metro
30 missing in Edo station kidnap, kids freed, ‘Itakpe-Warri train operations not affected’
Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, has said the attack on Ekehen train station in the Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State will not affect the Itapkpe-Warri train service.
This came as indication emerged that over 30 persons including the train station manager were abducted Saturday evening by gunmen who attacked the station.
Okhiria told newsmen on Sunday that despite the attack, the Warri-Itakpe train service would continue operations, adding that additional security measures would be deployed.
He said investigation had commenced to ascertain the number of passengers involved and other details.
Some gunmen attacked the train station on Saturday evening and abducted scores of travellers who were waiting to board the train to Warri.
Minister of Transportation, Mua’zu Sambo, visited the affected train station in the early hours of Sunday to confirm the situation.
He condemned the attack on innocent citizens, describing it as despicable and utterly barbaric.
Meanwhile about 30 people including some personnel of the NRC are believed to have fallen victims of the Saturday’s kidnap.
Vanguard quoted the Liaison officer to the local government area, Best Oseh, as saying security agencies and paramilitary organisations were combing the forests in the area to get more clues.
He said, “As I speak, people are in the field all over the place, vigilantes, security agencies and other people, everybody is concerned but we have to be careful with what we divulge so that we won’t jeopardize the processes we are doing.
“As for the category of people kidnapped, some of them are from Igueben while others are passengers from other places. As for the number, for now, we are looking at over 30 but we can only give a comprehensive number when preliminary investigations are concluded.”
A resident of the area, Comrade Odia Benson, said the abductors released two kids who were with them while a woman reportedly escaped.
He said some workers of the NRC including the station manager and ticket clerk were among those abducted.
He said, “The train normally arrives by 5pm so as at about 20 minutes to 5pm, the bandits just came through the bush path and invaded the place. They took away the station manager, the booking clerk and about 29 other passengers made up of males and females.
“As I speak with you, the Deputy Governor just left the place about an hour ago, the Commissioner of Police and his men are here; the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army Commander is here; the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) is here and many paramilitary organisations’representatives: the DPO Igueben and his men, the Esan Akatakpa Security Network, the hunters association have been in the forest since last night doing bush combing. We are hoping that by the end of today, they will be rescued.
“The railway station is in the forest, there is no security, no police, no vigilante and they are at the mercy of God. The station is in Igeueben town, just about 1.2km away from Igueben General Hospital.
“The kidnappers released two children, it is believed that they felt the children will slow down their movement. They dropped them at an abandoned petrol station, they called the family of the mother of the children that they should go and pick up the children from the place they dropped them off. One woman also escaped with her little baby. The woman escaped and found herself in Opoji, which is in the Esan Central local government Area.”
Minister of Transportation, in a statement signed by his Director, Press and Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike, assured Nigerians the security agencies were making efforts to ensure the rescue of all the kidnapped persons.
The statement read, “The Public is hereby reassured that the security Agencies are making efforts to rescue the kidnapped Train passengers.
“The Nigeria Police is on the trail of the criminals and have mobilised with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers. The government is saddened by this unpleasant development and assures of its prompt response to the ugly situation.”
metro
Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds
Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds
Former Secretary of the Association of Local Governments Of Nigeria (ALGON), Kaduna State chapter, Alhaji Kabiru Jarimi, has refuted ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s claim that he never interfered with Area Councils’ funds during his tenure.
Jarimi, who served under El-Rufai’s administration, described the claim as misleading, stating that funds were routinely deducted from councils’ allocations under various guises by the previous government.
The ex-ALGON State Secretary, who is also the former Chairman of Kaduna South local government, disclosed this in an interview over the weekend.
“I was shocked by El Rufai’s comment because local government funds were deducted without our approval. Most of the deductions targeted Southern Kaduna LGAs.
READ ALSO:
- Some ladies in movie industry ready to sleep their way to fame — Jide Kosoko
- Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra
- Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN
“We never got our full allocations under El-Rufai. His government kept introducing policies to deduct funds unnecessarily. I even considered resigning. At times, we had no funds for overhead costs after paying salaries,” he recalled.
Jarimi, who said that El-Rufai justified the deductions as necessary to settle workers’ salaries, further noted that the state government also employed various means to withdraw additional funds.
The former Council Chairman cited the creation of the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority, Zaria Metropolitan Authority and Kafanchan Municipal Authority as a means of shortchanging local governments.
“Salaries were shared 60–40 between the capital territories and LGs around them. In Kaduna South, deductions were made in the name of sanitation, forcing us to remit funds to the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority (KCTA) every month,” he stated.
The former Chairman further alleged that the funds of local governments outside the capital territories were also deducted without explanation, citing deductions for security and ‘riot damage.’
Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds
metro
Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra
Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra
A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona of St. Patrick Church, Ichida, has been reportedly abducted by gunmen in Anambra State.
According to a report by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday when four armed men, operating in a white Lexus 330 SUV with an unknown registration number, intercepted the cleric and whisked him away along with his Toyota Highlander SUV.
READ ALSO:
- Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN
- Juventus to sign Osimhen with player-plus-cash offer
- Police inspector kills one, injures two, holds colleagues hostage in Calabar
A joint team of security operatives and local vigilantes (AVG) were said to have responded swiftly to the attack, pursuing the assailants and engaging them in a gun duel at a road intersection between Oraeri and Akwaeze villages.
Though the criminals managed to escape, their Lexus SUV sustained significant damage, including a shattered rear windshield.
The Anambra Police Command is yet to release a statement on the abduction of the priest.
Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra
metro
Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN
Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Branch, Ede, Osun State, has described as “fake news” a statement credited to MURIC which alleged the suspension of a Muslim student of the university over Friday prayers.
The association, in a statement signed by its Ameer, Imran Adigun AbdulHakeem, on Sunday, said MURIC’s reports circulated on social media were a misrepresentation of happenings within the university, saying “our faith is respected by the management.”
In another letter, the association apologised to the director and facilitator of the university, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Adeleke-Sanni, whom the association credited with providing a conducive atmosphere for Muslim students to practise their faith.
The letter reads: “On behalf of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Chapter, [I] write to address the ongoing misinformation circulating on social media and other platforms regarding the suspension of Muslim Students for praying on Campus.
“On the 14th of March, 2025, we were temporarily suspended from observing our Night Ramadan Prayers (Taraweeh) and Jummat prayers on campus on the orders of the Director of Security Service (DSS).
“However, on the 18th of March, we met with Dr. Mrs. Modupe Adeleke regarding these challenges.
READ ALSO:
- Juventus to sign Osimhen with player-plus-cash offer
- Police inspector kills one, injures two, holds colleagues hostage in Calabar
- Fresh explosion rocks gas facility in Rivers
“She provided us with a place where we could observe Ramadan, Jummat prayers, and the five daily prayers which we accepted. As a result, the suspension has been lifted, and we have resumed prayers at the new location provided by the university on the orders of Dr Modupe Adeleke.
“At no time have Muslim Students been forced to change their beliefs. While challenges may arise in any diverse academic institution, the university management has always been open to dialogue, and we have continued to receive support in practicing our faith.
“Adeleke University has provided a peaceful and respectful environment for all faiths, and we continue to practice our religion freely.
“We urge the public to disregard the misinformation that may have been spread regarding this matter as they do not reflect the reality of our experiences,” the letter to the university management noted.
The letter of apology to Chief (Mrs) Dupe Adeleke-Sanni reads: “As-salamu alaykum (peace be upon you). On behalf of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Chapter, I apologize for any distress caused by the false social media reports.
“We assure you that we had no hand in spreading the misinformation. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support, guidance, and kindness towards us.
“Your commitment to our well-being and academic success is invaluable, and we appreciate everything you’ve done for us. May Allah (SWT) reward you abundantly for your good deeds. Jazakumullah khairan (may Allah reward you with goodness).
“Thank you for being an exceptional Mother and mentor. We are blessed to have you,” the letter added.
Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN
-
metro2 days ago‘We’re not hiring,’ NNPC denies viral recruitment adverts
-
metro2 days agoNatasha: Court blocks recall attempt, stops INEC
-
Sports2 days agoOdegbami speaks on Osimhen breaking his 44-year goals record
-
Entertainment2 days agoI didn’t snatch Asake’s mother from her husband -Musibau Alani
-
metro3 days agoMore trouble brews in Rivers as Ijaw congress considers self-determination option
-
Sports2 days ago2026 WCQ: Super Eagles move up to third place with 2-0 win in Rwanda
-
metro2 days agoBoko Haram attacks military base in Adamawa
-
Sports2 days agoOsimhen breaks Odegbami’s Eagles goal record