News
Abducted NYSC Members, Others Freed after N9m Ransom Payment
Two members of the National Youth Service Corps, Jennifer Iorliam and Joseph Aondona, who were abducted last Tuesday on their way to the NYSC Orientation Camp in Kebbi State, have been released after their abductors collected a ransom of N9m.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the corps members and four others were freed on Tuesday, spending one week in the kidnappers’ den.
Our correspondent had reported that the victims boarded a bus from Benue State to Sokoto State before their vehicle was intercepted around the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. They were supposed to board another bus from Sokoto to their destination in Kebbi State.
The bus driver and some passengers were said to have escaped and reported the incident at police stations in Zamfara and Benue states.
The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, had said his administration was working in collaboration with security agents to ensure the rescue of the victims.
Amid the telecommunications shutdown in many parts of Zamfara, the bandits reached out to the victims’ families, demanding N2m ransom for each of them.
Iorliam’s elder sister, Judith Benson, who spoke briefly to one of our correspondents on Wednesday, said the kidnappers released her sister and other victims after collecting N9m.
Benson stated that she and some family members were on their way to Benue from Zamfara where they had gone to pick up Iorliam, adding that her sister was weak.
She said, “She has been released. She was released yesterday (Tuesday) and we are on our way home. The bandits collected a lot of money. All of us that our people were kidnapped contributed the money. They collected N9m. They were six in number.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in Zamfara State, SP Muhammed Sheu, did not pick up our correspondent’s calls and had yet to reply to a text message sent to his line on the victims’ release.
Aside from the two corps members, others released are a student of the Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, Sendo Kondo; two brothers, Muhamadu Saminu and Muhamadu Safiam and one Ruth Tsokar.
Nigerian Afrobeat music singer, David Adeleke aka Davido, has commented on his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, after he resigned from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), posting “Jeje…” on his X page.
Adeleke, who represented Osun West as Senator and currently serves as the governor of the State, announced his resignation in a letter dated November 4, 2025, citing the party’s national leadership crisis.
The letter titled ‘Resignation of my membership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)’ read: “Due to the current crisis of the national leadership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my Membership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party with immediate effect.”
He expressed gratitude for the opportunities afforded to him by the PDP.
“I thank the Peoples’ Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a Senator (Represented Osun West) and as Governor of Osun State under the Peoples’ Democratic Party,” he added.
The resignation has sparked reactions, with Davido’s post sparking speculation about the implications for the party.
By Eric Elezuo
The governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
A letter signed by the governor himself and dated November 4, 2025 revealed that the governor dumped the party about a month before coming out public with the announcement.
Confirming the resignation via a statement, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, wrote;
“Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has resigned his membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) since November 4th, 2025.
“The letter was addressed to the PDP Chairman for ward 2, Sagba Abogunde of
Ede North Local government, Osun State.
“The letter reads as follows: ‘Due to the current crisis within the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.
‘I thank the Peoples Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a Senator (Represented Osun West) and as Governor of Osun State under the Peoples Democratic Party”, the governor noted in the letter personally signed by him.’
Neither the letter nor the spokesperson’s statement suggested the governor’s next port of call even as political parties in the state are in the season of primaries to elect flag bearers for the 2026 governorship election in the state.
By Eric Elezuo
The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed Badaru, and a two-term former governor of Jigawa State, has resigned his appointment. This is shortly after the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa (retd) visited Aso Rock Villa, and had a closed door meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
The resignation, which is with immediate effect, according to statement credited to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, is contained in a letter dated December 1, 2025, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu. Badaru, who is 63 years, quoted health grounds as reason for quitting his job.
The statement added that “President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his services to the nation.
“President Tinubu will likely inform the Senate of Badaru’s successor later this week.
His resignation comes amid President Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency, with plans to elaborate on its scope in due course.
He served as defence minister for 27 months since August 21, 2023.
