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33 days in kidnappers’ den: parents of Greenfield varsity students beg for govt help

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Thirty-three days after abduction of their children, parents and relatives of the remaining 16 kidnapped students and staff of Greenfield University, Kaduna have begged for government’s assistance to rescue them.

They said the kidnappers have insisted on N10 million ransom for each of the remaining captives comprising 13 students and three female staff of the university.

Bandits on 20th April, 2021 invaded Greenfield University at Kasarami village, Chikun local government, along Kaduna-Abuja express way and kidnapped 19 students and three female staff.

The kidnappers killed five of the students for failure of the government and their parents to pay the initial ransom demand of N800 million days after the abduction.

The bandits later reduced the cumulative ransom to N100 million and threatened to kill the remaining abductees if their parents fail to meet their demand the following day.

However, prominent Kaduna- based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who later mediated between the bandits and the parents, told journalists the bandits agreed not to kill any of the captives again.

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One of the parents (name withheld), said they are traumatised because they don’t know the condition of their children.

He however appealed to State and Federal Government to urgently assist them in rescuing their children from captivity.

While lamenting their children had spent 33 days in the bandits den, the parent appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, to use their office to secure the release of the students before something sinister happens to them.

He reiterated the parents union’s initial call that the same strategy adopted to rescue the kidnapped students in Jangebe, Zamfara State, Kankara in Katsina State, Kagara in Niger State and Afaka in Kaduna State should be adopted by the Federal Government to rescue their children too.

According to him: “The kidnappers have not shifted ground, they are demanding N10 million for each of the 16 captives, even after the parents had collectively paid them over N60 million ransom for the release of their children without any success.

See also  Why kidnappers are yet to release Greenfield University students – Gumi

“We the parents are appealing to the Federal and State Governments to assist us to pay the ransom demanded or find any other way to ensure the safe return of our children.”

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2027: TY Danjuma backs Tinubu’s re-election bid, says he’s been fair to Christians

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Former minister of defence, Theophilus Danjuma, says he is supporting the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu, adding that his administration has been fair to Christians in appointments.

Danjuma, a retired army general, spoke on Saturday at the 20th anniversary and fundraising ceremony of the Adamawa state government house chapel held in Yola.

He said electing Tinubu for another four years would give the administration ample time to complete what he described as meaningful projects.

Represented by Ishaya Bamaiyi, former chief of army staff, Danjuma said since the inception of his administration, Tinubu has exhibited fairness and tolerance by appointing several Christians to government positions.

He called on Nigerians, especially those in the middle belt, to support the president’s second term quest.

He maintained that the prospect of another northerner becoming president could unsettle the current geopolitical arrangement.

The retired general implored the movement to expand the Adamawa government house chapel, urging faithful to have the fear of God in their individual and collective undertakings to attract His guidance and blessings.

See also   Bandits release 14 kidnapped Greenfield Varsity students

He pledged N250 million towards the fundraising ceremony to support the expansion of the chapel and ensure it stands the test of time.

The development follows a visit by Danjuma and some leaders from the north-west and north-central to President Tinubu at the State House on Thursday, where they declared their support for his administration and readiness to strengthen his political base across their communities.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the visit, Yakubu Dogara, former speaker of the house of representatives, said the delegation was particularly encouraged by what he described as remarkable improvements in the country’s security situation.

He said the gains recorded under Tinubu have provided further justification for rallying support for his re-election.

The delegation included Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau; Agbu Kefas, governor of Taraba; Chris Musa, minister of defence; and Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), among others.

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Good morning! Nigerian Newspapers Headlines: 2027: Experts back AI checks on voters’ register

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1. Ahead of the 2027 general elections, experts say Artificial Intelligence could help the Independent National Electoral Commission detect duplicate voter registrations and strengthen the integrity of the voters’ register.

Speaking to The PUNCH ahead of the forthcoming PUNCH Media Foundation webinar on AI, the experts also warned that a fake notice announcing the postponement of voting could keep people away from the polls.

2. Victorious Flamingos landed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday morning after their win at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Saturday. The team won their first FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup title after defeating Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final, with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku securing the historic victory.
 

3. United States President Donald Trump said that his mass deportation of undocumented immigrants was “too tough,” according to an excerpt of an interview with CBS aired on Sunday. He stated that the policy ultimately “hurt” him and also blamed Republicans’ midterm losses in part on “bad messaging.”



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4. The Sultanate Council of Sokoto has called on Muslims across Nigeria to search for the new crescent moon of Jumada Assaniya 1448AH on Monday, November 9, 2026. The directive was contained in a statement dated November 8, 2026, signed by Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu and made available to journalists on Sunday.

5. The Federal Government is seeking a fresh $500m loan from the World Bank to establish an infrastructure financing platform, with the proposed approval scheduled for 25 May 2027, just four days before the inauguration of Nigeria’s next president. The proposed borrowing comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, raising questions about the timing of fresh financial commitments and their implications for the incoming administration.

6. The Nigeria Labour Congress has directed workers in Osun State to embark on a three-day sympathy strike beginning at midnight on Sunday to press for the release of statutory allocations due to local government areas in the state. In a statement signed by the Osun NLC Chairman and Secretary, Christopher Arapasopo and Victor Amusan, respectively, the congress said the industrial action was in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees in the state.

See also  Abductors of Niger students demand extra N20m after collecting N50m

7. Relief may be on the horizon for electricity consumers as the Federal Government begins clearing hundreds of containers of power equipment stranded at Nigerian ports with the aim of deploying them to critical electricity infrastructure projects.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, who was acting on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, said the Federal Government has secured the release of the first 44 containers from Apapa Port, Lagos out of more than 300 containers of electrical equipment awaiting clearance.

8. A 34-year-old Ugandan woman, Farida Nansubuga, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for allegedly attempting to smuggle 1.15 kilogrammes of cocaine from Nigeria to Uganda. Nansubuga was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, while preparing to board a flight to Uganda.

9. Four candidates contesting the 2027 Lagos State governorship election have presented different approaches to tackling the state’s challenges of flooding, traffic congestion, housing, and education, with promises ranging from technology-driven environmental solutions and expanded public transportation to affordable homes and free education.

See also  Good morning! Here Are Some Major News Headlines In Nigerian Newspapers Today: Abductors of APC national director demand N350m ransom

10. The Ogun State Police Command has rescued 10 passengers abducted by gunmen from a commercial bus at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, while one suspected kidnapper was killed during a subsequent operation. A statement issued by the command on Sunday said the victims regained their freedom unharmed at about 8.30 pm on Saturday, following sustained security pressure and intelligence-led efforts by the police.

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Good morning! Nigerian Newspapers Headlines: ADC appeals ruling sacking Mark-led leadership, cautions INEC

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1. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken its battle against the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the party to the Court of Appeal, asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to take any consequential action while the legal challenge is pending.

The party says it has filed a notice of appeal against the judgment delivered on November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, alongside an application seeking to suspend its execution pending the determination of the appeal.

2. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday approved the elevation of Akwa Ibom State’s airport to international status and threw his weight behind the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport, a major boost to the state’s economic and infrastructure ambitions. The President announced the airport approval during his visit to the state, following a formal request from Governor Umo Eno, and expressed support for the deep seaport project as a strategic investment capable of transforming the state’s maritime trade and industrial landscape

See also  Good morning! Here Are Some Major News Headlines In The Newspapers Today: Parents beg Tinubu to rescue remaining 92 Chibok girls

3. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, on Friday, warned patent medicine dealers in Imo State against selling lethal, counterfeit and expired drugs to unsuspecting members of the public. NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued the warning in Owerri during a sensitisation workshop on pharmacovigilance and drug distribution safety.

4. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has urged Rivers State residents to re-elect President Bola Tinubu in 2027. Wike said Tinubu deserved another four-year term for bold reforms and achievements in critical sectors, including removing the fuel subsidy, increasing allocations to states and local governments, improving university stability, and proposing the establishment of state police.

5. The Abia State Police Command has arrested suspects linked to the October 17 attack on Uratta Divisional Police Headquarters, rescued 10 stolen children, and recovered 15 firearms and 30 stolen vehicles in a major security crackdown across the state. The Command also disclosed that it arrested 109 suspects, comprising 89 males and 20 females, in connection with 211 criminal cases recorded between September 11, 2026 and November 6, 2026.

See also  Kidnappers free Kaduna judge, demand N150m to release her children

6. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was back on the campaign trail yesterday, firing broadside at former vice president Atiku  Abubakar and the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi. President Tinubu, addressing hundreds of thousands of supporters at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, dismissed both men as lacking the leadership qualities required to rule Nigeria.


7. The Kebbi State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Abubakar Malami, has condemned alleged attacks, intimidation and destruction of property during the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in Birnin Kebbi. Malami also called for an impartial investigation into the demolition of the Malami Pressure Group headquarters along Sani Abacha Bypass, Birnin Kebbi, describing the incident as one that raises concerns about democratic freedoms.

8. A retiring Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji, said on Friday that a United States travel ban imposed on a seven-member panel of the apex court remained in force. She attributed the ban to what she described as the misinterpretation of a judgment delivered by the panel. She, however, did not mention the particular contentious case.

See also  Parents of Greenfield varsity students paid N180m to secure their release, lament government’s insensitivity

9. The Kano high court has sentenced Umar Auwalu, and Yakubu Dayyabu to death by hanging for the murder of Fatima Abubakar, a 35-year-old woman, and her six children at Dorayi Chiranchi quarters in Kano.
Nasiru Saminu, the presiding judge, convicted the two men on Friday of a nine-count charge bothering on conspiracy, culpable homicide, and armed robbery.



10. Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have arrested a suspected notorious terrorist in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The troops also intensified clearance operations against terrorists and dismantled several hideouts in Zamfara, as part of efforts to rid the region of criminal elements.

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