Gunmen Abduct 19 in Rivers, Imo, Including Rivers State University Students - Newstrends
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Gunmen Abduct 19 in Rivers, Imo, Including Rivers State University Students

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Some Nigerian policemen

Gunmen Abduct 19 in Rivers, Imo, Including Rivers State University Students

At least 19 people were abducted by gunmen in Rivers and Imo states on Monday and Tuesday, including five students from Rivers State University (RSU), highlighting growing insecurity in the South-South and South-East regions.

In Rivers State, the victims were reportedly kidnapped at gunpoint from off-campus accommodation at RSU’s Emohua Satellite Campus in Emohua Local Government Area. The students had earlier protested persistent attacks and harassment by suspected cultists, requesting relocation to the main campus in Port Harcourt. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, had previously ruled out closing or relocating the campus, assuring that security measures were being implemented with local authorities.

A student who narrowly escaped the attack said gunmen shot at him while abducting others. Rivers State Police spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the abductions, describing the perpetrators as cultists and stating that tactical units had been deployed to rescue the students.

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Meanwhile, in Imo State, gunmen suspected to be herdsmen hijacked an Aba-bound bus with 14 passengers at Ngor Okpala. Eyewitnesses said the attackers emerged from the bush, fired shots, and took control of the vehicle, causing panic among other road users. This follows a string of similar attacks in the area, including kidnappings in May and subsequent incidents in which passengers were abducted and two people killed.

The attacks come amid heightened national security concerns. On Monday, President Bola Tinubu nominated General Christopher Musa, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, as the new Minister of Defence following the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru. Musa is expected to be screened by the Nigerian Senate this week as part of efforts to strengthen the government’s response to banditry, terrorism, and other threats.

The House of Representatives also urged the federal government to apprehend the murderers of five police officers killed in Bauchi last week, reflecting growing alarm over Nigeria’s security situation.

Authorities in both states have deployed tactical police units to pursue the abductors and secure the release of the victims, while investigations continue.

Gunmen Abduct 19 in Rivers, Imo, Including Rivers State University Students

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From Royal Wedding to Courtroom War: Gana’s Son, Wife in Explosive Split

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From Royal Wedding to Courtroom War: Gana’s Son, Wife in Explosive Split

What began as one of Nigeria’s most glamorous society weddings in 2014 has reportedly unraveled into a tense legal showdown, marked by allegations, silence, and an escalating custody dispute.

When James Gana, son of elder statesman and former Minister of Information Jerry Gana, married Akwa Ibom royal figure Jessica Edet, the ceremony drew national attention. Political heavyweights, traditional rulers, and high society figures gathered in Akwa Ibom State to witness what many described as a symbolic union of influence and prestige.

More than a decade later, that image of unity has sharply faded.

Cracks Beneath the Surface

Multiple sources familiar with the situation indicate that the marriage had been under strain for some time before the situation escalated into formal legal action. While details remain closely guarded, insiders suggest that irreconcilable differences may have led to the breakdown.

It is alleged that James Gana filed for divorce, though official court documents have not been made public to confirm this claim.

Custody Battle Emerges

At the center of the dispute is the couple’s son, with both parties reportedly seeking custody. Legal observers note that such battles, especially among high-profile families, often become prolonged and emotionally charged.

Family law practitioners contacted by our correspondent explain that Nigerian courts typically prioritize the welfare of the child, but outcomes can vary depending on circumstances presented during proceedings.

Allegations and Social Media Noise

The case has also been complicated by a wave of unverified claims circulating online, including controversial accusations targeted at Jessica Edet. Terms and insinuations trending on social media have added a layer of public scrutiny, though none of these claims have been substantiated in court.

Observers warn that such narratives, often amplified without evidence, risk distorting public perception and inflaming an already delicate situation.

Silence from Key Parties

Efforts to obtain official statements from both James Gana and Jessica Edet have so far yielded no response. Associates close to the families have also declined to comment, citing the sensitivity of the matter and ongoing legal proceedings.

From Celebration to Litigation

The reported breakdown of the marriage highlights how even the most celebrated unions can face private challenges far removed from public glamour. What was once a widely admired relationship has now become a subject of legal scrutiny and public speculation.

As proceedings continue, attention remains fixed on the courtroom, where the final outcome—particularly regarding custody—will likely define the next chapter of this high-profile separation.

From Royal Wedding to Courtroom War: Gana’s Son, Wife in Explosive Split

 

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Three Feared Dead as Journalists’ Bus Crashes on Enugu–Onitsha Expressway

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Three Feared Dead as Journalists’ Bus Crashes on Enugu–Onitsha Expressway

At least three persons have been confirmed dead following a tragic motor accident along the notorious Onyeama Hills axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway in Enugu.

The accident involved a black Toyota Sienna bus conveying journalists who were reportedly on an official assignment to Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state. Several occupants of the vehicle sustained injuries of varying degrees.

Among those injured are Chimaroke Ugwu, a reporter with Nigerian Television Authority and Chairman of the NTA Chapel, alongside his cameraman, Jerry. Also affected are Kelechi Ehirim, a reporter with African Independent Television and Secretary of the Private Broadcast Chapel, as well as his cameraman, Ifeanyi Ogbodo.

The identities of the deceased victims were yet to be confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps and the police were at the scene carrying out rescue operations and managing traffic to prevent further incidents.

The Onyeama Hills stretch of the expressway has long been regarded as a high-risk corridor due to its steep terrain and frequent record of accidents. Authorities have commenced investigations to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.

Further updates are expected as more details emerge.

 

Three Feared Dead as Journalists’ Bus Crashes on Enugu–Onitsha Expressway

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How Gunmen Storm Akure Clinic, Abduct Three Health Workers

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How Gunmen Storm Akure Clinic, Abduct Three Health Workers

Akure, Ondo State – In a brazen late-night raid, armed men abducted three health workers from a Primary Health Clinic in Ijebu, a suburb of Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The security guard on duty, Olawale Yaya, told TVC News that the attackers executed the operation with alarming precision. According to him, the assailants arrived in a high-end SUV, which he identified as either a Toyota Venza or a Lexus. The vehicle was parked outside the clinic before the abduction.

“They took three staff members. The gunmen parked on the road. They came with an expensive jeep. It looks like a Toyota Venza or Lexus SUV. It’s not a small sedan car. It’s an SUV. It’s not a bus. It’s a high-end SUV. The gunmen even pressed a button to open the boot. After opening it, they forced the three people inside and drove off,” Yaya recounted.

The attackers specifically targeted staff members who were on duty, assaulting them before forcing them into the boot of their vehicle. The guard described the assailants’ familiarity with the vehicle as “disturbing,” noting how they effortlessly operated the automatic boot before making their escape.

Security agencies in the state have been alerted, and investigations are ongoing to locate the kidnapped health workers and apprehend the perpetrators.

 

How Gunmen Storm Akure Clinic, Abduct Three Health Workers

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