By Our Reporter

Suspected bandits have allegedly kidnapped 18 students from Oyo State travelling from Sokoto State to their hometowns in Oke-Ogun, after attacking their chartered bus and killing the driver, sources familiar with the incident have said.

The students, who were travelling from Gamji College of Health Technology, Sokoto, were reportedly intercepted by the assailants along the route to Oyo State within the past 48 hours.

The abductors were said to have moved the victims towards the Mokwa axis.

The development has raised fresh concerns over the safety of students travelling between states, particularly along routes where commuters have repeatedly faced attacks and abductions.

An Oke-Ogun youth leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, clarifying that the victims were students of Gamji College of Health Technology and not Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, as earlier reported.

“Sadly, the unfortunate incident is being confirmed by me because I’m from Oke-Ogun too, and our people have confirmed that it truly happened in the past 48 hours,” the youth leader said.

He explained that the students were travelling in a chartered bus from their institution in Sokoto to Oke-Ogun, with Igboho as their specific destination.

“But it wasn’t a bus conveying UDUS students. It was a bus taking students from Gamji College of Health Technology, Sokoto, to Oke-Ogun, Igboho to be precise,” he said.

According to him, the attackers killed the driver before taking the students away.

“The driver was killed and all the students were kidnapped. They have reached the Mokwa side,” he said.

The youth leader further disclosed that the driver’s remains had been buried.

“The driver was killed at the scene and his remains were buried on Saturday,” he said.

Other sources familiar with the incident said the number of abducted students could be as many as 18.

The sources said the students were travelling in a chartered bus arranged by their school to convey them to their respective hometowns in Oyo State when the vehicle was intercepted by the assailants.

They were reportedly taken away by the attackers after the driver was killed.

The latest incident comes barely days after 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members were reportedly abducted by gunmen in Imo State.

The victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen reportedly attacked their two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

Efforts to obtain further information from the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, proved abortive, as he had not responded to messages sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

By Omire Ogbu

The Anambra State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Otuocha Market following a violent dispute between Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam communities that left five people dead.

The directive was issued by the Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, during an inspection visit to the communities affected by the crisis.

Ibezim, who also chairs the Anambra State Boundary Committee, said the decision was taken on the instruction of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

He directed that all commercial and other activities at the market remain halted until investigations into the incident are concluded and appropriate measures are taken against those found responsible.

“No community leader or local government chairman has the authority to determine boundaries between communities without the knowledge of the State Government.

“The State Boundary Committee is responsible for the demarcation and monumentation of boundaries within the state,” he said.

The crisis resulted in significant destruction of property, with several houses and shops, as well as a rice processing factory containing bags of rice, reportedly set ablaze.

Traders were also seen leaving the area with whatever goods they could salvage from the affected market.

Speaking separately to journalists, the traditional rulers of Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam, Igwe Michael Idigo and Igwe George Ekwealor, attributed the outbreak of violence to an attempt by people from Aguleri to erect a signpost and install security cameras within the market area.

According to the monarchs, three people were killed in Aguleri while two others died in Umuoba-Anam. They added that several people sustained injuries and were receiving treatment in hospitals, while property and other valuables were destroyed.

The traditional rulers praised the state government for its prompt response, saying the intervention helped to contain the situation and avert further loss of lives and property.

The deputy governor was accompanied during the assessment visit by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Nnanna Oji; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Vepor Egbuna; and Special Assistant to the Governor on Boundary Matters, Mr Ekenechukwu Okoye, among other officials.

Chidera Orji

As the country continue to face security challenges in all fronts and as Nigeria marks her 66 independence anniversary, the Delta State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Commandant Chinedu F. Igbo, has called for stronger collaboration and increased joint security operations among security agencies in the state to sustain the gains of democracy and promote nation building.

A press release from DSC Anthony Uchenna, CDPRO, NSCDC Delta State Command, noted that Commandant Igbo made the call while joining other Service Commanders and top government officials at the 66th Independence Day celebration held at the Cenotaph in Asaba, Delta State.

Igbo stressed the need for enhanced synergy among security agencies and other relevant state actors, noting that coordinated operations would help strengthen public safety, protect democratic institutions and create a more secure environment for citizens and businesses.

According to him, sustained collaboration among security agencies is essential to effectively address security challenges while protecting lives, property and critical national assets.

Commandant Igbo further noted that the growth and development of any society are closely linked to how investors perceive the security and safety of their investments and the environment in which businesses operate.

He therefore advocated the creation of a secure and enabling environment where businesses, investments and other productive activities can thrive, stressing that security agencies have an important role to play in supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

The Commandant also encouraged citizens to remain committed to nation building and to support security agencies by providing relevant information and cooperating with lawful security operations.

The Independence Day celebration was attended by the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, members of the State Executive Council, members of the Judiciary, members of the Delta State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, as well as heads of military, paramilitary and other security agencies.

The event marked Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary and provided an opportunity for government officials, security commanders and citizens to reaffirm their commitment to peace, security, unity and national development.