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OPWS troops rescue six kidnap victims in Taraba

Troops of Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke have rescued six kidnap victims around Gbise community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue.

Disclosing this in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to newsmen in Makurdi, the acting media information officer for OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, said that the victims were rescued on Saturday.

According to Lt Zubairu, five of the victims were kidnapped along the Chenchengi-Takum road, while the sixth victim was kidnapped at his residence in Takum, Taraba.

The statement read partly, ‘Troops of Joint Operation Whirl Stroke on September, 25, 2026 received information regarding the presence of six released Kidnap victims.

‘Acting swiftly on the information, the troops immediately mobilised to the location and successfully evacuated the victims to a secure area for safety and further necessary action.

‘During preliminary investigation with the victims, five of them reportedly disclosed that they had been abducted along the Chenchengi-Takum road.

‘The sixth victim, Mr Munza Yusuf, stated that he was kidnapped from his residence within the Ahmadu General area of Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State,’ the statement read in part.

The media officer said that the troops have sustained aggressive and intelligence-led operations aimed at locating and apprehending members of the kidnapping syndicate responsible for the attacks.

He added that the troops were also intensifying patrols and human intelligence gathering to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate within vulnerable communities and along major routes.

Lt Zubairu identified the rescued victims to include Mr Gabriel Enujuba, aged 50; Mr Samson Magbo, aged 43; Mallam Alkasim Modu, aged 27; Mr Manzo Bello, aged 27; Mallam Sani Abdullahi, aged 25; and Mr Munza Yusuf, aged 25.

He stated that the OPWS had charged its troops to remain proactive, vigilant and responsive to emerging security threats and promised to strengthen human intelligence networks to facilitate the identification, tracking and apprehension of perpetrators.

The OPWS assured the people within its joint operation area ( Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States) of its commitment to curb criminality, protect lives and property, and create a secure environment for residents, farmers, commuters and other law-abiding citizens.

5 Grade 11 students drown in Zamboanga Sibugay river

Five Grade 11 students died after they were swept away by rampaging floodwaters while swimming in a river in Purok Santan in Barangay New Antique in RT Lim town in Zamboanga Sibugay on Thursday, September 24.

Local executives and officials of the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Police Office separately told reporters on Saturday that the five fatalities, the classmates Dave Cahilig, Jia Fernandez, Hannah Karanain, Kizzy Aganon and Myka Baynosa, were found one after another by emergency responders at a downstream stretch of the river, far from where they were last seen swimming together by villagers in nearby enclaves.

The five Grade 11 students who perished in the incident are students of Surabay National High School in RT Lim, one of the towns in Zamboanga Sibugay, home to mixed Muslim and Christian communities.

Six of their classmates, Wendell Cabucos, Rodel Boguillon, James Empas, Jonhry Talledo, Reymark Dacuba and Jannisher Salipmuksin, were spotted along the sides of the river and promptly rescued by emergency response teams and personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the RT Lim Municipal Police Station.

All six of them were immediately examined by physicians before they were endorsed to their parents by rescuers.

Talks and text messages are spreading around purporting that the students reportedly agreed to cut classes, go to the river for an outing, which turned awry and left five of them drowned, found lifeless by rescuers.

Municipal and barangay officials had told reporters that the 11 students were swimming at a portion of a wide river in Purok Santan when they were swept downstream by floodwaters spawned by heavy rains in mountain ranges in surrounding towns.

Radio reports in Cotabato City on Saturday stated that officials of the RT Lim local government unit and Zamboanga Sibugay provincial officials are to help the families of Cahilig, Fernandez, Karanain, Aganon and Baynosa facilitate their burial.

No quotation marks appeared in the supplied text, so there were none to retain.

Asian Games: Progella, Pagara stay unbeaten in beach volleyball

Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara completed a three-game Pool G sweep in the Asian Games 2026 women’s beach volleyball tournament on Saturday at Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

The young Alas Pilipinas pair faced their toughest battle yet but kept their composure to edge Hong Kong’s Wing Man To and Wing Tung To, 21-19, 21-17, and remain unbeaten after the pool stage.

Progella and Pagara will enter the round of 16 as the top seed from Pool G.

Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons finished second in Pool E after losing to Kazakhstan’s Merey Kozhakhmet and Laura Kabulbekova, 21-17, 10-21, 15-10.

The knockout stage starts Monday.

Alas Pilipinas men’s pair James Buytrago and Ronniel Rosales, who are 1-1 in Pool C, hope to reach the round of 16 when they face unbeaten Indonesians Bintang Akbar and Sofyan Rachman Efendi on Sunday.

2027: Akpabio rallies Akwa Ibom support for Tinubu, Eno

Akpabio made the call in Uyo, the state capital, during activities marking the 39th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State’s creation.

The Senate President, a former governor of the state, also commended Eno for what he described as his commitment to development, peace, and economic advancement in the state.

Akpabio said Akwa Ibom’s progress should remain above partisan considerations, stressing the need for continuity in the state’s development.

He said, ‘I therefore commend Governor Umo Eno for sustaining the journey of development through the ARISE Agenda and for his commitment to peace, rural development, economic advancement and the welfare of our people.

‘The progress of Akwa Ibom must always rise above partisan considerations. Every generation of leaders has a duty to add another storey to the edifice handed down to it.’

Speaking on the 2027 elections, Akpabio called for the re-election of Tinubu and Eno, while expressing confidence in support for the President across the South-South region.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a friend of the South-South zone, and he will get maximum victory from the region and other parts of the country,’ the Senate President said.

Akpabio also urged the people of Akwa Ibom to continue supporting the state’s development, saying the 39th anniversary should be an opportunity to reflect on its progress and future.

He said the state had grown significantly since its creation in 1987, attributing its development to the resilience and contributions of its people.

‘Our greatest resource has always been our people,’ he said.

Akpabio also recalled his tenure as governor of the state, saying the infrastructure, institutions and human-capital investments made during his administration provided foundations for subsequent governments to build upon.

‘The years of Uncommon Transformation demonstrated what is possible when vision is matched by courage, when public resources are deployed for the public good, and when leadership refuses to accept yesterday’s limitations as the boundaries of tomorrow’s possibilities,’ he said.

He urged the people to look beyond the anniversary celebrations and work towards building a state with greater opportunities for young people, enterprise and innovation.

‘The task before us is not merely to celebrate how far we have travelled, but to imagine how much farther we can go,’ Akpabio said.

‘Akwa Ibom is rising. And together, we shall continue to build a future worthy of the dreams of our founding fathers.’

Akwa Ibom was created on September 23, 1987, by the military administration of former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida.

8.5 million Tanzanian children at risk of impaired development, government warns

Approximately 8.5 million children are at risk of failing to reach full development due to challenges related to parenting, nurturing, and early childhood development.

This information was released in Dodoma on Friday, September 25, 2026, by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), Prof Tumaini Nagu.

She represented the Minister of State in the PMP-RALG, Prof Riziki Shemdoe, in the closing of the mid-year review meeting on the implementation of the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Programme (NIECDP).

Prof Nagu stated that 53 percent of children aged two to four are at risk of failing to reach full development, a condition that could affect their future lives, including earning potential as adults.

‘Tanzania is estimated to have approximately 16 million children, equal to 27 percent of all Tanzanians. The 2022 TDHS-MIS survey shows that 53 percent of children aged between two and four are at risk of failing to reach their full development,’ she said.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary noted that this challenge is driven by poverty, low levels of education, inadequate housing for children’s needs, and poor availability of care, nurturing, and early development services.

According to her, the impacts of failing to meet a child’s needs in early stages can persist into adulthood, including reducing average income and increasing the likelihood of perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

She stated that investment in early care, nurturing, and development should be prioritised and involve families, communities, the government, and various institutions, using an example from a 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) study showing that every $1 invested in integrated early care and development interventions can yield up to $17.

She emphasised that the foundation of good parenting starts within the family, urging parents to cooperate to ensure children get safe environments and services enabling them to reach their potential.

On her part, the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Ms Felister Mdemu, said the implementation of the National Development Vision 2050 requires robust investment in early childhood care, nurturing, and development.

‘Our cooperation should be measured not by the number of meetings we hold, but by the number of children reached, the quality of services they receive, the safety of their environment, and the development they achieve,’ said Ms Mdemu.

The representative of the Director of the Tanzania Early Childhood Development Network (TECDEN), Mr Lazaro Ernest, stated that no single sector can raise a child alone, as a child involves health, education, nutrition, protection, and social welfare.

Mr Lazaro noted that it is vital to have a joint framework enabling various institutions to provide services from a broad perspective.

The meeting discussed milestones achieved, existing challenges, and areas requiring strengthening so children receive essential services in early life stages.

P60 wage hike for Metro Manila minimum wage earners takes effect

Minimum wage earners in Metro Manila will get a P60 daily wage increase starting Saturday, September 26, under a new wage order issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DOLE said all employers in the National Capital Region are required to comply with Wage Order No. NCR-28, which takes effect Saturday.

The order raises the daily minimum wage for nonagricultural workers from P695 to P755.

For agricultural workers, the minimum wage increases from P658 to P718 per day.

The P60 increase also covers workers in service and retail establishments with 15 or fewer workers and manufacturing establishments regularly employing fewer than 10 workers.

Wage Order No. NCR-28 was issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region after consultations among labor, employers and the government.

The new wage order comes as the previous NCR wage hike remains tied up in court.

Wage Order No. NCR-27 provided for a P85 increase in the NCR minimum wage in two tranches. The first P60 increase was supposed to take effect in July, followed by a P25 increase in January 2027.

Its implementation was halted after contractors Readycon Training and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Corp. challenged the wage order in court.

A Pasig City court later issued an injunction blocking the implementation of NCR-27.

With NCR-28 now in effect, the NCR minimum wage for nonagricultural workers stands at P755 per day, while agricultural workers will receive P718.

DOLE said it will monitor compliance with the new wage rates.

JAMB intensifies efforts to fix faulty platform

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), says it has commenced intensive engagement with the hosting organization to rectify its faulty Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

The board disclosed this yesterday while notifying institutions, candidates and all other users of the CAPS that the platform is temporarily unavailable.

In a statement by the Ag. Director, Public Affairs and Protocol Department Fabian Benjamin, JAMB said the disruption, which commenced earlier yesterday, arose from technical challenges associated with the platform’s hosting arrangements.

According to the statement, ‘the Board has immediately commenced intensive engagement with the hosting organisation to identify and resolve the issue as quickly as possible.The Board is particularly conscious of the timing of this disruption, given that CAPS is the central platform through which admissions into tertiary institutions across the country are processed.

‘At this peak period of the admission exercise, institutions are actively processing admissions, candidates are anxiously awaiting the outcome of admission decisions, and several stakeholders are simultaneously interfacing with the platform.

‘The Board considers it important to promptly inform the public of this development, in keeping with its commitment to transparency and accountability in the conduct of its statutory responsibilities. Rather than leave candidates, institutions and other stakeholders to speculate about the cause of the disruption, the Board is providing this update while all necessary efforts are being made to restore the platform.’

The statement added that the ‘Board regrets the inconvenience this temporary disruption may cause candidates, institutions and other users of the platform. All stakeholders are, however, assured that the Board is working round the clock with the hosting organisation to resolve the issue and restore CAPS to full functionality within the shortest possible time.

Given the critical role of CAPS in ensuring a transparent, orderly and coordinated admissions process, the Board will also review the circumstances surrounding the disruption with a view to putting measures in place to prevent a recurrence of such interruptions.The Board appreciates the patience and understanding of all candidates, institutions and stakeholders and will provide further updates as developments unfold.’

AAAU, ABU sign pact to establish faculty of aeronautical space engineering

The African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja, and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the establishment of the faculty of aeronautical and space engineering.

The agreement would also enable both institutions to explore Online Distance Learning (ODL) academic collaboration.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of AAAU, Abuja, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi said the pact was aimed at seeking the mentorship and expertise of ABU Zaria towards the establishment of the faculty of aeronautical and space engineering at AAAU.

He noted that the growing demand for specialised manpower in the aviation and aerospace sector made the establishment of the faculty important.

Abdullahi further stated that ABU Zaria was a strategic institution to partner with, given its experience in engineering education and the wealth of experienced academics within its faculty of engineering.

He also disclosed that AAAU was exploring opportunities for collaboration in Online Distance Learning, an area in which ABU Zaria has experience as one of the pioneering institutions in the country.

He explained that the proposed collaboration would enable AAAU to accommodate potential international students and professionals within the aviation sector, particularly in view of the peculiar nature of the industry and the professional commitments of many of its students.

The Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmad, commended the leadership of AAAU for taking up the challenge of pioneering a specialised university dedicated to aviation and aerospace education.

He assured AAAU of the commitment of ABU Zaria, particularly its faculty of engineering, to supporting the University’s manpower development drive and the establishment of the faculty of aeronautical and space engineering.

2027: Navy Chief warns personnel against partisan politics

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, has warned naval and other military personnel to remain apolitical, non-partisan and professional in the discharge of their duty in the upcoming 2027 election.

The CNS gave the charge on Saturday while addressing personnel at the Third Quarter Route March 2026.

Abbas, represented by the Director of Manning, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Kolawole Oguntuga, said that the Armed Forces retained the solemn responsibility to support the democratic process.

He emphasised that the support provided by military personnel during elections must remain within the limits of the law and the duly authorised directives as provided by the constitution.

He demanded utmost professionalism from the personnel, tasking them to avoid statements, associations and any other activity that could negate the service’s core values and bring the Navy to disrepute.

According to him, unity and discipline displayed during the route march is timely and significant, and the results should be evident during the discharge of duty in the upcoming elections.

‘Physical fitness is all the more important as naval service has grown beyond traditional responsibilities at sea.

‘Personnel continue to serve alongside sister services and other security agencies in joint theatres, contributing significantly to ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

‘Personnel, in most cases whether at sea or ashore, operating singly or jointly, would operate for prolonged periods in demanding terrain, under intense pressure, and in rapidly changing tactical conditions.

‘Success in such deployments therefore depends not only on weapons, platforms and training, but also on the physical fitness, mental resilience and adaptability of the individual officer or rating.’

According to him, today’s Route March reminds us that operational effectiveness begins with individual readiness and I urge every personnel to make physical fitness a continuous habit, and an integral part of professional military life.

Abbas reiterated the need for personnel to renew commitment to the service of the nation.

He said personnel must maintain physical fitness to meet the demands of the profession, uphold institutional standards in fulfilling our constitutional responsibilities and remain operationally prepared to respond whenever duty calls.

‘At all times, we must remember that our sacred oath to uphold our professional standards in all aspects of operations is vital to keeping faith with our responsibility to defend our territorial integrity,’ he said

WIMB Africa Roundtable: Stakeholders call for policies that improve citizens’ lives

Rising transportation costs, inadequate infrastructure and limited economic opportunities for women and young people dominated discussions at a WIMB Africa Business Roundtable, with stakeholders calling for policies that translate government decisions into measurable improvements in citizens’ daily lives.

Stakeholders from the business, media, creative, engineering, legal, and political sectors said sustainable national development requires more than government action, stressing the need for effective institutions, policy implementation, and an informed citizenry capable of holding public officials accountable.

They spoke at the monthly Business Roundtable organised by the African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WIMB Africa) at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The roundtable, themed ‘Politics as a Nation-Building Catalyst,’ which provided a platform for sector-focused dialogue on pressing economic and national issues, exchange of perspectives and exploration of practical solutions, brought together WIMB Africa Founder, Dr Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi; keynote speaker, Mayor Akinpelu; moderator, Mr Gbadebo Akinyemi; former Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Engr. Obafemi Omokungbe; CEO, HONTAR; Barr. Deji Fasunwon; veteran journalist and media career development specialist, Lekan Otufodunrin; former Chairman, Odi-Olowo LCDA, Hon. Rasak Ajala; WIMB Africa Project Coordinator, Omotayo Jane; Ms. Anjolaoluwa Olanrewaju, among other stakeholders.

Speaking at the event, former Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Engr. Obafemi Omokungbe, said infrastructure investments would have limited impact without policies and institutions capable of sustaining them.

‘Policy is not a mere set of government interventions. It is the underlying system that allows families, institutions, markets, communities and citizens to function effectively,’ Omokungbe said.

He identified roads, electricity, water and broadband as critical infrastructure, but stressed that their effectiveness depended on the policy framework governing their development, maintenance and use.

‘A weak policy environment can undermine even a well-funded physical infrastructure,’ he added, calling for stronger institutions, clear standards and effective implementation.

The keynote speaker, Mayor Akinpelu, said policy reforms could promote economic stability and create a more predictable environment for businesses to plan and invest.

He, however, noted that economic reforms could affect different segments of society differently, urging policymakers to introduce targeted interventions for vulnerable groups, particularly rural women.

Akinpelu also encouraged WIMB Africa to promote cooperative societies among women, arguing that collective economic structures could improve access to resources and reduce the pressure of individual survival.

‘When women form cooperative societies in different areas, they will be able to pull together resources that will help them as a group instead of trying to survive as individuals,’ he said.

Veteran journalist and media career development specialist, Lekan Otufodunrin, examined the effects of major government policies on households and businesses, citing the removal of fuel subsidy as an example of a decision with wide-ranging economic consequences.

He noted that the policy had significantly affected transportation costs, with the impact extending to other areas of economic activity.

The roundtable also placed strong emphasis on citizen oversight and public accountability. Participants urged Nigerians to take greater interest in government budgets, public expenditure and projects earmarked for their communities.

They said citizens should be able to demand information about public funds allocated to specific projects, while the media and civil society organisations should provide platforms for scrutiny, public education and engagement.

The participants further examined mechanisms for holding elected officials accountable, including constitutional provisions governing legislative representatives and the role of civic participation and political engagement in demanding improved public performance.

Founder of WIMB Africa, Dr. Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi, said the roundtable reflected the organisation’s broader commitment to community empowerment and nation building across Africa.

‘What we try to do is to lead, learn and leverage impact,’ Jaiyesimi said.

She explained that the decision to focus the latest edition on politics was deliberate because political decisions have direct implications for governance, development and citizens’ everyday experiences.

Adding a generational perspective to the discussion, social-impact artist and climate-justice advocate, Ms. Anjolaoluwa Olanrewaju, urged young Nigerians to become better informed and more actively engaged in national affairs.

Olanrewaju said the discussion challenged her to look beyond the perception that politics was solely the responsibility of government or older generations.

‘It has also prompted me to do more research and be more involved in the political affairs of the nation. So, not just leaving politics for governments, I also have a part to play,’ she said.

Established in 2014, WIMB Africa operates across five African countries. Its monthly Business Roundtable brings together stakeholders from different sectors to examine pressing national issues, exchange perspectives and explore practical solutions to development challenges.