The recent abduction of schoolchildren in Ahoro-Esiele Community, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, remains deeply distressing. On May 15, 2026, heartless kidnappers abducted 38 schoolchildren, killing one teacher in a heinous assault on our nation’s security and educational system.

The Nigerian Union of Teachers and students across the country have taken to the streets in protest. The action is understandable.  However, this and similar tragic incidents should never be used as political fodder, especially in the midst of our country’s challenging security situation.

Anyone who has fallen victim to kidnapping or is a close relation of a victim will appreciate the enormity of the pain and trauma involved. I know how it feels because I went through such trauma in April when my cook, who had a phobia of air travel, was kidnapped in broad daylight in Kabba, Kogi State, while travelling from Lagos to Abuja. He was one of the 18 passengers in a Chisco Transport Company bus abducted at gunpoint alongside their driver by daredevil bandits on April 15. He spent 13 days in captivity before we were able to secure his release through a combined effort coordinated by the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State. The ordeal he described—at the hands of kidnappers, mostly Fulani, with only one able to speak even basic English—was harrowing. What the families of the 18 abducted endured to secure their release is better left unsaid.

With more cases of kidnapping making the headlines, there is a tendency for some to think the government is helpless and not doing enough to combat this scourge. This perception is simply inaccurate.

President Bola Tinubu views the security situation as an existential threat. He is doing everything possible, leaving no stone unturned to put the security monster in a chokehold and ensure that the security and safety of Nigerians – the raison d’étre of government – is guaranteed.

After the Orire abduction, the President sent a high-powered delegation led by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, among others, to empathise with the families and relations of the victims and comfort the leaders and people of Ogbomoso and Orire communities. The visit was in addition to the ongoing efforts by security agents to trace and apprehend the kidnappers, secure the release of the abducted students and teachers, bring them back to their families and also bring the criminals to justice.

There are indications that the government is close to securing the safe release of the abducted children and teachers. The government has not abdicated its responsibility and continues to work tirelessly to strengthen security across the country. To those sponsoring or exploiting kidnapping and banditry for political gain ahead of 2027, your days are numbered—the government will find you and bring you to justice.

President Tinubu frames insecurity as ‘foreign to our culture’ and an economic drag, a conviction underscored in tying security to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises economic diversification, productivity, and human capital to undercut drivers of violence.

This new security challenge presents a significant opportunity to restate what the Tinubu administration has been doing to confront insecurity in the land, protect Nigerian citizens, and end the security problem for good. These efforts have already yielded some positive results. The desired full outcome will soon emerge.

President Tinubu’s security strategy against kidnapping, banditry and terrorism, for the avoidance of doubt, rests on two legs: kinetic and non-kinetic. On the kinetic side, where intelligence gathering and the use of force are involved, the administration has moved from capacity building to precision targeting. The country’s national security architecture has recently been reset, with a new counterterrorism doctrine anchored in unified command, intelligence gathering, community stability, and counterinsurgency. Nigeria has collaborated with the United States over this security challenge. And since May 2023, Nigeria-US security cooperation has shifted from training and provision of equipment to real-time intelligence fusion, precision strikes, and targeting high-value terrorist commanders. The Nigeria-AFRICOM (United States Africa Command) model emphasises fewer bombs, greater accuracy, and other measures.

In 2024, Nigerian Air Force strike precision rose to 67% as opposed to 41% in 2022, according to official sources. The recent Joint Nigeria-US strike in Arege, Borno State, which degraded ISWAP’s Command Centre, reducing attacks on military outposts and civilian communities, is a case in point. According to reports, 21 suspected ISWAP terrorists were killed in that joint operation. Credible sources had disclosed that three of the 21 terrorists eliminated were middle-level commanders responsible for coordinating raids into Monguno and Damasak.

On 16 May 2026, both President Tinubu and President Trump confirmed that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, alleged to be the second-in-command of ISIL (ISIS) globally, was killed in a joint counterterrorism operation conducted by Nigeria and US armed forces targeting terrorists in the Lake Chad area. Last year, the Defence Headquarters announced that between 2024 and 2025, armed forces in various theatres neutralised over 13,000 terrorists, arrested 4,375 suspected terrorists, convicted 124 terrorists and insurgents, and over 124,000 fighters and their dependents surrendered to the authorities.

In November last year, President Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency and designated bandits as terrorists to enable harsher responses, with the firm words: “The terrorists lurking in our forests will have no more hiding places”. He directed that the police recruit 20,000 additional officers, raising the total recruits to 50,000, as well as new recruitment in the military/DSS. Only last week, the President also approved the recruitment of 1000 forest guards for Oyo State in the wake of the Orire abduction.

President Tinubu restated that the police remain the frontline agency in internal security. But they must work with the military, the Directorate of State Services, the National Security and Civil Defence, and other security agencies, explaining that cooperation among security agencies is “vital to eliminating banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.”

President Tinubu is also known to have committed substantial funds to the security operations. There has been an increased budgetary allocation to the military. For instance, the 2026 budget earmarked N5.41trillion for Defence and Security – the largest single allocation – to procure modern equipment and boost operational capacity.

Yet, force alone is not enough. Non-kinetic strategies—stakeholder engagement, crime prevention, and de-radicalisation—remain active, with over 124,000 insurgents and dependents exiting through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.

President Tinubu frames insecurity as ‘foreign to our culture’ and an economic drag, a conviction underscored in tying security to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises economic diversification, productivity, and human capital to undercut drivers of violence.

This recent security problem also provides an opportunity to address the controversy trailing President Tinubu’s appointment of General Adeyinka Famadewa (rtd) as Special Adviser on Homeland Security. Some have insinuated that the appointment was an attempt to whittle down the influence of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Famadewa’s appointment was informed by the need to put more hands on deck in a bid to tame insecurity and bring terrorists and bandits to justice. It is neither an attempt to curb the powers of NSA Ribadu nor an attempt to curb the influence of top Northerners in government, as some writers have insinuated. The President has often said that he would do whatever is required to end insecurity in the land, including putting more men on the job and more boots on the ground. The NSA has always been a key ally of President Tinubu. He remains so to date. He remains one of the closest to the President, and nothing has undermined that in my view. Mallam Ribadu, as NSA, remains in charge of the country’s national security architecture. Indeed, all good hands must be on deck to bring this menace to an end.

*Rahman is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media and Special Duties.

READ ALSO: 

Large opioids consignments intercepted, 75 years old man arrested

The mirage, the shadow and the resurrection: Here comes the decoupling sovereignty index

Boiling Point: Experts to discuss security votes and insecurity

The debt we owe the next generation, By Umaru Abu

Oborevwori: Reshaping governance in Delta, By Jackson Ekwugum

Wrestling: Team Nigeria wins one silver, two bronze in Mongolia

Oriental News conference: REA CEO, stakeholders to brainstorm over Nigeria’s energy transition pathway

How Sanwo-Olu is selling Lagos as Africa’s gateway for investment

Police nab two in Ogun over Edo killing, abduction

BREAKING: Police rescue Adelabu’s sister, twin sons

We won’t bow to terror, Nigeria shall overcome

INTIMATE AFFAIR: 21 ejaculations per month, as how?

Stock market rebounds as investors gain N234bn

Troops neutralise scores of terrorists, apprehend suspects

Female child, four male passengers die in Ebonyi lone road crash

Police in Osun arrest man over alleged false bandit invasion claim

The post Not a fodder for politics: Orire abduction and security challenges appeared first on Frontpageng.

The directive is contained in a circular issued on Friday by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

The circular was signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs B. T. Oyinloye, and distributed to education stakeholders across the state.

Recipients included chairmen of TESCOM and SUBEB, tutor-generals, zonal directors, principals, head teachers and local inspectors of education.

Oyinloye said the decision became necessary to safeguard students and school staff amid prevailing security concerns across the state.

“In view of the recent security concerns, the Ministry is taking steps to safeguard the lives of students and members of staff,” she said.

She directed school administrators to halt excursions, sports competitions and all activities requiring students to leave school premises.

“All school administrators are hereby directed to suspend all excursions, field trips, sports competitions and related activities until further notice,” she added.

Oyinloye said the government had also cancelled all approvals earlier granted for such activities across public and private schools in the state.

“Prior approvals granted by the Ministry are hereby overridden by this directive,” she said.

She stressed that students’ safety remained the government’s highest priority above academic and extracurricular engagements.

“The safety of our children is non-negotiable and takes precedence over all academic and extracurricular activities,” Oyinloye said.

School authorities were further instructed to ensure students remained within school premises during official school hours.

Administrators were also urged to promptly report suspicious activities around schools to security agencies within their jurisdictions.

“This directive takes immediate effect and will be reviewed as soon as the security situation improves,” she added.

The ministry urged all affected institutions to ensure strict compliance with the directive pending further review.

Source: NAN

READ ALSO:

NYSC @ 53: How scheme has impacted every sector —Director

INTIMATE AFFAIR: Cocky cock eating from married women’s pots

He had a name — Micheal Oyedokun, By Lanre Ogundipe

Oyo bandit attacks: Teacher Adesiyan Adegboye buried (+Photos)

Blaqbonez, Asake’s collabo, ‘Chanel’, dominates streaming charts

Lagos intensifies urban renewal, flags over 27,000 violations

ASP in custody over alleged social media threat to shoot

Youth Party rejects suit against INEC, says action not authorized

Police arrest three suspects, recover suspected stolen vehicles

JAMB: How Professor Segun Aina’s age can be an advantage

Sanwo-Olu congratulates Hamzat on emergence as APC candidate

UN agencies step up Ebola response in eastern DR Congo

Ogun guber: Adeola wins APC ticket

Tinubu commends NDLEA on landmark success

The post Insecurity: Oyo govt issues fresh directive to schools appeared first on Frontpageng.

Adegboye was the teacher killed by bandits during the attacks on schools in Ahoro-Esinele, Oriire local government area of Ogbomoso, Oyo state, on May 15.

During the attacks, some students and teachers, including the principal, Mrs Rachael Alamu, were abducted and have since remained in captivity.

One of the teachers in captivity, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was recently killed by the bandits and the video of his gruesome murder released.

Following a programme of event made available, the remains of the late teacher were buried on Friday.

The burial service was held at Ayegun Baptist Church, Ogbomosho, Oyo State while the interment took place at his residence at Owolake area of Ogbomoso.

Adegboyeg was 49 years old when he was killed by the bandits.

Pictures show family members and sympathisers at the burial activities.

READ ALSO:

Blaqbonez, Asake’s collabo, ‘Chanel’, dominates streaming charts

Lagos intensifies urban renewal, flags over 27,000 violations

ASP in custody over alleged social media threat to shoot

Youth Party rejects suit against INEC, says action not authorized

Police arrest three suspects, recover suspected stolen vehicles

JAMB: How Professor Segun Aina’s age can be an advantage

Sanwo-Olu congratulates Hamzat on emergence as APC candidate

UN agencies step up Ebola response in eastern DR Congo

Ogun guber: Adeola wins APC ticket

Tinubu commends NDLEA on landmark success

The post Oyo bandit attacks: Teacher Adesiyan Adegboye buried (+Photos) appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said that the incident occurred on Monday at 2:30 p.m. on the Ologuneru Road in Ibadan.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Ibadan, Olayinka said that the mob was about to set the doctor ablaze when the police team arrived.

He said that the doctor’s Lexus RX 330 SUV was set ablaze by the mob.

According to Olayinka, the victim is currently receiving medical attention at the Police Medical Services and is responding to treatment.

Olayinka said that the two young girls, Deborah, 15 and Rebecca, 12,  who the doctor was alleged to have kidnapped, found inside his vehicle, are currently in police protective custody.

Olayinka said preliminary investigation revealed that Afolabi, a medical doctor practising in the United States of America, wasn’t a kidnapper as falsely alleged in several misleading social media reports currently in circulation.

The PPRO said that further findings showed that the two girls found inside Afolabi’s vehicle were legally taken from one Mrs Idowu Abimbola in Eleyele Area of Ibadan.

Olayinka explained that the girls were to be   delivered to Afolabi’s mother for the purpose of assisting with household chores.

“In the course of investigation, Mrs. Idowu Abimbola was invited to the station where she confirmed the arrangement, while the two girls equally corroborated the account and related freely with the said woman, thereby dispelling the suspicion of abduction.

“Further investigation revealed that the misunderstanding which triggered the false kidnapping alarm began when Dr. Afolabi attempted to gain access through the Polytechnic Ibadan gate and was stopped by a security guard for routine vehicle inspection.

“Upon lowering the vehicle’s window glass, the two girls were allegedly seen half-naked, a situation which immediately aroused suspicion among bystanders and security personnel.

“It was gathered that the victim’s inability to provide satisfactory answers to questions asked at the scene, coupled with his decision to turn away from the checkpoint, further heightened suspicion.

“The situation was compounded by the inability of the two girls to speak the local language or properly express themselves in English, thereby fueling the false alarm of kidnapping,” he said.

The police spokesman said that the development led to a mob chase, the doctors eventual interception by irate youths who descended heavily on him and inflicted severe bodily injuries before the police arrived.

Olayinka said that statements had been obtained from eyewitnesses, including an Okada rider allegedly hit during the ensuing confusion.

He said that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the mob action and destruction of property.

Olayinka said the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Abimbola Olugbenga, condemned the act of jungle justice and spread of false and unverified information capable of creating unnecessary tension and undermining the gains of security recorded in the state.

Source: NAN

READ ALSO: 

Tinubu pitches the Nigerian business case to the rest of Africa

Court sentences ex-power minister to 75 years imprisonment

How lifeline funds increased from Africans to Africans at home

How lifeline funds increased from Africans to Africans at home

Taiwan’s new chapter in digital-driven healthcare

Sad lives of men married to lazy women, By Funke Egbemode

Stock market sustains bullish trend, investors gain N1.52trn

Lagos Speaker joins race for House of Reps seat

NDC pegs presidential form at N60m, releases primaries timetable

NIMC launches WhatsApp and Live Chat Support channels

Alleged trespass: Court adjourns Falawewo Family’s case against Young Agro, Shodesam till June 28

Int’l Nurses Day, healthcare and commitment to nursing education

FG shifts Eko Bridge closure to May 19 midnight

The post False kidnapping: Police rescue medical doctor from mob attack appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Ibadan on Friday.

The private secondary school student was abducted by unknown gunmen after alighting from a vehicle at a junction to her school premises around 7.20 a.m. on February 12.

Olayinka said while investigations were ongoing, he could not say if the abductors had contacted the victim’s family because they had refused to show up or give a statement.

“I don’t know because the family has refused to show up or volunteered any statement,” he said.

However, he said that the driver of the vehicle that dropped the student off at her school junction in the Challenge area of Ibadan is in police custody.

Source: NAN

READ ALSO

Open letter to the Nigerian voting public, By Bisi Adegbuyi

DSS gets date to arraign El-Rufai over alleged cybercrime, breach of national security

Deepfakes, the liar’s dividend and the battle for truth ahead of 2027

Equities market extends gains by 1.38%, investors gain N1.7trn

Tinubu, German Chancellor Merz to collaborate on security, power

Mercy Johnson-Okojie joins Edo govt as Special Adviser

Police launch 24-hour patrol on Lagos coastal road

The unsolicited crusade of Bamidele Opeyemi and the sovereignty of Ogun State

ICPC raids El-Rufai’s residence in Abuja

The post Abducted 12-year-old student: Family holding back despite investigation -Police appeared first on Frontpageng.

The defendant, through his counsel, Mrs. E. O. Mbah, filed the application on Thursday during his ongoing trial at the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan.

Consequently, the judge adjourned until April 23 to hear the recusal application.

Lamidi is facing a 17-count charge bordering on armed robbery, murder, attempted murder and possession of firearms.

The offence, according to the charge sheet, is contrary to and punishable under Section 1(2)(a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, CAP RII, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The crime was allegedly committed at the Ikolaba residence of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on May 29, 2023.

Source: NAN

READ ALSO

EXTRA: Baseless excitement and coincidence of Ramadan, Lent

Femi Odugbose: Adieu Mr. Humility, goodnight Mr. Contentment

What commencement of Ramadan, Lent on same day signifies –APC chair

Gordon scores four as Newcastle hammer Qarabag

Schick quickfire double earns Leverkusen 2-0 win at Olympiacos

Bill Gates a no-show at India AI summit, event marred by organisational chaos

ICPC arrests El-Rufai after two nights in EFCC’s custody

Sanwo-Olu, Makoko and the test of leadership

Chrisland University: Arowojolu leads online journalism masterclass

When a cheque becomes a crime

The post Alleged murder: Auxiliary files recusal application against judge appeared first on Frontpageng.

The 65-year-old grandma, Fatima Ilori, popularly known as Mama Kerosine was nabbed in an intelligence-led operation following the seizure of 238.4kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, linked to her.

She was arrested along another female suspect, Olusanya Abosede, 35, at Onireke/Elekuro area of Ibadan.

In Borno State, the supply chain of illicit drugs to insurgents was further disrupted with the arrest of two suppliers and seizure of large consignments of illicit substances.

While one of the suspects, Isa Mohammed, 26, was arrested by NDLEA operatives following the interception of 9,150 ampoules of Tramadol Injection along Maiduguri-Gamboru Ngala road on Friday 2nd January 2026, the other suspect Musa Samaila, 30, was nabbed with 34,000 capsules of Tramadol at Biu market same day.

Not less than 400kg skunk was recovered along with a van at Mobolaji Johnson area of Lagos on new year day, Thursday 1st January, while a suspect Bilya Ibrahim, 39, was arrested at a motor park in Hadejia town, Jigawa State on Tuesday 30th December 2025 while trying to transport 260 compressed blocks of skunk weighing 140.8kg, which he procured from Taraba State to Nguru, Yobe State.

In Kwara State, NDLEA officers on Tuesday 30th December recovered 238.50kg skunk from the home of a suspect at Asadam area of Ilorin, while a total of 32,000 pills of tramadol and diazepam were seized from another suspect, Abubakar Rabiu, 32, at Bode Saadu, Morro local government area, on new year eve, Wednesday 31st December 2025.

In like manner, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Madrasatu Fadimatul Zahra Sabuwar Abuja Kankia, Kankia local government area, Katsina; members of Topo Youth Progressive Organisation, Topo Badagry, Lagos; and residents of Madalla community at the palace of Hakimi Madalla, Niger state, among others.

While commending the officers and men of DOGI, Apapa, Oyo, Borno, Lagos, Kwara and Jigawa Commands for the arrests, and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to intensify the ongoing drug control efforts of the agency.

READ ALSO: 

Wanted female drug kingpin, ‘Mama Kerosine’, arrested in Ibadan

25 dead, 14 missing in Yobe boat mishap

Troops neutralise over 23 bandits in Kano-Katsina onslaught

AU expresses concern over situation in Venezuela

Resident doctors to resume suspended strike Jan 12

Police arrest mother, son over alleged conspiracy, money ritual

Army identifies key coordinator of Maiduguri mosque bombing

Gunmen kidnap medical doctor, brother in Edo

US actions in Venezuela, ‘dangerous precedent’ -UN

Naira opens year 2026 higher with N4.90 gain at official market

Distinguishing between Federal Government Revenue and the Federation Account

Cervical cancer preventable and curable –UN

INTIMATE AFFAIR: Why don’t men like men’s world again?

The post Wanted female drug kingpin, ‘Mama Kerosine’, arrested in Ibadan appeared first on Frontpageng.

The chairman of Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Mr Moroof Akinwande, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ibadan on Tuesday.

Akinwande said that the fire which happened on Monday destroyed eight out of 84 shops in the area.

He said the agency got a distress call about the incident at exactly 12:43 p.m. on Monday through a telephone call from one Mr Akanni and immediately deployed personnel led by ACFS Bamidele Samsudeen to the scene.

“Upon arrival, we met eight out of 84 shops engulfed by fire.

“Firemen promptly launched a coordinated attack on the blaze and restricted the fire from spreading to other shops,” he said.

The agency’s chairman said the fire-fighting operation was carried out in conjunction with officers from the Federal Fire Service Ibadan Command.

Akinwande said that no casualty was recorded in the fire incident and the cause of the fire incident was yet to be ascertained, noting that investigation was ongoing to determine the cause.

Source: NAN

READ ALSO:

Police apprehend 14 suspected traffic robbers in Lagos

EXTRA: Ashimolowo, Chris Okafor, CAN and PFN

Amotekun arrests 39 suspects fleeing Sokoto in Ondo forest

Court remands Malami, son, co-defendant in Kuje prison

‘Behind The Scenes’ breaks N1.1bn box office record

Telephone conversation: What Tinubu told Anthony Joshua, mother

Official put-offs to ‘put off’ in 2026

NTA Gombe loses five staff in lone auto crash

Auto crash: Anthony Joshua still in hospital, condition stable

GOCOP condoles Freedom Online publisher, Akinadewo, over son’s death

EXTRA: Obaseki, alleged diminution of Oba and gutter conduct

The post Ibadan: Fire razes eight shops, destroys properties at Sango appeared first on Frontpageng.

Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike K. Adeyemo, made the announcement on Monday.

In a circular letter dated 18th August, 2025, he indicated that the governor approved the work-free day to mark the Isese Day celebration.

According to the circular, the governor urged all citizens in the state to use the occasion to pray for the peace, unity and stability of the state in particular and the country in general.

READ ALSO: Army reshuffles high command, appoints new PSOs, GOCs

The post Isese Day: Oyo declares Wednesday work-free day appeared first on Frontpageng.

Oba Ladoja was warmly received at the Ibadan-Lagos tollgate by family members and well-wishers.

He immediately proceeded to his Isale-Osi family house, in Ibadan South East local government area, where a mini reception was held for the 44th Olubadan designate.

Olubadan Advisory Council had on August 4, unanimously nominated Oba Ladoja as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.

This followed the demise of the 43rd Olubadan, late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, which occurred on July 7.

READ ALSO: Diaspora bootcamps: A strategic pathway for national talent transformation

It is expected that traditional rites for the coronation of Oba Ladoja will commence once Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State approves his nomination.

Ladoja, a shipping magnate and industrialist, was a senator in the aborted third republic and governor of Oyo State under the platform of the PDP from 2003 to 2007.

He was impeached under controversial circumstances for 11 months during his tenure, but was reinstated by a court.

Source: NAN

The post Olubadan-designate, Ladoja, arrives Ibadan to rousing welcome appeared first on Frontpageng.