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Rescued Schoolgirls Free from Sexual Abuse, Officials Confirm

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene

The Kebbi State Government announced today that none of the 24 schoolgirls recently rescued from bandit captivity showed any evidence of sexual abuse.

The disclosure came during an emotional handover ceremony at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, where the girls were reunited with their parents after more than a week in the hands of suspected armed bandits.

Dr. Halima Bande, the state’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, addressed the gathered crowd, her voice steady with gratitude. “Today, we are in a happy mood. We are here to hand these girls over to their parents. We give all glory to our Creator, who made it possible for our leaders to actualize the rescue of these girls,” she said. Bande emphasized the comprehensive medical examinations conducted upon the girls’ recovery, revealing that all were “confirmed to be safe and free from any form of sexual abuse.” This assurance, she added, stands as the “greatest joy” amid the ordeal.

The abduction occurred in the dawn hours of November 17, when suspected bandits stormed the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, a remote town in Kebbi State’s Arewa Local Government Area. Gunfire echoed through the dormitories as 25 girls, aged between 12 and 15, were seized in a brazen raid that lasted mere minutes. One girl, displaying remarkable courage, managed to slip away during the chaos and raised the alarm, reducing the number held captive to 24.

President Bola Tinubu, in a national address on November 25, confirmed the successful rescue operation, crediting the collaborative efforts of state and federal security forces. “Our security agencies have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the safety of every Nigerian child,” Tinubu stated, vowing intensified action against the bandit networks plaguing the region. Credible sources indicate the girls were located and freed in the dense Bagega forest in neighboring Zamfara State’s Anka Local Government Area, a known hideout for armed groups.

The handover ceremony was a sight of tears, embraces, and quiet prayers. Parents like Abdulkarim Abdullahi, whose two daughters, 12-year-old twins were among the abducted waited anxiously for hours. “We were told they were safe, but hearing it confirmed. it’s like breathing again,” Abdullahi shared, clutching a photo of his girls. Security details escorted the families back to Maga under heavy protection, a precaution against potential reprisals from the bandits who, in a chilling video circulating online, boasted that the release came through negotiation rather than force.

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi, flanked by former state governors in a rare show of unity, hailed the operation as a testament to inter-governmental harmony. “This is progress and togetherness,” he remarked, underscoring the collaborative spirit that bridged past political divides. The event also drew praise from international observers, with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) issuing a statement welcoming the girls’ safe return while urging sustained investment in school security across vulnerable regions.

 

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Demands Senate Probe into Tragic Death of 13-Year-Old Rape Victim Ochanya Ogbanje

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By Prosper Mene

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central has petitioned the Nigerian Senate to launch an immediate investigation into the unresolved case of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje, whose death in 2018 was linked to years of alleged sexual abuse by her uncle and cousin.

The move, presented during Wednesday’s plenary session, highlights ongoing failures in the justice system and renewed fears that influential figures are shielding the perpetrators from prosecution.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, known for her advocacy on women’s and children’s rights, submitted the petition on behalf of Inibehe Effiong Chambers, a prominent legal firm. “This petition is on the refusal to arrest and prosecute Victor and Andrew Ogbuja for the rape to death of a 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje,” she stated emphatically during the session. She accused certain individuals of attempting to “shield those responsible from accountability,” citing alleged interference, witness intimidation, and institutional lapses that have prolonged the family’s agony for seven years.

Ochanya’s story first gripped the nation in 2018, causing widespread outrage and calls for systemic reform. Born in Ogene-Amejo, Benue State, the young girl was sent at age five to live with her maternal aunt, Felicia Ogbuja, in pursuit of better educational opportunities. Tragically, what was meant to be a nurturing environment turned into a nightmare. According to court records and the petition, Ochanya endured repeated sexual assaults from age six onward by Andrew Ogbuja, her uncle and a lecturer at Benue State Polytechnic and his son, Victor Ogbuja. The abuse, spanning seven years, led to severe health complications, including vaginal fistula and infections, culminating in her death on October 17, 2018, while she was a student at the Federal Government Girls College in Gboko.

The case’s legal journey has been marred by setbacks. In 2021, the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Felicia Ogbuja of child neglect, sentencing her to five months in prison without a fine option for failing to protect her niece despite awareness of the abuse. However, Andrew Ogbuja was acquitted by a Benue State High Court in a ruling that the state government has refused to appeal. Victor Ogbuja, who allegedly fled after the initial charges, remains at large, with the Nigeria Police Force criticized for not rearresting him. “Ochanya suffered severe violations for years, yet justice continues to be delayed and denied,” Akpoti-Uduaghan lamented, urging a broader review of how children’s rights cases are handled nationwide.

The Senate, under Deputy President Jibrin Barau, responded swiftly, referring the matter to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for urgent action. The committee is tasked with examining the allegations, assessing the status of legal proceedings, and potentially recommending a full-scale probe or compelling the Benue State Government to revisit the High Court acquittal. With no active court cases ongoing, the referral opens a critical legislative pathway to address what advocates describe as a “grievous act of injustice” that endangers other vulnerable children.

Inibehe Effiong, the petition’s lead counsel, emphasized in the document that the failures of the police and state authorities “pose a danger to innocent girls and women unaware of the predatory habits of the culprits.” Effiong called for the petition to also be forwarded to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters for a comprehensive probe.

 

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We want Women as Governors and Presidents” _ Labour Party Women Leader

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By Prosper Mene 

Labour Party Oshodi-Isolo women held their maiden event of “Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Seminar and Trade Exhibition” at Unfailing Power Hall, Cele- Okota road, Lagos on 24th of November 2025 with Mbonu Assumpta, C.E.O. of Credo Events as chief speaker and other notable speakers from Alliance and General Insurance Plc, Affable Homes Limited and Kedi Health Industry.

Attending the event were Chief John Apati, Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II Leader; Onowu Godwin Ekezie, Labour Party Oshodi-Isolo Chair of Chairs; Engineer Walter, Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II Administrator; Mr. Andy, Labour Party Ire-Akari Ward Chairman and other stakeholders in the local government.

Mrs. Mbonu Assumpta, C.E.O. of Credo Events and other keynote speakers like Mary Udoh, Group Head of Retail in Alliance and General Insurance; Dr. Israel Olushola, partner to Kedi Health Industry; Mrs. Titilayo Ninis, founder of Fredella Foods; Barrister Dr. Esther Ehinosen Ileogben, encouraged the attendees on how to start up a business with little or no capital using themselves as case study.

Mrs. Uyanna Commie, Labour Party Oshodi-Isolo Women Leader, also the convener of the event in an interview revealed her desire to see women hold positions like governor and president in the country.

“This event is a collective effort of all the women in Oshodi-Isolo and I am happy to be their leader because I have passion to see we women grow politically. And you know no politics without funds, reason why we holding this event. To empower our minds with financial solutions so we also can be governors and president in the country, my greatest desire. ”

Speaking on the insecurities in the country, Onowu Godwin Ekezie stated the leaders in power are to be blamed for their inability to resolve issues before turning crisis.

“Banditry started from a town before becoming a national crisis. If our leaders had resolve it at it’s infancy, we wouldn’t be in this state.”

Mrs. Sindret Idika, a cyber security expert advise the government to use advanced technology in combating terrorists responsible for the country insecurity.

“The best way to uncover the faces behind our insecurities is advanced technology. We are in an era where robots and AI are everywhere. And making use of these modern tools will fasten an end to the problems we currently face.”

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Judge Absent: Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Cybercrime Trial Postponed to 2026

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By Prosper Mene

The Federal High Court in Abuja has  adjourned the cybercrime trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan until February 4, 2026, after Justice Mohammed Umar failed to appear for the scheduled hearing on Monday.

The delay, the third in as many months, has fueled accusations of judicial foot-dragging in what critics call a politically motivated prosecution aimed at silencing a vocal female lawmaker.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, the firebrand senator representing Kogi Central, faces six counts under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024.

The charges come from a viral June 2024 video in which she alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to orchestrate her assassination. Prosecutors claim her statements were “false and injurious,” designed to malign reputations, incite unrest, and endanger lives, offenses punishable by up to 10 years in prison and hefty fines.

The 43-year-old senator, known for her unapologetic advocacy on women’s rights and anti-corruption crusades, was arraigned on June 30 and granted bail shortly after. What should have been a swift trial has devolved into a saga of postponements: September 22’s hearing was derailed by a preliminary objection from her defense team challenging the court’s jurisdiction; October 21 fell victim to chaotic protests outside the court led by activist Omoyele Sowore demanding the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu; and now, the judge’s unexplained absence has kicked the can down the road for over two months.

Courtroom drama unfolded even in Umar’s absence. A television screen, prepared for video evidence playback, sat idly as lawyers clashed over the pending objection. Defense counsel Peter Olorunnishola urged the court to resolve the jurisdictional challenge first, arguing it strikes at the prosecution’s foundation. Prosecutor D.E. Kaswe, pushing to proceed, countered that the objection shouldn’t halt proceedings, but Umar’s prior ruling, insisting on a formal response, held sway, showing the judge’s intent to clear procedural hurdles before diving into evidence.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, poised and defiant in a tailored suit, declined immediate comment outside the courtroom, but her allies wasted no time. “This is persecution, not justice,” thundered Sowore on X, vowing renewed protests if delays persist. Supporters, including civil society groups like the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), decry the Cybercrimes Act as a draconian tool for muzzling dissent, especially against women in politics who dare to name powerful men. Akpabio’s office has dismissed the allegations as “baseless fabrications,” while Bello’s camp remains silent.

The senator’s journey to the spotlight has been anything but smooth. A Delta State native who clinched her Senate seat in a bruising 2023 rerun amid vote-rigging claims, Akpoti-Uduaghan has clashed repeatedly with establishment figures, earning her the moniker “iron lady of Kogi politics.” Her cybercrime saga, they argue, is payback for exposing alleged corruption in the National Assembly and challenging patriarchal gatekeepers.

Legal observers warn that the extended adjournment could erode public trust in Nigeria’s judiciary, already battered by backlog scandals. “Adjourning to 2026 on a non-complex case like this raises red flags about external pressures,” said a source close to the bench, speaking anonymously. The next hearing promises fireworks: resolution of the objection, potential witness testimonies, and perhaps a deeper probe into the video’s origins.

 

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Chaos at Borno Girls’ School: Students Flee in Terror Amid Suspected Terrorist Raid

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene 

Screams were heard at Government Girls’ Secondary School in Ngala, Borno State at dawn, as dozens of female students ran from their dormitories in a desperate bid to escape what locals described as a brazen suspected attack by Islamist militants.

The incident, happening early Monday morning, has plunged the already volatile region into renewed panic, evoking haunting memories of the 2014 Chibok kidnapping that claimed over 270 schoolgirls and ignited a global outcry.

Eyewitnesses recounted a scene of utter bedlam around 4 a.m., when gunfire erupted near the school’s perimeter fence. “The shots came from the shadows, sudden, relentless, like thunder cracking the night,” said Aisha Mohammed, a 16-year-old student who hid under her bed before sprinting barefoot across the compound with classmates. “We didn’t wait to see faces; we just ran. Teachers were shouting for us to get low, but fear took over. Some girls tripped and cried out, but we pulled each other up and kept going.” At least 40 students fled into nearby scrubland and surrounding villages, according to school officials, while others barricaded themselves in classrooms until military reinforcements arrived an hour later.

The attack bears the hallmarks of operations by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a Boko Haram splinter group that has intensified assaults on soft targets in Borno State amid escalating insecurity. No group has claimed responsibility, but sources within the Nigerian military point to ISWAP’s recent pattern of hit-and-run raids aimed at sowing terror and abducting girls for recruitment or ransom. “This wasn’t a full abduction like before, but the intent was clear: to terrify and divide,” said a local vigilante leader, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The gunmen fired high to panic everyone, then probed the fence. Praise God, most girls slipped away before they could breach it fully.”

Borno, Nigeria’s northeastern epicenter of the 14-year insurgency, has seen a rise in such incidents. Just last week, 13 teenage girls were kidnapped while harvesting crops in a nearby community, forcing entire families to flee their homes. In a separate raid on November 17, suspected bandits stormed a girls’ boarding school in Kebbi State, killing the vice principal and abducting 25 students, though one later escaped through dense forests.

These events shows a grim trend: over 300 schoolchildren seized from a Catholic school in Niger State just days ago, with 50 managing a daring escape from their captors. Rights groups warn that such attacks disproportionately target girls’ education, with more than 1,000 students kidnapped nationwide since 2014.

The Nigerian army swiftly deployed a joint task force of soldiers, police, and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) vigilantes to secure the school and scour the Sambisa Forest, a notorious militant stronghold, for signs of the attackers. “We engaged the suspects in a brief firefight, forcing their retreat,” said Major Ibrahim Yusuf, a military spokesperson in Maiduguri. “No students were taken, but we’re treating this as a foiled abduction plot. Intelligence suggests they were scouting for vulnerabilities.” By midday, the school was locked down, with counselors on site to support traumatized students. Classes have been suspended indefinitely, and parents converged on the gates, some weeping as they reunited with their daughters.

The raid’s timing, mere weeks after the 11th anniversary of the Chibok abductions, has amplified calls for action. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar decried the “brutal reminder that the North is bleeding,” linking it to slain military officers and mass displacements in neighboring states. Amnesty International echoed the sentiment, urging the federal government to bolster school fortifications and prosecute enablers of extremism. “These girls deserve to learn without fear,” said Osai Ojigho, the group’s Nigeria director. “The cycle of violence must end now.”

 

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Minister Calls for Renewed National Push to Boost Women’s Political Inclusion Benin City, Edo State

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene

The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, has urged the nation to forge a stronger, unified commitment to amplifying women’s voices in political decision-making. Speaking at the 25th National Council on Women Affairs and Social Development (NCWACD) in Benin City, the Minister emphasized that true national progress hinges on dismantling barriers to women’s political participation, framing it as an “urgent national emergency” rather than a mere policy footnote.

The two-day council, hosted by the Edo State government and attended by commissioners from all 36 states, governors’ representatives, and development partners, served as a pivotal platform for aligning federal and subnational efforts. “Women’s political inclusion is not a luxury, it’s a strategic imperative for inclusive growth, peace, and electoral integrity,” Suleiman-Ibrahim declared, calling for immediate action on legislative reforms, enhanced funding, and grassroots mobilization. She highlighted the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Tinubu as a blueprint for change, praising its focus on economic renewal, education, and social investments that prioritize women.

Central to her address was a renewed push for the “Reserved Seats for Women Bill,” currently under deliberation in the National Assembly. The legislation, which proposes dedicated parliamentary seats for women to bridge the gender gap, was described by the Minister as a “matter of justice, representation, and securing the future for our daughters.” She commended the 10th Assembly’s leadership for sustaining the conversation, noting that Nigeria’s current female parliamentary representation, hovering around 4%, lags far behind global benchmarks, where women hold just 26.5% of seats worldwide, according to UN Women data.

The Minister’s remarks echo broader commitments from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), which on November 19 pledged to bolster subnational support for gender equality. Led by NGF Director General Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, the governors affirmed their dedication to inclusive governance, including the domestication of the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy and expanded programs like the Nigeria for Women Project. State commissioners, including Edo’s Hon. Mrs. Eugenia Abdullah, outlined five key pledges: policy harmonization, increased women in leadership roles, data-driven initiatives, peer learning networks, and stronger ties with international partners.

Suleiman-Ibrahim also spotlighted the ministry’s flagship Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII-774), now active in all 774 local government areas. These initiatives aim to revitalize rural economies, promote community inclusion, and deliver gender-responsive services, with a special emphasis on protecting vulnerable groups like persons with disabilities and informal sector workers. “This is about restoring dignity, one woman, one family, one community at a time,” she said, underscoring the need for inter-sectoral collaboration to translate policies into tangible outcomes.

The timing of the council aligns with global milestones in 2025, including the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration on women’s rights and the UN’s Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security. Yet, challenges persist: Globally, women comprise only 22.9% of cabinet ministers, with Nigeria’s figures even lower in key portfolios like finance and defense. Domestically, barriers such as violence against women in politics, limited party nominations, and resource disparities continue to stifle progress, as noted in recent UNDP reports.

Stakeholders at the event, including civil society leaders and UN representatives, hailed the Minister’s call as a “game-changer.” Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, reinforced the message: “Our collective will must drive accountability and action, ensuring no woman is left behind in Nigeria’s democratic journey.”

As the NCWACD concludes today, delegates are expected to adopt resolutions mandating state-level implementation timelines. For Suleiman-Ibrahim, the path forward is clear: “Women’s voices are the nation’s power. Let’s commit—not just in words, but in deeds—to build an equitable Nigeria where every seat at the table reflects our diverse strength.”

 

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Archbishop Adewale to Tinubu: “Nigeria Is in Chaos” – Demands Immediate Rescue of 24 Abducted Kebbi Schoolgirls

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Adewale, has accused the country of sliding into “total chaos” and demanded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu use every available means to secure the immediate release of 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

In an open letter released Friday evening and now circulating widely across social media, the Archbishop wrote: “Nigeria is in chaos. Innocent children are being dragged from their hostels at gunpoint while a Vice Principal lies dead for daring to protect them. The tears of Kebbi mothers have reached heaven and must reach the seat of power. Mr President, these 24 girls must come home alive – not next month, not after another committee, but now.”

The attack took place in the early hours of Monday 18 November when more than 50 heavily armed bandits stormed the school around 4:15 a.m. They scaled the perimeter fence, opened fire indiscriminately, and shot dead the Vice Principal (Academic), Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, who tried to block their path. Speaking in Fulani and Hausa, the gunmen rounded up female students from the hostels, selected 24 girls aged 12 to 16, tied their hands, and marched them into the surrounding forest. One 14-year-old student, Aisha Usman, pretended to collapse and was left behind; she later raised the alarm.

President Tinubu condemned the kidnapping the same day and ordered full mobilisation of security agencies. On Wednesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Birnin Kebbi, met Governor Nasir Idris, consoled affected families, and led special prayers at the Emir’s palace. On Thursday, the President directed the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, who as governor of Zamfara in 2021 secured the release of 279 abducted Jangebe schoolgirls without ransom, to relocate immediately to the Sokoto-Kebbi axis until the girls are freed. Matawalle arrived Birnin Kebbi yesterday morning with additional troops.

The President has also postponed scheduled state visits to South Africa and Angola to monitor developments hourly. Joint rescue teams from the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division, Police Mobile Force, Department of State Services, and local hunters are currently sweeping Kyanbakibu and Rijau forests, supported by Nigerian Air Force helicopter surveillance. Security sources say the girls remain within a 30–40 kilometre radius and have not yet been moved across the border into Niger Republic.

Public anger has surged online, with #RescueKebbiGirlsNow trending nationwide and many accusing the government of repeating the slow response seen in past abductions. #BringBackOurGirls co-founder Oby Ezekwesili lamented that eleven years after Chibok, Nigeria is “still here.” The Christian Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs have jointly declared seven days of national prayer and fasting beginning tomorrow.

Parents continue to camp outside the school gate, sleeping on mats under lanterns as they await news of their daughters. In his closing words, Archbishop Adewale warned President Tinubu: “History is watching. Posterity will judge whether we protected our children or abandoned them to bandits. Let these 24 girls be the last.”

The nation now waits, watches, and prays for their safe return.

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Schoolgirls Escape After Kidnappers’ Car Breaks Down in Niger State Attack

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By Prosper Mene

Armed bandits stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School, a boarding school in Papiri town, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, in the early hours of Friday morning.

The attack started around 5:00 a.m. when the gunmen arrived on several motorcycles. They fired shots into the air to scare everyone and quickly entered the girls’ hostel. Students and teachers who were still sleeping were forced outside at gunpoint.

According to an eyewitness who spoke anonymously for security reasons, the bandits spent almost two hours inside the school, beating doors open and gathering the girls. They took away many schoolgirls (mostly aged 12–16) and at least 12 teachers. The exact number of abducted students is not yet confirmed, but some reports say more than 50 children were taken.

The kidnappers tried to move fast. They stole a private car near the school and forced several girls into it while others were put on the motorcycles.

Just a few metres from the school gate, the stolen car suddenly stopped. Witnesses said the engine made a loud noise and died completely. The bandits became angry and started shouting at each other in Hausa language. Some tried to push the car, but it would not start.

In that moment of confusion, several schoolgirls saw their chance. They opened the car doors, jumped out, and ran into the nearby bush. Others who were near the broken-down vehicle also scattered and hid.

One of the girls who escaped is 14-year-old Eze Gloria Chidinma. According to her sister, Gloria jumped over the school fence during the chaos and ran to a teacher’s house close by, where she hid until it was safe.

Because the car broke down, at least five to seven girls managed to escape. The rest were taken deeper into the forest by the bandits on motorcycles.

This incident adds to the current surge of school attacks in Nigeria this week. On Monday, 25 girls were kidnapped from a school in Kebbi State; two of them later escaped.

The Niger State government said they had ordered all boarding schools in risky areas to close temporarily because of security warnings, but St. Mary’s had reopened without full permission.

Security forces, local hunters, and vigilantes are now searching the forests around Papiri for the missing students and teachers. No ransom demand has been received yet.

Parents have gathered at the school gate, crying and praying for the safe return of their children.

We continue to hope and pray that the remaining girls and their teachers will be found and brought home safely very soon.

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Hospital Cleaner Poses as Surgeon, Sexually Assaults and Defrauds Woman in Ogun State

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By Prosper Mene

The Ogun State Police have arrested a 28-year-old hospital cleaner who allegedly impersonated a surgeon to sexually assault and defraud a young woman he met on Snapchat. The suspect, Victor Cletus, exploited the victim’s trust by fabricating a medical crisis, only to betray it with violence and theft.

According to police spokesperson CSP Omolola Odutola, the ordeal began when Cletus, employed as a cleaner at Babcock University Teaching Hospital in Ilishan-Remo, connected with the victim on the social media platform. Posing as a qualified surgeon at the same facility, he convinced her to share concerns about a breast lump, promising expert intervention. Over time, he escalated his ruse by demanding payments for a supposed surgical procedure, totaling an undisclosed sum transferred to his account via the Opay mobile wallet.

On November 18, 2025, the pair arranged to meet at a location in Ogun State under the pretense of conducting the surgery. Instead of providing medical care, Cletus allegedly sexually assaulted the woman, leaving her traumatized and robbed of her funds. “Rather than offering any medical help, he sexually abused her and also stole money from her Opay account,” Odutola detailed in a statement released today.

The victim’s suspicions deepened the following day when Cletus, undeterred, continued pressuring her for sexual favors without any follow-up on her health concerns or the promised procedure. Alarmed, she independently contacted Babcock University Teaching Hospital to verify his credentials. The shocking revelation: Victor Cletus was no doctor but a low-level cleaner with no medical qualifications. Armed with this evidence, the victim reported the incident to the police, leading to Cletus’s swift arrest.

Cletus, described by authorities as a “serial impostor,” remains in custody at the Ogun State Police Command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of his fraudulent activities and whether other victims have fallen prey to his scheme. He faces charges including impersonation, sexual assault, and theft, with prosecution expected in the coming weeks.

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, condemned the “heinous act” in the strongest terms, vowing zero tolerance for such crimes. “The Command will not tolerate any form of exploitation, deception, or sexual violence against women,” Ogunlowo stated. He issued a stark warning to online predators and impostors exploiting social media: “We will identify, arrest, and prosecute individuals who impersonate professionals or weaponize platforms to perpetrate criminal acts.”

Odutola urged the public, especially young females, to exercise extreme caution. “Avoid disclosing personal or medical information to strangers on social media,” she advised. “Verify credentials through official channels before engaging with anyone claiming expertise.”

 

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Kebbi Abduction: Senator Vows Swift Rescue of Schoolgirls, Rejects Chibok Repeat

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene

Standing against the rising tide of school abductions in Nigeria’s northwest, Senator Garba Maidoki has pledged that the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls from a Kebbi boarding school will not echo the haunting legacy of the 2014 Chibok tragedy. “This will not be like the Chibok girls,” Maidoki, representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, declared during an emotional visit to the affected community, vowing a rapid and secure return for the students.

The attack occurred in the pre-dawn hours of Monday, November 17, when armed gunmen stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area. The assailants, believed to be bandits operating in the region’s dense forests, killed Vice Principal Hassan Yakubu Makuku in cold blood, injured a school guard, and herded the terrified girls from their dormitories into the darkness. The school, a beacon of education for girls in this remote agrarian community, was left in chaos, with families now clinging to fragile hopes amid the acrid smell of gunpowder and grief.

Maidoki, visibly shaken, described the incident as “the most unfortunate week of my life” during a Channels Television interview.He revealed that security forces have a “fair idea” of the girls’ location, confined within the Kebbi South Senatorial District, and commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their relentless pursuit. “They are right now in the forest,” he said, noting reports of seven soldiers wounded in clashes with the abductors just hours earlier. “There is high hope that these girls will be returned in the next one or two days.”

The full list of abducted students, released by Danko-Wasagu Local Government Chairman Hussaini Aliyu to counter misinformation, includes young women from junior and senior secondary classes: Fatima Sani Zimri, Hafsat Ibrahim, Nana Firdausi Jibril, Masauda Yakubu Romo, Hauwa Saleh, Hauwau Umar Imam, Salima Garba Umar, Salima Sani Zimri, Amina G. Umar, Rashida Muhammad Dingu, Saliha Umar, Aisha Usman, Jamila Iliyasu, Maryam Illiyasu, Najaatu Abdullahi, Zainab Kolo, Surraya Tukur, Hafsat Umar Yalmo, Maryam Usman, Amina Illiyasu, Ikilima Suleman, Khadija Nazifi, Hauwau Iliyasu, Hauwau Lawali, and one unnamed student. Amid the anguish, glimmers of relief emerged: At least two girls escaped the clutches of their captors during the chaos, one returning home safely and the other confirmed unharmed shortly after.

President Bola Tinubu swiftly condemned the assault, directing Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit Kebbi and console the families on his behalf, while assuring the nation’s full commitment to the girls’ safe recovery. The Senate, erupting in bipartisan fury during Tuesday’s session, passed resolutions demanding urgent national security action, including an investigation into the underutilized Safe School Initiative Fund—a program meant to fortify educational institutions but plagued by questions of accountabiliy. Senator Adamu Aliero Abdullahi (Kebbi Central) labeled the raid a “slap in the face to our nation,” recalling a similar 2022 Kebbi abduction that dragged on for four agonizing years before resolution.

This latest horror revives painful memories of April 14, 2014, when Boko Haram insurgents seized 276 girls from Chibok, Borno State, in a mass kidnapping that ignited global outrage and the #BringBackOurGirls movement. Over a decade later, more than 80 Chibok girls remain unaccounted for, their plight a stark symbol of Nigeria’s enduring battle with insecurity.bab63b Northwest Nigeria, once spared the Islamist insurgency’s full fury, now grapples with banditry-fueled chaos, where armed gangs on motorcycles target schools for ransom, sowing fear and disrupting education. Just last March, over 200 pupils were freed from a Kaduna school after a similar ordeal.

As troops comb the surrounding forests under the directive of Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu—who emphasized that “success is not optional”—communities in Maga huddle in prayer vigils. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) joined the chorus of condemnation on International Students’ Day, urging an end to the “barbaric” assaults on learning.

Maidoki’s defiance cuts through the despair: “We will not allow this to become another Chibok.” For the families of Maga, those words are a lifeline in the shadows.

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