Senators link upsurge in banditry, Boko Haram activities to 2027 polls
Senators yesterday linked the current upsurge in banditry and Boko Haram activities to the 2027 elections.
Speaking during discussions on a motion of urgent importance on the many cases of Boko Haram and arm banditry, sponsored by Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau, PDP, Taraba North, both Senators Sunday Karimi, APC, Kogi West and Danjuma Goje, APC, Gombe Central, urged the federal government to look deeper into cases of Boko Haram and the 2027 elections, saying a similar trend trailed the 2015 elections.
Senator Karimi warned that there were similar cases before the 2015 election, where some individuals prepared for violence in case they lost at the polls.
“In the last two weeks alone, several individuals from my senatorial district, up to 20, 25, even 30, have been kidnapped. You may recall that the governor of Borno State recently stated that the resurgence of Boko Haram has been linked to some disgruntled elements within the country, including some individuals in the military, who are allegedly collaborating with the insurgents. We must ask: why? What is the motive behind this? What do they stand to gain?
“Mr. President, you recently constituted a committee on national security, and I believe this matter must be thoroughly investigated. We cannot allow these disgruntled elements to destabilize the country for selfish political interests.
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“We saw similar signs before the 2015 elections, where some individuals prepared for violence in case they lost at the polls. The same pattern appears to be emerging now as we approach the 2027 elections. These attacks may not be random, they may be coordinated efforts by those who feel they are losing political relevance and seek to plunge the country into chaos as a strategy to regain power by force.
“The panel you’ve set up must work closely with our security agencies to expose anyone collaborating with terrorists. These people must be unmasked and held accountable,’’ Karimi said.
On his part, Senator Goje said: “ Mr. President, this isn’t an isolated incident. Crises are erupting across the country, from Karim Lamido to areas in Bauchi, such as Alkaleri, and beyond. We need to ask hard questions: Why now? Why this sudden surge in violence?
“I strongly support Senator Karimi’s call for a deeper investigation. We must determine whether these incidents are linked to the political buildup to 2027. We cannot dismiss this as mere coincidence.
“Yesterday it was Lau. Before that, Alkaleri. Tomorrow, it could be any state in the federation. It’s shameful and deeply troubling that insecurity remains our nation’s greatest challenge.
Breaking: 20 Abducted Corps Members Regain Freedom In Imo
Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and another person abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State have regained their freedom.
The abducted corps members were reportedly rescued on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, bringing relief to their families after days in captivity.
The victims are currently receiving medical treatment at the Department of State Services (DSS) Hospital in Owerri, according to a report confirming their release. (NPO Reports)
The prospective corps members were among passengers travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in the South-East and South-South when gunmen attacked vehicles conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State on October 1.
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The incident triggered a major security operation involving the police, military, DSS and other security agencies as efforts intensified to locate and rescue those taken into captivity.
Earlier reports said the abductors had demanded ransom from the families of the victims, while relatives raised concerns about the safety and wellbeing of the kidnapped graduates.
Security agencies had also deployed additional personnel and operational assets to Imo State as pressure mounted for the safe recovery of the NYSC members.
The latest development means the 20 prospective corps members and another abducted person are now out of captivity and receiving medical attention.
Details of the circumstances surrounding their rescue, including whether any arrests were made or ransom was paid, were not immediately available.
The development is expected to bring significant relief to the families who had spent days seeking the safe return of their loved ones.
Mystery As AAU Lecturer Dies In Hotel After Meeting 21-Year-Old Woman
A senior lecturer at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, Dr Matthew Uwuigbe, has died in a hotel room after meeting a 21-year-old woman, with police detaining three people as they investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Uwuigbe, a lecturer in the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, reportedly died at a hotel in the Mosco area of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, on Monday, October 5.
The Edo State Police Command said it received a report concerning the incident at about 8pm.
According to the police, Uwuigbe had lodged at the hotel and engaged the services of the 21-year-old woman, identified as Angela Defa Jacob.
The police said the lecturer later asked the woman to leave the room and buy water for him.
When she returned, she reportedly found Uwuigbe lying lifeless inside the room and raised an alarm, prompting the hotel management to contact the authorities.
The hotel owner, manager and the woman were subsequently detained to assist the police with their investigation.
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Uwuigbe’s remains were deposited at the Oriaifo Memorial Hospital mortuary, while detectives began investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
The police have not disclosed the cause of death and have not accused the woman or any of the other persons detained of causing the lecturer’s death.
AAU confirmed that Uwuigbe was a member of its academic staff but clarified that the incident occurred outside the university and was unrelated to the institution’s official activities.
The university also clarified that the 21-year-old woman involved in the incident was not an AAU student.
The university’s spokesperson, Otunba Mike Ade Aladenika, described the incident as a private matter that occurred outside the institution.
The police are expected to establish what happened in the hotel room before the lecturer’s death and determine whether any criminal offence was committed.
For now, the circumstances surrounding the AAU lecturer’s death remain under investigation, while the three detained persons are assisting the authorities with inquiries.
Abuja: 33-Year-Old Nabbed While Writing FCT Promotion Exam For Father
A 33-year-old man, Monsuru Musa, has been arrested in Abuja after allegedly impersonating his father and sitting for a Federal Capital Territory Civil Service promotion examination on his behalf.
Musa was reportedly caught on Wednesday, October 7, during the third day of the examination organised by the FCT Civil Service Commission at an examination centre within the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) premises.
Security personnel monitoring the exercise reportedly apprehended him during the test as part of efforts to prevent examination malpractice and impersonation.
During questioning, Musa allegedly admitted that he was not the registered candidate and said he had taken the examination because his father, Musa Mohammed, was unwell.
Mohammed is an employee of the FCT Fire Service.
The younger Musa reportedly told officials that his father was between 67 and 68 years old. However, when questioned separately, Mohammed reportedly said he would turn 60 in February 2027.
The discrepancy prompted further questions from the authorities.
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Mohammed reportedly confirmed that Musa was his biological son and admitted that he had asked him to sit for the examination because of his health condition.
During the questioning, the father reportedly said he completed primary school in 1977 and secondary school in 1982. He also said he travelled to Portugal in 1991 and started working in 2007.
Both father and son were subsequently taken through further questioning and made statements to Department of State Services (DSS) operatives before being handed over to the police for investigation.
The authorities are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged examination impersonation, including whether anyone else was involved and what action should be taken against the individuals.
The incident has renewed attention on efforts to protect the integrity of FCT civil service promotion examinations, particularly as the administration continues to adopt measures aimed at reducing malpractice.
The FCT Civil Service Commission has introduced computer-based testing for promotion exercises as part of efforts to improve transparency and strengthen the assessment process.
The latest incident highlights the authorities’ scrutiny of candidates appearing for promotion examinations and the requirement that registered candidates personally participate in the assessments.
The police investigation is ongoing, and no final decision has been announced on the case.
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