Orire Kidnap: I Assured Principal’s Husband His Wife Would Return Alive — Senator Buhari

The Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Abdulfatai Buhari, has revealed how he encouraged the husband of the abducted principal of the Government Technical College, Orita Aperin, Orire, Oyo State, during the period the victims were held captive by kidnappers.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Buhari recounted that Professor Alamo, whose wife, Mrs. Rachel Alamo, was among those abducted, repeatedly contacted him for updates and support throughout the ordeal.

Mrs. Alamo was one of the victims kidnapped alongside students in the attack that shocked Oyo State and drew nationwide concern.

According to the senator, about three weeks before the victims regained their freedom, Professor Alamo became visibly overwhelmed by fear, anxiety and uncertainty over his wife’s fate.

Buhari said he decided to visit him personally to offer words of encouragement and reassure him that his wife and the other abductees would return safely.

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“I went to him, I talked to him and I explained to him that, ‘Look, your wife will not forgive you, even in the grave if she comes back and you’re not there,'” Buhari recalled.

“I assured him that nothing bad had happened to them and that they would come back safely.”

The lawmaker said he urged Professor Alamo to remain strong despite the emotional burden, stressing that losing hope would only deepen the trauma for the family.

Buhari further disclosed that on the day the victims were eventually released, Professor Alamo visited his residence in Ogbomoso, where they discussed the situation once again.

According to him, the meeting ended at about 3:30 p.m., after which Professor Alamo left.

Later that evening, Buhari said he began receiving messages claiming that the abducted students and other victims had been freed. However, he was initially reluctant to believe the reports because of the widespread circulation of unverified information during the period of the abduction.

He said his doubts were only dispelled after he came across a social media post by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirming the successful rescue of the victims.

The release of the abductees brought relief to their families, the Oyo State Government and residents, ending weeks of anxiety following the kidnapping incident that raised fresh concerns over insecurity and the safety of schools in the country.

The rescue operation has continued to attract commendation from various stakeholders, including security agencies, community leaders and civil society organisations, while renewed calls have been made for stronger measures to protect educational institutions from criminal attacks.

Orire Kidnap: I Assured Principal’s Husband His Wife Would Return Alive — Senator Buhari

Gunmen Invade Kogi School During NECO Exam, Abduct Principal, Four Students

Armed gunmen on Tuesday invaded a secondary school in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State during the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination, abducting the school principal, four students and a NECO ad hoc official.

The attack, which occurred at Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, also known as GSS Olowa, at about 5:25 p.m., threw the examination centre into panic as candidates and teachers scampered for safety.

Eyewitnesses said the heavily armed assailants stormed the school premises while the examination was in progress and whisked away the victims to an unknown destination before fleeing the scene.

Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command said security operatives had launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving the police, military and other security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, disclosed that one of the abducted students had already been rescued, while efforts were ongoing to free the remaining captives and apprehend the perpetrators.

She said the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, alongside the Brigade Commander and the State Security Adviser, visited the school shortly after the incident to assess the situation and coordinate security operations.

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According to the police spokesperson, additional security personnel have been deployed to the area as investigations continue.

“The Kogi State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has commenced an intensive operation to rescue the remaining victims unhurt and bring the perpetrators to justice,” she said.

The latest abduction has heightened concerns over the security of schools across Nigeria, particularly during national examinations, as students continue to face threats from criminal elements.

The incident comes amid renewed efforts by security agencies to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country. Education stakeholders and residents have called on the Federal Government and the Kogi State Government to strengthen security around schools to safeguard students, teachers and examination officials.

As of the time of filing this report, no group had claimed responsibility for the attack, while authorities assured the public that every effort was being made to secure the release of the remaining abductees.

The attack adds to the growing list of security challenges confronting the nation’s education sector, where schools have increasingly become targets for kidnappers seeking ransom. Parents and community leaders have urged the government to adopt more proactive measures to prevent further attacks and restore confidence in the safety of educational institutions.

Gunmen Invade Kogi School During NECO Exam, Abduct Principal, Four Students

Police Nab Bandit Logistics Supplier, Recover 109 Ammunition Rounds in Kano

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a suspected bandit logistics supplier and recovered an AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, an additional 79 rounds, suspected military uniforms, and other incriminating items in a swift operation at Rimaye Village, Bichi Local Government Area.

The suspect, identified as Mohammed Isah Haruna, 28, of Dan Dinshe Yamma Quarters in Dala Local Government Area, was arrested on Saturday, July 12, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m. following a credible tip-off from a vigilant resident who reported seeing a man dressed in a suspected military uniform at Rimaye Village in Bichi LGA.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, disclosed the development in a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa. According to the statement, operatives from the Bichi Police Division, working in collaboration with members of the Rimawa community, swiftly responded to the tip-off and intercepted the suspect. During a search of his bag, police recovered one AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, an additional 79 rounds of AK-47 ammunition bringing the total to 109 rounds, two sets of suspected military uniforms, three military caps, a suspected fake military identity card, a National Identity Card, a National Identification Number (NIN) slip, a voter’s card, four Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, and a pair of desert boots.

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During interrogation, the suspect confessed that he was in the area to deliver the recovered items to bandits operating in the bush. The police said the suspect remains in custody while a discreet investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected criminal network. The case will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Commissioner Bakori commended members of the Rimawa community for their vigilance and prompt report, describing the arrest as a testament to the effectiveness of community policing. “This arrest underscores the importance of community partnership in policing. We appreciate the Rimawa Community and all good people of Kano for their support. Security is a collective responsibility,” the commissioner said.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led and community-based policing across Kano State’s 44 local government areas in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu. It also urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies to support efforts aimed at combating crime and enhancing public safety. In case of emergencies or to report suspicious activities, the command can be contacted via 08032419755, 08123821575, or 09029292926.

Police Nab Bandit Logistics Supplier, Recover 109 Ammunition Rounds in Kano