Author: Gloria Lamar Johnson

FORMER Nigerian Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, has said his newly released autobiography was written to provide clarity on the decisions and policies of his administration during the Nigerian Civil War, stressing that the book was not intended to reopen painful memories of the conflict. News Point Nigeria reports that Gowon made the remarks ahead of the public presentation of the 881-page autobiography scheduled for May 19, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by Havilah Group, the publishers of the book. The event is expected to attract top political leaders,…

THE management of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State, has intensified disciplinary measures against student misconduct, expelling four undergraduates and rusticating one student over offences ranging from alleged lesbianism, physical assault, and cyber-related misconduct. The sanctions followed investigations conducted by the university’s Students’ Disciplinary Committee, whose recommendations were approved at the institution’s 30th Regular Senate Meeting held on April 29, 2026. According to separate letters obtained by News Point Nigeria and signed by the Deputy Registrar, Academic Affairs, Eli Gbadafu, “two female students, Ezekiel Precious Omeneke, a 200-level Economics student, and Aku Joy Chinyere, a 200-level Accounting…

TRAGEDY struck again in Plateau State as suspected gunmen reportedly killed no fewer than 13 persons in a fresh attack on Ngbra Zongo community, Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area. News Point Nigeria reports that the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, threw the community into panic, leaving several residents with varying degrees of injuries. A resident, Philip Alanga, told journalists in Jos that the attackers invaded the community at about midnight, opening fire indiscriminately before attacking residents with machetes and other dangerous weapons. According to him, the assailants moved from house to house, targeting innocent…

THE Kogi State Government has confirmed the safe rescue of all victims abducted from the Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage in Lokoja, bringing relief to families and residents following days of anxiety after the incident. The confirmation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lokoja by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo. News Point Nigeria reports that gunmen had attacked the orphanage on April 26 and abducted 23 pupils, including the wife of the proprietor. The government had earlier confirmed the rescue of 15 victims on April 27 following intensified security operations across the state. Fanwo…

POLICE and operatives of the Department of State Services have stepped into the investigation surrounding the death of nursing student, Andrew Amehson, as the bereaved family insisted that there would be “no justice, no burial” and vowed to resist any attempt to buy their silence. News Point Nigeria reports that  the development followed a visit by the Executive Chairman of Olamaboro Local Government Area, Ameh Williams, alongside the Divisional Police Officer and the DSS head in Olamaboro, to Nana College of Nursing Sciences and the family of the deceased. During the visit, the council chairman confirmed that the homicide department…

OUTRAGE is sweeping through Okpo in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State following the alleged torture and killing of Andrew Amehson Aziko, a mentally ill final-year student, by security guards at Nana College of Health, Ibana Okpo, in what residents describe as the second alleged case of extrajudicial killing in the council area within two months. News Point Nigeria reports that the incident, which reportedly occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, April 28, 2026, first came to public attention through a post by former Secretary of Olamaboro Local Government Area, Hon. Danjuma Onoja, who called for an immediate…

OFFICERS of the Nigeria Police Force in Kogi State successfully rescued 17 pupils who were abducted during the incident, which occurred on Saturday at about 11:45 p.m. when gunmen stormed Daarul Kitab School, an Islamic institution with an attached orphanage located in Zariagi along NNPC Road, Kabba Junction. According to statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Monday, the attackers invaded the premises under the cover of darkness, abducting a total of 26 persons, including 24 pupils and two wives of the proprietor. Confirming the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Afusat, said a coordinated response by…

TRAGEDY struck Gako Village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday night as gunmen stormed the community, killing a pastor and three members of his immediate family in yet another wave of violence in the area. News Point Nigeria reports that the victims, Reverend Ayuba Choji, his wife Chundung Ayuba, and their two children, Cyril and Endurance Ayuba, were reportedly killed when the attackers invaded the village at about 11 p.m. and opened fire indiscriminately. Residents described a night of panic and confusion as gunshots echoed across the community, forcing people to flee into nearby bushes for…

GUNMEN suspected to be bandits have invaded an orphanage and school in Kogi State, abducting dozens of pupils and sparking widespread fear, as authorities intensify rescue efforts and raise fresh concerns over the safety of vulnerable institutions in remote areas. News Point Nigeria reports that the incident occurred at Dahallukitab Group of School in Zariagi, a settlement near Kabba Junction along the Lokoja–Okene road in Adavi Local Government Area, where 23 pupils and the wife of the proprietor were taken during the late-night attack. According to reports, the assailants stormed the premises on Sunday night, firing sporadically before whisking the…

A SUSPECTED gang of armed kidnappers on Saturday night abducted a businessman at Sankera Junction in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, eyewitnesses and a security source have said. According to the source who spoke to News Point Nigeria on condition of anonymity, the victim, identified simply as Ejike, popularly known as “Junior,” was taken away at about 9:40pm after gunmen stormed his shop in the busy junction. The attackers, said to be five in number and armed, reportedly arrived while patrons were gathered around the area drinking. They ordered everyone present to lie face down and warned them…

GUNMEN on Thursday night launched a deadly attack on Olegabulu community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, killing the traditional ruler, Chief Momo Awodi, his wife Abigail, and their son, Boniface Ochowechi. News Point Nigeria reports that the incident, which has heightened tension in the area, also claimed the lives of Ochowechi Ochegwu and Deborah Ochowechi, bringing the total number of casualties to five, while one person sustained injuries. This newspaper gathered that the attackers stormed the community on motorcycles and initially blended in with residents before unleashing violence. A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity,…

A PLATEAU State High Court sitting in Jos on Thursday ordered the remand of four suspects in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) over the March 2026 killings in Angwa Rukuba, located in Jos North Local Government Area. News Point Nigeria reports that the court adjourned the case until April 30, 2026, for arraignment after proceedings were stalled due to the absence of defence counsel. The suspects were expected to be formally arraigned, but the process could not proceed as they requested time to secure legal representation of their choice. The killings that led to the charges…

RESIDENTS of two communities in Plateau State have again been thrown into mourning following coordinated attacks that left at least six people dead and several others hospitalised. News Point Nigeria reports that the incidents, which occurred in Shonun community of Riyom Local Government Area and Hurum in Gashish District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, have reignited concerns over persistent insecurity in the region. Speaking to this newspaper via telephone, the Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Tengong Rwang, disclosed that the attacks happened separately on the same night, with assailants reportedly arriving on foot and armed with…

COMBINED security operatives have rescued the remaining 13 passengers who were abducted on Wednesday night. The Benue State Police Command confirmed the development in a text message to News Point Nigeria early Sunday morning. A police statement also announced that the Commissioner would address the press on the rescue operation at the Command Headquarters later on Sunday. “Good morning, gentlemen of the press. Happy Sunday. Please note that there will be a press briefing by the Commissioner of Police concerning the rescue operation of the 13 kidnapped victims at the Command Headquarters today by 10:30 a.m. Thank you for your…

SECURITY operatives in Benue State have arrested seven suspects in connection with the kidnapping incident in Otukpo Local Government Area. The development was confirmed in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria late on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer for the Benue State Command, Udeme Edet. The abduction occurred on Wednesday when gunmen attacked a commercial bus operated by Benue Links Limited in Otukpo. According to reports, the assailants intercepted the vehicle, robbed the passengers, and abducted several of them into the bush. There have been conflicting reports regarding the number of victims. While some sources estimate that…

THE Benue State Police Command says that two abducted passengers from a commercial bus earlier this week have managed to escape their captors, while efforts intensify to rescue the remaining passengers. About 14 candidates travelling to Otukpo for their examination centres in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) were abducted. According to a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, on Friday, investigations revealed that the vehicle involved was a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number BGT 234 S4 belonging to Benue Links Limited. Police also confirmed that one suspect has…

THE Kogi State Police Command has launched a massive search-and-rescue operation following a kidnapping incident on the Ayere–Kabba Road. According to a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Afusat, the incident occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. on April 13, 2026, when armed hoodlums intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus. The vehicle, operated by a transport company, was traveling from Lagos to Abuja when it was attacked in the Kabba Local Government Area. The police said that following a swift, coordinated response from security forces, one passenger was successfully rescued, while the transport vehicle…

NO fewer than 15 passengers have been abducted by suspected gunmen along the Makurdi–Otukpo highway, with the Benue State Police Command confirming that a search operation is currently underway to rescue the victims. A source who spoke to News Point Nigeria disclosed that the incident occurred on April 15, 2026, at about 8:30pm, when a driver with Benue Links, identified as Peter Ikwe, reported the attack to the Divisional Police Officer in Otukpo. The driver was said to have been conveying passengers in a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number BGT 224 SA from Makurdi to Otukpo at the time…

HUNDREDS of youths in Aiyetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, on Monday took to the streets in protest, alleging a coordinated political move to undermine the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). News Point Nigeria reports that the protesters, drawn from various youth and civil society groups, marched across major parts of the community, declaring support for the electoral body’s independence and solidarity with Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the chairman of the commission. Wielding placards with inscriptions such as “Enemies of Fairness, Beware!” and “Fair Elections Start with Amupitan,” the…

A LEGAL scholar and alumnus of the University of Jos, Dr. John B. Mahwel, has come to the defence of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), amid sustained public criticisms from former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung. In a detailed account made public, Mahwel, who is a member of the Faculty of Law’s 2009 graduating class dismissed allegations questioning Amupitan’s integrity, describing them as “false, misleading and unacceptable.” The scholar, who holds multiple law degrees from the institution, including a PhD, said his intervention was necessary to “set the record straight,”…