Edo State Police Command says it has rescued 10 University of Benin, UNIBEN, students abducted by suspected kidnappers at Ofosu area along the Benin-Ore expressway.

It was gathered that the students were on their way to Babcock University for Annual GYC Africa Conference when they were kidnapped on April 16 at the community bordering Edo and Ondo States.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Moses Yamu disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen.

Yamu said the rescued students are eight males and two females.

He said during the rescue operation, one of the suspected kidnappers was killed, while other escaped with bullet wounds.

He also disclosed that one of the Police officers, an Inspector sustained gunshot injury and is currently responding to treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

The statement read: “The Command wishes to update the general public of the unfortunate kidnap of some students who were on their way to Babcock University for Annual GYC Africa Conference on 16/04/2025 at a location bordering Edo and Ondo States.

“On receipt of this information, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, immediately deployed operatives of the Ohosu Division, IRT, tactical teams alongside vigilantes and hunters into the bushes for possible rescue of the victims and arrest of suspects.

“During the operation, operatives engaged in a gun duel with these kidnappers. In the process, one of the kidnappers was neutralised, while others escaped with bullet wounds.

“The operatives were cautious to avoid collateral damages as the kidnappers used the victims as human shields. Unfortunately, an Inspector of Police sustained a gunshot injury and is currently responding to treatment.

“This rescue effort eventually paid off as the ten (10) kidnapped students comprising eight (8) male and (2) females were released due to intense pressure mounted on them.”

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) in Nigeria has sanctioned and revoked about 574 schools found to have engaged in examination malpractices.

Head of WAEC national office, Dr Amos Dangut, disclosed this while speaking to journalists at the national headquarters in Lagos yesterday.

He stated that the examination body has submitted the list of schools involved to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education for sanctions.

The schools involved in malpractices would no longer be recognised as WAEC examination centres.

He said, “This year, we have shared with them a total of 574 schools whose recognition has been withdrawn. This measure will also be adopted by all examining bodies.

“These schools are no longer recognised as examination centres by WAEC, and we will not conduct exams there.”

Ahead of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), scheduled from Thursday, April 24 to Friday, June 20, 2025, Dangut revealed that 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools have registered for the examination.

This is an increase of 158,627 candidates compared to last year.

He said there are 979,228 males, while 994,025 are females.

Dangut highlighted WAEC’s commitment to leveraging technology, introducing the first-ever Computer-Based WASSCE (CB-WASSCE) for school candidates.

He disclosed that no two candidates will receive identical questions to discourage cheating.

As Christians in Nigeria join others around the world to mark the 2025 Easter celebrations, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered tight security measures across the country to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free holiday.

In a statement on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP extended warm Easter greetings to the Christian faithful, urging them to reflect on the values of hope, renewal, and sacrifice which the season represents.

Egbetokun directed all Commissioners of Police and supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to intensify visibility policing, intelligence gathering, and extended surveillance in their jurisdictions.

He also directed the strategic deployment of personnel to churches, recreational centres, highways, and other public places to forestall any security breach during the festivities.

“‎The IGP hereby directs Commissioners of Police across all State Commands and Formations, and their supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, to enhance visibility policing, extended vigilance, and intelligence gathering to ensure a safe and secure festive celebration for all citizens.

“He also emphasises the critical importance of enhanced patrol and strategic deployment of personnel to places of worship, recreation centres, major highways, and other public spaces to deter criminal activities and provide swift responses to any security challenges that may arise,” the statement said.

He also called on Nigerians to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by providing timely and credible information to help prevent any potential threats to public safety.

While urging citizens to remain vigilant, Egbetokun advised moderation in celebrations and warned against reckless driving on the highways throughout the Easter period and beyond.

He said, “‎The IGP calls on members of the public to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing the breakdown of law and order during this period.

Citizens are therefore urged to remain security conscious, act with moderation, and avoid reckless driving on highways during the festive period and beyond.”