News
Insider Who Abducted Kogi University Students Finally Exposed
Last week, it was the turn of students of the Kogi State government-owned Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) to experience the menace of banditry after a similar episode in Kaduna State, recently. YEKINI JIMOH tells how it happened.
Osara, a sleepy town in Kogi Central senatorial district of Kogi State, hosts the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH). It witnessed a sad day last Thursday when bandits invaded the institution and kidnapped some students.
It happened when some students were going to the class in the evening for tutorials ahead of their first semester examinations.
Security men in the institution engaged the bandits for more than 30 minutes before the bandits retracted into the bush having kidnapped some students.
According to the vice-chancellor of the institution, Professor Abdulrahaman Asipita Salawu, the attack happened at about 8:23 p.m.
He said some of the students who were gathered for tutorials ahead of their First Semester Examinations scheduled to commence on Monday, May 13, were abducted.
Professor Salawu said, “Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Governor of Kogi State, the State Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara as well as the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulrahaman Asipita Salawu together with the management staff swung into action immediately they got wind of the unpleasant news by deploying members of various security agencies on rescue mission.”
He added that the governor “has directed that CUSTECH will remain in session and that the students abducted will be returned unhurt.
“We want to allay the fears of the public and also assure parents and guardians of our dear students that must have been involved in the incident that no stone will be left unturned till we have them back safely into our fold at CUSTECH.”
The vice chancellor said that “parents who want their wards out of the campus can go ahead with such a decision” while assuring parents and guardians who want their children to remain on campus not to fret over their safety “as the situation is under control at the moment.”
Inside job?
The state governor visited the institution last Saturday with an assurance that the students will be rescued.
He allayed the fears of parents, guardians and students, urging them to be calm and promised that all the missing students will be returned without a scratch.
The governor added that “these criminals were only testing the waters and it is a fact that in next to no time they will be caught up in the web of their nefarious activities.”
He also stated that there must be collaborators who aided the criminals in gaining access to the institution.
He said, “It is our duty as a government to protect lives and property in all parts of the state. We are prepared to protect the students and that is why we allowed the students to stay on the campus.
“We installed CCTV cameras in all the classrooms and the entire perimeter of the university campus, yet on the day of the attack, our investigation so far revealed that all the cameras were switched off and this can only be attributed to sabotage by internal collaborators.
“Our security agencies are on their heels and investigation is ongoing. All our students shall return safely and the perpetrators shall be brought to book.”
Speaking further on the ongoing rescue efforts, Governor Ododo disclosed that there will be regular review of the operation as more facts emerge from the investigation.
He commended the security officers for their gallantry in minimising the impact of the attack by preventing the attackers from gaining access to the university hostels, stressing that nothing will be spared to bring back the students and prevent a repeat of such attack on the university and elsewhere in the state.
Rescuing begins
After the visit of the governor, security operatives went into action on Saturday night. They included the Directorate of State Services, vigilantes, the military and the police.
Incidentally, a number of the students were soon rescued including other people kidnapped by the bandits.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement said that the students were rescued hours after the Governor Ododo visited the institution.
According to the statement, local vigilante and security agents engaged the kidnappers in a fierce shootout and the kidnappers succumbed to superior firepower and escaped with gun wounds, leaving the kidnapped students who also ran in different directions to avoid being caught up in the fire exchange.
“Many of the students kidnapped and even other people in captivity have been rescued and taken to medical facilities for proper attention, while many others were also rescued in the early hours of today. Security agents are currently combing the forests to ensure all the kidnapped students are found and brought home safely
“In the sporadic gun battle to rescue our dear students, a local hunter and a DSS operative sustained injuries and they are currently receiving medical attention. We commend our local hunters and all the conventional security agents for their bravery and gallantry. Of special commendation is the DSS for acting on credible intelligence to coordinate a fearless confrontation on the outlaws. The security agencies have once again demonstrated why Kogi State will remain an uncomfortable place for bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements.
“They have rescued six more students, bringing the number of kidnapped students rescued to 20. Our data shows that there are four students yet to be found.
“The fierce gun battle between security agents and the kidnappers forced the kidnappers to succumb to superior firepower and abandon the kidnapped students. Some of the kidnappers escaped with severe injuries.
“Nine students had been rescued first while five others were found the following morning. The families of the six students just rescued have confirmed that the students have arrived home.
“The Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo has expressed deep appreciation to the Joint Forces that carried out the operations, urging them to continue the search until the last student is found.
“We wish to assure the public that the security architecture around our schools has been recalibrated for efficiency and early warning alarm to prevent future occurrence.”
FG’s response
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has promised to improve security by building the capacity of relevant stakeholders to ensure safety in schools across the country.
The Commander, National Safe School Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC), NSCDC NHQ, Abuja, Commandant Hammed Abodunrin, made the promise during his visit to CUSTECH, on Monday.
Speaking to newsmen, Abodunrin said he was in the school on behalf of the Commandant General (CG) NSCDC, in solidarity with the management and university community.
“NSSRCC as a national centre that coordinates response to issues like this. We owe it a duty to visit the place for on-the-spot assessment after receiving the briefing from the commandant, NSCDC Kogi Command.
“The Federal Government has resolved that there will be no stone left unturned when it comes to the issue of safety and security in our schools.
“Safe school initiative is a global project and not peculiar to Nigeria. But our own situation in Nigeria is peculiar and we are taking it very seriously.
“So, we will assist in building the capacities of the CUSTECH’s management and staff, university security agents as well as the students especially those in final year,” he said.
Abodunrin emphasised that the establishment of the NSSRCC at the NSCDC Headquarters is in demonstration of government’s resolve to address the challenges of school attacks and its consequences that have thrown a large number of children in Nigeria out of school.
The NSSRCC commander stressed the need to be proactive and be conscious of the environment, saying, “Nigerians have always been taken the issue of security for granted.
“That is why the criminals are taking advantage of our not being security-conscious; everybody must be vigilant.
“It is high time we began to build the capacity of everybody including members of university community on personal security and vigilance, so that people will be able to know what to do on time.
“But I want to assure you that with the collaboration of the relevant stakeholders in safe school initiative, we will build the capacity of everybody in the institution.”
He stressed the need for community engagement in curbing security in the schools and the society at large, saying, “when you see something you must identify what you see and say it.
“People should be security-conscious and give timely information to security agencies for prompt intervention because everybody is affected.
“I am happy that the students have been rescued, and that is our joy. Although it happened but we are on top of the situation.”
In his response, the vice chancellor commended the NSSRCC commander for the visit, noting that 14 students had been rescued.
He explained that the security agencies including the Army, DSS, Police and NSCDC as well as the Hunters and Vigilantes had been working together which had resulted in rescuing the kidnapped students.
“So far, we have rescued 14 students, but now we cannot say if there remains any.
“The security operatives, hunters and vigilantes are still combing the forest to see if there are some remaining.
“We will do our own part as individuals and as institution in intelligence gathering. We promise that this kind of incidence will not happen again in our institution,” Salawu said.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Muktar Atimah, in a statement personally signed by him, said the assurance given by government to parents, the university management and the public serves as morale booster, reinforcing confidence in the government’s capacity to intervene at critical moments.
“The quick response of Kogi State government boosted the morale of conventional security agents, local vigilante men and hunters that engaged the kidnappers in the forest where the victims were kept.
“The state, known to have shared boundaries with 10 states, has never experienced this ugly act in the past eight years. The current administration has practically demonstrated that the security architecture policy, championed by former governor Yahaya Bello which the current governor is consolidating upon, maintains zero tolerance for criminals and criminalities in the state.”
The SEMA boss urged all the concerned citizens to be law abiding and assist the government with useful and prompt information on suspicious movements in their communities that could lead to criminal activities.
News
Soldiers hand over nine abduction victims to Katsina govt
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.
News
Obaseki’s is on the run as Okpebholo calls for Gov’s mental examination
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.”
News
Pastor Damina Takes strong stance on Church Controversies: Salvation, Hell, and the Truth About Tithing
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.
-
News23 hours ago
Hunger! Global Food Prices Reach 18-Month High – FAO
-
Entertainment24 hours ago
Call for Wike’s sack: Administration is no child’s play, CRP tells Adeyanju, VDM
-
News23 hours ago
Canadian Police Prepare For Possible Surge Of Asylum Seekers As Trump Set To Regain Office
-
News23 hours ago
400 s3x tapes: Engonga remanded in prison custody
-
News23 hours ago
Obaseki disengages all commissioners, Directors and chairmen
-
News23 hours ago
Anambra LG Chairman Reportedly Nabbed In US Faces 20 Years Jail, Deputy Chair May Take Over
-
News21 hours ago
Engonga tapes: Victim says “he deceived me that camera was for security”
-
News16 hours ago
Canada Introduces Stricter Visa Rules, Ends Automatic 10-Year Multiple-Entry Visas