₦50,000 Relief Fund: FG Reveals Criteria for Selecting Beneficiaries

Bandits Demand Over ₦100m Ransom for 15 Abducted Islamiya Students in Niger

Suspected bandits who abducted 15 students of an Islamiya school in Niger State have reportedly demanded more than ₦100 million for their release, heightening fears over the safety of the children and prompting fresh calls for urgent government intervention.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped while assisting their teacher, Malam Aminu Bako, in harvesting maize on his farm in Tungan-Bako village, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, during the weekend.

The teacher disclosed that the armed men had contacted community leaders to communicate their ransom demand, leaving parents and residents increasingly worried about the fate of the abducted children.

According to reports, the kidnappers initially believed the victims were students of government-owned schools. However, a parent, identified as Malam Adamu, said community representatives informed the abductors that the children attended an Islamiya school.

Adamu explained that the bandits had demanded more than ₦100 million before being informed about the actual identity of the school.

The teacher, who confirmed the ransom demand, also appealed to the Federal Government and Niger State Government to urgently intervene and ensure the safe return of the students.

Bako expressed concern that the children might be facing harsh conditions in captivity, revealing that information gathered through local vigilantes suggested they were still being held somewhere within Niger State.

According to him, the students were reportedly locked inside an isolated building guarded by heavily armed men.

“We heard that they were still within Niger State, locked in a building, probably without food. We are worried; we want the authorities to come to our aid to rescue them,” he said.

The teacher maintained that the situation required urgent intervention by the military and other security agencies, warning that community vigilantes might not have the capacity to confront the heavily armed kidnappers.

He also expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as the limited government presence since the incident, saying the affected families and school management had largely been left to depend on local vigilantes for information and assistance.

Bako disclosed that the acting chairman of Rafi Local Government Area and the Divisional Police Officer were the only government officials who had visited the community following the abduction.

He said the absence of further engagement from the state government had increased anxiety among parents, who had continued to approach him for updates on their children’s whereabouts and safety.

“We are also worried that nobody has visited us from the state government, at least to give us hope that something is being done to ensure their release,” he added.

The teacher consequently appealed to the authorities to demonstrate greater commitment towards securing the students’ freedom, stressing that the community needed more than assurances.

Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command has confirmed the abduction, although its preliminary account differed slightly from the number of victims identified by the teacher.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village and abducted some people working on a farm.

According to him, preliminary police information indicated that about 14 of the victims were Islamiya school students who had accompanied their instructor to harvest maize.

Abiodun, however, assured that joint security operations were ongoing to rescue the abducted persons.

The police assurance came amid concerns from residents, who maintained that local vigilantes were the only security personnel visibly involved in efforts to trace the abductors.

The Commissioner for Homeland Security in Niger State, Justin Maurice Magaji, was reportedly unavailable for comments when contacted, as he was attending a State Executive Council meeting.

The teacher subsequently released the names of the 15 students reportedly taken away by the bandits.

They are Hassana Isah, Aliya Ahmad, Hajara Musa, Hauwa’u Abubakar, Halima Yahaya, Asma’u Jamilu, Radiya Salisu, Aminatu Salisu, Aisha Bello, Rahinatu Sani, Aminatu Alhassan, Nafisa Ayuba, Bilkisu Adamu, Salaha Abdullahi and Hajara Salisu.

The reported discrepancy between the 15 names released by the teacher and the 14 Islamiya students mentioned in the police account has also raised questions about the exact number of victims.

The latest development has renewed concerns over the persistent activities of armed bandits in parts of Niger State, particularly attacks targeting rural communities and vulnerable residents.

For the families of the abducted students, however, the immediate priority remains the safe return of their children.

They are calling on the Federal Government, Niger State Government and security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure that the children are reunited with their families without further delay.

Bandits Demand Over ₦100m Ransom for 15 Abducted Islamiya Students in Niger

FG’s N50,000 Relief: OPay Details Eligibility Check Process, Issues Strong Warning Against Scams

Lagos, Nigeria — Following the Federal Government’s introduction of the N50,000 relief package, leading financial technology platform, OPay, has released comprehensive guidelines on how customers can verify their eligibility for the funds. The company has simultaneously issued a stern warning to users regarding the rise of fraudulent schemes targeting beneficiaries.

In a statement released on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and reported by Punch, OPay clarified the procedural steps for Nigerians to determine if they qualify for the government’s financial intervention. The move comes as millions of citizens seek clarity on accessing the relief aimed at cushioning economic hardship.

How to Check Eligibility

According to OPay, the verification process is designed to be seamless and accessible directly through the OPay mobile application. Customers are advised to log into their updated OPay app to access the dedicated section for the Federal Government’s relief program.

The fintech giant explained that users will be required to provide specific details to verify their status. Once logged in, customers can navigate to the designated “Government Relief” or notification tab where the eligibility checker is situated. The system cross-references the user’s verified identity (such as their Bank Verification Number, BVN, and National Identification Number, NIN) with government databases to confirm qualification.

Strict Warning Against Fraudsters

In a critical advisory, OPay warned customers to remain vigilant against scammers who are leveraging the news of the N50,000 relief to defraud unsuspecting citizens. The company emphasized that it will never ask customers to pay a fee or provide sensitive information over the phone to claim the relief.

“OPay urges all Nigerians to be cautious. The N50,000 relief is a government initiative, and no fee is required to check eligibility or receive funds,” a representative stated. “We will never ask for your OPay PIN, passwords, or OTPs via phone calls, text messages, or social media. Beware of fake links claiming to be from OPay or the government.”

Security Tips for Users

To ensure safety, OPay advised users to follow these guidelines:

· Use Only the App: Only check your eligibility through the official OPay mobile application.

· Protect Your Data: Never share your ATM card details, OPay PIN, or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) with anyone.

· Ignore Suspicious Links: Do not click on links received via SMS or WhatsApp claiming to offer the N50,000 relief.

· Verify Information: Always confirm information through OPay’s official customer service channels or verified social media pages.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to the financial security of its customers and stated that it is working closely with relevant government agencies to ensure a smooth and transparent disbursement process for eligible beneficiaries.

For those who may face difficulties checking their eligibility, OPay has encouraged customers to contact their customer care team through the in-app support feature.

FG’s N50,000 Relief: OPay Details Eligibility Check Process, Issues Strong Warning Against Scams

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