Author: Farouk Abbas

THE Federal Government has again reaffirmed its long-standing policy of refusing to pay ransom for abducted victims, insisting that all rescue operations are carried out through sustained military pressure and intelligence-led operations rather than negotiations with criminals. The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, made the clarification during an interview with BBC Hausa, monitored by News Point Nigeria, amid widespread public assumptions that ransom payments are often made to secure the release of kidnapped victims, particularly schoolchildren. According to the minister, such assumptions are inaccurate and fail to reflect the realities of how security agencies conduct rescue missions across the country.…

A FRESH controversy has erupted in Katsina State following allegations that a local government council earmarked ₦300 million in its 2026 budget to pay suspected bandits, despite repeated assurances by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda that his administration does not negotiate with criminal groups. News Point Nigeria report that the allegation was made by a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state, Dr Mustapha Inuwa, who claimed that the allocation was part of a broader pattern in which several local councils affected by insecurity allegedly make monthly payments running into millions of naira to bandits. Inuwa, a former…

THE Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have signed a new agreement aimed at improving the quality of the university education system and ensuring stability. News Point Nigeria reports that the new agreement replaces the 2009 pact that triggered several industrial actions over unresolved issues. The signing and unveiling of the agreement took place on Wednesday at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Conference Hall in Maitama, Abuja. The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad. Speaking at the…

THE national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has firmly denied reports suggesting that he has approved or endorsed a planned defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). News Point Nigeria reports that Kwankwaso’s denial follows a wave of speculation in Kano political circles that the governor is preparing to dump the NNPP for the APC, a development that has heightened internal tensions within the party and fuelled claims that the former Kano governor may have softened his long-standing opposition to political defections. On Tuesday night, reports…

THE Nigeria Police Force says a coordinated security operation across Kogi and Kwara states has led to the rescue of 309 hostages, the arrest of 129 suspected terrorists, and the killing of 55 others. The Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this on Tuesday during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television monitored by News Point Nigeria. Providing details of the operation, Hundeyin said the suspects who were killed during armed confrontations with security operatives, stressing that the incidents were not cases of extrajudicial killings. “I can confirm that 129 of these terrorists were arrested and 55 were…

THE United States has delivered military supplies to Nigerian security agencies to bolster security operations in several parts of the country. This was disclosed in a post via X on Tuesday by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) sighted by News point Nigeria. “U.S. forces delivered critical military supplies to our Nigerian partners in Abuja. This delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and emphasizes our shared security partnership,” the post read. The Federal Government had said that the US government affirmed its readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria, including the provision of enhanced intelligence support, defence equipment, and articles to…

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a sharp surge in its nationwide membership following the rollout of its electronic registration platform, projecting that the party could record between eight and nine million registered members within days—a development that has sparked strong reactions from opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. News Point Nigeria reports that the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists in Abuja, revealing that over two million Nigerians had already registered digitally within one week of the commencement of the exercise. Basiru said the electronic registration initiative, approved last…

THERE was a heavy deployment of security operatives at the Kano State Government House on Monday amid growing speculation over the planned defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). A visit to the Government House by News Point Nigeria revealed the presence of combined security personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), who mounted checkpoints and maintained a strong security cordon around the premises. At least seven Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) belonging to the police and the DSS were stationed…

THE Federal Government has proposed a ₦42.18 billion allocation to provide basic healthcare services for an estimated 10 million vulnerable Nigerians in 2026, as part of a broader ₦2.48 trillion budgetary provision for the health sector. News Point Nigeria reports that the proposal forms part of the ₦58.47 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the National Assembly last month, outlining the administration’s fiscal priorities amid persistent economic pressures and social challenges. According to details of the budget, the ₦42.18 billion intervention is earmarked for the procurement of essential drugs, medical consumables, diagnostic reagents, test kits,…

THE Department of State Services (DSS) has broken its silence on the abduction and defilement of a minor by one of its staff member. News Point Nigeria reports that a magistrate court in Hadejia, Jigawa State, had ordered the arrest and investigation of the operative over allegations of abducting, unlawfully detaining, and forcing the religious conversion of the 16-year-old girl. This followed a petition by a group of lawyers under Gamji Lawchain, who acted on behalf of the father of the girl identified as Walida Ibrahim. The petition alleged that the officer had abducted Walida over two years ago, held…

THE Commander, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, accompanied by officers of the Brigade, has paid a solidarity visit to Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Wesley Tafida, a World War II veteran and father of Major General HT Wesley (Retired). The visit, aimed at crisscrossing, brought to light sacrifices made by the veteran in protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria during World War II (1944–1945), where he served as a courier conveying arms and ammunition. Aged 106 years, the veteran warmly received the delegation and assured them of a good reward for their sacrifices and dedication to the safety…

THE vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Datti Baba-Ahmed, says he did not declare interest in contesting for the presidency in 2027. Datti said this on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief monitored by News Point Nigeria, explaining that he only clarified that he was still a member of the LP. “I never declared to contest the presidency even though there could be a possibility of that happening. I certainly did not declare for the presidency. I simply reiterated my membership of the Labour Party,” the Labour Party chieftain said on the morning show.…

THERE is growing confusion among the 140 licensed Nigerian private tour operators following the failure of a Saudi company, Rawaf Mina, to secure camp services for their 10,000 pilgrims in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa for the 2026 Hajj. This comes after the companies realised that Rawaf Mina, which was engaged on November 15, 2025 by NAHCON for them, does not have the capacity and requisite authorization from the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to provide camp services to pilgrims this year. The company was engaged to provide services to about 9,750 Nigerian private pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj.…

THE Zamfara State Government has raised the alarm over what it described as the alleged abduction of one of its officials in Abuja, accusing federal security operatives of being used to harass and intimidate opposition figures within the state. The government claimed that Saleem Abubakar, a technical assistant in the office of the Zamfara State Governor, was allegedly abducted in the Federal Capital Territory by operatives linked to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Thursday, the spokesman to the Zamfara State Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said the incident had…

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it will continue the probe of a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ahmed Farouk, despite the withdrawal of the petition by Aliko Dangote. News Point Nigeria reports that ICPC said it had received a “notice of withdrawal” of the petition against Ahmed, submitted by a legal counsel to Dangote. It, however, said that in line with the provisions of sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling law, it would continue to investigate the matter in line with its statutory mandate…

A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru-Rahman Malami, to the Federal Government. A statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Wednesday by the EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Tuesday, following an ex-parte application filed by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ekele Iheanacho. Oyewale said the properties, valued at about N213.2 billion, are located in Abuja as well as Kebbi,…

JUSTICE Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and two others, bail in the sum of ₦500 million with two sureties. News Point Nigeria reports that the sureties, according to the judge, must have landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, Gwarinpa. He added that they must submit their travelling documents to the court. The documents of the properties are to be verified by the deputy chief registrar of the court while the sureties are also to depose to affidavit of means. Malami was also ordered to deposit…

FORMER Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has taken a swipe at Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso over his criticism of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf amid growing speculation that the Kano governor may defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Shekarau insisted that party defection is a personal and political decision shaped by prevailing circumstances, consultations and historical precedent, arguing that no elected official should be compelled to relinquish a mandate for changing political platforms. Speaking in an interview with the online platform DCL Hausa monitored by News Point Nigeria, the former governor rejected Kwankwaso’s assertion that Governor Yusuf…

RESIDENTS of Zugurma area in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State were thrown into shock on Monday after a missile-like object was discovered in a bush near the community, prompting swift intervention by security agencies. According to local sources, the strange object was sighted by residents during routine activities in the area. Alarmed by its appearance and potential danger, the locals immediately alerted security authorities for urgent action. A source familiar with the development told this newspaper that the object was suspected to be a missile warhead, with preliminary speculation suggesting it could be a Tomahawk missile component believed…

BARELY days after a deadly market massacre in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, fear has returned to several border communities as terrorists reportedly issued fresh written threats, warning residents of renewed attacks and forcing many families to flee their homes. Residents of multiple villages in Agwara and Borgu local government areas told News Point Nigeria that suspected terrorists, believed to be operating from the Kainji Game Reserve axis, have sent messages threatening to continue the killings that claimed more than 50 lives last Saturday. The threats, according to locals, have sparked panic and mass displacement across vulnerable border…