News
Four Defence Ministry Directors Freed By Terrorists After Weeks As Two Others Feared Killed
Four of the six female directors of the Ministry of Defence earlier kidnapped in Kogi State have regained their freedom from captivity, trekking through Kogi forests to Kaduna State, SaharaReporters has learnt.
This is after nearly two weeks in the kidnappers’ den.
The senior officials were abducted on their way to a promotion course and examinations when armed men intercepted their vehicle and whisked them into the forest.
The victims were identified as; Mrs. Ngozi Ibeziakor, Mrs. C.A. Emeribe, Mrs. C. Helen Ezeakor, Mrs. C.A. Ladoye, Mrs. J.A. Onwuzurike, and Mrs. Catherine O. Essien. All six victims were women.
According to the source, the ordeal lasted close to two weeks, during which the victims trekked long distances inside the forest under severe physical strain.
However, two of the women — Mrs. C.A. Emeribe and Mrs. J.A. Onwuzurike — reportedly did not survive, as claimed by sources.
The media has not been able to independently verify this claim as of the time of this report.
“I learned they have been released, but two of them unfortunately couldn’t make it,” the source said.
“They died out of exhaustion after trekking from Kogi to Kaduna through the forest. The remaining four are currently undergoing medical examinations.”
The source added that the directors were subjected to harsh conditions throughout their captivity, with limited food, water, and rest, which contributed to the deaths of the two victims.
“They spent almost two weeks with their abductors in the forest. It was a terrible experience,” the source said.
When SaharaReporters contacted Defence Headquarters spokesperson, Brigadier General Samaila, he neither answered his calls nor responded to the message sent to him.
It was previously reported that the Federal Ministry of Defence was thrown into panic after gunmen abducted six Directors along the Kabba–Lokoja highway in Kogi State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, November 10, 2025, when the senior officials were travelling from Lagos to Abuja for a Directorate-level promotion examination.
According to security sources, the officials were ambushed by heavily armed men in what has been described as a “well-coordinated attack.”
The abduction has sent shockwaves through the Defence Ministry and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), raising renewed fears about the safety of civil servants travelling for official duties.
In a statement jointly signed by the ASCSN President, Shehu Mohammed, and Secretary-General, Joshua Apebo, the union condemned the attack and assured members that efforts were underway to rescue the victims.
“Those kidnapped are Mrs Ngozi Ibeziakor, Mrs C.A. Emeribe, Mrs C. Helen Ezeakor, Mrs C.A. Ladoye, Mrs J.A. Onwuzurike, and Mrs Catherine O. Essien,” the statement said.
“These Directors, who are members of our Union and staff of Command Day Secondary School (CDSS), Ojo, Lagos, were travelling from Lagos to Abuja when they were kidnapped.”
The ASCSN disclosed that the Ministry of Defence had mobilised its security operatives to take urgent action toward securing the release of the abducted officials.
“We have always advised the Federal Civil Service Commission to conduct promotion examinations in the states instead of compelling public service employees to travel long distances to Abuja,” the statement added.
“The current security situation and deplorable road conditions expose workers to grave risks.”
The union urged the government to decentralise all promotion and verification exercises to minimise the dangers faced by public servants.
It warned that continued neglect of safety concerns could lead to more tragic incidents.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) will soon be inaugurated as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The party disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director Esq., on September 21, 2026.
According to the statement, the NDC is currently consulting with relevant stakeholders to develop and inaugurate what it described as a robust Presidential Campaign Council.
The party said its Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and Vice-Presidential Candidate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had held several meetings with the National Leader and leadership of the party as part of the process.
The NDC said Obi and Kwankwaso had been given the opportunity to nominate key officials of the campaign council in consultation with the party.
Those positions include the Director-General of the Campaign, Deputy Director-General (North), Campaign Spokesman, Deputy Spokesman, Head of New Media, Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director and other positions.
The party said the arrangement was designed to promote inclusiveness and cohesion within the campaign structure.
It added that a full organogram of the campaign structure had been developed since August and made available to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input, while nominations had also been received from other stakeholders across the country.
The NDC said it would announce and inaugurate the PCC after receiving the inputs of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
It also disclosed that a campaign timetable had been proposed since August, with arrangements for campaign funding and fundraising still being concluded.
According to the party, funds raised for the presidential campaign would be paid into the presidential campaign account and managed by officers nominated by the presidential candidate and his running mate alongside the party’s National Treasurer.
The party said the PCC inauguration, initially scheduled for the first week of September, was postponed because of the travel schedule of the presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, the NDC has directed its state and Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen to commence the compilation and harmonisation of party agents ahead of the 2027 elections.
The directive, according to the party, is in line with the Electoral Act, 2026, and requires state and LGA chairmen to meet with candidates and relevant stakeholders to produce comprehensive lists of agents.
The agents will be divided into two categories: those for National Assembly elections and those for governorship and State Assembly elections.
The party said the lists would be scrutinised and ratified by its leadership, including the presidential candidate and his running mate, before training commences.
The exercise is expected to be completed and the final lists submitted within two weeks of the directive.
The committee responsible for the appointment of party agents is chaired by the NDC Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli. Vin Martin Ilo serves as secretary, while Dr Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura and the National Vice Chairmen of the six geopolitical zones are members.
The party also appealed to its candidates at all levels to discourage supporters and support groups from engaging in internal battles, urging them instead to concentrate on winning the elections.
“There are no battles to fight within the NDC,” the party stated, identifying the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as its common opponent.
The NDC said it remained committed to supporting its candidates and urged them to focus on winning elections, stressing that its candidates were contesting under the party and not as independent candidates.
The party expressed its desire for all its candidates to win their respective elections and called on members and supporters to remain focused on the 2027 electoral contest.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has described the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as a major pillar of support for President Bola Tinubu in particular and Nigerians, especially the vulnerable ones in general.
The FCT Minister, in a goodwill message to the First Lady on her 66th birthday, commended her for the transformation of the Abuja City Gate, saying “the roles the First Lady played in transforming the Abuja City Gate into how it is today, is a manifestation of her commitment to the success of her husband’s administration.”
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the Minister also hailed the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative, noting that it has brought succor to several vulnerable Nigerians in the last three years.
Wike said; “At 66, the simple way of life of the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, CON, has remained an inspiration to women in the country, and it is my prayer that God will continue to uphold her.
“Most importantly, this new age is a confirmation of God’s love for her, and I pray that the good Lord will continue to grant her good health.
“I celebrate and rejoice with our ever caring and development oriented First Lady on the attainment of this significant age in her life and wish her many more years of service to our country, Nigeria.”
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has sacked one of its staff members for allegedly extorting unsuspecting candidates.
The Board made this known on Monday in its bulletin, stating that the action was part of its renewed efforts to eliminate fraudulent practices within the admission and examination system.
According to JAMB, the sanction against the unnamed staff member showed that its fight against exploitation was not limited to external fraudsters but also applied to employees found abusing their positions.
“The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has terminated the appointment of one of its staff members for extorting unsuspecting candidates, in further demonstration of its renewed commitment to flushing out bad eggs from the system,” the board stated.
It further cautioned its employees against engaging in activities capable of undermining its credibility or exploiting candidates and members of the public.
The Board stressed that any staff members found guilty of misconduct would face severe consequences in line with established regulations.
“The Board noted that the action sends a clear and unequivocal message that its zero-tolerance policy on corruption and misconduct applies to everyone, irrespective of status or position,” it added.
The tertiary examination body reiterated that it would not shield any employee who abuses the trust placed in them by candidates or members of the public.
Court Directs INEC to Recognise NDC’s Two-Finger Logo
Wike Hails First Lady Oluremi Tinubu At 66, Says “She’s a pillar of support for Nigerians”
*WHEN PRIVACY BECOMES CONTENT*
-
News24 hours agoTinubu mourns former Kogi governor, Ibrahim Idris
-
News22 hours agoECOWAS Parliament Seeks Urgent Action as Climate Change Fuels Displacement, Insecurity
-
News21 hours agoKalu hails Oluremi Tinubu at 66, Praises Support for Women, Vulnerable Nigerians
-
News23 hours ago2027: Wike Reaffirms Tinubu Support, Says Rainbow Coalition Not APC Structure
-
News18 hours agoFCT minister Wike’s words on marble
-
News18 hours ago
2027: Wike Reveals Why APC Governors Are Opposing Rainbow Coalition