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… Moves to Deepen Integration of Satellite Towns into Abuja Development plan

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, advanced his administration’s drive to integrate satellite communities into the Federal Capital Territory’s development framework with the flag-off of the construction of the access road linking Tungan Madaki to the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway through Zuba.

The President, represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, said the project is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at ensuring that rural and suburban communities benefit from the same level of infrastructure development as residents of the city centre.

According to him, the road project formed a critical component of a broader strategy to connect communities, stimulate economic activities, improve mobility and unlock investment opportunities across the FCT.

“This project is a direct continuation of the road from the Bill Clinton Drive to Tungan Madaki Community Road which we commissioned a few weeks ago as part of the activities marking the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Administration.

“What began as one road is now growing into a network, and that is how real development takes root,” Tinubu said.

The President noted that residents of Tungan Madaki, Zuba and neighbouring communities, many of whom are farmers, traders and students, have endured years of poor road access that hindered movement, increased transportation costs and limited economic opportunities.

He explained that the new road would provide a direct link to the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, reduce travel time, lower vehicle maintenance costs and facilitate the movement of goods and services.

“This new road will link Tungan Madaki directly to the Abuja-Kaduna Road, cutting travel time, reducing vehicle maintenance costs, and opening a faster route for people and goods.

“It will connect rural productivity to urban opportunity. When farmlands are opened, food becomes cheaper in our markets. When communities are connected, young people have more reason to build enterprises at home,” he stated.

Tinubu further stressed that infrastructure development remains central to his administration’s economic agenda, describing roads as catalysts for prosperity, security and social inclusion.

“Infrastructure is not just concrete and asphalt. It is the bridge between potential and prosperity, and that is the core of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.

The President said the project would also ease traffic pressure on the Abuja city centre, provide alternative routes for commuters and strengthen the economic corridor between the FCT, Kaduna and the wider North-West region.

He noted that improved infrastructure along the axis would encourage investments in housing, healthcare, education and industrial development.

Commending the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the pace of infrastructure delivery in the capital city, Tinubu said the administration was witnessing a renewed emphasis on project completion and measurable results.

“From major highways to community access roads like this one, we are seeing a return to planning, a rejection of abandoned projects, and a focus on results that citizens can feel,” he said.

The President also directed the contractor to ensure timely completion and quality delivery of the project while engaging local labour to create employment opportunities for youths in the area.

Earlier, FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, said the road project was in line with Tinubu’s directive that all satellite towns and area councils should be adequately connected to the city centre through modern road infrastructure.

Wike disclosed that the project emerged after the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council drew the administration’s attention to the need for a direct link between Zuba and Abuja to reduce travel stress on residents.

“It has been the directive of Mr. President that all communities and all satellite towns must be linked up to the city. What we are doing today is to fulfil that promise that Mr. President made to Nigerians,” Wike said.

He explained that upon completion, residents of Zuba and adjoining communities would enjoy easier access to Abuja and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport without having to travel through Gwagwalada.

The minister described the project as another milestone in the FCT Administration’s efforts to open up rural communities and improve the quality of life of residents.

He expressed optimism that the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC, would complete the project before the end of the year.

“We are putting pressure on them to ensure that by December, by the grace of God, we will commission this road. For the people of Tungan Madaki and Zuba, this is a Christmas gift,” Wike said.

While delivering a vote of thanks, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, stated that the construction of the access road from Tungan Madaki to the Abuja–Kaduna Road at Zuba was another bold demonstration of the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the FCT Administration’s determination to extend infrastructure and economic opportunities to underserved communities.

Mahmoud also said the road would significantly improve connectivity, stimulate commerce, attract investment, and enhance the quality of life of residents across Tungan Madaki, Zuba, and neighbouring communities.

According to the Minister, the project reflects the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s unwavering resolve to ensure that no community is left behind in the ongoing transformation of the nation’s capital.

She expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for providing the visionary leadership that has continued to drive unprecedented infrastructure development across the Federal Capital Territory through the Renewed Hope Agenda.

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Unidentified gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have reportedly killed a 300-level student of the Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma and abducted five others in Edo State.

The incident happened separately on Friday, July 10, and Sunday, July 12, 2026 in Idoa and Ekpoma communities, respectively.

In the accident that happened on July 12, 2026, a student whose identity is yet to be ascertained was reportedly abducted on the night of the fateful day when the gunmen invaded his residence. A woman was also allegedly abducted by the assailants on the same day.

The killing of the student and the abduction of the woman was disclosed in Esan Political Assembly facebook page.

In the Idoa kidnapping incident, the gunmen abducted the secretary to the palace of the community alongside three children.

It was gathered that the victims were abducted on Friday morning, July 10,2026.

A source who said the secretary is his brother and the children those of his neighbours, added that the abductors have demanded for N30 million ransom.

He said the abductors threatened to kill the victims if the ransom was not paid before the end of July 13.

According to him, my brother was kidnapped on Friday morning at the Idoa community, in Esan west Local Government Area. He is the secretary of the Idoa palace. They are demanding for N30 million.

“He was kidnapped alongside other small children that were with him. His vehicle broke down on his way to the farm and he left it where it broke down.

“The next day, he came back to the place with tools and other things to repair the motor. As he was there to repair the vehicle, gunmen just came out from the bush, rounded them up and took them into the bush.

“They have made contact demanding for N30m ransom and threatened that if we did not bring the money by the end of today, they will kill them.

“The children are those of his neighbours. The children followed him to where he wanted to repair his vehicle just to give him support, and he was to bring them back home after the repair because they live together,” he said.

While appealing to government and security agencies for intervention for the rescue of the victims, he said the incident has been reported to the Police.

At the time of the report the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, was yet to respond to a message sent to her whatsapp.

Recall that a high-ranking chief of the community, identified as Chief Jimah Jacob Ogboi was on February 26, 2026 reportedly killed and his daughters abducted.

The gunmen were alleged to have struck in the night and instantly shot the deceased while they used machetes and other dangerous weapons on his wife.

The gunmen who were four in number, allegedly invaded the deceased house, shot him and went away with his two daughters.

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The Principal of Community High School, Esiele, Oyo State, Mrs Rachael Alamu, has disclosed that kidnappers who held her, other teachers and pupils captive for 56 days killed two of their colleagues in an attempt to force the government to meet their demands.

She made the revelation on Monday during the official handover of the rescued victims to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde by the Nigerian Army.

Recounting their ordeal, the principal described the period in captivity as traumatic and filled with fear, uncertainty and repeated threats to their lives.

“We’re grateful to God. On May 15, a Friday that started well ended in chaos for us, and for 56 days we were in the bush. It was a harrowing experience, but we thank God for seeing us through. We went through a lot,” she said.

According to her, the abductors subjected the victims to intense psychological torture, repeatedly telling them that the government had abandoned them and was no longer interested in securing their release.

“A relief to us is that Nigerians were praying for us. Many times, they used fear to subdue us.

At one point they told us the government wasn’t interested in our case anymore because they didn’t value us. But there were times we held on to hope that we would come out alive,” she said.

Alamu revealed that the kidnappers eventually executed two of the captives in a bid to intensify pressure on the authorities.

“Mr Michael was killed on the second day, while Deacon was killed on the first Sunday in June. They killed them purposely because they felt that would force the government to give them whatever they wanted,” she stated.

She said it was only after they regained their freedom that the victims realised that many Nigerians had been following their ordeal and praying for their safe return.

“It was until we got out that we discovered the whole world was on our case. We have scars already, but we believe with time we will heal,” she added.

The principal expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies involved in the rescue operation, as well as Nigerians who supported them with prayers during their captivity.

The victims were abducted on May 15 when armed bandits attacked Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.