By Our Correspondent

The Pricipal of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State,Mrs. Rachael Alamu, whose pupils and teachers were rescued after weeks in captivity, on Monday disclosed that though their captors were brutal and unyielding , none of them was sexually assaulted during the period of their captivity.

Mrs Alamu described her experience as traumatic and emotionally draining.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the victims were handed over to the Oyo state government by the Army , Mrs. Alamu said they survived difficult conditions while in captivity and drew strength from the belief that Nigerians were praying for their safe return.

“It was a harrowfying experience. We went through a lot, but we knew Nigerians were praying for us while we were in captivity. The kidnappers used fear to subdue us,” she said.

Mrs. Alamu disclosed that two teachers lost their lives during the period of captivity. “They killed Mr. Micheal on the second day we got there, while Deacon was killed on the first Sunday in June,” she said, expressing gratitude to God for preserving the lives of the remaining captives.

She also revealed that before they regained their freedom, the victims were forced to trek through the forest for about four hours during the night, leaving many of them with injuries.

“We walked in the bush for about four hours at night, and that’s why we have bruises all over our bodies,” she explained.

Fielding questions from journalists, Mrs. Alamu clarified that none of the victims was sexually assaulted during their captivity, saying, “There was no sexual assault.”

When asked whether the experience would affect her teaching career, Mrs. Alamu admitted that she was still trying to come to terms with the trauma and had not decided whether she would return to work.

“With time, I believe it will heal. But from Ogbomoso to where I work is already a long distance, and I have worked for 28 years already. I don’t know what to do about that for now, but with time, I believe I will be able to make a decision,” she said.

Mrs. Alamu, however, expressed appreciation to God for preserving their lives and thanked the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, security agencies and Nigerians for their efforts and prayers throughout their ordeal.

“We thank God for not leaving us. We thank the government for rescuing us, and we thank Nigerians for their prayers and support throughout our ordeal,” she said.

Speaking, the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, confirmed that three teachers and five security operatives lost their lives during efforts to secure the release of pupils and staff abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The governor also observed a minute’s silence in honour of the deceased teachers and security personnel who paid the ultimate price during the rescue operation.

Makinde described their sacrifice as heroic, saying the state would remain grateful for their courage and commitment in the face of danger.

He noted that while the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers was a moment of relief, the loss of lives remained a painful reminder of the cost of combating insecurity.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security across the state and preventing similar incidents, while expressing condolences to the families of the deceased and assuring them that their sacrifices would never be forgotten.

By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

The Federal High Court sitting in Minna, Niger State, has adjourned ruling till 16 July for Application filed by an APC aspirant Shehu Samaila Auna seeking for amendment of his name in the matter challenging the APC Primary election which declared Professor Yakubu Mohammed Auna as APC candidate for Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency in the forthcoming elections.

The case, filed by Alhaji Shehu Samaila Auna, is seeking for the cancellation of the APC primary election, alleging that no valid primary was conducted to produce the party’s candidate for the constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Joined as defendants in the suit which is marked FHC/MN/CS/54/2026, are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Yakubu Mohammed Auna, Shehu Saleh Slow, Safiyanu Yahaya, Emma Alamu, and Sani Doma.

The plaintiff is asking the court to determine whether the APC complied with the provisions of Sections 84, 86 and 87 of the Electoral Act, 2022, in nominating its candidate for the Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency.

He is also seeking a declaration that the party’s candidate was not validly nominated because, according to him, the APC did not conduct a primary election as required by law.

The plaintiff further prayed the court to declare the nomination null and void, arguing that it was carried out in violation of the Electoral Act.

However, at the resumed sitting on Thursday the plaintiff counsel Mohammed Danjuma Abubakar Esq ,had moved an Application to file a motion of amendment of name of the plaintiff as presented in the suit which was heavily objected by the defence counsels.

In his argument the defence counsel Philip Adah Esq vehemently objected to the application on the ground that the amendment of the name of plaintiff at this point is overreach “and I prayed the court to throw out the application as it has no any basis for now”

They argued that the motion is overreaching and did not specify reasons for changing the name of the plaintiff which he originally deposed to.

After listening to the arguments of both parties the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Aminu Dan-Ige, adjourned the matter to July 16, 2026 for ruling.

Fielding Questions from Journalists shortly after the Court seating, the counsel to the first defendants Philip Adah Esq, argued that the application for the amendment of the names as moved by the counsel to the plaintiff, has no any place inlaw.

Arguing further the counsel had earlier filed an application to amend a name of the plaintiff from the name earlier filed before the court,” then we are now saying that no. He cannot do that because the application is over reach and we are asking the court to as a matter of law,to throw out the application

“ We are hoping that the court under His Lordship will look into our own prayer as contained in our own application to do the needful in our favour or against us as he may deem it fit that is just our prayer before the court” he told Journalists.

However when contacted for his response,the counsel to the plaintiff Mohammed Danjuma Abubakar Esq, declined comment saying,” is not ripe for me to grant any press interview for now. I will speak to the press at the appropriate time. For now I don’t have anything to tell you guys because the hearing has not even commence” he stated.

By Our Edo Correspondent

In a bid to flushout crimes in fhe state,Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo is seeking stronger collaboration with traditional rulers across Edo State’s 18 local government areas to tackle insecurity and other criminal activities.

Addressing traditional rulers from Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial Districts on a courtesy visit to Government House in Benin City on Thursday, Governor Okpebholo said traditional rulers remain critical stakeholders in the fight against crime because of their close relationship with their communities.

“There are so many security challenges, and the best people to help me fight insecurity are the traditional rulers. You know your communities because you know those who live there and those coming into the area,” he said.

The governor noted that several recent kidnapping cases involved local collaborators who were familiar with the movement and financial status of residents.

“Our people know those who are wealthy and those who are not. They know the movement of people within the community. If we must stop insecurity in Edo State, we must work together to achieve this purpose,” he said.

He urged traditional rulers not to encourage or shield criminal elements, stressing that young people should be discouraged from engaging in crime.

“Let nobody encourage crime. Our children should not be involved. They should understand that crime is dangerous. The President is not happy about the security situation in the country, and I am not happy as well,” he added.

The governor also appealed to the royal fathers to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the next presidential election, expressing confidence that Edo State could deliver substantial votes for the President.

Responding on behalf of the visiting monarchs, the Ojuromi of Uromi, HRM Anslem Edenojie II, passed a vote of confidence in the governor, describing his development efforts across the state as commendable.

The monarch assured Governor Okpebholo of the continued support and cooperation of traditional rulers in promoting peace, security and development across Edo State.