News
BREAKING: Security Agents Name Identity of Oyo School Kidnappers; Fresh Details Emerge
Thirty-six days after gunmen abducted 42 pupils and education workers from three schools in Oyo State, security officials say efforts to rescue the victims have entered a decisive stage.
According to Vanguard, intelligence reports indicated that the abductors had been trapped within the Oyo National Park, where security forces are conducting operations to rescue the captives and dismantle the network behind the attack.
The victims were abducted on May 15 from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Esiele.
Security sources involved in the rescue operation identified the kidnappers as members of Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad.
They said intelligence assessments showed that the group had established operational cells capable of exploiting forest corridors across several states.
A retired security analyst described the development as “a warning signal that terrorism in Nigeria is becoming more adaptive and geographically fluid.”
He said, “The assumption that the South-West is immune from extremist infiltration can no longer be sustained.
“What we are witnessing is an insurgent movement attempting to create new footholds while avoiding direct confrontation in areas where military pressure remains intense.”
Troops Face IED Threats
According to intelligence sources, security forces have blocked escape routes within the park, creating what one operative described as a “containment environment” around the kidnappers.
However, the terrain has slowed the rescue mission.
Security officials said the terrorists had planted improvised explosive devices in parts of the forest, forcing troops to advance cautiously.
Several security personnel have reportedly been killed during clashes with the insurgents, including a Nigerian Army lieutenant.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, recently confirmed casualties among soldiers involved in the operation.
A security source said, “This is not a conventional battlefield. The terrorists are mobile, they know the terrain, and they are constantly changing locations.
“Every movement has to be carefully planned because a single mistake can result in casualties among troops or hostages.”
Results from the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election are beginning to trickle in from polling units and local government areas across the state, with electoral officials collating votes amid keen interest from political parties and supporters.
While the outcome remains uncertain, early figures are expected to provide an indication of the direction of the closely watched contest.
PU08, ward 10, Ekiti-east LGA, Ekiti state
ADC – 17
APC – 151
PDP – 28
PU016, ward 09, Idi Igi Ose, Ijero LGA
APC: 93
ADC: 22
PU002, ward 10, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state.
ADC: 3
APC: 163
PDP: 32
PU008, ward 09, Best way, Ijero LGA
APC: 160
PDP: 35
ADC: 25
PU004, ward 11, Oke Ode, Ijero LGA
APC: 229
PDP: 35
ADC: 34
PU005, ward 11, Oke Ode, Ijero LGA
APC: 253
PDP: 30
ADC: 21
PU016, ward 11, Emmanuel Anglican Nur/Pry School, Ijero LGA
APC: 36
PDP: 4
PU009, ward 08, Oko Ejemu, Ijero LGA
APC: 121
ADC: 17
PDP: 7
PU005, ward 08, Fajuyigbe, Ijero LGA
APC: 146
PDP: 14
ADC: 10
PU007, ward 07, Near Holy Trinity School, Ikole LGA
APC: 156
ADC: 14
PDP: 14
PU005, ward 05, In front of Ola Ojo’s house, Oke Ibukun, Ikole LGA
APC: 200
PDP: 3
ADC: 2
PU013, ward 05, Oisakole’s house, Ikole LGA
APC: 205
ADC: 7
PU001, ward 05, In front of Living Stone house, Aparanyin, Ikole LGA
APC: 112
PDP: 3
ADC: 2
PU016, ward 05, open space at Olorin’s camp, Ikole LGA
APC: 79
PDP: 5
ADC: 4
PU0015, ward 06, space within Itagbangba, Ikole LGA
APC: 59
PU003, ward 06, in front of Falade’s house, Odo Aodin I, Ikole LGA
APC: 102
ADC: 5
PDP: 4
PU011, ward 06, In front of Oluwole’s house, Aketa, Ikole LGA
APC: 74
PDP: 5
PU005, ward 06, Community Primary School-Odo Aofin III, Ikole LGA
APC: 161
ADC: 8
PDP: 7
Polling Unit 6 in Ugele/Aroku Ward 3 of Ikere LGA
PDP: 113
APC: 84
The Ekiti State Government has declared Friday, June 19, 2026, a work-free day for public servants in the state.
Naija News reports that the government said the holiday was to enable workers to travel to their respective voting centres ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary to the Head of Service, Janet Ajibola.
“His Excellency, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has graciously declared Friday, 19th June, 2026, as a work-free day for all public servants across the state,” the statement read.
Ajibola said the directive was addressed to commissioners, special advisers, the Secretary to the State Government, permanent secretaries, the Clerk of the House, heads of tertiary institutions, the Registrar of the High Court of Justice, general managers, executive secretaries and heads of departments.
“For the purpose of public safety and continuity of essential services, hospitals and health centres, fire service departments and other essential service providers are exempted and shall continue to provide appropriate services,” the statement added.
The Permanent Secretary urged heads of exempted essential institutions to ensure uninterrupted service delivery during the election period.
She also directed chief executive officers and accounting officers across state parastatals to ensure compliance and wide circulation of the directive.
The news of Kunle Elebute by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the chair of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN). has started generating reactions from Nigerians.
Kunle Elebute, a renowned chartered accountant and financial management consultant, as the chair of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).
This was disclosed in a statement by the presidency on Thursday, June 18, adding that his appointment, adding that his appointment was meant to strengthen corporate governance, deepen accountability and transparency, as well as enhance the confidence of investors within the financial reporting ecosystem of Nigeria.
According to The Punch, Elebute is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) with over 40 years of professional experience in Nigeria, West Africa and the world at large. Elebute had earlier served as the senior partner and chief executive officer of KPMG Nigeria, the KPMG West Africa chairman and the chairman of KPMG Africa.
Also, he had served on the regional and global boards of KPMG, such as its Global Board Audit Committee.
In the statement, he was described as a highly respected professional with wide experience in financial advisory services, auditing, strategic transformation, risk consulting and corporate governance.
Below are some of their comments:
Segun Benson said the appointment should have gone to another qualified person in another region of the country: “I would have expected Mr President to appoint a qualified person from another region.. no shades.”
Dimeji Lawal said that Nigerians are on the lookout for the effect of the appointment: “The appointment is one thing. The impact of the appointment is what Nigerians will be watching.”
Danjuma claimed that Tinubu’s appointments are following a particular pattern of the late former president Muhammadu Buhari: “I like Tinubu for this, he is following the footsteps of Buhari, who fulanised Nigeria with his appointments.”
Shamsuddeen commended the appointment of Elebute by President Tinubu, describing it as wonderful: “That’s another wonderful selection by President Tinubu GCFR by appointing Mr Elebute. Congratulations sir.”
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