Terrorists abduct Zamfara villagers, Imo politician, demand new naira – Newstrends
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Terrorists abduct Zamfara villagers, Imo politician, demand new naira

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Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Kolo Yusuf

Suspected terrorists have abducted four persons consisting a man, woman and two children, in Kolo village, in the Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that following the victims’ abduction, the suspects demanded N10m ransom and rejected the old naira notes.

An indigene in the area, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the bandits later reduced the ransom to N5m, adding that people in the village had been trying to raise the money to secure the safe release of the victims.

“As we were trying to gather the money demanded by the terrorists, they sent another message this morning that they would not collect old naira notes.

“They said they would keep the abducted persons in their camps until the release of the new naira notes in December,” Ibrahim said.

Calls made to the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Mohammed Shehu, and the state Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, rang out.

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Text messages sent to their mobile numbers were yet to be responded to as of the time of filing this report.

In another development on Tuesday, gunmen kidnapped a politician of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Nduka Anyanwu, in Imo State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Anyanwu, who is one of the party’s House of Assembly candidates, was campaigning with his supporters when the gunmen invaded the rally and whisked him away.

Narrating how the abduction happened, a source said, “The gunmen stopped him (Anyanwu) on the way as he was going to finalise arrangements for his polling agents. We are yet to ascertain where they took him to and the kidnappers are yet to make any contact.”

Contacted, the APGA Chairman in the state, John Iwuala, who confirmed the kidnap, said the politician had been freed.

Iwuala said, “Yes, our candidate was kidnapped early this morning, but just as we were about to report it officially, we heard that the kidnappers had released him. The kidnappers collected all he had with him as at the time he was kidnapped.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mike Abattam, said he was yet to be informed about the incident.

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Catholic priest quits Christianity, joins traditional religion in Anambra

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Ex-Catholic priest AEchezona Obiagbaosogu

Catholic priest quits Christianity, joins traditional religion in Anambra

A Catholic priest, Echezona Obiagbaosogu, has announced his resignation from the church to join African traditional religion.

Obiagbaosogu, a lecturer in African Traditional Religion at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, disclosed this after recently defending his PhD dissertation titled ‘Rainmaking and Control in Igbo African Medicine: A Case Study of Isieke in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State,’ according to an interview published by Starconnect Media.

In his doctoral research, Obiagbaosogu looked into the ancient African practice of rainmaking.

According to his findings, rainmaking involves a combination of natural elements, spiritual communication, and what he describes as African science.

He argued that rainmakers, known as “debia ogwu” in Igbo culture, utilise herbs, roots, and hydroscopic stones to interact with the atmosphere and influence rainfall.

Obiagbaosogu explained that there were three distinct methods of rainmaking: the use of clay tripods and concoctions, coldrone structures with fermented herbs, and psycho-spiritual techniques that rely on the power of the human mind.

Speaking about his journey, Obiagbaosogu, who was a priest for 17 years, said his decision stemmed from a deep curiosity about African spirituality and the art of rainmaking.

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He described his transition as a quest to reconnect with the cultural values and spiritual practices that have been undermined by colonial influences.

“I have come to realise that my true calling is to serve my people through the ancient traditions of our ancestors. I was a Catholic priest for 17 years before resigning to embrace the traditional African religion. The topic of my research is ‘Rainmaking and Control in Igbo African Medicine: A case study of Isieke in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State’.”

Obiagbaosogu shared that his upbringing played a significant role in shaping his beliefs, noting that his father, a Christian who still valued traditional medicinal practices, and his maternal grandfather, a traditionalist, inspired his appreciation for nature and indigenous knowledge.

He said these early influences sparked his interest in rainmaking, which became the focus of his academic research.

“Everything about this research stems from my curiosity about nature and God. The research reflects my curiosity about spirituality and the nature of God. As a priest, I had the opportunity to work in health sectors, and I understand what health is all about,” he said.

While still a seminary student, he stressed that he witnessed a family friend demonstrate rainmaking, an experience that set him on a path of academic and spiritual exploration.

“My research in rainmaking and control is rooted in finding the truth and understanding how native doctors contribute to preserving African values. I discovered that it is indeed a reality and done by dibia (native doctors). I am not turning my back on God, but rather, I am embracing the divine in a more meaningful and authentic way.”

During his research, Obiagbaosogu said he spent months studying with a renowned native doctor, learning the intricacies of rainmaking and its connection to Igbo spirituality.

He emphasised that traditional African practices should be viewed as science rather than superstition.

 

Catholic priest quits Christianity, joins traditional religion in Anambra

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EFCC saved 79-year-old grandma from Abuja land grabbers – Group

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EFCC saved 79-year-old grandma from Abuja land grabbers – Group

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been commended for recovering property belonging to a 79-year-old grandmother, Hajia Colleen Mero Yesufu, in Abuja.

The agency secured an interim forfeiture order and began reclaiming the property after investigations revealed alleged fraud, forgery, and conspiracy in connection with the land.

This was disclosed during a World Press Conference held in Abuja by the Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT).

Barrister Maxwell Opara, the group’s Executive Director, highlighted the EFCC’s professional approach to the matter and raised concerns about delays in justice from other institutions.

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According to Opara, Hajia Yesufu became the owner of a property in Guzape, Abuja, in 2010 but discovered in 2023 that it had been illegally developed and sold.

Her legal representatives petitioned the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and law enforcement agencies. The FCTA identified irregularities, including forged documents allegedly used to claim ownership and obtain building permits.

The EFCC, acting on petitions from the victim’s lawyers, conducted a detailed investigation, uncovering fraudulent activities linked to the property. Their efforts led to a Federal High Court order enabling the agency to begin restoring the property to its rightful owner.

Opara alleged that previous investigations by other agencies were inconclusive, resulting in prolonged distress for Hajia Yesufu and her family. Despite petitions to various authorities, progress was only achieved after the EFCC stepped in.

The activist urged the EFCC to finalize its work by ensuring all parties implicated in the alleged fraud are brought before the court.

 

EFCC saved 79-year-old grandma from Abuja land grabbers – Group

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Tinubu splits Nigerian Aviation College into six campuses

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu splits Nigerian Aviation College into six campuses

President Bola Tinubu has announced the division of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State, into six campuses.

The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) shared this development on Wednesday through its official X account.

“President Bola Tinubu has decided to split the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria–Kaduna State, into six campuses to ensure efficiency, national coverage, and smooth operations,” the post stated.

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According to the APC Ondo State chapter, the six campuses will be distributed across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

The campuses will be located in Akure (Southwest), Osubi (South-South), and Ebonyi (Southeast), while others will be established in Ilorin (North Central), Yola (Northeast), and Zaria (Northwest).

Tinubu splits Nigerian Aviation College into six campuses

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