Author: Sani Nura

THE Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) Friday announced a withdrawal of its medical mission in Zurmi town of Zamfara State following continuous armed confrontations which has displaced thousands of people. In a statement by its Communication Officer, Abdulkareem Yakubu, it was noted that since December 10, some of the confrontations were occurring dangerously close to a hospital supported by MSF. “These armed clashes have provoked the displacement of thousands of people in need of security, shelter and access to basic services. Humanitarian support is needed to help those in dire need of assistance. “Faced with important security risks, MSF medical teams…

TROOPS of the Joint Task Force North West Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) in a bid to ensure the safety and protection of lives and property during the Yuletide period have intensified their onslaught against the bandits, as the troops destroyed bandits enclaves, neutralized five of them and recovered arms and ammunition in Zamfara and Sokoto states. The spokesperson of Operation Hadarin Daji Captain Yahaya Ibrahim in a statement said the troops coordinated a clearance operation on Thursday within Dada, Rukudawa, and Dumburum villages in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara state. He said during the operation, an encounter ensued between the troops…

NO fewer than 10 persons have been abducted by armed bandits in an attack on Zurmi town, the Headquarters of Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The bandits invaded Zurmi town on Tuesday evening and shooting sporadically, forcing residents to scamper for safety. Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji deployed to the town engaged the terrorists in a heavy gun duel which lasted several hours. A resident of the area, Abubakar Zurmi, told News Point Nigeria that 10 persons were abducted during the attack including a nursing mother and her new born baby. “The bandits in their large numbers entered…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has arrived Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, for Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference. His plane touched down around 11:47am at the Air Force Base and observed a brief military parade. Tinubu was received by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum; former governor Ali Modu Sheriff; Minister of Defense, Abubakar Badaru; Senator Ali Ndume; among other dignitaries. The President is also expected to launch 100 buses including 50 electric vehicles procured by the Borno State Government to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on citizens. Tinubu will do this shortly after paying homage to…

GOVERNOR Dikko Radda of Katsina State, in a joint operation with a combined team of security operatives, has foiled an attack on the Zakka community in Safana Local Government Area of the state. According to a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kaula Mohammed, the team also rescued during the encounter a 33-year-old man abducted by bandits. Kaula-Mohammed said Gov. Radda was in Safana to inaugurate an empowerment programme sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Abduljalal Runka, when the operatives received distress calls that terrorists planned to attack Zakka village. He revealed that…

NO fewer than three artisanal miners have died while 11 others were injured when a mining pit collapsed in Dan Kamfani, Anka Local Government of Zamfara State. According to an eyewitness who also works around the area, the incident happened on Thursday around 4 pm. The eyewitness who pleaded anonymity because of security reasons told News Point Nigeria on Saturday that three artisanal miners were confirmed dead while 11 others were critically injured. He said the injured are currently receiving treatment at the Anka General Hospital “The mining collapsed a few minutes to 4 pm on Thursday, we don’t know…

GOVERNOR Dikko Radda of Katsina State has directed the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Hadiza Yar’adua to suspend a teacher Lawal Ibrahim for alleged sexual harassment of a female student of Government Day Secondary School, Dantankari in Dandume Local Government Area of the state. Friday’s directive came shortly after Governor Radda received a report alleging that the said Lawal, the school’s principal, was allegedly involved in sexual harassment against a female student of the same school. The governor in a statement signed by Abdullahi Aliyu Yar’adua, the Director of Press for the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Faskari…

THE Zamfara State Government says it has recovered about 50 operational vehicles allegedly taken away by the immediate past governor of the state, Bello Matawalle. Briefing journalists on Thursday in Gusau, Sani Sambo, a spokesperson for Governor Dauda Lawal said the action followed the judgement by a Federal High Court in Sokoto last Friday. He said due process was carefully followed to recover the vehicles from the Gusau and Maradun residences of the former governor who earlier denied having possession of any government property when he was leaving office as governor. Sambo stated that the Governor Dauda Lawal-led administration is…

THE Yobe State High Court sitting in Potiskum has sentenced a dismissed soldier, Lance Corporal John Gabriel, to death by hanging for killing an Islamic cleric, late Sheikh Goni Aisami. The court also sentenced Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon, an accomplice in the murder, to 10 years’ imprisonment. Aisami, a popular Islamic scholar based in Gashua, was murdered in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State by a soldier whom he gave a free ride on his way to Gashua from Kano on August 22, 2022. Meanwhile, Justice Usman Zanna Mohammed who gave the verdict convicted Gabriel with service number, N/A13/69/6522,…

THE Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON has expressed deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the families of the Maulud celebrants who were tragically affected in the unfortunate accidental bombing by the Nigerian army in Tudun Biri Community of Kaduna State. Governor Inuwa Yahaya extended his condolences to the government and people of Kaduna State during this profoundly distressing time, describing the loss of innocent lives as a heartbreaking tragedy. The Governor emphasized that while the fight against banditry and terrorism remains crucial, it must be executed with the highest level…

ABOUT 2,000 residents in eight communities of the Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State have so far fled to Benishek, the headquarters of the LGA, following a quit notice served to them by suspected Boko Haram insurgents. This newspaper reliably gathered that the insurgents, about 10 days ago, warned residents of the eight villages to leave in three days or face total extermination. At the expiration of the three-day ultimatum, this newspaper further gathered that the terrorists stormed the villages about a week ago, chasing out the residents and killing several. While fleeing, the villagers left behind their farm…

THE Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has proposed N207.7 billion as the 2024 Appropriation Bill. This newspaper reports that the fiscal document is tagged “Budget of Continuity and Consolidation.” The document has N87.2bn as recurrent expenditure, representing 42 per cent and N120.5bn as capital expenditure, representing 58 per cent. Presenting the document at the state House of Assembly on Monday, Yahaya said the budget was geared towards consolidating on the gains of his first term in office, urging the House to scrutinise it in a bid to provide the needed insight. He said, “The Speaker, members, distinguished ladies and gentlemen,…

NO fewer than 20,000 refugees have fled the Republic of Cameroon to seek asylum in Taraba State, Nigeria. The refugees camping in five local government areas of Sardauna, Kurmi, Gashaka, Ussa and Takum, are appealing to federal and state governments as well as non-governmental organizations for assistance to ameliorate their sufferings. The Taraba State government has assured them of their safety and protection pending the return of peace in their country. As at March 2020, over 7,000 refugees had crossed over from the Republic of Cameroon to seek asylum in five local government areas of Taraba State. Three years down…

THE Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Federal University Dutsinma, Prof. Armaya’u Hamisu Bichi, has said the efforts were ongoing for the release of the remaining four abducted students at the university. Bichi disclosed this on Thursday while responding to questions fielded by journalists on the sideline of a press conference as part of the activities of the convocation ceremony of the university to be held on Saturday. He said while one of the students was released recently in Zamfara State by the abductors of their own volition, as nothing was paid as ransom, talks are ongoing for the release of the…

NO fewer than 50 suspected bandits terrorising communities across the Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State have been eliminated in what is a breakthrough in the fight against banditry. While the feat was achieved on Tuesday in the North-East state, the spokesman of the Taraba State Police Command Abdullahi Usman told this newspaper on Thursday that the bandits were killed by police operatives in collaboration with other security agencies. He said the coordinated operation followed an outcry by locals which led to the ambush and killing of the bandits. “Taraba State Police Command received information that some unknown gunmen…

THE International Association Of World Peace Advocates IAWPA yesterday paid a condolence visit to the family of late Amb. Yusuf Yunusa Who died recently. Amb. Yusuf Yunusa before his death at the Yobe State University teaching hospital, was the Nigerian High Commissioner to Kenya. He was aged 73. The condolence visit which was initiated by Amb. John Metchie the IAWPA African Director was aimed at identifying and recognizing the contributions of the late Yunusa and also to commiserate with the family of the deceased at this period of mourning. Amb. Metchie who was represented by the International Spokesman of IAWPA…

BANDITS have killed 18 hunters in a separate attacks in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State. This newspaper learnt that 15 hunters were killed during confrontation with bandits at a mountain area near Maihula town on Tuesday. It was gathered that the bandits numbering over 200 attempted to attack Bali town the headquarters of Bali Local Government and other surrounding villages but were confronted by the hunters. The bandits, it was further gathered had more sophisticated weapons than the hunters leading to killing of 15 hunters. A source in the area, Musa Umar told this newspaper that 14 hunters…

THE Bauchi State House of Assembly has elected Babayo Akuyam as its new Speaker. He represents Hardawa Constituency in Misau Local Government Area of the state. The House also elected Ahmed Abdullahi, representing Dass Constituency in Dass LGA, as Deputy Speaker. This newspaper reports that this comes barely five days after the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja sacked the then Speaker, Abubakar Suleiman, as member representing Ningi Central Constituency. Suleiman, the immediate past Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, was declared winner of the Ningi Central Constituency…

ELEVEN persons have lost their lives in a fatal motor accident along the Maiyama/Koko Road in Kebbi State, police authorities said on Tuesday. The accident which happened on Monday involved a DAF Trailer with registration number SKK837X driven by a yet-to-be-identified driver. Onboard the ill-fated vehicle were 65 passengers – all males – from Sokoto State, Kebbi State police spokesman, Nafiu Abubakar, said in a statement. Besides the passengers, the trailer was also conveying bags of onions, bags of beans and six motorcycles and travelling from Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto to Niger State. “On reaching a point near…

SECURITY operatives have neutralised three suspected bandit leaders along the Kwakare Area in the Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State. Other bandits, however, escaped with various degrees of gunshot injuries. The suspects were said to have been neutralised by a combined team of police officers and vigilante members around 10:30hrs on Saturday. The success was, according to the Spokesman of the Command, Abubakar Aliyu, part of the command’s determination in the ongoing fight against banditry in the state. The joint patrol team upon reaching the Kwakare Area, clashed with some suspected kidnappers who opened fire on the team. But…