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Local, regional and national news and views that matter. Plus audience reports to prevent crime, reward local heroes and record history.

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The abduction of the Chibok girls in 2014 triggered a global movement. One school abduction was enough to unite Nigerians, attract international attention, and place enormous pressure on the government through the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.

Yet, what has happened since then should trouble every Nigerian.

Under President Buhari’s eight years in office, Nigeria witnessed about ten school abductions. Under President Tinubu’s administration, in just three years, we have already recorded over ten school abductions.

Despite these repeated tragedies, there has been neither sustained national outrage nor significant international attention comparable to what followed Chibok.

This raises an important question: have we become so accustomed to insecurity that what once shocked our national conscience is now treated as normal?

Read full article here
https://t.co/XtLSOc475W

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The 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) got off to a dark start on Thursday across several centres in Oyo, Lagos, Ogun and Osun states.

Due to the late arrival of examination materials, several candidates were forced to sit for papers late into the evening.

On Monday, candidates reportedly waited several hours before writing the Physics Essay and Objective papers, which were scheduled for 2pm and 3:30pm respectively.

The delays persisted on Wednesday, with the General Mathematics Objective paper starting at 6:30pm in some centres and as late as 8:30pm in others, leaving candidates to finish the examination after 10pm.

The situation was said to be particularly severe in some centres in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

The first batch of the Agricultural Science practical examination was slated for 2pm, while the second batch was scheduled for 3:30pm.

However, as of 8pm, some centres in the state had yet to commence the examination.

Due to the delay, candidates reportedly sat the examination under poor lighting conditions.

In a viral video, several students could be seen writing the examination with torchlights, mobile phone flashlights and solar-powered lamps.

The incident has since triggered widespread outrage on social media.

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Gunmen have kidnapped a nine-year-old boy following an attack on residents of Ugbosi quarters, Idogun Ido-Ani, in Ose LGA of Ondo state.

A statement by Jimoh Kazeem, the public relations officer of the Ondo state police command, said the incident occurred at about 1:30am on Friday.

He said a group of armed men invaded the community, firing sporadically and causing panic among residents.

“During the attack, the assailants reportedly forced their way into the residence of Mr. Olaosebikan Isaac. In a desperate attempt to save his life, he escaped into the surrounding bush, leaving behind his nine-year-old son, Master Olaosebikan Victor, who was subsequently abducted by the armed men,” the statement reads.

“Mr. Joel Owalekan also reported that the same group of assailants unlawfully damaged his residence while attempting to gain entry. He similarly escaped the attack by fleeing to safety, thereby avoiding possible harm.

“Upon receipt of the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer and his men, in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps, immediately mobilized to the scene and launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.”

Kazeem said security operatives combed the surrounding forests and likely escape routes in a bid to rescue the abducted child and apprehend the perpetrators.

He added that investigations had commenced, while exhibits have been recovered and documented to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and track down those responsible.

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President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in separate attacks in Oyo and Borno states, according to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday as part of the #UniteAgainstTerror campaign, Mohammed Idris said the president had ordered a comprehensive rescue operation and instructed security agencies to deploy all lawful resources necessary to bring the victims home safely.

The minister’s remarks come amid growing public outrage over a series of attacks on schools across the country, which have sparked protests in several cities, including Abuja.

On May 15, armed men invaded three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting about 39 students and seven teachers. Two people were killed during the attack, while one of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later reportedly killed by his captors.

In another incident, approximately 42 children were reportedly taken from a school in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State in mid-May.

Describing the attacks as assaults on Nigeria’s future, Idris said the kidnappings were not only crimes against the affected families and communities but also attacks on education and national values.

He assured Nigerians that the federal government remains committed to securing the release of all those still in captivity.

“The safe return of every child and teacher currently being held remains a top national priority,” Idris said.

According to him, President Tinubu has made it clear that no effort will be spared in rescuing the victims and ensuring that those behind the abductions face justice.

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The United Kingdom (UK) has introduced new immigration rules that could see universities banned from recruiting foreign students if they fail to meet stricter compliance requirements.

The changes, announced by the Home Office on Thursday, are aimed at tackling high asylum claims linked to work, study and tourist visas, with foreign students accounting for the largest share.

Under the new rules, universities could lose their licence to recruit internationally if more than five percent of their visa applications are refused. Previously, the visa refusal benchmark was set at 10 percent.

The Home Office, which issues visas, said it can track both the proportion of student visa refusals and the universities recruiting affected applicants.

Universities will also be stripped of the right to recruit international students if too many drop out or fail to complete their studies.

Under the updated requirements, foreign students are now mandated to reach a course enrolment rate of at least 95 percent and a course completion rate of at least 90 percent. Previously, the benchmarks were 90 percent and 85 percent, respectively.

“High drop-out rates can indicate students have entered the illegal working economy rather than studied whilst high visa rejection rates or low enrolment figures suggest some institutions have not done enough due diligence on applicants,” the Home Office said.

The changes come just three months after the UK slammed an “emergency brake” on study visas for nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan over asylum claims that were so high the Home Office called the figures an “unsustainable threat”.

Asylum claims by students have since fallen by 30 percent in the past year alone following stricter enforcement, according to the Home Office.

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Joseph Otabor, a student of Lagos State University (LASU), has died from injuries sustained during an armed robbery attack in the Iba area of Lagos.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Olaniyi Jeariogbe, spokesperson for the university, said Otabor, a student of the department of history and international studies, was attacked alongside his friends outside the campus on Friday night.

The university spokesperson said the student was immediately rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday.

Jeariogbe said the institution received the news of the student’s death with profound sadness.

“Available information indicates that the unfortunate incident occurred off campus on the night of Friday, 29th May 2026, when the deceased and his friends were attacked by armed robbers,” the statement reads.

“Upon receiving reports of the incident, the University, through the Acting Dean, Students’ Affairs, Dr Abiodun Fatai-Abatan, immediately provided support, escalated the matter to the Vice-Chancellor, and maintained contact with relevant medical personnel involved in his treatment.”

The university said it closely monitored developments throughout the student’s hospitalisation until his eventual demise.

The statement added that representatives have engaged with the deceased’s family, officials of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and law enforcement authorities.

“The University is actively cooperating with security agencies to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the attack are thoroughly investigated and those responsible are brought to justice,” the statement reads.

According to the statement, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, vice-chancellor of the university, condoled with the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased.

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The United Nations says some weapons looted during the Libyan conflict in 2011 ended up in the hands of extremist groups in Nigeria.

Speaking to delegates on the spread of illicit firearms on Tuesday, at the UN headquarters in New York, United States, Izumi Nakamitsu, UN under-secretary-general and high representative for disarmament affairs, said looted weapons fuel violence in communities long after wars have ended.

Nakamitsu said weapons looted during the 2011 conflict in Libya resurfaced across the Sahel region and have caused devastation across peaceful communities.

“Libya, where weapons looted or diverted during and after the 2011 conflict, which ended the rule of Muammar Gaddafi, later surfaced across the wider Sahel region, including in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria,” Nakamitsu said.

“Some were subsequently found in the hands of extremist groups, illustrating how arms from one conflict can destabilise neighbouring countries years later.

“The end of the conflict does not mean the end of the circulation of those weapons; it stays, and it continues to harm people.”

She added that small arms proliferation can undermine peacebuilding efforts.

The high representative for disarmament affairs noted that weapons retained by armed groups, militias, and communities for self-protection can contribute to renewed violence and instability.

She pointed out that illicit weapons are linked to human rights abuses, terrorism, and sexual and gender-based violence.

“It is not just a security issue. It is also about peacebuilding. It is about human rights. It is also about development,” Nakamitsu said.

The under-secretary general said weapons used in conflict would continue to circulate, crossing borders and fuelling crime.

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Asimiyu Ajibola, chairman of the Accord Party in Osun state, has been hospitalised at the University of Osun Teaching Hospital following an attack by gunmen in Osogbo on Wednesday.

In a statement on Thursday, Abiodun Ojelabi, police spokesperson in the state, said the command has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the shooting incident.

He said the attack occurred at about 11:50pm in the MDS area of Osogbo, when two armed men riding a motorcycle opened fire on the victim in what appeared to be an attempted assassination.

“Upon receiving the distress report, the police immediately mobilised tactical and conventional teams to the scene,” the statement reads.

“A team of police officers swiftly evacuated the victim to a medical facility where he is currently receiving treatment.

“Medical personnel have confirmed that Hon. Ajibola is in a stable condition and responding positively to treatment.”

The command said its operatives have launched an aggressive manhunt for the fleeing suspects with a view to apprehending and bringing them to justice.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations at the scene led to the recovery of exhibits, which are currently undergoing forensic analysis.

Ojelabi said Ibrahim Gotan, commissioner of police, strongly condemned the attack and ordered a high-powered investigation into the incident.

“He has directed all relevant investigative units to deploy every available resource to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack, identify those responsible, and ensure their prompt arrest and prosecution,” he stated.

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The “Bring Back Our Children” campaign has continued to gain momentum across Nigeria as protests enter a critical phase over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers.

In Abeokuta, the protest reached its fourth day on Thursday, with a large crowd sustaining daily demonstrations under the “Bring Back Our Children” movement. Families, activists, and community members are demanding urgent government action and the immediate rescue of the abducted victims, insisting that authorities do more to address rising insecurity in schools.

Meanwhile in Abuja, demonstrators linked to the same campaign also gathered around the National Assembly Complex, where they voiced frustration over the handling of the crisis and called for stronger security intervention. Eyewitnesses reported a heavy security presence in parts of the area as protesters continued their chants for the safe return of the missing children.

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Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says young Nigerians should not expect Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), to shoulder the responsibility of rebuilding the nation at 84 years of age.

Obi shared his thoughts in a Thursday post on X, urging the youths to resist attempts by “self-centred” politicians to spark ethnic tension in the country.

The development comes amid social media claims that Adeboye publicly protested during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan but has remained silent as economic hardship and insecurity ravage Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu.

The church had dismissed the claim on Tuesday, explaining that the photograph being peddled online was taken during a nationwide peace walk organised by churches, following a directive from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Obi described Adeboye as one of Nigeria’s foremost fathers of faith, noting that the cleric had spent decades preaching peace, love, reconciliation and national unity.

“Even when faced with provocation, his response has always reflected humility, restraint, wisdom and grace,” he said.

“At 84 years of age, it would be unfair for young and able-bodied Nigerians to transfer to him responsibilities that properly belong to them.

“The task of building a better Nigeria rests primarily on the shoulders of the younger generation.

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Several students of Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state, were hospitalised on Wednesday after another gas leak permeated the school.

The incident reportedly occurred during school hours when a pungent smell enveloped the premises, causing discomfort and breathing difficulties among students and teachers.

Details of the incident, particularly the number of those affected, were still sketchy as of the time of filing this report.

The victims were said to have been rushed to the General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, for medical attention.

Ola Oresanya, commissioner for environment, said the government has commenced investigations to determine the source of the emission, the third such incident recorded in the community within two months.

“Yes, it’s true. It happened yesterday,” he said.

“We are working to find the cause of the leakage. We will soon issue an official statement on it.”

On April 1, at least 30 students of Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School were also hospitalised following a suspected gas leak on the premises.

At the time, several students and teachers experienced breathing difficulties after fumes believed to have emanated from nearby carbide cylinders spread across the school, triggering panic among members of the school community.

Oresanya had said during an inspection of the area, his team discovered a nearby bush and suspected the fumes may have originated from there.

However, on May 15, tension gripped the community after another air pollution incident, believed to have been caused by a gas leak at Anglican Girls Grammar School.

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Marco Rubio, United States secretary of state, says his country is actively involved in counterterrorism cooperation with the Nigerian government and security forces.

Rubio spoke on Wednesday in Washington, DC, while outlining the state department’s activities before the house foreign affairs committee during a hearing on the department’s FY27 budget request.

The secretary of state said there was widespread concern about violence against Christians in Nigeria.

“We are now actively in counterterrorism cooperation with the Nigerian government and Nigerian security forces, including a joint operation a couple of weeks ago that took out the number two leader of global ISIS operating from inside of the country, and that continues,” he said.

Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS, was killed on May 15 during a joint US-Nigerian operation targeting his compound in the Lake Chad Basin.

Pete Hegseth, US secretary of defence, said Al-Minuki “was most responsible for killing Christians” in Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu, who confirmed Al-Minuki’s death, said “several lieutenants” of the ISIS second-in-command were also killed in the mission.

Tinubu said he looked forward to more strikes.

There have since been more joint operations targeting terrorists in Nigeria. Days after Al-Minuki’s elimination, the defence headquarters (DHQ) said more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters were killed in multiple US-Nigerian air strikes in Metele, Borno state.

On June 1, the Nigerian military, in collaboration with the United States Africa Command (US Africom), was reported to have killed 21 ISWAP fighters in an air strike in Arege, Kukawa LGA of Borno.

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The Oyo state police command says gunmen attacked the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) passport office in Ogbomoso on Tuesday, carting away a rifle, ammunition and other valuables.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ayanlade Olayinka, police spokesperson in Oyo, said the gunmen injured two immigration officers on duty during the attack.

Olayinka said the officer in charge of the passport office raised an alarm at about 8:45pm after armed men invaded the premises.

“Upon receipt of the distress report, immediate reinforcement comprising operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit and surveillance teams was deployed to the scene for intervention and assessment of the situation,” Olayinka said.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that about five assailants scaled the rear perimeter fence of the facility, which borders a vast bushland, before attacking two immigration officers on night duty.

The command spokesperson said the attackers beat the officers with sticks and other dangerous weapons before making away with a G3 rifle assigned to the office and its ammunition.

“The suspects also carted away a mobile phone belonging to one of the officers on duty, a generating set and a motorcycle battery before escaping through the same route used to gain access to the facility,” he said.

Olayinka added that the injured officers had received medical attention and were in stable condition.

He said surveillance and tactical teams had intensified operations in and around the area, including combing adjoining bushes and possible escape routes, to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen items.

“Intelligence assets and informants have been activated to generate actionable information capable of leading to the arrest of the suspects, while all relevant investigative and operational resources have been deployed to ensure a swift breakthrough in the case,” he said.

The police spokesperson noted that the command is working with the NIS and other security agencies to ensure the arrest of those responsible for the attack.

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Watch: The terrifying moment the sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, and her twin sons were abducted live in Ibadan.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning around the Challenge area, while Mrs John-Paul was taking her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, to school in a wine Hyundai Sonata.

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VIDEO: Moment Gunmen Kidnapped Adelabu’s Sister and Twin Sons in Ibadan

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Gunmen have abducted Olaide John-Paul, the younger sister of Adebayo Adelabu, former minister of power, alongside her twin sons, in Ibadan, Oyo state.

In a statement on Wednesday, Femi Awogboro, one of Adelabu’s media aides, confirmed that John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, were kidnapped by armed men on Wednesday morning.

According to the statement, the 43-year-old was abducted at about 7:30am while on her way to drop the children at school in Ibadan.

“The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons who were with her at the time of the incident,” the statement reads.

Awogboro described John-Paul as the youngest of Olufunmilayo Adelabu’s five children.

He said she had worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and First Bank Pension Custodian before voluntarily retiring last year.

“Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making preparations to eventually join her husband, John Paul, who had earlier relocated to the United States of America,” he added.

Awogboro said security and law enforcement agencies were immediately alerted after the incident and had commenced investigations.

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Several high-profile terrorist commanders and more than 50 insurgents have been reportedly killed in the Lake Chad region following air strikes conducted by the military under Operation Hadin Kai.

According to military sources cited by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the strikes were carried out on May 31 around the Kirta and Arina Ciki areas.

The publication said the operation targeted known terrorist enclaves and logistical hubs after actionable intelligence revealed insurgent activities in the region.

“Post-strike battle damage assessments indicated that among those neutralised were Khalifa Umar, a prominent member of the terrorists’ Shura Council from Sigir, alongside two other field commanders identified as Abdallah and Abduljalil,” Makama said.

“The sources disclosed that the operation resulted in the elimination of more than 50 terrorists.

“In addition to the loss of key personnel, several logistics facilities, supply depots and life-support structures used by the terrorists were destroyed during the strikes, further degrading their ability to sustain operations across the Lake Chad Basin.”

According to the publication, the sustained aerial offensive has piled significant pressure on insurgent groups, forcing many fighters to abandon their traditional island hideouts for more exposed locations on the mainland.

Makama said security sources described the overall situation across the theatre as calm but fluid, requiring continued vigilance from troops and security agencies.

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Troops have arrested five suspected terrorist collaborators in coordinated operations across Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Niger state.

In Adamawa state, troops of Operation Hadin Kai, working in collaboration with local hunters, arrested two suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Garkida, Gombi LGA, at about 9:05am on Monday, following credible intelligence.

The suspects were identified as Babangida Abubakar and Abdullahi Yusuf.

Security sources cited by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, said Abubakar reportedly admitted involvement in the abduction of schoolchildren in Mussa and in an attack on Leho village in Askira LGA of Borno state.

Yusuf was also said to have confessed to participating in an attack on Tellabala village in Gombi LGA of Adamawa state. The suspects are currently in custody of the 247 Reconnaissance Battalion for further investigation.

In Yobe state, troops arrested a suspected ISWAP/JAS informant during a stop-and-search operation along the Buni Gari–Buni Yadi road in Gujba LGA.

The suspect was intercepted at about 1pm on Monday during routine patrols and was found with injuries believed to have resulted from prior encounters with security forces.

Preliminary questioning reportedly indicated that he had recently relocated between rural settlements in the area before his arrest. He is currently in military custody undergoing interrogation.

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Video: The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) staged a solidarity rally in Ikeja, Lagos, over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State. The protest follows similar demonstrations in Oyo and Ogun states, with participants demanding the victims' safe and immediate release.

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Video: “When government officials visited to sympathize with families of the abducted pupils and teachers in Yawota, Oyo State, women in Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration reportedly brought rice and cash gifts. However, the parents rejected the items, insisting that their only concern is the safe return of their children,” Emmanuel Alade, the Baale of Yawota, told News Central correspondents.