News
Pregnant woman, children, others kidnapped in fresh Kwara attack
Barely one week after 38 worshippers of the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, were abducted and later released, another wave of terror has hit Kwara State, as at least 11 residents were reportedly kidnapped on Monday evening in Isapa, a neighbouring community in Ekiti Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the latest attack occurred around 6pm when between 20 and 30 bandits stormed the quiet agrarian settlement with a large herd of cattle, shooting indiscriminately as residents fled for safety.
Our correspondent gathered that the attackers moved through several parts of the town, firing shots into homes.q
Bullet holes were reportedly found in walls, windows and wooden doors, confirming the intensity of the gunfire.
A community leader, who spoke on the development under strict anonymity, confirmed that 11 persons were abducted, with seven of them belonging to a single family.
According to him, the kidnapped victims include a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers and children.
He listed the abductees as, Talatu Kabiru, six-year-old Magaji, Kande (5 years), 10-year-old Hadiza and Mariam, who is also 6 years old.
Others are 5-year-old Saima, Habibat (housewife), Fatima Yusufu, 22-year-old pregnant woman identified as Sarah Sunday, Lami Fidelis and Haja Na Allah (nursing mother).
“This is the worst attack we have seen in recent times, Seven members of the same family were taken. People are terrified. We don’t even know what to expect next.
“People are now living in fear. This is too much. Eleven people just disappeared into the bush. We don’t know what tomorrow holds,” he said.
A highly placed security official confirmed the incident to PUNCH on Tuesday, saying that operatives had already begun combing the forest linking Isapa, Eruku and other surrounding villages.
“Yes, 11 people were abducted from what we have gathered. Our men are in that area now to ascertain the exact number and identify those responsible,” he said.
He added that despite the presence of federal security reinforcements deployed after the Eruku church kidnapping, the vastness of the forest and the presence of multiple settlements make surveillance difficult.
“Security agencies from Abuja are still around that axis, but you know that forest is vast. There are many villages around there, and it’s hard to be everywhere at the same time. But we are combing the area to rescue the victims,” he said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command was still verifying details and would provide an update later.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement has been issued by the police or the state government.
The attack has sparked fresh panic in Isapa, Eruku and neighbouring communities, with many residents expressing fear that bandits may be attempting to establish dominance in the area.
Local vigilantes have intensified night patrols, while some religious centres have scaled back evening activities.
The Isapa attack is the third major assault on Ekiti LGA communities in less than a month.
Three weeks ago, 18 residents were kidnapped in Eruku but later rescued.
Last week, 38 worshippers were abducted inside a church in Eruku during a thanksgiving service and were also later released.
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.
The Arewa APC Forum, Kano State chapter, has announced the withdrawal of its support for the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing concerns over governance and leadership direction.
In a statement dated April 17, 2026, the forum said its decision followed “extensive consultations and careful reflection” on the state of affairs at the federal level.
The group stated that it could no longer, “in good conscience,” continue to support the current administration, which it criticised over alleged issues including nepotism, incompetence, and corruption.
“We believe that leadership must inspire confidence, uphold fairness, and demonstrate a sincere commitment to national unity, institutional integrity, and responsible governance,” the statement read.
It added that where such values are persistently undermined, “silence becomes complicity.”
The forum further declared that its confidence in the current political direction has been withdrawn, urging its members to align with this position in future political engagements.
The statement was signed by Sallah Hakilu Kibiya, chairman of the forum in Kano State.
The development signals potential cracks within support structures linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in the northern region, as political alignments begin to shift ahead of the next electoral cycle.
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