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333 Katsina schoolboys still missing, says Governor Masari as parents protest
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has said 333 students are still missing after an attack on Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in the state.
He gave the number when a Federal Government delegation led by National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, visited him on Sunday.
Gunmen had invaded the school on Friday night, shooting into the air to scare away people in the area, giving them the opportunity to abduct many students.
Some people including parents of the abducted students took to protest on Sunday over the abduction and demanded immediate rescue of their children.
This came as Northern Governors Forum (NGF) condemned the Saturday’s attack by bandits on the school, describing the development as “unfortunate, regrettable and intolerable”.
The school is said to have a population of around 800 students. The police said when the gunmen attacked the school; some of the students scaled the fence to escape.
Spokesman for the Katsina Police Command, Isah Gambo, had earlier said 200 students were rescued as of Saturday morning.
On Saturday evening, Spokesman for President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, said the armed forces had located the hideout of the bandits in a forest.
The president directed the security agencies to ensure the rescue of the abducted students and urged parents whose children fled home during the attack to notify the school.
The protesters in Katsina on Sunday demanded the immediate rescue of students abducted by bandits.
The protest was led by a woman who identified herself as one of the mothers of the abducted students.
They went around the school’s premises and some parts of the town with placards showing messages such as ‘Government must speak out’, ‘We want our children back’ and ‘We want security in Kankara’.
The Northern Governors Forum also condemned the attack and said through their Chairman and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, in a statement signed by his Director of Press, Dr Simon Macham, that they remained solidly behind the security agencies in the pursuit of the bandits to ensure that normalcy was restored and the abducted students rescued.
They appreciated the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to the security forces to deploy every available resource needed to deal with the situation.
They also expressed solidarity with the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, the government and people of the state and urged that everything possible should be done to ensure that no student was left behind in the bandits’ captivity or harmed
Lalong said the prayers of the forum were with the families of the students, the school authorities and called on the citizens to volunteer useful information to the security agencies and relevant government bodies to assist in the quick arrest of the situation.
Coalition of Northern Groups had earlier threatened to mobilise students and youths to go on protest in if the abducted students were not rescued on time.
Chairman of the North-West zone of the group, Jamiu Aliyu, who addressed a press conference in Katsina, said, “We condemn in totality this barbaric act and call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the culprits, we equally stress the inability of the government to protect those young, innocent, vibrant students from this horrible attack as uncalled for.
“Failure of the government to rescue the missing students within a shortest period of time, CNG will not hesitate to mobilize hundreds of thousands on the streets of Katsina state for a continuous protest, until the students are fully rescued, even if it’s going to cost our lives.”
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the deployment of additional forces to Katsina to assist in the rescue operations.
“The deployment, which includes personnel from the Police Tactical Squads and crack detectives from the Force Intelligence Bureau, will provide investigative support to the Katsina State Police Command,” a statement by the Police spokesman, Frank Mba, said.
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INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition
INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition
Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan yesterday got a memo from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It is a notification to her of the receipt of petition from voters in her Constituency demanding her recall.
The same notification was sent by the electoral agency to the leadership of the Senate.
The Commission also unfolded plans to scrutinise the signatures of the petitioners to ascertain their authenticity.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed in a statement that the addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of representatives of the petitioners, which were initially not attached, had been submitted to the commission.
On Tuesday, the Commission had picked holes in the petition, pointing out that it failed to meet the standard because the addresses and phone numbers of the petitioners’ representatives were not provided as required by law.
Exuding confidence after INEC’s confirmation that that aspect of recall requirements had been met, the petitioners said the recall request was meant to correct what they described as the error of wrong choice.
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Olumekun said: “Further to the statement issued yesterday, Tuesday 25th March 2025, the Commission hereby confirms that the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, dated today Wednesday 26th March 2025.
“As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address.
“The same letter has been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website.
“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the Constituency.
“This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, is serving a six-month suspension for misconduct and abuse of the Senate rules after her seat was changed.
She went ahead to make allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
On Wednesday, Zubairu Yakubu, who wrote the petition, accompanied by former Education Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions sitting to defend the allegations.
However, the Committee threw out her petition, saying that the matter was already a subject of litigation.
During the meeting, Dr Ezekwesili and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) clashed, exchanging hot words.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been junketing between the United States and Europe, granting interview against Senate president.
INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition
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FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr
FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr
The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays in celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the government.
He urged Muslims across the country to use the period for prayers, reflection, and acts of kindness, emphasizing the importance of peace, unity, and national development.
In a statement on Wednesday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, the minister congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, highlighting the significance of the holy month in fostering self-discipline, compassion, and spiritual renewal.
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Tunji-Ojo called on all Muslims to continue embodying the virtues of love, generosity, and peace, emphasising the need for national unity and religious harmony.
He also urged Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the country’s peace, stability, and prosperity.
“As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, let us reflect on the lessons of Ramadan, embrace one another with love and forgiveness, and work together to build a more united and prosperous Nigeria,” the minister stated.
He further encouraged citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly, while extending acts of kindness to the less privileged, in line with the values of Ramadan and Eid.
On behalf of the Federal Government, Tunji-Ojo wished all Muslim faithful a joyous Eid Mubarak and prayed that the blessings of the season bring happiness and fulfilment to everyone.
FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr
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JUST-IN: Ex-Oyo gov Ajimobi’s first child Bisola dies At 42
JUST-IN: Ex-Oyo gov Ajimobi’s first child Bisola dies At 42
Busola, the first child of former Oyo Governor, late Abiola Ajimobi is dead.
The Nation gathered that Bisola, 42, died after a brief illness in the UK.
She was a Special Adviser to Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu.
She was married to Kolapo Kola-Daisi, with whom she shared blessed three children.
Former Senator Teslim Folarin confirmed the incident.
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He wrote on Facebook:
“I am deeply saddened to receive the news of the passing of Mrs. Bisola Kola-Daisi (Nee Ajimobi), the beloved daughter of my cousin, the late Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi, and former First Lady of Oyo State, Her Excellency (Dr.) Florence Ajimobi. Bisola’s untimely death has left an unfillable void in our hearts, and I can only imagine the pain of a parent burying their child.
“As someone who had the privilege of knowing Bisola as a dear family member – she was like a daughter to me – her passing has left me with a profound sense of personal loss.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Ajimobi family, particularly former First Lady, H.E Florence Ajimobi . May God grant us the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
May Bisola’s soul rest in perfect peace.”
JUST-IN: Ex-Oyo gov Ajimobi’s first child Bisola dies At 42
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