Army troops rescue eight passengers including serving soldier abducted along Jos–Makurdi road

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have rescued eight passengers, including a serving soldier, who were abducted by armed robbers along the Jos–Makurdi road at Rafin Sanyi in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 2, when the victims were travelling in an ash-coloured Sharon.

A security source told Zagazola Makama that troops of OPSH Sector 6, deployed at Sopp community, swiftly responded to a distress call and engaged the criminals.

Seven of the eight passengers were rescued on the spot, while the eighth victim, identified as Corporal Munyal Abdullahi of 3 Division Garrison, was initially taken away into the surrounding highlands by the assailants.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the soldier, attached to 73 ST Brigade Fire Unit as a driver, had just dismounted from duty and was travelling to Abuja without an official pass to deliver yet-to-be-confirmed items for a relative.

The abductors contacted the rescued victims via phone numbers, demanding a ransom of N60 million for the soldier’s release.

However, following a coordinated search-and-rescue operation by OPSH troops in collaboration with other team, the soldier was successfully rescued and reunited with the other victims.

Army troops rescue eight passengers including serving soldier abducted along Jos–Makurdi road

Zulum wins northeast governor of the year award

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has been conferred with the Northeast Governor of the Year Award. The award presentation was conducted at the Progressive Digital Summit Dinner held over the weekend in Abuja.

The maiden digital summit, 2025, celebrates exemplary stewardship and innovative governance across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The award was received by Zulum’s Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications, Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi, who expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the governor and the entire Borno State government.

“This honour is a testament to the relentless efforts of Governor Zulum in transforming Borno into a land of hope and progress. His leadership has inspired a new wave of resilience and development in the face of challenges,” Bundi stated.

Bundi reiterated that such honour will serve as vital motivation for Governor Zulum to push even harder for the betterment of the northeast. “This recognition will fuel the resolve of our amiable governor to work tirelessly to ensure that the dreams of our people become reality, and that our region continues on the path of sustainable growth and peace,” Mr Bundi affirmed.

Hon. Bundi was accompanied by SSAs to the Governor, Abdullahi Yusuf and Dogo Mohammed Shettima, Dr Ibrahim Wujema, Goni M. Tar, Bulama Mohammed Bukar, among other Borno participants at the summit.

Zulum wins northeast governor of the year award

NGO Says Taiwan Representative in Nigeria Has No Diplomatic Recognition in Line with One-China Policy

By: Michael Mike

A non-governmental organization, SINOAFRIK Media Documentation and Development Network, has expressed concern over the misrepresentation of a recent visit by Andy Liu, the Head of the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria, to Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu as a diplomatic visit.

The organisation, in a press statement on Monday signed by its Executive Director, Austin Maho, said the portrayal of the visit as a diplomatic engagement between Taiwan and Nigeria is misleading and does not reflect the realities of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

SINOAFRIK stated that Taiwan is an inseparable part of the People’s Republic of China, and the Taipei Trade Office in Lagos operates as a non-diplomatic entity. It stressed that Nigeria does not recognize any entity referred to as the “Taiwanese government.”

It added that: “Any implication of bilateral collaboration with such an entity is seen as contradictory to Nigeria’s longstanding foreign policy, which has been grounded in mutual respect for the One-China Principle since its adoption in 1971.”

According to the statement, the One-China Principle asserts that there is only one China, with Taiwan being an integral part of it, and recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. This position is reinforced by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 from 1971, alongside historical documents such as the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation.

SINOAFRIK reiterated that the One-China Principle has been the foundation of Nigeria-China relations for over five decades.

“At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing, Nigeria and China elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, where Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China Principle and its opposition to any form of Taiwan independence,” the statement noted.

The organisation pointed out that the People’s Republic of China has been a vital partner in Nigeria’s development, contributing significantly to key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, technology, trade, and human capital development. It said Nigeria is China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade exceeding $20 billion annually.

SINOAFRIK urged the Nigerian media and the public to avoid terms like “Taiwanese Ambassador to Nigeria,” “Taiwanese government,” or “Embassy of Taiwan in Nigeria,” as these terms imply the existence of “two Chinas” and are inconsistent with Nigeria’s foreign policy.

“The media must uphold objectivity, fairness, and accuracy in their reporting,” the statement added.

NGO Says Taiwan Representative in Nigeria Has No Diplomatic Recognition in Line with One-China Policy