The Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Mrs Grace Ogunleye, who was abducted by unknown gunmen along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti Road on Wednesday, has regained her freedom after a coordinated rescue operation involving security agencies.

The development was confirmed on Thursday by the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, who disclosed in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti that the council official was rescued alive and unhurt.

According to preliminary reports, Ogunleye was kidnapped on Wednesday while travelling along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti axis.

Her vehicle was later discovered abandoned by the roadside, sparking panic within the local government area and among residents. At the time of her abduction, her mobile phone had reportedly been switched off, making immediate contact and tracking impossible.

Confirming her release, the police spokesperson stated: “One Mrs Ogunleye Grace, the Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government, who was allegedly kidnapped on 20th May, 2026 by yet-to-be-identified hoodlums, has been rescued unhurt.”

He further explained that the rescue did not happen by chance but followed sustained pressure mounted on the abductors by a combined security response team.

“The breakthrough came as a result of a joint operation by the police, the military and other security agencies as well as local security personnel, who embarked on a rescue mission and mounted pressure on the hoodlums,” the statement said.

Abutu added that the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, has directed a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction and the identities of those behind it.

However, the incident has once again highlighted the worsening insecurity situation in parts of Ekiti State, particularly within rural communities and inter-local government road corridors that have become increasingly vulnerable to armed criminal groups.

The abduction of the Vice Chairman also comes against the backdrop of a previous violent attack in the same local government area.

Meanwhile, on April 28, 2026, unknown gunmen stormed a Christ Apostolic Church at Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area during a church programme, killing the pastor on the spot and abducting about 15 worshippers.

Despite ongoing assurances from security agencies, those kidnapped worshippers remain in captivity till date, as authorities continue to insist that efforts are ongoing to secure their release alive.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured travellers and stakeholders that heightened preventive measures have been activated across the country’s international airports following renewed Ebola concerns in parts of Central Africa.

FAAN through its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said it is working closely with Port Health Services, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and other relevant agencies to strengthen surveillance and monitoring of passengers, especially those arriving from high-risk regions.

According to the authority passengers are currently being screened for symptoms linked to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), while any suspected case will be immediately isolated and subjected to further medical evaluation in line with national and international health protocols.

The agency also disclosed that staff sensitisation has been intensified and emergency response procedures reinforced to ensure swift intervention where necessary.

FAAN stressed that there is no confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria at the moment, but maintained that authorities remain vigilant in safeguarding public health and ensuring safe airport operations nationwide.

Passengers were advised to remain calm, cooperate with health screening procedures, and promptly report any symptoms to health officials.

Meanwhile, following the recent outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with fresh reports indicating that the disease has spread into neighbouring Uganda, there have been renewed calls for Nigeria to strengthen border surveillance and public health preparedness.

Professor Sylvester Odion Akhaine, in a statement warned that any lapse in vigilance by Nigerian authorities could expose the country to serious health risks if the virus is imported through air or land travel.
According to him, more than 131 deaths have already been recorded in the affected areas, while the latest strain of the virus is said to have no specific vaccine coverage, raising fears among health experts and observers.

Akhaine expressed concern that while several East African countries have intensified monitoring and control measures at their borders, Nigeria appears insufficiently alarmed by the growing threat.

He recalled Nigeria’s experience during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, when the late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh successfully prevented a wider spread of the disease after restraining Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer, who brought the virus into the country.

The university Don noted that Adadevoh’s actions, despite pressures to release the infected traveller, saved countless Nigerian lives and demonstrated the importance of swift institutional response during public health emergencies.

He urged government officials and public health authorities to set aside political distractions and focus attention on what he described as an emerging global health emergency.

“Politics is about the welfare of the people,” he said, stressing that this is the time for proactive measures rather than reactive responses.

Akhaine called for heightened surveillance at Nigeria’s borders, increased public awareness, and stronger emergency preparedness to prevent any possible outbreak in the country.

Manuel Neuer has been called up to Germany’s World Cup squad – two years after his international retirement.

The 40-year-old was named as part of Julian Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad for the tournament this summer, having not featured for his country since Euro 2024.

Among the list include Premier League players Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade – both of Newcastle – Arsenal striker Kai Havertz, Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz and Brighton’s Pascal Gross.

Injured duo Serge Gnabry and Anton Stach and forwards Karim Adeyemi, Kevin Schade and Niclas Fullkrug are among those to miss out.

Germany’s World Cup squad in full
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nubel (Stuttgart)

Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle)

Midfielders: Pascal Gross (Brighton), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart)

Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle)