John Azi, a graduate of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), has regained his freedom after spending 11 days in the hands of kidnappers.

Azi, who studied Early Childhood Education, was abducted on April 11, 2026, while travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Zaria in Kaduna State.

According to his family, the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N30 million, which was later reduced to N5 million before rising again due to shifting demands. His elder brother, Bulus Azi, confirmed that the family eventually paid a total of N10.3 million in instalments to secure his release.

Bulus explained that the kidnappers kept increasing the ransom whenever news of the incident surfaced on social media, forcing the family to make multiple payments.

He said the victim was released in Zaria and given some medical attention before arrangements were made for his return to Jos. At the time of reporting, Azi was still on his way home, as the family had hired a driver from Kaduna to bring him back.

Despite informing the police, the family handled the negotiations independently, citing urgency to save his life.

As of now, the Plateau State Police Command has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.

Source: Cable

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has attributed Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges to what he described as the poor privatization of the power sector by previous administrations.

Speaking on the issue, Tinubu said the decisions made during the privatization process have significantly contributed to the country’s current power problems. He urged Nigerians to hold past leaders accountable for what he termed a “terrible” handling of the sector.

The President lamented the continued instability in electricity supply, noting that many Nigerians still face frequent outages and unreliable power due to deep-rooted structural issues.

Despite the challenges, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reforming the economy and revitalizing the power sector. He called for unity and patience, expressing optimism that ongoing reforms will deliver long-term stability and national development.

He added that with sustained efforts and collective support, Nigeria can overcome its challenges and achieve lasting progress.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle affecting the Federal Executive Council (FEC), with key changes in the finance and housing ministries.

According to a memo issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, former Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, have been directed to step down from their positions.

Taiwo Oyedele has been elevated to serve as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. He previously held the position of Minister of State in the ministry.

In the housing sector, Muttaqha Rabe Darma has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister-designate for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

All affected officials have been instructed to complete their handover processes on or before Thursday, April 23, 2026.

The presidency said the reshuffle is aimed at improving coordination in governance and delivering better economic outcomes under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The President also thanked the outgoing ministers for their service and wished them well in their future endeavors.