Kidnapping and rescue operations dominated this morning’s major headlines, with reports that tough terrain and fears of casualties are slowing efforts to free abducted victims in Oyo and Borno states, while gunmen killed a vigilante and abducted four residents in Abuja.
In politics, the Independent National Electoral Commission has voided primaries conducted after May 30, a decision that could affect preparations for the 2027 general election.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress, meanwhile, defended its party primaries and denied allegations that it imposed candidates.
Below are the top stories for Friday morning, June 5.
Oyo, Borno abductions: Tough terrain, casualty fears stall rescue mission
Difficult terrain, fears over the safety of dozens of kidnapped pupils and teachers, and demands by the abductors for the release of detained terrorist commanders have emerged as major obstacles to ongoing efforts to rescue victims of the recent school attacks in Oyo and Borno states, The PUNCH has learnt.
Multiple Presidency and security sources familiar with the situation told our correspondent that the abductors are demanding the release of high-profile terrorist leaders in exchange for the captives, a condition the Federal Government is unwilling to accept despite mounting public pressure for the victims’ freedom.
Read the full stories below: https://punchng.com/oyo-borno-abductions-tough-terrain-casualty-fears-stall-rescue-mission/
2027: INEC voids primaries held after May 30
The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned political parties that any primary election conducted outside the commission’s May 30 deadline remains invalid, unless a higher court overturns an earlier Federal High Court judgment on the matter.
Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/2027-inec-voids-primaries-held-after-may-30/#
FG debt repayments exceed budget allocation by nearly N2tn
Federal Government debt repayments exceeded the 2025 amended budget allocation by N1.90tn in the first nine months of the year, fresh data from the Budget Office of the Federation showed.
The 2025 third quarter Budget Implementation Report showed that total debt-related payments, including domestic debts, foreign debts and sinking fund, rose to N12.63tn between January and September, compared with the prorated budget provision of N10.74tn. This represents an overrun of N1.90tn or 17.65 per cent.
Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/fg-debt-repayments-exceed-budget-allocation-by-nearly-n2tn/
Gunmen kill Abuja vigilante, abduct four residents
Armed men have kidnapped four residents and killed a vigilante in an attack on the Byazhin area of Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
A resident, who identified himself as Aliyu, said the attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday, noting that the assailants were heavily armed.
Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/gunmen-kill-abuja-vigilante-abduct-four-residents/
I felt unsafe for the first time, Emeka Ike cries out over INEC data leak
Nollywood actor and politician, Emeka Ike, has said he felt “insecure for the first time in his life” following the exposure of his personal data at the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He described the incident as an abuse of power, adding that it raised concerns about citizens’ safety and data protection in the country.
Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/i-felt-unsafe-for-the-first-time-emeka-ike-cries-out-over-inec-data-leak/
NDC defends party primaries, denies imposing candidates
The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has dismissed allegations that its recently concluded presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and state Houses of Assembly primaries were marred by irregularities and the imposition of candidates.
Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/ndc-defends-party-primaries-denies-imposing-candidates/
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