The Ojibara of Bayagan, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, and six other abducted persons have regained their freedom after escaping from the custody of bandits in Kwara State.

According to reliable community sources, the traditional ruler and the other captives managed to flee after vigilante operatives launched a coordinated and fierce attack on the kidnappers deep inside the forests.

“The vigilantes confronted the bandits around the Eku Idaji axis, close to Igbaja, and engaged them in a heavy gun battle,” one source said.

“Although the Baale and the six others have yet to physically return to the community, they have contacted residents to confirm their escape.”

The bandits had earlier demanded ₦150 million from the community as ransom for the monarch’s release.

Sources confirmed that in the early hours of Sunday, the kidnappers called the community again to reinforce their demand.

They reportedly compelled the monarch to speak during the call to convince his people that he was still alive and in captivity.

In a distressed tone, the Ojibara appealed to his community to negotiate for his release, narrating how he was transported for over five hours on a motorcycle through dense forest to the camp where they were being held.

He also disclosed that several other residents from a neighbouring community were abducted during his capture.

Bayagan, a large community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, has been tense since the monarch was kidnapped by armed men who invaded his farm on Saturday wielding AK-47 rifles.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from the police on the latest development were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

Gunmen on Sunday stormed a church in Kogi State, abducting a pastor, his wife, and several worshippers in a violent attack that threw the community into panic.

The incident occurred at the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area, while the congregation was gathered for Sunday service.

Witnesses said the armed men surrounded the church and opened fire, forcing worshippers to flee in different directions.

The pastor, popularly known as Orlando, was reportedly seized along with his wife and other church members.

The exact number of abducted persons remains unclear.

Residents described the attack as sudden and frightening, noting that the gunmen arrived without warning and left the community shaken.

The Kogi State Government, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, said security agencies had launched a manhunt for the assailants and were working to rescue the victims.

“The Yagba West Local Government authorities are collaborating with security agencies to ensure those kidnapped are rescued alive. The perpetrators already know that Kogi will do everything possible to protect its citizens,” Fanwo said.

He added that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is directly coordinating operations and assured that updates would be provided as efforts progress.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Sunday paid a visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre, assuring him that renewed efforts to secure his freedom were yielding positive signs.

Otti was accompanied by Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu; the Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna (SAN); and his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma. Officials from the Sokoto State Government were also present during the visit.

According to a statement issued by Ekeoma after the meeting, the governor urged Kanu to remain hopeful, noting that engagements he had initiated over the past two years regarding Kanu’s case had been intensified in recent months.

Ekeoma quoted the governor as saying that the matter was being handled through “administrative processes,” adding that he was confident Kanu would soon regain his freedom.

He also revealed that Otti informed Kanu of the Sultan of Sokoto’s support for a peaceful settlement.

Otti jokingly added that the Sultan had said Kanu was now his “subject” and would be turbaned, an exchange that reportedly drew laughter from the IPOB leader.

Kanu, who was said to be cheerful throughout the visit, expressed gratitude to Otti for the show of solidarity.

He commended the governor for the developmental progress recorded in Abia State and encouraged him to remain committed to good governance.

He also offered prayers for Otti and members of his delegation.

On November 26 2024, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu state presented a 2025 budget estimate of 971.24 billion naira to Enugu State house of assembly.

A budget he said was a bullish attack on infrastructure decay and establishments of foundational structures for better growth of Enugu State.

In the budget the state government earmarked 86.3 percent of the total budget (837.94B naira) to capital expenditure.

The government promised accelerated growth both in domestic revenue drive and economic investment in key critical areas like transportation, water, health and agriculture.

The government has put flesh to the promises made as Enugu state has witnessed cash backed projects simultaneously delivered in Enugu.

The government has ramped up internal generated revenue from 140B to over 180B as at October making it receive applause as state that can survive without federal allocation or feeding bottle economy.

The introduction of technology and digitalization has reduced human interface and revenue leakages.

The government has delivered as promised in the budget the first ever Enugu Airline( Enugu Air).

Enugu Air which has broken into the airline space and has provided options for Ndi Enugu and the world to travel in convenience, poise and panache thus putting Enugu on the map of aviation locally and intends regionally and internationally in 2026.

The state government in its transportation system revolution delivered 5 brand new terminals with over 100 CNG buses providing services across the length and breath of the state and beyond.

The annual meeting of Zion ministries that took place in Ngor Okpala where over 1 million people attended saw the beauty and display of over 50 CNG buses that took over 2000 people to the annual meeting that made people ask who owns these modern, beautiful and great buses.

It was echoed by Ndi Enugu and asundry because their tomorrow is here.

The introduction of the CNG a social safety net initiative by the state government to mitigate the economic downturn has put transport costs by half.

A trip to Nsukka that was originally 2500 naira is now 1200 naira saving money for citizens. Traders, teachers , students are enjoying the dividends of tomorrow today because of the vision and foresight of governor Mbah.

Transportation cost has dropped to over 40 percent and will still deplete further because buses for inter State travels and expansion of intra state routes is about to commence.

The transport sector was a promise made in the 2025 budget that was delivered.

The state government promised to revive moribund industries and we witnessed the grand reopening of the Niger Gas Company limited after over 40 years of neglect.

A promise made and fulfilled by Governor Peter Mbah. The state also reopened the comatose Presidential hotel Enugu. A key tourist attraction that has placed Enugu state on the global map again after hosting the 2025 NBA AGC.

The Enugu State government has matched words with action in infrastructure development in the health sector. As promised the 250 bed hospital construction has reached over 60 percent completion rate.

The government has built over 200 new type 2 health centres across the centre across the 260 wards of the state.

Education which has 33 percent of the budget ( 320B) has seen the smart schools take shape across the state from Isiakpu Nsukka to community primary school Obukpa to Amofia Nara to Ugwomu Nike are standing the educational revolution engineered by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration.

The government has also intervened in over 200 road projects and delivering excellent road networks from Agu street, Enugu Agidi street, Penoks old road, Abba crescent street, Nwabueze close, Nnaji Ogbodo street to Nara/ Nkerefi amagunze to gigantic dualization of Abakpa to Opi Nsukka road to 40km Owo- Ubahu-Neke-Ikem- Obollo Afor dual carriageway road etc.

Time and space can’t tell the story of road networks receiving attention in Enugu.
After initial setbacks Enugu water reticulation has reached advanced stages with places like coal camp, independence layout and GRA restored to public water supply and ramping up of other areas has reached advanced stages.

The water debacle is been cracked and Ndi Enugu will see better days ahead.

The government has made bold moves in the agricultural sector with new farm estates and over 60,000 bags of fertilizers and 1000 tractors purchased for the 260 wards for the agricultural sector.

In 2025 the government of governor Peter Mbah has achieved great milestones and kept their promises to Ndi Enugu in the 2025 budget and Ndi Enugu are assured that as government ends strongly in 2025 , 2026 will even be better as more roads especially rural roads, new agricultural University, new terminals in 9th mile corner, Obollo Afor, Four corners, Eke Obinagu. Access to better health care and full take off of the farm estates and new technical and vocational education TVET in 8 federal constituencies.

The transformation of Enugu State continues under governor Peter Mbah in a supersonic speed.
Tomorrow is Here.

Eze Chinweuba
Mbuze 1 of Neke

The Nigerian Medical Association has begun preparing its defence in the N50bn lawsuit filed against it by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, confirmed to DAILY GAZETTE that the association’s legal team had already commenced work on the formal response to the suit.

“Our response is with our lawyer,” Audu briefly stated.

Kanu, who is serving a life sentence following his conviction on terrorism-related charges, had raised alarm during his trial before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging that his health had deteriorated while in the custody of the Department of State Services.

He cited medical reports indicating liver and pancreatic complications, the presence of a lump under his armpit, and critically low potassium levels.

Kanu insisted that the DSS medical facilities were inadequate to manage his condition and sought access to the National Hospital.

The prosecution, however, disputed his claims, arguing that his health challenges were not as severe as portrayed and could be properly handled by DSS medics.

Following the conflicting positions, Justice Omotosho directed the NMA to set up an independent medical panel to assess Kanu’s condition.

The panel’s report, read in open court, downplayed the seriousness of his health concerns and declared him fit to stand trial.

Unconvinced, Kanu, through his former counsel-turned-consultant, Maxwell Opara, instituted a N50bn suit against the NMA, its president, and members of the medical panel.

The panel members listed in the suit include Benjamin Egbon, Emem Abraham, Ajibare Adeola, Temitope Farombi, Sunday Samson Owolade, Mustaoha Said Salihu, Yarima Suleiman Yusuf, Nwosu Ekeoma, and Benjamin Oluwatosin Olowojebutu.

Kanu alleges that neither the NMA president nor the panel visited, interviewed, or medically examined him as ordered by the court.

Instead, he claims the association “forged, prepared and submitted a false medical report dated September 23, 2025.”

He accuses the defendants of professional misconduct, perjury, and deliberate misrepresentation with the intention of misleading the court.

According to the suit, the allegedly falsified report led to his continued detention, denial of adequate medical care, and further deterioration of his health.

Kanu is seeking multiple reliefs, including:

– A declaration that the defendants violated his rights to fair hearing and human dignity under Sections 34 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

– An order compelling the withdrawal and retraction of the disputed report.

– An injunction preventing the issuance of any false or unverified medical report about him.

– A directive for a fresh, independent medical examination by specialists unaffiliated with the defendants.

– N50bn in general damages and an additional N500m in exemplary damages for alleged malice and abuse of authority.

The case is expected to move forward once the NMA formally submits its defence, which, according to the association’s president, will commence soon.

An elderly woman has been killed and three people abducted after gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked Yankamaye village in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State late Saturday night.

The assailants reportedly rode into the community on motorcycles, abandoning the bikes at the outskirts before advancing on foot to avoid detection.

Their arrival threw the quiet farming village into chaos as most residents were already asleep.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said officers had been deployed to track the attackers and rescue the abducted victims.

“We are doing everything possible to rescue the kidnapped victims and restore calm to the area,” Kiyawa said.

Eyewitnesses recounted that the elderly woman was shot after pleading with the attackers not to take her son.

They ignored her cries, killed her, and abducted the young man.

The gunmen later moved to another home, where they kidnapped two women, one of whom is said to be the sister-in-law of the village’s ward councillor.

As of press time, security operatives were searching surrounding forests as part of efforts to locate the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.