Connect with us

Education

Pirates Demand N100million Ransom For Abducted WAEC Students, Passengers In Rivers State

Published

on

The brazen attack, which occurred in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, has left families in agony and communities in turmoil.

 

The captors of 13 passengers, including eight students en route to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), who were abducted by pirates along the Port Harcourt, Bille waterways on May 6, 2025, are still missing are demanding a N100million ransom for their release.

The brazen attack, which occurred in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, has left families in agony and communities in turmoil.

The abductors hijacked two passenger boats during the incident, seizing all onboard, including the WASSCE-bound students.

 

In a statement on Friday, Dr. Osaki Miller, an indigene of Bille Kingdom and the immediate past Youth President of the community, confirmed that the abductors had contacted the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of N100 million.

 

“As we speak, the whereabouts of the victims is still unknown, and now we have been made to understand that the abductors are asking for N100m ransom,” Miller said during a press briefing in Port Harcourt.

 

He expressed grave concern over the safety and health conditions of the abductees, particularly the students, and decried the psychological toll the ordeal is having on their families.

 

“These are young students who were only on their way to write their exams. Their parents are traumatised, and no family in our community can raise such an outrageous amount. We are deeply worried. Time is ticking, and the authorities must act fast,” Miller added.

 

Dr. Miller urged the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), to take decisive action to ensure the safe release of the captives.

 

“We have lodged complaints with various quarters, including the security agencies and the government. We even staged a protest to alert the authorities. But up till now, we have not heard anything. Whatever the case, we are calling on the State Sole Administrator to swing into action,” he said.

 

The former Chairman of Bille Community, Mr. Fibite Bibi, also weighed in on the matter, confirming that one of the victims, a uniformed security personnel, had been released by the kidnappers last Friday.

 

“They released a uniformed man who was kidnapped alongside the students last Friday. We don’t know whether ransom was paid. But right now, they are demanding N100m for the students and Bille residents that were abducted. Where will that money come from?” Bibi asked.

 

“We don’t have that kind of money. The security agencies should do what they are supposed to do and rescue these people. Nobody has that kind of money to give. They should please release the victims. The security agencies should please take the necessary action,” he pleaded.

 

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that security efforts have been ramped up to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.

 

“Efforts have been intensified to secure the release of the victims and to apprehend the perpetrators,” she said, assuring the public that the police were working in collaboration with other security agencies to address the situation.

Education

Kwara university students escape death in Ilorin bus fire

Published

on

Students of the Kwara State University, Malete, escaped death in an 18-seater bus in Ilorin on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at about 07:54hours, when the bus with registration number, XUF134ZD, went up in flames and was completely razed down.

The students were said to have been on their way to the main campus of the institution from Bovas filling station along Akerebiata axis on Ilorin-Sobi road.

According to the spokesman of the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, “the Kwara State Fire Service responded swiftly to a distress call regarding a vehicle fire involving an 18-seater bus with registration number XUF 134 ZD along Shao Road, near Sobi Barracks.

“The fire crew responded swiftly and successfully extinguished the fire. Regrettably, the vehicle was completely consumed by the flames, with all parts severely damaged.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire originated from a spark in the engine compartment, which rapidly escalated and engulfed the entire vehicle.

Director of the state fire service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, extended his heartfelt sympathy to the bus owner and used the opportunity to advise all road users to carry out routine vehicle checks before embarking on any journey, as a precautionary measure against such incidents.

Continue Reading

Education

I’m not interested in legacy, I want to be remembered as fierce lover – Chimamanda

Published

on

Award-winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has revealed what she wants her legacy to be.

The renowned novelist said she wants to be remembered as a person who loved fiercely.

She, however, noted that she is not particularly interested in legacy because when she is gone, she wouldn’t know what would be happening in the world she left behind.

According to her, men are more concerned about legacy than women.

“I think it’s actually men who spend their time thinking about legacy. I don’t. I’m thinking about the next book I want to write,” she said in an interview with DW News.

“I want my legacy to be a person who loved fiercely. That’s all I want my legacy to be. And by the way, when we die, we don’t know what happened, so why should I care what my legacy is? I don’t know where I would be. I might not know…

“But more personally, I want to be remembered as a person who loved the people she loved and the places she loved very fiercely.”

Continue Reading

Education

“I’m a proud father!” – Actor Van Vicker celebrates as daughter graduates with law degree

Published

on

Veteran Ghanaian actor Van Vicker is all smiles as his daughter officially bagged her LLB (Bachelor of Laws) degree.

The proud dad shared the good news on Instagram, posting a photo of himself beside his daughter in her graduation robe, beaming with joy.

“Yesterday, my daughter graduated with a Legum Baccalaureus degree (Bachelor of Laws),” he wrote.

“I am a proud father and basking in it till tomorrow.”

He praised her for staying focused and resilient despite how difficult it can be to remain committed in today’s world.

“I appreciate her success, because staying focused, determined, committed and being resilient is an arduous undertaking in recent times.”

Continue Reading

Trending