Metro
Police Confirm Killing of Two Kogi Varsity Students by Kidnappers
The Police in Kogi State have confirmed that two of the 21 students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, abducted by bandits on May 9 while preparing for examination, have been killed by their abductors.
The State Police Commissioner, Bethrand Onuoha, who gave the confirmation while addressing a press conference in Lokoja on Sunday, described the killing by their abductors as very unfortunate, adding that the operatives police had made efforts to rescue the kidnapped students unharmed.
Onuoha, who did not provide the details of how the students were killed, however, assured that security operatives are on the trail of the abductors to bring them to justice.
At a separate press parley on Sunday, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Education For All (E4A), condemned the killing of two students in spite of ongoing negotiations with the parents to pay ransom for their release.
The Publicity Secretary of the NGO, Malam Nasir Ibrahim, said the group described the killing as the height of callousness.
Ibrahim noted that the intent of the kidnappers was to scare young people from going to school in the State, a situation he described as very unfortunate.
“It is sad that the criminals killed two of the students who were not among the 21 rescued through the operation coordinated by the Kogi government,” Ibrahim said.
“This is sad, callous and a call for collective action against attackers of educational institutions.
“We are aware that parents of the students were negotiating with the kidnappers which slowed down the offensive on the kidnappers by security agencies so as not to endanger the lives of the captives.
“We were very hopeful and optimistic that they will be released at the end of the negotiations.
“Information reaching us shows that the students allegedly killed were James Michael Anajuwe, a 100 level Information Technology student and Musa Hussein, a 100 level Software Engineering student of the University.
“They were allegedly killed at the kidnappers’ hideout in Kwara. We are broken and shattered that despite the efforts of the parents, NGOs and the State government, we still lost these promising students.”
“The painful loss of the two students should provoke the office of the National Security Adviser to work with the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure the safety of our schools across the country.
“It is unacceptable to lose children whose only offence was embracing education. Our nation must rise to the occasion to arrest the rising insecurity across the country,” he added.
Ibrahim called on the Kogi State government to work with its Kwara counterpart to take a decisive action against the perpetrators, who were suspected to be hiding at a forest in Kwara, close to Kogi and Ekiti states.
A member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Lolo Isaiah Opuende, has dismissed an invitation from Governor Siminialayi Fubara for a crucial meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Monday.
In an online video, Opuende stated that it was time for the governor to “dey his dey” (be on his own) while the lawmakers would do the same.
Representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, Opuende recalled that when the political crisis began, their principal had warned that a time would come for both sides to go their separate ways.
He also questioned the mode of invitation transmission, arguing that it is not feasible for lawmakers to honor the governor’s request.
“How can you write a letter for the House of Assembly and put it on social media and expect us to come? The governor should write us the proper way,” he insisted.
Following a very disturbing video that has gone viral in the public space, particularly the social media, regarding one of its patrol vehicles under the Ondo State Sector Command, captured operating with a worn out tyre, the Federal Road Safety Corps has sanctioned the officer for negligence.
This is contained in a statement by the National Public Education Officer, Australia Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemidede, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
While condemning the act, the statement statement commended the public for their third eye role in the activities of the Corps.
The statement noted as follows:
While we commend the public for their watch dog role over the services we provide, it is important to state without any delay that this very act is a complete negation of the core values, as well as standard operating procedures on maximum safety for all operational and administrative vehicles of the Corps.
As such, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed condemns in totality, the very use of the worn out tyre on FRSC vehicle and has ordered immediate sanction of the Sector Commander under whose operational jurisdiction, the contravention of safety standards was registered. He further stressed that the Corps has zero tolerance to any form of negation of standards and does not condone any form of compromise against its core values.
In addition to the sanction, Corps Marshal also ordered that the vehicle be booked for infraction and the Sector Commander made to pay the fines for negligence.
It is therefore apt to remind the motoring public that the Federal Road Safety Corps remains a pace-setter amongst agencies in Nigeria, for high level observance of quality standards, especially when it comes to vehicle maintenance, and will continue to enhance on the mileages achieved in that regard over the years.
The Management of the Corps will continue to play its supervisory role over the field Commands with diligent commitment while the Commanding Officers are expected to uphold the ideals of the Corps accordingly.
The Nigerian Online Media Alliance (NOMA) has joined the global community in commemorating International Women’s Day 2025, celebrating the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women in Nigeria and beyond.
This year’s theme: “Accelerate Action,” which calls for rapid actions towards gender equality, underscores the urgent need to create equal opportunities for women in all spheres of life, including the media, politics, business, and technology.
As a collective voice in digital journalism, NOMA remains committed to using online platforms to amplify women’s voices, advocate for gender equality, and highlight the challenges women face in the society.
Particularly in the media, Nigerian women have played a pivotal role in shaping the narratives, exposing injustices, and driving meaningful conversations leading to transcendental transformational changes that have galvanised into different affirmative actions.
In her goodwill message to women on the International Women’s Day 2025, the Chairperson of NOMA, Theresa Moses, congratulated the women and called for an accelerated action towards a future where women are valued, respected, and celebrated for their contributions to our society.
“As we commemorate International Women’s Day 2025, I am reminded of the immense progress Nigerian women have made in shaping the media landscape, banking industry and other sphere of life. Yet, we still have a long way to go in achieving true gender parity.
Also speaking on the occasion, NOMA’s Public Relations Officer, Oluwamuyiwa Oyedele, emphasized the need for greater representation and accelerating action towards inclusivity in the media: “Women’s stories matter, their perspectives shape our society, and their voices must be heard.
At NOMA, we are dedicated to fostering a media landscape where women are not only seen but empowered to lead and influence policies. Therefore, women in the public space, offices and political office holders deserve mutual respect devoid of harassment of any kind while carrying out their assigned functions.
NOMA calls on government agencies, private institutions, and the public to take actionable steps in dismantling systemic barriers that hinder women’s progress. By fostering an egalitarian society, as we move closer to a future where women can thrive, lead, and inspire the next generation.
“At NOMA, we are committed to amplifying women’s voices, promoting inclusive storytelling, and advocating for policies that would empower women to take their rightful place in leadership positions.’
#IWD2025 #NOMAForWomen
