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We paid N6.6m for our girls’ release – Katsina community .No ransom was paid, Zamfara govt insists
A community in Katsina State, where 26 girls were abducted by bandits, has countered the claim by the Zamfara State Government that no ransom was paid to secure their release from captivity.
Indeed, the community said they paid over N6m to the kidnappers as ransom for the release of the abducted girls
The girls were said to have been randomly picked from houses in Garin Aja on October 13, 2020, only to be released on November 6. The community shares border with Zamfara State, Daily Trust reports.
“Those abducted included girls and spinsters. The bandits moved from house to house and selected their victims,” one of the sources said.
“The abductors did not bother to pick children or the old; they carefully selected girls and young women who either lost their husbands or divorced. They also asked their parents to pay a ransom and get their wards back. The parents simply complied because they want their children back and safely,” another source said.
The Zamfara State Government delegation, led by the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Dauran, handed over the 26 girls to Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari at the weekend.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communication, Zailani Bappa, told Daily Trust last night that the girls were released after negotiations and dialogue with the armed bandits.
Governor Bello Matawalle had earlier tweeted that: “I interacted with 26 rescued girls after medical professionals have ascertained their physical and mental fitness following days of trauma suffered in kidnappers den.
“The young girls kidnapped from Katsina State were rescued on 6/11/2020 as a result of our intervention.”
But the village head of Dan-Aji, Alhaji Lawal Dogara, told newsmen on Monday in Katsina that the community paid N6.6 million ransom to free the girls.
“The governor of Zamfara State should stop claiming credit for the release of our women because we paid for their release,” Dogara said.
He said two community leaders, Alhaji Abdulkarim Dan Aji and Liman Babangida Dan-Aji, trekked for three days into the forest to deliver the ransom to the bandits.
Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed an attack on the state government delegation returning from Katsina State where they handed over the rescued girls to Katsina State Government.
The command’s spokesman, Muhammad Shehu, in a statement on Monday, said the delegation was caught in the crossfire between two warring bandit groups who were fighting for supremacy at Dogon Karfe, Gidan Jaja along Zurmi – Jibiya Road in Zurmi local government.
“Unfortunately, a driver in the delegation died in the crossfire. Immediately, the combined Police and Military personnel rushed to the scene to strengthen the existing escort of the delegation,” Shehu added.
Kidnapping is a recurrent decimal in Zamfara, Katsina and the North West in general.
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Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations
Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo met privately with ex-military ruler General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at Babangida’s residence in Minna, Niger State, in a closed-door meeting that has sparked widespread speculation about potential political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, drew attention as both leaders emerged as key elder statesmen whose counsel and influence are often sought by Nigeria’s political elite. Neither Obasanjo nor Babangida spoke to journalists after the session, and no official statement was released, fueling discussions about behind-the-scenes strategic planning and coalition-building for 2027.
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Political analysts note that such high-profile consultations are common ahead of major elections, as party leaders, former presidents, and influential figures explore alliances, policy priorities, and national governance strategies. Observers also link this meeting to recent PDP and APC elder consultations, signaling continued efforts by senior politicians to shape the electoral landscape.
The rendezvous underscores Obasanjo’s continuing role as a political kingmaker, leveraging his network and experience to influence party strategies, candidate selection, and national discourse. With the 2027 elections approaching, similar closed-door meetings among Nigeria’s top political figures are expected to intensify in the coming months.
Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations
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Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing
Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing
There has been widespread anger in Borno State after the All Progressives Congress (APC) omitted Vice‑President Kashim Shettima from the official banner at the party’s North‑East zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments in Maiduguri. The banner, which featured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the five APC governors from the region, and the party’s National Legal Adviser, conspicuously left out Shettima, a native of Borno State.
The omission prompted immediate backlash from party leaders, including Abdulkarim Lawan, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, who described it as “provocative and unfair,” stressing that it was inappropriate to sideline a senior party official in his home state. The speaker recalled a similar controversy at an APC event in Gombe State last year, highlighting persistent sensitivities within the party’s North‑East faction.
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Attendees of the Maiduguri hearing, convened to discuss proposed constitutional amendments, expressed support for Lawan’s remarks, with loud applause and calls for the Vice‑President’s recognition. In response, the APC Deputy National Chairman dismissed the exclusion as an oversight by organisers, insisting there was no intention to diminish Shettima’s status and affirming that the hearing’s focus remained on party reforms rather than politics.
The incident comes amid speculation about internal APC dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections, including questions around representation and leadership within the North‑East. Analysts note that repeated omissions of Shettima at high-profile events could fuel perceptions of internal rifts and affect party cohesion in the region.
Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing
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How to Become a United Nations Online Volunteer in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
How to Become a United Nations Online Volunteer in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
Becoming a United Nations Online Volunteer in 2026 offers individuals the opportunity to contribute to global development, peacebuilding and humanitarian causes without leaving their homes. Through the UN Online Volunteering Programme, managed by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), skilled and passionate people can support UN agencies and partner organisations remotely.
The UN Online Volunteering initiative connects volunteers with assignments aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), covering areas such as research, digital communications, translation, data analysis, advocacy, and project support. Assignments are flexible, fully remote and open to applicants from all countries.
To be eligible, applicants must be 18 years and above. There are no nationality restrictions, and many online roles do not require formal academic qualifications, although relevant skills and experience are often essential. Online volunteering positions are unpaid, but successful participants receive an official UNV certificate, which can strengthen career profiles and international exposure.
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Interested candidates are required to register on the Unified Volunteering Platform (UVP), the official portal for all UN volunteering opportunities. After creating an account, applicants must complete their profiles with detailed information on skills, languages and interests. Volunteers can then search for available online UN volunteer opportunities and apply directly through the platform.
Assignments typically last between a few weeks and three months, with flexible time commitments that can fit around work or studies. Recent and ongoing opportunities include roles supporting UNDP, UNICEF, and civil society partners in areas such as social media outreach, SDG advocacy, research support and community engagement.
Experts say the programme is increasingly attracting young professionals, students and freelancers seeking international experience, especially amid rising interest in remote work and global digital collaboration. With preparations already underway for major UN campaigns in 2026, including global volunteerism initiatives, demand for online volunteers is expected to grow.
The United Nations Volunteers programme encourages interested individuals to apply early and regularly update their profiles to improve their chances of selection, as new opportunities are posted frequently.
How to Become a United Nations Online Volunteer in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
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