Government orders immediate suspension of academic activities as DSS warns of planned student abduction in Edo North

Edo State Government has ordered the closure of three secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on Tuesday, following intelligence reports of a suspected kidnap plot targeting students. The decision was announced after security agencies received credible information about plans to abduct schoolchildren within Edo North Senatorial District.

According to officials, Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School, and Makeke Secondary School have been directed to suspend all academic activities until further notice. The move is a preventive measure while security operatives conduct risk assessments and intensify surveillance in the affected communities.

The action comes at a time when concerns over the safety of students are rising nationwide, especially after recent attacks on educational institutions in Oyo State that led to the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers. Kidnapping for ransom remains a major security challenge across Nigeria, with parents and stakeholders demanding stronger protection for vulnerable schools.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier issued an alert, warning that suspected bandits were planning mass abductions in Edo North. DSS operatives reportedly arrested one Emmanuel Momidu on 4 June while he was allegedly conducting surveillance around a secondary school in Akoko-Edo. In response, the DSS advised state authorities and security stakeholders to strengthen protection measures around schools and other sensitive locations.

Commissioner for Education said the temporary closures are intended to safeguard lives while investigations continue and additional security protocols are put in place. “We urge parents and community members to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement by reporting any suspicious activity,” the commissioner stated during a press briefing in Benin City. Security agencies have increased patrols across high-risk areas as part of efforts to deter attacks.

The opposition could not be immediately reached for comment on the development. Meanwhile, government has assured that normal academic activities will resume once the security situation is reviewed and adequate guarantees are in place.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/edo-shuts-three-schools-over-kidnap-threat-akoko-edo-student-abduction-alert-2026061106574785001

Railway officials begin investigation as authorities seek to determine cause of Thursday’s incident on strategic North-Central corridor

The federal government has commenced a formal investigation into the recent train crash that occurred on the Warri-Itakpe rail corridor in Delta State on Thursday. Railway officials confirmed that a team of technical experts has been deployed to the site to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the derailment, which affected a key transportation route linking the South-South to North-Central Nigeria.

According to preliminary reports from railway authorities, the crash happened around midday along a section of track near Warri, disrupting normal services and raising concerns over passenger safety and infrastructure maintenance. Officials stated that all relevant agencies have been mobilised to assess the extent of damage and provide necessary support to affected commuters. No official casualty figures were released as at press time.

The Warri-Itakpe standard gauge rail line is a major federal project designed to boost economic activities by facilitating faster movement of goods and people between major southern ports and industrial hubs in Kogi State. The latest incident is expected to intensify scrutiny over ongoing rail investments, especially amid recent calls for improved safety protocols following previous disruptions on other lines.

An official from the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “We are working round the clock with engineers and safety officers to determine exactly what led to this derailment. The findings will inform future preventive measures across all routes.” Efforts to reach representatives of passenger unions were unsuccessful as at Thursday evening.

Authorities have assured members of the public that normal rail operations will resume once investigations are concluded and repairs certified as safe. Stakeholders are urging government to prioritise regular track inspections and staff training in order to prevent recurrence, given the strategic importance of rail connectivity for regional integration and economic growth.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/886743-investigations-into-warri-itakpe-train-crash-underway-official.html

Tournament expected to boost wheelchair basketball visibility; organisers target improved inclusion for athletes with disabilities

Folmus, a local sports development organisation, has announced plans to host a four-team wheelchair basketball invitational tournament in Lagos. The event is scheduled to take place within the city, with the aim of promoting disability sports and providing more competitive opportunities for wheelchair basketball athletes in Nigeria.

According to the organisers, preparations are underway to ensure a successful tournament that will bring together teams from across the country. The invitational will feature four selected teams who will compete for honours, with matches expected to hold at a designated sports centre in Lagos. Details regarding participating teams and exact fixtures are yet to be released by Folmus as at Thursday.

Stakeholders say this initiative is coming at a crucial time for disability sports in Nigeria, where athletes living with disabilities often face limited access to quality competitions and training facilities. The tournament is designed not only to showcase sporting talent but also to raise awareness about the challenges and achievements of wheelchair basketball players in the country.

Organisers expressed hope that the event would attract attention from both government officials and private sector sponsors. “We believe that this competition will help draw more support for disability sports and highlight the potential of our athletes,” a Folmus representative said in a statement on Thursday. The group also called on Lagos State authorities and corporate organisations to collaborate in promoting inclusive sporting events.

The tournament is expected to become an annual fixture, with organisers planning to expand participation in future editions. Stakeholders anticipate that increased visibility could lead to more investment in wheelchair basketball infrastructure and inspire greater participation among persons living with disabilities across Nigeria.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/nigeria-sports-news/886739-folmus-to-host-four-team-wheelchair-basketball-invitational-tournament-in-lagos.html