Welcome to the PUNCH newspaper roundup of headlines for this Saturday morning. Developments in security, politics, crime and entertainment dominate today’s news.
Leading the headlines is the report of a coordinated attack on three schools in Orire Local Government Area, as armed terrorists killed an assistant headmaster, abducted many pupils and teachers, and threw entire communities into chaos.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has bowed to calls for investigations after some operatives of the agency allegedly attacked some medical workers at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State. The incident, which happened on Tuesday, triggered outrage as many Nigerians accused the agency of highhandedness.
Here are the quick reads you need this morning:
Terrorists strike three Oyo schools
There was panic in Oyo State on Friday following a coordinated attack on three schools in Orire Local Government Area, as armed terrorists killed an assistant headmaster, abducted many pupils and teachers, and threw entire communities into chaos.
The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School.
Residents described the attack as one of the most daring assaults on school communities in recent times, with gunmen reportedly operating in broad daylight and moving freely between locations without resistance.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, left parents, teachers and residents in distress as security operatives launched a manhunt for the kidnappers.
Read the full story here
Hospital raid: EFCC bows after backlash over rights abuse
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has bowed to calls for investigations after some operatives of the agency allegedly attacked some medical workers at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State.
The incident, which happened on Tuesday, triggered outrage as many Nigerians accused the agency of highhandedness.
Also, senior lawyers and civil society organisations, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH, called for reforms in the anti-graft agency’s operations.
The commission has faced increasing criticism following a string of controversial raids on homes, hotels, hostels and institutions during operations targeting suspects linked to financial crimes, especially Internet fraud.
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NJC suspends two judges, recommends elevation of 12
The National Judicial Council, on Thursday, recommended the appointment of 12 new justices of the Court of Appeal.
The council also suspended two judges for one year without pay over judicial misconduct.
The resolutions were reached at the council’s 111th meeting held on May 13 under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
In a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the NJC said the appointments were intended “to fill vacancies arising from the elevation and retirement of judicial officers across various levels of the Judiciary and to strengthen the capacity of courts for effective justice delivery.”
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Why I withdrew from senatorial race – Tambuwal
Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has explained that his decision to withdraw from the 2027 Sokoto South Senatorial race was aimed at promoting unity within the African Democratic Congress and creating room for younger politicians to emerge within the party.
Tambuwal, who is regarded as the leader of the ADC in Sokoto State, relinquished the party’s senatorial ticket to former Commissioner for Finance, Faruk Malami-Yabo, following days of consultations and disagreements over the selection of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Friday during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting attended by party loyalists, community leaders, youth representatives and political associates, Tambuwal described Malami-Yabo as “a committed, capable, and visionary leader” with the competence and integrity required to sustain progressive leadership and strengthen democratic values in the state and beyond.
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APC drops two Rivers lawmakers, Fubara’s loyalists
Two serving members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, Awaji Inombek Abiante and Boma Goodhead, have been denied return tickets by the All Progressives Congress.
The lawmakers were disqualified from contesting the party’s primaries scheduled for Saturday (today), alongside two other aspirants, Air Commodore John Opera (retd.) and Anderson Igbiki, who are loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Abiante is one of the prominent Rivers politicians who purchased a governorship form for Fubara.
This was contained in the final list of aspirants released by the party and sent to our correspondent on Friday.
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Influencer Blessing CEO remanded over N36m fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday said a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, had remanded social media influencer, Okoro Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, in its custody over an alleged N36m fraud.
In a statement obtained by Saturday PUNCH, the commission said the defendant was arraigned by its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
According to the EFCC, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to her.
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Popular TV host, estranged wife spill dirty extra-marital secrets
Popular television host and media personality, Frank Edoho, has fired back at allegations of infidelity and financial irresponsibility levelled against him by his estranged wife, Sandra Onyenucheya, amid the messy online fallout trailing their failed marriage.
Speaking on the controversy after Sandra publicly accused him of cheating, emotional abuse and abandoning his responsibilities as a father, Edoho claimed that her alleged relationship with singer, Chike, was one of the final straws that led to the collapse of the marriage.
According to him, he initially attempted to salvage the relationship for the sake of their children despite allegedly discovering evidence of an affair between Sandra and the singer.
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