A thunderstorm-induced fire on Sunday razed the Saint Peter’s Primary School building in Igbemo, Ekiti State, leaving pupils displaced.

The fire, which started after a lightning strike during a heavy downpour, destroyed five blocks of classrooms. Following the incident, teachers relocated the pupils to a nearby school, AUD Pilot Nursery Primary School, to continue their learning.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji, represented by Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, visited the school on Monday and assured that the structure would be rebuilt soon.

“I am saddened by this fire, but grateful that no lives were lost,” Oyebanji stated. “We will rebuild the school promptly so that the pupils and teachers can return to their base.”

The governor also addressed concerns about residents dumping waste and defecating within the premises of AUD Pilot School, ordering an immediate halt to such practices.

Education Secretary, Mrs. Adesola George-Ojo, emphasized the need for perimeter fencing to prevent further health hazards in the school environment.

President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly for six months.

In a nationwide broadcast, Tinubu cited the prolonged political crisis in the state and the collapse of its legislature as justification for the move. He appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd), as the administrator, pending confirmation by the National Assembly.

Rivers State has now become the sixth state to experience a state of emergency since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. It is also the third state, after Plateau and Ekiti, where both the governor and lawmakers have been suspended under emergency rule.

Tinubu explained that the decision was necessary to restore governance, peace, and security in the state, noting that efforts to resolve the crisis through dialogue had failed. He pointed to the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 28, 2025, which found constitutional breaches in the state government’s handling of legislative matters.

“The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy,” Tinubu said. He also referenced security concerns, including pipeline vandalism by militants, as part of the reasons for the emergency measures.

The President assured that the judiciary in Rivers State would continue to function normally and that the administrator would focus on stabilizing governance rather than making new laws.

The decision has sparked mixed reactions across the country. Some legal experts and political figures have strongly opposed the declaration, arguing that the President lacks constitutional powers to suspend elected officials. Senior lawyers, including Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN) and Kunle Edun (SAN), described the move as unconstitutional and an overreach of executive authority.

Opposition leader Atiku Abubakar condemned the action as politically motivated, stating that Tinubu has failed in his duty to prevent the escalation of the crisis. Former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Bode George, also criticized the decision, calling it a dangerous precedent that undermines democracy.

However, some legal practitioners have supported the intervention, with Dr. Benson Enikuomehin commending Tinubu’s boldness but urging him to also remove FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whom he accused of fueling the crisis.

The declaration has been forwarded to the National Assembly for approval, and its legality is likely to face challenges in the coming days.

In a major crackdown on kidnapping and violent crimes, operatives of the Nigerian Police Force in Abia and Nasarawa states have rescued four abducted victims and neutralized seven suspected kidnappers in separate operations.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer on Sunday confirmed the successful rescue missions and disclosed that a notorious kidnapping kingpin, identified as ‘Honor,’ was killed during the operations. Several firearms and ammunition were recovered, while some suspects managed to escape with gunshot wounds.

According to the statement, on March 9, 2025, at about 9:30 a.m., the Abia State Police Command received reports of four individuals abducted while driving a Toyota RAV4 along New Umuahia Road, Obingwa.

“Leveraging credible intelligence, the Command’s tactical team traced the kidnappers’ hideout to a three-bedroom bungalow in Osokwa, Osisioma Local Government Area. On March 14, 2025, operatives stormed the location, encountering heavy gunfire from the suspects,” the statement read.

The ensuing gun battle led to the neutralization of six suspected kidnappers and the successful rescue of all four victims, who were unharmed. Security personnel recovered two AK-47 rifles, six magazines, and 34 rounds of live ammunition at the scene. The victims were later taken to a police hospital for medical evaluation.

In a separate operation, security forces in Nasarawa State, comprising police operatives, Nigerian Army personnel, and local vigilantes, tracked down and eliminated a notorious kidnapper, identified as Abdullahi, alias ‘Honor.’

The suspect, wanted for multiple crimes, was intercepted on March 14 near the Akwanga Central Mosque while attempting to flee on a motorcycle.

“During the encounter, the suspect brandished a firearm to resist arrest but was swiftly neutralized. A search of his belongings led to the recovery of a Beretta pistol and 12 rounds of 9mm live ammunition. However, one accomplice managed to escape with gunshot wounds, prompting an ongoing manhunt,” the police statement added.

Commending the operatives for their swift and decisive action, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reiterated the force’s commitment to tackling crime across the country.

“These recent operations underscore the resilience of the Nigeria Police Force in curbing gunrunning, kidnapping, and other criminal activities,” the IGP stated.

He further warned criminals to abandon their illicit activities or face severe consequences, reaffirming the force’s dedication to safeguarding communities and dismantling criminal networks.