Gunmen abduct Rivers monarch, UNIPORT lecturer, three others - Newstrends
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Gunmen abduct Rivers monarch, UNIPORT lecturer, three others

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Gunmen have seized the monarch of Ikuru town in the Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Aarom Ikuru.

He was said to have been abducted at his residence on Sunday night with some boat travellers, including a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, who were returning to Port Harcourt from Andoni.

They were whisked away by armed men suspected to be pirates.

Spokesman for the monarch, Mr Maurice Ikuru, confirmed the kidnap to The PUNCH on Monday morning.

He said, “Yes, it’s true. It happened about 8:30am or 9pm.”

Spokesman for the Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, also confirmed that some Port Harcourt-bound travellers were kidnapped but was yet to get their identities.

“I can confirm that some persons who were coming back from Andoni were ambushed and kidnapped. Investigation is on-going to get the details,” Omoni stated.

 

 

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Parent allegedly beats female teacher to death in Kogi after disciplining student

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Parent allegedly beats female teacher to death in Kogi after disciplining student

Parent allegedly beats female teacher to death in Kogi after disciplining student

A female teacher has reportedly died after she was allegedly assaulted by an angry parent in Ugbamaka, Okpo District of Olamaboro Local Government Area, Kogi State, in a tragic incident that has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for stronger protection of teachers in Nigeria.

The victim was allegedly attacked by the father of one of her students after she disciplined the child during school activities, according to security analyst and counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama.

Makama, who disclosed the incident on his verified social media platforms, said the parent confronted the teacher over the disciplinary action before allegedly assaulting her, leaving her with fatal injuries.

Although the teacher’s identity has not yet been officially released, the incident has generated concern among education stakeholders and members of the public, who say it reflects growing threats facing teachers in the line of duty.

Describing the incident as heartbreaking, Makama said the attack raises serious concerns about the future of education if teachers can no longer enforce discipline without fear of violence.

“This heartbreaking incident raises serious questions about the future of education and the protection of teachers,” he said.

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He added that schools could become increasingly unsafe if educators are attacked for carrying out their professional responsibilities.

“The education sector appears to be under threat if teachers can no longer discipline students without fearing for their lives.”

The incident has triggered widespread condemnation from residents, education advocates and social media users, many of whom have called for a thorough investigation and swift prosecution of anyone found responsible.

Stakeholders argue that teachers must be able to maintain discipline in classrooms without being exposed to intimidation, harassment or physical attacks.

They also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between schools, parents and community leaders to promote constructive engagement whenever disputes arise over students’ conduct.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kogi State Police Command had not issued an official statement confirming the incident or announcing the arrest of any suspect.

However, residents have urged law enforcement authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation and ensure that justice is served.

The tragic incident has also reignited concerns about violence against educators in Nigeria, with teachers’ unions and civil society organisations calling for improved school safety measures and stronger legal protections for teachers.

Education experts have warned that repeated attacks on teachers could discourage professionals from remaining in the profession and undermine efforts to improve learning outcomes across the country.

Community leaders have appealed for calm while urging parents to resolve grievances through lawful and peaceful channels rather than resorting to violence.

The latest incident adds to growing calls for governments at all levels to strengthen policies that protect teachers and create safer learning environments for both educators and students.

 

Parent allegedly beats female teacher to death in Kogi after disciplining student

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NYSC Trust Fund Bill Awaits Presidential Assent as Reps Promise Innovation Hub

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NYSC Trust Fund Bill Awaits Presidential Assent as Reps Promise Innovation Hub

NYSC Trust Fund Bill Awaits Presidential Assent as Reps Promise Innovation Hub

The National Assembly has passed the NYSC Trust Fund bill into law, awaiting Presidential assent, in a move aimed at transforming the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) into a wealth creation and innovation development hub for young Nigerian graduates. The legislation seeks to provide sustainable funding for infrastructure, skill acquisition, and access to capital for corps members after service.

The National Assembly says it is determined to transform the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) into a wealth creation and innovation development hub for young Nigerian graduates. Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development, Martin Esin, disclosed this when he led members of the committee on an oversight visit to the NYSC Orientation Camp in Port Harcourt. To actualise this, the National Assembly has passed into law the NYSC Trust Fund bill.

Esin said the bill, which is currently awaiting Presidential assent, would help improve infrastructure and operational capacity of the scheme, support training and retraining of corps members in skill acquisition, and facilitate access to capital for corps members after service. He said that when assented to by the President, the trust fund would represent one of the most significant reforms in the history of the NYSC and will transform the scheme from primarily being a platform for national service into a scheme meant for wealth creation, enterprise development, and youth empowerment.

According to the lawmaker, the NYSC has for over five decades remained a bridge across cultures, regions, faiths and ethnic divides, helping to strengthen national cohesion and mutual understanding among Nigerians. He commended the Director-General and staff of the scheme for their professionalism and sacrifice in organising and managing orientation camps across the country, often in difficult circumstances, ensuring the successful orientation of thousands of corps members.

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While congratulating the corps members for their successful graduation and mobilisation for national service, Esin said, “You represent some of the brightest hopes of our country. At a time when the country is navigating economic reforms, technological transformation, and evolving security challenges, the role of young Nigerians in shaping the future has never been in doubt.” He noted that it is as a result of this that the 10th House of Representatives placed youth development at the centre of its legislative agenda, informed by the reality that a nation that invests in its young people is investing in the future. Across several sectors, the House has continued to support ideas aimed at expanding opportunities for education, skill acquisition, innovation, employment, and social cohesion for young graduates.

Esin disclosed that the 10th National Assembly has consistently supported measures aimed at improving the welfare of members of the NYSC. One of such supports is the upward review of corps members’ allowance to N77,000 in line with the national minimum wage. He expressed belief that this increase will significantly encourage corps members to discharge their responsibilities diligently.

The NYSC Trust Fund bill previously faced constitutional hurdles regarding its funding structure. The initial proposal to create a fund operating independently from the Federation Account was deemed unconstitutional under Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that all revenues must be deposited into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. Following a motion for re-committal, the Senate amended the conflicting clause, ensuring compliance with constitutional requirements before sending it for Presidential assent.

The proposed NYSC Trust Fund seeks to provide sustainable funding for the scheme to improve infrastructure and operational capacity, support training and retraining of corps members in skill acquisition, facilitate access to capital for corps members after service, and generally strengthen the capacity of the scheme to contribute effectively to national development. The existing Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, which the Trust Fund would bolster, already provides free practical skills training in over 20 vocational and entrepreneurial tracks to corps members during orientation camp and throughout the service year. Tracks include software development, AI and mobile app development, fashion design, food processing, solar energy installation, agribusiness, and photography, among others. The programme also offers access to SAED business grants, startup kits, mentorship, and the NYSC-BOI ₦2 billion MSME loan facility.

The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has also appealed for public support for the Trust Fund, noting that it would enable the scheme to expand its SAED programme and increase job creation by empowering Corps Members with startup capital. He highlighted that the SAED initiative has already trained over 1.3 million young graduates in vocational skills between 2019 and 2025.

Esin reminded corps members that they also occupy an important position in Nigeria’s democratic process, as many of them will be called upon by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be part of the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

NYSC Trust Fund Bill Awaits Presidential Assent as Reps Promise Innovation Hub

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Troops Rescue 36 Benue Indigenes Held Hostage in Cross River

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Borno: Troops Dismantle ISWAP Roadblock, Rescue 53 Hostages

Troops Rescue 36 Benue Indigenes Held Hostage in Cross River

Nigerian Army troops have successfully rescued 36 indigenes of Benue State who were allegedly held against their will in Imaje Community, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, following a reprisal attack linked to a livestock theft dispute. The timely military operation, conducted on Thursday, prevented further escalation of the crisis and restored calm to the community.

No fewer than 36 indigenes of Benue State have been rescued by Nigerian Army troops in Cross River State. The victims were held hostage in Imaje Community, Yala Local Government Area, following a reprisal attack sparked by a livestock theft dispute that threatened to escalate into a wider communal conflict. Counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama disclosed the incident on Saturday, June 27, 2026, via a post on X (formerly Twitter). According to Makama, troops from the 130 Battalion (Rear), in collaboration with the 341 Artillery Regiment, conducted the operation around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. The troops raided the location and successfully rescued all the hostages.

The rescued victims reportedly told security operatives that the incident began after an indigene of Imaje Community was allegedly attacked by some youths from Benue State over the theft of livestock. The attack on the Imaje indigene triggered anger among community members, who vowed to retaliate against Benue residents living in the area. In retaliation, some members of the Imaje Community targeted Benue residents living in the area, attacking them and holding them against their will. The victims, who are predominantly farmers and traders, were reportedly confined in various locations within the community, with some allegedly subjected to physical abuse and intimidation during their captivity.

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The Nigerian Army‘s intervention came after security agencies received intelligence reports about the hostage situation. The troops from the 130 Battalion (Rear) and the 341 Artillery Regiment were deployed to the area and conducted a coordinated raid on the community. The operation was carried out with precision to avoid civilian casualties and ensure the safe rescue of all hostages. Makama confirmed that the troops successfully rescued all 36 victims and that calm has been restored in the community. The timely military operation prevented further escalation of the conflict and averted what could have degenerated into a full-blown communal crisis between Benue and Cross River residents in the area.

Security agencies are maintaining a presence in the area to forestall any renewed violence, while investigations into the incident are ongoing. Troops have been deployed to monitor the situation and prevent any reprisal attacks from either side. Community leaders from both Benue and Cross River states have been engaged to help de-escalate tensions and promote peaceful coexistence among residents.

The hostage crisis had created significant tension in the border communities between Benue and Cross River states, with many Benue residents living in the area fearing for their safety. The rescue operation has brought relief to the affected families and the broader Benue community in Cross River State. The Benue State Government has expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army for the successful rescue operation. Officials have also called on both states to strengthen collaboration to prevent future occurrences of such conflicts, which often arise from minor disputes that escalate into larger crises.

Troops Rescue 36 Benue Indigenes Held Hostage in Cross River

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