The Peace Corps of Nigeria, PCN has expressed grave concerns over the continued invasion of educational institutions by bandits across the country with callous abductions of innocent pupils and teachers for ransom purposes. The Corps warned that the systemic criminal assault on the academic system, if left unchecked, will undermine the fabric of the educational sector. Addressing a media conference in Abuja on Wednesday, National Commandant of the Corps, Dickson Akoh lamented that the wanton attacks on schools will not only induce severe psychological trauma and pervasive fear among students, but will also profoundly discourage parents from sending their wards to schools and colleges, thereby jeopardizing the future of Nigerian youth. In view of the escalating insecurity across the country, most notably the frequent invasions, targeting, and kidnapping of staff and students, Akoh canvassed the deployment of Peace Corps personnel to educational institutions to tackle the challenges headlong. According to him, “the initiative seeks to deploy a layered security framework that integrates grassroots monitoring with robust early-warning systems to detect and mitigate threats before they escalate. “By training and deploying disciplined officers and men as specialized safety officers, the initiative will address critical issues such as cultism, drug abuse, and unauthorized access, establishing a proactive, community-driven presence within schools and colleges to safeguard lives and property. “Operating at the front-lines of the educational institutions, deployed personnel will focus primarily on continuous surveillance and intelligence gathering within school perimeters. “By maintaining a constant, vigilant presence, the Corps will be strategically positioned to identify vulnerabilities, track suspicious activities, and detect potential security breaches by intruders. “This critical, real-time intelligence will be seamlessly and rapidly transmitted to conventional security agencies, creating a vital link that enables a rapid, coordinated response to neutralize threats before harm can befall the academic community. Akoh pleaded with the appropriate authorities to consider the position of the Corps towards combating banditry in schools so as to safeguard the educational future of the citizens and national development of the country.

. The Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, has protested and condemned what it called the avoidable kidnapping and killing of pupils and teachers in Oyo State as well as similar incidents in other parts of Yorubaland. OPC’s President, Mr Wasiu Afolabi, accused governors of the South-West and other Yoruba-speaking states of ignoring the threat posed by Fulani terrorists and the alarm the organisation raised in times past about the danger. Afolabi, in a statement, said: “The kidnapping, killing and beheading of our defenceless Yoruba kinsmen in Yorubaland is not only condemnable, it is highly provocative; and it will not be tolerated. “We, hereby, urge the government to permit and equip the OPC and other self-determination groups to confront the threat posed by terrorists in order to terminate the insecurity being imported into Yorubaland from the North. “Yorubaland is under attack. Long ago, we warned; we shouted. But our leaders continued to play politics and refused to act on the matter. Now we must face the reality that the enemies have surrounded us. “Our people say: To be forewarned is to be forearmed. But Yoruba people and our governors have been wallowing in this unbelievable sense of fake safety and security, while ignoring the looming danger by foreign bandits, terrorists and their local collaborators. “We will not tolerate a situation where our children cannot safely attend school, where our people cannot travel or where our farmers cannot farm because of some foreign elements. “Time has come to take the bull by the horn and confront these unprovoked, cold-blooded and needless killings.” He described as worrisome and unacceptable that soldiers and police would shoot at demonstrators filing out to protest in places where such kidnappings and killings by bandits had taken place. According to Afolabi, such a situation smelt of suspicion about the security agencies acting out a secret agenda in favour of terrorism and ethnic expansion. Expressing anger over the beheading of one of the abducted teachers, OPC said: ”What offence did this defenceless teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun commit to deserve such a horrible fate of being beheaded? How can you report for duty in the morning, get kidnapped and wind up beheaded like a chicken?” OPC warned that every minute terrorists remained in the forests would only give them a stronger foothold to build a fortress from which they would unleash more evil against Nigerian citizens. “OPC wants governors in Yoruba-speaking South-West and beyond to urgently invite all vigilante, hunter and militant groups to join the war against terrorism in Yorubaland. Governors must immediately declare a state of emergency and get all hands on board to collaborate with the security forces to restore peace to our native land. “We cannot fold our arms anymore and wait for bandits and terrorists to be entering our homes, our towns and villages to kidnap and kill at will. Enough is enough. The government must rise up, support and equip patriotic and willing individuals and groups like OPC to enter the forests to restore sanity.” Urging all the relevant executive and legislative arms of government to expedite action on the creation of states-run police, OPC called for the South-West to adequately equip all the groups for adequate security in the meantime.

A former presidential aide and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Sani, has claimed that former President Goodluck Jonathan has already purchased a presidential nomination form ahead of the 2027 general elections. Sani, who served as senior special assistant on media and publicity to former Vice President Namadi Sambo, made the claim during an appearance on Trust TV on Tuesday. The remarks come amid renewed consultations by Jonathan across political circles, fuelling speculation that the former president may be preparing for a political comeback nearly 12 years after leaving office. Although Jonathan has not publicly declared his ambition or confirmed the platform on which he may contest, Sani suggested that internal crises within the PDP may have contributed to the former president’s cautious approach. He dismissed talk that the party is trying to use Jonathan’s public appeal for their own gain. He maintained that the former president’s actions already indicated serious political interest. “The issue is not about whether we will extract commitment from him. What is most important in politics is action. If your action suggests you are interested, there are certain actions to follow. One of which is the procurement of the nomination form. “He has procured the nomination form. In fact, he is about to come and submit the forms publicly. So it is not an issue of whether we are trying to bring or use him for our face-saving grace, whatever. No. “The fact of the matter is that we believe that Jonathan is the right choice at this moment,” Sani said. He also expressed confidence that the suit challenging Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the presidency again would fail in court, arguing that the matter had already been settled judicially. “We are very confident that the matter will be thrown out because you cannot relitigate something that has already been decided upon,” Sani said. According to him, only the Supreme Court could overturn earlier decisions on Jonathan’s eligibility, insisting that the pending matter before Justice Peter Lifu would likely be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction when it comes up on May 26. The PDP chieftain also dismissed claims that Jonathan’s supporters were merely exploiting his name for political relevance, insisting that many Nigerians remained emotionally attached to the former president due to memories of his administration. “Most Nigerians know him and are nostalgic about Jonathan. At the time he left office, many people felt the PDP was not performing, but now Nigerians have seen the difference clearly,” he added. Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president between 2010 and 2015 before losing re-election to former President Muhammadu Buhari. Since leaving office, he has largely played diplomatic and mediation roles across Africa while avoiding direct involvement in partisan politics.

The Defence Headquarters has said terrorist groups have not established permanent operational bases in Nigeria’s South-West, insisting that recent attacks in Oyo State were isolated criminal incidents. The clarification came after reports alleged the presence of entrenched terrorist bases in the South-West, particularly in the wake of the Oyo incident. On May 15, 2026, a total of 32 victims, consisting of 25 students and seven teachers, were kidnapped after terrorists attacked three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, the Director, Defence Media Operation, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja said the attack did not reflect the existence of any permanent terrorist structure in the region. He added that earlier clearance operations in the Old Oyo National Park had significantly degraded the capacity of criminal elements operating within that axis. He said, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to categorically address recent media reports and public speculation suggesting that terrorist elements have established a permanent operational base within the South West geo-political zone of Nigeria, particularly following the attack in Oyo State. “It is pertinent to state that the incident was an isolated criminal act and does not reflect the existence of any entrenched terrorist structure in the region, as the Armed Forces had earlier conducted a comprehensive clearance operation of the Old Oyo National Park, effectively neutralising the operational capacity of criminal elements within that operational capacity of criminal elements within that corridor. “Current intelligence assessments do not support the conclusion that any structured or permanent terrorist base exists within the forests or hinterlands of the South West region. “Criminal elements, however audacious their recent activities, do not constitute an established insurgent presence, and the Defence Headquarters cautions against narratives that may cause unnecessary public panic or embolden adversaries by overstating their capabilities.” He said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, expressed deep condolences over the abduction of pupils from the schools. He assured the affected families, the government and people of Oyo State that the Armed Forces were fully committed to securing the safe and unconditional release of all abducted victims. “The full weight of the Armed Forces is being brought to bear to ensure the safe and unconditional return of every abducted victim,” he said, urging Nigerians to remain calm, united and supportive of ongoing security operations. He said the military further disclosed that troops are currently engaged in active search-and-rescue operations across forested areas in Oyo State. “The Armed Forces is equally engaging the local populace for human intelligence, recognising that community cooperation remains an invaluable asset in the effort to recover the abducted victims safely and swiftly. “The joint effort with all security agencies and local vigilantes will ensure that the forest is thoroughly cleared of criminal elements and that lasting peace is restored to the region. The Armed Forces of Nigeria will not relent until every abducted victim is safely recovered, the criminal networks responsible are dismantled, and normalcy is fully restored across the South West and indeed all of Nigeria, ” he said.

Panic and pandemonium gripped Ogbomoso, Oyo State, following a horrific terrorist invasion of multiple schools in the Oriire Local Government Area. Armed men stormed the communities of Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota, abducting an unconfirmed number of students and staff—including a principal and teachers. Tragically, an assistant headmaster was killed during the attack. Following the attacks, public school educators shut down classrooms and paralyzed academic activities. Teachers marched to the TESCOM office in Ogbomoso, carrying placards to protest the abductions and demand immediate government action to secure their colleagues` release. A deeply distressing video surfaced on social media showing the abducted principal pleading with the federal and state governments, as well as community leaders, to intervene. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the abductions and the tragic death of at least one teacher in captivity. The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB) has temporarily shut down primary and secondary schools in neighboring vulnerable communities (including Oriire, Surulere, and Oyo East) until security is stabilized. A massive manhunt is underway by joint security forces—including the police and local vigilante groups—to track down the assailants and rescue the victims.

Pure chaos erupted across Ogbomoso on Monday as terrified parents flooded schools to pull their children to safety. The frantic rush was sparked by rising rumors of impending bandit attacks and the shocking recent abductions of dozens of students and teachers across several schools in the Oriire Local Government Area. Gunmen heavily attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), Community Grammar School (Esiele), and LA Primary School, leading to the abduction of a school principal, multiple teachers, and at least 45 schoolchildren. The initial kidnappings—along with the tragic killing of at least one assistant headteacher and a local motorcyclist during the raid—sent shockwaves across Ogbomoso. Speculation of further incursions quickly went viral, emptying classrooms as parents abandoned work to secure their children. The atmosphere has remained tense. Aggrieved teachers and union members launched a peaceful protest, completely paralyzing academic activities and marching to the TESCOM office to demand immediate government intervention. Following widespread outrage, President Bola Tinubu publicly condemned the "barbaric" attacks. Federal and state authorities have assured residents that security operatives are working around the clock to rescue those held captive and neutralize the bandits.

A non-governmental organisation, ActionAid Nigeria, has lamented that with Nigeria’s rising debt profile, a new born baby begins life with a loan to the tune of N691,000. Country Director of the organization, Andrew Mamedu, said this on Monday while fielding questions in an interview on Arise Television. He was speaking on the current Nigeria’s rising debt regardless of the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira. “With Nigeria’s rising debt now, it means that a new born baby already starts life owing about N691,000. “There is nothing wrong with responsive borrowing. Governments worldwide, from China to the US, borrow, sometimes above their annual budgets. “But responsible borrowing depends on clear purpose and accountability, as outlined in fiscal responsibility principles. “Borrowing should not be for consumption, and the key concern is transparency in how funds are used. “Ideally, it should follow a clear fiscal plan and be directed only to productive capital projects that can generate returns and repay the debt,” he said.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit by an Abuja-based lawyer seeking to stop Jonathan from contesting for President in 2027. This is as Justice Peter Lifu on Monday, fixed May 26 for composite judgment, which would include a ruling on the application by the plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, asking him to recuse himself. In the originating summons, Jideobi requested, among others, that the court determines “whether in view of the combined provisions of sections 1(1), (2) and (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, the 1st defendant is eligible, under any circumstances whatsoever, to contest for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” Jideobi argued that Jonathan had exhausted the constitutional limit allowed for a president, having completed the tenure of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before serving another full term after the 2011 election. In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Emmanuel Agida, who deposed on behalf of the Jideobi, averred that Jonathan was sworn in as president on May 6, 2010, following Yar’Adua’s death and another oath on May 29, 2011, after winning the election Jideobi, on Monday, also brought an application, asking the judge to recuse himself in the matter for alleged bias, because the court shortened their 14 day requirement to reply to Jonathan’s counter-affidavit and preliminary objection. Earlier, counsel to Jonathan, Chris Uche, SAN, in arguing both his counter-affidavit and preliminary objection, asked the court to dismiss the suit with a cost of N50 million. He cited two previous judgements, such as the Federal High Court between Andy Solomon and Jonathan; and that of the Court of Appeal between Cyracus Njoku and Jonathan, which he said were dismissed. Uche further submitted that the amendment to the Section 137(3) of the Constitution, which bars officials who had sworn to an oath previously more than twice, from seeking the same office, cannot be applied retroactively against Jonathan, who contested in 2015. He argued that Jideobi was trying to weaponise litigation as a means of political exclusion when the Nigerian constitution grants every qualified citizen the right to seek for the highest office in the land. “He has no locus standi to bring this action and no cause of action has crystallised,” he said. He expanded that for Jideobi to have locus, he must demonstrate how it affects him directly, and show he is a registered voter to show he is interested in who governs him. Similarly, the Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law of the Ministry of Justice, Dr Maimuna Lamin Shiru, asked the court to dismiss Jideobi’s claim in its entirety. In objecting, Ukpai submitted that the issue of being a registered voter is never a condition for bringing the suit before the court, while urging the court to dismiss objections and the counter-affidavit of Jonathan and the Ministry of Justice.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the killing of an assistant headmaster who was said to have attempted to protect children during an attack, alongside other victims, during coordinated assaults on schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. CAN observed that the sacrifice made by the assistant headmaster must not be forgotten and called for those responsible to be identified, apprehended, and prosecuted. In a statement issued on Monday by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN condemned the abduction of schoolchildren, teachers, and school officials during the coordinated attacks on schools, describing the incident as a national disgrace and a frightening sign of worsening insecurity. Okoh decried the invasion of schools by armed criminals, describing the attacks as a direct assault on the nation’s conscience and evidence of a troubling collapse of security. He stressed that the abduction of children and educators in broad daylight, coupled with the reported killing of innocent citizens, underscored the growing threat posed by organised criminal groups. According to him, “It is intolerable, disgraceful and utterly unacceptable that Nigerian children can no longer sit safely in classrooms without the fear of being kidnapped by armed gangs.” CAN expressed concern that armed attackers allegedly stormed multiple schools, terrorised communities, and escaped with dozens of pupils and teachers, saying the incident was more than a routine security breach, but evidence that violent criminal activity is spreading into areas previously regarded as relatively secure. The association lamented what it described as the “national humiliation” of seeing teachers and parents pleading for mercy while victims remained in captivity, stressing that no parent should ever have to watch helplessly as their child is dragged into the forest by gunmen, or a teacher should have to choose between educating children and risking abduction or death. CAN stated that persistent kidnappings and the inability to dismantle criminal networks were gradually normalising terror across the country, lamenting that insecurity, once concentrated in parts of northern Nigeria, is now spreading dangerously into the South-West and other regions, threatening public confidence and national stability. The association appealed to the Federal Government, security agencies, and the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts towards the immediate rescue of the abducted victims and called for the deployment of all available security and intelligence resources to secure the unconditional release of those abducted and ensure perpetrators face justice. CAN also called for stronger protection for schools, particularly in rural communities, urging increased surveillance and security operations around forests and known criminal hideouts.

The Senate has condemned the abduction of 87 students and teachers across Borno and Oyo states within 24 hours, describing the incidents as an attack on Nigeria’s future. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who issued the condemnation through a statement by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Sunday, said the abductions were particularly troubling given that $30 million had been raised globally in 2014 to secure public and private schools across the country. Suspected gunmen had on Friday abducted 45 students and teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A Primary School in Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Within the same period, Boko Haram terrorists attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting 42 students. Bamidele, who is also Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the twin abductions reinforced the urgency of establishing state police, a proposal currently under consideration at the National Assembly. According to him, the 10th National Assembly was at an advanced stage of amending the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for state police, adding that the process would soon be concluded before being transmitted to state houses of assembly for ratification. He explained that after the National Assembly had concluded its part, the proposal would be transmitted “to the State Houses of Assembly for consideration and scrutiny, which would require a two-thirds approval before the state police could come on stream.” He appealed to sub-national governments and legislatures to treat the state police proposal as a matter of strategic national importance, warning that it should not be subjected to partisan politics or ethno-religious considerations. Pending the establishment of state police, Bamidele urged both federal and state governments to adopt the Safe School Initiative as a stop-gap measure, noting that Nigeria currently had 18.3 million out-of-school children. He said the incessant abduction of students and teachers “is a tragic national concern that negates our national development indices,” adding that the National Assembly would use legislation to confront the trend when plenary resumed on June 2. “One of such initiatives is the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution that seeks to establish state police, which is now at an advanced stage. “Another is the amendment of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 aimed at strengthening the system of consequence in the country’s justice sector and discouraging heinous crimes nationwide,” he said.