News
BREAKING: Kogi State Rescues Four Kidnapped Victims in Swift Security Operation
The Kogi State Government has announced the successful rescue of four individuals kidnapped during an attack on an unauthorized examination center in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area.
The victims — a school principal, a NECO official, and two students — were freed unharmed following a rapid, coordinated security operation, authorities said on Thursday evening.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, disclosed the development in an official statement, attributing the rescue to the prompt intervention ordered by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo immediately after the kidnapping.
According to Fanwo, Governor Ododo directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), to lead a joint rescue mission involving the Nigerian Army (particularly the 12 Brigade and 21 Battalion), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilante groups, and other security operatives.
The security forces stormed the forest where the victims were held, applying sustained pressure on the kidnappers, who eventually abandoned the victims and fled. The operation remains ongoing, with security personnel continuing to comb the area to apprehend the fleeing criminals.
“Just this evening, while inspecting the Armoured Personnel Carriers procured by the Kogi State Government to strengthen the fight against criminality, the Governor assured newsmen that every effort was being made to secure the release of the victims,” Fanwo stated. “A few hours later, the victims regained their freedom.”
The Commissioner confirmed that the rescued individuals are “hale and hearty” and are currently undergoing debriefing and medical checks with security agencies.
Fanwo commended the gallantry and professionalism of all security agencies involved, describing the swift rescue as a testament to effective inter-agency collaboration.
He also expressed the state government’s profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his direct intervention, which ensured full support from federal security agencies.
“The President directed the heads of the security agencies to give Kogi every necessary support to rescue the victims. Today, that support has yielded the desired result,” Fanwo said.
The Kogi State Government reiterated its zero-tolerance stance against criminality, assuring residents that it will continue to invest in intelligence, logistics, and collaboration to maintain security across the state.
The rescue comes as part of ongoing efforts by the Ododo administration to rid Kogi State of criminal elements.
News
FG commissions 37 electric buses for civil servants
Walson-Jack described the commissioning as her “parting gift” to federal civil servants, coming less than 24 hours before the end of her tenure as Head of the Civil Service.
•Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack
The Federal Government has commissioned 37 electric buses as the first batch of 100 approved under the Renewed Hope Mass Transit Programme.
Each of the electric buses can carry up to 200 passengers and cover at least 200 kilometres on a full charge.
The full deployment will be completed by December 2026.
The buses were unveiled on Wednesday at Eagle Square, Abuja, with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, describing the initiative as a significant step towards improving working conditions for government employees.
Walson-Jack described the commissioning as her “parting gift” to federal civil servants, coming less than 24 hours before the end of her tenure as Head of the Civil Service.
“What we have here is 37 buses, being the first instalment of the 100 Electric Buses,” she said.
She noted that transportation costs and challenges directly affect workers’ finances, safety, punctuality and productivity.
“For many Civil Servants, the daily commute shapes their finances, their safety, their punctuality, and ultimately their productivity,” she said.
The buses will initially operate on selected routes under a pilot phase before being expanded nationwide.
They will eventually be deployed to Federal Secretariats across the states to extend the benefits to civil servants outside Abuja.
News
NIGCOMSAT To Procure Two New Communication Satellites
The deployment is expected to extend connectivity to underserved, unserved and hard -to- reach communities, strengthen national communications resilience and increase Nigeria’s capacity to deliver satellite e-enabled services.
The federal government, through the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has approved the acquisition of two communications satellites, NIGCOMSAT 2A and NIGCOMSAT 2B.
This was contained in a statement released by the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), and signed by the Acting Head, Corporate Affairs Division, Stephen Kwande.
He said that the satellites, to be deployed by Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), are designed to expand Nigeria’s satellite capacity and strengthen broadband, broadcasting, enterprise and critical communications services.
NIGCOMSAT will lead implementation under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
The deployment is expected to extend connectivity to underserved, unserved and hard -to- reach communities, strengthen national communications resilience and increase Nigeria’s capacity to deliver satellite e-enabled services.
News
Gunmen abduct Dangote Cement senior driver in Ogun
The victim was attacked by three gunmen as he alighted from his motorcycle in front of his residence.
Gunmen have abducted a senior driver with Dangote Cement Company, Ibese Plant, Ogun State, Usman Umar, popularly known as “Baba Olowo,” in Yewa North local government area of the State.
A senior official of Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant, confirmed the incident, saying that Umar was reportedly abducted around midnight on Wednesday at Ajibawo Village, near Ijako-Orile, shortly after returning home from work.
The source said that the victim was attacked by three gunmen as he alighted from his motorcycle in front of his residence.
The assailants were said to have dragged him into a nearby bush while firing shots into the air to scare residents and prevent them from intervening.
The incident has reportedly prompted security operatives to commence efforts to locate the victim and apprehend his abductors.
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