By Michael Lim

While attempting to collect ransom from a female resident in Nasarawa State, troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), arrested a suspected kidnapper

Identified as Mukaila Iliyasu, the suspect was arrested at Akwaba in Eggon Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, during a joint security operation conducted by troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, and DSS personnel.

Before the arrest, Iliyasu had allegedly threatened to abduct a woman unless she paid the sum of ₦200,000.

The Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, made the confirmation in a statement.

According to the statement, DSS operatives alerted the military to the alleged threat on October 29, leading to the deployment of a coordinated operation to track down the suspect and prevent the planned abduction.

To facilitate his arrest, a soldier reportedly went undercover and posed as the individual assigned to deliver the ransom.

The suspect was apprehended while collecting the money, with security operatives recovering ₦200,000 believed to be the ransom demanded from the would-be victim.

The military described the operation as a successful intelligence-led intervention that prevented a possible kidnapping and underscored the importance of cooperation among security agencies in tackling criminal activities.

After arrest, Iliyasu was handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke and General Officer Commanding 5 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, praised the troops and DSS operatives for their professionalism, courage and effective coordination.

Gara urged the security personnel to sustain their collaboration and strengthen intelligence sharing to tackle kidnapping and other security threats across their areas of responsibility.

He also emphasised the need for continued inter-agency cooperation to protect lives, safeguard communities and maintain peace in the region.

By Felix Umande

Governor Hyacinth Alia has constituted a five-member Benue State Primary Health Care Board, BPHCB, and approved 23 appointments to fill positions previously occupied by appointees who resigned from his administration.

The appointments, according to Government House sources, reflect the Governor’s decision to strengthen primary healthcare administration and ensure continuity in government operations.

The five-member Primary Health Care Board has Dr. Kadev Kenneth Kelvin as Executive Secretary and Dr. Tolough Godfrey as Chairman.

Other members of the Board are Hon. Chiangi Anongu, representing Zone A; Mr. Gabriel Ugber, representing Zone B; and Dr. Obeka Ochim Jo-Lewis, representing Zone C.

The 23 replacement appointments are:

1.Hon. Jonathan Iyoo Igbondo – Special Adviser on Unions and Labour Relations.
2.Rt. Hon. Dickson Ocheokwoi Benjamin Ohaa – Special Adviser on Works, Housing and Urban Development.
3.Engr. Iko Benjamin – Special Adviser on International Investment.
4.Micheal Nyamtsam Mtseve – Special Adviser on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.
5.Akaavah Augustine Liam – Director General, Social Investment.
6.Ahil Fabian Luvin – PSA, Protocol and Wardrobe.
7.Attah Mark Ochoga – PSA, Digital Economy and Job Creation.
8.Hon. Eric Ameh – Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Office of the Deputy Governor.
9.Agbanyi David Sixtus – Senior Special Assistant on Rehabilitation Centre, Apir.
10.Hon. Linda Ene Dirisu – Coordinator, Benue State Sexual Assault Referral Centre.
11.Dr. Abutu Tolbert Terdue – Director of Research, Benue Public Service Institute.
12.John Mimi Ihyembe – PSA on Local Government Area Coordination and Monitoring.
13.Linus Madugu – Member, Benue Investment and Property Company Board.
14.Hon. Unongo Simon – Government Liaison Officer, Guma LGA.
15.Hon. Ikyereve Benjamin Aondonenge – Government Liaison Officer, Tarka LGA.
16.Igba Terna Dominic – Personal Assistant, Office of the Chief of Staff.
17.Ayongol Terhemen Abraham – Personal Assistant on Youth and Media Mobilisation.
18.Terzungwe Yina – Special Adviser on Sanitation.
19.Mrs. Maureen Hembadoon Iortyer – Government Liaison Officer, Makurdi LGA.
20.Jacob Tertsea Agede – Special Adviser on Agriculture.
21.Mr. Andy Terfa Agbavanger – Secretary, Benue Independent Electoral Commission.
22.Hon. Patience Erube – Personal Special Assistant, Protocol, Office of the Deputy Governor.
23.Dr. Apenda Isaac Tersoo – Executive Secretary, Benue State Scholarship Board.

All appointments take immediate effect.

While congratulating the new appointees, Governor Alia said: “You must understand that your appointment underscores my administration’s commitment to maintaining an effective government structure and ensuring that vacant positions do not create gaps in the delivery of public services.

“Therefore, you must study the vision of the administration and work strictly in line with the direction and principles of the vision; you must always put the interest of the state first in all your official undertakings.”

The appointments which were announced on Monday are expected to strengthen coordination and service delivery across the affected offices and institutions.

By Isa Abdul, Abuja

74 special seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives have been proposed according to Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, by the National Assembly Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

The proposal also provides for three additional seats reserved for women in each State House of Assembly, without any female legislators..

Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, disclosed this on Monday at the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State Chapter.

He said the proposals were aimed at deepening women’s participation and representation in Nigeria’s political and governance processes.

The programme, organised by the Ekiti State chapter of FIDA, chaired by Mrs Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, had the theme, “Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children.”

In a statement issued by his Media Directorate, Bamidele, who is also Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the proposed special seats were part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

He said: “A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly and for related matters is receiving our attention at the National Assembly.”

He explained that the proposal would create 37 additional seats in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives.

Accordingly, if approved, each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory will have one additional seat in each chamber of the National Assembly.

He said the committee had also proposed three additional seats for women in each State House of Assembly.

Bamidele said the arrangement was designed to operate for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, after which it would be subjected to a comprehensive review.

He said the proposed duration as a sunset clause intended to allow the development of a more inclusive political culture.

He said the committee was engaging with state Houses of Assembly, whose concurrence was constitutionally required for the proposed amendment to take effect.

Bamidele said the initiative was not partisan but aimed at addressing the under-representation of women in decision-making.

He added that the 10th National Assembly’s commitment to the proposal had been strengthened by advocacy from key government figures, including the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

On the broader protection of women and children, Bamidele said laws must respond to emerging threats and ensure that victims of abuse had access to protection and justice.

He said justice should be accessible, affordable, timely and effective, adding that women experiencing domestic violence and children subjected to abuse must be protected from intimidation and further harm.

He also called for access to legal assistance, medical care and psychosocial support for victims, while perpetrators should be held accountable in accordance with due process and the rule of law.

The event was attended by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information and National Orientation, Hon. Steve Fatoba, and the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, among others.