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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has recounted the harrowing experience of watching his wife, Unoma, spend six months in a coma in a German hospital, saying he was convinced that only divine intervention could save her life.

Akpabio disclosed the experience during a visit to the Prayer Ground of St Padre Pio in St Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, where he said he had gone to give thanks for his wife’s recovery and pray for his family, Nigeria and the 2027 general elections.

According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, Akpabio said his wife was placed on life support after a medical procedure reportedly went wrong, leaving her in a critical condition.

“My wife was in a coma for six months in a hospital in Germany. She was 98 per cent dead,” Akpabio said.

The Senate President said doctors had little hope that she would recover as she remained on life support.

He recalled turning to prayer, seeking the intercession of the Virgin Mary and St Padre Pio while refusing to give up hope.

According to him, he used a picture of Padre Pio to make the sign of the cross over his wife while she remained on life support.

“Miraculously, she woke up. That hospital, to date, is yet to understand what happened,” he said.

Akpabio said the experience deepened his faith in the intercession of Padre Pio, explaining that his visit to the prayer ground was also a thanksgiving for what he described as his wife’s remarkable recovery.

“This is my 10th time here. When my wife was finally discharged from the hospital, she waited for three months before she could remember my name and those of the children,” he said.

Beyond his family’s experience, Akpabio used the visit to pray for Nigeria, particularly for an end to banditry, terrorism and other forms of insecurity affecting the country.

“We came to offer prayers and get blessings from God for ourselves, our families, and our dear country that is currently being ravaged by banditry and terrorism,” he said.

Describing the prayer ground as “Holy ground,” the Senate President said those who follow Padre Pio believe in his intercession.

He also disclosed that his family named one of their sons Pio in honour of the saint and established the Pio Football Academy, which he said provided training and scholarships to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Akpabio’s visit comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, even as insecurity remained one of the major concerns confronting the country.

The Senate President said his prayers at the site were focused on his family, Nigeria and the forthcoming elections.

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Former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar have called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

The former leaders made the call as concerns mounted over the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which have triggered public outrage, protests and calls for accountability.

The victims were among scores of suspected illegal miners arrested by NSCDC operatives during enforcement operations at mining sites in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026. The deaths were discovered in the early hours of September 17.

The Niger State Government subsequently confirmed that 37 detainees had died in NSCDC custody. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago declared three days of mourning and ordered an inquiry into the incident.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation.

The NSCDC initially said the detainees were found dead following a suspected disease outbreak, but its national headquarters stressed that no specific cause had been established and that medical and laboratory examinations were required before any conclusion could be reached.

Babangida, in a statement issued on his behalf by Dr Danladi Umar Abdulhameed, described the deaths as tragic and deeply disturbing while extending his condolences to the families of the deceased, as well as the government and people of Niger State.

He commended the state government for constituting a committee of inquiry and commencing medical and forensic examinations aimed at determining the circumstances and actual causes of the deaths.

According to Babangida, the investigative process was necessary to establish the facts and ensure that appropriate action was taken based on the findings.

He urged residents, particularly youths and relatives of the deceased, to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed, warning against actions capable of escalating tensions or threatening peace and security in the state.

The former military president also expressed hope that the investigation would be conducted transparently and provide credible answers to the bereaved families and the wider public.

Similarly, Abdulsalami described the deaths of the 37 young people as a painful loss to their families, communities, Niger State and Nigeria.

The former Head of State called for an in-depth investigation to establish exactly what happened while the miners were in custody and to ensure that appropriate measures were put in place to prevent a recurrence.

He also urged relevant government agencies and stakeholders to strengthen safety measures at mining sites, particularly for young people whose livelihoods depend on artisanal mining and other economic activities.

Abdulsalami further appealed for calm among affected communities and called on the authorities to provide necessary support to the families of the deceased.

FG Suspends NSCDC Officers, Sets Up Independent Panel
The calls from the former leaders came as the Federal Government stepped up its response to the incident.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed a comprehensive investigation, while the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths.

The government also suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and 20 other officers pending the outcome of the investigation. The committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report.

The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances of the arrests, the condition of the detainees upon arrival, the conditions in which they were held, medical attention provided to them and other factors that may have contributed to the deaths.

The incident has also prompted broader calls for accountability from civil society and human rights organisations, with groups demanding an independent investigation into the deaths.

Meanwhile, questions have continued to surround the conditions under which the detainees were held. Some survivors reportedly alleged severe overcrowding and poor ventilation, while authorities have maintained that the actual cause of death must be established through proper investigation and medical evidence.

The incident has heightened concerns about the enforcement of Nigeria’s campaign against illegal mining, an activity authorities have linked to environmental degradation and, in some areas, criminal networks. At the same time, the deaths have raised questions about the treatment and welfare of suspects while in state custody.

The independent investigation is expected to determine the circumstances that led to the deaths and identify any responsibility or institutional failures involved.

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The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 47 people allegedly posing as operatives of a state-owned security outfit during the by-election in Disina State Constituency, Shira Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were arrested at various polling units on Saturday while allegedly armed with guns, cutlasses and sticks, contrary to the Electoral Act and security directives issued ahead of the election.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Habib said, “Following our deployment for election duty in Disina State Constituency, Shira LGA, 47 operatives claiming to be members of a state-owned security outfit were arrested within polling units.

“They were found in possession of guns, cutlasses and sticks, in contravention of the Electoral Act and the security directives earlier issued.”

The PPRO added that the suspects were immediately taken into custody, while firearms and other dangerous weapons were recovered from them.

He said, “The suspects were immediately taken into custody. Exhibits, including firearms and other dangerous weapons, were recovered from them.”

According to Habib, the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the development and directed that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

He quoted the CP as condemning “this blatant disregard for lawful directives and attempt to undermine the electoral process.”

Habib said the suspects had been transferred to the SCID, Bauchi, “for discreet investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.”

The command reiterated its commitment to ensuring a peaceful, credible and hitch-free by-election.

It warned that “any person or group, regardless of status, who attempts to disrupt the electoral process or cause a breach of peace will be decisively dealt with.”

The police also called on members of the public to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities to the authorities.

PUNCH reports that the Bauchi State Police Command, in a statement issued on Friday, September 18, 2026, outlined security arrangements for the bye-elections in Disina State Constituency, Shira LGA, and Sakwa State Constituency, Zaki LGA.

In the statement, the command declared that “state-owned security outfits, quasi-security agencies, private security guards and vigilante groups are not allowed to participate in election security coverage.”

The command stated that only “statutorily recognised security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security are mandated to provide security for the elections.”