FocalPoint Reports

‘ Families of some of the 20 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) prospective members rescued in Imo State have said they paid millions of naira in ransom before receiving news of their release. Speaking to News Central Television, the relatives recounted how they borrowed money and sought financial support to meet the abductors’ demands. According to the station, some families paid more than ₦3 million, while others reportedly handed over as much as ₦6 million. The corps members and another hostage were rescued on Wednesday in an operation involving the military, Department of State Services, police and other security formations. A mother of one of the corps members said she raised ₦3 million amid fears for her child’s safety and arranged for the money to be delivered in Imo State. “I paid as much as ₦3 million as ransom while I was hoping that nothing happened to my child. I ran helter-skelter to raise the money. I eventually got the money and sent someone to Imo State to ...

ASABA — Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has mobilised Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to commence emergency remedial works on the collapsed section of the East-West Road at Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state. The section of the major highway collapsed on Tuesday following torrential rainfall, leaving motorists and commuters plying the busy corridor stranded and facing difficulties. Oborevwori disclosed the intervention on Thursday while addressing residents at the Cenotaph, Asaba, during the state’s celebration of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. The governor said: “Few days ago in Agbarho, you people witnessed a natural disaster that happened on the East-West Road. I’ve directed Julius Berger to go and see how to fix that road as soon as possible.” The directive has since translated into action, as Julius Berger has mobilised to the affected section and commenced emergency restoration works. The affected portion of the highway was washed ...

ABUJA — Elder statesman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, has described President Bola Tinubu’s 66th Independence Day broadcast as lacking substance, saying it failed to adequately address insecurity and the 2027 general elections. Okorie, in his reaction to the President’s address on Thursday, said the speech focused largely on the achievements of the administration without sufficiently addressing issues of concern to Nigerians. He said: “President Tinubu’s Independence Day speech was empty of substance. He did not address the vexed issue of insecurity. “President Tinubu used most part of his speech to praise his administration. The speech was boring and of the lowest standard. It is likely that the speech was written in a hurry. I am not impressed at all.” Okorie also faulted the President for not assuring Nigerians of credible elections in 2027.