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Tinubu’s govt paid N10bn to Boko Haram terrorists to secure release of kidnapped Catholic Sch. Students

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The federal government of Nigeria paid a whopping N10 billion to Boko Haram terrorists to secure the release of students of a Catholic school kidnapped last year, according to Agence France-Presse, AFP.

The news agency claimed in a report published on Monday, citing various sources familiar with the issue that N40 million was paid per head, for the release of the over 200 students and staff kidnapped by the group last November.

The magazine reports that the terrorists had in the early hours of November 20, 2025 abducted the students from St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

The students were later released few weeks later, but the government was not categorical on the modalities of their release from their abductors.

The Nigerian government has also denied paying ransome to kidnappers, even though critics say such clsims may be far from reality, considering claims by terrorists that they often receive payment from the government to free their victims.

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According to the report published by the French new agency, the Nigerian government paid the Boko Haram militants a ‘huge’ ransom of millions of dollars to free up to 230 children and staff the Islamic extremists kidnapped from the Catholic school.

In addition to the ransom paid in millions of dollars by the Tinubu government, the media outlet noted that two Boko Haram commanders were also freed as part of the deal, which goes against the country’s own law banning payments to kidnappers.

Citing two sources, AFP stated that “the total ransom at N40 million per head — around $7 million in total”, while “another put the figure lower at N2 billion overall”.

The $7 million reportedly covered the 230 schoolchildren and an unspecified number of teaching staff, figures that vary among official sources. At a dollar rate of N1,400, the total ransom amounts to about N9.8 billion.

On December 21, 2025, the federal government announced the release of 130 schoolchildren and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger, kidnapped by bandits on November 20.

Fifty of the pupils had earlier escaped between November 21 and 22.

Then, on December 7, the government announced that it had secured the release of 100 of the kidnapped schoolchildren.

Since Mr Tinubu assumed power, hundreds of abductions and killings have taken place.

Prior to the Catholic school pupils’ abduction, 25 young girls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi were abducted by bandits.

The president’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, did not immediately respond to requests for comments. (Sahara Reporters)

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2027: Mbah Leads the Charge as Enugu APC Unveils Campaign Council

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Enugu Governor, Dr Peter Mbah
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…Sen. Nnamani, Nwobodo, Dr. Nnamani, Chime, Ugwuanyi, Prof. Nnaji, Arthur Eze, Frank Nweke, Madueke, others get advisory roles

…Udeh, Nwoye, Utazi, Egumgbe, Ben Collins Ndu, Onyia, others head 51 Directorates

…Council to be inaugurated on Tuesday

The Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, unveiled the party’s Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Campaign Council, comprising 51 Directorates, is chaired by the Governor of the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, while the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Deputy National Chairman, APC (South); Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; and the Chairman of the party in the state, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, are Vice Chairmen.

The list signed by Chukwunweike and the Secretary of Enugu APC, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie, also has Chief Charlie Mbah as the Director-General of the Campaign Organisation and Dr. Eric Oluedo as the Secretary-General.

Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Dr. Dan Shere, and Hon. S.K.E. Udeh-Okoye are Deputy Campaign DGs for Enugu East Senatorial District, Enugu North Senatorial District, and Enugu West Senatorial District, respectively.

Barr. Steve Oruruo is the Campaign Spokesperson and Director of the Public Communication Committee, with Dr. Austin Okolie as co-spokesperson and Dr. Malachy Agbo as Secretary.

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Mazi Uche Anichukwu and Dan Nwomeh, both drawn from the Governor’s media team, head the Directorate of New Media and Strategic Communication and the Directorate of Mainstream Media, respectively. Dr. Collins Ogbu is the Secretary of the former, while Dr. Reuben Onyishi is the Secretary of the latter.

Barr. Victor Udeh leads the Administration Directorate, while Dr. Ben Nwoye and Arc. Uche Nwatu are the Director and Co-Director of the Fundraising Committee, respectively.

Former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla (Rtd.), chairs the Security Directorate, while former Inspector General of Police, Ogbono Onovo (Rtd.), is the Secretary.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology is in charge of the Directorate of Government Appointees Coordination (Federal and State), with Prof. Chidiebere Onyia as Secretary, while former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odoh, heads Inter-Party Affairs.

Senator Osita Ngwu, Senator Ikeje Asogwa, and Senator Kelvin Chukwu are Coordinators of the Campaign Council in Enugu West, Enugu North, and Enugu East, respectively.

Meanwhile, in their co-signed statement, Chukwunweike and Nnadozie said the size of the Campaign Council was a reflection of “the conviction that every community, ward, local government area, professional group, support organisation, youth body, women’s group, elder, party faithful and person of goodwill must be seen, heard and meaningfully engaged.”

“Appointment into the campaign structure is therefore not merely an honour; it is a call to duty, accountability and measurable contribution,” they stated.

The Council will be inaugurated at the International Conference Centre, Enugu on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

All members of the Campaign Council are to be seated before 3pm.

CLICK LINK BELOW TO SEE FULL LIST:

APC ENUGU CAMPAIGN COUNCIL COMPOSITION-1

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Terrorists Abduct Sunday Igboho’s Iru Ekun Security Group Members in Kwara

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Tension has gripped parts of Kwara State following the reported abduction of members of the Iru Ekun Security Group, a security outfit spearheaded by Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

The assailants reportedly abducted the security operatives and forced them to renounce their activities of protecting communities in the state.

According to reports, the abducted members pleaded for their release and were compelled to renounce their community protection activities.

The Iru Ekun Security Group was established to protect Yoruba communities in Kwara State against terrorist attacks and kidnappings.

The reported abduction has sparked fear among residents who rely on the group for protection against insecurity in their communities.

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As of the time of filing this report, Igboho had yet to issue a statement on the reported abduction of the security group members.

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Ifeanyi Ubah’s Elder Sister, Fidelia Chigbogu, Dies Suddenly at 61

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Late Mrs Fidelia Ezinwanne Chigbogu
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Fidelia Ezinwanne Chigbogu, the immediate elder sister of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, has died at the age of 61.

Mrs Chigbogu, fondly called “Darling” by her husband, reportedly slumped and died on Sunday morning in Lagos while preparing to attend church.

Her husband, Chudi Chidinma Chigbogu, a native of Nnewi in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, described her death as a devastating shock, saying she had shown no signs of illness before the incident.

“It was like a shock to me because, even as I am talking to you now, I never believed it,” he said.

Narrating the circumstances surrounding her death, Mr Chigbogu said the family had experienced an electrical incident the previous Thursday when their electricity meter exploded and burnt their changeover room.

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He said they had contacted officials of the electricity distribution company, who promised to visit on Monday to replace and relocate the meter.

“We were busy waiting for them. My wife said she would give testimony in church on Sunday, and we were preparing for that,” he said.

According to him, his wife woke up on Sunday morning without any apparent health complaints and was preparing to leave for church when the incident occurred.

“That Sunday morning, she woke up. There was nothing like a headache, nothing like fever, nothing. She finished bathing and was preparing to go to church. She usually leaves home between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. because of the roles she plays in the church,” he said.

Mr Chigbogu explained that he was washing his car because of dust when he became concerned that his wife had not come downstairs.

“I went to wash the car because of dust. Around 8 a.m., I called my son and said, ‘Why has mummy not come down? Go and check.’

“Only for the boy to go and start screaming that he called his mummy and she did not answer. He lifted her hand, and her hand dropped,” he recounted.

He said he immediately rushed upstairs and found his wife lying unresponsive on the bed.

“I called her names, no way. I alerted neighbours, and we carried her to six hospitals. Anywhere we went, they would take me aside and say I didn’t bring her on time, that she had passed on.

“I said no, it was not possible, until we got to Navy Hospital, where they refused to admit her,” he said.

Mr Chigbogu said prayers continued at their home for several hours as the family struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.

He recalled that around 4 p.m., someone told him she had seen his wife in a vision, moving swiftly without looking back, which she interpreted as a sign that the deceased had made it to heaven.

“That was when I changed my mind and allowed an ambulance to come. She left here after 6 p.m. and got to the village around 7 a.m. the next day,” he said.

Describing his late wife, Mr Chigbogu said she was a natural leader, peacemaker and philanthropist who played a significant role in her family, church and community.

“Aside from calling her Darling, I called her many names because she was a leader. No matter the case in the family, she would settle it.

“She is the founder of a women’s group, played a very big role in the church and was known for her charitable work. Before her passing, she was working on her orphanage.

“Even though she is no more, I will not let her down. I will make sure that project comes to pass,” he said.

On her family background, Mr Chigbogu said her parents had seven children—three boys and four girls—and that his late wife was the second daughter.

He added that she was also one of the trustees of the Ubah family.

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