
Mrs. Love Marcus, a resident of Gidan Waya community in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was abducted while heavily pregnant. Her husband was killed during the attack. She was held captive and subjected to harsh conditions, eventually giving birth in the bandits' camp. A ransom of approximately โฆ77 million was paid for her release. This account was shared during a victimsโ support and trauma counseling program in Kaduna, organized by the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria in partnership with Palace Alliance. The program aimed to provide emotional and spiritual support to survivors of kidnapping and violent attacks. Rev. Fr. Yakubu Jerry of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan recounted Mrs. Marcus's ordeal, including the difficult march into the forest and the repeated beatings she endured. Two other abducted individuals reportedly died in captivity. After her release, Mrs. Marcus received medical and psychological support, but continues to suffer severe emotional trauma, particularly from the loss of her husband and the circumstances of her child's birth. Rev. Joseph Hayab, Executive Director of the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria, emphasized the need for political will and community cooperation to address insecurity in Nigeria, noting the program's goal to help victims heal and share experiences. Kaduna State continues to be significantly affected by banditry and kidnapping.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.

Lionel Messi has become the outright leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, achieving this feat by scoring twice in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria. The Argentine captain now has a total of 18 World Cup goals, surpassing former Germany striker Miroslav Klose. This milestone occurred as Argentina secured their spot in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, maintaining a perfect record with six points from two matches. Other top scorers include Ronaldo of Brazil with 15 goals, Gerd Mรผller of Germany and Kylian Mbappรฉ of France both with 14 goals, and Just Fontaine of France with 13 goals.
Must ReadLionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer, netting twice as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 to secure a spot in the last 32. Messi scored his 17th and 18th career World Cup goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose's previous record of 16. The victory guarantees Argentina a place in the knockout rounds. Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappe is set to play his 100th game for France, aiming to add to his 14 World Cup goals. France will face Iraq, while Norway, with Erling Haaland, could also advance from Group I. German defender Nico Schlotterbeck is out of the tournament due to an ankle injury. In other matches, Spain thrashed Saudi Arabia 4-0, and Cape Verde drew 2-2 with Uruguay, with their coach Bubista expressing hopes for a knockout stage berth. Belgium drew 0-0 with Iran, who left a message promoting peace, and Egypt secured their first World Cup victory, beating New Zealand 3-1.
Must ReadThe Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Fatai Tijani, has assured residents of safety following an explosion suspected to be an Improvised Explosive Device IED in the Shoe Materials Market in Mushin. One person sustained injuries and is in stable condition. Mr. Tijani stated that preliminary findings indicate the IED was planted under a vehicle and detonated when the engine was started. Explosive Ordnance Disposal operatives were deployed to cordon off and search the area, and no additional devices were found. Remnants of the device have been recovered for forensic examination. The Commissioner urged the public to remain calm and disregard rumors of widespread insecurity. The Baale of Oke Mushin Community, Mr. Tajudeen Faronbi, described contacting authorities after being alerted to the suspicious vehicle early Monday morning. He noted the swift response of security operatives helped to manage the situation, though the vehicle's identity and ownership remain unclear.