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16/07/2025
Three seminarians abducted in Nigeria, guard killed
seminarian Andrew Peter – were murdered by their kidnappers.
The sheer numbers make the first quarter of 2025 the worst since 2022, when seven religious were kidnapped with one killed. In 2023, it was two kidnapped and one killed, and last year, three were kidnapped with one fatality.
Between 2015 and early 2025, 145 priests were kidnapped in Nigeria.
A new report by Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited (BSIL), a private security and intelligence firm in Nigeria, indicates that 5,400 Kidnappings were recorded in Nigeria in the first months of 2025, and 6,800 deaths were recorded within the same period.
The African nation has since 2009 been reeling from a Boko Haram insurgency intent on establishing a caliphate across the Sahel, but its murderous campaign in Nigeria has been worsened by the advent of other terrorist groups such as jihadist Fulani herdsmen and Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP.
Christians have largely been targeted by these groups. They aren’t only kidnapped, they are also killed.
“The violence targeting priests and Christian communities in Nigeria has deeply wounded the soul of the Church,” said Maria Lozano, Director of Aid to the Church in Need, (ACN) International Press and Media Department.
“Beyond the immediate threat to life, there is a silent suffering that weighs heavily on daily life. In many regions, pastoral ministry has been deeply affected — catechesis is imitated, liturgical celebrations are held with pain, and priests are often forced to limit their movements for safety reasons,” she told Crux.
14/07/2025
Missing Adekunle Ajasin University Students Found Dead
The two missing students from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Andrel Eloho Okah and John Friday Abba, have been found dead.
Their bodies were discovered over the weekend, three weeks after being reported missing by classmates. Okah was enrolled in the Department of History and International Studies, while Abba studied Economics in the Faculty of Agriculture.
The search for the students began a week after they failed to attend classes, prompting their peers to notify the police. A security source confirmed their deaths, stating, “The two missing AAUA students were killed by suspected abductors, and their bodies have been found where they were hidden.”
A fellow student, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed the sorrow enveloping the university: “It’s true. Their corpses were located in the bush. This is a dark moment for us; everyone is mourning.”
Upon inquiry, Olayinka Ayanlade, spokesperson for the state police command, assured further updates on the situation.
The whereabouts of the second-year students had puzzled their families, who initiated a distressing search and contacted law enforcement for assistance.
12/07/2025
Lagosians Head To Polls For LG, Councillorship Elections
Lagosians with PVCs would elect their preferred representatives in 13,325 polling units across the 376 wards spread across the state.
Exactly one year after a landmark Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy in Nigeria, 7,060,195 registered voters in Lagos State, Nigeria’s economic nerve centre and revenue powerhouse, head to the polls on Saturday, July 12, 2025, to elect their preferred representatives into chairmanship, vice-chairmanship and councillorship positions across the 20 local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state.
🧭 Overview: ADC as the Opposition Coalition Platform
In a major political shift, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their flagship platform to contest the 2027 general elections .
David Mark was appointed the interim National Chairperson, with Rauf Aregbesola serving as National Secretary, and Bolaji Abdullahi as spokesperson .
The coalition includes a broad alliance of former presidential hopefuls, governors, lawmakers, and civil society leaders, aiming to present a united front against the ruling APC .
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🌍 Grassroots Momentum: State Convergences & Reforms
From May 29 to June 6, 2025, ADC hosted state-level convergence events across all 36 capitals to deepen coalition partnerships and unify messaging within communities .
ADC amended internal rules to remove the two-year membership requirement for leadership roles—allowing broader citizen participation in party leadership and candidate selection .
They also launched a Digital Political Academy to educate citizens on civic engagement, leadership, and governance ahead of 2027 .
ADC plans joint programs with the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) to build a broader opposition coalition based on shared values .
🟢 Unity Claim: Addressing Faction Rumours
Despite media reports of internal splits, the ADC—and the Forum of State Chairmen—have firmly denied factional division, confirming any disputes were settled via internal Alternative Dispute Resolution in early 2025 .
ADC leadership reinforces a united commitment to coalition efforts, dismissing allegations of internal sabotage or leadership contestations .
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🏞️ Expanding Reach: Structures and Realignments
ADC has started to integrate PDP state executives in northern states (like Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa) into its coalition, signaling expansion of its influence beyond Abuja .
High-profile politicians from both PDP and APC are being engaged, though formal defections remain pending .
🧠 Strategic Challenges & Criticism
The North Central Citizens Council (NCCC) criticized the ADC-led coalition as a “coalition of confusion,” arguing it comprises disgruntled politicians trying to remain relevant. They urged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s administration .
Analysts highlight that ADC faces the same challenges encountered by past opposition blocs: Buhari’s APC built momentum by consolidating strength from grassroots, which the current ADC-based coalition must replicate to succeed .
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✅ Quick Summary Table
Area Key Updates
Coalition Platform ADC adopted as official opposition vehicle by Atiku/Obi-led coalition
Leadership Interim chair: David Mark; Sec: Aregbesola; Spokesperson: Abdullahi
Grassroots Action State convergence events; constitutional changes; digital academy
Internal Unity Faction rumors dismissed; ADR resolved disputes
Growth Strategy Absorbing PDP structures in North; wider political outreach
Criticism NCCC calls coalition opportunistic; analysts weigh its electoral viability
🚀 What to Watch Next
Completion of ADA registration with INEC. If approved, the coalition may shift from ADC to ADA for formal operations .
Outcome of the 2026 ADC convention, where fresh leadership will replace Interim heads like David Mark .
Whether high-profile figures from PDP and APC fully defect and bring along their networks.
Effectiveness of ongoing state mobilization, civic education, and messaging in undercutting APC dominance.
The ADC-led alliance is positioning itself as the strongest opposition bloc since the 2015 APC coalition, with unified strategies, structural reforms, and inclusive messaging. Its success will hinge on converting elite support into broad-based grassroots momentum—and navigating criticism from both rivals and sceptics.
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