News
BREAKING: Federal Government Secures Release of 100 Abducted Schoolchildren in Niger State
The Federal Government has successfully secured the release of 100 primary and secondary school pupils who were abducted by armed bandits from the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools in Kunnu, Kagara area of Niger State on Thursday, 4 December 2025.
The children – comprising 68 primary school pupils and 32 junior secondary students – were freed in the early hours of Sunday following sustained military and security operations coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the Niger State Government and local community leaders.
A senior presidency source confirmed to journalists in Abuja that no ransom was paid for the release of the victims, describing the operation as “a decisive victory for the ongoing campaign against terrorism and banditry in the North-West and North-Central zones.
”The source added: “Through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including intense pressure from ground troops of Operation Whirl Punch and intelligence-led engagements, the abductors were forced to release the children unharmed.
All 100 students have been accounted for and are currently undergoing medical checks and debriefing at a secure military facility in Minna.
”The students were kidnapped in a dawn raid on the mission school last Thursday when over 50 heavily armed gunmen stormed the premises, overpowered the guards, and herded the pupils into waiting vehicles before fleeing into the vast Kunnu forest spanning Niger and Kaduna states.
The incident had triggered widespread national outrage and renewed calls for decisive action against the escalating wave of school abductions in northern Nigeria.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who personally received the freed children alongside the Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Salihu Tanko, praised the Federal Government and security forces for their swift response.“I am overjoyed to see our children back alive and in good health.
This is a testament that when all tiers of government and our traditional institutions work together with the security agencies, we can defeat these criminals,” Governor Bago said.
Parents and relatives who had camped at the school premises since Thursday broke into jubilation as the first batch of the rescued pupils arrived under heavy military escort on Sunday afternoon.
The Apostolic Faith Church, which runs the school, issued a brief statement thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the armed forces, and all Nigerians for their prayers and support.
Mop-up operations are still ongoing in the forest to apprehend the fleeing abductors and prevent further attacks during the festive season.
This latest mass rescue comes barely two weeks after 28 students of the Federal College of Agriculture, Bakura, Zamfara State, regained freedom, bringing the total number of schoolchildren freed by security forces in the past one month to over 220.
The Federal Government has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on ransom payments and vowed to sustain the current momentum until every abducted citizen is brought home safely.
Says he was a courageous servant of God
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sorrow at the passing of Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the Chief Imam of Nghar village in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who passed away at 92.
The late Imam Abubakar shot into national and international prominence for hiding over 200 Christians in 2018, during the communal strife which ravaged Plateau State.
President Tinubu described the late Imam as an extraordinary religious leader, whose lifetime represented a striking testament to faith, courage and a staunch belief in the sacredness of human life.
“At such a time when tribal and religious tendencies seemed to overwhelm reason, Imam Abubakar stood firmly on the side of peace, benevolence and conscience,” President Tinubu remarked.
“Mindless of the enormous risk to his own life, the noble cleric chose humanity over division, love as opposed to hatred and embrace rather than rejection.
His heroic feat underlines the essence of true faith, resonating louder than sermons in a salient message to the world at large. Imam Abubakar is a worthy example of a better human we should all aspire to be,” the President said.
“His act of uncommon bravery did not go unnoticed, as he received local and international honours that celebrated his commitment to coexistence among people with diverse orientations.”
I urge religious and community leaders to imbibe and preach the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful togetherness as expounded in the life of Imam Abubakar.
“May the Almighty grant Imam Abubakar eternal rest and reward him for his good deeds and courage,” the President said.
The Imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau state, who Famously Shielded 262 Christians during a Violent Communal attack has died at the age of 90.
Saleh Abubakar son of the deceased Confirmed the death to arise news in Jos said the Cleric Passed away on Thursday night at plateau specialist hospital in Jos.
He revealed that his father died tens earlier after being admitted into the hospital, following Complications linked to a heart Condition that have affected his heart for Some time.
He was initiately admitted diagnosed with a heart problem and had being on check ups all the time and since then his health had not been Stable following the diagnoses.
Imam Abdullahi is Survived by 19 Children made up of 12 boys and 7 girls.In June 2018, during a faith based Clashes that Swept through 10 Villages in Barkin Ladi Local government area of plateau state, the late imam hid 262
Christians in a mosque and his private home untill the Violence Subsided, preventing them from being killed.
His actions earned him both local and international recognition across globe.End
Ctedit: PUNCH
News
Rivers Lawmakers Insist on Investigating Fubara, Deputy
The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, a seven man panel each have been constituted to investigate governor Fubara and his deputy.
Twenty -five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) said that there is no going back on investigating Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, for alleged gross misconducts.
The members re-stated this at Friday’s plenary in the temporary hallowed chamber of the State House of Assembly in their Legislative quarters.
The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, a seven man panel each have been constituted to investigate governor Fubara and his deputy.
He also said that the Chief judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi is to be immediately notified about the resolution of the House.
The order paper of the house in Friday’s sitting has only two items which include investigating governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
Meanwhile,the house has adjourned plenary till January 27.
Rivers High Court Halts Impeachment Proceedings Against Governor Fubara
President Tinubu Expresses Sorrow over IMAM Abubakar’s Death
IMAM who Savef 262 Christians Abubakar Abdullahi Dies in Jos @ 90
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