A tragic incident occurred in Ikobi, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State on Thursday night when gunmen hijacked a fully loaded Benue Links bus, killing the driver and abducting all passengers on board.

Eyewitnesses revealed to Daily Post that the attackers ambushed the vehicle along the highway, fatally shooting the driver before leading the passengers into the bush. However, a toddler was reportedly left behind by the kidnappers.

Although security agencies have been alerted, authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident. Efforts are reportedly underway to track the victims’ whereabouts.

Reacting to the attack, the president of the Ochetoha K’Idoma youth wing, Mike Magaji, expressed frustration over what he described as government inaction in addressing insecurity in the state.

“It is heartbreaking that our people continue to live in fear while the government remains silent. How many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken?” Magaji stated.

He also criticized Governor Hyacinth Alia’s recent visit to Otukpo, saying it lacked any substantial measures to tackle the crisis.

“The governor’s visit to Otukpo was a disappointment. Our people expected leadership, not vague reassurances. We need a clear plan to end these attacks.

“The government must rise up to its responsibilities. We cannot continue to mourn our people daily while those in power look the other way,” he added.

When contacted, the Benue Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, stated that she was yet to confirm the incident at the time of filing this report.

A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa has issued an order restraining associates of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, from holding a mega rally in the state pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The high court presided over by Justice I.A. Uzakah on Thursday granted the motion ex-parte in Suit No. BYHC/YHC/CV/133/2025 stopping the proposed rally which was scheduled to hold in Yenagoa on April 12, 2025.

The suit which was filed by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo SAN, listed as the first and second defendants/respondents the NEW Associates, organisers of the rally, Mr. George Turnah, and the FCT Minister, Wike.

The other defendants are the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Police Command.

The enrolled court order states that: “An order of the interim injunction is hereby made or granted restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants, whether by themselves, their agents, associates, privies, representatives (or any person whatsoever acting at their behest), from conducting, convening, coordinating, engaging in, organizing, participating in, holding, hosting, or facilitating any political assembly, rally meeting, or gathering within Bayelsa State, for
the purpose of solidarity, hosting, and celebrating the 2nd Defendant in Bayelsa State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.”

The matter has been adjourned to April 11, 2025, for hearing.

Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, on Thursday said that his ancestors brought Governor Monday Okpebholo to restore the lost glory of Edo State.

Oba Ewuare made the remarks during a solidarity visit by Governor Monday Okpebholo to his palace in Benin after his victory at the Edo Governorship Election Tribunal that upheld his election as governor of the state.

He described the governor as a true traditional son of the land and called on his ancestors to bless him and members of his household for not allowing the machinations of evildoers to destroy the state.

In a rare move, the Oba lifted Okpebholo up from his kneeling position, predicting that Okpebholo’s administration would attract more development to the state.

Oba Ewuare, who spoke in Edo language, said, “It shall be well with you, your wife, and children. Your journey to Edo, our ancestors approved it.

“Our ancestors brought you to restore the lost glory of Edo State, which evil doers wanted to ruin. We have been praying, and we will continue to pray for you, not to allow evil forces to destroy Edo.”

Responding, Okpebholo thanked Oba Ewuare for his affection and intercession for him and the Edo State.

He described his election victory at the tribunal as historic and the “sweetest judgement ever” in history, noting that the three-member panel were unanimous in the judgement.

“This it the first time we have seen a judgment where all the judges agreed that Monday Okpebholo won the election,” the governor added.

The Anambra Government said it recorded 102,643 deliveries and 343 Cesarean Sections in 18 months since the introduction of its free antenatal care and delivery policy.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, made this known in Awka on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that on Sept. 5, 2023, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo launched free antenatal care and delivery for expectant mothers for the remaining period of his administration.

The commissioner said that the state government was making significant investments in the healthcare sector to improve access for residents.

”Anambra is now one of the states with the lowest maternal mortality. Pregnant women from other states even come to register in Anambra.

“Over 1000 health workers were recruited, new hospitals were constructed, and existing ones were upgraded and equipped to ensure unhindered access to quality and affordable healthcare in the state.

”Each of the health officials, particularly consultants, doctors, and nurses receive half a million, almost a quarter of a million and over N100,000 respectively, as a monthly salary,” he said.

The commissioner said the government also made investments in the education sector by recruiting 8,115 teachers, upgrading public schools, and empowering youth through the ‘One Youth, Two Skills’ acquisition programme.

“Gov. Soludo’s administration has hired more than 9,000 workers, who will be part of the state’s budget until they retire and start receiving pensions.

“So, no government, since the state’s creation, has invested in human capital development as sustainably as this administration,” Obidike said.

NAN reports that in September 2023, Soludo launched free antenatal care and delivery for expectant mothers for the remaining period of his administration.

Soludo described the gesture as part of his government’s palliative measures to cushion the effect of hardship on the Anambra people.

The governor said that his administration was committed to ensuring unhindered access to healthcare, especially at the grassroots level.

NAN

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has refuted claims of a rift between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, dismissing speculation that Tinubu is considering a new running mate for the 2027 elections.

Despite Tinubu not formally declaring his bid for a second term, his loyalists and key party stakeholders have begun mobilising support for his re-election.

Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, APC National Director of Publicity, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the reports as baseless.

“This is pure speculation without foundation. These are beer-parlour discussions that should not be taken seriously.”

“Even if, for any reason, the president were to consider replacing the vice president, he cannot do so singlehandedly. Such a decision would require extensive consultation with critical stakeholders,” he said.

N/Central pushes for presidency or VP slot

Meanwhile, political stakeholders from the North Central geopolitical zone have renewed their call for either the presidency or vice presidency in 2027.

At a press conference in Abuja, representatives from Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Kogi, and Kwara states, led by Prof. Nghargbu K’tso, urged major political parties to zone their presidential or vice-presidential tickets to the region.

In a communiqué issued after their meeting, the stakeholders argued that if APC grants Tinubu the “right of first refusal” for the presidential ticket, the vice-presidential slot should be allocated to North Central.

Prof. Nghargbu, flanked by other regional leaders, noted that since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, North Central has yet to produce a democratically elected president or vice president.

“Of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, only North Central and South East have not occupied the positions of president or vice president in the past 26 years of the Fourth Republic.

“The situation for North Central is even worse than that of the South East, which at least had Dr Alex Ekwueme as vice president from 1979 to 1983,” he said.

He stressed that the region must now demand equal support from other northern zones.

“This is about fairness. We want to be recognised not as mere political adjuncts but as full stakeholders in the ‘One North’ project,” he said.

APC: N/Central’s demand is unrealistic

Reacting to the demand, APC’s Bala Ibrahim dismissed it as unrealistic and “dead on arrival”.

“The North Central should not see the presidency or vice presidency as a right, especially given its relatively lower electoral contribution compared to zones like the North West.

“They have made similar demands in the past, but these are often irrational and only serve to create unnecessary political tension,” Ibrahim told Daily Trust.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has denied owing a businesswoman, Tracynither Ohiri, N200 million for promotional materials she supplied during his 2014 governorship campaign.

Umahi denied the allegation on Thursday while fielding questions from journalists during his tour of the Independence Bridge in Lagos.

He said, “When I left office and then became a minister, she was going about saying that I owe her N200 million in 2014.

“The entire election in 2014 for me to be a governor did not cost me up to N100 million; so, how would campaign material be N200 million?” 

Umahi challenged Ohiri to provide evidence of any contract, proof of funds withdrawn, and bank statements to support her claim.

“Where is the contract paper? Where did you draw the money from? Can you publish your account where you withdrew the money?

“At least, you would have used up N150 million. Can you publish it.

”I think that woman is sponsored. I saw what she did to three other governors.

“I had thought it was a mental case, so I didn’t bother but I think some people that have been castigating me that we destroyed their property, staging protests, have bought into the matter.

“That is why I am going to legally teach whoever is the sponsor some lessons,” he added.

The minister said that he had instructed his lawyers to initiate legal proceedings against Ohiri, seeking damages.

On alleged sexual harassment, Umahi said that no such thing happened, expressing concern over the potential implications of a such an allegation.

Umahi said that some unserious ones were beginning to think that accusing men of sexual harassment would be the way to go.

The minister advised women to rise up against the trend, which he described as unfortunate.

“We will use this one to teach a lesson,” he said.

NAN

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has barred the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Services from arresting or summoning Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the suspended state governor, over allegations made by the former Rivers Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.

Justice I.P.C. Igwe issued the ruling in Suit No: PHC/1113/CS/2025, filed by Ehie against the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, the Nigeria Police Force, the Police Service Commission, the Director-General of the DSS, the Rivers State DSS Director, and the DSS.

In the ruling on Thursday, Justice Igwe ordered, “That an order of interim injunction be and is hereby issued restraining the Defendants by selves or by their agents, servants, assigns, privies or whosoever from further inviting, demanding appearance of the Claimant at their respective offices in Abuja or anywhere else or harassing, intimidating, arresting or detaining the Claimant in connection with the alleged arson on the hallowed Chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly which occurred on 29th October, 2023 on account of statement made on or about 27th March, 2025 or thereafter or however by Dr. George Nwaeke, former Head of Service of the Government of Rivers State or on account of any statement made by anyone whosoever, wheresoever or when soever pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.”

The court also granted permission for Ehie to serve legal documents to the police and DSS offices in Abuja, stating, “That leave be and is hereby granted to the Claimants to issue and serve the Writ of Summons and all other relevant processes in this suit for service on the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th Defendants out of jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory through their respective addresses as stated in the motion paper, namely: 1st and 3rd Defendants: Louis Edet House, Area II, Garki, Abuja. 4th Defendant: Through the Chairman, Police Service Commission, Federal Secretariat Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, FCT. 6th and 7th Defendants: National Headquarters, Yellow House, Aso Drive, Maitama, Abuja.”

The judge further ruled, “That the Writ and its accompanying processes shall in line with Section 98 of the Sheriffs and Civil Procedures Act be marked as a concurrent writ for service out of jurisdiction in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.”

To ensure the legal documents reach the necessary parties, the court allowed service via courier, “That It is further ordered that leave be and is hereby also granted to the Claimant to serve the Writ of Summons and all other relevant processes in this suit on the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th Defendants by substituted means to wit: by post through Red Star Express Courier Service to the said 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th Defendants’ Addresses at Abuja in their respective addresses as stated in the motion papers and filing in Court evidence of such post and delivery of the said processes.”

The court also directed both parties to maintain the current state of affairs, ruling: “That both parties are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante litem as at 30 March, 2025, pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.”

As part of the ruling, Ehie was required to provide a financial guarantee, “That the Claimant shall enter into an undertaking in the sum of N2 million only, to indemnify the Defendants if the substantive motion turns out to be frivolous.”

The case was adjourned to April 30, 2025, for the hearing of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.

As the coronation of the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, draws near, the Oyo State government has implemented extensive security measures to ensure the safety and smooth execution of the event.

Naija News reports that the coronation is set to take place on Saturday, April 5, 2025, with heightened security already in place across the ancient city and surrounding areas.

Oba Owoade, who was officially presented with the staff and instrument of office on Monday, January 13, 2025, ascends the throne following the passing of the late Oba Adeyemi.

The new monarch successfully completed the traditional 21-day Oro Ipebi rites on March 29, 2025, paving the way for the grand coronation ceremony.

To ensure the safety of the monarch and all attendees, security operatives have been deployed at key locations throughout Oyo town.

Police vans and other security vehicles are stationed in strategic areas such as Owoade, Jabata, Akesan, Isale Oyo, Eleekara, and the School of Survey.

A senior police officer confirmed to Punch on Thursday that additional personnel have been assigned to the area in anticipation of the large crowds expected for the coronation.

“The police, in collaboration with other security agencies, are fully prepared to maintain law and order and ensure a trouble-free event,” the source assured.

The coronation will be held at Oliveth Baptist High School in Oyo, where Governor Seyi Makinde is expected to lead a distinguished group of dignitaries, including notable Nigerians.

Additional events will take place at Ladigbolu Grammar School, Durbar Stadium, the Oba Lamidi Adeyemi Mini Stadium, and the Palace of the Alaafin of Oyo.

Among the dignitaries expected to attend are former Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, ambassadors from four countries, over 200 Oyo indigenes based in Canada, traditional rulers, diplomats, and various government officials.

Local hotels in Oyo town have reported full bookings in preparation for the large number of visitors arriving for the coronation.

A hotel manager, who wished to remain anonymous, shared, “We have upgraded our facilities to ensure that our guests have a memorable stay. The security agencies have also assured us of adequate protection for our facilities.”

In addition to the influx of visitors, reports indicate that the popular Akesan market, along with other nearby markets, will be temporarily closed during the coronation to allow the participation of local traders in the event.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi central, has expressed joy after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dismissed the petition seeking her recall from the senate.

Earlier today, the commission said the recall petition failed to meet the requirements of the 1999 Constitution.

In a statement, INEC said the number of constituents who signed the petition against the suspended lawmaker fell short of 50 percent of registered voters in the constituency as required by the constitution.

In a reaction posted on her Facebook page, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the development as a victory and dedicated it to Nigerians.

“On God it’s victory for the people of ??. One battle down, two more to go,” the lawmaker wrote.

“Deep gratitude to my beloved husband, awesome support team, magnificent people of Kogi Central and great people of Nigeria at large. INEC Nigeria, you did well.”

BACKGROUND

On March 24, some members of Kogi central district submitted a petition to INEC requesting the recall of Akpoti-Uduaghan from the senate.

Charity Omole, a representative of the constituents, said they submitted the petition to recall the senator because Kogi central could not afford to have a representative in the senate following her suspension.

“We have come to recall her so that we can have a representative in the senate. We are here to tell lNEC to please follow the constitutional process for a recall so that a recall process can begin,” Omole had said.

“We submitted the petition, and it has been received. All other documents have been received.

“We are the ones that voted her, and we don’t want her anymore because we cannot afford not to have a representative. Nobody is bankrolling us. Nobody is having any personal issue with her. It is just what it is. The game is the game.”

She said there are 488,000 registered voters in Kogi central, out of which more than 250,000 have signed the recall petition.

However, INEC said the petitioners did not provide their contact details.

On March 26, INEC said it had notified Akpoti-Uduaghan about the petition by constituents seeking her recall from the national assembly.

The commission said it had also received the contact details of the petitioners.

Speaking at her homecoming rally in Kogi on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the electoral body of bias in her recall process.

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“What I see INEC doing is aiding and guiding petitioners on how to perfect their illicit acts,” she said.

“The first time the petition was submitted, they didn’t have address and phone numbers, so INEC went out to guide them on how to submit information that will perfect their petition.

“And what did they do? The petitioners, who were from the other party, the APC, submitted a letterhead. What was the name of it? Kogi Central Political Frontier. And the address there was number 4, Oboroke.”

Former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd), has revealed that he and other aductees had a terrifying experience in the hands of terrorists and kidnappers.

Naija News recalls Tsiga was abducted on February 5, 2025, in his hometown of Tsiga, the Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina state and regained his freedom after spending 56 days in kidnappers’ den.

Speaking on Thursday after meeting with National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Tsiga said they were held in a dense forest surrounded by hills, teeming with dangerous animals in search of human beings.

The 72-year-old described his survival as nothing short of divine intervention.

He said, “We were kept with dangerous animals—hyenas, snakes, and scorpions. A day before I was released, just the day before yesterday, while on the mountain where I was staying, we suddenly noticed a hyena circling us, looking for food. And what kind of food? Us, human beings.

“Throughout our time there, we constantly lived with snakes and scorpions. But the most terrifying experience was how they treated those of us whose ranks they knew. Whenever troops attacked them, they would bring us out and use us as human shields, hoping to get us killed by the military strikes. They wanted us to be hit by the aircraft. But God is merciful.”

“The National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) have said it—the good ones will survive, and ultimately, the bad ones will meet their end.”

Tsiga also recalled an experience involving an unexploded rocket, saying, “During an airstrike, a rocket was fired at the terrorists, but it didn’t explode. Instead, they carried the unexploded rocket and placed it where I was sleeping, hiding it in a way that if I touched it, it would detonate. Yet, by God’s mercy, I survived.”

According to Tsiga, the kidnappers’ belief that military officers have access to government funds led them to attack his home.

Tsiga, on behalf of the 18 other rescued victims, expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Defence Staff. He emphasized that security is a collective responsibility.

He said, “They believe that those of us in uniform are given money by the government. That’s why they tried to break into my house. They couldn’t, so they went to my home in Kaduna and used explosives to destroy it, including the gates.

“We must not assume that the government can do it all alone. Everyone must contribute by providing intelligence and information. The NSA and the CDS are not magicians; they need timely and accurate reports to act upon.”