.Senate calls for increase surveillance
. As NLC backs NUT on strike, demands urgent actions from FG
. Peter Obi begs kidnappers to free abductees, NANS plans protest over 42 abducted Borno students
. Bandits operating with arms looted from Libya UN reveals
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The United Nations (UN) has disclosed that arms and ammunition looted during the Libyan conflict in 2011 have ended up in the hands of extremist groups terrorising Nigeria communities.
UN further expressed regret that arms and ammunition continue to fuel violence in communities long after wars end, causing devastation across once peaceful communities.
The UN under-secretary-general and high representative for disarmament affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, stated this at UN Headquarters in New York, United States, on Tuesday as delegates gathered to address the global spread of illicit firearms.
She cited, “Libya, where weapons looted or diverted during and after the 2011 conflict, which ended the rule of Muammar Gaddafi, later surfaced across the wider Sahel region, including in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria”.
“Some were subsequently found in the hands of extremist groups, illustrating how arms from one conflict can destabilise neighbouring countries years later. The end of the conflict does not mean the end of the circulation of those weapons; it stays, and it continues to harm people,” Ms Nakamitsu said.
In parts of sub-Saharan Africa, the UN said the proliferation of small arms can undermine peacebuilding efforts long after fighting subsides. Weapons retained by armed groups, militias or communities for self-protection can contribute to renewed violence and instability, she stressed.
According to her, illicit weapons are also linked to human rights abuses, terrorism and sexual and gender-based violence.
“It is not just a security issue. It is also about peacebuilding. It is about human rights. It is also about development,” Ms Nakamitsu said.
She said years after conflicts fade from the headlines, the weapons used to fight them often continue to circulate, crossing borders, fuelling crime and undermining an often-fragile peace.
“Wars end, but unfortunately, the weapons that are used in that particular conflict would not be under full control,” Nakamitsu said.
“They continue to circulate. They are sometimes hidden. They are brought across borders.”
She expressed concerns that the emergence of ghost guns, 3D-printed firearms and increasingly sophisticated trafficking networks are creating new challenges for governments worldwide.
“Those weapons or weapon parts, if they are disassembled and then trafficked, are more difficult to trace,” Nakamitsu said.
UN member states adopted an action programme in 2001, committing to strengthen national legislation, improve stockpile security, combat illicit trafficking, and expand international cooperation.
A major milestone followed in 2005 with the adoption of the International Tracing Instrument, which established global standards for marking, recording, and tracing illegal weaponry.
The framework helps investigators identify where illicit weapons originated and how they entered illegal markets, while reducing the risk of diversion from legal stockpiles.
The UN supports implementation through technical assistance, policy guidance, and capacity-building programmes aimed at helping governments secure weapons stockpiles, improve tracing systems and strengthen border controls.
In a fresh operation, the sister of the former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress, APC 2027 gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, Bayo Adelabu, and her twin children have been kidnapped in Ibadan.
The incident occurred on Wednesday in the Challenge area of Ibadan South West Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the incident, one of the media aides to Adelabu, Femi Awogboro, said, “Adelabu’s younger sister, together with her twin (Peter and Paul), were kidnapped this morning (Wednesday) by unknown gunmen at Elewura, Challenge, Ibadan.
“The family members were going out this morning from Elewura to link the express when they were attacked and whisked away by the unknown kidnappers,” he explained.
Over 40 teachers and students were kidnapped on Friday, May 15, 2026, during a coordinated attack at Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The abduction in the schools had led to a nationwide protests where teachers demanded immediate release of their colleagues and the pupils.
It will also be recalled that a chieftain of APC in the state, Wale Oriade, was abducted by armed men in Ibadan, the state capital, in December 2025.
It was gathered that the incident occurred around 7:06 pm at his office located at PJ Square Shopping Complex, beside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station, Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived in a blue Micra vehicle with two occupants—a driver and an armed man—who forcibly seized Oriade and whisked him away in the same vehicle.
“The nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out have caused deep concern within his community,” the eyewitness
Reacting in a text sent to Crime Reporters Oyo on Wednesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said, “I can not independently verify this for now, but please hold on.”
In another operation, seven students of Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, have been abducted by suspected bandits who invaded their off-campus residence located on the outskirts of the Low-Cost area of Kaura Namoda town.
The Chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, Hon. Mannir Haidara Kaura, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust, stating that security agencies had launched operations to secure the safe return of the abducted students.
“The incident occurred, and security operatives are currently carrying out rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped students,” Haidara said.
One of the students of the institution, Ibrahim Ahmad, disclosed that one of the abducted students had managed to escape, leaving three male and three female students still in captivity.
Meanwhile, a group known as the Concerned Citizens of Kaura Namoda expressed alarm over what it described as the worsening security situation in the area, allegedly perpetrated by a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Bello Dansadiya, and his gang.
In a statement, the group recalled previous incidents, including the abduction of two senior lecturers who were held captive for more than two months despite the payment of ransom.
It also cited the kidnapping of three residents and a district head from his residence located near a military base.
“Alarmingly, all these victims are reportedly still being held in a well-known bandit camp around Dajin Yamma, yet no rescue operations have taken place. Where are the fighter jets and armoured vehicles?” the group queried.
The Zamfara State Police Command also confirmed the abduction, saying security operatives had intensified efforts to rescue the victims.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the incident occurred at the students’ residence on the outskirts of the Low-Cost area of Kaura Namoda.
He confirmed that one of the victims escaped, while efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining six students.
According to him, the institution itself remains well secured.
“The school premises have been fortified with adequate security personnel, making it extremely difficult for bandits to penetrate,” he said.
Explaining how the incident happened, Abubakar said one of the students reportedly stepped outside at night to relieve himself and inadvertently left the door open.
“One of the students went outside during the night, claiming he wanted to urinate. In the process, he left the door open. Coincidentally, bandits passing through the area entered the house and abducted the students,” he said.
The police spokesperson added that members of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), in collaboration with troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, had launched a coordinated rescue operation.
“Our VCRU personnel, together with troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, are working to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students,” Abubakar said.
Passing a resolution on Wednesday at plenary, the Senate has urged the Federal Government to immediately direct all relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted 49 school children, teachers and a toddler by armed kidnappers in Ahoro-Esiele and adjoining communities of Orire.
It also called on the Federal Government to strengthen and expand the Safe Schools Initiative through enhanced surveillance, intelligence gathering and improved security deployment around vulnerable schools and communities across the country.
The Red Chamber condemned the abduction of the schoolchildren, teachers and toddler in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and commiserated with the affected families, communities and the Government of Oyo State.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai tagged, ‘The abduction of Schoolchildren, teachers and toddler in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.’
In his submission, Senator Abdulfatai noted with grave alarm and deep national outrage the abduction.
He said that the victims were abducted from a learning environment which ought to symbolize safety, hope and the future of our Nation.
“Deeply disturbed that among those held in captivity is a toddler whose age and vulnerability underscores the cruelty and inhumanity of the perpetrators;
“Saddened that one of the victims of the brutal attack, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher was beheaded in a gruesome manner and recorded for public to watch. This was a most barbaric act, which has struck fear into the people of the State, and Nigerians at large.
“Concerned that the incident has generated anxiety and public outrage while raising serious concerns about the security of schools and rural communities across the Federation;
Continuing Senator Abdulfatai,”observes that when schools become hunting grounds for criminals, the future of the Nation itself is imperiled.
“Oberves the visit of the Federal Government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, alongside the National Security Adviser,the Minister of Defence and the Inspector-General of Police, to Oriire Local Government on Sunday, 31st May, 2026 to commiserate with the families of the victims.”
Virtually all senators present at Wednesday plenary supported the motion.
In his comment, Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Presidential candidate for the upcoming presidential election in 2027, Peter Obi, has pleaded with kidnappers holding schoolchildren and their teachers for over two weeks to release them for the sake of humanity.
Writing on his X platform on Wednesday, Obi said, “I am deeply shocked and heartbroken by the condition in which these abducted schoolchildren are, as seen from their flagellated bodies. It is a painful reminder of the depth of insecurity in our land.
“I have always made it clear that the society we abuse today will take its revenge on our children tomorrow. When I first began making that statement, some of these children were not even born. This is a classic example of how the abuse of governance and society today can produce devastating consequences long after the abusers are gone.
“It is on the same line that I argue that the loans our leaders take today will hurt our children in the future, as many of them will mature for repayment and consequences long after we are gone.
“To those holding these children, I make a direct appeal to your conscience. Remember that these are innocent children – sons and daughters of people who have placed their hopes, dreams, and entire future in them. In every one of them, you will find reflections of your own children, your own family, and your own humanity.
“No grievance, no hardship, no justification can ever outweigh the sanctity of a child’s life and innocence. Whatever path has led to this moment, there is still room for remorse, for humanity, and for a change of heart. I therefore appeal to your sense of mercy: release these children immediately. “Let them go. Return them safely to society to reunite with their families”
In solidarity with the teachers, the Nigeria Labour Congress has expressed support for the striking members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) over the serial cases of abduction of its members and students and pupils.
NLC, in a statement on Wednesday, said the national and well-co-ordinated action represents the resolve of teachers to take their destiny in their hands instead of waiting to be slaughtered to the last person.
Signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the statement said the action equally represents a gentle but unignorable nudge on the governments to take more seriously the growing insecurity industry.
It commended the leadership of the NUT, led by Comrade Titus Audu Amba for the thoughtful action across the country.
“Our hearts are with the Teachers, pupils/students and other vulnerable workers, especially local government workers, Doctors, Nurses, Medical and Health workers who often fall victim of the nefarious acts of bandits or other miscreants.
“We are heart-broken by the ugly pictures of our children, held and tortured by depraved bandits in the forests of Oyo state.
“As a nation, we cannot continue to fold our hands while this horror movie continues to play, from Zamfara to Oyo, from Maiduguri to to Port Harcourt.
“We will not hesitate to do a solidarity action with the teachers or any other group of workers if government does not take more seriously the issues of our collective security.
“Our concern for our collective security has never been in doubt. In the past couple of years, we have organised two security summits, street protests, the last one being in 2024 against all pressure from government circles to not hold it.
“In the aftermath of the Oriire abductions in Oyo State, we had issued a statement not only condemning the despicable action, we drew the attention of government for the umpteenth time to the growing danger of the citizenry switching loyalty to bandits and the need it to deal with the situation before it spins out of control.
“Since then other major/group abductions have taken place in Plateau, Kogi and other places underscoring the fact that for now we are not winning this war. It is heart-breaking.
“We recognise the tricky operational situation in Oyo. We nonetheless use this opportunity to once again call on the government at all levels to rise beyond the ritual of “we are on top of the situation” and condolence messages to concrete and measurable action.
“Free the abductees now, wherever they are held!”, the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the Yobe State Police Command has uncovered an illegal firearms fabrication workshop in Potiskum Local Government Area and arrested seven suspected gunmakers.
The command said the suspects were arrested during a raid on a blacksmith workshop at Tasha Adua along Danchuwa Road in Potiskum on Monday.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim.
“The Yobe State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its sustained efforts to combat crime and criminality across the state,” the statement read.
According to the statement, operatives of the Potiskum Area Command, in collaboration with officers from the Divisional Police Headquarters, carried out the operation following intelligence on the alleged illegal fabrication of firearms in the area.
Abdulkarim said the suspects were arrested while several exhibits were recovered from the workshop.
The recovered items included two fabricated pistols, 24 muzzle pipes, nine gun butts, four unserviceable Dane guns, a filing machine and a cutlass.
“The operation was carried out following credible intelligence on the activities of some blacksmiths engaged in the illegal fabrication of firearms,” Abdulkarim said.
He added that the suspects were in custody and undergoing investigation to identify possible collaborators, buyers and the intended use of the weapons.
Abdulkarim said the Commissioner of Police, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, had ordered an expanded investigation to identify other illegal firearms fabrication centres and assess the security threat posed by such activities.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
To demonstrate their frustration, the National Association of Nigerian Students, Zone E (North-East), has directed its members across the region to participate in a peaceful solidarity demonstration over the abduction of 42 students of Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The protest, scheduled to hold from June 5 to June 7, 2026, will take place simultaneously in the five North-East states of Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba.
A notice issued by the Chief of Staff to the Zonal Coordinator, Lukman Yusuf, on Wednesday said the demonstration was aimed at drawing national attention to the plight of the abducted students and demanding intensified efforts to secure their release.
“The demonstration is aimed at drawing attention to the plight of the abducted students, expressing solidarity with their families, and calling on the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to intensify efforts towards their immediate rescue,” Yusuf stated.
The students’ body also called on the Federal Government to strengthen security around schools and other educational institutions across the country.
“We urge the Federal Government to strengthen security measures in all educational institutions across the country to safeguard students and ensure that schools remain safe environments for learning,” the statement added.
NANS directed all its structures, including Joint Campus Committee leadership, Students’ Union Government executives, delegates and stakeholders, to mobilise members responsibly and ensure the demonstrations remain peaceful and orderly.
The Zonal Coordinator of NANS Zone E, Comrade Muazu Hina, emphasised the need for collective action to demand the safe return of the students and improved protection for learners nationwide.
The association said the planned demonstration was intended to show solidarity with the affected families and keep public attention on the plight of the abducted students.
The abduction of the 42 students from Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State has sparked widespread concern among education stakeholders, residents and civil society groups.
