By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Nigerian Army’s 17 Brigade on Saturday handed over nine rescued kidnap victims, including two nursing mothers, to the Katsina State Government.

The victims, who are Katsina State residents, were rescued from captivity in Kaduna State after spending three harrowing months in kidnappers’ den.

Sources told PUNCH that the victims, initially abducted from Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina, were freed during a recent non-combat operation by the army in Yankee Dandam Forest, Kaduna State.

Brigadier General Babatunde Omopariola, Commander of the 17 Brigade, represented by the Brigade’s Chief of Staff, Col. Yakubu Nwandiscas handed over the victims.

He said the rescue operation was part of the army’s non-kinetic approach to addressing insecurity and urged criminals to embrace peace or face “kinetic” responses.

He said, “The Nigerian Army engages in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations. While kinetic operations involve active combat, this particular rescue was achieved through non-kinetic means, demonstrating our readiness to offer peace options to criminals. However, they should take this as a warning; if they refuse to surrender, we will continue our kinetic operations”.

Receiving the victims on behalf of the Katsina State government, the Senior Special Adviser on Security Matters, Sa’idu Ibrahim Danja, commended the army and other security agencies for their efforts.

He assured the victims of government support, saying they would receive medical and psychological care before reuniting with their families.

“Governor Dikko Umar Radda has directed that all rescued victims receive the best possible welfare. Doctors and psycho-social teams are on standby to offer support, and the children will be enrolled in school when eligible.

“The women will receive free medical care at any state-owned hospital for as long as needed. They will be reunited with their families once cleared”, Danja said.

Expressing his gratitude, one of the victims, Inusa Salisu from Sabuwa LGA, recounted the ordeal.

He explained that he and his son were kidnapped from their farm, along with three others, and held in Kaduna State for 90 days. Tragically, two victims, including his 20-year-old son, were killed by the abductors.

“My name is Inusa Salisu from Sabuwa LGA. I was kidnapped along with my son and others from our farm, about five kilometers from town.

“Armed men on motorcycles took us to Yankee Dandam Forest in Kaduna. I spent 90 days in captivity, and during this time, they killed two of us, including my son. We can not thank the soldiers and government enough; may Allah reward them,”, Salisu said.

The handover ceremony was marked by a warm reception organised by the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Katsina.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Edo State Governor-Elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has called on the out-going Governor of the State, Godwin Obaseki, to seek immediate attention of a psychiatrist, following his recent utterances and public displays.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday and signed by Godspower Inegbe, Okpebholo said Edo people are worried by Obaseki’s reckless statements and urged him to evaluate his state of mind.

The Governor-Elect in the statement raised the alarm regarding the whereabouts of Obaseki, who on Friday reportedly fled Benin City, the Edo State capital, using a disguised bus.

The statement revealed that Obaseki chased out everyone from the Government House on Friday before escaping to a yet-to-be known location more than 72 hours before his official departure from office.

The statement further noted that Obaseki is making the false claims to shift attention away from his sinister plans to leave the country through the land borders.

“As of Friday, 8th of November, the whereabout of Obaseki is unknown. He has chased everyone out of Edo State Government House. He has abandoned governance in the State, and he is on the run.

“He has escaped through the road out of Benin. He did not pass through the airport. If he is as popular as he claims, why did he not use the airport to escape? Instead, he hired a bus and disguised while escaping from Edo State.

“Obaseki is trying to push out these narratives in order to distract the public. His antics will not work. We know his plans, and we will continue to expose his shenanigans to Edo people,” the statement read.

Obaseki, on Saturday, claimed that Senator Okpebholo did not invite him to his inauguration, slated for next Tuesday. He also claimed without proof that the Governor-Elect has a stolen mandate.

“Out-going Governor Godwin Obaseki needs serious and urgent psychiatric attention to evaluate his state of mind. His recent utterances and public displays should get Edo sons and daughters worried.

“In his latest diatribe, Obaseki, who has supervised one of the biggest financial heist and misappropriated resources of Edo state, is again engaging in his usual beer parlour talks.

“According to the unpopular outgoing governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo stole the mandate freely given to him by Edo people. In his usual myopic mind, he wants to change the narratives and set a dangerous precedence,” Okpebholo noted in a statement.

The Governor-Elect said he won the elections convincingly and added that the tribunal will soon validate his claims. He said Obaseki would not get away with the reckless claims.

“Obaseki will not get away with this misrepresentation. Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Governor-Elect of Edo State, won the 21st September governorship election in Edo State.

Obaseki is still licking his wound of defeat and is yet to accept the reality. Edo people, through the ballot, rejected the planned continuation of Obaseki’s satanic government through his glorified stooge, Asue Ighodalo,” he mocked Obaseki

Okpebholo said Obaseki is trying to influence the outcome of the ongoing case at the tribunal by making false claims. He said the attempt will fail like a pack of cards.

He said: “The Peoples Democratic Party is already challenging the outcome of the election in court. We are therefore worried that Obaseki is in a hurry to pre-empt the outcome of the tribunal by repeatedly making false claims.

“Unfortunately for Obaseki, his baseless claims will not stand. The Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Ighodalo, have no case against Senator Okpebholo. The tribunal will soon confirm that.”

He warned Obaseki to desist from making false claims and reminded him of severe consequences that may follow if he does not stop.

Senator Okpebholo reminded Obaseki that he will soon lose his immunity and will therefore be forced to face the full wrath of the law if he does not retrace his steps.

“Although Senator Okpebholo is a man of peace, we will not sit back and allow him to keep misrepresenting the true outcome of what happened on the 21st of September.

“Obaseki will soon lose his immunity and if he continues to make his baseless claims, he will face the full wrath of the law very soon and he will prove his unfounded allegations when he is dragged to court,” Okpebholo warned in the statement.

Reacting to another claim by Obaseki that he was not invited to attend the inauguration slated for next Tuesday, Okpebholo described it as laughable, absurd, and questionable.

He said that since he won the election, Obaseki has employed every means to frustrate a peaceful transfer of power. The Governor-elect noted that Obaseki has not extended any invitation to him for a meeting or a tour of the Government House.

The statement read: “Again, Obaseki also claimed that Senator Okpebholo did not invite him to the inauguration, slated for next Tuesday. This is laughable, absurd, and questionable. Since Senator Okpebholo was declared winner, Obaseki has employed every means to frustrate a peaceful transfer of power.

“As a sitting Governor, Obaseki should tell Edo people and Nigerians if he has ever invited the Governor-Elect, Senator Okpebholo to Government House for a meeting or a tour as a responsible man. Has Obaseki called Senator Okpebholo to congratulate him since he won the election?

“Obaseki should cover his face in shame, account for the billions he has misappropriated, and apologise to Edo people for under-developing the State in the last eight years.

‘We urge Edo people to disregard Obaseki’s reckless statements and support the incoming administration of Senator Okpebholo to remedy the many wrongs of this government.”

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

In a thought-provoking appearance on TVC’s “Your View,” Pastor Abel Damina, founder of Abel Damina Ministries International, made waves by asserting that Christianity is the only faith that guarantees eternal salvation.

The televangelist, known for his unconventional views on heaven and hell, challenged prevailing beliefs by declaring that hell is not a fiery place, but rather a state of “utter darkness.” His teachings have ignited heated debates, attracting both fervent supporters and vocal critics who question his interpretations of scripture.

During the discussion, Damina emphasized that individuals across various religions ultimately seek salvation, a deep relationship with God, and forgiveness for their sins. However, co-panelist Dr. Maureen YK countered his claims, asserting that one cannot dismiss other spiritualities as ineffective without firsthand experience of their practices.

Many followers of other religions remain spiritually unsatisfied and in search of true salvation

In a passionate defense, Pastor Damina shared insights from his 40 years of ministry experience, arguing that many followers of other religions remain spiritually unsatisfied and in search of true salvation.

Touching on the contentious topic of tithing, Damina clarified a recent video where he appeared to promote non-payment of tithes. He stressed that God is not a transactional deity and referenced Galatians 3:13 to assert that Jesus has already fulfilled the law’s requirements, making mandatory tithing irrelevant. He encouraged voluntary and cheerful giving, free from compulsion.

He stressed that God is not a transactional deity and referenced Galatians 3:13 to assert that Jesus has already fulfilled the law’s requirements, making mandatory tithing irrelevant

As Damina’s teachings continue to stir controversy, his bold perspectives challenge traditional Christian beliefs and invite deeper conversations about faith and spirituality.