Abducted Channels TV reporter Regain freedom

Channels Television reporter, Joshua Rogers, who was abducted from his residence in Rumuosi, Obio/Akpor area in Rivers, has been freed.

He was released around 10p.m. on Friday unharmed, less than 24 hours after being abducted on Thursday.

Rogers, a Channels Government House Correspondent in Rivers, was abducted at about 9 p.m. on Thursday after returning home from covering an event

His colleague, Charles Oporum, confirmed the news of his release in the late hours of Friday.

“Yes, he has been released about an hour ago, and has reunited with his family,” Oporum said.

The management of the television station also confirmed Rogers’ release in a brief statement.

“The statement reads: “Channels Television reporter, Joshua Rogers, who was abducted last night in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has been freed.

“We thank our viewers and all those who expressed concern over the unfortunate incident.”
A video was sighted showing Rogers celebrating with his family after he regained his freedom.

However, it remains unclear whether he was rescued by security forces or if ransom was paid for his release

JAMB releases 2024 UTME results

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has announced the release of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, results.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof Ishaq Oloyede announced this in Abuja on Monday.

He said a total of 1,989,668 candidates registered for the examination, representing 24.7 per cent higher than the figure for the year 2023.

He noted that of the number of registered candidates 1,904,189 were present and verified, 2,899 were present but unverified, 80,810 were absent.

Over 1.94 million candidates registered and sat the examination in 118 towns and over 700 centres across the country.

Six Boko Haram fighters surrender to troops in Borno

The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) said six more Boko Haram fighters have surrendered to its troops during operations in their various areas of responsibility.

One of the Boko Haram fighters surrendered to the troops with his wife, two children, and 36 hand grenades, MNJTF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, said in a statement on Monday in Maiduguri,

According to him, the ex-Boko Haram fighters who surrendered to troops of 403 Amphibious Brigade, Sector 3 in Monguno between April 17 and 27 gave various reasons for abandoning the terrorist group.

According to Abdullahi on April 17, a 19-year-old Boko Haram terrorist who hailed from Masarram on the Lake Chad Island and residing at Duguri, surrendered to the troops and highlighted the growing discontentment within the group for his action.

He added that initial investigations revealed that the suspect had a three-year affiliation with Boko Haram’s Buduma faction.

The information officer also said that on April 25, two suspected terrorists turned themselves in at Blangua in Cameroon to troops of Sector 1, located at Darak in Southern Lake Chad.

”Investigations reveal their origins from Chad, residing in the localities of Kami-Wari and Kourea, respectively,” he added.

Abdullahi further said that on April 26, another suspect, his wife and two children bearing 36 hand grenades, surrendered to Sector 3 of 403 Amphibious Brigade in Kwatam Turare axis, Baga, Borno.

He said that the suspect, a foot soldier since 2017 in Sharama, cited internal crisis and the influence of MNJTF’s Operation Nashrul Salam as reasons for their defection.

”Similarly, on April 27, a 25-year-old suspected terrorist, surrendered to the troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, in Kekeno, within Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno.

”During the initial investigation, the suspect revealed that he had been abducted by Boko Haram militants along the Monguno-Maiduguri road in 2020.

”He said that during his captivity, he was forced to work as a storekeeper in one of the terrorist group’s camps located on the islands of Lake Chad.”

Abdullahi said that the MNJTF welcomes more insurgents to surrender and embrace peace.

”The MNJTF calls on other Boko Haram terrorists hiding in the Lake Chad islands and adjoining communities to cease hostilities and embrace peace.

”We reiterate our commitment to restoring lasting peace and stability to the Lake Chad Basin, encouraging terrorists to follow the path of those who have already surrendered,” he added. (NAN)

News

Obaseki raises Edo workers’ minimum wage

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has increased the minimum wage of workers in the state civil service to N70,000, beginning from May 1, 2024.

Obaseki disclosed this on Monday at the commissioning of the Labour House, built for the organized labour in the state.

The house was named after a former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole.

Obaseki said his administration would increase the new minimum wage for the state’s workers from N40,000 to N70,000.

He also promised to increase the monthly salary of workers to over N70,000 if the Federal Government approved a new minimum wage for its workers.

According to him, the details of the new minimum wage would be made known to the public during the celebration of this year’s Workers Day on Wednesday, May . (dailypost)