Borno residents criticize federal government's silence on 42 abducted students
via Punch Nigeria10 min read
Residents of Borno State have voiced concerns over the federal government's perceived silence regarding the abduction of 42 primary and junior secondary school students from the Mussa community in Askira Uba Local Government Area. They contrast this with the government's swift response to a similar incident in Oyo State, where a high-powered delegation was dispatched. Abubakar Suleiman, Chairman of the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Borno State, highlighted the disparity, noting that while 416 people were kidnapped in Ngoshe on May 3 and 42 students in Askira Uba on May 16, there has been no federal government intervention for Borno. Political Analyst Abubakar Kareto echoed these sentiments, pointing out the "unsettling imbalance" in the federal government's response to the Borno and Oyo abductions, both of which occurred on the same day. He stated that the Oyo incident received a rapid, high-profile response, including a federal visit and the deployment of 1,000 forest guards, while the Borno abduction has only received "standard rhetorical condemnations." Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youths Alliance Forum, urged state political leaders to emulate their counterparts in the southwest in addressing such issues, criticizing the Borno State Government for allegedly focusing on silencing discussions rather than addressing the challenges. He also questioned a ₦10 million payment to traditional rulers in Askira Uba, asking if it was compensation for the
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticized former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, describing his political style as opportunistic and lacking the resilience needed for national leadership. Speaking on Arise TV, Wike claimed Obi, who became the Nigeria Democratic Congress’s presidential candidate for 2027 after leaving the Labour Party, consistently avoids political struggles, preferring situations where victories are easily achieved. Wike contrasted Obi's political movements with his own decision to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party despite internal issues. He stated that leadership requires facing challenges directly, not fleeing from them. Wike also addressed the pushback he received as FCT Minister, asserting his commitment to his duties. He praised President Bola Tinubu for his courage in implementing reforms, specifically the removal of the petrol subsidy, which Wike called a "cancer." Wike concluded that a leader's failure lies in the inability to make decisive, long-term choices due to fear of temporary backlash. He reiterated his criticism of Obi's political history, noting his movements from APGA to PDP, then to Labour, and now to the National Democratic Congress.
The Asaba community in Delta State has launched a free ambulance service initiative, supported by an initial N10 million donation. Speaking at the unveiling, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, stated that the project aims to enhance emergency healthcare delivery for residents. Although the ambulances are yet to be purchased, the initiative follows months of planning. Azinge emphasized that the service will be community-driven, offered free of charge to all Asaba residents, and will create employment opportunities. He called on various organizations and Asaba indigenes to support the initiative, expressing confidence in its success given the community's existing healthcare professionals. The Asagba announced plans to commission at least five ambulances within the next two months and highlighted ongoing efforts to revitalize primary healthcare centers. He noted that this initiative complements healthcare efforts by the Delta State and Federal Governments, recalling previous donations of dialysis machines to local hospitals. Emergency communication and security measures will be implemented for smooth operations. Azinge commended the Drug Rehabilitation Committee for its contributions.
The Police Service Commission PSC has disavowed a list circulating on social media, falsely claiming to be a shortlist of candidates for medical examination in the ongoing police recruitment exercise. In a statement signed by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Protocol and Public Affairs, the PSC clarified that no such shortlist has been released. The Commission stated that the evaluation of the written examination is still being finalized, and successful applicants will be officially notified for medical examination in the coming days through email, SMS, the recruitment portal, and other official channels. The PSC emphasized its commitment to a merit-based recruitment process and warned the public to be wary of fraudsters. It reiterated that the recruitment process is free at all stages and urged applicants to disregard unofficial messages, awaiting formal communication from the Commission.
Must ReadDespite heavy rainfall on Monday, the Take-It-Back Movement protested at the Oyo State Government House in Ibadan. They demanded urgent action regarding worsening insecurity and the abduction of pupils and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area. The demonstrators marched from Mokola Roundabout, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards with messages such as “Security for all, not for a few” and “End kidnapping in Oyo State now.” The protest highlights growing public anger following recent incidents where armed individuals invaded schools and abducted victims in Oriire Local Government Area communities.