metro
Why Bethel Baptist’s Head Boy agreed to leave kidnappers’ den
Of the four students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna, still with their kidnappers, one, the school’s Head Boy, who had refused to leave, has come home.
Recall that that in the early hours of July 5, gunmen invaded Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria, and kidnapped 153 students.
Since, the kidnappers have been collecting ransoms and releasing the captives in bacthes.
However, the Head Boy had refused to join those coming home, stating that as long as a student was still in captivity, he won’t come home.
But he fell ill and the bandits ask for N5 million ransom. It was paid and the boy came home, now taking treatment.
The Bethel Head Boy’s predicament was revealed by Vice chairman of CAN (North) and its Chairman in Kaduna State, Rev. Joseph John Hayab.
He said it while narrating how some of the released students that had missed their O’level exams, while in the kidnappers’ den, were denied any consideration by the National Examination Council, NECO.
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‘Head Boy is a hero’
Hayab said: “Two days ago, the bandits released one boy out of the four Bethel Baptist High School students, that are with them.
“It was the Head Boy. He had refused to come back in all the times students were freed.
“But he fell terribly ill because of the long time they’ve been in the bush. So the bandits had to put pressure on us for another money.
“They insist that for the four people we must pay a fresh N5 million per person.
“But when we made efforts and almost that N5 million was given to them, they released only the Head Boy, who actually is weak and down.
“He has tried. He had refused to come home, saying until every student is back that, he cannot leave.
“But because of ill health, he had to be released; but we had to pay money.
“That boy is worth celebrating. If at his age he can display that kind of leadership, we are so impressed.
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“Nigerians need to know that our students are still with these bandits. All the Bethel Baptist High School students have not come back.
“Three are still with them now since they have released the Head boy.
“They are demanding from us N5 million per head for the remaining three. We have paid them huge sum of money, but look at how they are treating us.
“This makes us ask questions. All this shutting down of network, what has happened to it
“Have we not used it to track criminals? Have we not used it that these bandits could still keep our children to be demanding money from us?
“Because our understanding is that the security agents would’ve been able to track them.”
Vanguard
metro
Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack
Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack
Early Wednesday morning, gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area.
The assailants reportedly arrived around 6:18 a.m. in a white Lexus SUV (model 350/400) and launched an assault that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.
A military source, who wished to remain anonymous, provided details of the incident but could not confirm the exact number of attackers involved.
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Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.
“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”
The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.
The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.
Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack
metro
94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters
94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters
At least 94 illegal occupants and squatters along the railway corridor from Pen Cinema to Fagba were arrested by the Lagos State Taskforce in an early morning sting operation on Wednesday.
During the raid, substances suspected to be hard drugs—such as Indian hemp, colorado, and other harmful drugs—were seized, along with various weapons.
It was gathered that those arrested attempted to resist the task force’s actions.
In a statement, Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed that those arrested will face prosecution.
He added that the agency dismantled shanties and makeshift structures along the railway corridor, clearing a distance of some kilometers.
The Taskforce Chairman Adetayo Akerele explained that the eviction aimed to provide relief for residents around the Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema railway routes, following numerous complaints from the public about criminal activities in the area.
He noted that the squatting had violated environmental and sanitary regulations.
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Akerele also highlighted the health and safety risks posed by the presence of squatters along the rail corridor.
He warned the evicted individuals not to return and assured residents and train passengers that regular patrols and surveillance would be conducted to prevent the re-establishment of shanties in the area.
“The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught converting this place into a den of criminals or an area of residence will face severe consequences according to the law,” Akerele was quoted as saying.
Speaking on the raid, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that a locally fabricated short gun was recovered.
“94 suspects were arrested during the midnight operation; a locally fabricated short gun and several wraps of illicit substance suspected to be indian hemp, charm and a jack knife were recovered.
“The suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” Wahab stated in a post on X.
94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters
metro
Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has swept out all Board, Parastatal, and Agency appointees from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, in a decisive move to overhaul the state’s public service.
A statement released on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the immediate dismissal of all political appointees and Permanent Secretaries brought in from outside the state Civil Service.
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The statement reads:
“For the information of the general public, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the dissolution of Executives of all Boards, Agencies, and Parastatals in the Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.
“In addition, all Permanent Secretaries appointed from outside the State Public/Civil Service and all Political Appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.”
Affected individuals have been directed to return all government property in their possession to the senior Public Officers in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
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