74 ABDUCTED KAGARA STUDENTS, TEACHERS, OTHERS HAVE BEEN RELEASED

Barely four hours after the abducted passengers of Niger State Transport Authority were released, the 42 school children and teachers who were abducted in Government Science College Kagara, Niger State, yesterday set free by their abductors.

Government sources told revealed last night that the students were released from another location different from where the NSTA passengers were released.

It was learnt the same unnamed mediator who facilitated passengers of the NSTA was the same person who secured the release of the students  and teachers.

It was also gathered that the students were taken out of the location they were kept at about 8pm.

The students were abducted last Wednesday alongside three teachers and 12 other people from the college, totalling 42. While information on their release as of the time of filing this report was sketchy, it was learnt that well-armed security personnel have been mobilised to escort them back to Minna.

Earlier yesterday, the remaining 32 passengers of the Niger State Transport Authority, NSTA, abducted at Yakila in Rafi local government area of the state were released by the bandits.

40 of the passengers were abducted last week Sunday, while eight were released last Wednesday, leaving 32 of the abductees in the custody of their abductors.

A terse news flash from the chief press secretary to Niger State governor, Mary Noel-Berje, indicated the passengers were released about 3 pm yesterday.

“The Niger state government has secured the release of the abducted NSTA bus passengers. Government is intensifying efforts to also secure the release of the Kagara Government Science College, GSC  students, staff and their family members,” the statement stated.

The statement did not give further details, but findings revealed that they were released in the forest in Allawa bordering Birnin Gwari in Kaduna state and Zamfara state about 3.PM yesterday.

A source in Minna said that they were on their way from the forest as the state government had earlier dispatched four buses after receiving assurance of their release from the bandits through a mediator.

SENATOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA ARRESTED FOR UNLAWFUL ENTRY

For allegedly leading unauthorized entry into a sealed property and unleashing of mayhem, former Governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha has been arrested by the operatives of the Police command.

Sen Okorocha had on Sunday unsealed one of the properties linked to him, the Royal Palm Estate located around Akachi towers, which consists of blocks of flats fully completed and furnished.

The State Government had sealed the property while Okorocha was alleged to have unsealed it in company of his loyalists.

Shortly after that, Special Adviser to governor Uzodimma on Special Duties, Hon Chinasa Nwaneri arrived the scene with security operatives to reseal the property and a fight ensued.

Information Commissioner, Hon Declan Emelumba, confirmed the development to newsmen via a telephone call.

He said “Yes, normalcy has been restored. Come to the Police command and see Okorocha. He has been arrested for unlawful entry and breakdown of law and order”.

Okorocha was alleged to have led loyalists to unseal a property linked to him, the Royal Palm Estate located around Akachi towers, which consists of blocks of flats fully completed and furnished.

The State Government had sealed the property while Okorocha was alleged to have unsealed it in company of his loyalists.