The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has asked the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to step aside pending an independent investigation into the death of Mary Habila, who reportedly died at his residence.

The demand was made on Wednesday in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.

The party said the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death had raised public concerns that required an independent investigation, insisting that only a transparent process would establish the facts and restore public confidence.

The party also demanded a full autopsy and the public release of the investigation findings, arguing that the investigation should be conducted outside the influence of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government.

“Every Nigerian life matters. But when a citizen dies in the home of a serving cabinet minister, the matter immediately transcends private tragedy and becomes a question of public accountability. The only acceptable response in a constitutional democracy is a thorough, transparent and independent investigation that commands public confidence,” ADC said.

The opposition party questioned the circumstances surrounding Habila’s presence at the minister’s residence, saying issues relating to her assignment, the events leading to her death and the outcome of ongoing investigations should be clarified through an independent inquiry.

ADC further alleged that the President Bola Tinubu administration had repeatedly shielded senior government officials whenever allegations emerged against them, claiming that public confidence in accountability had continued to decline.

The party also called on Umahi to step aside pending the outcome of the investigation, maintaining that such a move would allow an impartial inquiry into the matter.

“The least that should be expected is that the Minister, Senator David Umahi, should immediately step aside from office pending the conclusion of an independent investigation,” the statement added.

The party expressed condolences to Habila’s family, insisting that a transparent investigation is necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.

The Nigerian Senate has approved a donation of N50 million to the families of five individuals who lost their lives in the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in the Oriire local government area of Oyo State.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the donation during plenary on Wednesday, describing their deaths as a painful sacrifice in the nation’s fight against insecurity.

Akpabio lauded the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for the successful rescue of the abducted victims after nearly two months in captivity.

According to him, N10 million would be given to each of the families of the two teachers murdered by the abductors and the three soldiers who died during the rescue operation.

Akpabio stated that the gesture was aimed at providing some support to the bereaved families and recognising the sacrifices made by the deceased in the course of the tragic incident.

Suspected bandits have attacked Government Secondary School, Opada-Olowa in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting the school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) supervisor, and four students.

The attack reportedly occurred around 2 p.m, on Tuesday, while students were sitting for the examination.

Residents said the heavily armed assailants stormed the community, firing sporadically to scare people before invading the school.

A community leader, Sunday Alkali, said residents were relaxing under trees when the gunmen suddenly appeared.

“The gunmen seemed surprised to see many people outside at that time of the day and initially retreated. They later returned, shooting indiscriminately, forcing everyone to flee for safety,” he said.

According to residents, it was only after the gunfire subsided that they discovered the school had been attacked.

“We initially did not know what the gunmen were after. After the shooting stopped, some of us went to the school and found examination papers scattered across classrooms and the school premises. There were no students or school officials in sight,” another resident said.

The victims were later identified as the school principal, Mr. Nyada Daniel; the NECO supervisor, Mr. Solomon Audu; and four students.

Residents noted that the number of abducted students could have been higher but for the fact that only a limited number of candidates were writing Literature in English at the time, unlike core subjects such as English Language and Mathematics, which attract larger attendance.

The kidnappers were also said to have contacted some relatives of the victims on Tuesday evening, demanding ransom for their release.

“At least four families have received calls from the abductors demanding huge sums of money for the victims’ freedom,” Alkali alleged.

Following the incident, soldiers, police officers, local vigilantes and hunters were mobilised to the area to track the abductors and rescue the victims.

“As I speak with you, soldiers, policemen, vigilantes and hunters are combing the surrounding forests in search of the kidnappers,” a resident, who requested anonymity, said.

Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command said the attackers abducted the school principal, a NECO ad hoc staff member and four students while the examination was in progress.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said a combined team of security agencies immediately launched a rescue operation.

“A combined team of the Police and other security agencies immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation and is currently on the trail of the assailants.

“So far, one of the abducted students has been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

“The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, the Brigade Commander and the State Security Adviser to the Governor are currently en route to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment,” she said.

Afusat added that the command would issue a more detailed statement as additional verified information becomes available.

Meanwhile, residents linked the latest attack to the worsening security situation in the area, recalling that a farmer was killed on his farm a few weeks ago.

The incident reportedly prompted the community to ask herders to leave the area amid rising tensions.