POPE Leo XIV called on Sunday for the release of over 300 hostages taken from the St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri in the Agwarra local government area of Niger state, News Point Nigeria reports. “I learned with immense sadness the news of the kidnappings of priests, faithful, and students in Nigeria and Cameroon,” he said. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Saturday said gunmen had kidnapped more than 300 students and teachers in raids on two schools in the country. “I make a heartfelt appeal for the immediate release of the hostages,” Leo said, expressing his…
Author: Gloria Lamar Johnson
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THE total number of victims abducted by suspected terrorists from the St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri in the Agwarra local government area of Niger state is now 315 from the 227 earlier reported. News Point Nigeria reports that Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, gave the update after a verification exercise and a final census was carried out. A breakdown of newly released data showed that 303 students and 12 teachers were affected. Yohanna said, “After we left the school…
FOUR days after the abduction of dozens of schoolgirls in Maga, Kebbi State, Nigeria, has suffered yet another mass kidnapping, this time in Niger State, where 215 students and 12 staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, were seized during a midnight attack on Friday. News Point Nigeria reports that the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed the chilling figures, putting the total number of abductees at 227. Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, State CAN Chairman, who visited the community, said the attack had left families devastated. “From our record, 215…
THE Plateau State Government has shut basic schools over what it described as “potential threats,” saying the move is with immediate effect. This directive was contained in a statement by the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB) sent to News Point Nigeria. “The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB) has directed the immediate closure of schools across the state as follows: “Government Junior Model Secondary Schools (GJMSSs) will close effective Saturday, 22 November 2025. Primary and Day Schools will close effective Monday, 24 November 2025,” the statement signed by Richard Jonah, on behalf of PSUBEB management, read in…
A SURVIVOR of the Yelwata attack in Benue State, Msurshima Apeh, has narrated her ordeal before the United States Congress, describing how she watched the killing of her five children during the attack. News Point Nigeria reports that the victim testified on Thursday before the House Subcommittee on Africa, which examined President Donald Trump’s decision to return Nigeria to the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) list. She recounted the moment armed men stormed the camp where hundreds of displaced families had been sleeping. “When we went to sleep that night around 9 pm, the Fulani terrorists attacked us where we…
THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has raised the alarm over what it described as the Federal Government’s lack of commitment to resolving lingering issues in the nation’s university system. It warned that another nationwide strike may be imminent if urgent actions were not taken. News Point Nigeria reports that speaking during a press conference held at Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, on Monday, the zonal coordinator, Timothy Namo, claimed that the government had shown little interest in addressing key matters despite the suspension of the union’s two-week warning strike declared on October 13, 2025. Namo recalled…
THE Department of State Services (DSS) has dismantled what it describes as a high-value arms supply network allegedly linked to a series of deadly attacks across Plateau State and neighbouring northern states, arresting a major suspected arms manufacturer. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Sunday, the DSS confirmed that its operatives apprehended Musa Abubakar, described as a key arms dealer and fabricator, following an intelligence-led operation on November 12, 2025. According to the agency, Abubakar was arrested at his workshop located in the Mista Ali area of Bassa Local Government Area, where he allegedly produced firearms, ammunition,…
TARABA State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, has formally announced that he will defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, marking one of the most significant political realignments in the North-East ahead of the 2027 general elections. News Point Nigeria reports that the governor disclosed this during an inspection visit to the ongoing renovation works at the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo, which has been selected as the venue for the high-profile declaration rally. Speaking to journalists, Governor Kefas said his decision to dump the PDP—under which he was elected—was…
SOME passengers on a train travelling from Itakpe to Warri were rescued following the derailment of the train in Kogi State on Saturday, which had left them stranded for several hours before security operatives evacuated them to safety. The Police Public Relations Officer of the Kogi Command, CSP William Ovye-Aya, confirmed the incident to News Point Nigeria late on Sunday in Lokoja. He said that the incident occurred around 4:30 pm at Adogo community in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the state. Ovye-Aya said that upon receiving a distress call, the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Kankarofi, immediately deployed officers…
ARMED bandits on Tuesday launched a deadly attack on Farin Dutse community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing a cleric of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN), popularly known as HEKAN, and abducting more than 20 members of the church. The victim, Reverend Yahaya Kambasaya, was reportedly shot dead after attempting to check on residents once sporadic gunfire died down. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Thursday in Kaduna, HEKAN President, Reverend Amos Kiri, condemned the attack, describing it as “callous, inhumane and targeted intimidation against the church and innocent Christians.” According…
JUSTICE Benjamin Lawan Manji of the Adamawa State High Court, Adamawa State, has convicted and sentenced the Managing Director, Bonghe Micro Finance Bank, Grace Karka, to five years imprisonment over alleged fraud. Karka was prosecuted on two-count charges bordering on criminal conspiracy and cheating to the tune of ₦32 million by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, according to a statement by the Commission seen by News Point Nigeria. One the charges reads: “that you Grace Andreas Karka and prince Moses Batalu between August 2020 and March 2021 in Yola, Adamawa State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court…
BENUE State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has dissolved the Board and Management of the state-owned Lobi Stars FC, Makurdi. Lobi Stars FC were relegated last season after a 27-year stay in the Nigeria Premier Football League, following a run of poor performances. The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, announced the governor’s approval of the dissolution in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria Sports on Thursday in Makurdi. The move was described as part of ongoing reforms to reposition the club for “greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance” in the Nigeria Premier Football League and other competitions.…
FORMER Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an “angel sent by God” to restore and transform Nigeria. News Point Nigeria reports that Bello made the remark on Saturday during an endorsement rally for President Tinubu and Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, which was broadcast live on TVC. “We will not wait for God to send an angel with wings to fly into Nigeria to fix it. The angel is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Bello said. “If you are waiting to see an angel flying with wings to come and fix Nigeria, you will wait…
THE National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, has announced that Vice President Kashim Shettima will visit Jos, the Plateau State capital, to officially welcome a wave of prominent politicians decamping to the ruling party. News Point Nigeria reports that speaking at the APC Strategic Stakeholders Meeting held at the Crest Hotel Conference Hall, Jos, Prof. Nentawe said the Vice President’s visit is expected to take place within the next two weeks, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen the party’s base and consolidate its political influence across Plateau State and the North Central region.…
FORMER Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has clarified that his resignation from the Federal Executive Council was not an admission of guilt but a personal and principled decision to protect the integrity of due process amid allegations over his academic and NYSC certificates. News Point Nigeria reports that Nnaji, who tendered his resignation letter on Tuesday, has been at the centre of a growing controversy surrounding the authenticity of his degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate. While he insists that he graduated…
THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed more than 10 deaths, 24 passengers rescued, and 42 still missing from the Kogi boat mishap. In a post on Thursday sighted by News Point Nigeria, NEMA said search and rescue operations continue. According to the agency, the incident occurred on Tuesday evening when a boat carrying about 80 passengers capsized on the River Niger. The boat had departed Onugwa community in Ibaji Local Government Area and was heading to Olushi village before it sank.’ “The unfortunate mishap has claimed several lives and left dozens missing,” NEMA said in its update. The…
A DARK cloud has descended on Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State following a boat mishap on Tuesday that has reportedly claimed at least 20 lives on the River Niger. News Point Nigeria reports that the ill-fated boat, which had taken off from Onugwa in Ibaji, was heading towards the bustling Ilushi Market in neighbouring Edo State when it capsized midway between Okpu and Odumomo communities. Witnesses say the boat, overcrowded with mostly women and children preparing for Wednesday’s Independence Day celebrations, could not withstand the turbulent waves. Local divers who rushed to the scene recovered about 20 lifeless…
ARMED men suspected to be kidnappers have abducted 12 passengers traveling in a Toyota bus along the Okene–Auchi Road in Kogi State, sparking fresh concerns over insecurity on one of Nigeria’s busiest highways. News Point Nigeria reports that the incident occurred on Friday when the bus, reportedly belonging to Big Joe Ventures Ltd, ran into an ambush mounted by the assailants. The vehicle, marked Edo FUG 13 XY, was on its way from Abuja to Benin, Edo State, when it was intercepted around noon. Local sources revealed that among the abducted passengers were newly-called-to-bar lawyers, who were returning to Benin…
THE Plateau State government has rescued 16 children who were trafficked from Bassa Local Government Area to Anambra State, and reunited them with their families. News Point Nigeria reports that Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Development, Caroline Dafur, who disclosed this in Jos, said the children, aged between four and nine, were trafficked from Plateau to Anambra State, noting that the suspect behind the act has been arrested. Dafur described the rescue as a significant step in the fight against child trafficking, stressing that the government is committed to defending the rights of the vulnerable. “This rescue represents triumph…
RELIEF has returned to Plateau State following the release of Hon. Laven Denty Jacob, the lawmaker representing Pankshin South constituency at the Plateau State House of Assembly, who was abducted from his residence earlier in the week. News Point Nigeria reports that Jacob was kidnapped on Monday night at his residence in Anguwan Kagji, Dong community, Jos North Local Government Area, sparking widespread concern among residents and political leaders in the state. Confirming the development to journalists on Wednesday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Kwarpo Sylvanus, said the legislator had been freed and reunited with his…