Metro

Families of at least 176 people abducted by suspected terrorists in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have renewed calls on the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government to secure the release of their loved ones, who have remained in captivity for nearly six months. The appeal comes amid claims that the abductors threatened to force some of the female captives into marriage while killing the remaining hostages. Speaking during an interview monitored on BBC Hausa, Abdul Ibrahim, a resident of Kaiama, said the kidnappers rejected more than ₦155 million raised through community contributions to secure the victims’ release. According to him, the abductors warned that they would marry the “beautiful” female captives and kill the others if their demands were not met. “We have done everything within our means. The money was raised, yet our people have not been released. Their suffering continues, and families are living in agony,” Ibrahim said. He appealed to the Federal Government, the Kwara State Government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts, noting that the affected communities had exhausted virtually every available option, including peaceful protests, without success. Also speaking, the Dan Sardaukin Kaiama and Suleiman Bukata urged security agencies to replicate the operation that recently secured the rescue of kidnapped victims in Oyo State. Bukata said the successful rescue in Oyo had given families in Kaiama hope that similar efforts could be extended to those still being held by terrorists in Kwara State. He stressed that every additional day in captivity exposes the victims to greater danger and hardship, calling for urgent government intervention. Commenting on the broader security situation in northern Nigeria, Senator Adamu Aliero expressed concern over the persistent threat of terrorism but said the challenge was not due to inadequate funding. He noted that the National Assembly has consistently approved budgetary requests from security agencies to support counter-terrorism operations, arguing that the continued attacks reflect the complexity of the country’s security challenges. Aliero also reiterated his support for the creation of state police, saying governors should be constitutionally empowered to establish local policing structures capable of responding more effectively to security threats in their respective states.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abduction of pupils and teachers from Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area. The development was announced on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in a statement issued in Ibadan. According to Oyelade, the commission is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping, identify the factors that led to the security breach and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. He said the panel, which is scheduled to be inaugurated on Friday, will also assess the response of relevant authorities to the incident and propose ways to strengthen security in schools and communities across the state. “The commission will examine the events leading to the kidnapping, assess the response of relevant authorities, and recommend measures to improve security and safeguard schools and communities across the state,” Oyelade said. He added that the establishment of the commission reflects Governor Makinde’s commitment to ensuring a thorough, transparent and independent investigation into the incident. The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when pupils and teachers were kidnapped from the affected communities in Oriire Local Government Area. The victims were rescued after spending 56 days in captivity. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry is expected to submit findings and recommendations aimed at improving security and preventing a recurrence of similar attacks in Oyo State.

The Benue State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has expressed concern over the rising wave of killings, attacks and cattle rustling across Benue South Senatorial District, describing the violence as organised criminality rather than the traditional farmer-herder conflict. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the association’s Secretary, Ibrahim Galma, condemned the attacks and called on the Benue State Government, security agencies and traditional rulers to take urgent steps to restore peace and security in the area. According to Galma, the security situation has deteriorated beyond clashes between farmers and herders. “We wish to state categorically that the situation in Zone C has transcended a farmer-herder conflict. What we are witnessing is pure criminality orchestrated by criminal elements who are exploiting the fragile security situation to perpetrate murder, theft, arson and forceful displacement of innocent citizens,” he said. The association recalled the killing of its Benue State Chairman, Ardo Risku Muhammad, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, who were attacked by gunmen in Okudu village, Otukpo Local Government Area, on June 26, 2026. It said the incident heightened fear and tension across the district. MACBAN also referenced subsequent attacks in Otukpo-Nobi, Ogobia and Efeyi communities, where several people were reportedly killed, expressing sympathy to all families affected by the violence, regardless of their ethnic or social background. The association further alleged that Fulani herders and their livestock were attacked in several communities, including Olahimu, Ipom, Ochimosho, Omoloye, Ofiloko, Ibagidi and Ugene, between July 21 and July 28, resulting in deaths, cattle rustling and the displacement of herders. It also claimed that Fulani settlements in parts of Otukpo Local Government Area were destroyed by suspected arsonists. MACBAN called on security agencies to investigate the incidents thoroughly and ensure that anyone found responsible is prosecuted in accordance with the law. As part of its recommendations, the association urged the Benue State Government to establish a joint peace and security committee comprising representatives of the Idoma, Igede, Agatu and Fulani communities. It also called for increased security deployment in affected areas, the convening of an emergency stakeholders’ peace summit and the prosecution of all those responsible for the attacks. Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful coexistence, the association appealed to Fulani residents across Benue State to remain calm and seek redress through lawful means. “The government must act now to restore normalcy before the situation degenerates beyond control,” Galma said.