Suspected terrorists behind the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oyo State have opened a fragile line of communication with the state government, but are insisting on speaking directly with the governor. Security sources say intermediaries have been rebuffed, with the kidnappers demanding top-level assurances before any negotiation on ransom or release can proceed.

The hostages, including toddlers and examination‑age students, have now spent days in captivity in forested terrain at the height of the rainy season. Families fear exposure, disease and malnutrition, while security agencies face mounting pressure to secure a safe return without triggering further violence. Officials are keeping operational details close, but acknowledge that the abductors’ conditions complicate efforts to resolve the crisis swiftly.

In politics, the high‑stakes gamble by several former ministers who resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet to chase governorship ambitions has backfired. Former Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu failed to clinch the All Progressives Congress ticket in Oyo, while Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar lost the Bauchi primary. Ex‑Transportation Minister Saidu Alkali boycotted the Gombe contest, alleging irregularities and a skewed process.

The outcomes have reignited debate over the wisdom of early resignations and the internal dynamics of the ruling party, where incumbency and entrenched local structures continue to trump federal name recognition. Analysts say the defeats may weaken the ex‑ministers’ leverage in future political bargaining and could reshape alignments ahead of the next election cycle.

Elsewhere, a chilling crime in Ogun State has shocked parents and educators. Police arrested 30‑year‑old private school teacher Nathaniel Baiyegun for allegedly orchestrating the kidnap and killing of a 16‑year‑old former student. Investigators say he confessed to drugging the girl with sleeping tablets, demanding a N500,000 ransom from her family and spending the proceeds on sports betting before dumping her body in a river. The case has intensified calls for stricter vetting and monitoring of school staff.

On the international front, a new United States immigration directive now requires many green card applicants, including Nigerians, to return to their home countries to process applications, except in limited, exceptional circumstances. Washington frames the move as an effort to close loopholes and restore the original intent of immigration law, but critics warn it could separate families and increase financial and logistical burdens on applicants.

Domestically, the National Youth Service Corps has urged female prospective corps members to avoid applying henna on their fingers before camp, warning that it can interfere with biometric fingerprint capture and delay or derail registration.