Breaking News
BREAKING: TEN MORE BETHEL BAPTIST SCHOOL STUDENTS REGAIN FREEDOM
Ten more students abducted by bandits from the Bethel Baptist Secondary School in Kaduna State have been released.
Two were sick and eight were let go on the magnanimity of their kidnappers.
The students regained their freedom on Saturday, after spending about 75 days in the custody of their abductors.
They were kidnapped on July 5 when a group of armed men invaded the school in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
Most of them were said to be in severe pains because they were mercilessly flogged on their way because they could not walk briskly due to tiredness and the fact that they had no shoes on.
Police authorities in Kaduna have yet to make any comment on the release of the students.
But a senior official of the school told Channels Television that the students were released after an undisclosed amount of money was paid to the bandits.
He explained that following their release, the students were reunited with their parents and taken to the hospital for treatment.
21 Students In Captivity
A total of 121 students were forcefully taken away from their hostels when the school came under attack by the assailants.
The bandits later released 28 of them on July 25, after a ransom was reportedly paid to them.
Thereafter, 15 additional students regained freedom from the captivity of their abductors on August 22.
More students were later freed, and the release of the new batch of students on Saturday brings the total number of students who have regained freedom so far to 100.
However, 21 other students of the school are held back in the custody of the bandits.
The spate of kidnapping for ransom payment spiked recently in Kaduna, with schoolchildren as targets for bandits.
Although authorities in the state have insisted that they will neither negotiate nor pay any money to the criminals, those whose families are victims have had a contrary view.
For such people, they are ready to consider all options that can lead to the release of their loved ones, not ruling out the payment of ransom.
Kaduna is not the only state battling banditry. These criminals have also attacked schools in other parts of the North West and North Central, with Zamfara among the worst-hit states.
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries, through his legal representative, has formally submitted a corruption petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Farouk Ahmed, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
This was disclosed in a statement made available to our correspondent by the Dangote Group media team on Friday.
Recall that Dangote had earlier petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate Ahmed for allegedly spending $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. He withdrew the petition a few days ago, even as the ICPC vowed to continue with its investigation.
The statement on Friday said Dangote’s petition to the EFCC followed “The withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.”
In the petition, signed by Lead Counsel Dr O.J. Onoja, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Ahmed, and to prosecute him if found culpable.
The petition further stated that Dangote would provide evidence to substantiate claims of financial misconduct and impunity.
“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624) 337,” the petition read.
Onoja further urged the commission, under the leadership of Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, “To investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting.”
The Rivers State House of Assembly formally recommenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
This marks the second time within ten months that the state legislature has initiated such a move.
At a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, formally read the notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara.
The notice, which was endorsed by 26 lawmakers, accused the governor of actions allegedly in violation of the Nigerian Constitution.
Amaewhule announced that the notice would be served on the governor within the next seven days.
During the same sitting, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read the notice of allegations and gross misconduct leveled against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh.
Breaking News
Supreme Court: President Has Power To Declare Emergency Rule, Remove Elected Officials
The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the President holds the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency in any state where circumstances threaten public safety or governance.
According to the ruling, this authority may be exercised to prevent a serious breakdown of law and order or to stop conditions from deteriorating into chaos or anarchy.
The court emphasized that such powers are intended to safeguard national stability and ensure the continued functioning of democratic institutions when extraordinary situations arise.
It noted that emergency measures are justified only in exceptional cases where normal governance mechanisms are unable to effectively address escalating crises.
More details later…
Boko Haram Demands $300,000 Ransom For Abducted Borno Ex-LG Chair, Another Victim
How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit
Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly
Your Second Coming Was A Chance To Avoid These Political Mistakes – Fayose To Fubara
Corruption Battle: Dangote Drags Ex-NMDPRA Boss To EFCC After ICPC Withdrawal
Rivers Crisis: Full List Of 8 Misconduct Allegations Against Governor Fubara
Panic In Ibadan As Rising Kidnap, Robbery Threats Trigger Official Red Alert
Wizkid Becomes First African Artist To Enter Spotify’s 10 Billion Streams Elite
Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Becomes West Africa’s All-Time Box Office King
