Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has urged the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to reschedule exams for eight candidates of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) who were abducted in the state.

The victims were part of a group of passengers kidnapped last Wednesday along the Makurdi–Otukpo highway. They were later freed during a security operation carried out in a forest located in Okere ward, Ohimini Local Government Area.

Addressing journalists at the Government House in Makurdi on Sunday, Alia disclosed that 15 individuals were initially taken by the attackers.

He explained that two victims managed to escape earlier, while the remaining 13 were eventually rescued by troops of the Nigerian Army with assistance from local residents.

“Many of the students were travelling to Otukpo. Seven were regular passengers, and 15 were kidnapped that fateful day. One of the victims escaped, and another one escaped the following day,” the governor said.

“Today, all the remaining 13 kidnap victims were rescued by the security agents with the cooperation of the communities.

“I call on JAMB to look into the case of the eight young students and reschedule dates for them to write their examination.”

Earlier, authorities had challenged reports claiming the abducted passengers were UTME candidates.

The Benue State Police Command, through its spokesperson Udeme Edet, described such reports as “misinformation and incorrect”.

In the same vein, JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin clarified that the travellers were returning from a police recruitment exercise in Makurdi when the incident occurred, not heading for the UTME.

The Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reaffirmed its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, dismissing claims that the party has withdrawn backing for his second-term bid.

In a statement dated April 17, 2026 and signed by Auwalu Abdullahi Soja, APC State Publicity Secretary, the party described as false a statement allegedly issued by a group known as the Arewa APC Forum, Kano State Chapter, which claimed the party has withdrawn its support from the President.

The statement said the claim was false, misleading, and a calculated attempt to tarnish the image of the party.

According to the party, no recognised or constitutionally backed organ within the APC in Kano has taken such a decision, stressing that the state chapter remains fully committed to President Tinubu and his administration.

“The APC in Kano is aware of attempts by certain individuals and faceless groups to create confusion and disunity within the party,” the statement said.

It added, “We wish to state categorically that this so-called forum is not known to the party structure and does not represent the views of APC members in Kano State.”

The party also reaffirmed its confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu, noting that his administration is focused on delivering good governance, implementing economic reforms, and promoting national development.

APC in Kano, under the leadership of Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa, urged party members and the general public to disregard the statement entirely, describing it as the work of mischief-makers trying to create unnecessary tension.

“The so-called signatory of the purported withdrawal is faceless and not a stakeholder of the party at any level in Kano,” the statement added.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has said that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, does not have the capacity to deliver Rivers State to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

Wike said this on Friday while interacting with reporters in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.

He referenced past elections in which Amaechi, despite his influence and roles within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, failed to secure electoral victories in Rivers state.

The minister equally recalled the 2015 and 2019 elections, pointing out that even with federal backing as Director-General of the presidential campaign of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC did not perform strongly in the state.

According to him, despite what he described as “federal might” deployed during past elections, he still won the governorship elections in the state, insisting that the state remains politically resistant to such projections.

“Are we saying today, if an election is conducted in Rivers state today, that Rotimi Amaechi will deliver Rivers state to ADC?

“Remember, he was a governor. When I came to run as governor, he was in the APC. Who defeated him? And he was the DG of the campaign then.

“Remember, in 2019, when I was running for my second term, he was the minister of transportation and was the DG of Buhari’s campaign,” he said

Wike further questioned ADC’s prospects nationally, adding that former Senate President David Mark, who is the national chairman of the party, cannot deliver Benue, his home state.

“Take, for example, Benue, where the former senate president, their so-called chairman of the party, his daughter won under APC, and he was in PDP,” he said.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Smith (rtd), on his 80th birthday, describing him as a visionary and respected elder statesman.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a congratulatory statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described the former IGP, who clocks 80 on Friday, April 29, as an epitome of dedication and selflessness in public service.

The Governor commended Alhaji Smith’s contribution to the security of lives and properties across the country during his tenure as the Inspector-General of Police of Nigeria.

He said: “On behalf of my family, the government, and the people of Lagos State, I congratulate the former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, on the occasion of his 80th birthday. It is with great delight that I join Alhaji Smith’s family, friends and associates to celebrate his 80th birthday.

“Alhaji Smith is worthy ambassador, a patriots and an extraordinary Nigerian who deserves to be celebrate as he reaches the advanced age of 80 for the impactful and purposeful life that he has lived.

“As Inspector-General of Police, he discharged his duties with the utmost professionalism, competence and dedication, leaving the Nigerian Police with impeccable track records. He is an epitome of dedication and selflessness in public service.

“As Alhaji Musiliu Smith joins the Octogenarian Club, it is my prayer that the Almighty God will continue to bestow on him good health, wisdom and knowledge. He will witness many more fruitful years to render continuous service to humanity, Lagos and our dear country, Nigeria.”

Nine Ijebu Ode kingmakers have again been invited to appear at the Ogun State Police Command, Eleweran, Abeokuta, next week Monday and Tuesday over allegations of bribery and financial inducement during the selection process of the new Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebu land.

Recall that the Ogun State government in January through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, halted the selection process of the new Awujale due to petitions received from security agencies and other stakeholders

The kingmakers were earlier invited by the Ogun State Police Command in February over accusations of cash inducement in the selection of the new Awujale.

It was learnt that after some superior authorities intervened, the probe was eventually dropped.

However the kingmakers have been re-invited via a letter dated April 17th, 2026, signed by Gbenga Adeoye, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation Department.

One of the kingmakers, the Kakanfo of Ijebu land, Chief Abimbola Okenla, confirmed the police invite, saying four of them are to appear on Monday while the other five are scheduled for Tuesday.

The kingmaker described the frequent invitations as a distraction, noting that the allegations were unfounded.

“It’s true that the Ogun State Police Command has invited the kingmakers to the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta. Four of us are to be there on Monday while the remaining five will be there on Tuesday.

“None of us is happy with this frequent invite by the security agencies over unfounded allegations. The people of Ijebu land are equally not happy about it because it is more of distraction,” the monarch said.

He appealed Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers do their job in picking the next Awujale of Ijebu land without any further delay.

“We are only pleading with Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to do their job and complete the assignment of picking the next Awujale of Ijebu land without any further delay,” he said.

Parts of the latest police invitation letter read: “In continuation of the aforementioned case under investigation, you are kindly requested to report at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday 21 April, 2026 at 1000hrs for an interview with the Commissioner of Police, through the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department.

“This is a fact finding invitation pursuant to the investigative powers conferred on the Nigeria Police by the combined provisions of Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) and Section 4(a) of the Police Act 2020.

“Your presence is therefore required to assist in advancing the course of Criminal Justice delivery and fairness. Should you require any clarification kindly contact 08038455857. Please take note that you are at liberty to come along with your lawyer”

The Chief Executive Officer of Aviation Africa, Toni Ukachukwu has said that there is a manipulation going on in the Nigerian petroleum industry.

Speaking on Arise News, Ukachukwu said that Nigerian should not suffer the adverse effects of the US-Iran war, as currently the case.

He noted that the country refines and produces crude locally, admitting that the disruptions could have effects, but not up to 300%.

DAILY POST reported that domestic and foreign airlines operating in Nigeria may begin shutting down services from April 20 as the cost of aviation fuel, JetA1, increased to about N3,000 per liter.

Reacting, Ukachukwu said, “I think by and large, there is some kind of manipulation going on with the marketers.

“Ordinarily, Nigeria should be insulated from whatever has happened from the issues of the Iran US war, because we have a refinery…Dangote refinery locally.

“We refine locally and produce crude locally. But having said that, I mean, we are part of the geopolitics.

“The disruption should have had some effect on the Nigerian market, but not to 300%, so it’s not acceptable.

“And I think there are some manipulations going on.”

A fresh leadership dispute has emerged within the Zamfara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as two rival groups lay claim to the party’s structure following a contested congress.

One camp, led by Malam Mohammed Mainasara, maintains that it was officially authorised by the party’s national leadership to organise and supervise the congress in the state. Mainasara said he headed the committee assigned for the exercise, with Ambassador Zubairu Yalwa serving as secretary, alongside other members.

He noted that the committee carried out its assignment and facilitated the emergence of a new State Executive Committee (EXCO) through consensus backed by party stakeholders.

According to Mainasara, the exercise produced Malam Shehu Gulubba as State Chairman and Dr Ahmad Hashim as Secretary. Jafafar Aliyu was named Youth Leader, while Maryam Abdullahi emerged as Women Leader, among other positions.

But the development has been rejected by another faction led by Kabiru Garba Gusau, who insists he remains the duly recognised state chairman.

Gusau described the process that produced the new leadership as invalid, alleging that it was driven by individuals seeking to create division within the party for political purposes. He argued that any legitimate congress must involve broad consultation and agreement among all stakeholders.

He added that his faction has reported the matter to security agencies, including the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), and warned that it would not accept the outcome of the disputed exercise.

Gusau also announced disciplinary action against those who took part in the congress, stating that, as chairman, he retains the authority to suspend or dismiss party members.

The Osun State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party-aligned Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, has criticised a recent protest staged by council chairmen elected under the All Progressives Congress.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the PDP-backed ALGON leadership rejected allegations by the APC chairmen that the state judiciary had flouted court orders in matters concerning local government administration.

The APC council chairmen had on Wednesday organised a protest at the entrance of the Osun State High Court in Osogbo over the ongoing trial involving officials of a commercial bank linked to local government allocations.

During the demonstration, the protesters displayed placards bearing inscriptions such as “Say no to disobedience of court orders” and “Disrespect for court judgements is an invitation to anarchy.”

Speaking for the demonstrators, Ejigbo Local Council Development Authority chairman, Kolapo Olayanju, accused the state judiciary and Governor Ademola Adeleke of disregarding legal directives.

However, the PDP ALGON leadership described the protest as inappropriate and questioned the motive behind the action.

The statement, jointly signed by its chairman, Sarafa Awotunde, and secretary, Lukman Afolabi, labelled the protest “embarrassing and disgraceful.”

It alleged that the APC chairmen had remained in control of council administrations beyond their tenure.

According to the statement, “They have been occupying council offices for about 14 months after their tenure allegedly expired in October 2025 and have continued to collect funds meant for local governments.”

The PDP group also questioned the decision of the APC chairmen to protest at the court premises instead of allowing due legal processes.

“Do they want to stampede the judiciary? If they are certain of their claims, they should allow the court of law to determine the matter,” the statement read.

DAILY POST reports that the disagreement highlights the ongoing dispute between officials elected in the October 2022 local government elections and those elected in February 2025 over control of council areas in Osun State.