The Police Command in Kogi has launched a manhunt for gunmen who abducted six persons during the ongoing NECO examination at a school in Dekina Local Government Area on Tuesday.

The six persons abducted include four students, the school principal and a NECO ad-hoc staff.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Afusat Saliu, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lokoja.

Saliu said that the incident occurred at about 5; 25p.m., while students were still writing their NECO examination.

She said that a combined team of police and other security agencies immediately swung into action and were currently on the trail of the assailants.

“So far, one of the abducted students has been rescued. Efforts are ongoing to secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” she said.

The PPRO added that the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Naziru Kankarofi, the Brigade Commander, 12 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Kasim Sidi, the Security Adviser to the governor, retired Cdr Jerry Omadara were currently en route to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

She assured parents and residents that every necessary resource had been deployed to ensure the safe return of those still in captivity.

She said that a more detailed statement would be issued as soon as additional verified information was available.

Kano NSCDC Trains 250 Personnel on Intelligence Gathering, Report Writing

The Kano State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has trained 250 personnel on intelligence gathering and report writing to enhance professionalism and operational efficiency.

The one-day training workshop was organised on Tuesday in Kano by the Command’s Intelligence and Investigation Department.

Speaking at the event, the State Commandant, Mohammed Hassan-Agalama, said the training was designed to equip personnel with the knowledge and skills required to effectively discharge their responsibilities.

He said the workshop focused on improving intelligence gathering, understanding the legal framework guiding security operations and ensuring that officers upheld justice and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“The purpose of this training is to ensure that our personnel are properly equipped to carry out their various duties, especially in intelligence gathering.

“It is also to enable them to understand the laws guiding their operations, know what is right, what to do and what not to do, while adding value to their professional competence,” he said.

Hassan-Agalama said 250 personnel participated in the first batch of the training, adding that additional batches would be organised to accommodate officers who could not attend due to operational commitments.

He urged participants to cascade the knowledge acquired to officers under their supervision to ensure uniformity in operational standards across the command.

The commandant also advised personnel to apply the lessons learnt in carrying out investigations, handling arrests, invitations and dispute resolution in accordance with the law.

He stressed the need for officers to maintain professionalism, avoid actions that could infringe on citizens’ rights and allow matters that could not be resolved through mediation to follow due legal process.

Hassan-Agalama reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting national critical assets and infrastructure through intelligence-led operations.

He said the NSCDC would continue to work in synergy with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security organisations to improve security across the state.

The commandant commended the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr Abubakar Audi, for his unwavering support towards personnel development and capacity building.

SC Abdulganiyu Muhammad, the Head of investigation, presented papers titled “Fundamentals of Intelligence Gathering” and “Intelligence Analysis”

Also, ASC Jamilu Ali-Gaya, an Investigation Officer, presented a paper titled” Sources and Methods of Collecting Intelligence”, ACC M S Abdulkadir, presented a paper titled” Principles of Report Writing and Practical Report Writing Exercise”.

The Head of Legal Unit, Muhammad Aliyu, who presented a paper titled “Ethics and Legal Considerations” described the training as timely.(NAN)

By Attah Ede, Makurdi

Fresh violence erupted in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State yesterday as gunmen suspected to be armed Fulani herders attacked Ondo community in Ugboju District, killing the community’s Youth Chairman, Sunday Ogoh, and injuring several others, barely 48 hours after coordinated attacks in nearby communities claimed 18 lives.

The latest assault, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, has heightened fears among residents, with reports indicating that repeated attacks have forced many communities in Ugboju District to flee their homes.

Benue State Police Command confirmed that the attackers invaded Ondo community at about 6:10 a.m., killing Ogoh, while the Ward Head of the community and several other residents sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment.

Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, said tactical police teams, other security agencies, vigilante groups and civil protection personnel had been deployed to the area and were combing nearby forests in a bid to track down the attackers.

Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Prince Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the attack, saying security operatives swiftly responded and repelled the assailants before the violence could spread.

According to him, the situation has since been brought under control, with security forces maintaining a strong presence in the area.

The renewed attack came just two days after suspected armed herders invaded Akpachi village and Otukpo-Nobi community, also in Ugboju District, where at least 18 people were killed and scores injured in one of the deadliest attacks recorded in the area in recent times.

Amid growing concerns over the worsening security situation, Governor Hyacinth Alia on Tuesday visited Otukpo to commiserate with victims and families affected by the attacks.

The governor first visited the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, where survivors receiving treatment were assured that the state government would bear the cost of their medical care until full recovery.

Addressing victims, community leaders and grieving families, Alia described the killings as painful and unfortunate, expressing the condolences of the government and people of Benue State to those who lost loved ones.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stressing that his government had continued to provide logistics and operational support to security agencies to strengthen efforts against armed groups terrorising the state.

The governor urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies, saying community cooperation was critical to preventing future attacks.

At the palace of the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Agaba’Idu Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, Alia assured the traditional institution and the Idoma people that his administration would not relent until lasting peace returned to every part of the state.

“It is my duty to protect every life in Benue. We will not rest on our oars until terrorists are flushed out and peace is fully restored to our communities,” the governor said.

Residents welcomed the governor’s visit, describing it as a timely demonstration of empathy and solidarity as communities continue to grapple with the aftermath of recurring attacks.

The Federal Government says it is addressing possible bottlenecks to attract global trade and investment into Zamfara’s mining and trade sectors.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, stated this during a visit to Gov.

The minister urged both local and foreign investors to look beyond the insecurity narratives and explore the investment opportunities abounding in Zamfara.

Oduwole outlined key federal government initiatives aimed at attracting investors and expanding trade opportunities for businesses in the state.

She said her visit focused on three major issues, including attracting investment into Zamfara’s solid minerals sector, encouraging the state’s participation in the 2026 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), and integrating local manufacturers into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

According to her, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, is coordinating with international investors interested in Nigeria’s critical minerals sector.

Oduwole said Zamfara’s vast deposits of lithium, gold and other strategic minerals had continued to attract global attention.

The minister said Zamfara’s participation in the Intra-African Trade Fair to be hosted by Nigeria in November would provide a platform for businesses in the state to showcase their products to investors and buyers from across Africa and beyond.

She extended an invitation to Zamfara to participate and showcase its rich cultural heritage, products and investment opportunities at the continental event.

According to her, Nigeria has enormous opportunities in leather products, garments, shea products, processed foods and other locally manufactured goods already in high demand across several African countries.

The minister noted that the federal government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), had established an Air Cargo corridor linking Nigeria with several East and Southern African destinations.

She said the UN agency had established corridors through Rwanda and Uganda Airlines as well as other carriers to facilitate faster export of goods from Africa.

Oduwole said the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic agenda of expanding non-oil exports, adding that Nigeria had already recorded significant growth in exports to African markets.

The minister disclosed that discussions had commenced with the Zamfara government to mobilise cooperatives, manufacturers and small and medium enterprises to benefit from the initiative.

Oduwole commended the Dauda Lawal administration for the ongoing investment in infrastructure, education and healthcare, describing Zamfara as increasingly attracting investors.

She said that contrary to widespread perceptions, her delegation had experienced a peaceful and welcoming environment throughout the visit.

Responding, Gov. Lawal expressed appreciation to the minister for her commitment to supporting the state’s economic development.

Lawal said Zamfara was determined to align with the federal government’s trade and investment programmes, particularly in the areas of solid minerals and industrial development.

He described the state’s abundant mineral resources as one of its greatest comparative advantages, noting that Zamfara possesses nearly all the critical minerals required for modern industries.

The governor said the recent unveiling of the $200 million lithium mining and processing plant in the state “stands as a significant milestone” as well as evidence of growing investor confidence in Zamfara.

Lawal stressed that Zamfara should not be defined solely by security challenges, saying the state was witnessing remarkable progress in infrastructure, mining, agriculture and investment.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investors, assuring that Zamfara would fully benefit from federal government initiatives to boost trade and economic growth.

Lawal described the Zam Mining project, with the potential to create 2,000 jobs, as a drive towards economic rebirth for Zamfara.

Recall that Gov. Lawal on Saturday unveiled a $200 million lithium mining and processing plant in Boko, Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.

The plant has the potential to create 2,000 jobs and boost investor confidence.