By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja and Ifeanyichukwu Nwannah, Gusau

The nation’s worsening insecurity came into sharp focus on Wednesday,   as separate incidents of kidnapping and armed attacks in Oyo and Zamfara states raised fresh concerns over the safety of citizens and public institutions.

In Oyo State, gunmen abducted Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power and APC governorship aspirant, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped around 7:30 a.

Confirming the incident, the Adelabu family said security agencies had been alerted and rescue efforts were underway. The family expressed confidence in the ability of security operatives to secure the safe release of the victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

The abduction adds to growing concerns over rising cases of kidnapping in Oyo State. In recent months, more than 40 teachers and students were reportedly kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area, while an APC chieftain, Wale Oriade, was abducted in Ibadan in December 2025.

In another security breach in the state, suspected gunmen attacked an office of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Ogbomoso on Tuesday night, overpowering security personnel and making away with firearms belonging to officers on duty. The attack, which occurred around 10 p.m., reportedly caused panic among residents. Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of press time.

Meanwhile, in Zamfara State, suspected bandits abducted seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, after invading their off-campus residence on the outskirts of the town’s Low-Cost area.

Local authorities and the Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that one of the abducted students later escaped, leaving six others — three males and three females — still in captivity.

According to police authorities, the bandits gained access to the residence after a student allegedly left the door open while stepping outside during the night. Security operatives, including personnel of the Violent Crime Response Unit and troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, have launched rescue operations.

The latest abductions have drawn criticism from community groups, who lamented what they described as persistent bandit activities in the area despite repeated security interventions.

The incidents in Oyo and Zamfara underscore the continuing security challenges confronting the country, with kidnappings, attacks on public institutions and armed raids remaining major threats despite ongoing efforts by security agencies to contain criminal activities.

Meanwhile, the senate has warned that the growing wave of attacks on schools poses a grave threat to the nation’s future, urging the federal government to as a matter of urgency immediately rescue scores of schoolchildren, teachers and other victims kidnapped recently by gunmen in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State

The Senate also urged the Federal Government to strengthen and expand the Safe Schools Initiative through enhanced surveillance, intelligence gathering and improved security deployment around vulnerable schools and communities across the country.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (APC, Oyo Central), who drew attention to the May 15 attack on Ahoro-Esiele and neighbouring communities in Oriire Local Government Area.

Leading the debate, Buhari said the victims, including schoolchildren and teachers, were abducted from what should have been a safe learning environment, while several lives were lost during the attack.

He described the incident as a direct assault on the nation’s future, warning that insecurity around schools could undermine public confidence in education and deepen fear across rural communities.

The senator expressed concern over reports that a toddler was among those abducted, saying the development underscored the brutality of the attackers.

He also lamented the killing of a teacher during the incident, describing it as a tragic reminder of the security challenges confronting many communities.

According to him, the attack has heightened anxiety in Oyo State and renewed concerns over the safety of schools and residents in vulnerable areas.

The Senate observed a minute’s silence for those who lost their lives and sympathised with the affected families, the people of Oyo State and the state government.

Lawmakers further directed security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to secure the release of those still in captivity and prevent similar attacks in other parts of the country.

During the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) called for a comprehensive review of funds appropriated to security agencies, arguing that the National Assembly must intensify oversight of security spending to ensure greater accountability and effectiveness.

Also contributing, Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) urged state governments to play a more active role in supporting security operations, noting that ungoverned spaces across the country continued to provide opportunities for criminal activities.

The Senate acknowledged recent efforts by a Federal Government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, alongside other top security officials, who visited the affected community to sympathise with victims and assess the situation.

Speaking with journalists after the plenary, Buhari appealed to Nigerians not to politicise the tragedy, stressing that ongoing rescue efforts required caution because of the number of children involved.

He said security agencies were working to secure the safe return of the victims and warned that the disclosure of sensitive operational details could jeopardise ongoing efforts.

According to him, the focus should remain on ensuring the safe release of the abductees and restoring confidence in the safety of schools and communities across the country.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Ogun Command, said that five persons died in a lone accident at Oyama Egbado, along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway on Thursday.

It said that 10 others sustained injuries in the accident, which occurred on the second day of the public holidays declared to mark the Eid-el-Kabir.

The FRSC spokesperson, Superintendent Route Commander Afolabi Odunsi, said in Ota that the accident happened at about 11.

Odunsi explained that the lone accident involved one white Mazda E2000 bus with registration number KRD 809XC and 20 people comprising six adult males, 11 adult females, one male child, and two female children.

According to him, the five persons who died in the accident comprise one adult male, two adult females, a male child, and one female child.

He said that the persons that sustained varying degrees of injuries were being treated in hospitals, while five others escaped unhurt.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the probable causes of the crash were speeding and overloading, as the road was paved and weather conditions at the time of the incident were cloudy.

“The corpses of victims were taken to General Hospital, in Ifo, while some survivors are receiving treatment at the same hospital and General Oreofe Specialist Hospital, Itori,” he said.

He said that the accident victims were rescued by FRSC Itori Unit Command in Ogun.

Odunsi quoted Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, of the Ogun Sector, as sympathising with the families of the victims.

According to him, Ogunjobi admonished motorists to avoid speeding, overloading and all forms of traffic violations capable of endangering lives.

 He said that Ogunjobi also advised drivers to ensure strict compliance with traffic rules and regulations, especially during the festive period, stressing that road safety is a shared responsibility.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to intensify military operations aimed at decisively eliminating kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements threatening peace and security in the North Central region.

Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the directive on Thursday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Addressing the troops, the Army Chief reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property across the country.

He assured the personnel that the Army Headquarters was deploying the necessary combat enablers and operational resources to strengthen ongoing clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts in Kwara and Niger states.

Lieutenant General Shaibu also reiterated his commitment to the welfare of troops and their families, describing improved welfare as essential to maintaining high morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.

He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as the democratically elected government.

Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Major General Y Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership, timely interventions and sustained support towards improving the operational capacity of the task force.

Major General Yahaya assured the Army Chief that troops under the operation would remain committed and steadfast in carrying out their mandate of restoring lasting peace and stability across the region.