A female traveler, Lucy Jeremiah aged 29 who was abducted along with three others snatched an AK47 rifle from one of the kidnappers, suffered a knife attack, and managed to frustrate the kidnappers’ plan, freeing herself and the three other victims.
The courageous lady, a resident of Abuja, was traveling with seven other passengers to Mangu council of Plateau State for a wedding and to celebrate Christmas when their vehicle was stopped by the kidnappers.
Tapnan spoke yesterday at police headquarters in Jos, it was a horrific experience.
She said: “When we were approaching Science School, Kuru, kidnappers ordered our car to stop. I saw standing in front of the car door a man holding a gun instructing everyone on board to come down and surrender their phones and cash.
The kidnappers selected four of us out of the seven passengers and led us into the forest and left the remaining three at the scene.”
At a point, she “told the other passengers, you guys are men; let’s attack them and free ourselves from them, but they complained that these men were armed with dangerous weapons so any attempt was death.
“I then vowed that no matter what they’re holding my God would protect me, so, please if I hold the one with the gun, they should rush at the one holding a knife. So I immediately grabbed the man with the AK47 and he shouted, and at that point the one with a knife attacked me wanting to pierce my stomach but I dodged it and the knife entered my leg.”
Police spokesman Alfred Alabo confirmed the incident, saying upon receiving the report of the attack,
the “Command immediately spread dragnets across the state in a bid to rescue the victims unhurt and apprehend the suspects”.
Alabo said while police were on their way to the scene, “one of the victims, a female, by the name Lucy Jeremiah Tapnang, displayed bravery by challenging her captors’ knowing that help was on the way.
“That act of bravery led to their escape from the kidnappers den before they were rescued by the Police”.
Tapnang and the others were taken to a police clinic for treatment, while the hunt for the kidnappers was on, it was said.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kebbi State has received more than 10,000 defectors from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, including several local government party chairmen and political stakeholders.
The defectors were formally received on Tuesday at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi by Governor Nasir Idris, who assured them of equal treatment and full integration into the ruling party.
Addressing the gathering, the governor described the APC as a party open to all and urged the new members to work with existing party leaders to strengthen the party ahead of future elections.
The governor further called on APC leaders across the state to embrace the new members and ensure their full participation in party activities.
Speaking on behalf of supporters of ADC chieftain Senator Garba Musa Maidoki, Bello Doya said the group decided to join the APC to support the developmental programmes of the Idris administration, which he described as transparent and people-oriented.
In a related development, the Chairman of the PDP Local Government Chairmen’s Association in Kebbi State also defected to the APC alongside other party officials.
Responding on behalf of the PDP defectors, the Chairman of Bunza Local Government Area, Bello Manti, said they were motivated by the governor’s performance and inclusive style of leadership.
Among the prominent defectors were the PDP chairmen of Dandi, Koko/Besse, Arewa, Zuru, Ngaski, Yauri, Shanga, Danko-Wasagu, Sakaba and Aliero local government areas.
Universal Insurance Plc, Nigeria’s top underwriter, said it has paid a total of ₦1.35billion in claims during the second quarter of 2026.
This milestone according to the company highlights its ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction and the prompt settlement of genuine claims across its diverse business lines.
Tge company noted that theu claims were paid across key portfolios, including Agriculture, Aviation, Bond, Engineering, Fire, General Accident, Marine, Motor, Oil & Gas, and Special Risk insurance, demonstrating the company’s capacity to support its policyholders when they need it most.
Speaking on the performance, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Insurance Plc, Dr. Jeff Duru, noted that the impressive claims payout reflects the company’s financial strength, operational efficiency, and customer-centric philosophy.
“At Universal Insurance Plc, our customers remain at the heart of everything we do. Insurance is built on trust, and nothing demonstrates that trust more than our ability to honour genuine claims promptly. The payment of over ₦1.35 billion in claims within the second quarter of year 2026 is a clear testament to our unwavering commitment to standing by our policyholders in their moments of need.”
He emphasized that prompt claims settlement remains a core strategic priority for the company as it seeks to strengthen trust in the insurance industry and deliver exceptional service to individuals, businesses, and corporate organizations.
The insurer added that every genuine claim is processed with professionalism, transparency, and urgency to ensure minimal disruption to the businesses and daily lives of its clients.
As it deepens its market presence, Universal Insurance Plc plans to continue developing innovative products, leveraging technology for faster service delivery, and maintaining high standards of corporate governance to protect the lives, businesses, and investments of its clients.