From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

Nigeria’s worsening insecurity came under renewed national focus yesterday after coordinated attacks on schools in Borno and Oyo states led to the abduction of 87 students and teachers within 24 hours, triggering fresh calls for state police and urgent security reforms.

The Nigerian Senate described the incidents as a direct threat to the country’s future and educational system, as Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele called for accelerated constitutional amendments to establish state-controlled policing structures.

Bamidele, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the National Assembly was already advancing proposals to decentralise policing and strengthen anti-terror legislation in response to rising attacks on schools and communities nationwide.

According to him, the constitutional amendment process for state police has reached an advanced stage and would soon be transmitted to State Houses of Assembly for approval by two-thirds of the states.

He warned that repeated attacks on educational institutions were undermining national development and worsening Nigeria’s out-of-school crisis, now estimated at over 18 million children.

The Senate leader assured Nigerians that security-related bills, including proposed amendments to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, would receive urgent attention when plenary resumes on June 2.

The latest wave of attacks saw armed men abduct 45 pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, while suspected Boko Haram insurgents stormed Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, kidnapping 42 students.

In Oyo, the State Police Command confirmed that forensic analysis had commenced on a viral video linked to the abduction as part of efforts to identify the perpetrators and facilitate the rescue of the victims.

Police spokesperson DSP Ayanlade Olayinka said tactical, intelligence, and operational teams were working with other security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted persons, while cautioning residents against spreading unverified information capable of escalating panic.

The command urged residents to provide credible intelligence that could aid investigations and ongoing rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, said it had launched extensive forest and community-wide operations to track down the abductors.

Amotekun Commandant, Col. Olayanju Olayinka (retd.), disclosed that operatives, alongside local hunters and vigilantes, were combing forests and suspected hideouts across Oriire and adjoining communities.

Security agencies said the gunmen, reportedly dressed in military camouflage, invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School during the coordinated attacks.

Despite intensified rescue operations, anxiety remains high among affected families and communities awaiting the return of the abducted children and teachers.

Meanwhile, in the wake of recent school kidnappings in Oyo state, Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered immediate revitalization of the Safe School Initiative by the Ministry of Education and other relevant government and security agencies.

The governor issued the directive on Sunday as a precautionary step to forestall possible spillover of school kidnappings recently experienced in Oyo state.

The governor additionally directed immediate beefing of intelligence gathering especially around schools located in border areas and remote sections of the state.

The Amotekun security service was specifically instructed to strengthen the partnership with various non- government peace organisations currently providing security services across many schools within the state.

The governor who assured parents and school authorities of the safety and protection of their wards and also directed his special adviser on security matters to follow up the new plan with service commanders across the security agencies.

 “We are resolved to secure our pupils across our school system. Necessary steps are ongoing to improve security of schools especially in rural areas. The existing safe school plan will be strengthened.

 “The Commissioner for Education and the Security Adviser are to meet to firm up the revitalization plan. I assure parents and school authorities of their safety and protection”, the governor was quoted as saying in the statement.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

Latest reports from the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS) indicates that Nigeria’s inflation rate for April 2026 reached 15.69% year-on-year, confirming a continued upward pressure from the 15.38% recorded in March.

Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, statistician General of the Federation in a statement said the report showed that the slight increase follows a rise in food and energy costs in March marking a halt to earlier disinflationary trends.

The NBS said following the completion of the recent rebasing exercise, the current report is centred on a new CPI base year of 2024 and a weight reference period of 2023, adding that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased to 138.

According to the report, the month-on-month headline inflation rate in April 2026 was 2.13%, which was 2.05% lower than the rate recorded in March 2026 (4.18%).

‘At the divisional level, the three major contributors to the headline inflation were Food and non-alcoholic Beverages: 6.40%, Restaurants & Accommodation Services: 3.56%, andstatement Transport: 1.70%; while the least contributors a were Recreation, Sport, and Culture: 0.01%, Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco, and Narcotics: 0.01%, and Insurance and Financial Services: 0.03%’.

The Food inflation rate in April 2026 was 16.06% on a year-on-year basis, lower than 24.68% recorded in April 2025.

Also, on a month-on-month basis, the Food Inflation rate in April 2026 was 3.63%, down by 0.54% points from March 2026 (4.17%). This can be attributed to the rate of change in the average prices of Millet Whole grain, Yam Flour, Ginger (Fresh), Beef, Garri, Yam Tuber, Pepper (Fresh), Cray Fish, Cassava Tuber, Beans, Irish Potatoes, Tomatoes (Fresh), Wheat Grain (Sold loose), Soy Beans, Guinea Corn, Plantain, Carrots (Fresh), among others.

Core Inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce and energy, stood at 15.86% in April 2026 on a year-on-year basis.  On a month-on-month basis, the core inflation rate was 1.03% in April 2026, down by 3.0% compared to March 2026 (4.03%).

The inflation rate of the sub-indices for April 2026 shows that the monthly change recorded were Farm Produce (6.0%), Energy (8.0%), Services (2.1%), Goods (3.2%) and Imported Food (4.4%).

Meanwhile, the inflation rate on a year-on-year basis recorded were as follows; Farm Produce (19.8%), Energy (4.6%), Services (16.7%), Goods (15.7%) and Imported Food (10.5%).

On a year-on-year basis, the urban inflation rate in April 2026 was 15.40%. On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 1.86% in April 2026, down by 1.3% compared to March 2026 (3.16%).

The rural inflation rate in April 2026 was 16.36% on a year-on-year basis. On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate in April 2026 was 2.80%, down by 3.93% compared to March 2026 (6.73%).

In analysing price movements under this section, it should be noted that CPI is weighted by consumption expenditure patterns that differ across States and locations.

Accordingly, the weight assigned to a particular Food or Non-Food item may differ from State to State making interstate comparisons of consumption basket inadvisable and potentially misleading

By David Torough, Abuja

ARKAN BUILDERS LIMITED has joined dignitaries, stakeholders, and well-wishers across Nigeria in celebrating the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, on the occasion of his 60th birthday, describing him as a courageous leader whose vision continues to inspire hope and transformation.

In a goodwill message signed by the company’s Managing Director, Engr.

According to the statement, Governor Alia’s leadership style reflects resilience, compassion, and a strong commitment to rebuilding confidence in governance and restoring dignity to the people of Benue State.

“Your remarkable journey demonstrates the strength of faith-led leadership rooted in integrity, compassion, and an unshakable resolve to build where others hesitated,” the statement read.
The company further noted that the governor’s achievements have inspired renewed optimism and laid a strong foundation for sustainable development in the state.

ARKAN BUILDERS LIMITED stated that, as an organization committed to creating lasting legacies and empowering communities, it deeply appreciates leaders who understand that true development goes beyond infrastructure to transforming lives and strengthening institutions.

The firm prayed for renewed strength, divine wisdom, good health, and greater accomplishments for the governor as he continues to lead the state with courage and purpose.

Governor Hyacinth Alia clocks 60 with widespread commendations from supporters and admirers who describe his administration as one driven by reform, hope, and visionary service.