The Niger State Government has directed the immediate closure of all schools across the state following the abduction of more than 300 students by gunmen in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.

Governor Mohammed Bago announced the directive on Friday while addressing journalists in Minna after a security and stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House. The decision, he said, is part of urgent measures to prevent further attacks on educational institutions.

According to the governor, the shutdown affects all categories of schools — private and public institutions, Islamic and missionary schools, federal government colleges, as well as select tertiary institutions such as schools of nursing and midwifery.

“Schools are generally supposed to close for Christmas in the next two weeks, but we cannot take any chances anymore. We are closing all schools in Niger State — private, primary and secondary schools — until after the New Year. All schools in Niger North will remain closed until further notice,” Bago declared.

Speaking on the abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, the governor lamented that the incident could have been avoided, but stressed that the priority now is the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and staff.

He noted that the government will not engage in blame games but will focus on coordinated rescue efforts.

On the number of victims, Governor Bago said the figures circulating in the media were unofficial. He added that security agencies, including the Department of State Services and the police, were currently conducting a headcount.

“We have just been seeing a lot of numbers in the media, but the figures are not official. The DSS, police and other security agencies are already doing the headcount, and by the end of today, we will have the official figure,” he stated.

The mass abduction has heightened concerns over security in Niger State, prompting the sweeping shutdown as authorities work to contain the situation and safeguard students across affected communities.

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This Is a National Loss: Dr. Pat Asadu Mourns Senator Okey Ezea, ‘A Fearless Defender of Nsukka Land”

Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea, a stalwart champion of Nsukka land, has passed away, leaving a nation in mourning. Dr. Pat Asadu, a close associate, has led the tributes, describing Senator Ezea as a “fearless defender” and “authentic leader” who dedicated his life to serving his people.

Real Full statement;

This was, without a doubt, the most agonising news I received upon my return from a short trip. At first, I doubted it especially because not long before my trip, we had met at a function in Udi LGA. My hesitation also stemmed from the recent, unnecessary, and callous spread of false news about the death of highly placed individuals; too often, such reports turn out to be untrue.

But concern overcame disbelief. In prayerful hope that it was all a hoax, I reached out to some of our leaders and friends, only to have my worst fears painfully confirmed.

I am increasingly worried that many of our great men are dying early in their prime, just as the less privileged also succumb to the harsh realities of life. May the spirit of death hovering over Nigeria for some time now depart from us in Jesus’ name. Amen. Today, we mourn our dear brother, Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea, but not as unbelievers. We are comforted by the knowledge that he fulfilled his purpose.

Senator Okey Ezea, Esq., was Nsukka to the core an authentic leader, a true warrior, and a fearless voice for the marginalized and oppressed within the political spectrum. He fought countless battles for Nsukka land, often using his hard-earned resources and boundless personal energy.

He has indeed run a good race for our people and for humanity. We pray that history will remember Ideke for all his selfless and courageous efforts.

Painfully, just when it seemed he had begun to reap the fruits of his decades-long political struggles and enormous investments as our Senator, God called him home to rest. But beyond the span of time one spends on earth are the legacies one leaves behind and Okey Ezea left us with legacies of courage, truth, and unconditional devotion to justice.

As we mourn this great son of Nsukka, one of the most vocal field marshals of our liberation, we take solace in knowing that his Creator has only invited him home to rest. We dare not question God, for He alone gives and takes life at His appointed time. Yet make no mistake, this passing is a colossal loss in the prime of life of one of our finest leaders.

Nsukka Zone, Enugu State, and Nigeria have lost:

A great Iroko

A fearless warrior

A brutally frank man of affluence

A political Nzeogwu who spoke truth to power

A leader who never shied away from challenging forces bigger than himself

Even when he lost a battle, he would rise swiftly and continue pressing forward to correct the imbalance. Political correctness never swayed him, so long as the cause contributed to the transformation of Nsukka land.

You have fulfilled your part here on earth, Great Ideke.

Our prayers and deepest sympathies are with your family.
Goodnight, Ideke.
Adieu, the great Nzeogwu.
Sleep well, Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic.
Until we meet again on resurrection morning, our fearless leader.

Rt. Hon. Dr. Pat Asadu & Family

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Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been transferred to a correctional facility in Sokoto, Nigeria, following his life sentence for terrorism charges.

His lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, announced the move on social media, expressing concern about Kanu’s distance from his family and legal team.

Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday by Judge James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja for counts one, four, five, and six of the seven-count charge. He also received additional prison terms for other charges.

The judge cited Kanu’s violent tendencies and deemed him unsuitable for Kuje prison, ordering that he be placed in protective custody.

The items retrieved from Kanu, including a smuggled transmitter, will be forfeited to the federal government.

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The Nasarawa State Police Command and the management of St. Peters’ Foundation Secondary School have debunked reports alleging that students were kidnapped from the school premises on Friday.

The false claims, which spread rapidly across social media, suggested that suspected kidnappers invaded the school located in the state.

However, during a voice call facilitated by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ramhel Nansel, and shared with TVC News Digital, the school proprietor, Peters Ezegwoya, dismissed the reports as baseless.

Ezegwoya clarified that the alarm was triggered when students heading to the school field for their Physical and Health Education (PHE) practicals sighted armed local hunters. Their presence led to panic, prompting teachers to escort the students back to their classrooms.

He explained:

“This is a rumor. The students were on the school field for their Physical and Health Education practical when one student raised a false alarm. After teachers sent the students back to their classrooms, they continued spreading the unfounded rumor about a kidnapping on school grounds. It is entirely false.”

The Police Command has urged the public to disregard the misinformation and avoid sharing unverified reports capable of causing unnecessary panic.

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The Niger State Government has confirmed the abduction of students and staff of Saint Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, following a bandit invasion on Friday.

Bandits were reported to have stormed the school between 2am and 3am, whisking away an unverified number of pupils and staff. Earlier, the Head of Department, Disaster and Relief in Agwara LGA, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed the incident by phone but withheld details.

In an official statement, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, said intelligence received earlier had prompted the state to order the closure of all boarding schools in the threatened areas. He noted that the affected Catholic school defied this directive and reopened without notifying the government.

Usman said:

“The Niger State Government has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary’s School in Agwara Local Government Area. The exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation.”

According to him, the government had issued a security advisory after credible intelligence indicated heightened threats across parts of the northern senatorial district.

“In response to these credible security alerts, the State Government had earlier issued a clear directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a precautionary measure.

“St. Mary’s School, however, proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the state.”

He added that security agencies have launched a full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operation to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.

“The Niger State Government is in close communication with all relevant security formations and will provide continuous updates as more information becomes available.”

The government urged school proprietors, community leaders, and stakeholders to strictly adhere to security advisories to avoid preventable tragedies, stressing that safeguarding the lives of children remains a top priority.

The latest attack comes as insecurity resurges across some northern states. Recently, the Kwara State Government shut down over 50 schools due to similar security concerns.

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