
News
Kidnappers torture 20 corps members, demand N5m each NYSC
Oyo adopts Oriire abduction template, engages Imo, security agencies
The 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted by gunmen in Imo State have allegedly been subjected to physical assault by their captors, including the female victims, as the kidnappers reduced their ransom demand to N5 million per victim.
The development came as the deadline reportedly given by the abductors for payment of the ransom approached, heightening anxiety among the victims’ families.
One of the affected relatives, Alhaja Alimot Akande, whose 25-year-old sister, Kehinde Akande, is among the abducted graduates, said the victims had allegedly been beaten since Saturday.
She described the situation as “horrible, scary and overwhelming,” while appealing to the government to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ release.
Akande said the kidnappers had reduced their initial demand from N50 million per victim to N5 million each.

“They are still demanding N5 million. They have come down to N5 million each,” she said.
Asked whether the N5 million was being demanded for each of the 20 victims, she replied: “Yes.”
She said she could not confirm how much had been raised towards the ransom, explaining that she was not privy to arrangements between the abductors and other families.
“I cannot say because I do not know how much they have told those people that they have,” she said.
According to Akande, her sister told her that the abductors had started beating the victims.
“Sir, we appeal to the government to please assist us in getting them rescued out of that place. When I spoke to my sister, they started beating them since yesterday,” she said.
Asked whether the female victims were also being assaulted, she said: “They are not sparing anybody. They are beating all of them.”
Akande also said one of the abducted corps members had been allowed to communicate with his father, alleging that the kidnappers monitored the calls as part of their efforts to assess the family’s ability to raise the ransom.
She said the abductors would alert the victim whenever his father called and allow him to speak to him.
She added that the families had been relying on assurances from the police while efforts continued to raise the ransom.
“The police are telling us to still be buying time. We are still looking for the money. Depending, they will see them rescued,” she said.
Akande confirmed that her family was directly affected by the incident, identifying her abducted sister as Kehinde, 25.
Oyo engages Imo, security agencies
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government said it was maintaining contact with the Imo State Government and security agencies as efforts intensified to secure the release of the abducted graduates.
The state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the government was actively involved in efforts to rescue the victims despite the abduction occurring outside Oyo State.
Oyelade said the government was drawing on its experience from the recent abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area in its engagement with the Imo authorities.
“We are in close contacts at government-to-government level and actively with the security apparatus in Oyo and Imo states,” he said.
“We are volunteering our template and experiences garnered during the Oriire kidnapping, and the report of the Judicial Inquiry just submitted last week by the Hon. Justice (Professor) Mojeed Owoade Panel is coming in handy in our bilateral discussions on the matter.”
He explained that the government would not disclose all aspects of its strategy because of the sensitive nature of the operation.
“Governments all over the world are not in the habit of disclosing all they are planning in delicate situations like this,” Oyelade said.
The commissioner, however, said the Federal Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces should provide answers on the broader national security response to the incident.
“The pushback should be on the Federal Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, who are in charge of national security, on what they have done in 72 hours,” he said.
Oyelade also referred to Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent intervention over the abduction of students in Borno State, noting that the Borno incident occurred on the same day as the Oriire abduction.
He said Makinde had appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action on the rescue of the abducted Borno students.
Reaffirming the state’s commitment to the victims, Oyelade said the fact that the graduates were abducted in Imo did not absolve the Oyo Government of its responsibility to its citizens.
“Oyo State Government had not and will not abandon its citizens. We will continue to work endlessly and desperately to secure the release of our children,” he said.
How the graduates were abducted
The 20 prospective corps members were abducted on Thursday while travelling from Ibadan to their respective NYSC orientation camps in two buses.
The vehicles were reportedly attacked by gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, while the graduates were travelling to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The incident triggered concern among the affected families, particularly after the parents said the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million for each victim — N1 billion in total — and gave them a 24-hour ultimatum to raise the money.
The parents subsequently sought the intervention of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, during a visit to his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan.
They were accompanied by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.
The parents appealed to the monarch to intervene, saying they could not raise the N1 billion ransom demanded.
“They have been calling us since yesterday (Friday) with a demand for N50 million ransom each. They are threatening that anything untoward will happen to our children if we fail to heed to their request,” the parents had said.
“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this period. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children.”
Responding, Ladoja assured the families that efforts were being made to secure the victims’ release.
“I want to assure that your children would be rescued unharmed. We will relate whatever information we gather to you,” he said.
“The police are working round the clock to secure their rescue. Don’t worry yourself, police are up to the task, and nothing would happen to your children.”
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola, also said he had remained in contact with his Imo counterpart since the incident.
“I had already contacted Imo State CP. We have been talking since the day of incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt,” Abimbola said.z
News
Tinubu Booed At Abuja Mosque As Worshippers Chant ‘Tinubu Must Go’ After Friday Prayers
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was on Friday reportedly booed by some worshippers and other Nigerians shortly after observing Juma’at prayers at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Abuja.
Several video clips circulating on social media showed groups of youths chanting slogans against the President as his convoy departed the mosque.
A witness who attended the prayers told PREMIUM TIMES that the protest may have been triggered by restrictions imposed on worshippers ahead of the President’s visit.
The witness, who requested anonymity, said Tinubu arrived at the mosque at about 1:49 p.m., by which time access to the premises had reportedly been restricted.
According to the source, security operatives prevented people from entering the mosque after the President’s arrival. Roads leading to the facility were also blocked, while some security personnel reportedly mounted the perimeter fences as part of the security arrangements.

The restrictions allegedly continued after the prayers, with some worshippers prevented from leaving until the President’s departure.
The witness said the situation angered some of those affected, prompting them to express their frustration through chants directed at the President.
Some were heard chanting, “Ba mayi, ba ma so,” a Hausa expression loosely translated as “We do not support you,” while others shouted, “Tinubu Must Go,” a slogan associated with opposition to the President’s re-election bid.
Another source at the mosque also attributed the incident partly to the security arrangements, which were described as excessive and inconvenient to worshippers.
“People were stopped from entering the mosque after the President had entered. Several people were stuck outside,” the source said.
The source added that some worshippers were also prevented from leaving until Tinubu departed, alleging that the booing started from the area where people had been barricaded.
The incident comes amid growing political activities and opposition mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Presidency were unsuccessful, as Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, did not respond to calls seeking his reaction as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, during the Friday service, the Chief Imam of the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque, Area 1, Garki, Rabiu Suleiman, delivered a sermon focusing on lessons from Surah Al-Fatihah, the opening chapter of the Quran.
The Imam urged Muslims to uphold the oneness of Allah and seek steadfastness in their faith.
He also prayed for peace, the President’s good health and greater wisdom, asking Allah to guide Tinubu in leading Nigeria towards prosperity.
Suleiman further acknowledged the President’s contributions to the renovation of the mosque.
Tinubu was accompanied by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari; Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; and former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
The presidential election is scheduled for January 2027, with Tinubu expected to face significant opposition from prominent political figures, including Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
It would be recalled that on the eve of the 2023 general elections, Tinubu, who was then the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), observed Friday prayers at several mosques, including Berger Mosque, the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, and the National Mosque in Abuja.
However, no similar incident of public booing was reported during those visits.
News
Archbishop Ibezim Withdraws Lawsuit Against Primate Ndukuba, Dean Enyindah, Signals Move Towards Reconciliation
The Archbishop of Awka Diocese discontinues legal action against two top Anglican leaders, raising hopes of an amicable settlement and restoration of unity within the Church of Nigeria.
The Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese of Awka, Most Rev. Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, has withdrawn his lawsuit against the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, and the Dean of the Church, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, in a development that could pave the way for an amicable resolution of the dispute.
The withdrawal is seen as a significant step towards resolving the disagreement through dialogue and reconciliation rather than prolonged legal confrontation.
The development was conveyed in a Notice of Discontinuance/Withdrawal of Suit filed at the High Court of Anambra State, Awka Judicial Division, in Suit No. A/371/2026.
In the notice dated Friday, November 13, 2026, and signed by the plaintiff’s counsel, Chief B.E.I. Nwofor, SAN, Archbishop Ibezim formally notified the court of his decision to discontinue and withdraw the suit to allow room for an amicable resolution of the dispute.

The suit was instituted against Ndukuba, who is the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, and Enyindah, who serves as the Dean of the Church of Nigeria and chairman of the visitation team to the Diocese of Awka.
The legal dispute arose from the constitution of a visitation team by the Primate, which Archbishop Ibezim had challenged on grounds of its legality.
Specifically, the Awka diocesan bishop questioned the constitution of the team by the first defendant in a letter dated June 17, 2026.
However, his decision to withdraw the case signals a possible shift towards dialogue and mutual understanding among the senior Church leaders.
The development is expected to create an opportunity for the parties to address their differences through the established structures of the Church and work towards restoring cordial relationships.
It could also help ease tensions within the Anglican Communion, particularly at a time when unity, institutional stability and confidence in the Church’s leadership remain important considerations.
Disagreements involving senior clerics can have wider implications for the Church, its clergy and congregation. Consequently, an amicable resolution would be significant in preserving the unity and spiritual integrity of the institution.
Nevertheless, the Notice of Discontinuance does not disclose the specific terms of any proposed settlement or indicate whether the parties have already reached an agreement.
It also remains unclear whether a formal reconciliation process has commenced or what arrangements may be adopted to resolve the substantive issues that led to the litigation.
The withdrawal, however, marks an important development in the dispute, with attention now shifting to whether the parties can translate the decision into a lasting and mutually acceptable settlement.
News
UNN Party Horror: ‘I Woke Up At 9pm To Find My Friends Lying Lifeless’ – Survivor
• ‘I Thought I Was Going To Die’ – 24-Year-Old Student Narrates How He Survived Mysterious Party Incident That Claimed Four Lives In Nsukka
A 24-year-old student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has recounted his terrifying experience at an off-campus party where four students reportedly died after participants suddenly became unconscious.
The survivor, an Art Education student, said he lost consciousness during the gathering and only regained awareness several hours later, when he discovered his friends lying motionless on the floor.
Recounting the incident in an interview with Vanguard, the student disclosed that the gathering was organised by his friend, identified as David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.
According to him, the host purchased two bottles of alcoholic drinks, Magic Moment and Best, which they took to his residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, where approximately 10 people gathered for the celebration.
He said the party commenced at about 11:30am, with participants sharing the drinks and engaging in a game of Truth or Dare.

Narrating how the incident unfolded, the survivor said one of the participants suddenly started vomiting, prompting him to assist the individual to the toilet.
He explained that after helping his friend, he returned to clean the vomit on the floor before suddenly losing consciousness.
“During the party, one of the participants started vomiting. I took him to the toilet and asked him to clean himself up. I then came out to clean the vomit on the floor.
“After that, I suddenly lost consciousness. However, I noticed that my legs had become stiff, and I could no longer walk,” he narrated.
The student said he regained consciousness at approximately 9pm, several hours after the incident began.
He recalled hearing someone making a strange remark before managing to look into the parlour, where he saw the host and other participants lying motionless.
“When I regained consciousness at about 9pm, I heard someone saying that a ghost was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he said.
The survivor disclosed that he immediately contacted a friend, who arrived at the residence, observed the situation and subsequently left.
He expressed disappointment that another individual who reportedly came to the scene allegedly chose to record the victims instead of making efforts to secure emergency assistance.
He said another friend later arrived and helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka for treatment.
Generator Was Operating Outside Room
Providing further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident, the survivor said the participants were inside the parlour with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was operating outside in the corridor.
He added that the room’s fan was switched on during the gathering.
The student also dismissed suggestions that the participants might have consumed illicit drugs, insisting that alcohol was the only substance taken at the party.
“We didn’t smoke, and there was no drug there. We took only alcohol. We had just two bottles for about 10 people, so the quantity each person drank was very little, not even up to a quarter of a party cup,” he said.
Police Question Poisoning Allegations
The survivor disclosed that police officers had visited him and questioned him about the possibility of poisoning or deliberate interference with the drinks.
He said investigators asked whether the participants had disagreements with anyone or suspected that somebody might have tampered with the alcoholic beverages.
However, he maintained that he had no reason to suspect the host, whom he described as someone who did not harbour grudges against others.
He added that he also saw the host lying on the floor when he regained consciousness, while the host’s brother later confirmed that he was receiving treatment at Bishop Shanahan Hospital.
The student further disclosed that the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Otuanya, had visited him to assess his condition.
He said representatives of the local government, friends and police officers had also visited him.
Survivor Still Experiencing Leg Stiffness
Despite surviving the incident, the 24-year-old said he was still experiencing stiffness in his legs, although his condition was gradually improving.
Reflecting on the frightening experience, he said the incident had completely changed his attitude towards alcohol consumption.
“This was the first time I took alcohol and experienced such a condition. I think this will be the last time I will ever take alcohol,” he said.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain a subject of investigation, with questions about the possible role of the generator, the conditions inside the room and the possibility of drink contamination yet to be conclusively established.
Authorities are expected to determine what led to the sudden loss of consciousness among the participants and establish the precise cause of the deaths.
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