• Victims reunite with families

Zamfara State Police Command has rescued 25 abducted victims abducted by bandits at Kuraje village in the Damba area of Gusau LGA .

DSP Yazid Abubakar, Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the development to our reporter: “During the attack, the assailants abducted ten (10) women along with fifteen (15) of their children, all residents of the community.”

He said : ” On 21st November 2025 at about 2145hrs, a group of armed bandits in large numbers, wielding dangerous weapons and firing sporadically, attacked

Upon receiving the distress report, joint Police patrol teams from Damba Division and the Department of Operations, Gusau—working in collaboration with the Community Protection Guards (CPG)—swiftly mobilized to the scene.

The team confirmed the incident, pursued the fleeing bandits, and engaged them in a coordinated and strategic operation.

Thanks to the professionalism, gallantry, and swift response of the operatives, all twenty-five (25) abducted victims were successfully rescued unhurt.

They were immediately relocated to Sabongari Damba for safety and proper profiling.

The rescued women and children have since been reunited with their families.

The Commissioner of Police, Zamfara State Command, CP Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba, commends the bravery and dedication of the officers involved in the operation.

He reassures the public of the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.”

The Federal Ministry of Education says that a message currently circulating on social media platforms, alleging that schools nationwide have been directed to close from 24th November 2025, is false and misleading.

Folasade Boriowo Director, Press & Public Relations, in a statement on Saturday, urged public to disregard the fake news , emphasising : “The information did not originate from the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Education, any State Ministry of Education or any recognised security agency.”

The statement reads:

” The public is strongly advised to rely strictly on verified information issued through the following official channels:

The Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Education; State Governments and State Ministries of Education including recognised security agencies.

Any announcement, advisory, or notice coming from unofficial or unverified sources should be ignored and not shared.

Members of the public are urged to always verify the authenticity of information before circulating it in order to curb the spread of misinformation.”

Photo: Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has praised legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), for his unalloyed commitment to lifting young people and vulnerable groups through his annual scholarship and empowerment programme.

Governor Oyebanji gave the commendation during the 29th edition of the Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme and the 6th Empowerment Programme in Ikere-Ekiti on Saturday, November 22, 2025.

Governor Oyebanji emphasised that Olanipekun’s consistent support for education and human capital development stands as a shining example of true leadership.

Governor Oyebanji described the former NBA President as a rare blessing to the nation, noting that for nearly three decades, Chief Olanipekun has invested millions of naira in the academic and economic advancement of students, widows, the elderly, and young entrepreneurs across Ekiti and beyond.

The Governor explained that while many people talked about empowering the next generation, Chief Olanipekun has demonstrated unwavering practical commitment by sustaining one of Nigeria’s longest-running privately funded scholarship and empowerment initiatives.

He emphasised that through the scheme, thousands of students have been supported from secondary school to university as well as law school, while widows and aged citizens have received financial relief and business support.

• The event was graced by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye., member of House of Representatives, AVM, Rufus Ojuawo, Royal fathers, among others.

Oyebanji added that Nigeria would record a more rapid progress if more privileged citizens embrace philanthropy the way Chief Olanipekun has done, maintaining that leaders who use their influence and resources to transform lives are the ones the country urgently needs to nurture a more educated, productive, and compassionate society.

He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to uphold the values of hard work, gratitude, and service to others – the principles that Chief Olanipekun has consistently championed and also charged them to emulate the legal icon by giving back to their communities when they became successful in their various fields.

“I plead with all of you that when you get this support, please it is a seed sow it, this is not money that you have to use to replace your phone, or the money to buy clothes or the money to enjoy christmas and new year, no, it’s a seed that you should sow to your future and when you do that God will bless it,” said Oyebanji.

Earlier in his remarks, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), applauded Governor Oyebanji for the remarkable progress Ekiti State has recorded under his leadership.

He asserted that Ekiti people did not choose wrongly, as he noted that the governor’s humility, accessibility and passion for development have further inspired him to strengthen his annual scholarship and empowerment initiatives.

Chief Olanipekun who recalled how the empowerment programme began 29 years ago as a modest effort to support a few indigent students and widows, expressed deep satisfaction and joy that many of its beneficiaries have today become accomplished professionals, successful entrepreneurs and responsible citizens contributing meaningfully to society.

The legal icon stressed that the scholarship and empowerment scheme is not just charity, but a lifelong mission to support the dreams of young scholars and restore hope to widows, the aged and struggling families.

Today, WOF proudly sponsors four major categories of beneficiaries.

Fifty (50) elderly men and women receive targeted care and assistance under our Old People Programme.

The Youth Empowerment Initiative benefits two hundred and fifty (250) young people through skills training, start-up support and mentorship.

Fifty (50) widows are assisted with welfare, capacity building and livelihood interventions. In all, the Foundation directly serves three hundred and fifty (350) beneficiaries under these schemes.”

Together, the Foundation and the Scholarship Scheme reach a combined total of five hundred and five (505) beneficiaries, a tangible testament to sustained compassion, deliberate strategy, and the enduring conviction that opportunity must be shared.