News
Nine abducted ABU students regain freedom
Nine students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria kidnapped last Sunday have regained their freedom.
The students were going to Lagos for an immersion programme at the Nigerian French Language Village in Badagry when they came under attack by kidnappers along the Kaduna-Abuja road.
Kaduna State Government confirmed two persons died during the incident and nine others rescued by security personnel.
Director of Public Affairs at the ABU, Malam Auwal Umar, confirmed the release of the students on Sunday.
He said, “I can confirm to you that the students have been released. They were released yesterday (Saturday) night and most of them have already been reunited with their families.”
The students were reportedly released midnight Saturday after the parents had paid between N500,000 and N4 million as ransom.
One of the parents, who confirmed the release of his daughter, said, “After series of bargaining, they said I should pay N1 million, but I told them that I could not afford to raise that amount. I told them I have over N500,000 and they asked me to bring it.
“I sold my goats, pigs and other belongings to pay the money.”
Another parent said she among the team of four parents that went to deliver the ransom to the bandits, adding that they were directed to come to Abuja Junction.
The parent said, “They called me yesterday (Saturday), and said if I am not able to pay N1 million, they would kill the girls or marry them or use them as sex slave.
“On arriving in Kaduna, we were told that security personnel were monitoring the bandits in the bush. But surprisingly, the bandits called us and told us to come and wait at Abuja junction.
“They sent us a telephone number to call. We called the number and the person came to take us to a car. Unknown to me, the owner of the car is also a victim. His daughter was among those abducted. We drove along the Kaduna-Abuja road. That was around 11pm to deliver the ransom and other things they demanded.”
He said the bandits also demanded some crates of Malta drink and cartons of milk from each parent.
“When we got to Dutse, we stopped at a junction leading to the bush. We met soldiers there and they stopped us and made the four of us in the vehicle to sit on the ground.
“The soldiers noticed that all of us were carrying nylon bags and the items and they asked what was in the nylon bags.
“We told them that we were carrying money to go and pay ransom for the students that were kidnapped. The soldiers wished us safe journey to the bush and we parked the car at the junction.
“We trekked far inside the bush from Dutse and handed over the money to them and they released the girls to us. He said the owner of the car is one of the parents given directives by the bandits.
“The bandits are very clever. They planned everything very well. We came back and picked the vehicle where we parked by the main road and returned with the girls to Kaduna around 1am.
“Some parents paid N1 million; some paid over N1 million; some paid N2 million; some paid over N500,000, depending on how each parent bargained with the hoodlums because they spoke separately with the parents.”
News
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
President Bola Tinubu has been accused of not being forthright about the true state of Nigeria under his administration.
Former Jigawa State Governor and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Sule Lamido, made the accusation while speaking on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mini Hanya.
Lamido criticized both Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as a lack of transparency in governance.
“Buhari’s and Tinubu’s governments are not being transparent with Nigerians unlike during the time when PDP was in power where everything was transparent and open to all Nigerians,” Lamido said.
READ ALSO:
- Odili: Fubara prevented Wike from turning Rivers to private estate
- Putin apologises over Azerbaijan plane crash reportedly shot down
- 256 terrorists, two logistics suppliers arrested in one week – DHQ
He accused the two administrations of relying on propaganda rather than providing citizens with accurate information.
Lamido also expressed concerns over President Tinubu’s recent loan requests, questioning the logic behind them. “If Nigerians are being told the truth then there is nothing wrong with that, but how would you budget N30tn, generate N50tn and then request loan when you have a surplus of N20tn,” he said, referencing last year’s budget.
He described the situation as “reckless” and “selfish,” adding, “This recklessness and clear-cut selfishness is not done anywhere in the world, but yet you find (some) Nigerians supporting it. Visit social media and see how APC is being criticised, being referred to as calamity, yet you find some protecting it.”
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
News
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.
The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.
Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025.
This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.
“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.
READ ALSO:
- Dangote, Tinubu, Lookman, Badenoch named among 100 most influential Africans in 2024
- Heavy security in Ilesa as ex-Osun deputy gov emerges new Owa-Obokun
- Hacker has stolen N180m from my NGO account – VeryDarkMan cries out
The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.
Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:
Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.
Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.
Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).
In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
News
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
President Bola Tinubu on Monday unequivocally responded to critics who described his cabinet as “bloated” by saying he is unprepared to reduce the size of his 48-man cabinet.
“I am not ready to shrink” the size of my cabinet, Tinubu said during a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the former Lagos governor said, arguing that “efficiency” has been at the core of his selection of ministers.
The president also said he has no regret removing the petrol subsidy in May 2023, saying Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.
READ ALSO:
- Kolawole Erinle: Appeal court affirms sentence for ex-convict over $1.4m fraud
- We’ve forced Lakurawa terrorists back to Mali, says FG
- Petrol: MRS enforces N935 per litre nationwide
“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We are spending our future, we were just deceiving ourselves, that reform was necessary,” he told reporters.
Tinubu appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate immediately screened and confirmed the ministers. One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January while another, Simon Lalong, moved to the Senate.
There were calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians have not been impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.
In October 2024, Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation. He also sacked five of his ministers but critics insist that the President’s cabinet remains large, especially with the creation of a Livestock Ministry with a minister.
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
-
News3 days agoNigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
-
metro3 days agoLagos Imam to Tinubu: You haven’t disappointed us
-
Sports3 days agoRonaldo, Vinicius, Yamal win big at 2024 Globe Soccer Awards [Full list of winners]
-
Africa2 days agoNiger’s president faces fire at home over attack on Nigeria
-
International2 days agoBashar Assad relatives arrested while trying to fly out of Lebanon
-
Opinion3 days agoTinubu’s Buharization of NNPC By Farooq Kperogi
-
Politics1 day agoGbajabiamila speaks on his rumoured Lagos governorship ambition
-
metro2 days agoWe’re not aware of VeryDarkMan’s missing N180m — Police
You must be logged in to post a comment Login