Pathology, Akinrinade Ogunluyi of the Department of Microbiology, Dr Arum Nchekwube of the Department of Internal Medicine and Okoi Nyesam of the Clinical Medical Hostel were dismissed for alleged absenteeism and abandonment of duty.

The council also approved the dismissal of Mr Edet Okon of the Works Department over allegations of vandalising and carting away armoured cables belonging to the institution.

Similarly, Mr Eworo Ibor of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry was dismissed over alleged falsification and alteration of examination results.

Also affected was Mr Emmanuel Adariku of the University’s Alumni Relations Office, who was dismissed over the alleged unauthorised withdrawal of funds from the Friends of Malabor Alumni Trust Funds account.

In a related development, the Governing Council approved a two-year delay in the promotion of Dr Mathias Agba of the Department of Nursing Science.

The university also ordered the forfeiture of 50 per cent of his withheld salary over alleged negligence of duty and examination misconduct.

Reaffirming its commitment to discipline, the university management said it would continue to maintain zero tolerance for unethical conduct.

“The administration of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Offiong, remains committed to rebranding the institution on the foundation of integrity, excellence in service delivery and zero tolerance for all forms of unethical practices,” the statement added.

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A Christian group under the aegis of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Nigeria region, has called on President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Bill, saying provisions that reportedly criminalise preaching in commercial vehicles pose a threat to Nigerians’ constitutional rights.

The group, in a statement issued yesterday by its President, Dr Israel Akinadewo, expressed concern that the proposed legislation allegedly places preaching in commercial vehicles in the same category as hawking and other prohibited activities.

According to the association, equating the peaceful proclamation of the Gospel with commercial hawking is insensitive and inconsistent with the constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and freedom of expression.

“OAIC considers it insensitive and inappropriate to equate the peaceful proclamation of the Gospel with commercial hawking. While recognising the need to ensure safety and order on Nigerian roads, the Association maintains that preaching is a constitutionally protected exercise of the rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression, and should not be treated as a criminal or commercial activity,” Akinadewo said.

The association argued that preaching in commercial buses has, over the years, remained a legitimate means of spreading messages of faith, hope, morality, repentance and peaceful coexistence across the country.

It warned that any law with the effect of criminalising peaceful religious expression could constitute an unnecessary restriction on the constitutional rights of Nigerians.

Consequently, OAIC appealed to Tinubu not to sign the bill into law in its current form.