Thirteen kidnapped Benue Links passengers abducted at Eke in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, have been rescued in a joint effort led by the police with local vigilantees.

The LGA chairman, Adah Inalegwu, confirmed the rescue of the abductees on Sunday.

Inalegwu said that the joint operations led by the police and members of vigilantes in that area mounted pressure, combing the forest.

That led to the rescue of two of the passengers on Saturday.

He said youths enlisted the service of youths from neighbouring Kogi State, leading to increased pressure, which made the kidnappers abandon the remaining eleven victims at Oando village at about 4.00 pm on Sunday

According to him, the provision of logistics by Governor Hyacinth Alia, with improved security surveillance and tracking, led to the rescue of the victims.

The victims are being profiled before they are reunited with their families.

More to follow…

The presidency says there has been no change in the status of Senator George Akume, as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

This is according to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Mr Onanuga says President Bola Tinubu, currently in Saint Lucia, has not made any new appointments.

He described the information circulating about Akume’s replacement as untrue, adding that agents of mischief fabricated it.

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From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri yesterday, led a campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking as part of activities commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Diri advised people of the state, particularly the youths, to shun hard drugs and trafficking of illicit substances, saying they were harmful to their health and to the society.

The Bayelsa governor, who spoke shortly after the weekly Prosperity Walk exercise at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, also urged youths to develop themselves by acquiring a skill and work towards actualising their God-given potential.

“We just completed a nine to 10km walk, which is a test of our fitness. As it is said, health is wealth.

“Today is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. We are not only observing the global campaign, we are also leading it here in Bayelsa.

“No one in his right senses goes to commit crime and violent acts except that individuals are under the influence of hard drugs. My advice to youths is to be self-confident, have the fear of God and develop your innate potential for you to become a star.”

He implored youths to emulate the shining example of a Bayelsa-born United States-based athlete, Victory Godah, who was discovered through the state’s sports programmes.

He commended her gesture of donating sporting equipment as a way of giving back to the state.

“Victory Godah from Ekeremor local government area was discovered here and because of her skill, she is now at the University of Minnesota, United States. She has given back to the state through sports equipment so that more of us can have that access.”

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, emphasised the importance of the weekly walk, stating that participants above 40 years would have their blood pressure controlled after taking about 5,000 steps.

Also, state chairman of the Drug Abuse, Addiction, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee, Dr Peter Owonaro, said the committee’s outreach in the state had been a huge success, noting that a recent research indicated that the drug abuse prevalence rate in Bayelsa dropped by five per cent from 21.4 per cent.

Also, the state commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kanu Sunny, lauded the state government for its unprecedented support in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

He said the campaign was taken to secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions and encouraged all to join in the war against the menace.