Over 971 Nigerians Abducted in October 2024 – ReportA recent report by Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited (BSIL) reveals that no fewer than 971 Nigerians were abducted nationwide in October 2024.

The alarming figures coincide with the emergence of a new terror group, Lakurawa, operating in the northwestern region of the country.

The findings are detailed in BSIL’s October 2024 Nigeria Security Report, which highlights significant deterioration in national security metrics, including a 51% rise in fatalities and a 24.42% increase in abductions compared to previous months.

The report warns that 2024 may become the worst year for Nigeria’s security performance in the past decade.

Key Findings1. Incidents and Fatalities:October recorded 861 security incidents, with 64.92% attributed to security threats, 24.79% linked to security forces’ operations, and 4.99% due to safety-related incidents.

A total of 1,545 fatalities were reported, a sharp increase from 1,022 in September.

Of these, 67.70% were civilian deaths, 25.89% were members of non-state armed groups, and 6.40% were security personnel.2. Abductions:The number of abducted individuals rose from 807 in September to 971 in October, marking a 20.32% increase.

The North West was the most affected region, accounting for 83.83% of all abductions, while the South West experienced the least, with just 0.21%.Northern Nigeria bore the brunt of the crisis, recording 954 abductions (98.25%), compared to 17 (1.75%) in Southern Nigeria.3. Regional Distribution of Fatalities:

The North West and North Central regions accounted for 66.09% of all fatalities, while the South-South reported the lowest fatality rate (3.56%).

Overall, Northern Nigeria accounted for 83.04% of fatalities, compared to 16.96% in the South.

Root Causes of InsecurityDr. Kabir Adamu, CEO of BSIL, attributes the worsening security situation to several factors:Socio-economic Issues: Rising cost of living and economic hardship have exacerbated social unrest.

Political Factors: Post-election grievances and sabotage efforts have intensified instability.

Environmental Challenges: Climate change and geopolitical issues in the Sahel region have contributed to the movement of herders and violent confrontations.

Dr. Adamu criticized the country’s ineffective security management system, citing the inability to address root causes of insecurity and the failure of counter-terrorism strategies.

He highlighted the need for robust implementation of existing policies such as the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy (2016) and the National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (2017).

Urgent Recommendations

The report underscores the urgency of reforming Nigeria’s security framework to address drivers and triggers of violence.

It calls for:Strengthening the criminal justice system to restore public confidence.Improving socio-economic conditions to reduce vulnerability to crime.

Enhancing coordination among security agencies to combat non-state armed groups effectively.

The findings serve as a wake-up call for stakeholders to prioritize national security and address the systemic issues fueling the crisis.

To face Kano Pillars in Group A on Match Day 1By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Hoops N’ Read basketball Club of Lagos have arrived Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital for the Final 8 of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Premier League.

The Basketball warlords from Lagos State, the Center of Excellence, landed in the oil rich state on Tuesday, with one mission in mind, to secure the sole ticket to Basketball Africa League, (BAL), from Nigeria.Hoops N’ Read, the best kitted Club in the Giant of Africa, with 4 coaches and 15 players on board as Head Coach, Victor Mensah named his squad with basketball buffs across the country.

Captain fantastic, Tolani Buhari, will be leading the raid on Kano Pillars, the Centre of Commerce, in Group A, with Tony Montana, pulling the team’s defenses together.

The sharp shooter from Edo State, Owen Owo is in top form ahead of the big battle with fellow shooters, Nduba Prince Obiora and Ginika Ofeugbu also honing their skills.

Noble Point Guard, Ahmed Olusoji, Bolaji Emilagba and agile Ademola Kareem will be joining captain Buhari in the frontline offense.

The core of the team’s formation, the Center, has Clinton Best as the arrowhead, with Shevee Cisko, Austin Akpejiori and Christian Ekene his loyal allies in the business.

The Final 8 which is divided into two groups of 4 each from the Atlantic and the Savanah Conference.

Group A of the Final 8 has in its fold Hoops N’ Read, Gboko City Chiefs, Kano Pillars and Police Baton, while Group B consists Rivers Hoopers, Nile University, Kwara Falcons and Gombe Bulls.

On Match Day 2, Hoops N’ Read will confront Police Baton for the second time following a 77-52 points win in the Atlantic Conference.

For the final group game Hoops N’ Read will go head to head with Gboko City Chiefs, the winners of the Savanah Conference to decide who will lead the group into the semifinals.

Coach Victor Mensah is very confident of a successful outing in Port Harcourt with his starstudded team poised for victory.

Only Spain-based forward Sadiq Umar was being expected as Nigeria’s juggernaut rolled sturdily into the much-familiar environment of Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Tuesday, with 22 players set for the team’s first training session ahead of a potentially-explosive Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against neighbours Benin Republic on Thursday.

“We have 22 players, with only one person to join the team in the early hours of Wednesday. It has been a particularly great atmosphere here in Abidjan, and we are all very positive going into the first training session ahead of the match,” Coach Augustine Eguavoen told thenff.com on Tuesday.

Eleven players, viz Captain and AFCON Man of the Competition William Ekong, reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, his likely successor Ademola Lookman, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel, Olaoluwa Aina, Victor Collins and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and Germany-based forward Victor Boniface all arrived at once on Tuesday morning, before being joined by South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Earlier, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and forward Kelechi Iheanacho had arrived, to join the eight that were in camp on Monday: goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defenders Gabriel Osho and Bruno Onyemaechi, midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze.

With 10 points from four matches, seven goals for and none against, and top of their Group D, the Eagles will walk with an extra bounce into the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, the facility where they upended the aspirations of Guinea Bissau, Cameroon and Angola at the 34^th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire earlier in the year.

It was also the venue where in the summer, they were slated by two goals to one by the Cheetahs (who have been forced by lack of a CAF-approved facility in their country to adopt Abidjan as home) in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying game in which they scored first.

“The stadium is a familiar one for us and we have good memories from the AFCON. We will rather focus on the positive results we have taken away from here and work hard for another good day in the office on Thursday.

“It is not going to be easy because the Beninoise are also chasing a ticket to the final tournament. However, our objective is clear: three points on the night,” Captain Ekong said on Tuesday.

Senegalese official Issa Sy, who was in charge when the Super Eagles pipped Angola 1-0 at the same venue, in a quarter-final match of the Africa Cup of Nations finals, has been selected by CAF as referee for Thursday’s encounter, which will commence at 7pm CIV time (8pm Nigeria time).

He will be supported by compatriots Djibril Camara (assistant 1), Nouha Bangoura (assistant 2) and El Hadji Amadou Sy (fourth official). Ivorian Rene Williams Sere will be the commissioner while Angolan Inacio Manuel Candido will be the referee assessor.

The Super Eagles need only one point from Thursday’s clash to be sure of a ticket to the 35^th AFCON, scheduled for Morocco 21^st December 2025 – 18^th January 2026.

Mr. Demola Lagbaja, the Head of the Lagbaja Family in Ilobu Kingdom, Osun State, expressed sorrow that the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoheed Lagbaja, was unable to experience life outside of the military.

The family leader made this statement on Monday while hosting a condolence visit from the St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo, Old Boys Association, at the Lagbaja family home in Ibadan.

He mentioned that the family had hoped their late relative would retire after completing his service to enjoy the rewards of his hard work.

Lagbaja said the family had submitted to the will of God following the incident,  saying that “some tears will never dry.”

He mentioned that the late Chief of Army Staff spent his entire career in the military after finishing his A-levels at the Polytechnic.

“That was our wish, which never came. What happened has happened. We have to submit to the will of God, but we are very proud of our son, for he made us proud. All we can wish him is to rest in peace,” Lagbaja said.

The leader of the Lagbaja family expressed gratitude to the association for their visit, mentioning that their departed son had been fondly remembered since his passing.

Earlier, the delegation, headed by Mr. Sola Omopo, Chairman of the school’s Board of Trustees, on behalf of the Ibadan branch members of the association, offered a condolence letter to the bereaved family.

Omopo praised the late individual, highlighting his contributions to the school and noting that he had been a proud and active financial member until his passing.

“He was building a very standard project of about N550m for the school, which is about 80 per cent completion.

“When we heard the news, it was very shocking for all of us both in Nigeria and the diaspora, hence the decision to pay a condolences visit to the family,” he said.

Wave News reports that Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the former Chief of Army Staff, passed away on November 5 at the age of 56.

Newcastle United have entered the race to secure the services of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen in 2025, with the club’s owners, the Public Investment Fund, reportedly prepared to activate his £113 million release clause.

This is according to PUNCH Sports Extra and further reports by Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder.

The Magpies are among several top European clubs poised to explore the possibility of signing the 25-year-old forward, who is currently on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray from Napoli.

Osimhen has been in sensational form since his September move to Galatasaray, scoring eight goals in nine matches across all competitions. Six of those goals have come in six Turkish Super Lig appearances, solidifying his reputation as one of Europe’s most prolific strikers.

The Nigerian international’s latest heroics came in Galatasaray’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Samsunspor on Sunday.

Osimhen netted twice in the match, extending his team’s unbeaten run and helping them maintain a six-point lead at the top of the Turkish Super Lig table.

Having previously excelled at Lille and Napoli, where he won the Serie A title and earned the league’s top scorer accolade, Osimhen’s consistent goal-scoring exploits have drawn the attention of Europe’s elite clubs.

Newcastle’s interest signals their ambition to strengthen their attacking options as they aim to compete at the highest levels of European football.Osimhen’s potential move to Newcastle would mark a significant investment, reflecting the club’s owners’ commitment to bolstering the squad with world-class talent.

However, with other top teams reportedly monitoring his situation, the Magpies may face stiff competition for the Nigerian’s signature.As the 2025 transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Osimhen to see where his next chapter unfolds.

For now, his focus remains on maintaining his remarkable form and helping Galatasaray achieve their domestic and European ambitions.

Josephine Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, a former Big Brother Naija reality TV star, has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding DNA tests in Nigeria.

This comes amidst a growing national discourse over paternity fraud, which has left many divided on whether DNA tests should become a standard practice.Using her X (formerly Twitter) handle, Phyna voiced her support for music executive Don Jazzy’s recent suggestion that DNA tests should take precedence over naming ceremonies. She firmly advocated for making DNA testing mandatory immediately after childbirth as a means to address paternity disputes and ensure clarity from the onset.In her post, Phyna stated, “I support DNA test over naming ceremony.

It should be passed that it is compulsory. Immediately after birth, a DNA test should be carried out.

”Her comments have sparked mixed reactions on social media, adding fuel to an already heated discussion about the necessity and implications of routine DNA testing. Advocates of the proposal argue that it would significantly reduce cases of paternity fraud and strengthen trust within families.

However, critics caution that such a policy might erode the foundation of family relationships and lead to privacy concerns.Phyna’s position aligns with the increasing calls for transparency in family dynamics.

Recent high-profile cases of paternity fraud in Nigeria have highlighted the emotional, legal, and financial consequences of false paternity claims.

Many believe that implementing mandatory DNA testing at birth could provide a preventive measure against such issues, offering both fathers and children certainty about their biological relationships.

Supporters of her stance point to the potential societal benefits of DNA testing, including the reduction of legal disputes over child support and inheritance, as well as fostering a culture of accountability.

On the other hand, some argue that mandatory testing could stigmatize families and create unnecessary distrust, particularly in situations where paternity is not in question.

Phyna’s statement has also reignited discussions about the role of government in personal matters.

If such a policy were to be implemented, it would require legal backing, infrastructure, and funding to ensure the accessibility and accuracy of DNA testing for all Nigerians.

The debate continues to divide public opinion, with many Nigerians sharing their perspectives on the social, moral, and financial implications of making DNA tests compulsory.

For now, Phyna’s bold advocacy has succeeded in keeping the conversation alive, sparking discussions that may shape future policies on family and paternity issues in the country.