–Presidency accuses Gov of strange conspiracy theory

By Isa Abdul

Dissatisfied with the issues surrounding the abduction and release of pupils in his state, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has called for independent scrutiny of the May 14 abduction of children and teachers from Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

He made the call in his statewide broadcast on Monday in Ibadan, shortly after he received 44 children and teachers recently rescued from terrorists.

The governor solicited the help of international human rights and accountability mechanisms, including those within the United Nations system to investigate the matter.

In his opinion, the circumstances of the abduction are sufficiently grave and unusual.

He said that such scrutiny was necessary especially as Nigerians deserve a full and transparent account of what happened, including whether there were institutional failures, negligence, or collusion. In is own words:

“The reunion of these children and teachers with their families does not mark the end of this painful chapter.

“It marks the beginning of another responsibility: our collective responsibility to establish the truth.”

The governor stressed that the call was not about politics “but about justice for the victims, reassurance for our people, and restoring public confidence that every Nigerian child can go to school without fear.”

He assured the rescued teachers and the parents of the children that the government would not relent until every lawful step has been taken to make schools and communities safer.

The governor further described the release and reunion of the victims as a moment of immense relief for the state.

He expressed gratitude to residents for their patience, resilience and cooperation during the period, which also involved security measures and curfews.

However, the governor said the joy was tempered by profound sorrow following the loss of some teachers – Mr Joel Adesiyan, who was killed on the day of the abduction within the school premises, Deacon John Olaleye, and Mr Michael Oyedokun who died while in captivity.

He further paid tribute to security personnel who died in rescue efforts: Lt F. A. Isaac, Mr Adigun Saibu, Mr Isa Saliu, Mr Rafiu Ayuba, “and an unnamed soldier from the Oyo State Amotekun Corps and supporting hunters”.

He prayed for the repose of their souls and comfort for their families, and also acknowledged one Mr Bamidele Paul, who sustained serious injuries and is receiving treatment.

He announced that the state government would immediately strengthen oversight of all access routes into and out of the Old Oyo National Park through adjoining LGAs.

Though National Parks fall under federal jurisdiction, Makinde said Oyo would introduce measures to regulate movement around them. He pledged also to improve community intelligence, and establish protocols to prevent criminal elements from using border communities as safe passage.

Meanwhile, the federal government has criticised Gov Makinde for calling the United Nations to probe the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo.

In an exclusive interview with the Punch, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga said:

“Look at those kids. Some of them are just about four or six years old. Will anyone want to deliberately subject them to the trauma they went through for 56 days?”

Onanuga accused Makinde, who is a presidential aspirant, of allowing political considerations to influence his call for an international probe.

“It is just unfortunate that Mr Makinde, maybe because of politics, because he is a presidential candidate now, doesn’t have any trust in our own institutions and is now calling on an external body to come and investigate.”

Onanuga added, “The man is just playing politics, and it is the politics of the bizarre. He wants to weaponise anything available, including dredging up a strange conspiracy theory.”

By Nick Ibe

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Benue State chapter, has distanced its members from the attack and killing of innocent people in Otukpo Nobi, Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.

However, residents of the community allege that armed herders carried out the killings.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, reportedly claimed about 16 lives.

Angered by the incident, youths and women stormed Ochidoma’s palace in protest, carrying the corpses of the victims.

However, in its reaction via a statement issued on Monday by the state secretary of MACBAN, Ibrahim Galma, and made available to journalists in Makurdi, the association condemned the attack and the killings.

It urged the public to avoid hasty conclusions and refrain from linking the incident to Fulani herders without a proper investigation by security agencies.

While stating that no Fulani had been living in Otukpo and its environs since last year, Galma alleged that Otukpo Nobi and other neighbouring communities had existing communal disputes.

The statement said: “It is important for the public to note that all Fulani residents in Otukpo and its environs were forcefully evicted from the area sometime last year.

“This included their community leader in Otukpo, Chairman Yenusa, who left the state immediately after all efforts to restore peace in Otukpo failed following that incident.

“Secondly, it has come to our notice that Otukpo-Nobi and other communities in the same area, such as Okete, Amla-Icho, and Otada, already have pending communal clashes.”

The association also said the public should not construe the incident as a reprisal attack over the killing of its chairman, Ardo Risku, a few days earlier:

“Making such conclusions at this stage will only compromise the ongoing investigation being carried out by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies,” Galma said.

The MACBAN scribe also urged the authorities to monitor discussions on social media, warning that inflammatory comments could heighten tension and undermine peace efforts.

The association prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims and for the restoration of peace in Otukpo and Benue State.

By Seyi Balogun

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, has called on afrobeats superstars Burna Boy, Davido, Asake and others to come to the aid of poor Nigerians.

Mrs Tinubu maintained that Nigeria is blessed with abundant wealthy people and called on them to offer assistance to those in need saying that government can’t do it alone because the burden on the it is huge. In her own words:

“Nigeria is a great country. We have a lot of wealthy people. But our priorities are different. And I think it’s high time we started helping those who need help in the country.

“I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry. I’ve mentioned it before, and I will use Akon, a music icon who does a lot of great charity work.”

She said this in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Saturday, where she launched the national community food bank. She specifically called out those to come to help the poor:

“The Burna Boys of this world, Asake, all of them, Davido. We want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money.
“Good cars are good; a Maybach is good. Rolls-Royce is good, but you can still help. The burden on the government is huge.

In a clear message of bringing help and hope to the most downtrodden, who struggle to rkk a living, she pleaded:

“You can still help. There are pepper sellers. There are vegetable sellers. There are okra sellers, melon sellers, akara kulikuli. Ankara is delicious. I can tell you that.” She said while appealing that Nigerians should not look down on legitimate means of eking out a living:

“And there was once I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job. And he said he sells Zakara because he couldn’t get a job and he’s in Abuja.

“We approached him, but I didn’t put my name to it. We equipped him more. He now has 12 workers working under him, and he’s doing very, very well. So our people should never despise jobs.”

She also contributed to the empowerment programmes in Kogi, by announcing the donation of ₦100,000 to empower 2,000 petty traders in the state.

She commended the beneficiaries for their efforts adding that, “Today in that same spirit, the Renewed Hope Initiative has donated ₦100 million to the First Lady of Kogi State and RHI coordinator to empower another 2,000 petty traders in Kogi State with the sum of ₦50,000 each to recapitalise their existing businesses.

“And I’m glad that the women who are beneficiaries, they got the idea because I saw them bringing their tray of different food items, very small items, to welcome me today, and I think the message is quite received no matter how people want to turn it around.”