Blog

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued all passengers abducted during the recent Otukpo kidnapping incident involving a Benue Links bus, bringing the total number of recovered victims to 18.

The victims were kidnapped on April 15, 2026, along the Otukpo axis in Otukpo. Police said the breakthrough followed coordinated clearance operations by the Benue State Police Command across the Amla Forest corridor and surrounding areas.

According to authorities, the final batch of 13 victims among them eight students travelling to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination were rescued safely. All victims have since undergone medical checks and are reported to be in stable condition. They are expected to reunite with their families after routine debriefing.

During the operation, police arrested seven suspects, three of whom have been identified as members of the kidnapping syndicate. Investigations are ongoing to track down other accomplices and dismantle the wider criminal network behind the attack.

Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, praised officers for their professionalism and bravery.

He also ordered intensified security operations across the Otukpo axis to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of residents.

The police leadership reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property nationwide, urging Nigerians to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing security efforts.

Police Rescue All Otukpo Kidnap Victims, Arrest Seven Suspects is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Amnesty International has strongly criticised the Nigerian government over the abduction of at least 1,100 people in just three months under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, describing the surge in terrorist attacks and kidnappings as a horrifying spate that continues to target vulnerable rural communities and internally displaced persons in northern Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Monday, the global human rights organisation called on President Tinubu and his government to urgently address the worsening insecurity, particularly in the North East, North West and North Central regions where armed groups operate with little resistance.

Amnesty International is a global human rights organisation that campaigns against abuses and advocates for the protection of fundamental freedoms worldwide. It regularly documents violations and calls on governments to uphold international human rights standards.

The organisation highlighted several recent large scale incidents to illustrate the severity of the crisis. On March 3, 2026, Boko Haram fighters attacked Ngoshe town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting more than 400 people and laying siege to the community. On February 3, 2026, an armed group invaded Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing 200 people and abducting 176 others. In the first week of April 2026, gunmen abducted 150 people during coordinated attacks on Kurfa Danya and Kurfan Magaji villages in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The organisation noted that these abductions primarily affect rural communities and internally displaced persons who have already been displaced by earlier violence, turning them into soft targets for bandits, Boko Haram and ISWAP operatives.

President Bola Tinubu and his government must urgently address the country’s horrifying spate of abductions targeting rural communities and internally displaced persons in the northern part of the country, as at least 1,100 people have been abducted in three months from January to April 2026, Amnesty International stated.

The rights body warned that the persistent attacks which have spread across states including Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto, Benue and parts of Kwara reflect a broader pattern of mass killings and kidnappings for ransom, with inadequate security presence in many affected areas.

Since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, his administration has faced repeated criticism over its handling of Nigeria’s security challenges despite pledges to overhaul the country’s security architecture.

As of the time of this report, there has been no official reaction from the Presidency or security agencies to Amnesty International’s latest condemnation.

The development comes amid growing domestic and international concern that Nigeria’s insecurity is spiraling further out of control, with serious humanitarian consequences for millions of citizens.

Amnesty International Condemns Abduction Of 1,100 Nigerians In Three Months is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has released detailed statistics from its ongoing recruitment exercise.

It provided a breakdown of applications, screening outcomes, and examination performance nationwide.

The data shows that 1,120,491 applications were completed and processed, and they formed the pool of candidates who progressed into the examination stage.

However, 432,935 applications were recorded as incomplete, while 360,923 applicants were disqualified during the shortlisting phase following screening checks.

The data further indicated that the recruitment exercise attracted over 1.8 million applications across Nigeria.

The recruitment, which spans paramilitary agencies under the board includes the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service, and Nigeria Correctional Service.

The board also published a national score distribution from the computer-based test (CBT), as it shows candidates’ performance.

According to the portal:

1. 221,996 candidates scored between 0–40
2. 229,155 candidates scored between 41–60
3. 278,543 candidates scored between 61–80
4. 142,697 candidates scored between 81–100

The data show that the largest proportion of candidates fell within the 61–80 score range, indicating a concentration of average-to-strong performance, while top-tier scorers (above 80) formed a smaller segment of the total candidates.

The next phase of the exercise will involve physical screening and document verification, with shortlisted candidates expected to receive notifications detailing screening venues, dates, and required documentation.

Only candidates who meet the required performance benchmarks and satisfy screening criteria will proceed to this stage.

The board has maintained that the recruitment process is free of charge and advised applicants to rely solely on official communication channels for updates, warning against misinformation and unofficial messages.

Earlier, many candidates had expressed concern over lack of communication, as the recruitment portal became intermittently inaccessible.

793,858 Applicants Disqualified From Paramilitary Recruitment is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A university don, Prof. Adams Agahiu, has outlined what opposition political parties can do differently to help tackle the economic hardship facing Nigerians.

He advised opposition parties to work in synergy with the federal government to promote rapid economic growth and grassroots development, rather than engaging in negative criticism.

Agahiu, who is the director of the National Education Summit in Nigeria, made the remarks while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday.

He noted that the country’s ongoing political and economic reforms provide a rare opportunity to dismantle long-standing barriers to national prosperity.

“The political and economic structures that have long undermined Nigerians’ prosperity are being steadily replaced through the realignment of the economy to enable full participation,” he said.

Agahiu also stated that the current administration has maintained democratic principles since taking office in 2023, including respect for the rule of law, separation of powers, and protection of citizens’ rights.

He further called on Nigerians to disregard what he described as misinformation allegedly being circulated by opposition elements against the government.

Hardship: What opposition parties can do differently in Nigeria – Agahiu

Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, April 20, 2026: Nigerian currency depreciates significantly

The Naira depreciated significantly against the United States dollar across foreign exchange markets on Monday.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s data showed that the Naira weakened to N1,349.67 on Monday from N1,343.64 traded last week, Friday.

This means at the official market the Naira dropped by N6.03 against the dollar on Monday when compared to the close of work last week.

Similarly, at the black market, the Naira dipped massively by N20 to N1430 on Monday from N1410 on Friday, according to multiple Bureau de Change operators in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

DAILY POST: A downward trend across foreign exchange markets comes at a time the country’s external reserves declined further to $48.62 billion as of 17th April 2026.

Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, April 20, 2026: Nigerian currency depreciates significantly

Wolves have been officially relegated from the Premier League.

This follows the 0-0 draw between Crystal Palace and West Ham at Selhurst Park on Monday night.

A tight affair between the two London clubs ended without any goals, as the Hammers left with a valuable draw in their fight to avoid the drop.

This result leaves Wolves with 17 points after 33 fixtures.

They cannot now catch West Ham who occupy 17th spot with 33 points on the log.

Tottenham Hotspur (31) and Burnley (20) are the other teams currently sitting in the drop zone.

If Burnley lose to Manchester City in midweek, their relegation will be confirmed.

BREAKING: Wolves relegated from Premier League

Celebrity Nigerian entrepreneur, Blord, has reacted following his release from Kuje prison

DAILY POST reports that Blord left the correctional centre on Monday evening after perfecting his bail conditions.

However, speaking with the press after his release, Blord, in a now-trending video on social media, appreciated Sowore and everyone who contributed to his release.

While acknowledging the public for fighting for him with their resources, Blord said, “God will always stand for you all.”

Announcing his freedom, he said, “I’m out, I’m good, and I’m going home. I want to say thank you to Sowore’s team. I want to say thank you to everybody that has been fighting for me.

“I want to appreciate every single person that put in their efforts, their time, their money, and everything. May God bless you, and God will always stand for you,” he said.

DAILY POST recalls that Blord was remanded in prison over his online feud with VeryDarkMan.

Watch video 

VeryDarkMan: Blord reacts after regaining freedom from Kuje Prison [VIDEO]

Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun State Command, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, has advised motorists in the state to exercise extreme caution and proactive vehicle maintenance especially during the raining season.

Recall that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had predicted a variable rainfall pattern for the year, with Ogun State expected to experience a longer rainy season.

Recent alerts from the Federal Ministry of Environment also highlighted Ogun as one of the states at risk for heavy rainfall and flash flooding during this period.

Ogunjobi in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, Odunsi Afolabi on Monday, reeled out some safety caution admonishing all road users to stay safe on the state roads.

He said, “Before embarking on any trip, ensure your vehicle is “weather-ready” by checking these essential components:

Windshield Wipers-Replace brittle or worn-out wiper blades immediately to maintain clear visibility.

“Check your tyre treads. Worn-out tyres lose traction on slippery roads, significantly increasing the risk of hydroplaning. Ensure all headlamps, brake lights, and indicators are functional. Driving with your lights on even during the day when it rains helps you see and be seen by others.

“Test your brakes regularly, as wet conditions can lengthen stopping distances. Reduce your speed below the posted limit when it rains. Wet roads are slippery, and high speeds make it harder to control the vehicle.”

He also urged residents and motorists to stay away from low-lying areas and avoid crossing running water or flooded roads.

Ogun FRSC warn drivers against excessive speed during rainy season

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations(NIPR) has commended Governor Uba for establishing the Command and Control Centre as an intelligence gathering hub, in his efforts to contain insecurity in Kaduna State

The Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Nigerian Public Relations Week, Croc city 2026, Chief Yomi Badejo Okusanya, gave the commendation on Monday during a media tour of some projects.

Speaking after inspecting facilities at the centre, Chief Okusanya acknowledged that although Kaduna State is facing some security challenges like most states in the country, the situation is grossly exaggerated.

Chief Okusanya disclosed that there were a lot of outside pressures discouraging the Institute from holding the 2026 edition of Nigeria Public Relations Week in Kaduna, arguing that Kaduna State is not safe.

‘’Yes, it has some challenges like every other place, but I think two things; efforts have been made to tackle this issue and then secondly it’s not as bad as what people think,’’ he clarified.

He advised that Kaduna State Government to share its efforts at curbing insecurity not just to its citizens but the whole country, adding that the Command and Control Centre should be replicated in all the 23 local government headquarters.

The media tour took officials of NIPR and visiting journalists to Badarawa Primary Healthcare Centre, Kawo General Hospital, Government Secondary School Nasarawan Rigachukun, Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development, and the Kakuri Southern Terminal which is under construction.

At the Badarawa PHC, the Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Umma K Ahmad disclosed that Kaduna State is the only subnational whose 255 PHCs have been upgraded to Level 2.

According to her, all the PHCs operate 24 hours and they provide basic emergency, obstetrics and neonatal care, adding that they are also stocked with adequate medical consumables.

‘’A woman can walk into this facility, do her antenatal clinic, deliver in this facility and then her baby will do immunization and other basic care. And then if the patient requires referral, then there is a referral pathway. We have ambulances that will immediately refer these patients to the next higher facility, that is the general hospital.

‘’The Governor has recently approved CONMESS and CONHESS salary scales for our health workers. Kaduna State pays hazard allowance, which has been increased in recent years,’’ she added.

At the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development, the Provost, Malam Hussaini Haruna Muhammad, said that the Institute has three campuses at Soba, Rigachukun and Samarun Kataf, to cater for the Northern, Central and Southern senatorial districts respectively.

He said that the Institute is running 14 trade areas and has three types of courses, namely National Skills Qualification(NSQ), whose certificate is internationally recognised.

According to the provost, the institute also runs the Level Qualification which has a range of six months and the Unit Qualification for short term courses as well as two week courses in cosmetology.

Malam Hussaini also said that the Institute has a course module named Recognition of Prior Learning, which is for skilled artisans who have hands-on experience but require certification.

The provost who disclosed that there are presently 497,000 students at the Rigachukun campus, took the visiting delegates to ICT Department, Fashion Design as well as Carpentry and Joinery Departments, including Solar Installation and Maintenance Department, Electrical and Electronics Department.

The NIPR delegates and media team also visited the 35 kilometre asphaltic road, the longest road that has been constructed in the last two decades, cutting across three local governments and linking more than 76 farming communities, in Kaduna State.

The road which stretches from Igabi, to Kajuru and Chikun local governments, includes a 130-metre bridge over River Kaduna which serves several rural communities.

Speaking on the road project, the Managing Director of Kaduna Roads Agency, KADRA, Dr Baba Ahmed, noted that the 35 kilometre asphaltic road linking Gadan Gayan through Gwaraji to Kujama Junction, has transformed mobility, agriculture and rural economies in those communities.i

Kaduna insecurity is exaggerated – NIPR

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area in Ogun State. President Tinubu also approved a special take-off grant of N15billion for the college. A statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President(Information & Strategy) and made available to […]