Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have successfully rescued five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, following their abduction by gunmen in Ogun State.

The students were reportedly kidnapped late Monday night in the Sapade area of Remo North Local Government Area, triggering a swift response from security operatives after a distress call was received around 10:55 p.m. at the Ipara Police Division.

Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered an ash-coloured Toyota vehicle riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood. Several mobile phones and personal belongings were also recovered from the abandoned car.

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Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said an identity card found at the scene linked the victims to Gateway Polytechnic, prompting an immediate escalation and a full-scale rescue operation.

The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, subsequently ordered the deployment of tactical units in what he described as an intelligence-driven mission to secure the students’ release.

Security teams drawn from the Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit, Quick Response Squad, and Operation MESA were mobilised for coordinated bush-combing and tracking operations across suspected escape routes.

The sustained pressure paid off on April 28, when the students were rescued unhurt from their captors.

According to the police, the kidnappers engaged operatives in a gun duel during the rescue effort but were overpowered by superior firepower, forcing them to flee with suspected gunshot wounds. No casualties were recorded among security personnel.

“The victims were immediately evacuated, debriefed, and taken for medical attention due to the conditions they endured while in captivity,” Babaseyi added.

Commending the operatives, Ojajuni praised their gallantry and professionalism, noting that their swift coordination was instrumental to the success of the mission.

He assured residents that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, with intensified bush-combing operations already underway.

The police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, emphasizing that community cooperation remains critical in the fight against crime.

The government of France has issued an urgent directive to its citizens in Mali, advising them to leave the country immediately following a fresh wave of violent attacks.

In a travel advisory released on Wednesday, the French foreign ministry described the security situation in Mali as “extremely volatile,” citing recent assaults carried out by jihadist groups and Tuareg separatist fighters over the weekend.

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According to the statement, all travel to Mali remains strongly discouraged regardless of purpose, as authorities warned that the risk to foreign nationals has significantly increased.

“French nationals are advised to make arrangements to leave Mali temporarily as soon as possible on the commercial flights that are still available,” the ministry said.

The advisory comes amid renewed concerns over instability in the Sahel region, where armed groups have continued to intensify their operations despite years of military interventions.

President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly expressed concern over the deteriorating security climate in Mali, particularly following the withdrawal of foreign forces and the growing influence of insurgent factions.

Mali has been grappling with insecurity since 2012, as jihadist insurgency, separatist tensions, and political unrest continue to undermine stability in the country.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Tuesday charged members of the Board of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to uphold the highest standards of corporate governance, ensure accountability and transparency, and maintain regulatory independence in the discharge of their duties.

He gave the charge in Abuja during the inauguration of the NUPRC Board, alongside that of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), describing both ceremonies as critical milestones in the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen governance frameworks, deepen sectoral reforms and accelerate inclusive national development.

Akume said the inauguration of the NUPRC Board marks a key step in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), enacted to reposition the country’s petroleum sector through enhanced regulatory clarity, institutional independence and adherence to global best practices.

According to him, the Board, as the apex governance body of the Commission, is expected to provide strategic oversight, policy direction and institutional stability necessary to boost investor confidence, optimise revenue generation and promote sustainable development in the upstream petroleum sector.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity , Yomi Odunuga, Akume said “the establishment and inauguration of this Board underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s upstream petroleum resources are managed transparently, efficiently and in the best interest of the Nigerian people”.

He noted that the appointments reflect a deliberate selection of individuals with proven competence, integrity and professional experience, expressing confidence that their collective expertise would advance the objectives of the PIA.

“Members of the Board, your charge is clear. You are to uphold the highest standards of corporate governance, ensure accountability and transparency, and work constructively with management and stakeholders while maintaining regulatory independence,” Akume said.

The SGF stressed that integrity, diligence and fidelity to the law must guide the Board’s decisions, noting that public trust and national interest depend on their stewardship.

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He added that the exercise aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises strong institutions, the rule of law and integrity in public service, noting that effective regulation of the upstream sector remains central to economic growth, energy security and fiscal sustainability.

In a separate ceremony inaugurating the NALDA Board, Akume reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to agricultural transformation as a key pillar of national development.

He described NALDA as a strategic vehicle for poverty eradication, food security enhancement, job creation and rural transformation, noting that its mandate to drive agricultural land development is critical to achieving national development goals.

The SGF highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estates, designed as modern mechanised agricultural hubs with integrated irrigation, processing infrastructure and farmer settlements.

He also listed complementary programmes including the Renewed Hope Restoration Project for vulnerable groups, the Green Hope Project focused on climate-smart greenhouse farming, and the Aqua Hope Project aimed at expanding structured aquaculture systems.

According to him, these initiatives are already yielding positive outcomes in food production, employment generation and rural economic growth, while supporting the administration’s broader objective of economic diversification.

“As we look ahead, NALDA is expected to scale up its programmes across more states, strengthen the use of technology, and expand opportunities for youth and women in agriculture,” he said.

Akume emphasised that the NALDA Board would play a crucial role in providing strategic direction, effective oversight and management support required to consolidate the Authority’s gains and ensure the successful delivery of its mandate.

He urged members of both Boards to approach their assignments with a strong sense of duty, patriotism and commitment to national development, assuring them of the Federal Government’s support.

Responding on behalf of the NUPRC Board, Chairman, Senator Magnus Abe, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, pledging that the Board would not disappoint.

“We are very grateful to the President and we want to assure him through you that we will not disappoint him,” he said, adding that the Board would work closely with management to deliver on the objectives of the PIA.

Similarly, chairman of the NALDA Board, Kabir Abdullahi Barkiya, described the appointments as a call to service, assuring that the Board would provide sound governance, transparency and accountability in supporting the Authority’s mandate.

“As a Governing Board, our mandate is clear: to provide strategic direction, ensure sound governance, and uphold transparency and accountability in the discharge of our duties,” Barkiya said.