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President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has enjoined Nigerians to hold on hope that the country will survive the current Insurgencies like it survived past political upheavals and pandemics.

Akpabio spoke on Sunday at an Inter-Denominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre as part of the activities to mark this year Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

The theme of the special service was “God of Hope, Actualise our Dreams.”

The Senate President urged Nigerians to count their blessings as they celebrated 27 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria.

Akpabio told the congregation: “We have survived political upheavals, economic turbulence. We will survive Insurgencies.

“We have survived pandemics like Ebola and COVID 19 and seasons of despotism. Yet here we stand. Twenty-seven years of democratic governance. Twenty-seven years of constitutional order. Twenty-seven years of hope renewed.

“But gratitude must never blind us to reality. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that this year’s Democracy Day be observed in a low-key manner because of the current situation in the country.

“There is no denying that insecurity continues to trouble our land. Communities have been attacked. Farmers fear returning to their fields. Travellers journey with uncertainty. Families mourn loved ones lost to violence and criminality.

“The kidnapping of innocent citizens, especially children, wounds the conscience of our nation.”

Akpabio said the pain was deeply personal for him having known the trauma of violence, insecurity and terror during Nigerian civil war.

“That is why my heart breaks for every child in captivity and every parent who lies awake through the long hours of the night, not knowing whether a son or daughter is safe, hungry, frightened or even alive.

“I know something of that anguish. Yet what l experienced as a child cannot be compared with the horror, humiliation, cruelty and unspeakable ordeal these innocent children have endured since their abduction.

“It is a tragedy that wounds the conscience of our nation. But l assure  you there is a brighter tomorrow. The evil you see today, you shall soon see them no more.

“When l had the opportunity to serve as governor about 19 years ago, l started monthly prayer. I used to ask myself a question whenever there was militancy, kidnapping and killing. I would say what if we were not praying. Today l want you to ask same question, the things happening around us, what if we were not praying.

“We must continue praying so that the evil doers and their sponsors shall be exposed in Jesus Name. If they are in government, they shall be exposed in Jesus Name. If they are outside government they shall be exposed in Jesus Name. Those sponsoring it, whether it is politically motivated or not, may they never have peace until they are defeated.

“On the part of the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this administration remains steadfast in its determination to secure the freedom of those in captivity, defeat the forces of terror and criminality, and restore peace to our communities.

“We shall continue to act together, pray together, and continue to persevere until our children are safely returned and our nation is secure,” Akpabio said.

Also speaking during the service, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume said President Bola Tinubu had assured Nigerians that his administration would intensify efforts to ease the economic hardship facing citizens.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to defeat insecurity and secure the release of all persons held captive across the country.

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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has continued to provide aerial surveillance support to ongoing efforts aimed at rescuing teachers and pupils abducted from Yawota and Ahoro-Esinele communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

In a statement by NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the representative of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Suleh, on 5 June 2026.

According to the statement, Makinde revealed that the NAF promptly deployed an aerial surveillance platform immediately after the abduction was reported, providing critical intelligence to support search-and-rescue operations.

The governor said intelligence generated from the surveillance missions had continued to assist security agencies in tracking developments and coordinating efforts towards securing the safe release of the victims.

NAF said Makinde appealed for patience and support from residents, assuring them that all necessary resources are being deployed to ensure the successful resolution of the situation.

He commended the CAS and the NAF for their swift response and sustained support, noting that the Air Force made the surveillance platform available while Oyo State’s newly acquired aerial assets are still being assembled at the NAF Base, Lagos.

“Makinde further explained that the state acquired the platforms following consultations with the NAF to ensure access to maintenance support, engineering expertise and pilot training.

“He expressed confidence that the assets would significantly enhance security operations across Oyo State and neighbouring states once fully operational,” the statement released on Sunday partly read.

Speaking on behalf of the CAS, Air Vice Marshal Suleh conveyed the solidarity of the NAF with the government and people of Oyo State and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to supporting ongoing efforts to secure the safe return of the abducted victims.

He also commended the government for its continued support towards NAF projects and infrastructure development within the state.

“The NAF remains committed to working closely with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to safeguard lives and property while supporting efforts to address security challenges across the country,” it added.

The pupils and teachers of the Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), Community Grammar School (Esiele), and L.A. Primary School were kidnapped on May 15 during a fatal attack by bandits.

One of the teachers was also killed in captivity by the terrorists.

The incident sparked protests by teachers nationwide and civil society groups in Ibadan, demanding urgent action to rescue the victims.

Last week, the House of Representatives called on the federal Government and security agencies to bring the abducted students and teachers back alive.

Following the abduction, President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of 1,000 forest guards and the deployment of a special rescue team following the abduction of teachers and students in the state.

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The long-running trial of ex- Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, over allegations of diverting ₦3.1 billion in public funds has entered its 12th year, with court proceedings yet to reach the defence stage despite the prosecution having concluded its case.

Suswam and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Oklobia, have been facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since November 2015 over allegations bordering on money laundering and the alleged diversion of proceeds from the sale of Benue State Government shares in Dangote Cement Plc.

According to the anti-corruption agency, the funds in question, amounting to approximately ₦3.1 billion, were realised from the sale of state-owned shares in the cement company but were allegedly diverted for personal purposes rather than being remitted to government coffers. Both defendants have consistently denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Court Orders Defendants to Open Defence

After years of legal arguments, procedural delays and changes in judicial handling of the matter, the case appeared to be approaching a decisive phase in July 2025 when Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defendants.

In his ruling delivered on July 23, 2025, the judge held that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against the defendants, requiring them to enter a defence.

The ruling was widely viewed as a significant milestone in a case that had already spent nearly a decade in the judicial system.

However, despite the court’s directive, defence proceedings have yet to commence almost one year later.

Series of Adjournments Prolong Trial

The court initially scheduled September 25, 2025, for Suswam and Oklobia to begin presenting their defence. However, proceedings failed to move forward as expected.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to January 20, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses before being shifted again to May 29, 2026.

When the matter came up in May, the hearing could not proceed because the court was not sitting, resulting in another postponement.

Justice Lifu thereafter fixed July 17, 2026, as the new date for the continuation of proceedings.

The repeated adjournments have further extended a case that has already spent more than a decade within Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

Trial Marked by Judicial Changes

Since its commencement, the case has experienced several disruptions arising from judicial transfers, appeals and allegations affecting the presiding judges.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed initially handled the matter after the defendants were arraigned in 2015. However, he stepped aside in 2016 following media reports that questioned his impartiality in the case.

Although he later resumed proceedings, he withdrew again in 2019 after another publication raised similar concerns regarding his continued handling of the trial.

Following his withdrawal, the matter was reassigned to Justice Okon Abang, who proceeded with parts of the prosecution’s case and heard testimonies from some witnesses.

However, the legal battle took another turn when the Court of Appeal ruled that the case file should be returned to Justice Mohammed after an appeal filed by Suswam.

Fresh delays emerged in 2023 when Justice Mohammed was elevated to the Court of Appeal, making it impossible for him to continue handling the matter. The case was subsequently reassigned to Justice Peter Lifu.

EFCC Calls Nine Witnesses

The EFCC eventually closed its case after presenting nine witnesses before the court.

Among those who testified were investigators, officials from the Benue State Ministry of Finance, representatives of stockbroking firms involved in the share transaction and a bureau de change operator.

The prosecution relied on documentary and oral evidence in an effort to establish its allegations that proceeds from the sale of government-owned shares were unlawfully diverted.

Following the close of the prosecution’s case, the defendants sought to have the charges dismissed through a no-case submission. However, the court ruled that sufficient evidence existed to warrant a defence.

Queries Over Delayed Justice

The prolonged nature of the proceedings has continued to attract public attention, particularly because the case remains unresolved more than 11 years after it was first filed.

Legal observers have pointed to the repeated adjournments, judicial reassignments and procedural setbacks as factors contributing to the slow pace of the trial.

Meanwhile, Suswam, who governed Benue State between 2007 and 2015 and later served as a senator, has remained active in Nigeria’s political landscape and is reportedly considering another electoral contest while the criminal case remains pending.Politics

With the next hearing scheduled for July 17, 2026, attention will once again focus on whether the defence will finally begin presenting its case in one of Nigeria’s longest-running high-profile corruption trials.