Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that schoolchildren and teachers abducted by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of the state are still being held within the Old Oyo National Park, nearly a month after their abduction.

Makinde made the revelation in his Newsletter No. 140 released on Friday, assuring residents that security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure the victims’ safe release.

According to the governor, it has been 27 days since the students and teachers were kidnapped from their schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities, leaving families and communities in anxiety and uncertainty.

The victims were abducted during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, on May 15, 2026.

Makinde acknowledged the emotional toll the incident has taken on affected families, stating that while the government had repeatedly assured residents of ongoing rescue efforts, he understood the pain of waiting for the victims’ return.

He reiterated the state’s commitment to rescuing the abductees, stressing that security agencies were pursuing every credible lead.

“Every credible lead is being pursued and every lawful measure is being deployed to secure the safe release of the abductees,” the governor said.

Makinde revealed that intelligence reports indicate the victims are being held somewhere within the wider Old Oyo National Park axis.

According to him, the park spans about 2,500 square kilometres across parts of 10 local government areas in Oyo State, making rescue operations particularly challenging.

“Intelligence reports indicate that the victims are still being held within the wider Old Oyo National Park axis, a vast expanse covering approximately 2,500 square kilometres across parts of ten local government areas in Oyo State.

“The size and difficult terrain of the area pose significant operational challenges for security personnel, requiring patience, strategic coordination and sustained efforts to ensure a successful rescue operation,” he stated.

The governor appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities through the state’s toll-free Citizens Enquiry Number, 615.

He assured citizens that all credible information received would be acted upon promptly by relevant security agencies.

Makinde also warned against the spread of unverified reports concerning the abduction, noting that misinformation could undermine ongoing rescue operations.

He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with useful intelligence while keeping the abducted students and teachers in their prayers as efforts to secure their release continue.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the victims are safely reunited with their families and communities.

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The Edo State Government has ordered the immediate closure of three secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area following intelligence reports of a planned kidnapping attack targeting students.

The directive was contained in a circular issued by the Edo State Ministry of Education and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Enodolomwanyi Otamere.

The affected schools are Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School and Makeke Secondary School.

The closure followed a security alert from the Department of State Services (DSS), which reportedly uncovered plans by suspected bandits to carry out a mass abduction of schoolchildren in Edo North Senatorial District.

According to intelligence reports, the DSS intercepted communications between two suspected bandits who allegedly discussed shifting their focus to schoolchildren after previous attempts to kidnap wealthy individuals failed to generate the expected financial returns.

The report indicated that the suspects believed abducting students could attract greater government attention and increase their chances of securing substantial ransom payments.

Security concerns heightened after the arrest of a 25-year-old suspect on June 4 while allegedly conducting surveillance around Makeke Secondary School in Makeke community.

Authorities said the suspect’s activities raised fears that preparations for the planned operation may already have been underway.

In response, the DSS advised security agencies and government authorities to strengthen protection around schools and educational institutions, particularly in vulnerable communities across Edo North.

The agency also recommended increased deployment of security personnel, enhanced collaboration among security agencies, local vigilantes and hunters, as well as intensified surveillance and patrol operations.

Explaining the government’s decision, Otamere said the Ministry of Education received credible intelligence and security advisories indicating threats to the safety of students, teachers and surrounding communities.

“The Ministry of Education has received intelligence reports and advisories from relevant security agencies regarding credible threats to the safety of students, staff and school communities in some parts of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area,” he stated.

He noted that all academic and non-academic activities in the affected schools have been suspended indefinitely as a precautionary measure to safeguard lives and property.

The permanent secretary, however, clarified that candidates participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) would continue to access their examination centres under strict security arrangements.

According to him, security agencies and community stakeholders have been mobilised to ensure the safety of candidates during the examination period.

Otamere directed principals of the affected schools to ensure the orderly release of students to their parents and guardians, secure school facilities and maintain communication with relevant authorities.

He also appealed to parents and residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as efforts continue to neutralise the threat and restore normal academic activities in the affected communities.

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Residents of Ekiti State are grappling with a sharp rise in housing costs as inflation continues to drive rents beyond the reach of many households, sparking fears of a deepening affordability crisis across the state.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Consumer Price Index indicates that Ekiti recorded one of the highest inflation rates in late 2025, with housing and accommodation expenses emerging as major contributors. Analysts say rent levels in the state now compare unfavourably with those of several neighbouring states, reflecting broader economic pressures and local demand dynamics.

Investigations across major towns show that Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, alongside education-driven communities such as Oye-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti and Iyin-Ekiti, are the most affected. These areas continue to experience sustained demand due to population growth, student influx, and limited housing supply.

Current market checks reveal that single-room apartments now attract annual rents ranging from ₦80,000 to ₦150,000, while self-contained apartments cost between ₦200,000 and ₦350,000, depending on location. Two-bedroom flats in prime areas now rent for between ₦400,000 and ₦500,000 per annum, a level many residents describe as unsustainable.

Residents accuse landlords and property agents of exploiting demand pressures to impose arbitrary rent hikes, often without improvements in basic amenities or infrastructure. Several families say they have been forced to relocate to outlying communities, increasing transport costs and daily stress.

Community leaders have warned that failure to address the rising cost of rent could have far-reaching consequences. Chief Joshua Olaoye cautioned that unchecked increases may make Ekiti unaffordable for students, teachers, and essential workers, weakening the state’s appeal as an education hub.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES), Iyin-Ekiti, Professor Gbenga Aribisala, also raised concerns, noting that excessive rent increases in host communities could disrupt academic activities and discourage prospective students. He urged traditional rulers and local stakeholders to intervene before the situation escalates.

Responding to the growing public outcry, the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, disclosed that lawmakers have commenced a review of the state’s tenancy and housing regulations. According to him, the exercise aims to strike a balance between protecting tenants and safeguarding the interests of property owners.

Urban planners say the rent surge highlights deeper structural challenges, including rising construction costs, slow housing development, and weak enforcement of tenancy laws. Without coordinated action involving government, developers, and community leaders, they warn that housing affordability pressures may worsen in 2026.

The post Ekiti Housing Costs Rise as Inflation Drives Rent Surge appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Residents of Imo State are set to begin enjoying 24-hour uninterrupted electricity supply from November, as the state government rolls out a test phase of its new power initiative in Owerri and surrounding areas.

Governor Hope Uzodimma made the announcement over the weekend during a stakeholders and expanded executive council meeting held at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre (EIICC), Owerri.

According to the governor, the pilot program will be powered by the Urashi Power Plant, a state-backed project made possible through recent legislation enabling its establishment. He added that the rollout would gradually extend to other parts of the state, including Orlu, Okigwe, and Mbaise, in the coming months.

Governor Uzodimma also unveiled a number of fiscal relief and social welfare initiatives, key among them being a new tax exemption for individuals earning less than ₦150,000 monthly. He noted that oil companies operating in the state would be charged with executing the policy.

In a bid to ease transportation for vulnerable groups, the governor announced free transport services for retirees and students along major routes, including Owerri–Okigwe, Orlu, Aba, Onitsha, and Port Harcourt. The scheme will leverage a newly acquired fleet of CNG-powered metro buses.

On infrastructure development, Uzodimma disclosed that 50 percent of the contract sums for ongoing projects have already been disbursed to contractors. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to public good over political gains, noting that he is not actively pursuing federal reimbursements for state-funded road projects. “I believe that future administrations will benefit from these investments,” he said.

Addressing the issue of insecurity, the governor assured residents of renewed efforts to restore peace and stability across the state. He also underscored the importance of youth inclusion in governance, stating: “We need a new generation of politicians to run the affairs of Imo State.”

The developments mark a significant push by the Uzodimma administration to improve living standards, expand critical infrastructure, and lay the groundwork for a more inclusive political and economic future in Imo.

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