Author: Bala Muhammad

THE International Criminal Police Organisation has arrested more than 300 people with links to one of West Africa’s most feared criminal networks, Black Axe, and other affiliated groups. The Black Axe is a secretive criminal network involved in trafficking, prostitution and killing operations around the world. However, cybercrime is the group’s largest source of revenue. According to a release by the organisation, the operation has led to hundreds of arrests, the seizure of assets worth $3m, and the dismantling of multiple criminal networks around the world. Operation Jackal III, which ran from 10 April to 3 July across 21 countries…

AS the national polo tour intensifies, the northern leg is gearing up for a jam-packed schedule in September, with three marquee tournaments lined up for the third quarter of the 2024 season. Patrons, players, and polo enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating these high-profile events, which will take place across the Northwestern and Northeastern regions of Nigeria. This newspaper gathered that the ancient kingdoms of Kano, Kabi, and Fombina are already buzzing with excitement as their respective tournament dates approach. These grand slam polo fiestas, known for their thrilling competition, rich cultural displays, and grandeur, are just weeks away. According to the…

FORMER governor of Kano state, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, says he had no money to buy governorship nomination forms for the 2023 election and had to obtain loan to buy the form fixed at N5 million naira at the time. He said it was the late elder statesman, Malam Magaji Danbatta, then chairman of Kano Forum whom he approached and got a loan of N1 million from. Speaking at the maiden memorial lecture in honor of the late Magaji Danbatta, Shekarau recalled how the 1.5 million naira raised by his friends and political associates for his governorship aspiration was not enough…

THE district head of Garu Kurama community in the Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Yakubu Jadi and six other members of Gurzan Kurama village have been kidnapped by bandits. Among the victims include the catechist of the Catholic church in the community and the daughter of the district head. Although the police authorities in Kaduna State are yet to confirm the incident, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) said in a statement issued by its public relations officer, Josiah Abraks, that the district head and the other victims were abducted on the night of Friday, August 23rd. He…

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released the sacked chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Jalal Arabi, and the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, on bail. Arabi and Kontagora were detained over alleged illegal withdrawal and the mismanagement of the N90bn 2024 Hajj intervention fund. They were, however, unable to meet their bail conditions and stayed in EFCC’s custody for five days. But speaking with our correspondent on Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter stated that Arabi and Kontagora had met their bail conditions. The source said they were released on Monday, adding that no further recovery…

SOME leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) including the President of Congress, Joe Ajaero are already converging at the NLC headquarters for an emergency National Executive Council meeting. The meeting comes following the summoning of Ajaero by the Nigerian Police Force for investigation over allegations of terrorism financing, treasonable felony and cybercrime. The summon had ordered the NLC president to present himself for questioning by 10:00 am today. On Monday, this newspaper reported how the NPF invitation was contained in a letter dated 19th August 2024, and signed by ACP Adamu Muazu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of…

AS the rainy season gets to its peak, the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) has warned people living in flood prone areas to vacate to safer areas to avoid imminent flooding. In a statement by its Executive Secretary, Usman Mazadu, said seven local government areas are at risk of flooding especially communities along waterways in anticipation of heavy downpour. The agency explained that it has become necessary to notify the flood prone communities about the torrential rainfall experienced between Sunday, August 18 and Monday, August 19, and still going on without abating. He, however, noted that the heavy rainfall…

THE federal government said the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies need at least 350 million rounds of ammunition annually for their various operations, adding that it costs the government at least $2 per ammunition. He said the volume will cost the Federal Government at least two dollars per ammunition. The minister disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Defence through the Defence Industries Corporations of Nigeria (DICON) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering (NASENI) on the establishment of an ammunition production factory in Nigeria.…

THE Kaduna State Government has relaxed the dusk-to-dawn curfew it imposed on Kaduna and Zaria metropolitan cities following the outbreak of violence from the recent #EndBadGovernance protests. The curfew was relaxed on Tuesday morning after an extensive review of the security situation in the two cities, and their environs by the Kaduna State Security Council under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani. In a statement, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, announced that the 6 pm to 8 am curfew has been removed completely. With the development, the statement said law-abiding citizens are free…

THE Federal Government has said that it is now mandatory for all government organisations and agencies to procure military hardware from the Military Industrial Complex at the Defence Industry Corporation, DICON, Kaduna. While addressing a news conference in Abuja ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Defence Industry Corporation (DICON), the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Ibrahim Kana says it is only when the desired hardware is unavailable at DICON that government organisations will be allowed to make procurements from abroad. Kana explained that the new DICON Act signed into law by President Bola Tinubu mandates government agencies…

POLICE operatives have arrested an eight-month-old pregnant woman who is the leader of an oil bunkering syndicate along with her husband and six others over alleged illegal oil bunkering in the South-East. Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, the nation’s capital, adding that the suspects were apprehended on July 4. Though he didn’t disclose the exact state, he said the suspects were involved in aiding and abetting an organized syndicate specialised in tampering with oil pipelines and stealing. “On 4th July 2024, personnel of the Taskforce attached to the South-East Surveillance intercepted…

IN a series of operations, the Nigerian Army has rescued kidnap victims and apprehended suspected Boko Haram commanders and terrorist logistic suppliers, among others. In a statement shared on X.com on Tuesday, the NA revealed that soldiers rescued an abducted former LG chairman and arrested a notorious kidnapping kingpin in Egbe Community of Yagba Local Government Area in Kogi State. The statement partly read, “The suspect, Mohammed Bello, who belonged to a seven-man syndicate specialised in kidnapping unsuspecting citizens, has been on the security agencies’ wanted criminals’ watchlist. “The same troops responded to a distress call regarding a kidnapping incident…

THE #EndBadGovernance protest turned bloody in Kaduna State on Tuesday, following the killing of a teenager by a soldier in the Samaru area of Zaria in the state. News Point Nigeria reports that the late 16-year old boy, Isma’il Muhammad was said to have been shot by the soldier inside his father’s house, while the security operatives were enforcing the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Kaduna State Government following a violent protest that broke out in Zaria and Kaduna on Monday. Confirming the incident in a statement, the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the soldier…

THE Kaduna State Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDC) on Monday said its dispute with the state government over tax arrears has been resolved. On August 2, the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) sealed the distribution company’s (DisCo) headquarters over alleged N600 million unpaid taxes. KADIRS Executive Chairman, Jerry Adams, told journalists that the company was sealed after it obtained a court order. Shortly after, the company announced the disconnection of power supply to the Government House and other state facilities over a N2.9 billion debt. However, in a statement, KAEDC said all issues in dispute were resolved following a series of…

THE Kaduna State Security Council has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria Metropolitan Cities. This is as a result of the protest in the cities. Although normalcy had been restored in some parts of Kaduna, thousands of youths are out on the streets, demanding an end to what they described as bad governance. President Bola Tinubu had addressed the nation, suing for calm, but the protesters said the nation’s number one citizen did not address their demands. In a statement on Monday, Samuel Aruwan, Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, said the measure was taken…

TROOPS of the Nigerian Army have arrested a notorious gunrunner on transit to deliver high caliber weapons to terrorists in Kaduna State. A statement by the Nigerian Army on its official X handle (formerly Twitter), said the troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, intercepted the suspected notorious gunrunner, Mallam Hashimu Ahmad, at Saminaka in Lere local government area of the State. The statement said the suspect, who had been on the wanted list of the security agencies for supplying arms and ammunition to terrorists, was captured while on transit to deliver sophisticated weapons to terrorists. Items found in his…

GOVERNOR Uba Sani of Kaduna State has alleged that opposition politicians are taking advantage of the #EndBadGovernance protests for “political revenge” because they lost elections. The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain stated this on Channels Television’s The August Protests programme on Friday monitored by News Point Nigeria. He alleged that members of the opposition are mobilising vulnerable people to join the protests. Sani urged them to wait till the next general elections to “change the government through the ballot”. The governor faulted some the leaders of the protests whom he claimed left the protests to children instead of leading from…

THE Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has condemned the destruction and looting of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Industrial Park in Kano. On Thursday, hoodlums attacked the facility and set it ablaze amidst a wave of nationwide protests against economic hardship. A day after the incident, Sanusi decried the action of the youths, warning that such destruction of public assets should not repeat itself. “Today is a sad day for the people of Kano due to what happened in the state. We sympathize with the entire indigenes of Kano,” he said while briefing journalists on Friday. “What happened is…

IN what seems like a back-and-forth game, the management of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has disconnected power supply to the Kaduna State Government House and other state government offices over unpaid bills amounting to N2.9 Billion. This followed an earlier sealing up of Kaduna Electric headquarters by the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service on Friday morning over unpaid taxes of over N600 million. The Executive Chairman of the service, Jerry Adams, who led the operation, explained that the Service secured a court order for the immediate closure and taking over of the Company’s property until all unpaid taxes are settled. However,…

The Kaduna State Police Command says it has arrested 25 suspects involved in violent attacks on government agencies. The Command’s Spokesman, ASP Mansir Hassan, disclosed the arrests on Monday, noting that some of the apprehended individuals are members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN). Among the items recovered from the suspects were an AK-47 rifle, live ammunition, a jackknife, and a police camouflage uniform. Some of the arrested individuals were found in possession of these items, raising concerns about the extent of the planned violence. The arrests come amid heightened tensions and protests in Kaduna, which have seen a…