Author: Bala Muhammad

THE Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Musa, has said that wanted terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji, is in a state of panic following the renewed military onslaught on terrorists in the North West. Mr Musa said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of NAN’s maiden Annual International Lecture on Thursday in Abuja. The CDS explained that the killing of Halilu Buzu and many other terrorist commanders had sent panic to the camp of Turji and his gang, adding that his latest actions were signs of panic. “He used to be emboldened…

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced that over ₦13 billion in diverted public funds was recovered in September 2024 alone. The Chairman of the ICPC, Musa Aliyu, disclosed this during the launch of the commission’s 2024-2028 strategic action plan in Abuja on Wednesday. Aliyu, who emphasised that the anti-corruption agency has been working relentlessly to fulfil its mandate, did not disclose where exactly these funds were recovered from. “Over the past year, the ICPC has made significant progress in discharging its mandate; for example, we recovered over ₦13 billion in diverted public funds in…

THE Defence Headquarters said investigations are actively underway into allegations of banditry sponsorship in the North-West region. The DHQ’s Director of Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this on Thursday at a press briefing in Abuja, affirming that relevant agencies tasked with such responsibilities were diligently investigating the matter. The development comes on the heels of accusations and counter-accusations between the Minister of State for Defence and immediate past governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle, and his successor, Dauda Lawal, over banditry sponsorship. On Tuesday, Matawalle challenged Lawal to swear by the Holy Qur’an that he had no involvement in…

JUSTICE Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court has found the five suspects involved in the Offa robbery incidents guilty of illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery, and culpable homicide. According to the judge, the offences are punishable by death. The incident happened in April 2018. Delivering the judgement which lasted three and half hours, the judge said all evidence submitted by the prosecuting team found them guilty. On the possession of firearms, the judgement pronounced judgement of three years in prison. The convicts are Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salahudeen Azeez, and Niyi Ogundiran. Briefing journalists, the…

AT least three persons have been reported killed and many others kidnapped by bandits who attacked two churches at Bakinpah-Maro Community in the Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State. Eyewitnesses said that the incident occurred on Sunday morning when the bandits in large numbers invaded the ECWA and Catholic Churches in the area during church services. A former chairman of Kajuru LGA, Cafra Caino, said the bandits took away 30 persons including a pastor, Bernard Gajera, from both churches. Confirming the incident to News Point Nigeria, a spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, said…

NO fewer than 23 people have died in a road accident that occurred in Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The accident which occurred around 1pm on Sunday involved mostly children who were travelling to cerebrate Eld El Maulud, a Muslim festival to mark the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). An eyewitness told this newspaper that about 15 children died in the tragic accident. Confirming the incident to News Point Nigeria, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kaduna State, Corps Commander Kabiru Nadabo, said the driver of the J5 bus carrying the children…

THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged any governor or leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to publicly call him a mole. Wike, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today monitored by News Point Nigeria, dared anyone to come forward and accuse him of being a mole. The FCT minister said, “Before I accepted my appointment as Minister, I wrote a letter to the PDP in my state, I wrote a letter to the PDP in my Zone, I wrote a letter to the PDP national, who in PDP is saying I’m a mole,…

GUNMEN suspected to be bandits have kidnapped two healthcare workers during an attack on a primary health centre in Kuyallo Ward located in the Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The bandits were said to have stormed the village on Monday during which they attacked the primary health centre and took away the two community extension workers. A community leader told this newspaper that the bandits had planned to attack a nearby government primary school, and when they could not find any pupil in the school, they attacked the healthcare facility and kidnapped the two workers. The source said…

TROOPS of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have apprehended notorious female kidnappers’ informant, Grace Markus, recovered an AK-47 rifle, and a vehicle in two separate operations. Grace Markus was arrested for reportedly aiding kidnappers and criminal elements in the area. A press statement by the Acting Assistant Director, 6 Brigade Army public relations, Captain Olubodunde Oni, said she was arrested on September 6th 2024 following the abduction of one Mallam Saidu in his place of abode at Vesee community of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State in an intelligence led operation. “She is confirmed to be…

OPERATIVES of the Kaduna State Police Command have apprehended 11 notorious suspected kidnappers and recovered several arms and ammunition in various operations across the state. In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, the arrest of the suspects was linked to the abduction of a District Head on August 14 who was released two days later. He explained that police operatives in collaboration with local hunters raided three villages in Lere Local Government Area, during which they arrested five persons suspected to be kidnappers and also recovered a local made single-barrel gun, a vehicle, one motorcycle…

THE Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, has condemned the recent attack in Mafa, Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State. This newspaper reports that gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents looted and set ablaze shops and houses in the local government. Yahaya, in a press statement signed on Wednesday by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli, described the attack as a senseless act of violence that has caused immense grief to the affected families and communities. He commended the security forces for their efforts against the remnants…

FORMER Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai took to his official X handle over the weekend to share his personal thoughts on what he termed ‘envy’ among Nigeria’s political class. His lamentation follows allegations of corruption and misappropriation of government funds during his eight years as governor of Kaduna State. However, in a long post on his on X handle on Saturday, El-Rufai who described envy as an ‘incurable disease’ said he doubted if it could be cured among the political class. He said, “WEEKEND REFLECTION: “NONE of us has to fail for ALL of us to succeed. And in unity…

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.…