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One Dies, 39 Feared Missing in Jigawa Boat Tragedy

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  The Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed that one person has been found dead, while 39 others are still missing after a boat carrying farmers capsized in the Malamawar Yan Dutse community of Ringim Local Government Area, Jigawa State. The Command said the incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday when a local boat conveying more than 40 passengers, mostly female farmers and labourers, capsized while in transit, leaving many trapped in the water. Boat accidents have remained a recurring tragedy in parts of northern Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season, often attributed to overloading, the non-use of life jackets and strong water currents. The incident has thrown the Malamawar Yan Dutse riverine community into mourning as families anxiously await news about the fate of their loved ones. Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, said the police received a report of the capsize and immediately deployed officers and other relevant agencies to the scene. Speaking with PUNCH Online via telephone on Monday, Adam said one body had been recovered, while search and rescue operations were ongoing. He stated that efforts were continuing to locate the remaining 39 passengers who were still unaccounted for. According to him, the Command is working with other emergency agencies to thoroughly search the area, assuring that further details would be made public in due course. Also confirming the incident, the Director of Planning at the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency said the victims were mostly female farmers and labourers travelling to their farms when the boat capsized. He said the exact cause of the accident had yet to be established, adding that an assessment was still ongoing. He said, “Hands are on deck as combined efforts continue to determine the exact number of those rescued or missing,” adding that casualty figures could not be confirmed yet as operations continued. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Ringim Local Government Emergency Management Committee, Habibu Dauda, said local divers and residents had joined emergency responders in the search operation. Habibu urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information, assuring that an official update would be issued once rescue operations yield clearer information.  

Annie Idibia Breaks Silence on Reunion Rumours with Ex-Husband 2Baba

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  Nollywood actress Annie Idibia has debunked rumours claiming she has reconciled with her estranged husband, Nigerian music icon Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba. The actress clarified that reports suggesting they are back together are false. The actress addressed the speculation in a post shared on her Instagram Stories on Monday, indicating that videos fuelling the claims were old and being misrepresented. “Old videos circulating everywhere, false news everywhere,” Annie wrote. Rumours of a reconciliation began circulating on Friday, July 17, after an old video showing the former couple sharing an affectionate moment at a nightclub resurfaced on social media. The clip quickly gained traction online, prompting widespread speculation that the pair had rekindled their relationship. However, Annie’s statement appears to have put the rumours to rest, clarifying that the circulating footage was not recent. Annie and 2Baba, who share two daughters, announced the end of their marriage in January 2025 after more than a decade together. The singer has since moved on and is now married to Edo State lawmaker Natasha Osawaru.

Insecurity: Council of Yoruba Elders Launches Fundraising Campaign, Vows Security Improvement Within 60 Days

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  •By OYEBUKOLA ODUNAYO IBADAN — Yoruba leaders under the aegis of the Council of Yoruba Elders (CYE) have launched a fundraising campaign aimed at supporting security efforts to tackle banditry, kidnapping and terrorism across 10 states in Nigeria. The council said the initiative was designed to provide resources, including security equipment and operational tools, to strengthen efforts against criminal activities threatening communities in Yoruba-speaking areas. The Secretary-General of CYE, Dr. Victor Taiwo, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the organisation’s office along Iwo Road, Ibadan, where he appealed to wealthy Yoruba individuals and other well-meaning Nigerians to support the campaign. Taiwo said the funds generated from the initiative would be used to acquire equipment such as surveillance drones and other security gadgets required to improve intelligence gathering and response operations. He expressed confidence that the proposed security intervention would significantly reduce cases of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism within a short period if the necessary resources were made available. “We have identified a solution that can stop banditry, kidnapping and terrorism, but we are not prepared to disclose it at this stage. What we need now are the necessary resources,” Taiwo said. He added that the council believed the security plan could achieve major results within 60 days once fully implemented. According to him, the proposed intervention would cover 10 states, including Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta states. The CYE Secretary-General lamented that his previous warnings since 2015 over what he described as alleged plans by criminal elements to expand their activities into parts of the South-West had not received adequate attention. He, however, said the council would not remain passive in the face of growing security concerns. “We have to find ways to halt the further expansion of banditry and secure the release of those in captivity. Yoruba people are not ready to succumb to what we perceive as threats. We will resist with all the resources available to us,” he stated. Taiwo disclosed that the fundraising campaign had already begun receiving contributions from some individuals, while urging more Yoruba sons and daughters with the capacity to support the initiative to come forward. He also alleged that several communities had been affected by insecurity, claiming that 17 traditional rulers had been killed in Kwara State and that some residents had abandoned their communities due to fear of attacks. The council further alleged that armed groups were attempting to expand their activities into Yoruba communities, warning that urgent action was needed to prevent further deterioration of the security situation. Taiwo criticised political leaders for what he described as inadequate response to the worsening insecurity and called for greater commitment from stakeholders. “We most humbly, respectfully and dutifully call on our people who have been blessed by God to respond to this patriotic call and support efforts to safeguard our land before the security situation deteriorates further,” he said. The council maintained that the security challenge required collective action involving government, traditional institutions, community leaders and individuals with the resources to support efforts aimed at protecting lives and property.

Makinde Visits Rescued Oriire Pupils, Teachers, Promises Trauma Support, Family Reunion, Honour Fallen Heroes

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  Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Saturday paid a visit to the pupils and teachers rescued from the Oriire Local Government Area school abduction at the 2 Division Nigerian Army Medical Facility, where he welcomed their safe return and pledged sustained medical care as well as psychological support for the victims. The victims, comprising 39 pupils and five of the seven abducted teachers, were released after spending weeks in captivity. The governor, who interacted with the children and their teachers during the visit, described their rescue as a significant development and commended the security personnel involved in the operation. Makinde said he was delighted that the children had regained their freedom, while acknowledging the sacrifices made by officers and personnel who participated in the rescue effort. “I am very happy that the children are back, all 39 of them, alongside five of the seven teachers. We give glory to God, and we appreciate our troops, the officers and men who played a significant role in securing their release,” the governor said. He also condoled with families of security personnel who lost their lives during the operation, assuring them that their sacrifices would not be forgotten. “We also remember the officers and personnel we lost during this process. To all the families who lost their loved ones, we want to assure them that their sacrifices will not be in vain,” he added. The governor said his interaction with the rescued victims showed that they were happy to have regained their freedom, but noted that some of them were still weak and would require further medical attention. “Having interacted with the children and their teachers, I can say that they are happy to be out of captivity. When anyone’s freedom is taken away, it affects their state of mind, but they are grateful to be back,” Makinde said. “Some of them are still very weak and will require medical attention. There are also post-traumatic issues that need to be addressed, but we have a team ready to provide the necessary support and care.” On plans to reunite the victims with their families, Makinde explained that medical and psychological assessments would continue for the next 48 hours before the formal handover process. “By Monday, we expect that an assessment would have been completed, and there may be a formal transfer from the military to the state government. From there, we will manage the process going forward,” he said. The governor added that arrangements were already being made to allow family members to visit their loved ones, particularly a young girl among the victims who had repeatedly asked for her mother. “Today, we are already putting logistics in place to allow some family members to come and see them. There is a little girl among them who has continuously been asking, ‘Where is my mum? Where is my mum?’ We want to make it possible for her mother to come and reunite with her,” Makinde said. While reacting to security challenges facing the country, the governor called for unity and collective efforts, urging Nigerians to avoid division during difficult times. “My final message is that this is our country. Every country around the world faces challenges. When we are confronted with difficulties, it is not the time to sow seeds of division; rather, it is the time for us to come together and confront those challenges collectively,” he said. Makinde added that he would later provide a detailed briefing to the people of Oyo State and Nigerians on the circumstances surrounding the abduction and rescue operation. “Later in the week, I will officially brief the people of Oyo State and the nation at large on what exactly transpired,” he added.

Oriire Abduction: Army Explains GOC 2 Division’s Role in Dismantling Kidnappers’ Network, Freeing Victims

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  A total of 44 pupils and teachers kidnapped by armed men in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after a month-long, intelligence-led joint security operation conducted across the Old Oyo National Park and other locations nationwide. The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed assailants attacked their school in Oriire Local Government, triggering widespread concern and prompting a coordinated rescue mission involving multiple security agencies. Confirming the development in a statement on Friday, the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the successful rescue was achieved on July 10 through a carefully planned and executed operation led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife. According to the statement, the operation brought together personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), particularly the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters, Special Forces of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as local vigilantes, hunters and members of the Amotekun Corps. The military said the operation was intelligence-led and focused on identifying and dismantling the terrorist network responsible for the abduction, including its kingpins, logistics channels, informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park forest and other locations. It disclosed that several suspects were arrested in Oyo State and other parts of the country during the operation, adding that the sustained pressure mounted on the criminal network disrupted its activities and ultimately compelled the abductors to release the victims unconditionally. “The operations, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorists’ kingpins that masterminded the kidnapping, bursting and dismantling their networks and logistics links, including their informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest. “Multiple arrests were made within Oyo State and other locations across the country. These arrests completely disorganised the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers,” the statement said. The Army noted that the rescue mission was meticulously planned to prevent collateral damage and ensure the safe recovery of all the abducted pupils and teachers. It, however, disclosed that some security personnel sustained casualties during the operation, without providing further details. The rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will subsequently be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families. The GOC, on behalf of all participating security agencies, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing strategic direction, support and resources that contributed to the success of the operation. He also commended Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and residents of the state for their continued support and cooperation with security agencies throughout the rescue efforts. Major General Nnebeife further acknowledged the contributions of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, other Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Directors-General of the DSS and NIA, as well as heads of other participating security agencies for ensuring seamless coordination during the operation. The military also appreciated media organisations and Nigerians for their patience, understanding and confidence in the country’s security architecture, while urging citizens to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies in the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities. The statement added that security agencies are continuing follow-up operations to eliminate the remaining members of the terrorist network behind the abduction completely.

Oyo Abduction Came Hours After My 2027 Presidential Declaration — Makinde

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  Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has revealed that the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area happened only a few hours after he publicly announced his intention to run for president in the 2027 election. Makinde made the remark while addressing a meeting with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement in Bauchi, recalling that Oyo had not recorded a similar incident during his seven years in office before the May 15 attack. “For seven years, we didn’t witness anything like this in Oyo State. I declared to run for the presidency of Nigeria at four o’clock, and by 9 a.m. the following morning, the children were abducted,” Makinde said. Hours after Makinde’s remarks in Bauchi, the Presidency announced that all the victims had been rescued after spending 56 days in captivity. The Presidency said the victims were freed during a joint operation involving the military, the Department of State Services and the police, with eight suspected kidnappers arrested and others neutralised. The Presidency disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were apprehended and are being held by the Department of State Services (DSS), while several other suspects were neutralised during the security operation.

BREAKING: Kidnapped Pupils, Teachers From Orire, Oyo Regains Freedom After Over 56 Days In Captivity

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  •By ADELEKE MARIA  ABUJA  –  The presidency has announced that pupils and teachers abducted from Orire community school in Oyo state have regained their freedom. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga disclosed the information on his X page, formerly Twitter on Friday. He said, “Finally, the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been freed by their abductors”. Recall that on May 15, 2026, armed bandits linked to a Boko Haram faction had abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers during coordinated morning raids on three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele communities of Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. Their abduction elicited widespread condemnation and protest from cross section of Nigerians, especially the Nigerian Union of Teachers(NUT) which vowed never to return to classrooms until the victims are set free. The victims were said to be held within the expansive 2,500-square-kilometer Old Oyo National Park. While security forces intensified rescue operations and arrested several suspects and local informants, the victims remain in captivity after multiple weeks. The abductors later beheaded one of the teachers in an apparent move to send a warning signal to government. While the rescue efforts persisted, the abductors reportedly demanded for the release of their top commanders in exchange for the freedom of the pupils and teachers. More details later…

FIFA Appoints Portuguese Match Officials for Argentina vs Switzerland Clash

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  FIFA has appointed a team of Portuguese match officials to oversee the 2026 World Cup quarter-final clash between Argentina and Switzerland, scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 11, at 9 p.m. EDT at Kansas City Stadium. The decision was disclosed in an X post by FIFA on Thursday. Joao Pinheiro of Portugal will serve as the centre referee for the encounter. He will be assisted by two of his countrymen, Bruno Jesus and Luciano Maia, who will serve as Assistant Referee 1 and Assistant Referee 2 respectively. Canada’s Drew Fischer will serve as the fourth official for the match. His compatriot, Micheal Barwegen, will serve as the reserve assistant referee. FIFA has maintained a practice of assigning officials from countries not involved in a fixture for matches at the tournament. The organisation has not assigned any referee to a match involving his own country at either the group or knockout stages. FIFA had earlier named an all-Argentine team of officials for the World Cup quarter-final between France and Morocco. Facundo Tello served as the centre referee for that match, with Juan Pablo Belatti and Gabriel Chade as assistant referees. Dario Herrera served as the fourth official for the France-Morocco fixture, while Cristian Navarro was the reserve assistant referee. The appointment generated reactions from football fans, as some questioned the decision on the grounds that Argentina remained in contention at the tournament and could face either France or Morocco in a later round. FIFA’s regulations permit officials from countries still participating in the competition to handle matches, provided they are not involved in games featuring their own national teams. FIFA said this practice has applied consistently across the group stage and knockout rounds since the tournament kicked off in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Former France striker, Thierry Henry, commented on the appointment of the Argentine officiating team for the France-Morocco fixture. Egypt’s Football Association had also petitioned FIFA over refereeing decisions in its Round of 16 match against Argentina. Argentina and Switzerland will battle for a place in the semi-final of the tournament. The winner will advance to face opposition still being decided in the other quarter-final fixtures.

Zamfara Grants Female Civil Servants Six-Month Maternity Leave

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  The Zamfara State Government has approved a six-month maternity leave policy for female civil servants in a move aimed at encouraging exclusive breastfeeding and enhancing the health and well-being of both mothers and their children. The announcement was made on Thursday in Gusau by the State Head of Service, Yakubu Haidara, while receiving a delegation from the Civil Society–Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN). According to Haidara, the approval reflects Governor Dauda Lawal’s commitment to tackling child malnutrition and improving nutrition outcomes for infants across the state. “I believe the governor’s approval is aimed at addressing malnutrition among children in the state,” he said. He explained that the extended maternity leave would allow mothers adequate time to recover after childbirth, reduce the risk of postpartum depression, support exclusive breastfeeding and strengthen the bond between mothers and their babies. “It provides essential time for physical recovery, prevents postpartum depression, facilitates exclusive breastfeeding and promotes vital emotional bonding,” Haidara said. The Head of Service noted that the state government and civil society organisations shared a common goal of protecting children and ensuring healthier future generations. He recalled that Governor Lawal approved N500 million in counterpart funding for nutrition programmes last year and expressed optimism that the administration would sustain or increase its investment in nutrition. “I believe this year also the governor will do the same or even more for nutrition activities in the state,” he said. Haidara also assured the delegation that the government would continue to collaborate with development partners and civil society organisations to combat child malnutrition. Earlier, the CS-SUNN State Coordinator, Kabiru Jangeru, described the governor’s approval as a significant milestone in efforts to improve maternal and child nutrition in Zamfara. He said the organisation, with support from UNICEF, had been advocating increased funding for nutrition programmes and the adoption of a six-month maternity leave policy to encourage exclusive breastfeeding. According to Jangeru, the approval aligns with global recommendations on infant feeding and is expected to contribute to better health outcomes for mothers and children in the state. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is recommended by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF as one of the most effective interventions for reducing infant mortality, improving child nutrition and supporting healthy growth and development. The policy is expected to provide working mothers with the time needed to exclusively breastfeed their babies while recovering from childbirth.

Hold Governors Accountable for Kidnappings – Bwala

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  Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has said responsibility for kidnappings in states rests with governors and local government chairmen, insisting that the Federal Government should not be blamed for such incidents. Bwala said this on Wednesday during an appearance on The Morayo Podcast Show, where he was questioned on the Federal Government’s handling of the ongoing Oyo State school abduction and rising insecurity across the country. “Every kidnapping and abduction that takes place in any state of Nigeria, hold that governor responsible. All the kidnappings have taken place in local government,” he said. He specifically referenced the Save the School Initiative, a federal programme he said had provided states with funds for perimeter fencing and early warning systems in schools, and challenged Nigerians to query their governors on how the money was spent. “There was this thing called the Save the School Initiative, in which monies were given to states to create perimeter fencing, early warning signs and all of those checks in schools. Ask your governor where that money went to,” he said. Bwala also alleged that local governments across the country were not receiving funds directly meant for them, citing an example from Oyo State. “Every state in Nigeria, and in the local government, there is money that should have gone directly to that local government. I was in Oyo and I engaged with the Oyo State Government. In three local governments in Oyo, I said this local government has 600 million coming here every month, and that’s how it is across Nigeria,” he said. He argued that if such funds were released directly to local government chairmen, they could be used to improve maternal healthcare, basic education, local vigilante security and welfare support for the elderly. The presidential aide also faulted Nigerians for what he described as a culture of waiting passively for government intervention, urging citizens to take their own action in holding local governments to account. “It’s only in Nigeria that citizens wait for manna to come from heaven. In all other countries of the world, citizens take their destinies in their hands,” he said. He explained that under Nigeria’s current constitutional arrangement, the President does not have direct authority over governors, limiting what the Federal Government can do to compel state compliance. “The unfortunate part of the democracy we are practising today is that it does not place the President as a head boy or prefect of the governors. That’s why when Obasanjo was struggling with that, he had to go outside the Constitution to start impeaching governors and even holding monies destined for them. Asiwaju is a democrat; he will not do that. He can only urge them,” Bwala said. He instead urged Nigerians to hold town hall meetings at the local government level and involve the media to publicly demand accountability over unremitted funds. He added that sustained public pressure, rather than isolated complaints, was more likely to draw attention to the issue. Responding to a question from an audience member on the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and teachers, who have now spent over 50 days in captivity, Bwala said the Federal Government’s priority remained securing their safe release rather than a forceful rescue that could endanger their lives. “The number one responsibility of government in a hostage-taking situation is to rescue them and rescue them alive. If you use force carelessly, you may end up jeopardising the lives of the people that are kidnapped,” he said.

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