Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), North East Operation Hadin Kai, have rescued 74 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from a suspected abduction attempt by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Borno State.

The incident occurred around 9:05 p.m. on Tuesday when the corps members — 36 males and 38 females — were stranded after their vehicles broke down near a known kidnapping hotspot.

According to military sources, a patrol team was swiftly deployed to the area after a CCTV monitoring system detected suspicious movement involving three buses.

“On reaching the location, troops found 74 corps members stranded after their vehicles developed mechanical faults. They were immediately rescued to prevent a likely abduction by terrorists operating in the area,” the report read.

The rescued corps members have been temporarily accommodated at the Buratai military base while arrangements are being made for their safe relocation.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) urges Nigerians not to resort to panic buying of petroleum products as the implementation of the 15% ad-valorem import duty on imported Premium Motor Spirit and Diesel is no longer in view.

In a statement issued on Thursday, George Ene-ita, the Director Public Affairs Department, NMDPRA assured Nigerians that there is adequate supply of petroleum products in the country, within the acceptable national sufficiency threshold.

The oil and gas regulatory body says petroleum products have been sourced from both local refineries and importation to ensure timely replenishment of stocks at storage depots and retail stations during this period.

The 15% ad-valorem import duty on imported Premium Motor Spirit and Diesel was approved by President Bola Tinubu to support local refineries and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel.

The duty, set to take effect November, would have increased the landing cost of fuel by approximately ₦99.72 per litre.

Nigeria currently imports over 60 percent of its refined petroleum products, while less than 40 percent is sourced locally, almost solely from the Dangote refinery.

Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State, says the Nigerian media industry should be held accountable for what’s happening in the country and to its citizens, both positively and negatively.

“Your reports and comments paint a picture of tomorrow. Therefore, the picture you paint of 2027 is what Nigerians should expect,” said Uzodimma.

In a keynote address , he delivered today during the 21st edition of the All Nigerian Editors Conference in Abuja.

Uzodimma, critique the  theme, ‘Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,’ and a sub-theme: ‘Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit: What Nigerians Expect in 2027,’ said : I will not let you escape accountability for electoral integrity, trust deficit, and what Nigerians expect in 2027.

Here is why.  If you have a role to play in “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion,’ then you also have a role to play in ‘Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit.’  

Without electoral integrity, there can be no democracy. Electoral integrity begets democracy, and democracy begets good governance, and good governance fast-tracks the exorcism of trust deficit.

In all of these, your role as facilitator, amplifier, or catalyst is key.

“Your reports and comments paint a picture of tomorrow. Therefore, the picture you paint of 2027 is what Nigerians should expect.”

He emphasised that what editors actually do is akin to a pastoral duty.

“You decide what becomes urgent and what disappears.

You choose the lens through which millions of Nigerians see their country, their leaders, and each other.

“That is how the media is structured. A policy shift is either “Government U-Turn” or “Strategic Adaptation.”

A land border closure is either “Economic Protectionism Impoverishing the People” or “National Security Imperative.” Same facts, different frames. Entirely different public perception.,” he said.

He added: ” You are not spectators in 2027. You are active participants. You are catalysts and facilitators, whether r you acknowledge it or not.

The narratives you shape between now and the election will determine whether Nigerians approach 2027 with hope or cynicism, with trust or suspicion, with a sense of shared stake or through a tribal lens.”