By Tunde Rahman The recent abduction of schoolchildren in Ahoro-Esiele Community, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, remains deeply distressing. On May 15, 2026, heartless kidnappers abducted 38 schoolchildren, killing one teacher in a heinous assault on our nation’s security and educational system. The Nigerian Union of Teachers and students across the country have taken to the streets in protest. The action is understandable. However, this and similar tragic incidents should never be used as political fodder, especially in the midst of our country’s challenging security situation. Anyone who has fallen victim to kidnapping or is a close relation…
Author: Khadijah Olowode
By Lanre Adewole True, the Yoruba believe that those burdened by hunger pangs are unmoved by other issues around them. We can call them the tifun loran (belly only) clan. Do we then say that was the reading of the Oyo school mass kidnapping by the Bola Tinubu presidency, which offered grieving parents with toddlers in captivity rice and undisclosed (either paltry or wad) sums of money, exactly two weeks after the dastardly act? The presidential delegation to the raided community was supposed to deliver comfort and assurance to the traumatised residents with their loved ones in kidnappers’ den, but…
In a move aimed at addressing food insecurity, farmer-herder conflicts and economic challenges across Nigeria and the Sahel region, the WANILTU Academy, National Association of Farmers in Nigeria (NADFAN), LAS Family Network Nigeria and Paradigm News have entered into a strategic partnership to promote sustainable agriculture, peacebuilding and community development. The alliance, announced in a joint statement, seeks to leverage the expertise and networks of the four organisations to strengthen agricultural productivity, improve livelihoods, foster social cohesion and create economic opportunities for vulnerable communities. The initiative comes at a time when many parts of Nigeria and the wider Sahel continue…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, intercepting a massive consignment of opioids concealed in a truck carrying building materials in Taraba State and arresting a 75-year-old suspected drug dealer in Ebonyi State. The operations, which also led to the arrest of four notorious female drug dealers in Edo, Imo, Kano and Gombe states, underscore the agency’s continuing efforts to dismantle drug supply networks across the country. According to a statement on Sunday, 7 June, 2026, by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the biggest seizure was recorded in…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola The family of Chief Adebayo Adelabu has expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, security agencies and Nigerians following the successful rescue of Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her twin sons, Peter and Paul, who were recently abducted in Oyo State. In a statement issued by Adelabu’s Media Aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, the family said the safe rescue of the victims demonstrated the effectiveness of collective action, cooperation and intelligence-driven security operations. The family confirmed that Mrs. Adegoke and her children were rescued unharmed and are in good condition. “We are delighted to announce that…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola The Nigeria Police Force has rescued Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, three days after they were abducted in Ibadan, Oyo State, during a coordinated operation that left two suspected kidnappers dead, reports thegazellenews.com Mrs John-Paul is the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu. The rescue operation was carried out at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, 6 June, 2026, by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department-Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) in Ibadan. Police said the breakthrough followed days of sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and tactical operations that enabled…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has marked its 51st anniversary with a major environmental cleanup campaign in Senegal, underscoring the regional bloc’s growing commitment to tackling plastic pollution and promoting sustainable development across West Africa. The exercise, tagged the “Plastic-free ECOWAS” campaign, was held on June 5 at Hann Bay in Dakar and brought together ECOWAS officials, environmental agencies, community leaders and youth volunteers in a collective effort to restore the coastal environment and raise awareness about the dangers posed by plastic waste. The initiative was led by Fatou Sow Sarr, Commissioner for Human Development and Social…
The Federal Government has announced that the screening exercise for Nigerians in South Africa who registered for evacuation will conclude today, paving the way for final arrangements to bring them back home. A message by the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa on a WhatsApp platform, stated that the screening process began on Thursday, 4 June, 2026, and is being conducted jointly by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the South African Police Service, and immigration authorities. He noted that the exercise is aimed at verifying and clearing Nigerians…
By Chris Ujah The Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) has fixed June 9, 2026, for an interactive oversight session with the Commission’s leadership following a request by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Mark Okoye, to reschedule an earlier meeting slated for June 2. In a letter signed by the Committee Clerk, Barrister Tagbo Okeke, the Senate approved the new date and directed the Commission to appear alongside members of its Board, Executive Directors and relevant management staff. According to the Committee, the engagement is part of its constitutional oversight responsibilities aimed at reviewing…
In line with its commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible business practices, Zenith Bank Plc has commemorated the 2026 World Environment Day with a two-phase environmental clean-up initiative in Lagos State, held under the global theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.” The first phase was a morning clean-up conducted by staff of the Bank on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, along Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The exercise mobilised employees to clear waste, sensitise residents on proper disposal practices, and reinforce the Bank’s culture of community service and environmental stewardship. The second phase, on Thursday, 4 June…