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Just In: Kidnapped DELSU Students Regain Freedom

Published

4 years ago

July 14, 2021

Two students of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Mr. Divine Omajuwa of Geology department and Miss Hamza Hussiena Jennifer of Pharmacology Department, who were kidnapped on Sunday have regained freedom.

Info Daily had reported that the vehicle in which the students were traveling in to resume at DELSU Abraka was attacked at Oria-Abraka

Sadly, Odje Stephen of the Department of Medical Biochemistry who was also in the vehicle was shot dead during the attack.

It was gathered that Divine and Jennifer were released at about 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

Speaking with newsmen, one of the released students, Divine, said that contrary to reports, they were not returning for the new academic session, adding that they did not go for holidays.

According to him, they were on their way back from Warri to Abraka when the incidence happened.

He said: “I travelled with Hussiena to Warri while Stephen also travelled to Warri separately. While I was planning to return, Stephen called me and asked that he will join me back to Abraka.”

Further narrating what happened, he said that he saw a vehicle parked on the road and assumed it was an accident, but was shocked to find out that when he slowed down, it turned out to be that the car was used to block the road by kidnappers.

Divine disclosed that he tried to reverse his Lexus Jeep to escape when the kidnappers started shooting directly at them.

He disclosed that his girlfriend, Hussiena sat in front, while Stephen was at the back seat.

He also debunked reports that Stephen was shot dead on the spot, saying that it was a case of accidental discharge.

“They shot my car tyres while trying to shoot at us. They saw that he was already wounded and so left him behind.

“The kidnappers told me that we were not their target. They said they trailed someone but lost their target because they were distracted by a truck carrying farmers and so became angry and stayed on the road for any possible victim,” he said.

Speaking further, he said that two farmers were still held back by the kidnappers when they were released.

“We were taken away to an unknown destination. They made contact with my parents before I was released,” he said.

Asked if ransom was paid, he said he was not aware, but said that the kidnappers dropped them at a public school close to Abraka after a discussion with his parents.

Divine, who mourned the death of his friend, sobbed profusely while answering questions from our reporter and many times called the name of his deceased friend who died during the attack.

Reacting to the release, the Student Union Government, DELSU, reacting said: “We are grateful to God for their freedom from the hands of this evil perpetrators and the S.U.G also appreciate all Delsuites for their concern and their efforts in this trying time.”

Related Topics:#2023 election in Delta State Abraka DELSU

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Metro

Nigerian Army Suspends Statutory, Voluntary Retirement For Specific Officers

Published

21 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Army has announced the indefinite suspension of all statutory and voluntary retirements for specific categories of officers.

According to an internal memo dated 3 December 2025, signed by Major General E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, this is in response to the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Okoro explained that the measure is intended to preserve manpower, expertise, and operational readiness while the Armed Forces rapidly expand to tackle the escalating insecurity across Nigeria.

Citing the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers (HTACOS) 2024, the document pointed out that officers normally retire upon reaching the prescribed age for their rank, completing 35 years of service, or after repeated failures in promotion or conversion processes.

However, Paragraph 3.10(e) permits service extensions when it is in the interest of the military.

“Military service of a commissioned officer entails a period of unbroken service in the AFN from the date of enlistment or commissioning to the date of retirement. The period of service is determined by conditions enshrined in the HTACOS Officers 2024. These include attainment of age ceilings on various ranks, 35 years maximum length of service, and other criteria provided in Paragraphs 11.02(d) and 17.15, among extant regulations,” the memo partly read.

“Notwithstanding these provisions, Chapter 3.10(e) of HTACOS Officers 2024 allows for extension of service to officers in the interest of the service.

“The President and Commander-in-Chief declared a nationwide security emergency on November 26, mandating the expansion of the AFN and other security agencies. In line with this, and to rapidly expand manpower, it has become expedient to temporarily suspend all statutory and voluntary retirements from the Nigerian Army with immediate effect.”

According to the memo, the suspension affects Army officers in the following categories: Those who have failed promotion examinations three times, those passed over for promotion three times, those who have reached the age ceiling for their current rank, those who have failed conversion boards three times and those who have completed 35 years of service.

It explained that affected officers who wish to remain in service may apply for an extension beyond their original retirement dates.

However, the memo clarified that: “Officers in these categories who are not interested in extension of service are to continue with the normal retirement procedure. Officers desirous of extension should note that upon extension, they are not eligible for career progression, including promotion, career courses, NA sponsorship, self-sponsored courses, secondment, or extra-regimental appointments.”

Metro

NDLEA Seizes 7.6m Tramadol Pills, 76,273kg Cannabis In Nationwide Raids

Published

22 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the seizure of more than 7.6 million tramadol pills and 76,273 kilograms of cannabis strains in coordinated operations across several states, with multiple suspects arrested.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the seizures were made during intelligence-led raids between 1 and 6 December.

In Delta State, operatives recovered 3,874,000 tramadol pills and 252.2 litres of codeine syrup from a warehouse at Oko market, Asaba. In Imo State, 1.2 million tramadol tablets were intercepted from a vehicle driven by 35-year-old Kelechi Nwakocha along the Onitsha-Owerri road.

In Adamawa, officers stopped a Toyota Hiace bus travelling from Jos to Mubi with 1,577,112 capsules of tramadol and exol-5 tablets concealed in jumbo bags mixed with footwear. Two suspects, Kabiru Buba, 25, and Hamza Abubakar, 32, were arrested. Another suspect, Mudansir Rabiu, 27, was apprehended in Kano with 197,000 exol-5 pills.

In Ekiti, NDLEA destroyed 14,654 kilograms of skunk in Omuo forest and 54,300 kilograms in warehouses at Asin-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the operations. In Ondo, 5,442 kilograms of skunk were seized in Igoba forest, Akure North, with five suspects taken into custody.

Further arrests were made in Niger State, where 500 kilograms of skunk were recovered from a van along Mokwa-Jebba road, and in Abuja, where 22 kilograms of synthetic cannabis known as Colorado were intercepted at Abaji expressway. A follow-up operation at Jabi park led to the arrest of a female receiver, Ali Blessing, 33. Another suspect, Aliyu Usman, 39, was arrested with 24 kilograms of skunk and 573,500 exol-5 pills along Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway.

In Lagos, 113 kilograms of Canadian Loud were recovered from Ezenwa Udoka at Ladipo market, while Izuchukwu Usulor was arrested with 351 kilograms of skunk in Onipanu. Susan Okoro was also arrested with 104.1 kilograms at Trade Fair complex, Ojo. In Edo, 447.5 kilograms of skunk were seized from two vehicles in Agho forest, Akoko Edo, and 315.8 kilograms were recovered from a warehouse in Isiefve community, Ohuwunde Local Government Area.

The Agency confirmed that sensitisation activities under its War Against Drug Abuse initiative continued during the week in schools, worship centres and communities across Kano, Benue and Rivers States.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers involved.

“Their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts, are well appreciated,” he said.
The Agency stated that investigations are ongoing and suspects will be prosecuted accordingly.