New details regarding the military and intelligence operation to rescue 39 pupils and six teachers from Oriire, Oyo State, have been revealed. Key aspects of the operation include:....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • Strategic Pressure: Security forces detained relatives of the suspected kidnappers, including their wives and children, which proved decisive in pressuring the abductors before the final assault on their hideout in the Oyo National Park.

  • Detention and Investigation: Following weeks of intelligence gathering, the Department of State Services (DSS) tracked and detained the kidnappers’ relatives across the country. While children found uninvolved in crimes are expected to be released, adults suspected of aiding the kidnappers face potential investigation and prosecution.

  • The Rescue Operation: The final assault was swift and coordinated, utilizing overwhelming firepower to catch the terrorists by surprise. This followed weeks of skirmishes that weakened the gang and depleted their ammunition supply, leading to significantly lower resistance during the final rescue.

  • Casualties and Arrests: While all surviving victims were rescued, some terrorists were killed during the operation, and eight suspects were arrested. Security forces involved in the rescue also sustained casualties, though official figures have not yet been released.

  • Government Policy: The kidnappers had demanded ransom and the release of detained Ansaru terrorist commanders—Mahmud Usman, Abbas Mukhtar, and Abubakar Abba—who were arrested by the DSS last year. The Federal Government maintained its firm policy against negotiating with terrorists, refusing both ransom payments and the release of detainees.

  • Background: The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, from Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota, and Alawusa communities; one teacher was tragically killed by the abductors shortly after the initial abduction.

The Anambra State Government has officially rejected a public apology and retraction from blogger Ejike Ofoegbu regarding false and defamatory stories he published about Governor Charles Soludo and his son, Ozonna.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, addressed the situation as follows:

• Rejection of Apology: The government stated that apologies cannot repair the significant damage caused by Ofoegbu’s intentional and criminal assault on the truth, which Ofoegbu admitted was motivated by financial gain and a desire for online traffic.

• Nature of the Fabrications: The government described Ofoegbu’s work as “satanic works of fiction,” noting that he concocted absurd and damaging narratives, such as fake quotes, false domestic disputes, and manufactured election predictions, rather than simply failing to verify sources.

• Legal Consequences: Ofoegbu is expected to face legal action under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, which carries potential penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to ₦25 million.

• Call for Professional Accountability: The government urged media bodies, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigeria Press Council, and the Association of Nigeria Bloggers, to disown Ofoegbu, conduct formal inquiries, and implement stricter codes of conduct to deter similar behavior.

• Warning to Others: The government issued a stern warning to other bloggers and social media operators, emphasizing that their digital footprints are permanent and that those engaging in campaigns of calumny against the Governor and his family will eventually face legal consequences.

Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and the 2027 presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), has pledged to eliminate registration fees for public examinations if elected. He argues that education is a fundamental right rather than a privilege and essential for the nation’s progress.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Free Public Examinations: A Sowore administration would ensure that no child is required to pay fees for WAEC, NECO, or other public examinations.

• Comprehensive Educational Support: The policy aims to guarantee free, high-quality education from early childhood through the university level.

• Modernized Learning: This commitment includes providing well-paid teachers, student grants, virtual learning, and modern classrooms to ensure equal opportunities for all Nigerian children.

• Poverty Alleviation: The candidate emphasizes that a child’s future should not be dictated by their parents’ financial status.

Sowore’s declarations come in response to the Federal Government’s approval of an 82 per cent increase in registration fees for WAEC and NECO examinations, which will rise from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 starting in 2027. While the Federal Ministry of Education stated this increase was necessary to cover rising costs associated with security, logistics, printing, and administration, the decision has faced significant backlash. Critics, including educationists and parents, warn that this fee hike may exacerbate the country’s out-of-school crisis by making it unaffordable for children from poor households to complete their secondary education.