By IHECHINYERE CHIGEMERI-UWOM

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death of a U.S.-based Nigerian physician, Dr Uzoma Nwaubani, who was in the state for a medical mission.

Otti, in a condolence message signed by him and issued on Friday in Umuahia, said that he received the news of her passing with shock, describing her as a dedicated and compassionate medical practitioner.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Government in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) organised a five-day free medical outreach that held from April 13 to April 17.

The governor noted that the late Nwaubani was a member of the association and had returned to Nigeria with her husband and daughter, a final-year medical student in the United States, to provide free medical services to residents of Abia.

He said that while participating in the ongoing medical outreach, she developed a medical emergency and was immediately taken to a hospital.

According to him, a team of ANPA and local medical experts worked together to provide urgent critical care in a bid to save her life.

“Despite the gallant efforts of the highly skilled medical team to resuscitate her, she could not make it,” Otti said.

The governor extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, her loved ones, and members of ANPA, adding that the state government was already in communication with her family and the leadership of the association.

He promised that the government would provide the necessary support to the bereaved family and ANPA during the period of mourning.

Otti also commended the family of the late doctor and ANPA for allowing the medical mission to continue in spite of the loss.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising the health and well-being of residents and visitors to the state.

The governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for strength for her family to bear the loss. (NAN)

Gunmen on Thursday night ambushed and beheaded a 30-year-old man, Elisha Abbas Saku, at Riwhie-Chwo in Nzharuvo, Miango District of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred around 10 pm when the gunmen stormed the community, throwing residents into panic and confusion.

A statement issued on Friday by the Irigwe Youth Movement described the killing as a brutal ambush.

The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Yonkpa, who signed the statement, prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul while calling for divine comfort for the entire Irigwe Nation.

“Yesterday night, 16th April 2026, gunmen ambushed and beheaded Mr. Elisha Abbas Saku, 30 years old, at Riwhie-Chwo, Nzharuvo, Miango District of Bassa LGA, Plateau State,” the report stated. “May his soul rest in peace, and may God comfort the entire Irigwe Nation.”

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the release of results for 632,788 candidates who participated in the first day of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), held on Thursday.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Board’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, on Friday.

According to the Board, candidates can now access their results by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to either 55019 or 66019, using the same phone number registered during the examination process.

At this stage, only result viewing is available, as printing of result slips has not yet been enabled.

JAMB emphasised that the UTME exercise is still ongoing, adding that additional batches of results will be released progressively as marking and processing continue.

The Board also issued a stern warning against any attempts to manipulate or falsify results.

It cautioned candidates against altering SMS messages received from its official platforms to misrepresent their scores to others, including parents and guardians.

JAMB Releases Results of 632,788 Candidates from Day One of the 2026 UTME
The results of candidates who sat the 2026 UTME on Thursday, 16 April 2026, have been released and are now available for viewing.
To check their results, candidates should send UTMERESULT via SMS to 55019…
— Fabian Benjamin (@FabianB58246501) April 17, 2026

Describing such actions as a serious criminal offence, JAMB disclosed that it has already taken action against offenders. “Two candidates and one parent are currently in custody for engaging in result falsification using AI and other electronic means,” the statement revealed.

The Board reiterated that anyone found guilty of such misconduct would face the full weight of the law.

JAMB urged candidates to adhere strictly to official channels and maintain integrity throughout the examination process, as it continues efforts to ensure a credible and transparent admissions system in Nigeria.