Metro
Gunmen Attack Kaduna School, Kidnap Principal
Unknown gunmen have kidnapped the Principal of Government Technical College, Mararaban Kajuru in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, in a raid which took place in the wee hours of Thursday.
The Kaduna State Police Command confirmed the incident and gave the name of the abducted principal as Mr Francis Maji.
This incident occurred just a week after gunmen kidnapped six female pupils, Vice Principal and a Matron at the Engravers College, Kakau Daji in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
A teacher in the school, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen, numbering over 20, had stormed the school compound around 12.00am, shooting sporadically into the air and made their way to their victim’s residence and took him away.
He said the incident forced the pupils, who were asleep when the gunmen arrived in the compound, to scamper for safety.
“The pupils, their teachers and other members of the school’s staff to wake up from sleep. They ran in different directions for their dear lives. It wasn’t a pleasant experience at all,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the State Command, ASP Suleiman Abubakar said the Divisional Police Officer received information about the invasion.
He said, “The Command received information through DPO Kajuru, in the early hours of today 10/10/2019,at about 0220hrs , group of Armed Men Invaded Government Technical College Kajuru, a Boarding Secondary School in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state and started shooting sporadically in the process abducted one Mr. Francis Maji the Principal of the school.
“On receipt of the information, team of Policemen were immediately mobilized to the area with a view to rescuing the victim and arresting the perpetrators. The Police timely intervention help in preventing the hoodlums From gaining access to the students hostel. The Command has also fortified security within the general area.”
The spokesman added that the assurance that the command was working round the clock to tame the recent change of tactics by the enemies of peace who now resort to soft targets.
The CP, he said, also called on the general public and particularly parents not to be deterred by the recent attack by hoodlums on schools, as the Command was making relentless efforts to prevent future occurrence of the unfortunate incident.
“The Command wants to assure the good people of the State that, it remained resolute in its commitment to safety of all citizens, as that is, its onerous responsibility,” he said.
The Punch
For many Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) women and girls, managing menstrual circle is a huge daily struggle. The lack of access to sanitary pads and hygiene facilities force them to use unhygienic materials, which compromised their health and dignity.
However, the “Access Pad Me A Girl Initiative” has crafted innovative measures aimed at addressing this critical challenge.
As a result, “Access Pad Me A Girl Initiative,” a flagship project of GATMASH Media, in collaboration with Access Bank, had an extended outreach at the Ortese Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State where they distributed free sanitary pads, exercise books and pens to women and children.
The event which took place on Saturday, 5th April, 2025, was aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene and dignity of displaced girls and women.
According to the Convener of the initiative, Theresa Moses, the visit was part of a larger campaign to address the critical gap in healthcare and hygiene education in IDP camps.
Moses emphasized the importance of addressing menstrual hygiene challenges among IDP women and girls.
“We came all the way from Lagos to Benue not just to donate, but to educate. These reusable sanitary pads can last up to a year, helping the girls maintain hygiene and save money,” she explained.
Highlighting the disparity in awareness efforts, she observed that while condoms are widely promoted for men, little attention is given to menstrual hygiene for women.
“We believe that every girl deserves to manage her menstruation with dignity and confidence. That’s why we’re here today to provide these reusable sanitary pads and educate them on their use,” she added.
According to Moses, the initiative is being sponsored by Access Bank, Checkers Custard, Vita Baites Foods, GATMASH NEWS, Jeffrey Kuraun Foundation, Pro Star, and and other sponsors highlights the power of collaboration in addressing critical issues affecting vulnerable communities.
She assured that the initiative would continue for as long as IDPs remain in the camps and plans to expand to other IDP camps across the region.
The team distributed reusable sanitary pads that can last up to a year, helping girls maintain hygiene and save money. Moses emphasized that these pads are not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly.
A Pad Bank was launched at Ortese Camp to ensure sustainability and provide ongoing support to IDPs. The initiative plans to continue support for as long as IDPs remain in the camps and expand to other IDP camps across the region.
Exercise books and pens were also distributed to school-aged children, contributing to their educational development. This support aims to promote education and empowerment among IDP children.
In addition, food items were also distributed to support the well-being of IDP residents. This gesture demonstrates the initiative’s commitment to addressing the holistic needs of IDPs.
Accompanying her on the mission were dedicated members of her team including Mrs. Salome Alomah, Mr. Iliya J. Galadima, Engr. Michael Hosea, Dr. Michael Morah, Angela, and Terfa Tsetim.
The team was warmly received with heartwarming reception and compassion by the camp residents, who welcomed them with songs and open hearts. The Ortese Camp Manager, Elizabeth Asan, expressed deep appreciation for the initiative, stating that it would go a long way in addressing the needs of women and children in the camp.
This intervention builds on the momentum of the team’s earlier engagements at the Area 1, IDP Camp, Durumi, Abuja, and stands as a testament to the impact of targeted support for vulnerable communities.
Two men, Ridwan Bello aka ‘Asalailu’ and Fatai Adeleke, have been arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrate Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, for alleged unlawful possession of a human head and other body parts of a female corpse.
Bello, 42, of Odo-Aba Street, and Fatai Adeleke, 70, of an unknown address were arraigned on four count charges of conspiracy, possession of a human head, interference with the dead, and breach of public peace.
The Prosecutor, ASP Foluke Adedosu, told the court that the defendants, along with others at large, conspired to commit the offences.
She alleged that on March 18, at about 3:00am., at Odo-Aba Street, Muslim Area, Ibadan, Bello was found in possession of a human head and other dismembered body parts, believed to be those of late Mrs. Adebimpe Akinbo.
“A female human head, severed limbs, dried bones, and other remains stored in bags and a paint bucket were allegedly recovered from Bello’s house,” Adedosu told the court.
She alleged that Bello exhumed Akinbo’s body from Saint Andrews Anglican Church Cemetery in Awa-Ijebu, Ogun State, for ritual purposes.
Adedosu told the court that Adeleke knowingly bought the human parts from Bello for the same purpose.
The prosecutor said the defendants allegedly indecently interfered with and desecrated the body of the deceased by exhuming and dismembering it.
She added that their actions disrupted public peace and violated Sections 242 (1)(b), 249 (d), 329A, and 516 of the Oyo State Criminal Code Laws, 2000.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mrs. A.T. Oyediji, granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties in like sum.
She then adjourned the case to May 8 for further hearing.
NAN
Access Bank Plc, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, has partnered “PAD Me A Girl Initiative,” a project of GATMASH MEDIA, to launched a ‘Pad Bank’ at Area 1, Internally Displaced Persons Camp (IDP), Durumi, Abuja.
The launching which took place today, 3rd April, 2025, is a project of GATMASH MEDIA, aimed at providing free sanitary pads to girls and women.
Theresa Moses, the Convener of the “PAD Me A Girl Initiative,” in her welcome remarks emphasized the importance of menstrual hygiene while encouraging young girls and women to prioritize their health.
She observed that this initiative marks a significant milestone in promoting menstrual hygiene and providing reusable sanitary pads to young girls and women in need.
Highlighting the alarming statistics of menstrual poverty in Nigeria, she disclosed that about 37% of menstruating girls and women lack access to sanitary pads due to financial constraints.
According to Theresa Moses, the project would help to educate young girls and women on proper menstrual hygiene practices, while dispelling various myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation.
“The ‘PAD Bank’ will provide reusable sanitary pads, reducing waste and promoting sustainability while making menstrual products more accessible for free.
“The initiative seeks to break the silence surrounding menstruation, encouraging open conversations and promoting a culture of understanding and support,” Theresa Moses reiterated.
On her part, Mrs. Blessing Jonah Amos, Parenting Coach, led an informative session on menstrual hygiene, usage of reusable sanitary pads, and healthy lifestyle practices.
The Divisional Police Officer, Area 1, CSP Ola Rotimi Ebidero, provided valuable security tips to women and young girls, urging them to report suspicious activities to the police.
The Access “PAD Me A Girl Initiative” has partnership with several organizations, including Checkers Custard which distributed Checkers Custard and Checkers Custard Pap Flavour, Vita Baites Foods markers of delicious and crunchy ‘kuli-kuli’ which distributed their products and Jeffrey Kuraun Foundation, ProStar, and more.
Exercise books and other writing materials, cartons of Instant noodles, bags of sachets water were among the items distributed during the exercise.
The launch of ‘PAD Bank’ marks a significant step in addressing menstrual poverty and promoting menstrual hygiene education, as the initiative aims to expand its frontiers, providing support to more communities and individuals.
By partnering with organizations and individuals, the “PAD Me A Girl Initiative” seeks to create a society where menstrual hygiene is prioritized, and young girls and women can thrive without limitation, and robust access to pads for their personal hygiene.
