You Learn More From The Street Than From School — Portable

Nigerian singer and entertainer Portable has opened up on his childhood struggles, street experiences and the lessons he learnt outside the classroom, stating that life on the streets taught him valuable skills.

The singer shared his experience during an interview on The Honest Bunch Podcast, where he spoke about losing his mother at the age of 13 and how the loss affected his upbringing.

 

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According to Portable, although people were available around him, nobody could provide the same care and support his mother would have given him.

“You learn from the street more than school. I lost my mother at the age of 13, nobody to take care of me. It wasn’t like they couldn’t take care of me, but they wouldn’t take care of me the way my mother would have taken care of me.”

The singer recalled how his mother used to provide him with basic needs such as food and pocket money, adding that he had to engage in small businesses as a young boy to survive.

“My mother would give me pocket money and food. Would anyone have been able to do that for me? I sold pure water at Joju inside School 3.”

Portable also defended comments made by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, encouraging unemployed Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses.

The singer argued that many successful Nigerians were raised through income generated from petty trading and informal businesses operated by their parents.

“Nigerians misunderstood what Remi Tinubu meant. If you look at many wealthy people in this country, their mothers trained them by selling pepper and roasted corn.”

He stated that small-scale businesses can be profitable, sharing an experience he claimed to have had during a visit to London, where he saw a corn seller who owned a luxury vehicle. “When I went to London, I even saw someone selling corn while using a Benz.”

  

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Lagos, CCECC Partner To Establish Railway Training Centre

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has partnered with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation to establish a Railway Training Centre as part of efforts to build the skilled workforce needed to support the expansion of Lagos’ rail network from six to 11 rail lines.

The agreement, signed in Lagos, comes as the Lagos State Government updates its Strategic Transport Master Plan, increasing the rail component from the original six rail lines and one monorail to 11 rail lines and one monorail in response to the state’s growing transportation demands.

 

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Speaking at the signing ceremony on Saturday, the Managing Director of LAMATA, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, said the proposed training centre would ensure that the state’s expanding rail infrastructure is operated and maintained by highly skilled Nigerian professionals, reducing dependence on foreign expertise.

She noted that the authority had already made considerable progress in developing local manpower through the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue and Red Lines, where hundreds of Nigerians have been trained to manage critical aspects of rail operations.

She said, “Since we started the Blue and Red Line operations, we have trained over 400 personnel, including train drivers, customer service representatives, and operations staff. On the Blue Line alone, we have achieved over 90 per cent local staffing, with technical partners filling only the remaining gaps.”

Akinajo explained that the expansion of the state’s rail network made it imperative to establish a structured and internationally certified railway training institution capable of producing professionals across key areas of the industry.

According to her, “The Strategic Transport Master Plan has now been updated to include 11 rail lines and one monorail. For a network of this scale to be sustainable, we need a proper certified training system covering signalling, maintenance, operations, and customer service. Our goal is to ensure that the infrastructure we build is operated and maintained by Nigerians.

“This will guarantee the longevity of our transit systems, create meaningful employment opportunities for our youths, and contribute significantly to the growth of the Nigerian economy.”

She described the partnership with CCECC as a strategic investment in human capital, saying it would equip young Nigerians with globally recognised railway skills while supporting the state’s vision of an integrated and sustainable mass transit system.

Responding on behalf of CCECC, the company’s Vice President, Sun Xiangchun, commended LAMATA for championing the initiative, describing vocational education as the bedrock of industrial development and a key driver of sustainable infrastructure growth.

He said the project aligns with the China-Africa Vocational Education Plan jointly endorsed by the Presidents of Nigeria and China, adding that the collaboration would deepen technical education and accelerate Africa’s industrialisation agenda.

According to Xiangchun, having delivered the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue and Red Lines, CCECC understands that the next phase of Lagos’ rail development will require a new generation of highly trained professionals in railway operations, maintenance and management.

He said, “The establishment of a professional and integrated railway training centre is not only timely but essential for the sustainable development of Lagos’ rail transit system.”

Xiangchun added that the facility would combine classroom learning, simulation-based training, practical field experience, and professional skills assessment to produce world-class railway personnel capable of managing Africa’s fastest-growing urban rail systems.

  

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Jealousy: How Jakande Estate Resident Got Death Sentence For Murder Over A Woman

Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced Justice Odey to death by hanging for the murder of 35-year-old Benedict Agara, whom he was accused of killing during a fight over a woman identified as Amina.

Justice Modupe Nicol-Clay, who delivered the judgment on Thursday in Suit No. LD/17040C/2021, found Odey guilty of murder contrary to Section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Odey was accused of killing Agara on April 3, 2021, at Block 33, Flat 102, Jakande Housing Estate, Lagos, by stabbing him with a broken bottle in his hand, stomach, and other parts of his body.

The prosecution, led by Titilayo Olanrewaju Daud and Z. O. Abdulaziz, called one witness, ASP Mariam Ibrahim, an investigating police officer, and tendered six exhibits before the court.

 

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In her judgment, Justice Nicol-Clay held that the prosecution had proved the ingredients of murder beyond a reasonable doubt, adding that the burden of proof in criminal cases remained with the prosecution.

The judge said, “The burden of proof remains on the prosecution throughout; it does not shift to the accused person, except in limited circumstances.”

She held that murder could be established through direct evidence, circumstantial evidence, or a voluntary confessional statement by an accused person.

Justice Nicol-Clay rejected the defence argument that the evidence of the investigating police officer was hearsay, stating that an IPO’s testimony on an investigation conducted at the scene of a crime was admissible.

“The oral evidence of an IPO is not hearsay, contrary to the assertion of the convict’s counsel. It is the direct evidence of the investigation, and the same is admissible and can be used to convict an accused person,” she ruled.

The court also dismissed the argument that the prosecution failed to provide medical evidence establishing the cause of death.

According to the judge, while medical evidence was desirable in murder cases, it was not always compulsory where there was sufficient evidence showing the circumstances surrounding the death.

“Medical evidence, though desirable in establishing the cause of death in a case of murder, is not always essential where the victim dies in circumstances in which there is abundant evidence of the manner of death,” she held.

Justice Nicol-Clay noted that although no eyewitness directly saw Odey stab the deceased, the circumstantial evidence before the court linked him to the killing.

She said, “There is no eyewitness account of a person who saw Odey stabbing the deceased; however, there is strong circumstantial evidence from the convict, putting him as the only person who fought and injured the deceased on the day of the incident.”

The judge further held that the evidence before the court showed that no other person was responsible for Agara’s death.

“There is sufficient proof that the unlawful act of the convict caused the death of the deceased. The evidence before the Court unequivocally and unmistakably showed that no other person but Odey was responsible for the death of the deceased,” she said.

On the confessional statement allegedly obtained from Odey, the court ruled that it could not rely on it because it was not obtained in compliance with the law.

Justice Nicol-Clay held, “Any confessional statement obtained without video recording or in the presence of a lawyer is inadmissible. I find myself unable to attach any weight to the confessional statement.”

The court subsequently convicted Odey after finding that the prosecution had established all the essential ingredients of murder beyond a reasonable doubt.

“Odey is hereby found guilty of the offence of murder and is convicted of the offence,” the judge held.

The case arose from an argument between Odey and Agara over Amina, which reportedly led to a physical confrontation during which Agara sustained injuries and was later taken to the hospital, where he died.

  

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Oshodi Residents Cry Out As Gun-wielding Hoodlums Invade Community, One Hospitalized

Residents of the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area have appealed for urgent intervention following two separate night invasions by armed youth gangs that have heightened fears over the safety of lives and property in the community.

It was gathered that the latest attack, which occurred on Saturday, July 4, 2026, left at least one person hospitalised with severe machete wounds and came barely a week after a similar violent incident in the area.

Residents said the latest invasion occurred at about 9:30pm on Alimi Oka Street, where a large group of underage boys marched through the community, openly brandishing cutlasses, machetes and broken bottles, forcing residents indoors.

 

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Speaking with the media, a resident identified simply as Rasheedat said the community had endured repeated attacks believed to be linked to cult groups or political thugs.

“They usually come at night and terrorise residents. This is not the first time, and I think it will continue if proper security measures are not put in place.

“Some people say they are political thugs; others believe they are cult groups. Something needs to be done as fast as possible,” she said.

Also speaking, a community leader, Elder Fatai Bammore, called for sustained police presence in the area to prevent hoodlums from recruiting local youths to foment trouble.

“It is on this note that people are crying out. Oshodi is usually like this during the electioneering period,” Bammore said.

Before the July 4 attack, another major incident occurred near the Orile Oshodi Bus Stop along Oshodi Road just before 11pm on Sunday, June 28, 2026.

According to eyewitnesses, a gang of masked youths stormed the area, attacked passersby and disrupted traffic.

One of the eyewitnesses, Adewale, who narrowly escaped the assault after stepping out of a nearby compound, recalled how the attack unfolded.

“The bus pointed its headlights at them. To our surprise, these guys didn’t leave the road because they were armed with cutlasses, broken bottles and guns. Immediately after they saw the light, there was a gunshot,” he said.

Adewale said the attackers mistook him for a vigilante or security operative and began chasing him through the neighbourhood.

“In fact, the gunshot was targeted right at me, but I managed to escape the bullet. They started throwing broken bottles at me. I could hear the sound of bottles smashing behind me as I ran,” he added.

He said he eventually escaped by slipping through a small gate near a local food-vending area and locking it behind him.

Frustrated that he had escaped, the gang allegedly turned on other people nearby.

“An innocent bystander cornered by the gang was brutally attacked,” Adewale said.

Residents said the victim suffered deep machete cuts across his back and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The attackers were also said to have forced their way into a residential building within the compound while searching for Adewale.

A female resident, Chima, recounted the terrifying experience.

“They entered right into our house, asking, ‘Where is he? Where is the person?’ God saved me because I was smart enough to keep shouting at those boys, ‘Nobody entered here! I’m a lady, I’m a woman, I’m not a man!’ That was what saved me; otherwise, they would have dealt with me too.”

It was gathered that the incident was reported at the Makinde Police Station the following morning.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Abimbola Adebisi, had yet to comment on the residents’ call.

However, the command announced the arrest of 135 suspected cultists and the recovery of 26 firearms during coordinated raids on criminal hideouts across the state ahead of the annual July 7 cult-related activities.

It was not immediately clear whether those arrested included the suspects accused of terrorising the Oshodi community.

  

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Lagos Launches Clean Energy Contest For Secondary Schools

The Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has commenced registration for the maiden edition of the Lagos Cleaner Energy Schools Innovation Challenge 2026, a programme designed to promote clean energy innovation among secondary school students.

The initiative was disclosed in a statement on Friday signed by the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Adetola Idowu. According to the statement, the competition is open to eligible Senior Secondary School One and Senior Secondary School Two students from Education Districts I, II, and III.

 

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Speaking on the initiative, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, said the programme is intended to encourage innovation and develop future talent for the energy sector.

According to him, “The future of sustainable energy depends not only on infrastructure but, more importantly, on people. Through the Lagos Cleaner Energy Schools Innovation Challenge, we are investing in the next generation of innovators by nurturing creativity, inspiring critical thinking, and empowering students to develop practical solutions that will shape the future of energy in Lagos State and beyond.”

He added, “Our vision is to build an innovation ecosystem where students understand that their ideas matter and that the government is committed to supporting innovation from the classroom to real-world impact.”

Under the competition guidelines, participating schools are required to form teams comprising five students, a supervising teacher, and a mentor. The teams will develop practical clean energy solutions within designated technical tracks and compete at district-level contests before advancing to the state championship.

Ogunleye said the initiative is expected to encourage critical thinking, creativity and collaboration among students while supporting the development of solutions to Nigeria’s energy challenges.

According to the ministry, the programme also aligns with the Lagos State Government’s THEMES+ Agenda by promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education, youth development and clean energy innovation.

The ministry urged eligible secondary schools across the three education districts to constitute their teams, appoint supervising teachers and mentors, and complete registration through the official application portal.

Further information on eligibility requirements, competition guidelines, and the registration process is available on the Lagos State Government’s official website.

 

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How We Leveraged On Intelligence-Driven Operation To Rescue 44 Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers – Army

The Nigerian Army has revealed how troops, working with other security agencies, rescued pupils and teachers abducted by suspected Ansaru terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.

The Nigerian Army, alongside a multi-agency coalition, secured the unconditional rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State by leveraging intelligence-driven operations to dismantle the kidnappers’ logistics network, informants, and hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park.

The Army said the victims regained their freedom following an intelligence-led operation that lasted for more than a month and targeted the kidnappers’ network and hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park and other parts of the country.

According to a statement issued hours after the rescue on Friday by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Danjuma, the operation involved troops of the Nigerian Army led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife.

The soldiers worked alongside operatives of other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.

The Army said 44 abducted pupils and teachers were rescued in total.

It explained that the operation focused on identifying the terrorist kingpins behind the abduction, dismantling their logistics network and arresting their informants.

The statement read, “Following an intelligence-led, carefully planned and executed operation on 10 July 2026, troops of the Nigerian Army, led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), specifically the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters with Special Forces elements from the Nigerian Army, Navy, the Air Force and the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies, as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun, in a well-coordinated operation rescued a total of 44 pupils and teachers kidnapped by terrorists from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on 15 May 2026.

“The operations, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorist kingpins that masterminded the kidnapping, busting and dismantling their networks and logistics links, including their informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest, Oyo State.”

According to the Army, several suspects were arrested in Oyo and other states, a development it said disrupted the group’s activities and forced the terrorists to free the captives.

“As part of the operations, multiple arrests were made within Oyo State and in other locations across some states in the country.

“These arrests completely disorganised the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers. Further operations are to be conducted,” it stated.

The Army added that the operation was carefully executed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims without collateral damage.

“However, there were some casualties on the part of the security forces,” the statement added.

The Army disclosed that the rescued pupils and teachers are receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital before being handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.

The GOC, on behalf of all participating agencies, thanked President Bola Tinubu for his strategic guidance and support, which he said contributed to the success of the operation.

He also commended Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, other service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, the Directors-General of the DSS and NIA, and heads of other security agencies for their support.

The Army further appreciated media organisations and Nigerians for supporting the security agencies and urged members of the public to remain vigilant by providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing security operations.

The victims were abducted on May 15 when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

According to earlier official accounts, 39 pupils and seven teachers were taken during the attack, while the assistant headmaster of L.A. Primary School, Joel Adesiyan, was killed during the attack while attempting to escape.

Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded by the terrorists while in captivity.

While the Army said 44 victims were rescued, earlier official accounts indicated that 46 people were abducted (39 pupils and seven teachers). It is not immediately clear whether the Army’s figure excludes the two teachers who were killed.

However, confirming the rescue in a statement on Friday evening, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said all the victims were rescued.

“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo, have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.

He disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services.

He added that several other members of the gang were neutralised by security operatives during the operation.

According to him, the victims were rescued without the Federal Government acceding to the kidnappers’ demand for the release of a Boko Haram kingpin standing trial for terrorism.

In a separate statement on his X handle, Tinubu also announced that the abducted children and teachers were freed alive and unharmed.

He stressed that “no ransom was paid” and “no concession was made.”

The President, while expressing delight over the successful operation, also vowed that his administration would ensure justice for the victims and the family of Oyedokun.

He also directed emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care and other relief support for the rescued pupils and teachers.

Following the rescue, residents, travellers and passers-by in the Ogbomoso area of Oyo State broke into spontaneous celebration.

Opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, the Allied Peoples Movement and the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, welcomed the victims’ safe return and called on the Federal Government to take decisive measures to prevent a recurrence and strengthen security across the country.

  

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Mshel Homes Wins Property Development Company Of The Year At ARE Awards 2026

In a strong affirmation of excellence, innovation, and consistent delivery, Mshel Homes has once again secured a major industry recognition, emerging as the Property Development Company of the Year (Sites and Services) at the Abuja Real Estate (ARE) Awards 2026.

This marks the second consecutive year that Mshel Homes has received the coveted award, having also won the same category in 2025, a testament to the company’s sustained leadership and impact within Nigeria’s real estate sector.

The award was presented at the Abuja Real Estate Fireside Chat 3.0 held on 29th May, 2026. The gathering brought together top developers, investors, and key stakeholders for an insightful evening of dialogue, strategic networking, and industry recognition.

Mshel Homes’ recognition at the ARE Awards reinforces its position as a top real estate company in Nigeria and a leading force in Nigeria’s real estate landscape.  The company continues to set new benchmarks in property development, particularly in the sites and services category, with a strong commitment to quality, architectural excellence, integrity, and timely delivery.

The Property Development Company of the Year award (Sites and Services) is reserved for developers that demonstrate exceptional performance in land development, infrastructure provision, and the creation of sustainable communities. Mshel Homes stood out among strong contenders due to its consistent track record of delivering well-planned estates that combine functionality, accessibility, and long-term investment value.

Speaking at the event, organisers highlighted the company’s ability to bridge the gap between affordability and premium living. Mshel Homes has created opportunities for both first-time buyers and seasoned investors to access strategically located properties with strong appreciation potential.

Over the past year, the company has expanded its portfolio with several developments in key locations in Abuja, Yola, Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, and other emerging locations nationwide. These projects are designed with modern infrastructure, including road networks, drainage systems, recreational facilities, and security features that align with global standards.

Beyond physical development, Mshel Homes has distinguished itself through a customer-centric approach, maintaining a transparent process spanning inquiry, documentation, allocation, and final delivery. This structure has helped build confidence and long-term relationships with its growing client base of over 6,000 Nigerians.

Demand for serviced plots continues to rise as more individuals recognise real estate as a reliable means of wealth creation. Mshel Homes has positioned itself to meet this demand by offering accessible entry points and flexible payment options that appeal to a broad market segment.

The company’s sites and services model provides buyers with the freedom to build according to their personal preferences while benefiting from established infrastructure and organised layouts. This approach supports both customisation and long-term property value appreciation.

Recognition at the ARE Awards underscores the importance of consistency and delivery in the real estate sector. Mshel Homes has built its brand on a foundation of integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to meeting expectations.

The Group Managing Director of Mshel Homes, Arc. Barka Mshelia expressed appreciation to clients, partners, and team members for their support and dedication, which contributed to this achievement. The award was described as both an honour and a motivation to continue raising standards across all areas of operation.

The ARE Awards remain one of the most respected platforms for celebrating achievements within Nigeria’s real estate industry. Winning at such a platform signals credibility and reinforces confidence among investors and stakeholders.

For clients and prospective investors, this milestone offers reassurance that they are partnering with a developer recognised and trusted for delivering results. Mshel Homes’ growing list of awards reflects a brand committed to long-term impact rather than short-term gains.

As the company looks ahead, it remains focused on expanding its footprint, introducing new development strategies, and maintaining high standards across all projects. Mshel Homes continues to shape the narrative of real estate development in Nigeria, driven by a clear vision and a proven track record.

This latest achievement at the ARE Awards 2026 reflects the consistency, innovation, and excellence that continue to define Mshel Homes. It marks another chapter in the company’s journey and sets the stage for even greater accomplishments in the years to come.

  

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Take Ownership Of Your Housing Estates - Lagos Perm Sec Urges Residents

The Lagos State Government has called on residents of its housing estates to take greater responsibility for maintenance of their neighbourhoods to preserve infrastructure.

The go        vernment said that taking such a responsibility would also enhance security and sustain property value.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Mr Abdulhafis Toriola, made the call during the ministry’s monthly stakeholders’ engagement with residents of government-owned housing estates.

The event was hosted by Millennium Housing Estate, Agbado-Ijaiye, Ojokoro, on Saturday.

Toriola said the forum was designed to strengthen collaboration between the government and the residents, while providing a platform to identify challenges and receive feedback for improved estate management.

“Wherever you live, you need to be proactive and take ownership so that the estate retains its value.

“When you notice something that needs attention, fix what you can.

“Where government intervention is required, we will come in and assist. You do not have to wait for government to fix everything,” he said.

The permanent secretary commended the residents for maintaining their estates, and urged them to comply with the terms and conditions of their property allocation.

He stressed the importance of paying insurance premiums, describing insurance as a critical safeguard for residents and government assets.

Toriola also urged the residents to comply with regulations on land use charges and other statutory obligations, saying that defaulters would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

According to him, the ministry has continued to organise stakeholders’ engagements to obtain residents’ feedbacks.

He said that such feedbacks had informed improvement works in government housing estates.

On ageing estates, Toriola said the government had commenced urban renewal initiatives, including redevelopment of the old Jakande Estate in Lekki, after integrity assessment.

Earlier, the Director of Estate Department in the ministry, Mrs Olukemi Fosude, said the engagement was aimed at sensitising the residents on government housing policies.

Fosude said that the engagement was also aimed at identifying challenges and strengthening collaboration for effective estate management.

She said the ministry remained committed to maintaining estate infrastructure, coordinating facility management, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing service charges and promoting sustainable communities.

Fosude announced that the ministry had introduced a standardised demand notice and unique payment code for every allottee to improve transparency, accountability and prompt reconciliation of service charge payments.

She reminded residents of their obligations, including prompt payment of service charges and insurance premiums.

She warned against unauthorised structures, illegal commercial activities, indiscriminate refuse disposal and other violations of estate regulations.

She urged the residents to participate in the state’s re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation to promote hygiene, prevent flooding and preserve property values.

On behalf of the residents, the Vice-Chairman of the Millennium Housing Estate, Agbado-Ijaiye, Mr Chris Otabo, commended the ministry for improving security through the construction of perimeter fencing.

Otabo also thanked the ministry for beautification of the estate.

He, however, appealed to the government to provide improved drainage channels, repair deteriorating roads and install additional streetlights to further enhance safety.

The Chairman of Millennium Housing Estate, Okoba, Mr Jamil Onosoya, praised the ministry for rehabilitating residential blocks and upgrading infrastructure across government housing estates.

He, however, appealed for completion of an abandoned water project on the estate and provision of additional recreational facilities and smart security infrastructure.

Officials of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Safety Commission, and Lagos State Health Management Agency were at the event.

Officials of Lagos State Mortgage Board, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency also attended the event.

  

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From Kidnap To Rescue: The Complete Story Of Oyo School Children Abduction

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday announced that all the pupils and teachers kidnapped in Oriire, Oyo State, had been rescued by security agencies, ending a 56-day ordeal that gripped the nation.

Onanuga disclosed this in a post on his X handle, saying, “Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies.”

He later revealed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, while several others were neutralised.

He also dismissed reports that the victims were freed through a prisoner exchange, stating that there was “no quid pro quo” because one of the terrorist kingpins whose release had been demanded by the kidnappers remains on trial for alleged terrorism-related offences.

The announcement caps months of denials, protests and false alarms since gunmen stormed three schools in the area on May 15, abducting 46 pupils, students and teachers.

May 15: The attack

Armed men numbering in the dozens, some dressed in military fatigues and riding motorcycles, stormed three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, near Ogbomoso — Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

They opened fire before seizing pupils, students and teachers, including a toddler aged two. At least one person was killed during the raid.

Governor Seyi Makinde later confirmed that seven students were abducted from Community Grammar School, while 18 children and seven teachers were taken from Baptist Nursery and Primary.

In total, 39 pupils and seven teachers — 46 victims — were confirmed abducted, including the school principal, Folawe Alamu.

President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack as barbaric and vowed a rescue operation, with the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, dispatching more detectives to Oyo State to lead a technology-driven operation.

Late May: The beheading of Michael Oyedokun

Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was beheaded by his captors in a video that sparked nationwide condemnation and hardened public anger toward the government’s handling of the crisis. The killing was reportedly intended to deter security operatives closing in on the kidnappers’ camp.

May 31: Federal delegation, forest guards, negotiations begin

Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila led a federal delegation — including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, IGP Tunji Disu, Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa and presidential aide Sunday Dare — to the affected communities.

Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State and directed a specialised rescue unit to intensify operations.

Around this time, reports emerged that the kidnappers had opened communication channels with the state government, demanding the release of two detained Boko Haram/Ansaru commanders, Mahmud Usman (“Abu Bara’a”) and his deputy Abubakar Abba, as a condition for freeing the victims.

June 1: NUT declares indefinite strike

The Nigeria Union of Teachers ordered all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw services indefinitely, demanding the government secure the victims’ release before schools reopened. Solidarity rallies followed across state capitals on June 2.

Early-mid June: Fake “release” claims proliferate

At least three separate waves of misinformation falsely claimed the victims had been freed.. Oyo Police and the state government repeatedly and firmly debunked each claim, while fact-checkers (Africa Check) intervened publicly.

Late June: Ransom allegations, pressure campaigns

Social media activist VeryDarkMan (Martins Otse) led protests to the Oyo governor’s office. The Oyo government, through Commissioner for Information Dotun Oyelade, repeatedly denied any ransom payment. Civil society groups, including Socialist Labour, accused the government of complacency and demanded accountability.

July 2: NUT suspends strike

After roughly a month of industrial action, the NUT called off its strike, citing government assurances that efforts to secure the victims’ release were intensifying, and citing concern for pupils’ lost academic time.

July 8-9: Defence minister confirms standoff over use of force

Defence Minister Christopher Musa disclosed that the kidnappers had threatened to kill the captives if security forces attempted a forceful rescue, explaining the extended timeline and the shift toward a negotiated approach. Army Chief Waidi Shaibu said troops were making “tremendous progress” and had identified associates of the kidnappers.

July 10: Freedom, at last

Onanuga announced that all the kidnapped pupils and teachers had been rescued by security agencies, bringing the 56-day ordeal to an end.

He disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in DSS custody, while some others were neutralised.

While the victims’ rescue brings an end to the 56-day ordeal, security agencies are expected to provide a comprehensive account of the operation, including details of the arrests and the circumstances surrounding the rescue.

 

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I Did Nails, Sold Bed Space And Cakes To Survive At UNILAG – Funke Akindele

Ace Nollywood producer, Funke Akindele has shared details of the numerous jobs she did to support herself as a student at the University of Lagos, including a painful experience when a dissatisfied customer slapped her over a nail job.

Speaking in a recent interview with Bella Naija, the award-winning actress and filmmaker said she ventured into nail-making after teaching herself the craft by observing others at Yaba.

“When I was in the University of Lagos, I used to make nails. I made nails for a girl one day, and she slapped me because they were rubbish. I learnt from watching people make nails at Yaba. I will buy them, stay in the corridor, and ask people to come and get their nails done,” she said.

Akindele explained that nail-making was only one of several businesses she ran while studying. She also sold cakes, worked as a makeup artist, designed costumes and sourced filming locations to earn a living.

“I was selling cakes. Bimpe Onakoya, the talented makeup artist, was buying cakes from me. She would make-up for me. I learnt from people making hair. I did make-up. I did costuming. I used to costume Aunty Bukky Wright. Even Iyabo Ojo then. I will go to Yaba and buy costumes and iron them,” she said.

The actress added that she also worked behind the scenes in the film industry as a location manager and even found unconventional ways to generate income while on campus.

“I was a location manager. I will go to houses and knock. If they pay the owner N100,000, I can take 30 and pay the person 70. I sold bed space in UNILAG so I could survive. I am a hustler. That is why I am firm. Life taught me, and I cannot do otherwise.”

  

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