Author: Sani Nura

BANDITS have abducted passengers and burnt their vehicle in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. This newspaper learnt that the incident occurred at Kwanar Jalab village in Zungeru Ward, Shinkafi LGA. The notorious bandits’ kingpin, Bello Turji, had threatened to launch attacks in response to the arrest of his relatives. It is not clear if this incident is as a result of the threat. A resident of Shinkafi, who craved anonymity, said the bandits ambushed the vehicle around 8am, on Tuesday, while conveying passengers to Shinkafi from Gusau, the state capital. “The bandits abducted all the passengers on board…

GOMBE State Governor,  Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has expressed immense pride in the outstanding performance of the state’s contingents at the recently concluded 39th edition of the National Quranic Recitation Competition held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. The Governor commended the overall winner in the Female Category, Rumaisa’u Dahir Ibrahim and other victors for their exceptional performance, especially given that six out of eight Gombe State representatives secured prizes in various categories. Rumaisa’u was crowned the Overall Winner in the Female Category having claimed first place in the 60 Hizb with Tafsir and Qiraat. She scored a total of 95.6%…

A CHIEFTAIN of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Zamfara state, Dr. Sani Shinkafi has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the escalating security threat posed by the notorious bandit leader Bello Turji. Speaking to journalists in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, Shinkafi expressed grave concern over Turji’s latest threats to turn towns and villages in Sokoto and Zamfara states into ghost communities if his demands are not met. The alarm was raised following the release of a video by Turji where he boldly challenged security agencies to release his ally, Bako Wurgi, who was recently apprehended by security…

FORMER Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has assured that insecurity plaguing Zamfara and Northwestern Nigeria will be reduced to the barest minimum by October 2025. He made this declaration while addressing journalists at his country home in Talata-Mafara Local Government Area of the state. The senator highlighted the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to tackle the menace, emphasizing the deployment of additional security personnel to combat terrorists in the region, particularly in Zamfara State. “Recently, the military has ordered some equipment and deployed them to the Northwest, not for anything but because Northwest is becoming the territory of criminalities…

THE troops of Sector 2 Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have apprehended a 25-year-old suspected female ammunition courier, Shamsiyya Ahadu. This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau, Zamfara State, on Sunday by the Coordinator, Joint Media Coordination Centre of the operation, Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi. According to the statement, Ahadu was arrested on December 28 alongside her accomplice, a motorcyclist, Ahmed Husaini, in Badarawa area of the Shinkafi Local Government Area of the state. She was found in possession of 764 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 6 magazines meant to be delivered to terrorist…

VICE President Kashim Shettima has apologised to the families of the victims of the bombing in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Ten people were killed in airstrikes on Wednesday, December 25 when the military targeted a logistics base of the Lakurawa insurgent group in two communities in the LGA. Three days after, Shettima extended his heartfelt sympathy to families of those mistakenly hit by the military onslaught on the terrorist group. He said it was one of those rare sad moments when innocent civilians are caught in crossfire in the ongoing efforts to rid the country of all…

THE Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has blamed what it described as a “secondary explosion” for the death of “about ten persons” following strikes in Sokoto. A few days back, the Sokoto Government said ten villagers were killed and others injured after military strikes in the Silame Local Government Area of the state. But the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said the deaths and injuries were due to “secondary explosions” and not a direct result of the strikes. “Now, I spoke about secondary explosions. Because one of the targets was a logistic base of the terrorists in the…

TROOPS of the 1 Brigade in Sector 2 Joint Task Force, North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have killed a “notorious” terrorist kingpin in Zamfara State. Alhaji Ma’oli was killed alongside other suspected terrorists on Thursday. The Coordinator Joint Media Coordination Centre, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, said the operation leading to Alhaji Ma’oli’s death and that of others took place in Mai Sheka village close to Kunchin Kalgo town “which is one of the local communities that had suffered under Ma’oli’s reign of terror”. “Ma’oli is renowned for always imposing illegal levies on residents of Unguwan Rogo, Mai Sheka,…

HOURS after the tragic airstrike in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State, a survivor has recounted the harrowing experience of watching her family perish in the ensuing inferno. In an interview with BBC Hausa, the distraught woman, who requested anonymity, described how her father, mother, and four younger siblings were burnt to death during the air strike. Through tears, she said, “I saw them burning – my mother, my father, and my three younger brothers.” The airstrike, allegedly carried out by a Nigerian military warplane, occurred on Tuesday morning, targeting suspected insurgents in the area. However, the attack reportedly…

TROOPS of the Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma have destroyed several terrorist camps around Bichi Hill in the Danmusa Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State. Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, Coordinator of the Joint Media Coordination Centre, disclosed this in a statement made available to News Point Nigeria, Thursday. According to the statement, the operation came in response to credible intelligence that revealed active terrorist activities in the area, which had culminated in assaults on local communities in Danmusa, Safana, and Kankara Local Government Area on 19 December 2024. See full statement below: Press Release:  Troops Destroy…

SOKOTO State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has confirmed the accidental bombing of innocent villagers by military fighter jets in the state. Governor Aliyu confirmed the incident whiel visiting the community accompanied by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in the state, Senator Aliyu Wamakko and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi. At least 10 people were killed with several injured in military airstrike in the early hours of Wednesday. The governor sympathised with the community and described the incident as unfortunate. “The military jets were on their mission to eliminate criminals armed groups terrorizing the state, and mistakenly…

THE governor of Adamawa State Umaru Fintiri has announced the creation of six additional chiefdoms and emirates in the state. The governor made this disclosure in a state-wide broadcast to residents of the state at the Government House in Yola, the state capital as part of activities to mark this year’s Christmas celebration. “Today, I announced the creation of 7 new Emirates and Chiefdoms in Adamawa State: Hoba (Hong, 2nd Class), Madagali (Gulak, 2nd Class), Michika (Michika, 2nd Class), Fufore (Fufore, 2nd Class), Gombi (Gombi, 3rd Class), Maiha (Maiha, 3rd Class), and Yungur (Dumne, 3rd Class),” the governor wrote on…

THE Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining activities in Zamfara State, five years after. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed this in a press briefing, his spokesman, Segun Tomori said on Sunday. “The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State, citing significant improvements in the security situation across the state,” the statement read. Alake stated that Nigeria “has a lot to gain from reawakened economic activities in a highly mineralised state like Zamfara that is imbued with vast gold, Lithium, and copper belts.” The minister explained that the previous…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigerian military to ensure that banditry is brought to an end in 2025, Minister of State for Defense, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has said. Matawalle disclosed this on Saturday while addressing All Progressives Congress, APC, members at his Gusau residence, promising that the military would do everything to comply with the President’s directive. The former governor of Zamfara State said the Federal Government has concluded all necessary arrangements to deploy more troops and military equipment to troubled areas in the North-West zone. “The Federal Government and military chiefs are very much disturbed over the issue…

A RAVAGING fire has engulfed the popular Yar-Dole motorcycle market in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, with firefighters currently battling to contain the inferno. The fire which broke out this evening has left traders and residents in shock as several shops and stalls burn uncontrollably. Eyewitnesses report that the fire spread rapidly through the market which is a major hub for motorcycle and spare parts in the state. The cause of the fire is still unknown. “We don’t know the cause of the fire, we just notice flame from the motorcycle shops, but the fire service is still battling to…

GOMBE State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, earlier today, gave out the hand of Aisha Ibrahim Njodi, daughter of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, in marriage to her heartthrob, Aliyu Ibrahim. The wedding fatiha, held at the Muhammadu Umar Central Mosque,  Kaltungo, was marked by an atmosphere of joy and as government officials,  friends, family, and well-wishers shared in the happiness of the Njodi family. The solemnization of the union was officiated by the Chief Imam of the mosque. Governor Inuwa Yahaya graciously stood as the bride’s Waliy (guardian) on behalf of the Njodi…

A YOUTH corps member deployed to Kebbi state Tayachibiyacha Ebal has slumped and died at Dakin Gari NYSC orientation camp. It was gathered that the youth corps member who suddenly slumped was immediately rushed to the camp clinic for medical attention. She was later taken to the Federal Medical Centre Birnin Kebbi for advanced medical attention, however, despite efforts made by doctors to resuscitate her, gave up the ghost. Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Kebbi State, Alhaji Muhammad Fingila who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, said that her remains have been sent to her home state Adamawa.…

GOMBE State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has been named the ‘Security Role Model Governor of the Year’ 2024 by People’s Security Monitor, a leading security-focused media platform. The award was bestowed on the Governor in recognition his outstanding leadership, strategic innovations, and commitment to maintaining peace and security in Gombe State. The award ceremony was held at the Nigeria National Merit House in Abuja, during the People’s Security Monitor Annual Lecture with the theme “Attainment of Ideal Security for the People: The Gombe State Example”. The organizers commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his innovative strategies, awareness, managerial expertise, and…

THE Adamawa State House of Assembly has passed a bill for the creation of more emirates with first-class emirs in the state. The new emirate law, now awaiting Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s assent, was passed days after the governor assented to another law, the state’s District Creation Law 2024, which created 83 new districts on 4 December. Fintiri, in a letter to the lawmakers on Monday, requested the passage of a bill for a law to provide for the Adamawa State Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) and matters incidental thereto. The bill empowered the governor to create additional emirates, and appoint or…

GOVERNOR Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State says some financially less-buoyant states may not survive if the tax reform bills before the National Assembly are passed and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. “Some states may not be able to survive so it is something that must be carefully studied so that we don’t hurt ourselves in the long run,” the governor said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday monitored by News Point Nigeria. “Well, the tax issue has a lot of components – there is the good aspect and there is the bad aspect. So, we are…