Five persons are feared dead following an attack by suspected bandits on a section of the National Park in Oyo State, the source reports.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, was said to have taken place around the Oyo-Ile axis of the Old Oyo National Park, sparking fear among park rangers, nearby communities and visitors.
A security source told that the assailants, believed to be armed bandits, invaded the park area and opened fire indiscriminately, resulting in the death of at least five persons, including park personnel and civilians whose identities had yet to be confirmed as of press time.
According to the source, the attackers reportedly took advantage of the vast forest terrain of the park to carry out the assault before fleeing the scene.
“Five people are feared dead for now. Some others sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment,” the source said.
Residents of communities bordering the park said the sound of gunshots forced many people to flee their homes, while commercial activities were abruptly halted.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying that operatives had been deployed to the area to restore calm and track down the perpetrators.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Adewale Osifeso, told source that although details were still sketchy, security agencies were working jointly to secure the park and surrounding communities.
“Police tactical teams, in collaboration with other security agencies, have been mobilised to the area. Efforts are ongoing to ascertain the exact number of casualties and bring the attackers to justice,” Osifeso said.
Meanwhile, the management of Old Oyo National Park expressed concern over the attack, describing it as a serious security breach.
A senior park official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident underscored the growing security challenges facing protected forest reserves across the country.
Sources reports that the Old Oyo National Park spans parts of Oyo, Kwara and Niger States and has, in recent years, raised security concerns due to its vast and difficult-to-patrol terrain.
As of the time of filing this report, normal activities around the affected area remained disrupted, while security patrols had been intensified.
A growing crisis involving Nigerian students studying in the Kingdom of Morocco under a Federal Government scholarship has emerged as beneficiaries claim they are abandoned, homeless, hungry and helpless, prompting widespread outcry and official reactions across the nation and on social media.
Scores of Nigerian scholars, part of the Federal Government’s Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship scheme, lament severe hardship in Morocco, stating that unpaid stipends and lack of support have left them struggling for basic survival years after departure.
In a widely circulated video shared on social media platforms, including X, several students detailed their plight, alleging prolonged non-payment of monthly stipends, inability to afford food and accommodation, and acute distress.
Students told SaharaReporters that they were promised monthly allowances and initial flights by the Nigerian government under the BEA programme but have not received consistent financial support, leaving some to fend for themselves in challenging conditions.
One final-year medical undergraduate said they had been abandoned halfway through their studies, while another student recounted working secretly in violation of scholarship terms after facing destitution, suffering an accident that left him on crutches and unable to pay medical bills.
The students also spoke of being unable to work legally due to terms of the scholarship agreement with the host country, and described instances of unpaid rents, discriminatory treatment by landlords, and difficulties accessing clinical training and essential academic resources.
One female nursing student said she could not afford transportation to hospitals for practical training, jeopardising her education.
Tragically, they recounted the death of a fellow BEA scholar, Bashir Malami, who they said died from complications related to tuberculosis after avoiding medical treatment due to lack of funds, despite treatment being available in Morocco.
The video, widely circulated by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse — popularly known as VeryDarkMan — triggered sharp criticism of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, with calls for urgent government intervention.
Some beneficiaries appealed directly to the Federal Government to intervene before more lives and academic futures are lost.
Official Denial, ‘Fiscal Constraints’ Explanation
In response to the allegations, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education has dismissed claims that Nigerian students have been abandoned in Morocco, terming such reports as misleading, unfounded and designed to misinform the public.
Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa said in an official statement that all eligible Nigerian students enrolled under previous scholarship arrangements have been paid up to the 2024 budget year, and that any temporary delays in outstanding payments are due to prevailing fiscal constraints.
The ministry clarified that no new bilateral scholarships were issued after 2024, and that the current policy direction is to phase out government-funded overseas scholarship awards for programmes that can be delivered domestically.
Dr. Alausa reiterated that the government remains committed to students already enrolled, assuring that ongoing engagements with the Ministry of Finance are addressing payment delays and that support continues for beneficiaries until they complete their programmes.
Officials also emphasised options for students who may wish to return home, including reintegration into suitable Nigerian tertiary institutions with travel expenses covered by the government.
The ministry urged stakeholders and the public to reject misinformation while reaffirming its commitment to student welfare and educational policy reforms.
Background of BEA Scholarship Challenges
The plight of Nigerian scholars abroad is not new. Parents, guardians and student unions have repeatedly appealed to the Federal Government over unpaid stipends, delayed allowances and financial neglect in countries including Morocco, Hungary, Algeria, Russia, China and others — issues that in some cases have persisted for years.
In November 2025, parents under the Forum of Parents and Guardians of BEA Scholars issued an SOS to the government, warning that students’ lives were at risk due to extended non-payment of allowances.
Critics of the programme have long contended that delays and reductions in stipends have forced students into informal work, reliance on charity, academic setbacks and severe hardship, straining Nigeria’s reputation and affecting the wellbeing of its young scholars.
As the situation develops, families of the affected students, student bodies and civil society organisations have called on the Tinubu administration to urgently address the financial and welfare challenges, warning that failure to act could have profound implications for Nigeria’s education diplomacy and human capital development.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has condemned the killing of a 28-years-old nurse in Abuja, describing the incident as brutal, heartbreaking and a grave assault on the nursing profession.
The association said the deceased, who was reportedly attacked by suspected “one-chance” robbers, was a dedicated healthcare worker whose life was cut short while returning from duty.
Speaking with the sources on Tuesday in Abuja, the Chairman of (NANNM), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Mr. Daniel Akpan, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and called on security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators were swiftly arrested and prosecuted.
Akpan said the killing had thrown nurses across the FCT and the country into mourning, stressing that no society could thrive when those who saves lives were unsafe.
“This is a painful and unacceptable loss. Our colleague went out to earn an honest living and never returned. Nurses are already working under immense pressure, and now they are being killed in cold blood,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government, the FCT Administration and security agencies to intensify efforts to curb criminal activities, particularly the menace of one-chance robberies in the nation’s capital.
According to him, Abuja, which should be one of the safest cities in the country, has witnessed rising cases of abductions, robberies and killings, instilling fear among residents, especially health workers who often travel early or late due to shift duties.
Akpan also called for improved public transportation safety, increased surveillance, and regular patrols in identified crime-prone areas to prevent a recurrence.
Similarly, the National President of (NANNM), Mr. Haruna Mamman, in a statement, demanded justice for the slain nurse and appealed to authorities to treat the matter with urgency.
Mamman said the association would not relent in engaging relevant stakeholders until concrete steps were taken to guarantee the safety of nurses and other healthcare workers nationwide.
“The life of every Nigerian nurse matters. We demand justice for our fallen colleagues and assurance that such tragedies will not continue,” he said.
He added that the association was considering peaceful advocacy actions to draw national attention to the growing insecurity affecting health workers.
Some colleagues of the deceased, who spoke to Sources on condition of anonymity, described her as hardworking, compassionate and committed to patient care.
They called on government at all levels to prioritise the safety of citizens, warning that continued insecurity could worsen the ongoing brain drain in the health sector.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command has assured residents that investigations are ongoing and that efforts are being intensified to track down those responsible for the killing.
The police urged the public to remain vigilant and provide useful information that could aid the investigation.
Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) across the country prioritised the installation of paid meters over free meters in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, despite the ongoing Federal Government–backed free metering programme aimed at reducing estimated billing, official data has shown.
The data, obtained from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), indicated that while thousands of meters were deployed nationwide between July and September, a higher proportion were installed under paid metering schemes, including the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) initiative, compared to free meters distributed through the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).
According to the report, DisCos cited funding constraints, logistical challenges and delayed remittances under the NMMP as key reasons for the preference for paid meters during the period under review.
The NMMP was introduced by the Federal Government to close the metering gap in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and protect consumers from arbitrary and estimated billing, particularly low-income households.
However, the Q3 figures revealed that although free meters were rolled out in some franchise areas, the pace of deployment lagged behind paid meter installations, raising concerns among consumer rights groups and electricity customers.
Speaking with the Sources, an energy analyst, Mr. Tunde Adebayo, said the trend underscored persistent structural issues in the power sector.
“DisCos are businesses, and without predictable funding, they will naturally prioritise metering options that guarantee quicker cost recovery. Unfortunately, this undermines the social objective of the free metering programme,” Adebayo said.
He noted that the delay in free meter deployment could prolong the prevalence of estimated billing, which has remained a major source of disputes between consumers and DisCos.
Similarly, the President of the Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN), Mr. Kunle Olubiyo, described the situation as disappointing, calling on the Federal Government to strengthen oversight and ensure that DisCos adhere to metering targets under the NMMP.
Olubiyo urged NERC to impose stricter sanctions on DisCos that failed to prioritise free meters for vulnerable consumers, in line with government policy.
“We appreciate that some progress has been made, but the reality is that many Nigerians who were promised free meters are still waiting, while those who can afford to pay are being served faster,” he said.
In its response, NERC acknowledged the disparity in metering deployment and reaffirmed its commitment to achieving full metering of electricity customers nationwide.
The commission said it was engaging DisCos, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other stakeholders to address funding bottlenecks and accelerate the rollout of free meters under subsequent phases of the NMMP.
NERC also warned that DisCos would continue to face regulatory penalties for non-compliance with metering regulations and customer service standards.
The commission added that closing the metering gap remained critical to improving transparency, boosting consumer confidence and enhancing revenue assurance in the power sector.
Suspected one-chance robbers have killed a 28-year-old nurse, identified as Ms. Grace Onyekachi, and dumped her lifeless body by the roadside in Abuja, the Source reports.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday night along the Lugbe–Airport Road axis of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the victim was said to have boarded a commercial vehicle believed to be operated by criminal elements popularly known as “one-chance.”
Eyewitnesses told sources that the corpse was discovered early Tuesday by passers-by, prompting a distress call to security operatives and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
A resident of the area, Mr. Sadiq Musa, said the deceased was found with visible bruises and signs of struggle, suggesting she may have been assaulted before being killed.
“People noticed her body by the roadside this morning. From what we saw, she was beaten and probably pushed out of a moving vehicle,” Musa said.
Further investigations revealed that the victim was a trained nurse working with a private hospital in the FCT and was returning home after her evening shift when she boarded the vehicle.
A police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident to Sources, saying the body had been evacuated to a government hospital for autopsy.
“The case has been reported, and investigation is ongoing to track down the perpetrators. We are intensifying patrols and intelligence gathering around known one-chance flashpoints,” the source said.
The spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, however, said an official statement would be issued after preliminary investigations were concluded.
Meanwhile, colleagues and family members of the deceased described her as hardworking and dedicated, calling on the authorities to ensure justice.
The killing has reignited concerns over the resurgence of one-chance robberies in Abuja, particularly along major routes such as Lugbe, Kubwa, Gwagwalada and Nyanya axes.
Sources report that residents have repeatedly called on security agencies and the FCT Administration to strengthen surveillance, increase night patrols and regulate commercial transport operations to curb the menace.
Some commuters also urged the government to deploy more CCTV cameras and improve street lighting to enhance public safety in the nation’s capital.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies were yet to make any arrests in connection with the incident.
Nigerian Army troops have successfully rescued a retired senior military officer, Colonel Joseph Ajanaku (rtd), from his abductors in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, ending a dramatic hostage ordeal that lasted several hours, the military and local sources said on Tuesday.
Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) and elements of the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) launched a highly coordinated intelligence‑led rescue mission after Colonel Ajanaku was abducted at about 12:45 a.m. on Sunday from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road in Jos.
Swift Military Response
Military sources said the retired officer was whisked away by armed gunmen shortly after they invaded his home in the early hours of Sunday, sparking immediate distress calls from residents. Within minutes, troops were mobilised and trailed the kidnappers through wildlife park terrains, caves and rocky hideouts known to be used by criminal elements in the area.
According to security insiders, the kidnappers contacted the victim’s family, demanding a ransom of N200 million and threatening to kill the colonel if any attempt was made to rescue him by force. Despite the threats, military authorities elected to sustain pressure through covert tracking and intelligence support rather than capitulate to the ransom demand.
By early evening, troops located the hostage near the Rafiki axis of Bassa LGA and successfully freed him without reported casualties among security personnel or civilians. The colonel was promptly taken to a military medical facility for a comprehensive check‑up, authorities said.
Eyewitness Accounts
Residents of Rafiki and adjoining communities commended the swift intervention of the military. Mrs. Grace Dabo, a trader in the area, said she heard intensified helicopter and vehicular movement in the afternoon. “We began to see soldiers moving in groups around the highlands.
By evening, we heard news that the colonel had been rescued,” she said. “People here are relieved because kidnappings have become a worry for everyone.”
Another resident, Mr. Timothy Akau, described hearing sporadic gunshots as troops engaged in the final phase of the operation. “It was frightening but we were hopeful troops would bring him back alive,” he added.
Security Analysis: Growing Kidnapping Trends
Security analysts say kidnapping for ransom has grown into a multi‑dimensional threat across Nigeria, especially in volatile areas such as the North‑West, North‑Central and parts of the Middle Belt, including Plateau State.
National statistics show households, travellers, clerics, schoolchildren and security personnel have been targets of abductions by criminal gangs and bandits over recent years.
Analysts note that although nationwide data suggested a reduction in reported kidnapping cases in 2024, the crime remains pervasive, with mass abductions, highway attacks and ransom‑driven kidnappings continuing to pose major challenges to national security.
Plateau has recorded multiple kidnapping and rescue incidents, with security operations yielding arrests of suspected kidnappers and the recovery of arms in the state in recent months. Authorities have also neutralised suspected operatives during counter‑kidnapping missions.
Background: Kidnapping in Plateau and Beyond
Kidnapping in Plateau has entrenched itself as part of the broader insecurity landscape in North‑Central Nigeria, where criminal syndicates exploit rugged terrain and porous borders with neighbouring states.
In recent years, law enforcement agencies, including military and police, have stepped up patrols, intelligence sharing and community engagement to disrupt such networks.
Security experts argue that addressing the root causes of kidnapping involves not just force but also socioeconomic interventions, enhanced intelligence capabilities and robust cooperation with local communities to reduce the incidence of abductions.
The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property in Plateau State and across the country, urging residents to continue providing actionable information to security agencies.
The Court of Appeal has affirmed the death sentence imposed on a Kebbi State woman, Farida Abubakar, for the murder of her ex-husband, Chief Magistrate Attahiru Muhammad-Ibrahim.
In a unanimous judgment on Monday in appeal No. CA/S/75C/2025, a three-member panel of the appellate court sitting in Sokoto, led by Justice Tunde Awotoye, dismissed her appeal and upheld the conviction and sentence handed down by the Kebbi State High Court on June 3, 2024.
Delivering judgment, the court held that Abubakar’s appeal lacks merit and affirmed that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, including the trial court’s reliance on the doctrine of last seen and other evidence on record.
At the trial, the prosecution, led by Barrister Zainab Muhammad Jabbo of the Kebbi State Ministry of Justice, called 12 witnesses and tendered multiple exhibits, including Abubakar’s extra-judicial statement and circumstantial evidence linking her to the killing of her former husband.
According to court records, the evidence showed that the victim was stabbed in the abdomen, neck and left arm with a sharp object, resulting in his death on the night of August 25, 2022.
While the appellate court noted that Abubakar’s extra-judicial statements were not treated as confessions, it held that all essential elements of the offence were established, justifying the death sentence by hanging under Section 191(b) of the Kebbi State Penal Code.
The court also upheld a seven-year prison term under Section 224(1) for causing grievous hurt.
Abubakar, who was represented by A. N. Salau, Esq., has filed a further appeal at the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the appellate court’s decision.
The case reflects the judiciary’s stance on violent crime and the rigorous application of evidential standards in serious criminal matters across Nigeria’s legal system.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dispelled rumours of an impending increase in the cost of application forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) registration.
In a statement contained in its Weekly Bulletin released on Monday in Abuja, the board emphasised that the fees for UTME and DE application documents will remain unchanged, maintaining the same cost structure that has prevailed for several years.
JAMB noted that it has not increased the price of its application documents in the last nine years, and in fact, has reduced some charges for prospective candidates within that period.
The board attributed the stability in fees to its commitment to making access to tertiary education more affordable for Nigerian families, particularly in the face of prevailing economic challenges.
According to the bulletin, the decision to maintain the current fee regime reflects the directive of the Federal Government to align the board’s activities with national development priorities that emphasise affordability and transparency in educational processes.
The Board warned that fees would only be reviewed upwards if it becomes absolutely necessary to sustain the integrity and quality of the examination process.
It urged parents, guardians and prospective candidates to plan early for the upcoming exercise as the cost implication for the 2026 UTME/DE remains largely the same as that of the previous year.
JAMB also advised candidates to ensure that their National Identification Number (NIN) details are accurate before registration begins, noting that any discrepancies could affect the registration process.
The board is expected to commence the sale of application documents and the registration process in the coming weeks, with strict enforcement of the registration window once it opens, it added.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has reduced the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N815 per litre, as competition intensifies in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
The price reduction, which took effect across several NNPC retail outlets nationwide, follows similar adjustments by some independent and major oil marketers, amid increased fuel supply and evolving market dynamics.
Findings by the Sources on Monday revealed that the new price represents a drop from the previous average of about N850 per litre, though variations still exist depending on location, transportation costs and operational expenses.
NNPC Ltd. confirmed the adjustment in a statement, noting that the decision was influenced by prevailing market realities and its commitment to ensuring energy affordability for Nigerians.
According to the company, the deregulated market framework allows prices to respond to supply and demand forces, adding that recent improvements in local refining capacity and import optimisation have contributed to the downward review.
Industry analysts say the growing presence of private refiners, including output from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and modular refineries, has intensified competition, forcing marketers to reconsider pricing strategies to retain market share.
An energy expert, Mr. Ibrahim Musa, told NAN that the development was a positive signal for consumers.
“With more players in the market and reduced dependence on imports, we are beginning to see competitive pricing. If supply remains stable, further reductions are possible,” he said.
Motorists in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt who spoke with our correspondent welcomed the price cut, describing it as a relief amid rising living costs, though some urged the government and marketers to ensure uniform implementation nationwide.
However, petroleum marketers cautioned that sustained price stability would depend on factors such as crude oil prices, exchange rate movements, logistics costs and policy consistency.
NNPC Ltd. reiterated its assurance of adequate fuel supply across the country, urging Nigerians to avoid panic buying, while restating its role as a key stabiliser in the nation’s energy market.
The petrol price reduction comes amid ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector aimed at enhancing transparency, encouraging private investment and protecting consumers under a fully deregulated regime.
No fewer than five children have lost their lives following the collapse of a perimeter fence in a residential area of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The tragic incident, which occurred on Monday afternoon, was said to have happened after a section of an ageing concrete fence gave way and fell on the children while they were playing nearby.
An eyewitness, who spoke to the Sources, said the fence collapsed suddenly, trapping the children under heavy concrete blocks and rubble.
“The children were playing close to the fence when it collapsed. Neighbours rushed to the scene and tried to rescue them, but it was already too late for some of them,” the eyewitness said.
Emergency responders and residents reportedly worked together to remove the debris, while the injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
A resident of the area, Malam Abubakar Musa, described the incident as heartbreaking, noting that the fence had shown visible signs of weakness before the collapse.
“The fence was old and cracked. People had complained about it, especially now that the dry season heat weakens structures,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the Borno State Police Command said five children were confirmed dead, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Nahum Daso, told NAN that an investigation had commenced to determine the exact cause of the collapse and possible negligence.
“The command has received a report of the incident. Our officers visited the scene, and five children were confirmed dead. Investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the fence collapse,” he said.
He added that the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at a morgue, while efforts were ongoing to support the affected families.
Meanwhile, residents have called on authorities and property owners to regularly inspect old and weak structures to prevent similar occurrences.
Some community leaders also urged the state government to enforce building safety regulations, particularly in densely populated areas, to avert avoidable loss of lives.
The Borno State Government has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as at the time of filing this report.
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