Students abducted by gunmen, demand N300 million as ransom for their release

Three interns from the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, at Oke Oge in the Oba Ile area of Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State, were abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Saturday evening.

The three victims, who are undergoing Industrial Training and were assigned to work on a farm, were kidnapped while returning from the farm, which is not far from Akure Airport.

According to a source, “The kidnapped individuals are students of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, but are currently undergoing their Industrial Training on the farm.

“It is a pepper and tomato farm that belongs to a commissioner in the state. One of the victims is very close to me, and I have been calling since yesterday.

“I even spoke with the kidnappers, and they have demanded a ransom of N300 million for the release of the three young men, at N100 million each.

“The phone has been switched off since yesterday, but we have informed the provost of the school and the state governor.”

The state commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, who confirmed the incident, said his men had been deployed to rescue the victims.

Adeleye stated, “I can confirm to you that we are on top of the situation. They were kidnapped while returning from the farm.

“Our men have been deployed to rescue them from the kidnappers’ den.”

Meanwhile, the abductors have reduced the ransom to N15 million for the release of the young men.

A family source, who confirmed this, said the kidnappers had contacted the victims’ families.

JUST IN; 10-year-old Boy arrested by Police operatives over alleged r*p*

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the detention of a 10-year-old boy, Bright James, in connection with the alleged defilement of a 3-year-old girl.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Police Public Relations Officer DSP Timfon John addressed concerns following reports that James had been illegally detained.

She clarified that the young boy had voluntarily confessed to the crime without any form of coercion.

She said: “The attention of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has been drawn to a viral report alleging the illegal detention of a 10-year-old boy, Bright Okon James.

“To set the records straight, the Command wishes to clarify that the said minor was taken into custody following allegations of defilement of a 3-year-old girl (name withheld).

“The case is currently under investigation and findings, including a medical report, have provided evidence of the incident.

Additionally, the suspect voluntarily admitted to the offence without coercion.

“He will be charged to court accordingly on the 10th of February, 2025.

Furthermore, the Command categorically states that there was no trial by ordeal in this matter.

“Such practices are criminal under Nigerian law, and the Police strongly condemn any form of extrajudicial actions”

The PPRO emphasized that under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare, the command is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served through due process.

“We urge members of the public to refrain from spreading misinformation and allow the investigation to take its legal course”, She appealed.

Resident killed, others injured as Lakurawa terrorists strike again

A deadly attack by suspected terrorists on the Gulma community in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State has left one person dead and six others injured.

The assault occurred late Thursday night around 11:00 p.m., catching residents off guard while they were asleep.

While speaking to Daily Trust, Aliyu Sani Gulma, the Chairman of Argungu LGA, confirmed the tragic incident. He revealed that one individual was killed, and six others sustained gunshot wounds.

The injured victims have been rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kebbi for treatment.

The assailants reportedly fled into the nearby forest after realizing that some locals had gathered to resist the attack. Gulma assured that he had notified security forces about the incident, prompting a swift response.

“Troops have been deployed to the area to safeguard the community and its residents,” he said.

Kebbi State Police Command’s spokesperson, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar, also confirmed the attack, adding that mobile police units had been sent to the affected village to assist in maintaining order.

This attack comes just two months after Senator Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central, announced that the Nigerian military had successfully driven a terror group across the border into Niger Republic.

Aliero credited the efforts of Defense Minister Abubakar Badaru, the Chief of Defense Staff, and other key stakeholders in securing the region.