The Yobe Government has ordered the closure of boarding secondary schools in the state due to security challenges.
This was contained in a statement by Mamman Mohammed, the
Director General of Press and Media Affairs to the Governor Mai Mala Buni.
“Yobe state government has directed the closure of all boarding Secondary Schools in the state as a proactive measure to safeguard students in the schools,” the statement issued on Saturday read.
“The decision followed the outcome of a security meeting between the Governor, His Excellency Hon. (Dr) Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN and Security chiefs in the state, reviewing security incidences in schools in some parts of the country.”
Mohammed quoted the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, in Yobe, Bukar Bukar, as directing the immediate closure of all secondary schools pending improvement in the situation.
Governor Buni called on the people of the state to pray for the leadership, security operatives, peace and improved security in the country. Yobe joins the growing number of states to have shut schools amid rising security threats, especially the mass abduction of students in the northern parts of Nigeria.
Kebbi, Plateau and Kwara are among states to have ordered the closure of schools in the last few days.
The Federal Government also shut 14 unity schools with immediate effect pending the review of security situation in the affected places where the institutions are located.
Their decisions followed the mass abduction of students and the heightened insecurity across parts of Nigeria.
At least 50 students kidnapped at the St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Agwara local government, Niger State have allegedly escaped and reunited with their parents, bringing hope to families of the abducted victims.
Recall on November 21,2025 armed bandits stormed the school and abducted 303 students and 12 teachers bringing the total to 315.
The state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna who is also the Proprietor of the school and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese gave the update in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Daniel Atori in Minna.
The chairman explained that the pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have reunited with their parents as they could not return to the school after they escaped.
We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents.
” This is to notify the public that, as at Sunday 23rd November, 2025 we have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents. We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents, ” the statement disclosed”
“For the records, we now have Primary 251 pupils, 14 Secondary students and 12 teachers still with their abductors”.
More than 300 children and staff are now thought to have been kidnapped by gunmen from a Catholic school in central Nigeria, making it one of the worst mass abductions the country has seen.
The Christian Association of Nigeria said 303 students and 12 teachers were taken from St Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger state – substantially more than previously estimated.
It said the figures have been revised upwards “after a verification exercise”.
The kidnapping comes amid a surge of attacks by armed groups. The revised number of people taken surpasses the 276 abducted during the infamous Chibok mass abduction of 2014.
Local police said armed men stormed the school at around 02:00 local time (01:00 GMT) on Friday morning, abducting students who were staying there.
Dominic Adamu, whose daughters attend the school but were not taken, told the BBC: “Everybody is weak… it took everybody by surprise.”
One distressed woman tearfully told the BBC that her nieces, aged six and 13, had been kidnapped, adding: “I just want them to come home.”
Police said that security agencies were “combing the forests with a view to rescue the abducted students”.
All schools in Niger state were ordered on Saturday to close in response to the kidnapping.
It was initially reported that 215 pupils had been taken but that figure has since been revised. The new number is believed to be almost half of the school’s student population, the news agency AFP reports.
Authorities in Niger state said the school had disregarded an order to close all boarding facilities following intelligence warnings of a heightened risk of attacks.
They said in a statement the move exposed pupils and staff to “avoidable risk”. The school has not commented on that claim.
The kidnapping of people for ransom by criminal gangs, known locally as bandits, has become a major problem in many parts of Nigeria.
The payment of ransoms has been outlawed in an attempt to cut the supply of money to the criminal gangs, but it has had little effect.
Friday’s mass abduction was the third such attack in the country in a week.
Officials of Crocodile Ghana officially donating items to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku
Three organisations – Crocodile Machete Ghana, Sino Machinery Ghana Limited, and Interplast Ghana on Friday, November 21, 2025 made separate presentations to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support this year’s National Farmers’ Day celebration. The donations ranged from agricultural tools and machinery to cash and irrigation materials.
Crocodile Machete Ghana Donates 600 Machetes
Crocodile Machete Ghana presented 600 pieces of machetes, packaged in 10 boxes, as part of their contribution to the national celebration. A representative of the company said the gesture was to recognise the tireless efforts of Ghanaian farmers.
Officials of Interplast Ghana officially donating items to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku
“We are honoured to donate 600 pieces of machetes towards this year’s National Farmers’ Day. This is our way of appreciating the hard-working farmers across the country and we will continue supporting the Ministry in empowering them,” the representative said.
Sino Machinery Ghana Limited Provides Tractor and Implements
A team from Sino Machinery Ghana Limited, led by General Manager Johnny Zhang, donated a complete Y2 farming tractor, including a trailer, plough and harrow.
Zhang explained that the presentation demonstrated the company’s commitment to agricultural development in Ghana.
“This shows our support for the Farmers’ Day celebration and for the whole nation. We hope our Y2 products and accessories will help the farming sector and make a meaningful contribution. We are into Sino trucks, machinery and Y2 farming products, with spare parts and services always available,” he said.
Interplast Ghana Donates Cash and Drip Irrigation Kits
Interplast Ghana, through its InGreen Manager, Fares Al-Ayadi, donated GH¢25,000, made up of GH¢10,000 cash and GH¢15,000 worth of drip irrigation kits. He stressed that irrigation support was especially critical during the dry season.
“Farmers need irrigation now more than ever. Even after giving them these drip kits, we will follow up to assist them with installation and demonstrate how to use them properly. We support all farmers,” Al-Ayadi stated.
The tractor donated by Sino Machinery Ghana
After receiving all three donations, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, expressed profound appreciation to the companies, noting that their collective efforts demonstrate an encouraging partnership between the private sector and national agricultural development.
He described Crocodile Machete Ghana as a consistent stakeholder in the agricultural space and acknowledged their long-standing support to the Ministry.
He also commended Sino Machinery Ghana Limited for providing what he described as a “significant and practical intervention” to boost mechanisation among farmers, especially at a time when modern equipment has become essential to scale up production.
Turning to Interplast Ghana, the Minister highlighted the importance of irrigation solutions and praised the company for not only donating kits, but also committing to train farmers on proper installation and usage.
“These donations whether tools, machinery, cash, or irrigation kits will go directly to our farmers across the country. They will contribute to food production, productivity, and the overall stability of our food system. At this crucial period, such support is extremely valuable,” he said.
The Minister further encouraged all three organisations to maintain their partnership with the Ministry and participate actively in the upcoming Farmers’ Day exhibition, emphasising that the gains of such collaborations benefit the entire nation.
The Circuit Court in Accra, presided over by His Honour Jojo Amoah Hagan, has granted bail to a pregnant woman accused of aiding in a GH¢388,830 visa fraud scheme, while refusing bail for a second accused who is already serving a prison sentence.
A third suspect remains at large.
The court on Thursday ruled that Augustine Yeboah, alias Charles Obeng, the first accused (A1), who is currently serving a prison term at the Nsawam Security Prisons, cannot be admitted to bail.
His Honour indicated that the court would only consider any bail application after he completes his ongoing sentence. Yeboah, however, still faces charges in the pending case.
The second accused, Joana Obeng, a 26-year-old Hairdresser and pregnant at the time of her arraignment, was admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties.
The third accused, Evans Kwaku Gyan, a 47-year-old driver, is currently on the run and being sought by police.
The accused persons face three counts conspiracy to commit crime, defrauding by false pretence, defrauding by false pretence and abetment of crime.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, Eva Mohammed, a Public Servant from Teshie, was introduced to Yeboah after her sister met him on TikTok.
Yeboah allegedly posed as a staff member of the U.S. Embassy in Accra and claimed he had six visa “slots” he could secure.
Believing the representation, the complainant and her relatives expressed interest. Yeboah allegedly demanded US$3,000 (GH¢49,200) as visa processing fees and later requested an additional GH¢339,830 for flight tickets.
Both payments were made into Joana Obeng’s GCB Bank account.
After receiving the full GH¢388,830, Yeboah reportedly began giving excuses before cutting off communication entirely.
A police investigation traced several phone numbers linked to the transactions and confirmed that Joana had used her Ghana Card to register multiple SIM cards for Yeboah.
She told investigators she met Yeboah on a dating site and admitted withdrawing and handing over all deposits to Evans.
Police later arrested Evans at his hideout at Alhaji, Israel, a suburb of Accra. Meanwhile, Yeboah, when approached in prison, declined to answer investigators’ questions without access to counsel and refused to give a written statement.
Investigators concluded that there was no genuine travel package, and the accused persons conspired to defraud the victims. All three have been charged and arraigned before the court, except A3, who remains at large.
The pocket watch stopped at the moment the Titanic disappeared beneath the waves
A gold pocket watch recovered from the body of one of the richest passengers on the Titanic has fetched a “record-breaking” £1.78m at auction.
Isidor Straus and his wife Ida were among the more than 1,500 people who died when the vessel travelling from Southampton to New York sank after hitting an iceberg on 14 April 1912.
His body was recovered from the Atlantic days after the disaster and among his possessions was an 18 carat gold Jules Jurgensen pocket watch.
The watch, which had remained in the family of Mr and Mrs Straus, was sold at Henry Aldridge and Son Auctioneers in Devizes, Wiltshire, on Saturday.
Mr Straus was a Bavaria-born American businessman, politician, and co-owner of Macy’s department store in New York.
On the night of the sinking, it is believed his devoted wife refused a place in a lifeboat as she did not want to leave her husband and said she would rather die by his side.
The body of Ida Straus was never found.
A letter written by Mrs Straus on Titanic stationery and posted while she was onboard the ship, which was built in Belfast, fetched £100,000 at the auction.
A Titanic passenger list was purchased for £104,000 and a gold medal awarded to the crew of the RMS Carpathia by rescued survivors sold for £86,000.
The auction of Titanic-related memorabilia reached £3m in total.
The pocket watch stopped at 02:20, the moment the Titanic disappeared beneath the waves.
It is believed to have been a 43rd birthday gift from Ida Straus to her husband in 1888 and is engraved with Straus’ initials.
It was returned to his family and was passed down through generations before Kenneth Hollister Straus, Isidor’s great-grandson, had the movement repaired and restored.
An Australian man who jumped over a barricade and grabbed Hollywood star Ariana Grande has been deported and banned from Singapore.
Johnson Wen, 26, was sentenced to nine days in prison for being a public nuisance and has now been “barred from re-entering Singapore”, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) told local media.
Wen pushed past photographers and charged at the actress and singer, who was attending the Asian premier for Wicked: For Good on 13 November. Co-star Cynthia Erivo wrestled him away from Grande.
Wen has a history of disrupting concerts and celebrity events, including jumping on stage at Katy Perry’s Sydney concert in June this year.
The incident sparked outrage in Singapore, with many accusing him of re-traumatising Grande.
The pop star has spoken of experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder after a suicide bomb attack at her concert in Manchester in May 2017 killed 22 people and injured hundreds.
During Wen’s trial, the court heard he had attempted to intrude on the film’s premiere twice, according to Singaporean media.
He then made a second attempt to jump the barricades. Security staff stopped him and pinned him down.
Wen later posted videos thanking Grande for letting him on the carpet and said he was “free”.
Police arrested him the next day and charged him with public nuisance, to which Wen pleaded guilty.
The District Judge Christopher Goh was quoted by Channel News Asia as saying that Wen was “attention seeking”, adding that he was wrong to think he would not suffer any consequences.
Grande has not commented on the case.
Erivo spoke about the incident to NBC, saying that she “just wanted to make sure my friend was safe”.
“I’m sure he didn’t mean us harm, but you never know with those things, and I wanted to make sure that she was OK. That was my first instinct,” she said.
Sir Sam Jonah crowned prestigious Ultimate Man of the Year
The Exclusive Men of the Year (EMY) Africa Awards 2025 transcended a mere celebration of excellence last night, transforming into a spectacular musical festival that showcased the vibrant diversity of Ghanaian music. The event, held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), was illuminated by show-stopping performances from icons like Samini, KiDi, Efya, Ofori Amponsah, Joe Mettle, and Adina, ensuring the 10th anniversary ceremony was a truly unforgettable sonic experience.
The musical segments, overseen by a production team utilising over 200 state-of-the-art lighting fixtures and a custom-built, multi-level stage, were the centrepiece of the evening, blending contemporary Afro-fusion with timeless Highlife and powerful Gospel.
The first half of the show was dominated by Ghana’s most celebrated vocalists, setting a sophisticated tone for the prestigious awards:
The EMY Africa Awards 2025 solidified its standing as a world-class production, investing heavily in the live music experience.
The awards recognise distinguished men and influential women whose achievements inspire progress in various sectors, including business, culture, sports, public service, and the creative industries.
In a dazzling ceremony that marked the culmination of months of intense competition, Akosua Arhin was crowned Miss Malaika Ghana 2025 at the National Theatre last night, Saturday, November 22nd.
The 20-year-old student from the University of Ghana prevailed over nine talented finalists, securing the coveted title, a brand-new car, a scholarship, and the ambassadorship role for the prestigious beauty pageant.
The event, themed “Defining the Future,” drew a sold-out audience and featured an elaborate blend of Ghanaian culture, sharp intellectual discourse, and high-fashion runway displays.
The 2025 edition of Miss Malaika was distinguished by the high academic and social impact calibre of the finalists.
The night’s rigorous final assessments included three crucial segments:
First, Cultural Display and Introduction: Contestants presented aspects of Ghana’s diverse heritage, focusing on the cultural significance of traditional wear and dance.
Second, Rhetoric and Intellectual Round: The top five finalists tackled complex current affairs and development issues, demonstrating their intellectual depth and ability to articulate policy.
Third, the final three contestants were tested on their vision for the Miss Malaika brand and their plans for national advocacy.
Akosua, who impressed the judges throughout the night with her poise, eloquence, and clarity of vision on addressing youth unemployment in Ghana, emerged the victor.
The winner received a sleek 2025 model saloon car from a major local dealership and a cash prize package estimated to be over GHS 20,000, plus a full educational scholarship for a postgraduate programme.
Akosua’s winning edge was her commitment to a practical social intervention project dubbed the “4E Initiative: Empowering Youth Through Enterprise and Education.”
Her 4E plan involves establishing skills training hubs focused on vocational and digital expertise, aiming to train 500 young women in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions within her year of reign.
At least 90 people have died and another 12 are missing after days of heavy rain in Vietnam led to flooding and landslides.
The Vietnamese government says 186,000 homes have been damaged across the country, with more than three million livestock swept away. Officials estimate there has been hundreds of millions of pounds worth of damage.
The mountainous province of Dak Lak has been severely impacted, recording more than 60 deaths since 16 November, according to news agency AFP.
The floods are the latest extreme weather event to hit Vietnam in recent months, after typhoons Kalmaegi and Bualoi hit the country within weeks of each other.
Some 258,000 people were without power on Sunday morning and sections of major motorways and train tracks were blocked, officials said.
Military and police resources have been mobilised to assist in the hardest hit areas.
The government said the most severe impacts had been observed in five provinces – Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, and Lam Dong – clustered in south and south-central Vietnam.
Mach Van Si, a farmer in Dak Lak, told AFP: “Our neighbourhood was completely destroyed. Nothing was left. Everything was covered in mud.”
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính chaired a virtual emergency meeting on Sunday morning from South Africa, where he had been attending the G20 summit.
