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Boko Haram Abducts Pastor’s Wife, Three Children in Borno
Boko Haram Abducts Pastor’s Wife, Three Children in Borno
Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists have abducted the wife of a pastor and her three children along the Maiduguri-Damasak highway in Borno State, in an attack that community sources say specifically targeted the family because of their Christian faith.
The abduction occurred around noon on Saturday near Kareto village in Mobbar Local Government Area, approximately 156 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital. The victims, whose identities have been withheld, were travelling in a commercial vehicle to Damasak, where the head of the family, Pastor Moses Guguma, serves as the resident pastor of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN). Community sources told journalists that the attackers intercepted the commercial vehicle close to Kareto village and singled out the pastor’s wife and her three children, ordering them to disembark. The gunmen allowed the driver and the remaining passengers to continue their journey before retreating into the bush with the captives. According to a source close to the Guguma family, the victims were deliberately targeted because of their religious identity.
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The pastor’s wife, whose identity has been withheld, had reportedly only recently been discharged from a hospital in Maiduguri after a prolonged illness and was still recuperating at the time of the abduction. The source further disclosed that she had been receiving treatment for some time before being discharged, making the timing of the abduction particularly distressing for the family. “As of now, we are holding a special prayer to God for the safe return of the victims,” a family source said, expressing the community’s collective anxiety and hope for the family’s safe return.
As of the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of the woman and her children remained unknown. Security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while there was also no indication that the abductors had made any contact or presented any demands. The lack of communication from the terrorists has left the family and the church community in a state of anxious waiting, uncertain about the fate of the captives.
Damasak, located in Borno North Senatorial District, has repeatedly witnessed attacks linked to insurgent groups and remains a frequent flashpoint for Boko Haram and ISWAP activities in the Lake Chad Basin region. The town has been a target of several attacks in recent years, with insurgents frequently launching assaults on military formations and civilian communities. The latest incident highlights the persistent security challenges along major roads in northern Borno, where insurgents have continued to target commuters despite ongoing military operations in the region. This abduction also underscores the vulnerability of religious leaders and their families who continue to serve in communities deeply affected by the insurgency. It is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Christian communities in northeast Nigeria, adding to the growing concerns about the safety of worshippers and religious institutions in the region.
Boko Haram Abducts Pastor’s Wife, Three Children in Borno State
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Former Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan Dies at 71, Three Days to 72nd Birthday
Former Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan Dies at 71, Three Days to 72nd Birthday
ASABA — The political landscape of Delta State and Nigeria at large was thrown into mourning on Monday following the demise of former Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, who passed away at the age of 71.
According to a statement released by his family, the former two-term governor died in the early hours of Monday, October 19, 2026, following a brief illness. His passing comes just three days shy of his 72nd birthday, as he was born on October 22, 1954.
The family’s statement, signed by Toju Anire Uduaghan, described the death as an “immeasurable loss.” They remembered the late politician as a “source of strength, a father figure, a beloved brother and uncle, and a respected elder” whose life and service touched countless people across Delta State and the nation.
A Legacy of Service
Dr. Uduaghan leaves behind a robust political legacy that spanned over a decade and a half in the public service of Delta State.
He began his political career as the Commissioner for Health between 1999 and 2003 under the administration of Governor James Ibori. His administrative acumen saw him elevated to the position of Secretary to the State Government (SSG) from 2003 to 2007, a role in which he played a pivotal part in the state’s governance structure.
In 2007, he successfully contested and won the governorship seat, succeeding his mentor, Ibori. He was re-elected for a second term, governing the oil-rich state until 2015. During his tenure, Uduaghan was widely known for his “Delta Beyond Oil” economic diversification agenda, an initiative aimed at shifting the state’s economic dependence from crude oil to agriculture, infrastructure, and human capital development. He was also fondly referred to as the “Talk and Do” governor due to his penchant for completing projects.
Outpouring of Grief
Following the announcement, tributes have begun to pour in from across the country. Political associates, friends, and constituents have taken to social media and traditional media to express their shock and sorrow at the passing of the former governor.
Many recall his time in office as a period of relative peace and infrastructural growth in Delta State. His family has requested privacy during this difficult time as they mourn the loss of their patriarch.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.
Former Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan Dies at 71, Three Days to 72nd Birthday
metro
Farmers-Herders Clash in Abuja Leaves Three Dead as Houses, Shops Burn
Farmers-Herders Clash in Abuja Leaves Three Dead as Houses, Shops Burn
At least three people have reportedly been killed in a renewed farmers-herders clash in Paikon-Kore community, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with several others injured and properties destroyed.
The violence, which reportedly began on Saturday afternoon and continued until Sunday morning, October 18, left houses, shops and a motorcycle burnt, while goods in the affected shops were destroyed.
However, another report put the death toll at five, with eyewitnesses saying both farmers and herders were among those killed. The exact number of casualties had yet to be officially confirmed as of the time of reporting.
A resident, Danlami Ibrahim, said the latest confrontation began after cattle allegedly entered a groundnut farm containing crops that were yet to be harvested.
According to him, the farm owner confronted the herders, leading to an argument that escalated into violence. One of the herders allegedly attacked a farmer with a cutlass, severing one of his hands.
The incident reportedly triggered anger among residents and led to retaliatory attacks in which three herders were said to have been killed. Several other people sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals in Gwagwalada for treatment.
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The Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Gwagwalada Area Council chapter, Mohammed Usman, confirmed that three herders had died, although he said he was still gathering information about the number of injured people.
Usman said he had informed the Gwagwalada Area Council chairman, Kasim Mohammed Ikwa, about the incident.
Ikwa visited the affected community on Sunday alongside the Divisional Police Officer, SP Aaron H. Kaura, and other security personnel. He condemned the violence and called on residents to remain calm.
The council chairman said a stakeholders’ meeting would be convened to address the crisis and identify ways to prevent further clashes. He urged farmers, herders, youths and community leaders to embrace dialogue and avoid retaliatory attacks.
Ikwa also advised farmers whose crops were damaged by cattle to report such incidents to security agencies rather than resort to self-help. He urged residents to cooperate with security personnel deployed to restore peace.
The FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, had yet to publicly respond to enquiries about the incident as of the time of the report.
The latest violence follows previous confrontations in Paikon-Kore and neighbouring communities, including a clash in August that reportedly left a farmer with a severed hand and three other people with machete injuries.
Recurring disputes over cattle grazing, destruction of crops, access to farmland and grazing routes have fuelled tensions between farming and herding communities across parts of the FCT.
Herders have also complained about the encroachment of designated grazing areas by farms, housing estates and other developments, while farmers have repeatedly raised concerns about livestock entering their fields and destroying crops.
The Federal Government has identified the FCT as one of the priority areas for efforts to address farmers-herders conflicts. The Ministry of Livestock Development has also announced plans to work with the FCT Administration and pastoralist groups to rehabilitate grazing reserves and improve livestock management.
Security analysts have called for stronger early-warning systems, impartial law enforcement, compensation for damaged crops and effective mediation to prevent local disputes from escalating into deadly violence.
The latest clash has renewed concerns about the safety of rural communities around Abuja and the need for a lasting solution to recurring disputes between farmers and herders.
Farmers-Herders Clash in Abuja Leaves Three Dead as Houses, Shops Burn
metro
Ogun House Fire Horror: Husband Arrested After Wife Dies Following Domestic Dispute
Ogun House Fire Horror: Husband Arrested After Wife Dies Following Domestic Dispute
Police in Ogun State have arrested a 56-year-old man, Madarikan Emehinola, following the death of his 40-year-old wife, Igbagbo Erobe, in a house fire in Igbo-Edu, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.
The incident, suspected to be a case of arson, reportedly occurred at about 8:30pm following a domestic dispute, according to an eyewitness quoted by PUNCH Metro.
The Ogun State Police Command said the incident was reported at the Abigi Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday, October 18, 2026, after information was received that a residential building had been set ablaze, resulting in the woman’s death.
The suspect was subsequently arrested as investigators began efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The eyewitness account suggests that the fire occurred after a disagreement between the couple. However, the precise sequence of events leading to the fire, the cause of the blaze and whether it was deliberately set have yet to be conclusively established by the police.
The deceased’s body has been deposited at a mortuary for a post-mortem examination to help determine the cause of death and provide further evidence for the investigation.
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The police said the case was being processed for transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for a more detailed investigation.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, assured residents that the matter would be investigated thoroughly and professionally in accordance with the law.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that allegations involving serious crimes receive appropriate investigative attention.
The police also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities and provide credible information that could assist investigators in establishing what happened.
Although the incident is being investigated as suspected arson, the available information has not conclusively established how the fire started or the motive behind it. The eyewitness account of a domestic dispute is an allegation that investigators will need to examine alongside other evidence.
The outcome of the post-mortem examination and further police inquiries is expected to provide additional information about the woman’s death.
The suspect’s arrest does not establish guilt. He remains entitled to due process as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal fire.
Ogun House Fire Horror: Husband Arrested After Wife Dies Following Domestic Dispute
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