
News
Police rescue four kidnapped Christmas travelers in Enugu
Operatives of Iwollo Division of Enugu state police command in a joint operation with members of Neighborhood Watch and Forest Guards have rescued four persons traveling to their homes for the Christmas celebration who were abducted by gunmen along 9th-Mile/Eke/Akama-Oghe road at about 8 pm on Friday.
The joint security operatives rescued the victims at about 10am on Christmas eve from a forest at Akama-Oghe in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
The victims include three males and a female.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Advocate on Sunday.
According to the statement, “Police also recovered a black colour Mercedes Benz car belonging to one of the victims, while all the victims have been debriefed and reunited with their families.”

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, fdc, ordered Tactical Operatives of the Command to sustain ongoing manhunt of the kidnapping suspects, who abandoned the victims and escaped due to the intense pressure mounted by the Operatives to rescue the victims and apprehend them”.
News
Why I won’t apologise to Okpebholo — Davido
Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has said he will not apologise to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo over his decision to share what was presented as the governor’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination result on social media.
Davido made his position clear during an interview with News Central Television, where he spoke about his recent disagreement with the Edo State governor and explained why he stood by his decision to publish the document.
The controversy followed comments attributed to Okpebholo concerning Davido’s uncle, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke. The Edo governor had criticised Adeleke’s frequent dancing at public events, a comment that drew a response from Davido.
The singer subsequently took the matter further by posting what was presented as Okpebholo’s WASSCE result on his Instagram story. The post quickly attracted attention online, with social media users discussing the growing disagreement between the singer and the governor.
During the interview, Davido was asked whether he regretted making the examination result public and if he was prepared to apologise to Okpebholo. The singer rejected the idea of an apology and maintained that he had no plans to withdraw his action.

Davido explained that his decision was connected to his concerns about governance and the condition of infrastructure in Edo State. He particularly mentioned the road leading to the Edo State Government House, which he criticised during the interview.
According to the singer, his intention was to draw the attention of residents to what he considered important questions about the leadership of the state. He argued that the people of Edo State should be able to assess the performance of their elected officials and make their own judgments.
Davido also appeared to suggest that the issue could become relevant again when the governor seeks another term in office. He said he would return to the matter during the next election campaign, indicating that he intends to keep the criticism alive rather than treat the disagreement as a temporary exchange.
The singer’s comments have added another layer to the political disagreements involving him and prominent Nigerian politicians. Davido has increasingly used his public platform to comment on political issues, particularly when members of his family are directly involved in politics.
His latest remarks show that the disagreement with Okpebholo remains unresolved. While the governor’s earlier comments focused on Adeleke’s public conduct, Davido’s response has shifted attention to questions about the governor’s record and the condition of infrastructure in Edo State.
Davido said, “I am not going to apologize to Monday Okpebholo. I posted his WAEC results for the people of Edo State to see who is governing them.”

He added that the road leading to the Government House would remain an issue and said, “We will visit him when it is time for his re-election.”
News
Troops foil mass abduction attempt, rescue nine civilians
Troops of Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY) foiled an attempted mass abduction by terrorists in Unguwar Rogo Village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, rescuing nine civilians, including an infant.
The incident occurred on 16 August 2026, when troops received a distress call that terrorists, believed to be led by suspected kingpin Mallam Shuaibu, had infiltrated the community and attacked civilians travelling along a local route.
Preliminary intelligence indicates that the attack may have been carried out in reprisal for the recent arrest of suspected collaborators linked to the terrorist network. The suspects had earlier been intercepted by troops while attempting to procure motorcycles and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in support of the terrorists’ activities.
In an apparent attempt to retaliate and abduct civilians, the terrorists concealed themselves within a millet farm along the route and opened fire on passing vehicles, causing some drivers to lose control and veer off the road.
Responding swiftly to the distress call, troops of Sector 2 moved to the area and decisively engaged the terrorists, denying them the opportunity to carry out the abduction. Faced with the troops’ superior response, the terrorists abandoned their mission and fled into the surrounding forest.

Following the engagement, troops rescued nine civilians, including an infant. Two women who sustained gunshot wounds during the terrorists’ attack were promptly evacuated for medical attention and are currently receiving treatment.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA remains resolute in its determination to deny terrorists and other criminal elements the freedom to attack innocent citizens. The Joint Task Force will continue to sustain pressure on terrorist networks while taking all necessary measures to protect lives and restore lasting peace and security across the North West region.
News
Edo Assembly Speaker Blessing Agbebaku resigns
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has reportedly stepped down from his position.
His resignation came as reports emerged that some lawmakers were working on plans to impeach him from the speakership.
Agbebaku became Speaker of the 8th Edo State House of Assembly in June 2023 after lawmakers elected him to lead the chamber.
The former Speaker was originally
elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, he later moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2025, joining other political figures who changed parties as political alignments in Edo continued to change.

His reported resignation comes as political activities begin to build ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development is likely to lead to new discussions among lawmakers and political leaders over who will take over the leadership of the Assembly.
The resignation could also affect the balance of power within the House, especially as lawmakers consider the next person to lead the chamber.
Members of the Assembly are expected to meet and take the necessary steps toward filling the vacant Speaker position.
The reason behind Agbebaku’s decision to leave office has not been made public.
It is also not yet clear whether his resignation is connected to recent political developments within the state or other issues involving the Assembly.
More information is expected to emerge as lawmakers react to the development and begin discussions on the next leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly.
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