The Student Wing of the Northern Youth Frontiers on Monday raised concerns over worsening insecurity around tertiary institutions in the North, warning that persistent attacks by bandits and kidnappers are undermining access to education and threatening the future of thousands of students in the region.

The group said that despite the gains recorded under the Federal Government’s student loan initiative through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, insecurity around campuses continued to discourage learning and expose students to danger.

The concerns were contained in a communiqué issued after an emergency joint congress of student leaders, campus delegates and youth stakeholders from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, held in Abuja.

The communiqué was jointly signed by the National Coordinator of the NYF Student Wing, Ibrahim Bello, and the Secretary-General, Hauwa Abdulaziz.

According to the students, many tertiary institutions and off-campus student communities in the North remained vulnerable to attacks, forcing students to live in fear while pursuing their education.

“We urgently appeal to President Bola Tinubu to intensify security efforts across Northern campuses, which remain vulnerable to threats from bandits and kidnappers,” the communiqué stated.

The congress called for increased investment in the Safe Schools Initiative and demanded a stronger security presence around universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the region.

“Specifically, we call for the aggressive funding of the Safe Schools Initiative, alongside the deployment of specialised, round-the-clock military and police patrols around tertiary institutions, off-campus student residential zones and critical transit routes to guarantee that students can utilise their loans in safety and peace,” the students said.

The group warned that insecurity has continued to disrupt academic activities, heighten anxiety among parents and students, and worsen educational challenges in the North.

The students, however, commended the Federal Government for the implementation of the student loan scheme under NELFUND, describing it as a critical intervention that has restored hope to indigent students struggling with tuition and living expenses.

According to the communiqué, over N72.03bn has been disbursed directly into students’ accounts as monthly N20,000 upkeep support, helping beneficiaries cope with feeding, accommodation and academic costs.

“By stepping in where poverty would have forced brilliant minds out of school, NELFUND has restored dignity to the less privileged and brought immense psychological and financial relief to countless struggling families,” the communiqué added.

The congress also noted that more than 1.3 million Nigerian students had reportedly registered and applied through the NELFUND portal, while over N161.97bn had been disbursed under the scheme in 2026.

The students passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu and the Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, describing the education loan programme as one of the administration’s most impactful interventions in the education sector.

They urged the Federal Government not to allow insecurity to erode the benefits of the programme, stressing that access to education can only improve in an environment where students feel safe.

In recent years, several schools and tertiary institutions across northern Nigeria have faced security threats ranging from abductions to attacks on school communities, leading to temporary closures, disruption of academic calendars and heightened fear among students and lecturers.

The insecurity crisis has also contributed to declining school enrolment in some affected communities, with many parents reluctant to send their children far from home due to fears of kidnapping and violence.

Education stakeholders have repeatedly warned that the situation could deepen the out-of-school children crisis already confronting Northern Nigeria, which accounts for a significant percentage of the country’s out-of-school population.

The race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket in Benue South has become intense ahead of the party’s primary election taking place, as leading aspirants continue to lobby members and mobilise support across the district.

Leading the race are former APC senatorial candidate, Daniel Onjeh, former House of Representatives member, Francis Ottah Agbo; former lawmaker, Nelson Alapa; Joe Ojobo; Patrick Ojechema Idoko; and Oloche Agidani, all vying to emerge as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.

DAILY POST gathered that the contest, which has generated tension within the APC in Benue South, is also exposing growing cracks among stakeholders, party loyalists and influential political interests ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Benue South Senatorial District, largely dominated by the Idoma Igede ethnic nationalities, remains one of the most politically sensitive zones in the state.

The APC is seeking a strong candidate capable of challenging the incumbent senator, Senator Abba Moro of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is eyeing a third term in office.

Since the return of democracy in 1999, the PDP has remained dominant in Benue South, with Senator David Mark representing the district for 20 years, while Senator Abba Moro is currently rounding off his second term in office.

This development has heightened internal pressure within the APC, with stakeholders reportedly divided over who possesses the political strength, grassroots appeal, financial capacity and acceptability to capture the district for the ruling party.

Among the leading aspirants, Francis Ottah Agbo appears to have gained momentum within influential circles of the party.

Despite the growing momentum behind Ottah, supporters of former National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) president, Daniel Onjeh, insist that he remains the strongest grassroots politician in the race.

Onjeh, who flew the APC flag in the 2015, 2016 rerun and 2023 senatorial elections, still retains a loyal political structure across parts of Benue South.

Sources said Onjeh was initially believed to be the preferred aspirant of some influential figures within the party before the dynamics allegedly changed at the last minute.

The development reportedly triggered frustration within his camp.

Tensions escalated after reports emerged that some stakeholders outside Benue South allegedly participated in attempts to influence the choice of candidate for the zone.

The situation reportedly led to heated disagreements during a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi.

Onjeh was later said to have stormed the residence of Governor Hyacinth Alia to seek clarification over the alleged endorsement of another aspirant by his pointman, Moses Ternenge, who is not from Benue South.

Shortly after the meeting, Onjeh issued a public statement, saying: “Relax, Benue South. I just left the Governor, and he vowed on his integrity that he never sent Moses Ternenge to endorse any candidate.”

The statement further fueled speculation about deepening divisions within the party ahead of the primaries.

However, Ottah in a post on Facebook claimed that all stakeholders of the party were behind him as the claim of external influence were misleading and untrue.

While much attention has focused on the rivalry between Ottah and Onjeh, former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Nelson Alapa is also said to be quietly building support within strategic blocs of the APC.

Though less vocal publicly, party insiders told our report that Alapa enjoys support among some stakeholders who believe he represents a compromise option capable of uniting aggrieved factions after the primaries.

His supporters are reportedly banking on his legislative background, relationship with grassroots mobilisers and perceived neutrality in the ongoing power struggle within the party.

Apart from the leading contenders, other aspirants in the race include former Benue State House of Assembly lawmaker representing Ogbadibo, Joe Ojobo, oil magnate Patrick Ojechema Idoko and young politician Oloche Agidani.

Each of them is believed to command pockets of influence within different local government areas.

For now, tension remains high across the district as party members prepare to decide who eventually emerges as the APC standard bearer in one of the most closely watched senatorial contests in Benue State.

The recent primaries conducted by the All Progressives Congress,APC, in Taraba State have sparked widespread controversy, with allegations of manipulation, irregularities, and internal divisions threatening to deepen tensions within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

What was expected to be a democratic exercise to select candidates for elective positions descended into confusion and accusations of fraud, as aggrieved aspirants and party stakeholders have continued to question the credibility of the process.

Several aspirants alleged that the primaries lacked transparency and were characterized by procedural inconsistencies, including the late arrival of electoral materials, disputed voting processes, and claims of predetermined outcomes.

One of the strongest criticisms came from governorship aspirant, David Sabo Kente, who alleged that no genuine House of Representatives primaries took place in several parts of the state.

According to him, electoral materials reportedly arrived late in some locations, while results had already emerged before voting processes could properly commence.

Kente claimed that election materials were distributed overnight even as social media videos purportedly showed completed voting exercises, raising questions about the integrity of the exercise.

The allegations have fueled suspicions among party members that the outcomes of the primaries may have been predetermined long before delegates and party members cast their votes.

However, the APC leadership in Taraba has dismissed the claims, insisting that the primaries were successfully conducted across the state. Party spokesperson, Aaron Artimas, described the allegations as “false and misleading,” maintaining that due process was followed.

Despite the official response, critics within the party argued that concerns over transparency were not adequately addressed. Some stakeholders accused party officials of relying on political intimidation and dismissing aggrieved aspirants as “bad losers” rather than responding directly to procedural complaints.

The controversy surrounding the primaries has also intensified fears of possible litigation, especially over alleged attempts to impose candidates through consensus arrangements.

Under Nigeria’s electoral guidelines, consensus candidacy requires the voluntary written consent of all cleared aspirants. However, reports from within the party suggested that some aspirants felt pressured to step down, while others accused party leaders of selectively applying the rules to favor preferred candidates.

Political observers say the situation has exposed deeper contradictions within the party, particularly between the APC’s public commitment to “internal democracy” and allegations of backdoor political negotiations.

Tensions within the party reportedly escalated further following the political realignment involving Governor Agbu Kefas, whose movement into the APC is believed to have altered the balance of power within the state chapter.

The development has reportedly generated resentment among long standing APC members, many of whom fear that the party structure is increasingly being controlled by newly aligned political interests.

Grassroots members have also expressed dissatisfaction over what they describe as the growing influence of elite negotiations over popular participation within the party.

Although the APC adopted direct primaries in an attempt to ease internal tensions and broaden participation, the process instead generated further controversy, with complaints over membership verification, logistical challenges, and monitoring procedures.

Political analysts note that the controversy reflects broader concerns about the conduct of party primaries in Nigeria, where allegations of manipulation, elite interference, and disputed results have become recurring issues across major political parties.

The APC in Taraba now faces growing concerns over party cohesion as reports of dissatisfaction and possible defections continue to emerge following the disputed primaries.

Observers warn that unresolved grievances could weaken the party ahead of future elections, especially as opposition parties seek to capitalize on internal divisions.

Many party supporters have also expressed concern that repeated controversies surrounding party primaries risk deepening public distrust in the democratic process.

As senatorial primaries continue across the state on Monday, political observers are closely monitoring developments to see whether similar controversies will emerge in the next phase of the APC’s internal elections.

Four soldiers were injured on Saturday after troops on patrol survived an improvised explosive device (IED) blast and a subsequent ambush along the Damboa–Kumala–Maiduguri supply route in Borno State.

The incident was disclosed by security expert Zagazola Makama in a post on his X handle on Sunday.

According to the post, the attack occurred at about 11:45 am on May 16, roughly nine kilometres from Kumala Junction in Konduga Local Government Area.

Troops of 25 Brigade, who were on a dominance patrol along the strategic highway, reportedly encountered a command-detonated IED planted by suspected terrorists before coming under ambush.

The troops were said to have fought through the attack, although four soldiers sustained injuries during the engagement.

Reinforcements from the brigade headquarters, alongside an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, were later deployed to the area to secure the route and support ongoing operations.

The EOD team subsequently discovered and safely neutralised another suspected IED planted along the same axis.

Security sources also disclosed that troops safely escorted 89 civilian vehicles through the corridor, while 165 others were turned back to Damboa as a precautionary measure due to the threat posed by the attack.

The Nigerian Navy has dismantled an illegally reconstructed refining cluster, along the Rivers–Bayelsa border, recovering about 8,500 litres of suspected petroleum products.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Folorunsho said that the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

“This crackdown followed a credible intelligence on illegal refining around Egboama/Ogbogolo community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State,” he said.

He said that the operation involved coordinated land and water insertion, supported by aerial surveillance to locate the concealed refining sites, within the creek.

“The troops uncovered approximately 5,500 litres of suspected crude oil and 3,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO,” he said.

Folorunsho added that generators, welding machines and other tools used in expanding the illegal facilities were also recovered during the operation.

“Findings depicted deliberate efforts by the criminal networks to restart the refining infrastructure previously destroyed by security forces.

“All identified sites and equipment have been deactivated in line with operational procedures, while surveillance and monitoring of adjoining creek corridors remain ongoing,” he said.

The naval spokesman said that the sustained operations were focused on preventing the re-establishment of illegal refining camps and dismantling support structures sustaining crude oil theft.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting critical national assets, securing the maritime domain and denying economic saboteurs freedom of action in the Niger Delta.

The Senate has condemned the abduction of 87 students and teachers in separate attacks in Borno and Oyo States within 24 hours, describing the incidents as a direct assault on Nigeria’s future.

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, in a statement issued on Sunday through his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, described the incidents as deeply disturbing, especially given past investments made to secure schools nationwide.

In the attacks, suspected gunmen abducted 45 students and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, while Boko Haram terrorists reportedly kidnapped 42 students in Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

Bamidele said the twin incidents highlights the urgent need for stronger security measures in schools, warning that continued attacks on educational institutions threaten national development.

He said the National Assembly was advancing constitutional amendments to establish state police, which he described as a critical step toward improving security across the country.

According to him, the proposal is at an advanced stage and will be transmitted to state Houses of Assembly for approval once completed.

Bamidele urged federal and state authorities to strengthen the Safe School Initiative as a temporary measure, noting the country’s large number of out-of-school children.

He also called for bipartisan support for security and constitutional reforms, saying the abductions must not be politicised.

The Senate said it would continue to pursue legislative measures aimed at addressing insecurity when plenary resumes.

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has rescheduled its National Assembly primary election dates in Zamfara State.

This is contained in a statement by the party’s national spokesman, Felix Morka, on Saturday.

Morka said the state House of Assembly primary will still hold on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, while the governorship primary will hold on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

According to him, the presidential primary election remains fixed for Monday, May 23, 2026.

The statement also outlined dates for primary election appeals in the state.

According to the timetable, appeals arising from the House of Representatives primary will be heard on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, while Senate primary appeals are scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

The statement further revealed that appeals for the House of Assembly primary will hold on Thursday, May 21, 2026, while governorship primary appeals have been fixed for Friday, May 22, 2026.

It, however, did not state the reason for the rescheduling.

The statement read: “The House of Representatives primary election will now hold on Monday, May 18, 2026, while the Senate primary has been fixed for Tuesday, May 19, 2026.”

DAILY POST recalls that  the party’s national leadership had on Thursday postponed its House of Representatives primary elections by one day from Friday, May 15, to Saturday, May 16, 2026, but said the dates for Senate, State Houses of Assembly, governorship and presidential primaries remained unchanged.

Former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has said the 2027 general elections will not follow the same pattern as the 2023 polls.

Tambuwal, who spoke during an appearance on Politics Today on Friday, said the political environment ahead of 2027 is already changing.

“Politics is dynamic, and virtually everything about people is dynamic. 2027 may not necessarily be a replay of the 2023 elections,” he said.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives noted that new alliances and shifting interests among politicians and voters would shape the next election differently.

He also compared the coming election to the 1979 presidential contest, which featured political heavyweights like Shehu Shagari, Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe.

“I see a replay of 1979 in 2027 rather than the 2023 general elections. You wait and see. The dynamics Today are different,” Tambuwal added.

Tambuwal, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the African Democratic Congress, also said he would not support any presidential aspirant until after party primaries are concluded.