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It was wailing and lamentation at Ivianokpodi community, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, as news filtered in that one of the minor seminarians kidnapped since July 2025 had died in the hands of his abductors.

The situation worsened when five people from the same community were reported kidnapped on their way to their farm last Saturday.

The abductors of the five new victims were said to have demanded the sum of N50 million as ransom for their release.

A press statement issued by the Assistant Director of Communications, Directorate of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr. Linus Imoedemhe, copies of which were made available to journalists on Wednesday, said that although the Church was grateful to God that one of the victims, Joshua Aleobua, regained his freedom, the other victim, Emmanuel Alabi, sadly died.

The seminarians, it would be recalled, were abducted on July 10, 2025, when armed men attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi.

According to the statement, ‘During that incident, three seminarians – Japhet Jesse, Joshua Aleobua, and Emmanuel Alabi – were abducted.

‘We are grateful to God for the safe release of Japhet Jesse much earlier and, most recently, Joshua Aleobua, who regained his freedom on November 4, 2025. However, with deep sorrow, we announce the passing of seminarian Emmanuel Alabi, who lost his life in the course of the ordeal.

‘The Bishop of the Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Gabriel G. Dunia, has expressed his deep pain and sorrow over the loss of the young seminarian and has called on security agencies to intensify efforts toward protecting the lives and property of all citizens.

‘He also cautioned political leaders against turning a blind eye to the worsening insecurity situation in the nation, urging them instead to prioritise the safety and well-being of the people over political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.

‘The Catholic Diocese of Auchi invites all the faithful and people of goodwill to join us in praying for the repose of the soul of Emmanuel Alabi, and for the peace, healing, and security of our people and land.’

A resident of the community, who disclosed the abduction of the five farmers, said the victims kidnapped last Saturday comprised three males and two females.

‘One of them is my neighbour. They were kidnapped last Saturday, and as of today, the abductors are asking for N50 million,’ the community source further disclosed.

A Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Musa Kakaki, has struck out the N58.527 million fraud charges filed by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) against businessman Afolabi Islamiu Olayinka and his company, Bowofab Global Services Limited.

Justice Kakaki’s decision followed the announcement by the prosecutor, Chukwu Agwu, and the businessman’s lawyer, Barrister J. A. Sanusi, that the parties had reached a settlement agreement.

Both counsel urged the court to strike out the charges, a request granted by the judge.

The PSFU had arraigned Olayinka in 2022 on a four-count charge of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining a substantial sum under false pretences.

The businessman consistently maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty throughout the trial.

Following the submissions, Justice Kakaki discharged Mr Olayinka and his company of all the alleged offences, effectively ending the two-year legal tussle.

The Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jaret Tenebe, has declared that the party’s loyalty to Governor Monday Okpebholo is absolute, stating, ‘we have no sense’ of our own and will follow the governor’s directives without question.

Tenebe made the remarks in a video from the ‘Edo State City Boy employment 2025’ event, while pledging the state’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

‘That our loyalty to our governor is of no break, no gear, no sense,’ Tenebe announced.

‘The explanation is this: Anything the governor tells us to do, we cannot argue, because he has all the special advisers and all the special assistance.’

The APC chairman used a stark analogy to describe the party’s obedience.

‘If you have ever seen a vehicle or truck with no gear and descending; you know how deadly such a vehicle is,’ Tenebe said. ‘That’s what we are as a party in this state. Because we have no sense.’

‘The governor has already told us that 3.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu must be guaranteed and is already settled,’ he added.

The Nigerian Ports Authority in collaboration with Trucks Transit Parks, recently deployed the electronic barrier systems across all terminal access points within the Lagos Port Complex. In this report, TOLA ADENUBI looks at how the automated barrier system has improved port traffic management along the ports access roads. Excerpts.

At the peak of the Apapa gridlock in 2018 and 2019, measures put in place to resolve the perennial problem failed until the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Transit Parks Limited (TTP) introduced Electronic Call-Up System also known as Ètò.

Despite initial resistance by entrenched interests, the NPA stood its ground and enforced the system. Since then, sanity has largely returned with commuters and residents who ply the roads on a daily basis applauding the NPA.

The Ètò Electronic Call-Up System, developed and managed by Trucks Transit Parks Limited, is a digital truck scheduling and access management platform designed to streamline traffic into and out of Nigerian ports.

Electronic barrier systems at port access roads offer enhanced security, improved traffic management, increased efficiency, and significant cost savings. By replacing or supplementing manual processes, Ètò has provided a more reliable and modern solution for controlling and monitoring port entry points.

To implement the electronic call-up system, the NPA, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government and other relevant stakeholders, developed about 29 truck parks across Lagos State.

All of the 29 truck parks have fully deployed the Eto infrastructure, which includes automated gating systems and other information technology (IT) equipment.

The electronic call-up has been able to streamline cargo evacuation and truck movements, thereby bringing a level of sanity to the roads.

Aside from the call-up system, the NPA also started enforcing the use of railways in the movement of import and export cargoes in and out of states in the hinterland.

Recently, a Kano-based exporter moved about 100 tons of millet direct from Kano to Lagos Port via rail. The rail also had passengers on board the coaches.

‘I spent almost 50 per cent less as haulage cost to move my millets in containers from Kano Railway Station to Lagos Port. If these cargoes are to be moved by trucks, the goods worth millions of naira, would have cost me more,’ said the exporter, who did not give his name.

Addressing long-standing challenges

The authority is promoting multi-modal transport systems through the use of railways and barges for the movement of cargo in and out of the ports.

The development has tremendously reduced congestion at most terminals at the ports, thereby helping to improve ports efficiency.

‘Many barge operators have been licensed by the Authority in order to ensure effective and safe operation. A regulatory framework has also been developed, which looks into the state of the barges being deployed. When we approve the deployment of the barges, we discovered that many of them did not have communication equipment and we directed them to install such equipment.

‘We also insist that these barges must be seaworthy before they are allowed to sail in order to forestall a situation where they break down at the middle of the channels, which could cause disruptions,’ said an official of the NPA.

Also, the NPA introduced a new policy for the management of empty containers. This policy compels shipping lines to take back at least 80 per cent of the loaded containers that they came with for every voyage in empties and export cargo.

Reacting to a recent report by fifth columnist who took sides with entrenched interests who wanted to sabotage the system and return the ports access roads to the dark days, the NPA said it has, in collaboration with Trucks Transit Parks, recorded major improvements in port traffic management following the full deployment of electronic barrier systems in all terminal access points within the Lagos Port Complex.

The system, which became fully operational in September 2025, is now a key part of daily port operations, ensuring that only authorised trucks with valid Ètò-issued call-up tickets can access designated terminals. Integrated with the Ètò Electronic Call-Up System, the barriers have added a new layer of physical enforcement to digital scheduling, strengthened gate control, improved traffic coordination, enhanced the accuracy of port data, and overall traffic flow within the port.

Before the deployment of the integrated barrier system, the port operations were hampered by unauthorised truck diversions between terminals, with vehicles crossing from one terminal to another outside their scheduled bookings, idle trucks lingering in the port area seeking unscheduled jobs and congestion caused by non-compliance with standard operating procedures.

The barrier system has effectively closed these loopholes, providing a robust physical enforcement layer for the Ètò platform. Each barrier automatically lifts only for trucks with verified call-up tickets assigned to a specific terminal, ensuring that all movements are scheduled, controlled, and traceable.

Enhanced control, data integrity

According to the NPA, the deployment of electronic barriers represents a major leap in its automation of port operations.

‘For years, unauthorised truck movements and human interference undermined efficiency in port operations. With the barrier system now active, we have end-to-end control from the point of booking to terminal access and exit,’ the General Manager, Operations, Mrs. Stella Oladiran, said in a statement.

‘Key benefits already recorded include: improved end-to-end control of the electronic call-up process, from booking to terminal exit, data integrity and accuracy in tracking port traffic and truck movements, transparent monitoring of inter-terminal traffic for better accountability and enhanced port productivity and efficiency through precise truck scheduling.

Stakeholders’ reaction

Meanwhile, stakeholders have denounced the reports of resurgence of gridlock on port access roads. Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Mr. Adebowale Lawal, said the NPA, in line with its mandate to ensure the smooth operation of Port activities and the free flow of traffic around the Apapa Port Complex Corridor, remain fully committed to maintaining order and preventing any recurrence of the severe gridlock previously experienced along the access roads.

‘We have recently undertaken a review and enhancement of the ETO system, which now integrates Terminal Gates directly with the ETO platform. This integration is designed to provide a structured sequencing of truck movements, both inbound and outbound within the Apapa Port Complex. The objective of this initiative is to ensure transparency, improve traffic efficiency, and maintain a sustainable operating environment around the ports.

‘However, the success of this system depends largely on the cooperation and compliance of all Stakeholders, including Terminal Operators, Transport Unions, Drivers, Clearing Agents, and Government Agencies (Both Federal and State).

‘Sequencing truck entry and exit is not rocket science. With sincerity of purpose and commitment from all concerned, we can achieve and maintain orderliness and prevent a return to the chaotic conditions of the past. It is in our best interest, because smooth Ingress and Egress of Trucks will, in the long run, bring about high turnover for all Stakeholders,’ he stated.

On his part, the Chairman of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Remi Ogungbemi said, ‘Our attention has been drawn to some misleading media reports alleging that gridlock has returned to the Apapa port corridor due to a collapse of the electronic call-up system.

‘We wish to categorically state that such reports are false, exaggerated, and do not reflect the true situation on ground. All the road arteries leading to the Apapa Port – including Wharf Road, Creek Road, and other adjoining routes – remain orderly and passable.

‘At present, trucks are moving in a single, regulated lane towards their designated terminals within the port in compliance with traffic and safety directives. This organised movement should not be mistaken for gridlock. We therefore urge the public, port users, and the media to disregard and debunk these unfounded rumours. The current traffic situation around the Apapa port corridor reflects improved discipline, better enforcement, and enhanced cooperation among stakeholders.’

He added, ‘We remain committed to continuous collaboration with relevant government agencies, traffic management authorities, and terminal operators to sustain the gains achieved so far in port access management. We commend the efforts of all stakeholders who have contributed to ensuring the smooth flow of trucks and cargoes in and out of the port.’

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged the Federal Government to take decisive steps to counter what he described as a ‘false narrative’ of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, warning that the country’s silence is fuelling misinformation abroad.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Falana said the campaign alleging systematic killings of Christians has been ongoing for years without any official rebuttal.

‘According to Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, a respected intellectual, this campaign of Christian genocide in Nigeria has been prosecuted for eight years without any challenge from the government,’ Falana said. ‘People go to the United States, come back and continue spreading this narrative without any response from our officials.’

The Senior Advocate said rather than reacting emotionally to recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Nigerian government should address internal failings that have allowed such perceptions to grow.

‘Instead of losing sleep over Mr. Trump’s comments, we must ask ourselves where we made errors. Someone must be honest,’ he stated.

Falana argued that those perpetrating violence in parts of the country are not motivated by religion but by economic interests tied to land and livestock.

‘Those who are killing are not doing so because of religion,’ he said. ‘They are killing to expand land, to graze their animals. This problem persists because we still allow open grazing, even though both the Southern and Northern Governors’ Forums agreed that open grazing should be banned.’

He faulted the government for failing to enforce the agreement, noting that open grazing continues even in the nation’s capital.

‘On my way to Abuja yesterday, I saw cattle on the airport road. Nigeria is the only country in the world where that happens. You even find them grazing along the National Assembly road,’ he said.

Falana maintained that ranching remains the best solution to the farmer-herder crisis but accused the government and herders’ associations of frustrating its implementation.

‘In modern societies, you have enclosed ranches where grass and water are provided. Even the children of herders can go to school there. Why then do members of Miyetti Allah and the government refuse to establish ranches across the country?’ he asked.

The rights lawyer also decried the rising cases of kidnapping and the authorities’ failure to use technology to trace perpetrators.

‘How can you have a modern state that allows bandits to kill citizens without any attempt to identify or locate them?’ Falana asked.

‘Today, technology has advanced to the extent that wherever a phone call is made, it can be traced. Yet, families of kidnapped victims are left to raise ransom money instead of security agencies tracking the criminals.’

He said the continued payment of ransom only makes kidnapping more profitable.

‘Once the victims’ families are contacted, the police should swing into action – not wait for ransom collection. Otherwise, kidnapping becomes a lucrative business, and that is why we are in trouble,’ he warned.

Falana concluded by urging the Nigerian government to defend the country’s sovereignty and reputation in the face of international criticism.

‘We have brought this embarrassment upon ourselves as a people. We are being treated like a colony of the United States. We cannot even challenge Mr. Trump – how dare you? Where is this hypocrisy coming from?’ he asked.