President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed shock over the death of retired Major-General Abubakar Rabe, declaring that his administration will never bow to the demands of terrorists to release their allies in custody.

The General, who was abducted two weeks ago, died in captivity.

He was on his way to his hometown when the hoodlums captured him.

In a video released a week after bandits held Rabe and his wife hostage, they asked the government to release three members of their gang in captivity.

Also terrorists holding school children and their teachers in Oyo State were said to have demanded the release of their members before the children would regain their freedom.

But in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Saturday, he said, “While the terrorists have done their worst, the President wants them to know that the government will never bow to their demand to release their members.

“As I said on June 12, Bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. And no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.

“As Nigerians, we must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.

“General Abubakar’s death should further serve as a defining moment in our battle against terrorists and insurgents, never to negotiate with them on any terms, but to continue to treat them as the greatest enemies of our dear nation, who should never be spared.”

The President commiserated with the family of the retired General, especially his wife, who is still being held against her will.

He also extended his condolences to the Katsina State government and the armed forces.

Political stakeholders, community leaders, pressure groups, opinion leaders, socio – cultural associations, leaders of thought, market men and women in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State have hailed the defection of a former State Publicity Secretary and former Director, Media and Communication of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Asiwaju Akinloye Bankole, to the All Progressives Party (APC), describing the renowned politician as a big fish in Ogun West Senatorial district in particular and Ogun State in general.

According to them, Asiwaju Bankole’s tenure as a Personal Assistant to the Chairman, Ipokia Local Government, Chief Kayode Oke (2003 – 2004) and later Special Assistant to the Chairman (2004 – 2006), which culminated in his appointment as a Member, Ipokia Local Government Transition Committee (2006 – 2007) remained unprecedented in the history of the Local Government as it will be recalled that during the period, Asiwaju Bankole impacted on the lives and economy of his people with the little resources at his disposal, an ingenuity that traditional rulers and generality of the people had described as second to none and worthy of emulation by all serving and former public and political office holders.

Over the weekend, an interactive session of different groups of over 12,000 men, women and youths, hosted by Asiwaju Bankole at Idiroko, witnessed an unmatched multitude who had come from the 12 wards in Ipokia Local Government Area to pledge their unalloyed support for his defection to the APC, while thousands came to decamp to the APC from the PDP, ADC, NDC, Labour Party and other political parties.

Alhaja Abeni Ajenifuja, a political stakeholder and market leader in Idiroko, who spoke on behalf of the groups, noted that Nigerians were disechanted with the PDP and other parties for lack of focus and presently being in disarray and have, therefore, in Ogun West Senatorial district, decided to support Asiwaju Bankole in his new political voyage because of his track – records as a grassroot mobiliser, vibrant politician, tested and trusted leader and his zeal to provide purposeful leadership.

She pointed out that the best representation at any party’s State Executive Council Ipokia Local Government ever had since 1999 was when Asiwaju Bankole became the State Publicity Secretary and later Director, Media and Communication of the PDP as he touched the common man on the street, while he also ensured adequate representation of his people.

The market leader also noted that the people of Ipokia Local Government, no doubt, enjoyed the best of such representation because of his determination to address the issue with all available human and material resources at his disposal, adding that this gave them an assurance that Asiwaju Bankole is a leader they can trust

In his address to the teeming crowd, Asiwaju Bankole thanked them for their trust in him and their loyalty and support which made his decampment and acceptance by the APC leadership a success story, promising that he would not let them down, but endeavour to continue doing his best to better their lots.

He re – emphasised that what motivated his interest in leaving the PDP was driven by a desire to move on as political events in the PDP in the last one year had reduced the PDP to a mere support group for the APC, thereby making the PDP a thoroughly dilapidated vehicle that could no longer guarantee his personal political growth, interest and aspirations.

Asiwaju Bankole also cited prolonged, unresolved internal divisions within the PDP national leadership as another core reason for his departure

He, however, felt highly elated that he was greeted with wild jubilation, solidarity songs and drum sets by the record – breaking crowd, stressing that his joy knew no bound.

The former Ogun PDP spokesman assured the people that the Senator Adeola’s administration would do the state proud by bringing about the much expected accelerated development through preservation of the environment and in the performance of agriculture, education, improved health services and other social services and amenities.

He described Senator Adeola as not only an inspiration to many, but also a compassionate philanthropist, exceptional leader and a treasured gift to Yewa land and beyond, adding that his warmth, wisdom and unwavering commitment to the overall development of Ogun State have endeared him to all and sundry.

The Senate has distanced itself from the warrant of arrest reportedly issued against former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, by its Committee on Public Accounts.

The upper legislative chamber declared that no Senate committee has the authority to independently issue, authorise or execute a warrant of arrest without strict compliance with the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and the approval of the Senate President.

The Senate also dissociated itself from comments attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who reportedly described the NNPCL as a “bunch of criminals and thieves” during a committee hearing.

The development followed Wednesday’s decision by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe North), to order the arrest of Kyari for allegedly failing to appear before it over questions relating to an alleged unaccounted N210 trillion in NNPCL finances between 2017 and 2023.

The committee issued the warrant during an investigative hearing in Abuja after Kyari failed to attend the session.

However, the matter was brought before the Senate on Thursday by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), through a point of order based on Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Rules.

In his submission, Bamidele urged the Senate to reaffirm that, pursuant to Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, only the Senate President has the authority to issue a warrant compelling the attendance of any witness before the Senate or any of its committees.

He argued that no committee possesses the power to independently issue, authorise or execute a warrant of arrest.

Following deliberations, the Senate resolved that all committees must operate within the limits prescribed by law and that any warrant relating to legislative investigations must receive the approval of the Senate President before it can be validly issued or enforced.

Meanwhile, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) defended himself against allegations that he used unparliamentary language during the committee proceedings.

According to Oshiomhole, his remarks were made in response to what he described as provocation and were intended to defend the integrity and reputation of the Senate.

The controversy stems from the ongoing investigation by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts into alleged discrepancies and unaccounted funds amounting to N210 trillion in the financial records of the NNPCL between 2017 and 2023.