News
Kidnappers ask for N270m ransom to release nine ABU students
Gunmen who kidnapped nine students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, along the Kaduna-Abuja highway on Sunday, have demanded N30m on each of the students as their ransom.
The kidnappers have reportedly reached out to the families of the abducted students, asking for N30m ransom on each person.
A female relative of one of the kidnapped students told the Voice of America (VOA) Hausa Service monitored in Kaduna that the kidnappers had reached out to the family demanding N30m per student.
She pleaded with the kidnappers to have mercy and release the victims, saying they were only students.
One of the students, who was in the bus in which they were abducted but succeeded in escaping, Dickson Oko, also confirmed this to DailyTrust.
He said he was devastated by the thought of his colleagues in captivity.
Oko and the bus driver, Nuruddeen Mohammed, told Daily Trust that 12 of them were on the bus but nine students were kidnapped.
The students, who were on their way to the French Village in Lagos for their language immersion programme, were trapped at the Akilubu-Gidan Busa axis on the highway when gunmen blocked both lanes of the road and opened fire on motorists.
The university has confirmed that eight people were kidnapped. But Mohammed, the driver, said he had 12 students in the bus – 10 females and two males.
He succeeded in evading the kidnappers and returned to Kaduna with three students while the whereabouts of the remaining nine are unknown.
Mohammed said they were trapped sometime around 3pm at Busa, a few kilometres after Akilubu.
“Immediately they came on the road, the armed men opened fire. They shot two of the students in the bus, and we noticed that they had erected a roadblock behind us and another in front. There was another roadblock mounted on the other lane. So the only thing I could do was to stop,” he said.
He said with gunshots directed at their bus and other vehicles ahead of them, he suggested to the students to get ready to flee, adding, “I opened the door and crawled into the grass. The gunshots were everywhere; the person on the passenger’s seat in front also came down even though he was shot. I crossed onto the other lane. I never knew I would survive because there were gunshots directed at me.”
He said he saw the gunmen open fire at a Gulf car with people in it. He said the attack, which scared him, aided his decision to run.
“I can’t say how many people were killed but what scared me was how they opened fire at the Gulf car even though it had stopped and there were people in it. But the bandits opened fire and kept shooting. That was when I decided that it was better they killed me while on the run than face a gruesome fate in the vehicle,” he added.
News
National grid collapses again, second time in three days
National grid collapses again, second time in three days
For the second time in three days, the nation has been thrown into darkness as the national electricity grid experienced another collapse on Thursday.
This was announced on the official X handle of the National Grid, with a caption ”Another Grid Setback Experienced.”
The grid first collapsed this week on Tuesday as reported by many media including newstrends.ng. plunging the nation into a total darkness for almost 24 hours before it was restored.
The latest incident was also confirmed by many electricity distribution companies.
A statement signed by the JosDisco’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Friday Adakole, read, “The current outage being experienced within our franchise states is a result of a loss of power supply from the national grid. “The loss of power supply from the national grid occurred this morning at about 11:28 AM on Thursday, 7th November 2024, hence the loss of power supply on all our feeders.
“We hope to restore normal power supply to our esteemed customers as soon as the grid supply is restored to normalcy. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we strive to serve you better.”
The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) also confirmed the latest collapse in a message to customers.
The DisCo said, “Please be informed that we experienced a system outage today, 07 November 2024, at 11:29 hours, affecting supply within our network.”
IKEDC said efforts to restore power were underway in collaboration with key stakeholders.
News
Nigeria needs divine intervention for economic Stability – Tinubu Support Group
Nigeria needs divine intervention for economic Stability – Tinubu Support Group
The Disciples of Jagaban, a group supporting President Bola Tinubu, has defended the upcoming national prayers, emphasizing the need for divine intervention to help address Nigeria’s economic challenges.
The prayers, set to be led by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, have sparked mixed reactions from the public.
While some, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have criticized the plan, others see it as necessary given current economic struggles.
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Adegoke Alawuje, National Coordinator of Disciples of Jagaban, stressed that President Tinubu’s administration faces complex economic issues that require more than just policy measures. He urged Nigerians to recognize the president’s accomplishments rather than focus on criticism.
“President Tinubu’s policies are not punishments but survival strategies,” Alawuje said. “Just like a caring doctor who continues treatment despite the patient’s discomfort, the president knows these efforts will ultimately bring relief.”
Alawuje also praised Tinubu’s administration for reducing Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio by 32% within 17 months, calling it a significant accomplishment. He encouraged Nigerians to continue praying for the president and his efforts to stabilize the economy.
Nigeria needs divine intervention for economic Stability – Tinubu Support Group
News
Lagbaja: National flag at half-mast as Remi Tinubu visits widow
Lagbaja: National flag at half-mast as Remi Tinubu visits widow
President Bola Tinubu has directed that the national flag must be flown half-mast as Nigeria mourns its Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who died after a brief illness.
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has paid a condolence visit to the widow of the departed Chief of Army Staff.
Secretary to the of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said President Tinubu gave the directive of the flag flying at half-mast on Wednesday.
A statement signed for Akume by Mr Segun Imohiosen, Director, Information and Public Relations Office of SGF (OSGF) read, “The President has directed that National Flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army Chief.”
In another statement, the First Lady expressed condolences, praising the COAS for his exemplified valor.
She stated, “It is with a heavy heart that I received the sad news of the demise of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja. ”Throughout his career, the late Chief of Army Staff exemplified valor, patriotism, and unwavering dedication to the service of our dear country.
“I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Mrs Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja, children, family, friends, colleagues and associates.
“May Almighty God comfort and grant them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
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