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Terrorists Used Helicopter In Niger School Abduction, Officials Reveal Shocking Details.
Fresh revelations have surfaced about the mass abduction of hundreds of pupils and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s Private Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, more than a week after the terrifying attack. According to Nivo News, school officials disclosed that the assailants deployed a helicopter, vehicles and motorcycles to whisk the victims away while the raid unfolded without any form of security response.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The school’s principal, Felicia Gyang, and head teacher, Blessing Amodu, recounted hearing a helicopter hovering overhead during the assault, noting that they also overheard some of the attackers openly discussing plans to abduct the children for financial gain. No armed group has so far taken responsibility for the incident, and there has been no direct ransom demand for the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Meanwhile, tension escalated as parents and relatives of the 239 missing pupils and 12 teachers held a protest within the school compound, pleading with authorities to move swiftly to secure the freedom of their loved ones. The demonstration occurred alongside a government-led exercise aimed at officially documenting the names of the missing children, with 215 parents and guardians already registered, according to official updates from the Niger State Government.
The difficult journey from Minna to Papiri did little to prepare observers for the emotional devastation at the school grounds, where grief-stricken parents flooded the premises with cries and pleas for immediate government intervention. Some parents were too heartbroken to speak, particularly those who lost more than one child in the incident.
One parent, 35-year-old Samson Najajah, whose 15-year-old son was among those kidnapped, recalled his own ordeal as a kidnap victim in 2021. He explained that the terrorists at that time rejected ransom in naira and insisted on Cefa currency, adding that the memories make him fear deeply for what the abducted children may now be enduring.
A teacher, Martha Mathias, narrated how her five-year-old daughter inadvertently prevented her from being captured, though her husband was seized along with some of the students. The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and proprietor of the school, Most Reverend Bulus Yohanna, expressed confidence that the abducted pupils and teachers would eventually be rescued safely.
The Lagos State Government has dismissed claims that it increased political campaign billboard permit fees to ₦700 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The government also clarified that billboard advertising in the state is handled by private operators, noting that some premium advertising spaces reportedly cost about ₦10 million per month.
reports that the clarification was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, following allegations circulating on social media that the purported increase was preventing some political parties from advertising across the state.
The government explained that although the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) regulates outdoor advertising, it does not own billboard structures or determine the commercial rates charged by private operators.
“The government of Lagos State wishes to debunk the claim that it has raised billboard permit fee to N700m.
“Billboards are owned by private operators. The most expensive billboard is about N10million monthly. The government does not run billboards,” the statement read.
The controversy followed comments by Abdulkarim during an interview on Nigeria Info FM 99.3 on November 13, 2026. He alleged that the cost of obtaining political billboard licences in Lagos was making it difficult for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to advertise its activities.
Abdulkarim claimed that the party had resorted to alternative methods of promoting its political message because of the alleged high cost of outdoor advertising.
“Lagos is charging almost N700 million just for a licence to erect a political billboard.
“We now decided, let us be our own billboard,” he alleged.
However, the state government maintained that political parties and candidates are free to advertise across Lagos, provided they comply with the relevant regulations.
It explained that campaign materials must be displayed on approved advertising structures operated by registered practitioners with valid LASAA permits.
According to the government, the structures must also meet established requirements concerning their locations, safety and environmental standards.
“LASAA does not determine the rates charged by billboard owners,” the statement added.
Nollywood actor Laide Olabanji has criticised some Yoruba people for allegedly prioritising ethnic loyalty over competence in their political choices, arguing that they would rather support a leader from their tribe, even if the person damages the country, than give the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, an opportunity.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that Olabanji made the remarks in a video shared on Instagram, where he claimed that Obi’s only offence in the eyes of some of his critics was that he is not Yoruba.
The actor expressed disappointment over what he described as tribal loyalty among some Yoruba people, insisting that Obi was a better option than several other politicians.
Olabanji also questioned the political decisions Nigerians had made in previous elections, arguing that some of those choices contributed to the challenges facing the country today.
He further cited the administration of former Head of State, Murtala Muhammed, urging his Yoruba audience to remember that their parents and grandparents benefited from his leadership despite him not belonging to their ethnic group.
Speaking in the video, Olabanji said, “Peter Obi did not offend you. His only offence is that he is not from your tribe. Meanwhile, you know he is far better than any of them. Stop using tribalism to destroy people’s future. I’m telling you for free, Peter Obi is Nigerians’ choice.
“I am ashamed of some Yoruba people. So, you prefer your tribe person to destroy Nigeria than give another tribe a chance to fix things?”
The actor urged Nigerians to prioritise competence over ethnic identity when choosing their leaders, warning that tribal considerations could prevent the country from making better political decisions.
Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has ruled himself out of the FIFA presidential election, a development that could strengthen the chances of incumbent president Gianni Infantino securing a fourth term in office.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that Wenger, who currently serves as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, had considered challenging Infantino but eventually decided not to enter the race, according to the BBC.
His decision comes amid growing opposition to Infantino, particularly following the collapse of his proposal to sell commercial stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
European football governing body UEFA had been expected to back Wenger if he chose to contest the presidency. However, French newspaper L’Équipe reported on Saturday that the former Arsenal manager was unlikely to challenge his boss.
Wenger enjoys considerable respect across the football community, and his withdrawal has disappointed those hoping to prevent Infantino from securing another term.
An influential figure among stakeholders opposed to the FIFA president described Wenger’s decision as “a real shame.”
“Even if not perfect, I do think he could have galvanized many around the world,” a source told BBC Sport.
Despite Wenger’s decision, UEFA is reportedly searching for an alternative candidate ahead of Wednesday’s nomination deadline.
Former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega became the first person to declare his intention to contest the election in October. Japan Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima has also expressed interest in the position.
However, Tashima, 68, was yet to secure the five endorsements required from member associations before Wednesday’s deadline, although sources said he was “still fighting hard”.
Wenger has traditionally maintained a close relationship with Infantino but previously distanced himself from the abandoned World Cup investment proposal.
“I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports,” Wenger said at the time.
“The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because I firmly believe in an independent Fifa that serves our game with commitment, transparency and integrity.”
Meanwhile, Infantino continues to enjoy considerable support from football associations across South America, Africa and Asia.
The FIFA president recently claimed he had the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of the global football community as he seeks another term in office.
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