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Updated: Release of abducted Kagara students a rumour, says Niger gov
Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, has dismissed an earlier report of the release of 27 kidnapped students of Government Science College, Kagara, saying it is a ‘rumour’.
He, however, added that government was doing everything possible to ensure the release of the kidnapped students along with their teachers and others in the next “few days or hours”.
There were reports early Friday morning that the students had been released by their abductors to an Islamic scholar based in Kaduna State, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, after much persuasion by the Islamic cleric.
The students were said to have gained their freedom after Sheikh Gumi had met with the leader of the bandits identified as Dogo Gide and a truce was reached.
But Governor Bello, who spoke on Friday at the Government House in Minna, the state capital, shortly after meeting Sheikh Gumi, said, “Regarding the event of the past few days where we have two serious cases of kidnappings – the NTSA (Niger State Transport Authority) bus that was kidnapped (with passengers); and the second event took place at the Secondary School in Kagara, as at this moment, we do not have any additional information to give apart from the one given earlier on yesterday.
“But I want to assure you that we are doing everything we can; we are interfacing with the local communities; with federal authorities and our own state authorities to ensure that we recover the victims safely.
“Our utmost priority right now is to make sure we bring them back home safe and that is exactly what we are going to do. So, there hasn’t been any information I can give you at this moment but once we have anything for you, we will let you know.”
The governor, responding to a question on the purported release of the abductees, said, “Everything that is being said out there is rumour and in situations like this, we cannot work with rumour; it has to be confirmed. Yes, we’ve been receiving different rumours from different people within villages but we are still treating them as rumour until processed and confirmed.”
The governor also said the state government was ready to engage any actor willing to assist with the rescue of the abducted persons.
He particularly said that he was waiting to receive a “comprehensive” report from Gumi concerning his “findings”.
Meanwhile, pictures have surfaced online showing the meeting of the Islamic cleric with the bandits in the forest.
Gumi also reportedly confirmed the meeting on Friday and said it was positive,
Since January, Gumi has met with bandits in Kaduna and Zamfara forests in an attempt to broker a peace deal.
In Kaduna, over 500 bandits reportedly agreed to lay down their weapons after he struck a peace deal with them.
In Zamfara, Gumi reportedly told the bandits that they have legitimate concerns and that the federal government should look into ways of providing “reasonable” means of livelihood for them.
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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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“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
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