ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The child was rescued at a hotel in Abia State after police allegedly uncovered a plot to traffic her for financial gain.

The Abia State Police Command has arrested a father and three other suspects over an alleged attempt to sell and traffic his 16-month-old daughter for financial gain.

The suspects were arrested on September 7, 2026, by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Gender Unit, at a hotel in Obi, Obingwa Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, disclosed the development on Friday while briefing journalists on the command’s achievements since he assumed office on August 10.

Afolabi said the suspects were transferred from the Central Police Station, Umuahia, in connection with alleged conspiracy and child trafficking.

According to the commissioner, preliminary investigations established that one of the suspects was the biological father of the child.

He added that further investigation indicated that the alleged attempt to traffic the girl was motivated by the suspects’ desire to make money.

The child was rescued and handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs for protection, while the four suspects remained in police custody as investigations continued.

Police rescue nine kidnapped victims

Afolabi also disclosed that the command had recorded more than 152 criminal cases and arrested over 220 suspects since his assumption of office.

He said several of the cases had been investigated and charged to court.

According to him, the command also rescued nine kidnapped victims, recovered 101 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, recovered six stolen vehicles, including tricycles and motorcycles, and dismantled two criminal networks during the period under review.

Abducted doctor rescued

The commissioner further disclosed the rescue of a medical doctor who was allegedly abducted by armed men on August 19.

Afolabi said the doctor was forced into his vehicle by the assailants, who subsequently fled towards Imo State.

He explained that vehicle-tracking technology and coordinated intelligence operations involving the Abia and Imo State police commands led to the recovery of the vehicle and the rescue of the victim in the early hours of August 20.

Several suspects allegedly linked to the incident, including individuals suspected of assisting with the movement or distribution of ransom money, have been arrested.

The police, however, said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the alleged criminal network.

In another major operation, Afolabi disclosed the arrest of a suspect allegedly linked to an armed robbery and kidnapping incident along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway in Aba.

The suspect was reportedly arrested after a female victim was robbed of her Toyota Highlander, mobile phones, handbag and other personal belongings.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Federal Government has approved the takeover of admissions into Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in a major reform aimed at sanitising the admission process in polytechnics and other institutions offering HND programmes.

The decision means prospective HND students will, from the current admission session, have their admissions processed through JAMB under a centralised system.

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) disclosed this in a circular dated September 9, 2026, signed by its Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, and obtained by LEADERSHIP Weekend.

The directive followed a meeting involving the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa; JAMB; NBTE; the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC); and officials of the Federal Ministry of Education.

According to the NBTE, the new system is designed to tackle illegal, irregular and compromised admissions, particularly cases that could leave students stranded after completing their programmes.

The board said some students admitted through questionable channels had faced difficulties securing NYSC mobilisation after obtaining their HND certificates.

“All HND admissions in all institutions shall from this session be taken over by JAMB to provide centralised process and avoid illegal and compromised admissions, jeopardising students’ mobilisation for NYSC after HND,” the circular stated.

The Federal Ministry of Education is expected to issue a detailed statement on the new policy next week.

NBTE also directed that comprehensive guidelines for HND admissions be developed immediately and submitted to JAMB to guide the implementation of the new digital admission platform.

The proposed guidelines will cover important issues, including the waiting period required for National Diploma (ND) holders before progressing to HND programmes.

They will also clarify exemptions applicable to certain ND health-related programmes.

Part-time ND admissions capped at 50%

The government also approved a new limit for part-time National Diploma admissions following the decision to bring all part-time ND admissions under JAMB.

Under the new arrangement, institutions will be permitted to admit part-time students up to 50 per cent of their approved full-time admission quota.

“Now that all part-time ND admissions are under the JAMB, the proportion of part-time students is pegged at 50 per cent of the approved full-time quota,” NBTE stated.

The Federal Government further reaffirmed an earlier NBTE directive concerning candidates holding combined National Certificate in Education (NCE) and HND qualifications.

In a separate circular issued on September 7, NBTE directed that candidates with an NCE/HND combination should not be presented for NYSC mobilisation.

The latest reforms are expected to strengthen central oversight of admissions into Nigeria’s technical and polytechnic institutions while reducing irregular admission practices and protecting students from complications after graduation.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Senator Victor Umeh has expressed confidence that former Kano State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, cannot be defeated in Kano State if the 2027 presidential election is free, fair and credible.

Umeh, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial District, made the assertion on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, while discussing the NDC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The senator said Kwankwaso’s political influence in Kano remained formidable, insisting that the former governor would retain his stronghold in the state under a transparent electoral process.

«“No matter the noise they make in Kano, nobody can beat Kwankwaso there once the election is credible, transparent, free and fair. I can bet it,” Umeh said.»

He added that he was working closely with Kwankwaso and other leaders of the party as the NDC positions itself for the 2027 elections.

“I’m working with him and other leaders of the party very closely. The party is well more prepared to be an opposition party that will contest this election with very credible candidates,” he said.

Umeh also pointed to the growing public reception for the party’s candidates, citing the recent outing of the NDC’s Rivers State governorship candidate, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, in Port Harcourt.

“Look at what our Rivers State governorship candidate, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, did in Port Harcourt in just his first outing. Port Harcourt was shut down,” he said.

The senator further cited the large crowd that reportedly followed the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during his recent activities in Port Harcourt, describing the turnout as evidence of growing enthusiasm among voters.

“Those people following them in Port Harcourt last week are Nigerians that will vote. Why were they following our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, like Jesus was crossing, and people were marching around him?

“Something must be motivating and driving the people, the voting population,” Umeh added.

His comments come as political parties and potential presidential contenders intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with control of key states such as Kano expected to play a major role in the presidential contest.