The Ongoing Struggle of Freed Kwara Church Kidnap Victims

Thirty-eight members of the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, Kwara State, who were kidnapped by bandits on November 18, have not yet been reunited with their families, despite their confirmed release. The worshippers were abducted during a special thanksgiving service in the Ekiti Local Government Area, an attack that resulted in three deaths. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq confirmed their release through his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye. Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga clarified that no ransom was paid and that the release was secured through government negotiations.

Following their freedom, the victims were transferred to Ilorin for medical and psychological care sponsored by the state government. A senior official revealed that the delay in reunification is due to the ongoing trauma care, especially for the elderly and children. However, relatives are growing anxious about the prolonged wait. One family member, speaking anonymously, stated: “The government told us they are taking care of them. We celebrated when we heard they had been released, but since that day, they have not arrived in Eruku. We miss them and want them back home.” Officials have pledged thorough care before the return, emphasizing that the victims went through severe trauma.

Obasanjo Warns Tinubu: Act Against Bandits or Nigerians May Seek Foreign Assistance

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to identify the bandits causing terror in the country. He warned that if the President does not act, Nigerians may need to seek assistance from abroad. Obasanjo made these remarks on Friday, November 28, during his address at the Plateau Unity Christmas and Praise Festival. He pointed out that despite the ongoing k!llings of Nigerians from various regions and religions, the government appears unable to safeguard its citizens, labeling the violence as "nonsensical."

"We are part of the global community. If our government fails to protect us, we have the right to ask the international community for help. If we are being k!lled, it is the government's duty to intervene. We must demand that our leaders take action at all levels and in every aspect of life," he stated. Obasanjo also emphasized that the world has progressed to a point where criminals cannot escape justice. "In this technological age, no one should be able to hide after committing a crime without being detected by modern satellites," he remarked.

Reflecting on his presidency, Obasanjo noted that the current use of drones allows for easier apprehension of individuals, unlike during his administration. He questioned the logic behind the government negotiating with and compensating criminals. "Before I left office, I was aware that we had the ability to apprehend anyone in Nigeria. The limitation we faced then was that, after identifying a criminal, we lacked the means to capture them without ground or air movement. Now, with drones, we can take them down. Why are we not doing this? Why are we engaging in negotiations? And after the government pays these criminals, it denies any involvement! We should urge our government to take action. Photo Credit: Olusegun Obasanjo's offical Instagram age president Tinubu's Instagram page

Priscilla Ojo and Jux's $12 Million Kenyan Mansion: A Dream Realized

Influencer Priscilla Ojo and her husband Jux are making headlines after the couple reportedly purchased a stunning mansion in Kenya.

Lovebirds Priscilla Ojo and her husband Jux are making waves with their recent acquisition of a stunning mansion in Kenya, reportedly worth $12 million. Priscilla shared a captivating photo of their new residence, captioning it, "We asked, they delivered!"

Jux took to his own social platform to share pictures that echoed the same joy, highlighting their shared excitement over their new beginnings.

This purchase undoubtedly showcases the couple's success and dedication to building a life together. Fans can look forward to more glimpses of their paradise after the cuts!

Photo Credit: Priscilla Ojo and Jux's Instagram page

US will pause migration from ‘third-world countries’- Says Trump

US President Donald Trump has warned of intensifying his immigration crackdown, promising to "permanently pause migration" to the US from all "third world countries" as he criticized his nation's "refugee burden". Trump's social media statement followed the announcement of a US National Guard member's de@th due to a shooting in Washington DC, for which an Afghan national is being held responsible. He did not provide additional details or specify which countries could be impacted. This plan may encounter legal obstacles and has already faced opposition from UN agencies. The president's statements after Wednesday's de@dly incident indicate a further hardening of his position on migrants during his second term.

In addition to other actions, Trump has aimed to implement mass deportations of migrants who entered the US unlawfully, significantly reduce the yearly quota for refugee admissions, and eliminate automatic citizenship rights that currently apply to nearly everyone born in the US. Following Wednesday's shooting, Trump vowed to expel any foreigner "from any country who does not belong here". On the same day, the US halted processing all immigration applications from Afghans, stating that the decision was made while reviewing "security and vetting protocols". Then on Thursday, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it would reassess green cards granted to individuals who had immigrated… Trump's strongly worded two-part post on Thursday night went even further, promising to "end all federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens".

"I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover," the president wrote. The phrase "third world" is a term that was used in the past to describe poorer, developing nations. The White House and USCIS have not provided more information about Trump's plan, which he did not directly connect to Wednesday's attack in his post. Earlier this year, the president had already put a travel ban on nationals from Afghanistan and 11 other countries, mostly in Africa and Asia. During his first term, another travel ban was implemented that affected several majority-Muslim countries. In response to Trump's comments, the UN urged his administration to follow international agreements concerning asylum seekers. The deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary general told Reuters, "We expect all countries, including the United States, to honour their commitments under the 1953 Refugee Convention."

Niger State Abduction Leaves 265 Educators and Pupils Unaccounted For, Catholic Bishop Says

The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora, Bulus Yohanna, reported that over a week after gunmen abducted many schoolchildren from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, 265 teachers and students remain missing. Yohanna made this statement on Friday, November 28, during an interview with Channels Television. He mentioned that the total includes 12 teachers and 253 schoolchildren, and that the diocese has sent the names of the abducted individuals to Niger State Governor, Umar Bago. "We had 303 pupils and students unaccounted for, along with 12 teachers. We combined those numbers to reach a total of 315 that we cannot find after conducting a headcount," the bishop explained. Those who managed to escape returned to their villages. As we began receiving calls from those who reunited with their families, we confirmed 50 out of the 315, including staff and teachers who were also missing. After deducting that number, we now have 265 individuals unaccounted for," he stated.

Yohanna, who also leads the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), urged the Federal Government to send security forces to protect schools in the North-Central region. The bishop expressed that the kidnapping has caused significant distress for the parents of the abducted schoolgirls. He noted that two parents have died from the shock of the situation. The cleric called on both the federal and state governments to assist the school by ensuring the safety of the students and teachers still held captive by the kidnappers.

The gunmen took more than 300 children from the Catholic institution, marking a troubling return of mass kidnappings that have plagued Nigeria for years.

Senator Sani Identifies Northern Origin of Terrorist and Bandit Groups in Nigeria

Senator Shehu Sani has made a bold assertion, declaring that the terrorists and bandits causing havoc in Nigeria's North-East and North-West are not foreign infiltrators but homegrown individuals from the region itself. During an engaging discussion on national television, Sani who previously represented Kaduna Central in Nigeria’s 9th Assembly didn’t hold back as he delved into the ongoing security crisis. Speaking at length about the roots of insecurity in northern Nigeria, he firmly stated that resolving these issues would require a proactive and honest approach from the region’s leaders. Addressing the widespread belief that these armed groups are backed by foreign elements, Sani dismissed the speculation as misleading. Contrary to claims attributing the violence to people from countries like Mali, Malawi, or other parts of Africa, he emphatically pointed to locals within the region as the primary actors. He clarified that those engaging in these criminal activities in the North-East are not foreign operatives from places like Congo, Libya, or Egypt they are Northerners and predominantly Muslims. Similarly, when it comes to the banditry in the North-West, Sani underlined that these are not militants from Senegal, Morocco, Guinea, or Guinea-Bissau; rather, they are Fulani people native to the area.

He stressed that solving this issue rests squarely in the hands of northern leaders. These perpetrators are not strangers who speak unfamiliar tongues. They communicate in languages deeply rooted in the region, such as Fulani, Hausa, and Kanuri languages spoken by many in Northern Nigeria. Speaking further on the scale of the issue, Sani challenged the assumption that these groups consist of an overwhelming number of fighters. According to him, their total number barely exceeds 5,000. This highlights that while their destructive impact feels immense, the actual number of people involved may be smaller than many believe.

To resolve this crisis, Sani called on northern leaders to take decisive action. He emphasized the need for a homegrown solution driven by accurate intelligence and a unified commitment to addressing the reality on the ground. For him, it is only by acknowledging the truth about those behind these acts and owning up to their responsibility that the region can truly chart a path toward peace and stability.

New Legislation Alert: Senate Declares Kidnapping and Banditry Terrorism, Introduces De@th Penalty for Offenders

To carry out the decision, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele was instructed to present a formal amendment bill "as soon as possible." The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday passed extensive security resolutions, officially labeling kidnapping and banditry as acts of terrorism and endorsing the maximum death penalty for all crimes related to kidnapping. These resolutions came after a vigorous debate during a session led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, following a motion of urgent national importance introduced by Senator Ashiru Oyelola Yisa (Kwara South) and further modified by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. In one of its most robust security stances in recent years, the Senate declared that from now on, "all laws concerning kidnapping should be categorized as terrorism and should carry a maximum death penalty, with no judge allowed to overturn or lessen the sentence without an option for a fine." To carry out the decision, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele was instructed to present a formal amendment bill "as soon as possible." In addition to the legal reclassification, lawmakers approved the establishment of a new Joint Task Force (JTF) to enhance security along the Kwara–Kogi corridor, with Forward Operating Bases to be set up in Eruku, Babanla, Oke-Ero, Isanlu, and Wasagu in Kebbi State.

The Senate also urged the Federal Government to strengthen local vigilante groups and reassess Nigeria’s firearm laws to align with practices in "over 175 countries where responsible citizens are allowed to own guns." A key point of the resolutions was the call for a thorough investigation into the withdrawal of troops from a school in Kebbi State just hours before a bandit attack. All Senate security committees were tasked with investigating the withdrawal of military personnel from the Kebbi school before the attack, examining the circular related to the k!lling of Brigadier-General M. Uba in Maiduguri, and reporting back to the chamber within two weeks.

The resolutions highlight the Senate’s growing concern about the increase in kidnappings, school raids, and bandit attacks nationwide. Earlier this month, there were also large-scale abductions in Kebbi and Niger states. Photo Credit: President Tinubu official's Instagram page