Gunmen have kidnapped the Provost of School of Nursing, Mgbirichi, Imo State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Duru.

Duru, a former Provost of Imo State School of Nursing Sciences, Orlu was abducted around 6pm on Thursday along Abakuru Mgbirichi road in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area.

The incident has caused widespread panic and anxiety in the community.

According to Valentine Aligo, Director of Socials at Princess School of Nursing Mgbirichi, Duru was kidnapped with her driver and a young girl.

However, the kidnappers later released the driver but took the young girl with them.

He said the school has reported the incident to the area police station but the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, was yet to comment on the matter.

An aluminium worker based in Okinni, Osun State, Sunday Ejoh, was on Monday sentenced to a six-month jail term by an Osun State Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo for stealing three tubers of yam.

Ejoh, who appeared before Magistrate Mr M. Olatunji, had been arraigned on one count of theft of the yam, valued at N3,000.

Giving the facts of the case, the prosecutor in charge, Mr Jacob Akintunde, said, “Ejoh, on September 22nd, 2024, did steal three tubers of yam valued at N3,000 belonging to one Oluwole Durojaye.”

The prosecutor stated that the stolen tubers, a cutlass, and a pair of slippers were recovered from the defendant.

He added that the offence committed was contrary to and punishable under “Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II Law of Osun State, Nigeria 2002.”

The artisan, who had no legal representation, pleaded guilty, stating that hunger had compelled him to commit the crime.
He told the court, “I was hungry, and I have a family.”

Delivering judgment on the matter, Magistrate Olatunji found the defendant guilty and subsequently sentenced him to “six months’ imprisonment with an option of a N25,000 fine.”

Olatunji also directed that the stolen yam should be returned to the owner.

By Francesca Hangeior

The kidnapped students and staff of the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State, have regained their freedom after seven months in captivity.

Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, who confirmed their release in a post on X on Monday said “Abducted students of Federal University Gusau and staff regain freedom.

While the exact circumstances surrounding their release remain unclear, Zagazola’s sources indicated that security forces played a pivotal role in securing the victims’ freedom.

“It was gathered that the students and staff were kidnapped during an attack by bandits in the Gusau area in February of this year,” Zagazola said.

The news brought relief to the families and the academic community who have been waiting for the safe return of their loved ones.

Zagazola added, “After spending an extended period in captivity, it has been confirmed that all the abducted individuals have returned in good health.”

Recall that in September 2023, bandits reportedly kidnapped a significant number of students of the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State.

An indigene of Sabon Gida village, Abubakar Sani, said that the bandits, who were in large numbers, stormed the students’ off-campus residences in the village. He said the students abducted were mostly females.

Sani said the bandits invaded the area around 4:00 am, where they attacked three students’ hostels.