Troops of the Nigerian Army have reportedly rescued one of the Chibok schoolgirls abducted by terrorists in 2014.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the girl, Lydia Simon, was rescued by troops of 82 division task force battalion in Ngwoza LGA of Borno.

The publication said Lydia, who is five months pregnant, was rescued alongside her three children on April 17.

She was among the 276 students abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School Chibok in April 2014.

The publication added that Lydia claimed to be from Pemi town in Chibok.

Makama said Lydia escaped from a camp located at Ali Ngulde in Mandara mountain where she was held captive for 10 years.

The publication said the girl surrendered to troops of 82 division task force battalion at Ngoshe in Gwoza LGA of the state.

In the past 10 years, more than 100 of the schoolgirls were released in batches after negotiations, while some escaped from their abductors.

In April 2023, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said about 93 schoolgirls were still in captivity.

The federal government had promised to ensure the remaining schoolgirls are rescued but many of the students are still in captivity 10 years after they were abducted.

1. A Federal High Court Sitting in Abuja has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, permission to arrest the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in preparation for his arraignment on Thursday, April 18. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the warrant on Wednesday afternoon at the instance of the EFCC.

2. Oyo State Government has pulled down the building where the Yoruba Nation agitators under the leadership of Modupe Onitiri-Abiola are operating from in Ibadan, the state capital. The building on Toye Oyesola Street in the Ibadan South West Local Government Area was demolished on Wednesday evening.

3. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to adjourn indefinitely the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu should he insist on further delaying the commencement of the trial. Earlier on Wednesday, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor had stated some conditions to be met by the court for his client to submit to trial.

4. Kaduna State House of Assembly Speaker, Yusuf Liman has accused Bello El-Rufai, the son of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, of sending threat messages to him over a probe panel the Assembly raised to investigate his father’s administration. The Speaker warned Bello to stop his threat and intimidation of the Assembly over the investigation.

5. The Federal Government through its Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has stated that the various claims by different individuals and groups on the alleged return of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, were wrong. The government also challenged those making the argument to provide evidence.

6. Ahead of the National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for today (Thursday), governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have warned the party members against illegality. The NEC meeting is set to address whether the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, should retain his position or be replaced.

7. President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, promised harsh consequences for persons who pit themselves against Nigeria’s sovereignty and security. He also said his administration had made considerable gains against banditry and kidnapping through intensified campaigns buoyed by intelligence gathering.

8. A day-old baby boy abandoned in a polythene bag has been rescued at Alhaji Masha Road, in the Surulere area of Lagos State. It was gathered that a yet-to-be-identified social worker attached to a hospital in Surulere, while on her way to her destination, heard the sound of a crying baby emanating from the polythene bag.

9. A former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, attended the National Caucus meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja. The duo, who sought the presidential ticket of the party for 2023, were among stakeholders at the meeting held at the Bauchi Governors’ lodge.

10. Justice R Irele-Ifijeh of the Edo State High Court has sentenced three men, Solomon Abuede, James Monday and Kelvin Edward to death by hanging for armed robbery, kidnapping and murder. The convicts were sentenced for the kidnap and murder of one Ephraim Akhere in Ekpoma, Esan West LGA, of the state in 2014.

President Bola Tinubu says criminals who seek to threaten Nigeria’s sovereignty “will have themselves to blame”.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, said Tinubu spoke when he hosted leaders of the Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, in Abuja.

Tinubu warned that those who threaten the sovereignty of Nigeria would pay a “heavy price”.

He highlighted the progress made so far in safeguarding the country’s territory and sovereignty.

‘’I am irrevocably committed to the unity of Nigeria and constitutional democracy. Constitutional democracy is reflected greatly here since we assumed office,” the statement reads.

“What we face now is the challenge of terrorism. Security of life and property is very necessary for development. I can tell you we are achieving success. We have degraded terrorism to a level that they cannot threaten the sovereignty of Nigeria any longer.

‘’Banditry and kidnapping will be defeated. And there is no payment of ransom whatsoever. We are taking the battle to them.

“We are getting results more rapidly than before. We are working hard on intelligence gathering. Those who think they can threaten the sovereignty of Nigeria will have themselves to blame. They have a price to pay. And we are not going to relent.”

Tinubu thanked the delegation led by Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Afenifere, for their prayers and support.

The president assured that he would not relent in his resolve to advance Nigeria.

He added that his administration is resolute on achieving economic stability in a fair and equitable system for all Nigerians.

‘’God bless Nigeria. God bless our unity; our diversity must bring prosperity for all for the sake of Nigeria,’’ he said.

Speaking earlier, Olu Falae, a former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), commended Tinubu for his courageous decisions and the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, as well as other critical ongoing projects.

He urged the president not to relent in ensuring fairness and equity for all Nigerians while noting the importance of a constitutional amendment to devolve more powers to the states.

‘’We are delighted about what you are doing for our country, and we assure you of our continued support. We thank you for your visit to Akure in February 2024, and we believe it is right and proper to reciprocate your kind gesture. We appreciate this relationship, and we need to make it work in the interest of Nigeria,” Falae said.

‘’Mr. President, you are the leader of Nigeria now and the most important political figure in Africa. We expect you, in view of your legacy and pedigree, to lead our country with knowledge, courage, and integrity.

“We have no doubt that your tenure will mark a turning point in the history of our country. Under your leadership, Nigeria will be repositioned.

“We will stand by you as you make all efforts to change the Nigeria story for the better. Be assured that Afenifere will not abandon you in fair or foul weather.

“As long as you remain faithful to the principles of fairness, integrity, and courage that is expected of you as the leader of Nigeria, we will stand by you.”