1. Residents of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State who recently regained their freedom after spending three months in captivity have recounted their harrowing experiences in the hands of terrorists.

In separate interviews with The PUNCH in Pulka on Monday, the victims spoke about the harsh conditions they endured, including hunger, inadequate shelter, limited access to water, and the deaths of children while in captivity

2. The All Progressives Congress in Lagos State has announced the state Deputy Woman Leader of the APC, Damilola Sonayon-James, as the running mate to the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat. The Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, made this known in a statement on Monday.

3. Kachalla Muhammad, a bandit kingpin, has said that he did not release the wife of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, as he had promised because he did not want security agencies to take credit for her release. Kachalla in an audio message circulating on social media said he suspended the plan because of the heavy presence of security personnel in the area.

4.Exactly 24 days after their abduction from three schools in Oriire local government area of Oyo, the abducted Principal of the school, Mrs. Folake Alamu has been seen in another video which has gone viral on social media platforms. In the video, the Principal was seen pleading with the members of the public to stop spreading false and inaccurate information about the bandits demands.

5. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday adjourned till June 16, to decide whether to recuse himself from the suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), under the Senator David Mark-led leadership. Justice Lifu fixed the date shortly after the recusal applications were adopted and argued by lawyers representing parties in the suit

6. 50 elderly people from Magamin Diddi village in Magami/Faru ward of Maradun Local Government Area have been kidnapped while on reconciliation mission. Jammo, the bandits’ kingpin in charge of Muntsira Forest in Maradun LGA of Zamfara, reportedly kidnapped them.

7. The Federal Government yesterday said retaliatory measures against South Africa are being considered as fresh xenophobic attacks on Nigerians continue to escalate. The situation has forced plans for the evacuation of more than 1,000 affected citizens. The new wave of attacks has persisted since last year

8. Tragedy struck at Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State on Monday, as three persons are feared dead and 35 others wounded following the derailment of the Warri-Itakpe train. Sources disclosed that following the incident, rescue effort was immediately launched with security agencies, and residents working to assist trapped passengers and evacuate the injured to nearby hospitals.

9. Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed a serving soldier and injured another in the Mowe/Ibafo axis of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. The attack reportedly occurred in the early hours of Monday, sending panic through the area as residents described it as a surprise assault by armed men.

10. The Senate Committee on Constitution Review (CRC) will present its final report on the proposed creation of state police to the Senate for consideration and approval before the end of this week, as part of the National Assembly’s efforts to address the country’s insecurity challenges. The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja on Monday.

The Principal of Community High School, Esiele in Oriire local government area of Oyo state, Mrs. Folake Alamu, who was abducted alongside many students by terrorists about three weeks ago, has appeared in another video which has gone viral on social media platforms.

In the video, the Principal was seen pleading with the members of the public to stop spreading false and inaccurate information about the bandits demands.

Alamu who was seen pleading earnestly into the camera with her hands clasped in prayer, said they have not been troubled in the forest and never forced to worship in Islamic way since their abduction.

According to her, the bandit are not also asking for the implementation of Sharia law in Oyo State or demanding for any money or weapons as claimed by some media reports.

She said the only demand that has been made by the bandit to the government is the release of some of their members who are in custody.

While urging the people to stop playing politics with their lives, Alamu said false reports and rumors going round are only complicating things for them in the forest.

She said, ​”They are just trying to create problems for us. We have been here since, we have not been forced to worship in Islamic way. We have been left alone. They have not troubled us concerning that.

“They are not asking for Sharia law, they are not asking for money. The single thing they are asking for is the release of some of their people.

“​I don’t know why they are peddling this rumor to make it complicated for us. Please, we are just begging you, don’t play politics with our lives, Nigerians.

“Please help us to circulate this. Let it go viral. They are not asking for Sharia law; it is not true. They are not asking for weapons, they are not asking for money. All they want is the release of some people, and the government will negotiate with them and know those that they will release for them.

“​I don’t know why they are playing politics with our life. Please, Nigerians, our lives are in your hand. Help us make this go viral.

“Don’t let the government deceive the whole world. They are not asking for Sharia, they are not asking for money, they are not asking for weapons. All they want is release of some of their people. Please, let everybody know about.”

The Oyo State Government on Monday demolished a building used as a hideout by the kidnappers of the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons, at Lakoun, Ayegun-Olojuoro Road in Ibadan, days after security operatives rescued the victims from the residential premises.

The demolition took place barely 24 hours after the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, led journalists and security personnel to the property on Sunday, where investigators said the victims had been held before their rescue.

Officials said the action formed part of ongoing efforts by the state government and security agencies to dismantle criminal hideouts and strengthen security across the state.

The demolition was captured in a one-minute video posted by Oyo Affairs, a local news publication in the state.

The property came under public attention on Sunday when the police commissioner conducted journalists, and a Force team around the premises and disclosed details of the intelligence-led operation that led to the victims’ rescue.

According to Mr Olugbenga, preliminary investigations revealed that suspected kidnappers had been using the property as a holding facility for abducted victims.

“They have been bringing abductees here. They bring them here, people see them, even people greet them welcome sometimes,” the commissioner told journalists during the visit.

He expressed concern that suspicious activities around the property allegedly went unreported by the residents despite its location within a residential neighbourhood.

The commissioner said victims rescued from the compound told investigators they could hear activities from neighbouring houses but were unable to leave the premises.

During the visit, he urged residents to promptly report suspicious movements and unusual activities to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remained critical in preventing crimes.

Mrs John-Paul, and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, were abducted at an early hour of 3 June while driving the children to school in Ibadan.

The incident triggered widespread concern across Oyo State and drew reactions from government, security agencies, and residents.

Following the abduction, Governor Seyi Makinde visited Mr Adelabu and assured him that security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure the victims’ release.

The victims were rescued on Saturday during an operation conducted by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT).

Police authorities said the rescue followed days of intelligence gathering, surveillance and tactical operations that enabled investigators to trace the kidnappers.

According to the Nigeria Police Force, two suspected kidnappers were killed during a confrontation with operatives, while firearms were recovered from the arrested suspects.

The Force disclosed that efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the kidnapping syndicate believed to have escaped during the operation.