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Ex-political appointees beg Kogi gov to pay salary arrears

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Former political appointees who served under ex-Governor Idris Wada in Kogi State have appealed to Governor Usman Ododo to settle their three months’ salary arrears, saying the payment would help them meet school fee obligations as schools resume later this month.

The appeal was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday in Lokoja. It was signed by Austine Medaiyedu, former Special Adviser on Inter-Governmental Affairs.

“I write to beg you in the spirit of the Kogi Agenda that you hold in high esteem and in view of the current school fees challenges facing parents as schools are set to resume, to please consider the payment of our three months’ salary arrears,” the statement read in part.

The forum recalled that political appointees under the Wada administration were owed four months’ salaries, out of which former Governor Yahaya Bello paid one month in January 2024 before leaving office, with a promise that Ododo would continue the payment.

They further stressed their loyalty and support for Ododo’s governorship ambition, noting that they campaigned vigorously for the APC candidate. “We took the Ododo/Oyibo governorship project as our own. We registered as a support group with the campaign council, secured a campaign office commissioned by the deputy governor, and supported the council with posters, T-shirts, face caps, and giant billboards across the state,” the forum added.

The group also drew Ododo’s attention to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s approval of salary arrears for appointees who served under former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, urging him to follow suit.

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“As one of the critical stakeholders in Kogi politics, we want to assure you of our continued prayers for the success of your administration,” the forum stated.

The forum’s chairman, Musa Abdullahi, and secretary, Muhammad Omale, recalled that their ordeal dated back to 2014 when the Kogi High Court dissolved the councils, a decision later nullified by the Court of Appeal.

While lamenting members’ struggles with illness, hunger, and unpaid bills, the group passed a vote of confidence in Ododo, praising his leadership and achievements in security, education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and also extending condolences over his father’s recent passing as well as congratulations on Kogi’s 34th anniversary.

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PHOTOS: Police demote officer for unauthorised VIP escort duty

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The Nigeria Police Force has demoted a corporal to the rank of constable for engaging in unauthorised VIP escort duties, in violation of directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the force disclosed that CPL Suleiman Musa (F/No: 517077), attached to 45 PMF, was found escorting a VIP without the required clearance. His action was deemed a breach of the strict enforcement measures put in place to end the indiscriminate deployment of police personnel for such assignments.

According to the statement, the disciplinary action serves as a warning to other officers and reinforces the need for full compliance with operational guidelines.

The force also noted that the incident raises questions about how the unauthorised assignment came about and whether the officer acted alone.

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PHOTOS: Father, son, three others d!e in Kano well collapse and fire incident

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Tragedy struck across three local government areas of Kano State as five people, including a 10-year-old girl, lost their lives in separate incidents involving a well collapse, a fall into a well, and a house fire.

The spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

The first incident occurred in Badume Kanawa Village, Bichi Local Government Area, where three people d!ed while attempting to re-dig a well.

According to Abdullahi, the rope supporting one of the victims, identified as Sa’idu Gada, 65, snapped while he was working inside the well.

In a desperate attempt to save him, his son, Sani Isyaku, 20, entered the well but also became trapped. A third man, Yakubu Abdullahi, 60, followed with the hope of rescuing both, but he too was unable to make it out.

Fire Service personnel rescued the trio in an unconscious state, but they were later confirmed d3ad.

Their remains were handed over to DSP Kabiru Iliyasu of the Badume Police Division.

In another incident in Danbatta Local Government Area, a 10-year-old boy, Hassan Iliyasu Haruna, fell into a well and d!ed before help could reach him.

The third tragedy occurred in Badawa Layin Day in Nassarawa Local Government Area, where a 10-year-old girl d!ed in a house fire on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Fire Service officials said the blaze engulfed a section of a residential building, destroying two bedrooms. The girl was rescued unconscious but was later confirmed d3ad.

Speaking on the incidents, the Director of the Fire Service, Sani Anas, urged residents to avoid entering wells during emergencies, warning that such actions often result in additional casualties rather than successful rescues.

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He advised the public to immediately call emergency responders when accidents occur, stressing that trained personnel are better equipped to handle such situations safely.

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PHOTOS: Troops rescue 14 kidnapped victims in Benue forest

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Nigerian Army troops of Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation at Orokam Forest, a border area linking Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The operation was conducted on Friday at about 1:30 p.m., following credible intelligence from locals indicating the presence of a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the forest.

Troops deployed in Udenu LGA swiftly mobilised to the location alongside vigilante personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch.

While approaching the hideout, the criminals opened fire on the troops. The joint team responded with a high volume of fire, forcing the kidnappers to flee in disarray and abandon the kidnapped victims.

14 abducted persons, who were returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend before being kidnapped, were rescued unhurt.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted from two separate communities Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State.

The victims were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Udenu Division, for onward reunification with their families.

The troops expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement and returned to base at about 7:21 p.m. without any incident.

Troops had intensified monitoring of the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action.

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