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‘Bandits Demand N10m’ For Release Of Abductee’s Corpse, After ‘N3m Ransom’ In Kaduna

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Bandits have reportedly requested the family of Obadiah Ibrahim, an abductee, to pay N10 million before his corpse can be released to his family.

 

Obadiah was said to have died in captivity in Kaduna state a few weeks ago.

 

Kefas Obadiah, a brother to the victim, told The Punch that the bandits already collected N3 million ransom.

 

“Ibrahim had died on Monday and they informed us on Thursday. We asked for his corpse and they said we should pay them N10 million if we wanted the corpse; (that) they’d not work for us free of charge,” Kefas was quoted as saying.

 

Obadiah, while narrating the family’s ordeal, said his brother was abducted in early October in Sabon Gaya, Kaduna, on his way back from Abuja.

 

“Although I wasn’t the one communicating with the bandits, there was a negotiator. Earlier, the bandits demanded N200 million and later settled for N3 million plus,” he said.

 

“They said we should bring the money. After giving them the ransom, they told us the money was for their foodstuffs which got finished, and that we should go and bring N15 million.

 

“They later came down to N5 million and three motor bikes, and later collected one bike. After collecting a bike, we didn’t hear from them again. We tried to communicate with them but unfortunately, we were unable (to).

 

“Then, on Thursday, when the negotiator called them, they said our brother was dead. We thought they were joking. When we continued, they threatened to track him and come for him if (he) did not stop calling their line.

 

“They said their own men were arrested by (the) police, tied to a tree, and killed. So, they vented their anger too on our brother because of what police did to their brother.

 

“The bandits also said ‘Allah’ (swearing in the name of God), if we brought the money, they’d release the corpse in three days.”

BIG STORY

US Agency To Probe Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ System After Pedestrian’s Death

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The US government is set to launch an investigation into Tesla’s “full self-driving” system following reports of four crashes in low-visibility conditions and the death of a pedestrian.

According to international media, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made the announcement on Thursday, citing incidents where multiple Tesla vehicles encountered poor visibility environments, including sun glare, fog, and airborne dust.

In addition to the pedestrian’s death, another crash resulted in an injury, the agency stated.

Investigators will examine the capability of “full self-driving” to “detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions, and if so, the contributing circumstances for these crashes.”

The NHTSA said the probe will cover approximately 2.4 million Tesla vehicles from the 2016 to 2024 model years.

The agency also plans to determine whether any other similar crashes involving “full self-driving” have occurred under low visibility conditions.

The NHTSA is also seeking information from Tesla regarding any updates to the system that may have influenced its performance in these environments.

“In particular, his review will assess the timing, purpose and capabilities of any such updates, as well as Tesla’s assessment of their safety impact,” the agency said.

Tesla has already recalled “full self-driving” twice following investigations by the NHTSA, which in July gathered information from law enforcement and the company after a motorcyclist was struck and killed by a Tesla using the system near Seattle.

Reports from the Associated Press indicated the recalls were due to the system being programmed to run stop signs at low speeds and other violations of traffic laws.

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Students Set Kebbi College Provost’s Residence Ablaze Over Alleged Extortion

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Students at the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega, Kebbi State, have “set the residence of the Provost, Alhaji Haruna Saidu-Sauwa, on fire” and “vandalised his vehicle.”

The protest began due to allegations that the college management “extorted N23m from the students” for “index registration for 250 graduating students.”

According to a source, the controversy started with a newly introduced Public Health programme initially affiliated with the Reproductive Health and the Public Health Association of Nigeria.

The college then merged the programme with the Department of Environmental Health, leading to a demand for an additional “N65,000 from each student for index registration,” on top of the “N30,000 already paid.”

In response to the allegations of extortion, the students resorted to violent actions, including “stoning vehicles and setting the provost’s residence on fire.”

Several staff members fled before security personnel arrived.

The provost, Saidu-Sauwa, described the allegations as “fictitious, baseless and mischievous,” denying any involvement in extorting students.

He stated that the college uses a “Single Treasury Account” where all funds are deposited, and “no one has access to the account, including me.”

He further claimed that the protest was fueled by an anonymous source attempting to discredit the college, urging students and staff to “exercise restraint” while the cause of the unrest is fully investigated.

Following the intervention of security agencies, normalcy has returned to the college.

The Kebbi State Police Command indicated that more details will be provided after a report from the Divisional Police Officer in Jega is available.

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Army Seeks Nigerians’ Support In War Against Terrorism, Says “We Can’t Do It Alone”

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The Nigerian army has urged the public to provide support in the fight against terrorism. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, noted that Nigeria is facing “asymmetric warfare” with non-state actors operating in various parts of the country.

In a video message on Friday, Musa emphasized that while the army is dedicated to restoring peace, success requires a “whole-of-society approach.”

He mentioned that Nigeria has a significant history of peacekeeping efforts both in Africa and internationally. Musa outlined the country’s current security challenges, including “Boko Haram and ISWAP in the northeast,” “banditry in the northwest,” “pipeline vandalism and sea piracy in the south-south,” and IPOB’s push for “secession” in the southeast.

Despite these ongoing issues, the armed forces are fully committed to ensuring peace across the nation. Musa also highlighted efforts to enhance “troop welfare” and training, aimed at creating a sense of normalcy in markets, schools, and the economy, especially in affected regions.

He reassured Nigerians that the military is a professional force focused on fulfilling its mission to restore “peace and security.” Musa urged the public to continue supporting the “government, the armed forces, and other security agencies” in this effort.

He concluded by stating, “We cannot do it alone… Together, we will succeed.”

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