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JUST IN: Police Cautions Against Self-Kidnapping, as Suspects Arrested in Lagos, Plateau, Abuja

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….. Says such trend Is punishable under the Police laws

The Nigeria Police have warned Nigerians against the recent disturbing trend of self-kidnapping (false kidnapping), which it says is a punishable offense under the police laws, cautioning the public against engaging in such activities as there are legal consequences associated with the criminal act.

This follows an observed incidents of self-kidnapping in various locations, with suspects apprehended in Lagos and Abuja.

In Lagos, a couple was arrested for alleged self-kidnapping scheme aimed at obtaining a N5 million ransom recently.

The husband, Doubara David Yabrifa, a 53-year-old technician, and the wife Regina Yabrifa, a 48-year-old body massager and bone setter, were apprehended after a family member reported the purported kidnapping.

The couple confessed to planning the self-kidnap to raise N3 million to purchase a property in Badagry, Lagos. The husband justified the act, citing financial difficulties and lack of support from relatives. Both were arrested and subsequently charged to court.

Also, one Albarka Sukuya of Jenta Apata, Jos, has been notorious for staging his kidnap on several occasions and received ransoms from unsuspecting members of the community in Plateau State. Similarly, on 20th January, 2024, a young man, Nnamdi Agu, faked his kidnap in Abuja in an attempt to defraud one of his family members who resides around River Park Estate, Abuja, to make money to pay for his personal pleasures.

The Police, in a swift response, foiled the staged kidnapping, and arrested the suspect. It is obvious that the suspect and many others leverage on the prevailing instances of kidnapping and plan to engage in such criminal and deceptive acts of staged or self-kidnapping to make money.

These three (3) cases are a few of similar cases recorded in some states, that have been thwarted by the Police.

The Force hereby cautions members of the public to be wary of this trend while those with intent to venture into these criminal acts should desist as the police will leave no stone unturned to cause such suspects to face the full wrath of the law.

Equally, we vehemently encourage the media and social media influencers, bloggers, etc., to constantly verify news before broadcasting such, not to create panic and jeopardize our security arrangements.

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FG Launches Digital Education Database, Seeks Full School Participation

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The Federal Government has called on state governments, local education authorities and private school owners to actively participate in the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System, known as DNEMIS, to strengthen education planning and service delivery across the country.

Speaking at the official launch of the platform in Abuja, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said effective education reforms depend on credible and comprehensive data.

Alausa noted that the digital platform will provide real-time information on classrooms, teachers, enrolment, computer facilities, water and sanitation infrastructure, among other key indicators.

He also said that DNEMIS will transform the collection, analysis and use of education data, enabling governments to identify gaps, deploy resources efficiently and make evidence-based decisions.

He stressed that accurate data remains critical for monitoring progress, evaluating interventions and planning for the future of the education sector.

Alausa also commended development partners, including the World Bank, UNICEF, the European Union and the Norwegian Government for supporting the development and rollout of the platform, adding that their intervention helped overcome implementation challenges and accelerated the project’s delivery.

The Director-General of the National Bureau of Statistics, Semiu Adeyemi Adeniran, pledged the agency’s support for DNEMIS.

He further stated that the NBS would integrate its systems with the platform and use household surveys and Small Area Estimation data to validate education statistics, ensuring a single reliable source of education data for national planning and policy implementation.

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Nigeria Moves from Decline to Stability – Finance Minister Oyedele (Photos)

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Nigeria has successfully navigated the toughest phase of its economic reforms and is now prioritising accelerated, broad-based growth that benefits citizens and businesses, according to the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele.

Speaking at the Nigeria Employers’ Summit 2026 organised by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) in Abuja, Oyedele said the bold reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration averted an imminent economic collapse and established a foundation for macroeconomic stability.

Addressing business leaders, policymakers, and development partners during a high-level panel titled “Reforms in Focus: The Milestones, the Challenges and the Prospects,” the Minister acknowledged the short-term hardships caused by the reforms but described them as essential for restoring fiscal sustainability.

“Before the reforms, Nigeria faced an unsustainable fiscal situation where oil revenues were largely consumed by fuel subsidies and non-oil revenue by debt obligations, leaving little room for investment in infrastructure and other critical sectors,” Oyedele explained.

He emphasised that the reforms were necessary to prevent economic collapse. “The task before us now is to consolidate the gains, deepen stability and accelerate productive, inclusive growth that improves the lives of Nigerians,” the Minister stated.

Oyedele noted that the economy has transitioned from severe volatility to increasing stability, creating conditions to attract investment, boost productivity, and build long-term resilience. The next phase of reforms, he said, will focus on faster economic growth, expanding opportunities across sectors, reducing inflation, and protecting vulnerable groups including low-income earners and small businesses.

The Minister also addressed public perceptions of government policies, particularly borrowing. He observed that criticism often stems from viewing debt through the lens of personal finance rather than strategic fiscal management. He cited the recent tax reforms as an example, which were designed to protect small businesses and low-income households while ensuring higher contributions from those with greater capacity.

Oyedele called on Nigerians to adopt a more balanced narrative about the country’s progress, recognising improvements in fiscal management, debt sustainability, investor confidence, and overall economic stability despite remaining challenges.

Other panelists, including Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA); Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE); and Dr. Wilson Erumebor, Principal Economist at the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), acknowledged the necessity of the reforms while urging stronger actions to deliver tangible benefits to businesses and citizens.

Discussions at the summit centred on healthcare financing, infrastructure development, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, power sector reforms, tax administration, and translating macroeconomic stability into better living standards and enterprise competitiveness.

The Nigeria Employers’ Summit 2026 convened senior government officials, private sector leaders, development partners, and economic experts to explore how ongoing reforms and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles can enhance competitiveness and drive inclusive national growth.

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Nigeria must never experience another civil war, Obasanjo warns

Obasanjo noted that many of the factors that led to the 1967–1970 conflict still exist within the country’s institutions and among its people.

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday warned that Nigeria must never experience another civil war.

Obasanjo spoke at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while receiving a historical documentation on the Asaba Massacre from the Isama Ajie of Asaba, Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze.

Obasanjo noted that many of the factors that led to the 1967–1970 conflict still exist within the country’s institutions and among its people.

The work, titled Asaba Massacre, comprises a published transcript and an audiovisual documentary based on eyewitness accounts, recorded interviews, archival materials, audiovisual documentation and historical research.

Speaking during the presentation, Obasanjo, who served as a military commander during the Nigerian Civil War, said that he had always refrained from commenting extensively on the Asaba Massacre because the area was under the command of the late General Murtala Muhammed.

He commended Nduka-Eze for documenting the events, saying the work would contribute to preserving Nigeria’s history and preventing a recurrence of such tragedies.

“We pride ourselves that we preserve the past, we capture the present and we inspire the future. We capture the past, and this is the past; we want to capture it, we want to know about it,” Obasanjo said.

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