All Posts in "Month: November 2025"

By Foster Obi

 

 

 

 

 

Nigeria’s return to the IMO Council in Category C is cause for celebration but it also amplifies a long-standing national embarrassment. Despite repeated promises, committees, and ministerial assurances, Nigeria still lacks a functional national shipping line. That absence has tangible costs and strategic consequences for the country’s trade, balance of payments, and maritime independence.
Official promises and the silence that follows
When Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, set out the administration’s blue-economy agenda he repeatedly framed indigenous shipping as central to the plan. The Ministry has published a string of statements affirming the government’s commitment: “Our commitment to indigenous shipping is total and irreversible,” the Ministry quoted the Minister as saying in an official release tied to NIMAREX activities.
Also in his earliest stakeholder engagements, the minister publicly announced plans to re-establish a national shipping line under a strategic public–private partnership, describing the initiative as capable of adding as much as $10 billion in economic value if properly structured.
Yet industry sources and insiders say the high-level promises have not translated into an actionable, funded implementation plan that would actually put government-backed tonnage to sea.
“We heard the pledges. We saw the statements. But there has been no visible pilot project, no transparent procurement or clear funding window that demonstrates those words will become ships,” said a senior maritime agency source who has attended Ministry meetings
A bitter cycle of committees, study-tours, and abandoned recommendations
This pattern is painfully familiar. In 2016, then-Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi received a committee report on reviving a national shipping line after the ministerial committee’s work and trips abroad. Press coverage at the time recorded concerns about patronage of foreign ships, including a widely reported figure that Nigeria was losing billions to foreign shipowners, and the committee’s recommendations were not fully implemented.
Former President of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, SOAN, and Chairman of Starzs Shipping Company, Chief Greg Ogbeifun, told Thisday in an interview that Nigeria was losing over $15 billion annually for not having a national shipping line, with freight services alone accounting for $7 billion.
He said this figure also reflects the taxes Nigeria is forfeiting by not employing Nigerian seafarers and other maritime professionals.
He recalled efforts by the then Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, to revive the country’s national shipping line.
“One of the first things the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, did when he assumed office was to form two committees: one to work on the establishment of a national fleet, and the other to examine the structure of NIMASA,” Ogbeifun said.
As a member of the committee on the national fleet, Ogbeifun explained that their mandate was to study what other countries were doing that enables them to successfully establish and maintain their own national fleets.
Another former member of that committee later said the exercise produced recommendations on financing models, governance, and vessel acquisition but the report gathered dust while money was spent on foreign visits and short-term PR.
“We travelled, we consulted, we prepared a blueprint. It was never used as the basis for a viable national fleet.”
The economic cost: valuations and official projections
Estimates cited in past reporting show the scale of the leakage. Press reporting around earlier revival efforts quoted figures such as $10 to $12 billion lost to patronage of foreign ships in specific years and government sources have put the upside from a successful national carrier in the billions. In public statements and press briefings, the Federal Government has repeatedly said a national carrier could unlock substantial value, jobs, and retention of foreign exchange.
Clarion Shipping: an indigenous start but has limits
In the vacuum left by the absence of an officially backed national fleet, private initiative has started to fill gaps. Clarion Shipping West Africa, owned by a woman has publicly launched a container service and acquired at least one indigenous-flagged containership (MV Ocean Dragon), pitching itself as Nigeria’s first fully indigenous containership operator. The firm’s launch and vessel acquisition were reported in multiple outlets during 2025.
Clarion’s management has publicly called for patronage and policy support, highlighting challenges such as dollar-denominated port charges and the capital intensity of liner operations. Analysts and business reports note that Clarion’s arrival is an important symbol and commercially, but that a single private line cannot substitute for a deliberate state framework that addresses finance, levies, guarantees, and route support.
“Clarion’s MV Ocean Dragon shows Nigeria can own and operate ocean-going tonnage. But shipping is a long-haul, capital-intensive game. The Government must reduce structural barriers if indigenous lines are to survive,” said Kalu Eke a freight forwarder at Lagos port.
Why the Minister must move from rhetoric to delivery
Winning a Category C seat at the IMO gives Nigeria influence in rule-making and technical decisions. But influence without capacity is hollow. A properly structured national shipping programme would: Retain freight earnings and reduce outflows of foreign exchange, Provide commercial capacity for crude, refined product, and specialist cargoes when national interest demands it, Strengthen the hand of Nigerian delegations in multilateral forums by pairing diplomacy with demonstrable capacity.
Also, it will expand training and career paths for Nigerian seafarers and shore staff, and encourage the development of local ship-management, repair, and maritime services.
It’s so humiliating that the country churn out cadets from its maritime academies yearly with no practical seatime experience.
Minister Oyetola himself has repeatedly framed the marine and blue economy as central to economic diversification and insisted indigenous shipping is a priority; words the Ministry has put on record. The sector’s question now is simple: will those words be matched by a funded implementation plan, transparent PPP terms, and early demonstrable steps such as vessel guarantees, subsidy-for-route trials, or a government anchor equity stake that draws private capital?
“The Ministry must stop issuing speeches and start publishing project documents: tender timelines, public-private governance structures, and a rolling five-year financing plan that shows how ships will actually be bought, insured, and deployed,” said Helen Udi, an international shipping policy expert.
What success would look like:
Publish a transparent PPP prospectus and procurement timeline, create a modest pilot fleet (2–4 modern multipurpose/feeder vessels) on strategic routes with guaranteed volume support, offer temporary, targeted levy relief or dollar-charging reform for newly-flagged indigenous services to fix the port-levy cash-flow mismatch like Clarion, others cite.
Use the IMO Category C seat strategically, pair diplomatic credibility with demonstrable capacity creation on the water, make the 2016 committee’s (and any later) recommendations public, and explain which will be adopted or discarded and why.
Nigeria’s return to the IMO Category C table should be something to ginger us. The country has both private actors (like Clarion) and a newly invigorated Ministry that has publicly vowed to back indigenous shipping. But unless the Minister moves beyond statements to publishable, funded, and accountable action plans, Nigeria risks repeating old patterns: committees, foreign trips, press releases, and no national carrier.
As Minister Oyetola put it in Ministry statements, “Our commitment to indigenous shipping is total and irreversible. Stakeholders will judge those words at the end, whether they were real actions or mere words designed to hug newspaper headlines, as Nigerian politicians are wont.

DFC Management by — November 30, 2025 in Uncategorized 0
MARAN commiserates with former President, ASU BEKS on loss of his wife

 


The entire members of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria MARAN, join their Colleagues in other Associations in the Maritime industry and beyond, to commiserate with their one-time President, Elder Asu Beks, over the irreparable loss of his amiable and lovely Wife, Mrs HELEN ASU BEKS, whose sad and untimely demise occurred on Thursday,15th November, 2025.
The Association expresses deep shock and exasperation over the incident, hence wishing our former President, his lovely Children, and the entire extended family members of the great ASU BEKS dynasty, divine strength, fortitude, and courage to bear the great loss.
Every MARAN member prays that the Good Lord will continue to preserve and protect the family, while the soul of the Departed AMAZON be granted a perfect rest on the bosom of the Almighty God.
We all say, “TAKE HEART, SIR”, for the Good Lord assures us that those who sleep in Him are not dead but will resurrect on that bright Resurrection Morning, to part no more.
“Sir, do take consolation in this fact and be strong in Him. MARAN loves and stands with you in fervent prayers that would avail much, in His sight.”

DFC Management by — November 29, 2025 in Transport/Maritime 0
NPA spokesman urges journalists to project Nigeria’s maritime industry positively to international community

…Receives MARAN three-man caretaker committee


The General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA), Ikechukwu Onyeamakara, has admonished the Nigerian journalists in the maritime industry to embrace developmental reporting that will positively project the sector to the international community.
Onyeamakara made this admonition while he was playing host to the three-man Caretaker committee of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN)led by Tunde Ayodele, who paid him a courtesy visit at the NPA headquarters in Lagos on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025.
Pointing to journalism and its ethics, which allow for balance, accuracy, and facts, Onyeamakara urged Maritime Journalists to strictly adhere to the ethics of the profession, noting that nothing good was ever gained from negative reports.
He solicited for developmental reporting in the sector, especially now that Nigeria is gearing up for elections into the Category C seat at the International Maritime Organisation, (IMO).
The NPA chief image maker noted that such responsible reporting would positively project the industry in Nigeria to the outside world which he believed would garner support from global maritime nations for Nigeria’s victory.
Onyeamakara explained that in other climes, Journalists do not project negative issues of their countries, no matter the situation, hence calling for similar attitude by Nigerian Journalists.
He, however, eulogized MARAN as the very first among the many Maritime Reporters Associations in the sector with a pedigree that has stood the test of time.
He explained that the NPA, in its position both locally and internationally, is more interested in whatever happens in the industry, hence welcoming the idea of a united body of all Journalists’ associations in the maritime industry.
He stressed the need for developmental journalism among the maritime reporters, which he said was crucial for the success of the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Maritime is a global industry, and whatever the journalists write has a great impact on how the international community views our country.
” In other climes, journalists project the positive side of their maritime industry, although these countries too have the same challenges Nigeria has,” the NPA image maker disclosed.
Onyeamakara also pledged the NPA’s continued support for MARAN and urged the Caretaker Committee to work assiduously to ensure that a credible set of leaders emerges after the association elections.
” The kind of leaders you elect could make or mar the good legacies of the association.
“So you must be careful and meticulous in your choice of the next leaders of the association so that the efforts of the founding leaders of MARAN would not be jeopardized” Onyeamakara admonished.
In his response, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mr Tunde Ayodele, thanked his host for the warm reception and pledged the continued support of MARAN to ensure the management of the NPA succeeds in its task of repositioning the maritime industry.
“NPA has been a long-standing ally of MARAN over the years, and the present caretaker committee will consolidate on the friendship that exists between the two parties through responsible reporting,” Ayodele declared.
He however explained that the recent
Reorganization in the association became necessary to reposition the foremost journalists’ body in the industry.
The Caretaker committee chairman further pledged that MARAN, as the flagship media association in the maritime industry, would continue to practise developmental journalism, adding that MARAN is open to mutually beneficial partnerships with stakeholders, including government agencies in the industry, to build a vibrant shipping sector.
Ayodele used the occasion to invite the NPA management to the MARAN Book Launch, which comes up on December 4th, 2025, in Lagos, a request to which Onyeamakara graciously acceded, promising that the agency’s management will be adequately represented.

Picture: Onyeamakara in a suit with MARAN caretaker committee. The chairman Tunde Ayodele is in Ankara while, Obot is sporting a white caftan and the Treasurer, Ruth Umunna.

DFC Management by — November 29, 2025 in Transport/Maritime 0
MARAN celebrates Nigeria’s historic IMO Council victory

 


The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has congratulated the Federal Government on Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, describing the victory as a major boost for the nation’s global maritime standing and a strategic win for the blue economy agenda.
In a press statement issued on Friday, the Caretaker Chairman of MARAN, Jayeolatunde Ayodele, said the association received the news of Nigeria’s return to the IMO Council with immense joy, noting that the development reflects the renewed trust of the international community in the country’s maritime reforms and security efforts.
Ayodele said the victory marked the successful culmination of a year-long diplomatic campaign led by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, whose strategic engagements across continents helped rebuild Nigeria’s presence and credibility within the global maritime sphere. He noted that the win was particularly significant as Nigeria had been absent from the IMO Council for 14 years.
According to him, Nigeria’s election into the Council reaffirms its position as a key maritime state in the Gulf of Guinea and reinforces its role in contributing to international decisions on shipping regulation, maritime safety, and ocean governance. He added that the development would also help drive policy directions that align with Nigeria’s national interest and regional maritime stability.
Ayodele commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing strong political backing to the campaign, stating that the President’s support enabled the Ministry to engage effectively with partner nations and maritime blocs in a highly competitive election cycle. He said the win would further strengthen the administration’s drive to reposition the marine and blue economy sector as a growth engine for the country.
The MARAN chairman noted that the election could not have come at a better time as Nigeria is intensifying reforms across its maritime institutions, including port modernisation, improved waterways security, and enhanced regulatory efficiency. He said being on the IMO Council would open more channels for technical cooperation, knowledge sharing, and partnerships that could accelerate these reforms.
KHe urged maritime agencies to leverage the momentum created by the victory by deepening collaboration, improving service delivery and aligning their operations more closely with international standards. According to him, Nigeria must now demonstrate through its actions that it is prepared to take full advantage of its restored seat at the IMO.
Ayodele reaffirmed MARAN’s commitment to supporting the Ministry and maritime agencies with accurate reporting, constructive analysis, and sustained coverage, stressing that the association remains a critical partner in efforts to advance Nigeria’s maritime development. He said MARAN expects that Nigeria’s renewed presence at the Council will strengthen investor confidence, attract new opportunities, and give the country a more influential voice in global maritime affairs.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria would utilize the platform to contribute meaningfully to discussions on maritime safety, shipping innovations, environmental sustainability, and global regulatory frameworks that shape the shipping industry.
Ayodele concluded by emphasizing that MARAN will continue to uphold its responsibility as the watchdog of the sector while supporting government efforts aimed at improving the maritime domain and ensuring that Nigeria’s interests are well represented on the international stage.

DFC Management by — November 29, 2025 in Transport/Maritime 0
NCJTFLCA alleges assault, arbitrary detention of officials at Seme border

By Foster Obi

Picture: Bank receipt of the money allegedly paid to process bail for the detainees

 

 

The National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents (NCJTFLCA) has condemned what it describes as a violent attack and unlawful detention of its officials during a routine monitoring exercise near the Seme Border on Monday, November 24, 2025.

A statement signed by Rev. Alex Nwokedi, National Secretary, and Comrade AA Victor, Western Zone PRO, stated that its Western Zone PRO, Comrade AA Victor, led a team to the Badagry roundabout area after observing trucks with covered registration numbers, a red flag for illicit trade. Their attempt to investigate was allegedly met with force by more than 30 individuals, who were allegedly linked to the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).

Victor was reportedly beaten, thrown into a drainage, and left with serious injuries before the matter was reported to the police.

NCJTFLCA described as “shocking and unacceptable” the subsequent detention of its officials by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), allegedly acting on the directives of the Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Badagry. The officials were allegedly held for three days, released only after posting bail and signing an undertaking.

The Taskforce says the assault and detention amount to an orchestrated attempt to intimidate its members for uncovering suspicious movements of goods at the border. It linked the incident to what it describes as rising smuggling activities under the new Seme Area Controller, Adewale Adenuga, “with no corresponding improvement in revenue.”

“This is persecution for doing our legitimate job,” the group said, insisting that its findings point to a surge in illicit trade facilitated by compromised elements at the border.

NCJTFLCA demanded a full investigation into the attack, immediate release of any remaining detained officials, sanctions against those behind the smuggling networks, and greater transparency in Customs operations at Seme.

 

Picture: The officials in detention

DFC Management by — November 29, 2025 in Transport/Maritime 0
Obi remains Labour Party member – Baba-Ahmed

The 2023 Labour Party Vice-Presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, says former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has not left the party.

Baba-Ahmed made this declaration while addressing journalists after the party’s National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, which was observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Baba-Ahmed dismissed reports suggesting that Obi had dumped the Labour Party.

“To the best of our knowledge, our brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, is still a member of the Labour Party. Nothing has changed. If he were here now, I would have shifted my seat to the left for him,” he said.

According to him, the party had survived its internal troubles, adding that the development signalled better days ahead.

He also described INEC’s attendance at the meeting as a major boost.

“The Labour Party has not reduced in any way. We have only increased in numbers. But with the submission of our leader, the National Secretary, we have gone through rough times, as is usual with political associations, and have emerged from it.

“The highlight and major turning point of this NEC meeting is the presence of INEC, which validates this sitting and justifies our presence here. As law-abiding citizens, we strictly go by what the law provides.

“This is a renewed drive for reconciliation, and I am here as a loyal party member to continue to open our arms to embrace new and existing members, to come back and reconcile with the party for the national assignment ahead of us,” he stated.

Dan Poster by — November 29, 2025 in Politics 0
PDP crisis: Oruruo-led exco dismisses Enugu caretaker committee as illegality

The Barr Steve Oruruo-led Enugu State executive of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected the caretaker committee appointed by the National Working Committee, NWC, to oversee its affairs.

DAILY POST recalls that the committee, headed by Hon Vitus Okechi, was appointed after the Elective National Convention of the PDP, which was held in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

However, addressing journalists on Friday, Oruruo insisted that he remained the chairman of the PDP in Enugu State.

He said the parallel leadership under whatever guise should be discountenanced.

According to him, the PDP Enugu State leadership remained intact undisputedly under the same leadership chaired by him and members of the executives who were duly and validly elected during a State Congress of the party held on the 31st of October 2024.

He maintained that the purported dissolution of the Enugu State Executive Members of the party during a National Congress of the party held at Ibadan was a nullity.

Oruruo said the dissolution contravened the provisions of the Constitution of the party, particularly section 45 (2-4) and Section 47 (6) which expressly provides that the tenure of a State Chairman should be completed by the Vice Chairman and the State Secretary of the Party upon the resignation of the of the chairman which is the situation of the party in Enugu State.

He said, “It has become compelling and pertinent to address you particularly against the backdrop of increasing volume of discordant tunes within the leadership of the PDD both at the national and sub-national levels.

“The motion moved at Ibadan Convention to dissolve a duly elected State Executive Committee of the Enugu State Chapter of the PDP on perceived premise of the Enugu governor’s defection without deference to the express provisions of the party’s Constitution which authorized the state deputy chairman to automatically assume the office of the chairman upon his resignation or removal , was not only misguided and prejudiced but a cruel travesty of justice.

“I hereby implore the party faithfuls, our teeming supporters and the general public to expressly be vigilant as this is only but a glimpse of their mutating theatricals to come”.

Oruruo also said that the motion for dissolution of the State leadership was in disobedience to an order of court which reaffirmed himself as the state chairman of the Party alongside, the Secretary of the Party, Hon. Martins Onyeanwa Ugwuamadi-Eze, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the party after the resignation of the erstwhile chairman of the Party in the state, Dr. Martins Chukwunweike and the former state secretary.

According to him (Barr. Oruruo), the court order also restrained the National Executive Committee of the party from appointing any other person or persons to take over the offices of the chairman and the secretary of the Enugu State Chapter of the PDP .

His words, “A subsisting court order reaffirming yours sincerely and Hon. Martins Onyeanwa Ugwuamadi-Eze as the State Chairman and Secretary of PDP Enugu State Chapter, in strict compliance with the express provisions of section 45 (2-4) and Section 47 (6) of the the Constitution of the party after the resignation of Dr. Martins Chukwunweike and Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie was duly served on the National Secretariat of the party via the immediate past National Chairman of the party, H. E. Ambassador Umar Damagun.

“The same order compelling the National Executive Committee of the party to immediately recognize my constitutional right and that of the secretary to serve out the term of the former chairman and the former secretary in line with the constitution of the party was duty served.

“This order went ahead to restrain the National Executive Committee of the party from appointing any other person or persons to take over the offices of the chairman and secretary of the Enugu State Chapter of the PDP.

“Therefore, it is salient to mention that whoever purportedly dissolved the Executive Committee of the Enugu PDP without deference to the express and clear provisions of the party’s Constitution and without taking cognizance to a subsisting order of court is a clear contravention of the law and in contempt of an order of court.”

He enjoined all party faithful and teeming supporters to remain steadfast and ignore all manner of distractions geared towards destabilising the party.

Dan Poster by — November 29, 2025 in Politics 0
Kwara agency warns against unauthorized adverts on tricycles, others

The Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWASAA) has raised concerns over the proliferation of unregulated advertisements on mini-transport buses (Korope) and Tricycles (Keke Marwa) in the state.

Speaking at a meeting with different leadership groups of transport associations in the state on Friday, the Acting General of KWASAA, Toba Adeyeye, explained that the trend had opened doors for scammers and individuals selling unapproved drugs and beverages to circulate misleading and potentially dangerous messages to the public

Adeyeye, who emphasized that the safety and well-being of Kwarans remain paramount to the Governor Abdulraham Abdulrazaq, maintained that the agency would not tolerate any advertisement capable of posing risks to members of the public.

The general manager, therefore announced that any individual, business or organization seeking to advertise on mini buses or tricycles must formally write to KWASAA, attach the proposed advertisement design and secure official approval before such materials could be displayed by transport operators.

Responding on behalf of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the State Secretary, Alhaji Yemi Aliu, pledged to communicate the resolutions of the meeting to union members and ensure that all individuals intending to place adverts on vehicles are referred to the agency for proper authorization.

Similarly, the Public Relations Officer of the Transport Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), Abdulganiyu Isiaka Agba, called for broader public sensitization to further enlighten citizens about the new and laudable directives introduced by KWASAA.

Also speaking, Mr. Babatunde Abdulganiyu, the Administrative Secretary of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), assured the agency of the association’s readiness to collaborate fully with the state government to safeguard the lives and property of Kwarans.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by all parties to work collectively in ensuring safe, responsible, regulated outdoor and transit advertising in Kwara state aligned with global best practices.

Dan Poster by — November 29, 2025 in General News 0
Freed 38 Kwara church worshippers still held in Ilorin

The Christ Apostolic Church, CAC Oke Isegun, Eruku, Kwara State

The Kwara State Government has yet to release the 38 abducted members of the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, Kwara State—who regained their freedom last Sunday—to their families, findings by Saturday PUNCH have revealed.

It was gathered that the worshippers were being kept in an undisclosed hotel days after completing medical examinations paid for by the state government.

The freed worshippers were abducted by bandits on November 18 during a special thanksgiving service in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.

Three people were killed while another person sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.

The 38 abductees were released last Sunday and taken to Ilorin by government officials. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced their release in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.

Although the statement did not disclose where or how the victims were freed, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed speculation that ransom was paid, insisting the government merely negotiated with the bandits.

However, days after the announcement, the worshippers had still not been reunited with their families. Several relatives told our correspondent that they were becoming increasingly anxious over the delay.

A relative of one of the victims, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the community had expected the worshippers to return immediately after their release was announced.

He added that although the families were grateful the victims were out of danger, the prolonged wait had become emotionally draining.

“The government told us they are taking care of them. We celebrated when they called us on Sunday to say they had been released. Everyone was dancing and thanking God. But since that day, they have yet to arrive in Eruku.

“We miss them and hope to be reunited soon. At least we know they are out of the kidnappers’ den, but delayed expectations weigh heavily on the heart,” he said.

Another relative expressed similar concerns, noting that conflicting reports circulating within the community had compounded their worries.

“We are hearing different stories about their whereabouts. But at least we saw them in the news on Sunday with the government, and we have spoken with them on the phone. They told us they were safe. Seeing them again will gladden our hearts,” she said.

Asked whether the community contributed any money for the release of the worshippers, one relative insisted that no payment was made.

“We don’t know how they were freed or where. We only received calls from security officials on Sunday evening that our people had been released and were being taken to the Government House for medical attention,” he said.

A senior government source, who asked not to be named, confirmed to Saturday PUNCH that the victims were still undergoing medical and psychological evaluation in Ilorin.

The official said, “They went through trauma and a harrowing experience, especially the young ones and the elderly. The government is concerned about their welfare and wants to give them the best medical care before allowing them to return home.”

When asked whether ransom was paid to secure their release, the official replied in the negative.

“The government cannot pay money to bandits, as doing so will send the wrong signal that crime pays. It is unfortunate that we are in this situation.

“People should be commending the government for ensuring the abducted worshippers were freed unhurt. They will soon be reunited with their families.”

Other residents of Eruku told Saturday PUNCH that although they appreciated the government’s medical intervention, they were eager to welcome the worshippers back home for proper community healing.

The Kwara State Government has yet to offer any explanation as to why the victims have not been reunited with their families.

When contacted, the Commissioner for Communication, Bolanle Olukoju, said she would revert with official details on the matter.

But several hours later, a follow-up inquiry by our correspondent went unanswered.

Security sources close to the rescue operation hinted that the victims may still be undergoing post-trauma evaluation and debriefing in a secure facility.

Dan Poster by — November 29, 2025 in General News 0
Shettima, Atiku, govs bid Sheikh Bauchi farewell

G63uR1IXEAEyIiJVice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and several state governors led thousands of people in performing funeral prayers for the late Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, in Bauchi State on Friday.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and other federal and state officials were also among the mourners who paid their last respects to the Islamic cleric.

The late cleric was, until his death, the supreme leader of the Tijjaniyya movement in the country.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that the scholar died on Thursday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, around 1:30 a.m., after a brief illness. He had been admitted to the hospital on Wednesday.

Born in 1927 in Gombe, the late Bauchi devoted his life to Qur’anic education, Islamic scholarship, and spiritual mentorship, which brought him to prominence within and outside the country.

Dan Poster by — November 29, 2025 in General News 0