News

Four Defence Ministry Directors Freed By Terrorists After Weeks As Two Others Feared Killed

Published

2 weeks ago

November 23, 2025

Admin

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.

News

PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today

Published

2 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Minister of FCT today inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today

The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike today, Friday inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa.

The project is titled; Full scope development of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with Two Interchange Bridges at N16/RRII and N16/RIII intersections.

The portion from RRI to Arterial Road N20 (Solomon Lar Way) within Katampe District was developed and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to mark 2nd year Anniversary of his Administration.

The portion from N20 to RRII is being developed under Jahi District Infrastructure Project, leaving the undeveloped portion from RRIII to Arterial Road N40 to link the road that leads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana Districts.

The portion of this Arterial Road N16 under reference traverses the Gwarimpa Housing Estate and this segment of the road when developed will provide access to the Gwarimpa Housing Estate located within Bunkoro and Wupa Districts as well as Sector Center E which is the hub of commercial and social activities comprising group of four districts namely; Gwarimpa II – C03, Kafe – C05, Wupa – C15 and Bunkoro – C18 Districts in Phase III of the Federal Capital City.

See photos:

News

“Why I dumped PDP for APC “- Rivers Speaker, Amaewhule

Published

3 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule, on Friday gave reasons why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The major reason for leaving the PDP is because of the division in the PDP,” Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, told the lawmakers on Friday.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for some programmes embarked upon by his administration that have benefited Nigerians, especially Rivers people.

According to the Speaker, his defection would enable him to partner with President Tinubu for the overall good of the Rivers people.

Amaewhule said, “Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu, of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.

“APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time. I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security headlong. The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country. I am so delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President right inside the All Progressives Congress.”

Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Since returning to civil rule in 1999, the PDP has maintained a tight grip on the oil-rich Rivers state, until the protracted crisis rocked the state, which pitched the lawmakers against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The crisis led to the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex by forces allegedly loyal to Fubara as well as the attempted moves to impeach the governor by the lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Worried by the development, President Bola Tinubu waded in to douse the tensions and declared a state of emergency on March 18.

The emergency declaration led to the suspension of Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers.

At the expiration of the exercise, he reinstated Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers on September 17.

News

Finally Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Assembly Members Dump PDP , join APC

Published

5 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected to the All Progressives Congress.

Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

The House of Assembly is currently in session with the defectors blaming their departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the crisis in the party.

Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Details shortly…