Morning recap: Forest routes fuel South-West kidnappings, Jonathan 2027 endorsement tears PDP apart, other top stories

Security concerns are mounting in Nigeria's Southwest region as forests and porous border corridors across Oyo, Osun, Ogun, and Ekiti states have become primary infiltration routes for bandits and kidnappers. Findings reveal that armed groups fleeing military operations in the North are exploiting weak surveillance in forest reserves and border communities to launch attacks and abduct residents undetected.

Specific areas like the Old Oyo National Park, connecting Oyo and Kwara states, and forests linking Osun and Ekiti through Imesi-Ile, have been identified as major security threats. The report also highlights a disturbing case where a man's brother, missing for 18 years since 2007, was found at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, underscoring the long-term impact of such security failures.

In the political arena, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is experiencing internal turmoil over a controversial plan to endorse former President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2027 presidential election. Rival factions, particularly those supporting the Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, are trading accusations. The Wike-backed faction questions the legitimacy and authority of the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, which is pushing for the endorsement.

Adding to the party's internal strife, a PDP faction in Lagos State, loyal to Minister Wike, has suspended former Deputy National Chairman Bode George and 23 other members. The suspensions were reportedly due to alleged anti-party activities. This internal conflict within the PDP signals deep divisions as the country approaches the 2027 election cycle.