News
Nigerian government secures release of over 1,000 abducted persons – Ribadu
The Nigerian Government has secured the release of over 1,000 people kidnapped recently in the northern part of the country, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has said.
Mr Ribadu stated this on Monday while receiving 23 persons rescued on Sunday after they were kidnapped last September at the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State, North-west Nigeria.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how security sources said the kidnapped students and staff of the university were rescued by security agents near Kuncin Dutse, a village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara. The Coordinator of the National Counter-terrorism Centre, Adamu Laka, a major general, reportedly coordinated the operation.
Receiving the rescued persons, Mr Ribadu said: “This is yet again a success story in our effort to free all those being unlawfully held in captivity. We have so far released over a thousand such victims without noise and with complete respect to their privacy and safety.”
The 23 persons released include 15 students and eight workers of the university. A woman abducted in Funtua in Katsina State was also rescued, a source earlier told PREMIUM TIMES.
Earlier last month, nine of the female students were released after 178 days in captivity.
While addressing the released victims, Mr Ribadu congratulated them and their families on their safe return home.
He said the released students were the last batch of victims of a recent mass abduction the government had successfully rescued.
He urged the release victims to consider their experience as a trial that will make them stronger, not weaken their efforts in the future.
“Consider this experience a trial that should not break you but make you stronger. I also wish to specifically thank the parents of the rescued victims for your patience and understanding during this period.
“On behalf of the President, I thank all those involved in the successful rescue of the victims without losing any of them or paying any ransom.
“This occasion marks a final juncture in a series of rescues we have undertaken in the last few months to free victims of recent cases of mass abductions.
“Going forward, we are strengthening law enforcement and security measures to prevent these abductions and strengthen physical security across vulnerable communities.
“I am grateful to all our security and enforcement agencies for their tireless work and sacrifices. Finally, I want to put on record and appreciate the leadership and encouragement of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who made all these possible, Mr Ribadu said while reuniting the victims with their loved ones in Abuja.
Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy or Don Baba J, is a Nigerian record producer, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Following the closure of Mo’ Hits record label, Don Jazzy set up Mavin Records. Here is everything you need to know about Don Jazzy’s bio and net worth.
Don Jazzy is the founder and CEO of Mavin Records, Nigeria’s largest music company that has generated hit songs for several of the country’s top singers.
Don Jazzy has produced several popular songs for a variety of musicians, including D’banj, Wande Coal, Tiwa Savage, and many more. He has received several accolades for his songs, including the Nigerian Entertainment Award for Song Producer of the Year.…click link for full details
President Bola Tinubu’s path to reelection is becoming increasingly challenging with each passing day.
The opposition is intensifying its efforts and developing comprehensive strategies aimed at unseating his government in the upcoming 2027 elections. With political tensions rising, the battle for power is shaping up to be fierce and closely contested. Click link to continue reading.
A civil society organisation, The Concerned Citizens of Nigeria (CCN), has petitioned US, UK to impose a travel ban and asset freeze on Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal
Group accused Lawal of complicity, citing his own admissions of knowing bandits’ identities yet failing to act
CCN urged global action, asking the US, UK, EU, and Commonwealth to deny him entry, freeze assets, and send a strong message against leaders linked to terror.…click link for full details
News
“Muslims Are Not Slaves” – Pastor Can’t Appoint Oyo Chief Imam, MURIC Sends Strong Warning To Alaafin
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has rejected the claim by the Alaafin of Oyo, Akeem Owoade, that he has the exclusive right to appoint the Chief Imam of Oyo town.
MURIC’s founder and executive director, Ishaq Akintola, said on Wednesday that no law gives the monarch such power.
His words: “The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade claimed yesterday that he had the exclusive right to appoint the chief imam of Oyo town.
“The claim was contained in a statement issued by the Alaafin’s director of media and publicity, Bode Durojaiye, on Monday, September 15, 2025.
“We reject this statement. It is false, baseless and without any legal backing. What the Alaafin called his exclusive right is a baseless privilege now being abused by traditional rulers in Yorubaland. Alaafin is being economical with the truth.”
Akintola challenged the monarch to produce a legal instrument backing his claim, describing it as “illogical, irrational and laughable”.
“If he has the power to appoint the chief imam, does he also have the power to appoint the bishop of Oyo?” he asked.
He further stated: “Now, if he has no power to appoint the bishop, he cannot claim the power to appoint the chief imam. If he is relying on tradition, there is a difference between tradition and what the law says.
“By the way, what kind of tradition enslaves Muslims but gives Christians freedom. We reject a tradition that puts Muslims in chains. Muslims are not slaves.”
The MURIC director said Nigeria is a democracy and not a monarchy, warning the Alaafin to “respect himself and know his limits so that he can be adequately respected”.
He added that past practices cannot serve as justification.
“The tradition in the past was to trek to Makkah on foot. That has been abandoned. The incumbent Alaafin should stop clinging to a comatose practice,” he said.
Akintola argued that Owoade, being a pastor, has “no moral right to dictate who should lead the Muslims in Oyo”.
He said the Muslim community of Oyo should consult the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) before presenting a candidate for the role, stressing that the Alaafin’s blessing is “not mandatory”.
“To the Alaafin, Kabiyesi, your imperial majesty, you are the king over the whole of Oyo. You are king over the Muslims, the Christians and the traditionalists.
“Each group chooses its own leader. No law gives you exclusive right to choose the chief imam. Otherwise, show us evidence that you picked the Bishop. If you cannot pick the Bishop, how can you pick the imam? Stop impugning our dignity. Respect begets respect,” MURIC said.
The political situation in Nigeria is becoming more intense as accusations arise about who will be the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 elections.
The current INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, will retire in less than 60 days after managing the presidential elections of 2023. Click link to continue reading.
Tinubu with Marafa
Since assuming office, Tinubu rolled out various policies, including the removal of fuel and electricity subsidies, unification of the forex policy, and naira devaluation, all of which were blamed for the food inflation and high cost of living in the country.
The criticisms come as Nigerians reflect on Tinubu’s performance in office. While the government maintains that its reforms are necessary for long-term recovery.
A former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has declared that at least 10 miracles are happening under President Bola Tinubu.
One: For the first time in over a decade, Nigeria has overshot its OPEC quota for three consecutive months and is set to do the same for the fourth month, producing an average of 1.71 million Barrels Per Day.
Two: The Nigerian Stock Exchange rises above 130,000 All Share Index for the first time ever.
Three: Food prices have significantly reduced, resulting in a drop in inflation to 20.12% in August 2025, a 1.76% drop from July’s 21.88%.
Four: MTN Nigeria Limited hits a record valuation of ₦10 trillion, the first Nigerian company to do so.
Five: Oil theft has been reduced to less than 10,000 Barrels Per Day, a sixteen-year low.
Six: Nigeria achieved its revenue target for the entire year in August, a first in our history.
Seven: Foreign Reserves are above $41 billion.
Eight: After a record trade surplus last year, Nigeria appears set to beat our 2024 figure. Our trade surplus rose 44.3% in Q2 to ₦7.46 trillion, up from ₦5.17 trillion in Q1.
Nine: Dangote has crashed fuel price to ₦841.
Ten: The Naira has appreciated to ₦1497 to $1, a five-month high.
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