The Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, paid an emotional solidarity visit to the 44 rescued schoolchildren and teachers. The victims, who were abducted from the Oriire Local Government Area, are currently undergoing intensive evaluation at the 2 Division Nigerian Army Hospital, Odogbo Barracks in Ojoo, Ibadan. This royal intervention came less than 24 hours after a highly coordinated security operation successfully brought an end to the victims` grueling 56-day ordeal in the hands of bandits. The monarch was accompanied on this compassionate visit by a high-powered delegation of regional traditional rulers, including the Alaajawa of Ajaawa, Oba Thompson Adeyeye Oyetunji, and the Onisapa of Isapa Kingdom, Oba Bolarinwa Ezekiel Olajide. Together, the royal fathers spent considerable time at the hospital bedsides to comfort the survivors and check on their recovery progress. During the emotional visit, Oba Ghandi and Oba Olajide listened directly to the firsthand experiences of the victims, later describing their traumatic testimonies as deeply heartbreaking. The royal delegation revealed that the bandits had subjected the survivors to brutal treatment, including keeping the male victims blindfolded and chained for the entirety of their two months in captivity. The traditional rulers, including Oba Bolarinwa Ezekiel Olajide, expressed their profound grief over the news that one of the schoolteachers had been brutally killed by the kidnappers while in custody. This tragic loss cast a solemn shadow over the hospital room, reinforcing the heavy toll the community paid during the crisis. The mass abduction, which took place on May 15, 2026, had thrown the entire Ogbomoso zone into a state of severe anxiety and mourning for nearly two months. Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu intervened directly by ordering a specialized military-led rescue capability, prompting an intense collaborative effort. Throughout the crisis, Oba Ghandi and local monarchs like the Onisapa of Isapa worked tirelessly behind the scenes, collaborating closely with state authorities, local leaders, and security outfits to ensure the safe return of their subjects. The breakthrough finally came on Friday when a joint tactical task force successfully located and liberated the victims without any ransom being paid. Led by the General Officer Commanding the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, the operation involved personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and crucial intelligence tracking from the Department of State Services. The operation was highly confrontational; security forces neutralized several terrorists and took at least eight kidnappers into custody. News of the successful operation sparked wild celebrations across the local government areas of Ogbomoso. As the military rescue convoy drove through the prominent Takie Roundabout with the freed pupils and teachers, hundreds of jubilant residents lined the streets to cheer the troops and offer prayers of thanksgiving. Traditional realms, including the Isapa Kingdom, shared in this immense relief, celebrating the bravery of the security forces who put their lives on the line to bring the children home. Concluding the visit alongside Alaajawa of Ajaawa, Oba Thompson Adeyeye Oyetunji and other leaders, Oba Ghandi extended his profound gratitude to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the presidency, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for their unwavering commitment to securing the citizens. The traditional rulers emphasized that the entire Ogbomoso community will provide sustained local support, medical counseling, and resources. This united effort aims to help the children and teachers fully reintegrate into society after surviving such an unimaginable ordeal.

The family of slain teacher Michael Olugbade Oyedokun has expressed deep heartbreak following the rescue of the remaining Oyo State school abduction victims, stating that while the nation celebrates, their own home faces permanent grief. The security operation successfully freed the kidnapped pupils and teachers after a harrowing 57-day captivity in the Oriire Local Government Area. Security forces neutralised several bandits and arrested eight suspects, refusing the kidnappers` demands to swap victims for a detained crime kingpin. While Governor Seyi Makinde and the Presidency described the successful rescue as a massive relief, the breakthrough brings bittersweet pain to the families of the educators killed during the initial May 15 invasion. Speaking on behalf of the grieving family, Oyedokun’s niece, Oluwabukolami, shared a emotional statement online. She congratulated the reunited families but lamented the empty chair left at her own family`s table. "My heart rejoices with every family that has been reunited with their loved ones after weeks of pain, fear, and uncertainty," she wrote. "But as others celebrate, my family mourns. Our uncle is never coming home. His life was brutally cut short, and our joy remains forever incomplete." The tragedy began when heavily armed gunmen stormed the Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, alongside Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Esiele. During the chaotic assault, 32 students and teachers were forcefully taken into the forests. Oyedokun and his colleague, 49-year-old Esiyan Adegboye, were shot and killed by the bandits during the initial ambush. The arrested suspects have been transferred to the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for interrogation and prosecution.

The Oyo State Government has officially announced the release of the schoolchildren and teachers abducted from the Oriire Local Government Area, heralding their freedom as a major triumph for principled leadership and security resilience. In a statement released in Ibadan, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, expressed profound relief and gratitude that the victims are finally free after weeks in captivity. Over 40 schoolchildren and educators were taken during coordinated raids on Community High School, LA Primary School, and Baptist Primary and Nursery School in the LGA. “We are happy to report to our people in Oyo that our children and teachers at Oriire have been released from captivity,” Oyelade stated. He highlighted that the rescue operation was a stern test of the government`s resolve against criminal elements. The Commissioner stressed that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde deliberately resisted immense pressure to adopt a "quick-fix" approach, maintaining a strict policy of zero-tolerance for ransom payments. “Yielding to ransom demands would only encourage criminals and strengthen their operations,” Oyelade explained. He noted that paying kidnappers provides temporary relief but ultimately endangers society by emboldening criminal gangs to destabilize the region. He reaffirmed the state`s long-term commitment to pragmatic, sustainable security measures, assuring residents that the government will continue working closely with security agencies to completely rid Oyo State of kidnapping and banditry. Following the release, the THENEWSCREDIT confirmed that the federal government, under President Bola Tinubu, echoed the state`s stance, confirming that no ransom or concessions were made to secure the victims` safety.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday officially solidified its leadership structure for the upcoming general election by confirming Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for 2027. This high-stakes move effectively puts an end to months of intense political horse-trading, media speculation, and internal debates regarding the composition of the ruling party’s next presidential ticket. The formalization took place in Abuja during a symbolic ceremony where the ruling party received the candidates` completed nomination forms for onward transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The prompt processing ensures the APC beats the strict 6:00 PM Saturday deadline mandated for political parties to upload their candidates` data through the electoral umpire’s online portal in line with the Electoral Act. Demonstrating an aggressive show of party strength and unity, the completed nomination forms were hand-delivered to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, by Ibrahim Masari, the President’s Special Adviser on Political Matters. The ceremony served as a rallying point, attended by influential power brokers including the Progressive Governors’ Forum, National Assembly leaders, Federal Executive Council members, and state party chairmen. Addressing the gathered party elite, the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, explained that the event represented the legal and administrative formalization of the choice made by party members. Argungu reminded stakeholders that President Tinubu had earlier secured his position as the flagbearer through a democratic primary process, and he urged all internal factions to maintain total discipline ahead of the 2027 polls. Speaking on behalf of the powerful APC governors, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma strongly dismissed any rumours of division or friction within the party`s rank and file. Uzodimma commended the transparency of the primary process and pledged the unalloyed commitment of the state executives to mobilize resources and voters to guarantee a decisive victory for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket. The Imo State Governor further charged party faithful across the country to close ranks, drop lingering internal grievances, and work selflessly for all candidates flying the APC banner. Uzodimma expressed absolute confidence that a united front would make the ruling party unstoppable, ensuring they cleanly retain power at the center in the next general election cycle. National Chairman Yilwatda took the stage to outline the party`s campaign direction, stating that the APC will run primarily on the visible achievements of the current administration. He confidently cited the newly established student loan scheme, sweeping national infrastructure development, and critical agricultural interventions as verifiable evidence that the administration has fulfilled its immediate promises to Nigerians. In a bid to spark immediate grassroots mobilization, Yilwatda revealed that a healthy rivalry has already begun among the state governors regarding voter turnout. He disclosed that leaders from one specific geopolitical zone have already guaranteed the highest volume of votes for the President, and he challenged other regions to compete fiercely to see who can deliver the largest victory margin. Following the conclusion of the indoor meeting, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, met with journalists to provide unequivocal clarity on the party`s final decision. Morka explicitly declared that the ticket remains completely unchanged, reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the presidential flagbearer and Senator Kashim Shettima as his sole running mate. With the successful documentation and filing of the nomination papers, the APC has cleared its first major electoral hurdle and successfully insulated its joint ticket from external distraction. The party now pivots completely into full campaign mode, presenting a familiar and unified front to the Nigerian electorate as the countdown to the 2027 presidential election officially begins.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Friday said the abduction of pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area occurred just hours after he declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election. Makinde made the remark while addressing a meeting with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement in Bauchi, recalling that Oyo had not recorded a similar incident during his seven years in office before the May 15 attack. “For seven years, we didn’t witness anything like this in Oyo State. I declared to run for the presidency of Nigeria at four o’clock, and by 9 a.m. the following morning, the children were abducted,” Makinde said. Hours after Makinde’s remarks in Bauchi, the Presidency announced that all the victims had been rescued after spending 56 days in captivity. The Presidency said the victims were freed during a joint operation involving the military, the Department of State Services and the police, with eight suspected kidnappers arrested and others neutralised. According to the Presidency, eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and are currently in DSS custody, while several others were neutralised during the operation. The Presidency also said there was no negotiation or exchange to secure the victims’ release despite the abductors’ demand for the release of one of their detained kingpins, who is currently facing prosecution. Following the rescue, Makinde expressed relief and thanked the President, the military, the police, the DSS and other security agencies for securing the victims’ freedom. The governor described the rescue as “a big relief” for the families of the victims and the people of Oyo State, saying the successful operation brought an end to weeks of anxiety after the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire. Tinubu also commended the security agencies for rescuing the victims without collateral damage and directed emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care and other support for the rescued pupils and teachers. Makinde formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on May 14 at a joint rally of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement in Ibadan, where he announced his ambition to “reset Nigeria.” He subsequently emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement at the party’s primary later that month after running as its consensus candidate.

The 56-day hostage ordeal for the abducted pupils and teachers of Orire, Oyo State, ended on Friday following their release from captivity. The victims, who were seized by bandits nearly two months ago, regained their freedom after a grueling period in the kidnappers` den. THENEWSCREDIT reports that the Presidency confirmed the development through Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. "Finally, the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo, have been freed by their abductors," Onanuga announced in a statement shared on his official X account. The news has sparked widespread relief across Oyo State and the nation, closing a grim chapter that had kept the affected families and school community in agonizing suspense. Security agencies have not yet released details regarding the conditions of their release or the exact number of victims freed.

Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has strongly condemned recent calls to execute repentant insurgents and secessionists, warning that such actions violate both divine commands and international legal frameworks. In a statement published on his official Facebook page on Friday, Gumi argued that killing surrendered combatants or prisoners of war lowers the state to the moral level of terrorists. He cautioned that such actions could trigger indictments at the International Criminal Court (ICC). "Killing repentant insurgents and secessionists is against religious and international law," Gumi stated. "So also prisoners of war. ICC is listening if you don’t fear Allah. Where is morality? It’s the same logic terrorists employ to kill all others besides them. Emotions don’t win a war." Gumi’s remarks follow a major policy shift by the National Assembly. During Tuesday`s plenary session, lawmakers demanded an immediate end to the federal government`s amnesty and rehabilitation programs for surrendered terrorists. Citing the nation`s worsening security crisis, the Senate resolved that all individuals linked to terrorism must face immediate prosecution rather than rehabilitation. Lawmakers insisted that strict judicial punishment is vital to restoring public confidence in Nigeria`s criminal justice system. However, Gumi countered that emotional decision-making would not win the war against insecurity, urging the government to maintain its moral superiority by upholding legal conventions.

As the new wet season cultivation begins across Nigeria, a looming food security crisis is unfolding in the North. Armed bandits have established parallel governance systems across major forest reserves, imposing multi-million naira “farming taxes” on communities and threatening to completely choke off national food production. The annual planting period—traditionally a time of hope—has transformed into a cycle of fear and extortion for farming communities across Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Yobe states. THENEWSCREDIT reports that In Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, bandits recently slammed the Kwandawa community with a staggering ₦20 million levy. Residents were handed a brutal ultimatum: pay the fine—allegedly retaliatory punishment for the killing of a bandit member—or permanently vacate their ancestral homes and farmlands. A similar crisis is paralyzing Sabon Birni Local Government Area in Sokoto State. Residents across 26 vulnerable communities have been forced to pool resources to meet fresh financial demands from criminal groups. The armed gangs issued a strict three-day ultimatum, blocking farmers from accessing their fields until the funds are delivered. Further south, extortion networks have spread into the agricultural border zones of Kano and Katsina states. Sugarcane growers report being forced to pay up to ₦50,000 per acre to criminal elements before they are permitted to harvest their crops. The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has sounded a severe warning over the micro-taxation of agriculture, noting that the targeted smallholders form the bedrock of the country`s nutritional survival. “These small-scale farmers producing 10 to 15 bags are the ones providing food for Nigeria, not those who produce 500 to 1,000 bags,” said Alhaji Abdullahi Ali Mai Biredi, Chairman of the AFAN Kano State chapter. Mai Biredi warned that blocking agrarian communities from their land will trigger a dangerous domino effect. “If these farmers cannot go to their farms because of insecurity, there will be a shortage of food, and food scarcity causes problems. Shortages of food also cause further insecurity.” Despite the widespread extortion, AFAN acknowledged recent tactical gains by state actors. Mai Biredi commended the Federal Government and security agencies for deploying personnel to liberate several previously inaccessible agricultural hubs. Land preparation and cultivation have successfully resumed along the critical border corridors linking Kano and Katsina states due to targeted security presence. The AFAN chief urged the government to complement military action with non-kinetic strategies. “If they have a problem, the government should ensure it looks into their complaints because insecurity has caused huge damage in Nigeria,” he stated. Efforts to get official reactions from the Katsina State Ministries of Agriculture, Information, and Internal Security were unsuccessful at the time of going to press.

President Bola Tinubu’s transmission of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) Amendment Bill to the Senate is a vital intervention for Nigeria`s failing public schools. For too long, public senior secondary education has been the neglected middle child of our national academic strategy. While primary education receives universal basic funding and tertiary institutions grab headlines through strikes and subsidies, secondary schools have quietly decayed. This proposed legislative overhaul represents a crucial opportunity to rescue the sector from administrative paralysis and infrastructural collapse. Breaking the Bureaucratic Gridlock The core value of this 2026 amendment lies in its promise to strip away the bureaucratic bottlenecks that have crippled the NSSEC since its inception. Originally designed to enforce uniform standards and manage critical intervention funds, the commission has frequently been reduced to a toothless bulldog. Conflicting state-level policies and a lack of enforcement teeth have allowed individual states to ignore federal quality guidelines. By granting the commission stronger legal powers, the federal government can finally compel underperforming states to meet national benchmarks. Uniformity in academic governance is not about centralizing control; it is about ensuring that a child in a rural community receives the same quality of education as one in a metropolitan hub. Funding Accountability Over Empty Promises Beyond administrative restructuring, the true test of this bill will be its ability to unlock and safeguard intervention funds. Nigeria’s public secondary schools are visually defined by dilapidated classrooms, obsolete laboratories, and a severe shortage of qualified teachers. However, throwing money at these problems without a robust legal framework has historically led to corruption and waste. If this amendment passes, it must establish foolproof accountability mechanisms. The NSSEC must have the power to track every naira deployed for infrastructural upgrades and teacher retraining, ensuring that state governments do not divert these resources into political vanity projects. A Test of Legislative Urgency Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s swift referral of the bill to the Committee on Rules and Business is a commendable start, but the legislature must maintain this momentum. President Tinubu’s request for accelerated consideration is fully justified; educational decay does not wait for legislative convenience. Every week the bill stalls is another week students sit in crumbling classrooms under the guidance of undertrained staff. The Senate must debate this bill with the urgency of a national emergency, balancing speed with thorough scrutiny to ensure no legal loopholes remain. The Bottom Line Human capital is Nigeria’s greatest resource, and the senior secondary level is the bridge to either higher learning or immediate economic productivity. The Renewed Hope Agenda cannot succeed if the foundational bridge of our youth remains broken. Passing the NSSEC Amendment Bill will not fix public education overnight, but it will finally provide the legal tools, financial accountability, and structural discipline needed to build a competitive, nationwide standard of learning. The National Assembly must act swiftly to turn this executive blueprint into transformative reality. The Human Cost: What Happens to School Staff? The restructuring of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) brings massive uncertainty for thousands of teachers and non-teaching staff. While policy papers focus on "efficiency" and "standards," the people on the frontlines face immediate career anxieties. The proposed amendment threatens job security through professional cleansing, targeting unqualified teachers and reducing non-teaching staff via administrative mergers while initiating a crackdown on payroll fraud. Staff face a retraining and re-certification hurdle, requiring mandatory skills testing and adaptation to digitized frameworks, though with access to dedicated intervention funds for skill updates. Furthermore, the legislation aims for standardized welfare, which could trigger intense resistance from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) regarding pay, pension changes, and forced rural redeployment.

The Federal Government has commenced plans for the nationwide adoption of 112 as Nigeria’s single emergency telephone number. This strategic move aims to phase out multiple emergency lines and establish a unified national response framework. The presidency will engage state governors and response agencies to finalise the integration strategy. This was disclosed in an official statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications. The announcement followed a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa between Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Nigerian Communications Commission governing board. Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe led the NCC delegation during the strategic briefing. This development follows a recent endorsement by the National Economic Council, chaired by the Vice President. The council approved the 112 line across all tiers of government to eliminate fragmented response protocols. Vice President Shettima has directed the NCC to develop a comprehensive implementation roadmap immediately. The telecom regulator must collaborate closely with the National Emergency Management Agency to strengthen nationwide coordination. To ensure long-term sustainability, funding will be mobilised through the National Economic Council and private sector partnerships. The presidency has called for high-level commitment from all emergency responders to guarantee successful execution. The NCC has already established 35 Emergency Communications Centres across the federation to support this rollout. Effective operation will now rely on swift integration between state governors, the police, and ambulance services.