
News
Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Wilfred Ezemba kidnapped in Kogi
• NBA Idah branch raises alarm over incessant kidnapping in Kogi
The parish priest of St. Paul Catholic Parish, Agaliga-Efabo in Olamaboro local government area of Kogi State, Rev. Fr. Wilfred Ezemba has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen at gunpoint.
The abduction reportedly took place on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in Imane in Olamaboro local government area of the State.
It was learnt that the cleric may have been abducted along with other yet-to-be-identified commuters along Imane-Ogugu Road.
The incident has thrown the entire Catholic family in the local government into confusion as the kidnappers were yet to make contact with members of the church.
Another Catholic priest in the LGA, who simply identified himself as Fr. Michael, said, “We are confused because since his abduction three days ago, his abductors have not made any contact to demand a ransom. But we are, however, confident that Almighty God will deliver him safely from the grip of the kidnappers.
“We believe strongly in the efficacy of our prayers, he will eventually regain his freedom.”

Security agencies, comprising the Nigeria Police, military and Kogi East Neighbourhood Watch (KENW), have started combing the bushes and forests in the locality in the kidnappers’ trail.
The abduction is said to be the second kidnapping in one week within the local government.
“One Barr. A B Shaibu was kidnapped on 7-09-2025, Sunday evening, by gunmen between Etieke and Okugoh in the same local government. His family was said to have paid an unspecified amount of ransom before he was released to his family last Thursday,” a source told our correspondent.
When contacted, the spokesman of Kogi State Police Command, SP Williams Ovye Aya, promised to confirm and get back to the reporter.
“I’m yet to get the information. However, I will find out from our men on the ground in that local government and get back to you,” SP Aya said.
The abduction came barely two weeks after the Pastor of Christian Evangelical Fellowship of Nigeria (CEFN) Church, Pastor Friday Adehi and Gabriel Ezekiel of the same Church were kidnapped shortly after church service on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Idah Branch has called on governments at all levels to take adequate steps to address security concerns, particularly, incessant kidnappings in the Kogi East senatorial district of the State.
Chairman of the Branch, Barr. James Michael expressed sadness over the recent surge in kidnapping activities, including the recent kidnapping of Shauibu who is a member of the Branch.
“We, the Nigerian Bar Association, Idah Branch, urgently call for drastic steps to address the alarming insecurity rate in Kogi East.
“Recent incidents, including the kidnapping of our member, A.B. Shuaib Esq, at Okugo in Olamaboro Local Government Area, and frequent abductions along Okura-Ojapata, Ochadamu-Itobe-Ajaokuta-Lokoja Road, and Ikeje-Aloma Road, underscore the dire need for enhanced security measures.
“It is expected that the government will hearken to the cry of concerned citizens to address the issue of recurrent kidnappings going on in Kogi State,” Michael said.

News
Terrorists kill kidnapped Zamfara teacher after collecting ransom
A teacher at Federal Government College, Anka, Mustapha Yahaya Maru, has reportedly been k!lled by armed band!ts despite the payment of ransom for his release.
Sahara Reporters reports that Maru was abducted early May while travelling to Anka in Zamfara State alongside several other passengers after their vehicle was intercepted by the attackers.
Following the abduction, the k!dnappers contacted his family and demanded a ransom far beyond their financial capacity.The report states that after intense efforts and negotiations, the family eventually raised and paid the agreed amount in hopes of securing his freedom.
Tragically, the bandits k!lled Maru on Tuesday instead of releasing him.
His de@th has thrown his family and the Maru community into mourning and has further heightened concerns over the worsening insecurity in the region.


News
VDM must face law over fake viral Tinubu Audio, Says Presidency
The Presidency on Wednesday said social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VDM, should face the law over the circulation of an alleged fake audio purportedly involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated this in a post on X, accusing VDM of disseminating false content on social media.
“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform,” Onanuga wrote.
The presidential aide was reacting to a post by an X user, identified as Aneex, who questioned why some people believed the voice in the audio belonged to Tinubu.
The user described the audio as “cheap propaganda” and alleged that VDM was exploiting emotions to spread misinformation.
In the viral content, VeryDarkMan allegedly used the audio to call on Nigerians to reject President Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.

The development comes just days after President Tinubu secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress at the party’s nationwide direct primary held on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
During the exercise, Tinubu reportedly polled 10,999,162 votes, defeating his sole challenger, APC chieftain Stanley Osifo, who secured 16,503 votes from over 12 million registered party members.
Meanwhile, opposition figures are already positioning ahead of 2027, with Peter Obi expected to fly the flag of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is also expected to lead the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket.

News
Eid-el-Kabir: Mbah preaches unity, tolerance, sacrifice, hope
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has felicitated Muslim faithful in the state and the nation as whole on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, urging unity, tolerance, sacrifice, and hope.
Mbah, in his Eid goodwill message on Tuesday, also called for charity, urging Nigerians to rise in solidarity with one another, especially the less privileged.
He said, “On the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, I extend warm felicitations to our Muslim brothers and sisters in Enugu State and across Nigeria as they commemorate this sacred festival of faith, sacrifice, and devotion to Almighty Allah.
“Eid-el-Kabir reminds us that sacrifice lies at the very heart of true service to God and humanity. It calls to mind the profound blessings inherent in the virtues of patience, obedience, trust, and unwavering faith – values exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and which remain timeless lessons for us all.
“At a time when our nation continues to navigate important political and economic transitions, the significance of this celebration becomes even more profound.
“Let us be reminded that we all belong to one shared humanity and our collective progress as a people depends on our ability to uphold unity, mutual respect, peace, and compassion above all divisions.

“This season, therefore, offers us another opportunity to recommit ourselves to the ideals of tolerance, sacrifice for the common good, and solidarity with one another, especially the vulnerable among us.
“As we celebrate, I urge all citizens to continue to pray for the peace, stability, and prosperity of our dear state and nation. Let us also continue to work together in harmony to build a society defined by justice, opportunity, and shared progress for all.”
He concluded by wishing the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

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