Author: Sani Nura

THE Kebbi State Government has strongly dismissed speculations surrounding the 2027 governorship ambition of former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, describing it as a futile attempt to rewrite history and mislead the people. In a statement issued on Monday made available to News Point Nigeria, Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Idris Zuru, said Malami is chasing shadows, noting that Kebbi voters are now too politically aware to be swayed by rhetoric and last-minute gimmicks. “In Kebbi today, the people are no longer impressed by empty promises or political gymnastics,” Zuru…

A CRIMINAL gang killed nine farmers on Friday in Zamfara state, an official and two residents said. Motorcycle-riding “bandits” rounded up a group of farmers working their fields outside Jangebe village in Talata Mafara district, kidnapping around 15 others, the sources said. Armed gangs across Nigeria have taken root across its rural hinterlands amid poverty and government neglect. They raid, loot and burn villages, exact taxes, and conduct kidnappings for ransom. “Bandits attacked the farmers and killed nine of them,” Yahaya Yari Abubakar, political administrator of Talata Mafara district, said. “The attackers kidnapped around 15 other farmers, and they are…

FORMER Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, on Friday, made his first courtroom appearance as a lawyer, stepping into legal practice after years in politics and public life. Dressed in a full wig and gown, Melaye appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite at Court 8 of the Federal High Court, Abuja, marking his debut since being called to the Nigerian Bar. “Senator Dino Melaye at the Federal High Court Abuja today. Appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite of Court 8,” Melaye shared on his verified Facebook page on Friday. The former lawmaker was among over 5,000 new lawyers called to the Bar in…

TWO officials of the Adamawa State government have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Yola for allegedly diverting funds provided by the World Bank for the rehabilitation of primary schools devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency. The accused, Popoona Samuel and Arama Davies Gyandi were arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday, July 10, 2025, before Justice Tijjani G. Ringin, facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, money laundering, and unlawful conversion of public funds. In a statement released on Friday, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare explained that the accused had served…

TROOPS of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army (NA)/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have foiled plans by terrorists and apprehended two suspected terrorists in separate operations within the Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. Acting on credible intelligence, troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari arrested a 45-year-old suspected terrorist, Felix Myina, a native of the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is a high-ranking member of a notorious bandit and kidnapping syndicate operating under a wanted criminal kingpin identified as Mcianan, also known as Yellow. The group, according to a…

GOMBE State Government has commenced the distribution of subsidized fertilizer across all 114 wards in the state, as part of efforts to support farmers during the 2025 wet season farming. This development is in line with the directive of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, to ensure that agricultural inputs reach genuine farmers directly at the grassroots, right down to the polling unit level without weighing them down with transportation or logistical burden. Trucks have already been transporting the inputs to various Local Government Areas (LGAs) for onward distribution, following the Governor’s recent flag-off of the 2025 wet season farming activities. Recall…

GOVERNOR Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has attributed the growing security challenges in the state to the activities of informants and the inadequate presence of security personnel. He made this known during a condolence visit to Zogirma community in Bunza Local Government Area, where three mobile policemen were recently killed by armed assailants. According to the governor, the attackers were not Lakurawa or known bandits, but criminals allegedly invited by informants within the community. “Those who killed the policemen are not Lakurawa or bandits. They are thieves invited by informants to steal the money we gave to the victims of…

LAKURAWA bandits have attacked the Zogirma–Tilli Road in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State, in an attempt to kidnap commuters plying the route. Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer in Zogirma promptly mobilised a team of officers and rushed to the scene, with reinforcement from the No. 36 Police Mobile Force Squadron in Birnin Kebbi. A fierce gun duel ensued between the security operatives and the bandits, resulting in the death of three police officers. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Abubakar. The statement added that several…

GOMBE State Governor,  Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, yesterday, received in audience the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya, at the Government House. During the visit, Governor Inuwa Yahaya lauded the NUJ President for his purposeful leadership since assuming office, describing his stewardship as both visionary and impactful. He pledged continued support and collaboration with the NUJ President to ensure the success of his tenure, particularly in promoting press freedom and professional journalism in Nigeria. The Governor also assured that the state government would give due attention to the completion of a befitting NUJ State…

IN a move to tackle the growing number of out-of-school children in Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal has launched the state’s Homegrown School Feeding Programme, aimed at boosting school enrollment, retention, and completion. The official flag-off took place at Dan-Turai Primary School in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, where the governor also joined pupils in sharing a symbolic meal. His gesture reinforced the state’s commitment to nurturing a generation of well-fed, well-educated children. In his remarks, Governor Lawal noted that the flag-off signifies his administration’s strong commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to implement various strategies to increase school enrollment…

OPERATIVES of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Katsina State Command, have arrested three suspected members of an inter-state human trafficking syndicate that specialises in the recruitment, harbouring, and trafficking of young girls from other parts of the country to the North for sexual exploitation. The three suspected traffickers were arrested inside a prominent hotel located in Katsina township, where three victims of human trafficking were rescued during the sting. According to a communiqué signed by the agency’s Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, the manager of the hotel and two other workers were arrested. Two of…

JOINT security forces, comprising police, military personnel, and components of the Nigerian Air Force, on Tuesday engaged hundreds of heavily armed bandits who simultaneously attacked the communities of Kadisau, Raudama, and Sabon Layi in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State. The operation resulted in the successful neutralisation of 30 bandits. Unfortunately, three dedicated Mobile Police Force personnel alongside two other courageous soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice, and one other officer, Ya’u Aliyu sustained injuries. This was disclosed in a statement by the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mua’zu, on Wednesday. Mua’zu extended the State…

GOVERNOR Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON has approved the appointment of new chairpersons and members into key Commissions and Boards in Gombe state. The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, who conveyed the Governor’s approval, said the appointments are in line with the administration’s continued commitment to strengthening institutions and enhancing good governance. Civil Service Commission: The newly appointed members of the Gombe State Civil Service Commission are: 1. Mrs. Rabi Shuaibu Jimeta – Chairman 2. Mr. Masoyi Bilwa Sajo – Permanent Commissioner Adamu S. Musa – Permanent Commissioner Dr. Garba Muhammed Bajoga – Permanent Commissioner Hon. Adamu…

ZAMFARA State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has disclosed that his administration has paid a total of ₦13,944,039,204.64 in gratuities owed to state pensioners from 2011 to 2023. The governor made the announcement on Tuesday at the Government House while receiving the report of the joint committees on the payment of backlog gratuities. He also inaugurated the Contributory Pension Implementation Committee. In a statement released by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, on Tuesday, Lawal described the clearance of unpaid gratuities and pensions as a key achievement of his administration. He said 3,824 beneficiaries from the state service received ₦7,960,162,598.64, while 4,833 retirees…

ALL Progressives Congress, APC, Kebbi chapter has announced the reinstatement of Kabir Sani-Giant, Special Adviser to Governor Nasir Idris on Power and Politics. Recall that Mr Sani-Giant was suspended on Feb. 28,2025, for bringing a snake to Government House to intimidate dignitaries, officials and statesmen on the 8th of the same month. A statement issued on Monday in Birnin Kebbi by Muhammad Kana-Zuru, the state Chairman of the party, said the reinstatement was with immediate effect. According to him, the State Working Committee, SWC, of APC, during it’s meeting held on Tuesday, studied and considered an apology letter by Sani-Giant…

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Bauchi State during the 2023 election, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (rtd.), might have resigned his membership from the party, just as he was seen at the inaugural meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja on Wednesday. A source close to Sadique told our correspondent that he is yet to make a public announcement but, “Certainly, he was at the ADC meeting today in Abuja. He would not have been at the gathering if he was not joining the coalition.” Also, in a video clip obtained by our correspondent, the retired…

ABOUT eight weekly markets in Yobe East Senatorial District have reportedly been shut down following renewed attacks by suspected Boko Haram insurgents across parts of the region. Findings by Channels Television revealed that commercial activities were halted last week at Bumsa Market in Gulani Local Government Area, as well as Goniri, Gujba, and Katarko markets in Gujba Local Government Area. Similarly, trading did not take place at Katarko Thursday Market and Kukareta Tuesday Market in Damaturu LGA, along with the popular Geidam Wednesday Market in Geidam LGA. However, the Yobe State Government, in a statement issued through the Security Adviser…

GOMBE State has once again affirmed its status as one of Nigeria’s most reform-driven subnational governments by emerging 4th nationwide in the latest national assessment of digital maturity in tax administration. The ranking was unveiled during a high-level Validation Workshop on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Intelligence Revenue Authority (IRA) Index Tools, organized by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in Abuja. According to the report, Gombe State earned an impressive score of 80.6%, receiving outstanding ratings across all parameters used to evaluate the digital capabilities of the 36 states and the…

THE National Coordinator for Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, on Tuesday, disclosed that the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has submitted his single-tenure proposal to the opposition coalition for consideration. Tanko made the revelation during the conferment of a chieftaincy title of ‘Sarki Maskan’ (War Hero) on the former Anambra State governor and a commendation letter in recognition of his selfless service and dedication to the Pantami community in Gombe. The former media aide to Obi was also decorated with the title of ‘Dan Maje Babba Pantanmi’ and a commendation letter signed by the…

DETAILS have emerged on how notorious bandit kingpin Kachalla Yellow Danbokolo died over the weekend in Zamfara State after an earlier gun battle with Shinkafi Volunteer Forces in the state. Kachalla Yellow’s death was wildly celebrated in Zamfara State and many parts of the North-West states as many locales know him as one of the most dreaded bandits in the zone, even more dangerous than his cousin, Bello Turji, whom they describe as a mere spokesperson. Security sources told News Point Nigeria that Kachalla Yellow and more than 173 bandits were killed after the blistering surprise attack by the volunteer…