News
Abducted Kogi Councillor Dies In Captivity
Suspected kidnappers have reportedly killed a councillor representing Ogugu Ward III in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Hon. Rosemary Adukwu, days after her abduction.
Hon. Adukwu was said to be on her way to Onitsha market on 30th September 2026, when the kidnappers intercepted the commercial vehicle she boarded around Oji River axis, between Enugu and Anambra states.
The assailants reportedly dragged the councillor out of the vehicle and whisked her to their hideout in the forest.
A week after the abduction, the Chairman of Olamaboro Local Government Area, Dr. Ameh Williams, announced her death in a statement on Friday.
The statement read, “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden demise of our dear sister and colleague, Hon. Mrs. Rosemary Adukwu, the honourable councillor representing the good people of Ogugu Ward III in the eighth Olamaboro Legislative Council.”
The Chairman said the death was confirmed on Thursday while she was still in captivity.
However, the family of the deceased raised concerns over the circumstances of the incident, alleging that the kidnappers singled out the councillor, left other passengers untouched, and did not contact the family for ransom until her death was announced.
A family source said that it was while tracking the victim’s cellphone number that a receiver disclosed she had died in captivity.
The source said, “Hon. Rosemary Adukwu used to board this particular driver’s vehicle to Onitsha market to restock her business. On 30th September, she left for Onitsha after confirming from her usual driver that the market would hold on 1st October.
“At the boundary community between Enugu and Anambra states, precisely around Oji River, their vehicle ran into a barricade mounted by some people. Thereafter, the hoodlums dragged only her out of the vehicle and took her to an unknown destination. The other passengers continued their journey untouched.
“Her abductors did not contact the family for ransom for almost a week. Confused, the family contacted security operatives who tracked her cellphone . On Thursday, a voice announced while receiving the call that the owner of the phone is dead.”
According to the source, the driver of the vehicle and the person who received the victim’s cellphone call had been arrested and were assisting operatives with investigation.
Meanwhile, the President-General and the National Executive of Ogugu District Union (ODU), Deacon Samuel Ige Agada, condemned the “kidnapping and brutal killing” of the councillor, describing it as barbaric.
Agada said, “Hon. Adukwu was a dedicated grassroots leader, a hardworking businesswoman and a devoted mother and wife who was only striving to earn a living for her family. This is a painful loss not only to her family and Ogugu Ward III, but to UBELE District, Ogugu Chiefdom, Olamaboro LGA and Kogi State at large. We condemn this barbaric act in its totality.”
Reports indicated that Hon. Rosemary Adukwu was buried around 1 p.m. on Friday at her family compound in Ogugu Centre.
International News
Ghanaian Boy, 15, Shot Dead On Way To School In New York
A 15-year-old Ghanaian boy, Javits Frimpong, has been shot dead while on his way to school in the Bronx, New York, with his father suspecting that the killing was connected to bullying at school.
Javits was reportedly shot in the stomach at about 9:30 a.m. on Thursday near Crotona Park. He was rushed to a hospital but later died from his injuries.
According to the New York Police Department, three teenage boys are being sought in connection with the killing. Investigators said the suspects fled the scene wearing black tracksuits and blue surgical masks.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed a person matching the description of one of the suspects fleeing the area after the shooting. The victim was said to have run for about a block after being shot before collapsing.
The teenager’s father, Thomas Frimpong, said he believed bullying was behind the incident, claiming that his son had been targeted by two schoolmates who were recently suspended.
Frimpong disclosed that the school principal informed him about the bullying just three days before his son was killed.
He also maintained that his son was not the aggressor in a recent confrontation at school.
“The principal told me Javits is innocent. Javits is innocent. He was defending himself,” the grieving father said.
Frimpong said he brought his son from Ghana to New York about a year ago in the hope of giving him a better life, while the boy’s mother remained in Ghana.
Describing his son, he said: “My son was precious, very clever.”
The father, who works as a taxi driver, said his last conversation with Javits on Thursday morning was a reminder to get to school on time.
The killing has sparked outrage among residents of the Crotona Park neighbourhood, with some calling for increased after-school activities and youth programmes to keep teenagers away from violence.
Police have yet to publicly identify any suspects or announce arrests as investigations into the teenager’s killing continue
News
INEC Rejects 64 Petitions, Removes Candidates From 2027 Election list
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has rejected 64 petitions filed by political parties over the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates’ lists, following a review that also led to the removal of some candidates.
The commission disclosed this in a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, on October 30, 2026.
INEC said 12 political parties filed 69 petitions across 26 states over governorship candidates.
It approved 41 of the complaints but dismissed 28.
For the State Houses of Assembly elections, 61 petitions were submitted by 11 political parties across 11 states.
The commission upheld 25 and rejected 36.
The complaints involved political parties allegedly omitted from the lists, candidates whose names were included despite not appearing in their parties’ membership registers, and cases of multiple nominations.
Following its review, INEC approved the inclusion of candidates and parties whose complaints were justified.
It also removed names that were wrongly published and candidates whose nominations did not meet legal requirements.
The commission said the revised lists would be published on its website, with details of the affected candidates, political parties and states.
“The Commission assures the public of its commitment to transparency and the credibility of the electoral process,” the statement added.
News
Plateau: Gunmen Kill 4 In Renewed Attack
Four people have reportedly been killed after gunmen attacked Sabon Angwa community, around Bet/Zat in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Thursday night, raising fresh concerns over the safety of residents despite an existing curfew.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community at about 8pm and opened fire on residents, triggering panic in the area.
Report quoted a Barkin Ladi resident, Bulus Jok, as confirming the gunmen operated despite the curfew imposed in parts of the state to curb attacks and restore security.
“The gunmen struck the community around 8pm despite the curfew in place and started shooting sporadically,” he said.
Jok added that the attackers shot at anything in sight, leaving four people dead and residents terrified.
He described the incident as particularly disturbing because an early warning alert had reportedly been sent to the relevant authorities a day before the attack.
The Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the incident, saying suspected terrorist gangs attacked the community and shot four people dead.
Tengwong condemned the killings, describing the loss of innocent lives as unacceptable. He questioned the continued attacks on communities despite security measures introduced to protect residents.
“It is disturbing that communities are still being attacked despite the security measures and curfew put in place to protect residents,” he said.
The BYM spokesman urged security agencies to strengthen surveillance in vulnerable communities, improve their response to early warning alerts and take proactive steps to prevent further attacks.
He also called for a stronger security presence in the affected areas to protect residents from further violence.
Efforts to reach security operatives for comments and further details were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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