The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Olohundare Jimoh, on Wednesday, carried out an on-the-spot security inspection at Pan-Atlantic University in Lekki following the circulation of a viral video showing two masked individuals emerging from a forested area near the institution.
The visit, which was conducted alongside operational officers of the Lagos State Police Command, formed part of efforts to assess the security situation around the university and reassure students, staff and parents of ongoing safety measures.
During the inspection, the police commissioner met with the management of the institution and emphasised the need to strengthen security arrangements within and around the campus to prevent possible threats.
Jimoh advised the university authorities on practical strategies to improve security while warning against actions that could compromise existing safety structures.
According to a statement issued by the Lagos State Police Command, the commissioner stressed the importance of proactive security measures, particularly in the areas of perimeter surveillance, access control and cooperation with relevant security agencies.
As part of efforts to enhance security operations around the institution and neighbouring communities, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund has deployed surveillance drones to support law enforcement activities in the area.
The police said the drone deployment, facilitated by the Lagos State Government, is expected to improve aerial monitoring, intelligence gathering and crime prevention efforts within the Lekki axis.
Speaking during the visit, Jimoh reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
He assured the management, students, staff and parents of Pan-Atlantic University of the police’s readiness to respond promptly to security concerns and maintain a safe environment for academic and lawful activities.
The commissioner also urged the institution to sustain close collaboration with security agencies and remain vigilant against emerging security threats.
“The Command remains committed to the protection of lives and property across Lagos State,” he stated, while encouraging members of the university community to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
The Lagos State Police Command further reiterated its commitment to maintaining public safety and security across the state and urged residents to remain alert and provide timely information to law enforcement authorities.
Residents were also encouraged to make use of the command’s emergency lines to report suspicious movements and security-related incidents.
The Federal Government has called for a behavioural shift in plastic waste management, urging citizens and stakeholders to reframe plastic from an environmental burden into an economic resource and innovation opportunity. The call was made as young innovators showcased tech-driven solutions at the Top 10 Final Presentations of the Digital Peers International (DPI) and SGP […]
The Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi, says no one can stop people from defecting if they believe their actions fall within the provisions of the constitution they signed.
Amadi made this remark on Wednesday during a live appearance in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
He was reacting to the anti-defection policy introduced by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, which required candidates seeking elective offices on its platform to sign legal documents committing to vacate their positions if they leave the party after winning elections.
“The NDC cannot solve a political problem through constitutional interpretation. The NDC is trying to solve a political problem through a constitutional question, but that approach is flawed.
“It is not possible to lawfully exclude people from decamping if they believe their actions fall within the provisions of the constitution they signed.
“If individuals choose to change political parties, they are allowed to do so, provided their reasons fall within the exceptions outlined in the constitution. In such cases, the law applies as provided,” he said.
Tracked ransom payment to kidnappers rose steeply between 2023 and 2025, recording 750 per cent increase within the two-year period.
Data obtained from SBM Intelligence on Nigeria shows that N302m was paid for the release of kidnap victims in 2023.
However, by 2025, this had jumped to N2.57bn, showing an increase of 750.99 per cent within a period of two years.
Nigeria’s Escalating Kidnapping Crisis
Ransom demand rose by even a higher proportion – 860 per cent.
In 2023, kidnappers demanded a total of N5bn. Two years later, they demand went up to N48.01bn. This shows a rise of 860.2 per cent.
As of 2024, kidnappers sought for N10.99bn but obtained N1.05bn.
This means that within the three years under review, the ransom demanded for Nigerians in ‘captivity’ stood at N63.99bn. Thus, on average, kidnappers sought for N21.33bn.
On the other hand, they obtained N1.05bn in 2024 and a total of N3.92bn for the three years under review. This translates to an average of N1.31bn per annum in actual payments.
In terms of recorded incidents, 582 occurred in 2023; 1,130 occurred in 2024 while 997 occurred in 2025.
Thus, within a period of three years, 2,709 kidnapping incidents were tracked by SDM Intelligence. This gives an annual average of 903.
A total of 3,620 people were kidnapped in 2023. In 2024, the number jumped to 7,568, showing an increase of 109.06 per cent. In 2025, the number of kidnapped persons reduced to 4,722.
Thus, within a period of three years, a total of 15,910 Nigerians were kidnapped by ransom seeking terrorists and criminals. On the average, 5,303 persons were kidnapped on annual basis.
However, the incidents did not always end in ransom as some turned fatal. In 2023, 582 persons were killed. The number jumped by 81.44 per cent to 1,056.
The killings reduced to 762 in 2024. These give a total of 2,400 persons killed within a period of three years or annual average of 800 persons. Some of the people killed were security operatives on rescue mission.
Regional analysis shows that kidnapping incidents are more rampant in the North-West geopolitical zone. The region accounted for 425 or 42.6 per cent of the kidnapping incidents that happened in 2025.
The region also accounted for 2,938 people kidnapped in 2025. This translates to 62.2 per cent of the victims within the year.
The North-Central region accounted for 257 or 25.8 per cent of the incidents that happened in 2025. In terms of victims, the region accounted for 853 or 18.1 per cent of the number of persons kidnapped.
This was followed by the South-South region which accounted for 107 or 10.7 per cent of the total incidents. The region accounted for 257 or 5.4 per cent of the total number of victims that were recorded in 2025.
The South-East geopolitical zone recorded 96 incidents or 9.6 per cent of the national total. In terms of victims, it accounted for 199 or 4.2 per cent of the victims.
Unexpectedly, the North-East accounted for only 61 or 6.1 per cent of the total number of incidents of incidents in 2025. In terms of victims, the region accounted for 331 persons or seven per cent of those kidnapped.
The South-West recorded the least number of incidents and victims. It accounted for 53 or 5.3 per cent of the incidents and 144 or three per cent of the number of victims.
According to the SBM Intelligence data, Zamfara took the number one spot in 2025 in terms of the number of victims. It accounted for 1,203 victims. Kaduna came next with 629 victims.
Other states that were high on the radar included Katsina, 566; Sokoto, 358; Niger, 239; Borno, 205; Kebbi, 172; Kogi, 158; Kwara, 140; Benue, 128; Enugu, 123; Ondo, 92; Plateau, 79; Delta, 79; and the Federal Capital Territory, 73.
The top 15 states accounted for 4,244 or 89.9 per cent of the kidnapping that occurred across the country in 2025.
In terms of ransom demands and remittals, the South-South accounted for the highest demand of N32.3bn in 2025. However, N259.3bn was paid, showing a collection rate 0.8 per cent.
The North-East accounted for the highest collection rate of 81.69 per cent. While N971m was demanded in 2025, a total of N792.8m was actually paid. Apart from accounting for the highest collection rate, the North-East also accounted for the highest haul of ransom.
On the other hand, the demand in the North-West in 2025 amounted to N7.25bn while N694m was paid, showing a collection rate of 9.57 per cent.
In the North-Central, which includes the FCT, a total of N4.93bn was demanded while N547.45m was paid, showing a collection rate of 11.12 per cent.
In the South-East, a little over N1bn was demanded while N157.55m was paid. This shows a collection rate of 15.67 per cent.
For the South-West region, kidnappers asked for N1.56bn in 2025 and received N115.55m, showing a collection rate of 7.43 per cent.
SBM said that kidnapping was no longer merely a security problem but a structured economic enterprise.
It added that criminal groups increasingly calculated ransom values based on victims’ perceived ability to pay.
Groups linked to Boko Haram and other extremist organisations, it said, were increasingly participating in kidnap-for-ransom operations.
The report said the weakening naira had caused kidnappers to demand larger nominal sums while the dollar value of ransoms remains relatively flat.
In its “Locust Business: The Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry – A 2025 Update”, the SBM Intelligence linked rising ransom demand to high inflationary rates.
It said Nigeria’s economy in 2024 and 2025 had been characterised by a complex interplay of growth in some sectors and significant challenges in others, particularly concerning inflation and the security environment.
It said, “This challenging economic reality has fuelled the dramatic growth of kidnapping as a criminal enterprise. The link between economic despair and the rapid proliferation of this crime is now more pronounced than ever, as shown by SBM Intelligence’s annual reports.
“Comparing SBM’s data from 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024 reveals a disturbing trend: while the ransom amounts demanded and paid in naira have continued to climb sharply, the value of these payments in US dollars has stagnated or even reduced. For example, between July 2021 and June 2022, SBM Intelligence recorded ransom payments totalling N653m, worth approximately $1.2m at the time.
“In the 2023 reporting period, Nigerians paid nearly N1bn in ransom, yet currency devaluation meant this sum translated to less than $1m. By the middle of 2025, ransom payments had surged further to N2.5bn, but with the naira trading at historically low rates, this figure remains only just above $1.7m.
“In real terms, the country is spending far more naira for every dollar’s worth of ransom, exposing ordinary Nigerians to escalating ruination while yielding no proportional increase in “value” for the criminals themselves.”
SBM Intelligence is an Africa focused geopolitical research and strategic communications consulting firm.
Vice presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Rabiu Kwankwaso has reacted to the large number of teaming supporters that received him at the party’s headquarters in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State on Wednesday.
DAILY POST reports that Kwankwaso, who earlier paid a condolence visit to the family of late Major General Rabe Abubakar, Rtd in Katsina State had made a stop over in Bichi while returning from Katsina State.
In a video clip going viral, a mammoth crowd of supporters could bee seen thronging the NDC office to receive the former governor.
Reacting, Kwankwaso said he was overwhelmed by the joyful and energetic reception from the supporters.
“Returning from Katsina tonight, I was overwhelmed by the joyful and energetic reception from the good people of Bichi, Kano State.
“Thank you for the tremendous love”, the leader of the Kwankwassiyya Movement wrote on his Facebook page.
Abia State House of Assembly has resolved to invite security chiefs in the State for a critical meeting directed towards confronting the rising security breaches, particularly kidnapping in some parts of the State.
This resolution was unanimously passed on Tuesday during the House of Assembly plenary session.
The House of Assembly’s decision followed a motion contained in “a matter of urgent public importance” presented by the deputy Speaker, Augustine Okezie Mmeregini about the kidnapping of Mr. Dennis Okechi Izuchukwu and Mrs. Onyiyechi Ekechukwu at Umuawa, Alaocha community, Ohuhu, Umuahia North LGA, by suspected gunmen.
Augustine Okezie Mmeregini, who described the precarious development as an insurgency of kidnapping and other vices in Abia State, called on the House to urge the Abia State Homeland Security Agency and sister security agencies of the state to step up their efforts in securing the lives and property of Abia people.
The deputy Speaker prayed the House to urge the Mayors of the 17 Local Government Areas in the state to reactivate and strengthen the community vigilant groups in their various LGAs.
He also said that traditional rulers and Presidents-General of the various communities in the State should be encouraged by the Mayors of the LGAs to be vigilant in their various localities, among other prayers.
Taking a resolution on the matter, the House presided over by the Speaker, Emmanuel Emeruwa, described the security issues that were raised as very critical.
The parliament supported the the Deputy Speaker’s prayers and resolved to invite security chiefs in the State for an interface.
Former France striker, Thierry Henry, has hit out at Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, after they played a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their 2026 World Cup opener on Wednesday.
Henry claimed that Ronaldo was more interested in playing for himself than helping the team.
Speaking on Fox News, he also highlighted a specific moment where Ronaldo’s desire for personal glory cost his country what could have been a winner.
“One thing that’s important, people, please at home: the team needs to score, not you need to score,” Henry said.
The Frenchman further analyzed a second-half sequence which involved Joao Cancelo and Bruno Fernandes, but Ronaldo intercepted the move and shot wide.
Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has expressed his disappointment at Roberto Martinez’s Portugal’s performance but defended Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rooney said that Ronaldo’s stat was never going to be the best but that if the 41-year-old had some good passes, he would score goals.
Prior to the tournament, Portugal was considered one of the frontrunners to secure the World Cup title, yet they encountered difficulties in their initial game against the underdog DR Congo.
Roberto Martinez’s team appeared poised for an easy victory when Joao Neves scored with a header just seven minutes into the match.
However, Portugal could not capitalize on their lead, allowing DR Congo to net their first World Cup goal through a header from Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa.
The iconic striker Ronaldo equaled Argentina’s Lionel Messi’s record by participating in his sixth World Cup, but he fell short of becoming the first player ever to score in six different tournaments.
Rooney said on BBC One, “The first game of the group is so important and for Portugal to perform the way they have performed, you want to see more energy, I want to see more legs in the team.
“I want to see players run past Cristiano Ronaldo at times. I think it was a poor performance from Portugal.
“Cristiano Ronaldo’s stats are never going to be the best, so what he needs are chances. If he gets chances, and a good chance, he will score goals.
“We can look at stats over the last five years and they mean nothing.”
With six minutes of added time at the end of a match that produced few chances, Brandon Thomas-Asante raced down the left flank, beat his marker and squared the ball for Yirenkyi, who tapped home the winner. The result was harsh on Panama, who matched the four-time African champions in only their fourth World Cup appearance since making their debut in 2018. Ghana’s next game is against Group L leaders England in Boston on Tuesday, while Panama will hope to end their winless World Cup record when they face Croatia in Toronto on Wednesday. Panama almost took the lead inside the opening two minutes, but Cecilio Waterman’s strike was tipped over the bar by Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi. In the second half, Panama’s Cristian Martínez hammered a shot into the side-netting from only a few yards out. In the closing stages, goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, who had gone forward for a late set-piece, headed the ball to teammate Ismael Díaz, whose header went straight to Benjamin Asare, Ghana’s substitute goalkeeper. Head coach Carlos Queiroz brought on Asare at half-time after Zigi suffered an injury when he landed awkwardly during the first half. Queiroz’s side created little before scoring what was the latest winning goal of this summer’s World Cup and will likely need to improve if they are to get a positive result against England in their next match. Ghana were without midfielder Thomas Partey after he was denied entry to Canada because of ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom.
Former Ireland international, Tony Cascarino, has said that Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo offered nothing to the Portuguese team during their disappointing draw against DR Congo on Tuesday.
The match marked Portugal’s opening game of the 2033 World Cup, and Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes without making any significant impact.
Cascarino was astonished that Martinez did not substitute the 41-year-old at any point in the game
Portugal, who many people believed were among the favourites to win the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, started their campaign in an unconvincing manner.
While speaking on talkSPORT, Cascarino stated, “I’m trying to be as kind as possible. But he [Ronaldo] was truly off his game. It appears that time has finally caught up with him.
“He hasn’t got the pace. He’s not even got the energy to pick up the ball. I remember Ronaldo as that winger that just got the ball and drove at people.
“Okay, he’s aged, he’s not that type of player anymore, but he offered nothing to the Portuguese team. I can’t believe Martinez has kept him on.
“I’m thinking, ‘This is your job – does he just want to keep friends with Ronaldo? Do you want to stay on his side?’ You’ve got to take people off.
“If that’s the decision that improves the team and gives the best chance of winning, you’ve got to make it as a manager.
“And I know he’s going to leave at the end of this term. This felt like it’s a manager just going, ‘I’m gonna stay pals with my mate Ronaldo’.”
