Author: Sani Nura

THE two female students of Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State, have regained freedom after spending 12 days in captivity. The students were kidnapped after armed men broke into their apartment situated at Sabon Gida community. The Zamfara State Students Association acknowledged the release, but did not state if ransom was paid. The Public Relations Officer of the association, Umar Abubakar, rejoiced with the school management and parents of the students, who had to go through the trauma of the abduction. “We commend loudly the commitment of the school management for and their tireless efforts for the release of the abducted…

FOUR bandits have been neutralized and several others escaped with various gunshot wounds following an encounter with police patrol teams in Katsina State. News Point Nigeria reports that, the incident which occurred on Friday at about noon, saw the police exchange fire with the terrorists at the residence of one monarch, Sarkin Fulani of Danmarke village, located in Dagwarwa District, Kurfi Local Government Area of the state. Sources told this newspaper that, the gunmen in their numbers were shooting sporadically with AK 47 rifles at the village when the security operatives arrived, following a distress call. The officers led by…

FIFTEEN bandits with pledged loyalists to the bandit kingpin, Dankarami, have been killed by troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in Zamfara State. The casualties include Dankarami’s top commander simply identified as Jarfa. The terrorists who attempted to attack Gidan Danjimma and Kirifada communities within Birnin-magaji Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday, were successfully repelled by the troops in conjunction with local vigilantes. As at the time of filing this report, sources told News Point Nigeria that the bandits in their large numbers were conducting the burial of their deceased members at a graveyard in Mai Tsaba village under…

THE Northwest geopolitical zone that produced the highest votes for the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will be left with nothing after President Muhammadu Buhari’s exit next month unless it gets the senate presidency. This was revealed by a Coalition for Advance Democracy (COAD) on Wednesday while reacting to the statement credited to the National Vice Chairman, Northwest of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Salihu Lukman, where he said that it is unethical for senators-elect from the Northwest zone to aspire for the senate presidency. The coalition of CSOs drawn from 36 states of the federation and the FCT said…

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has retained its growth forecast of 3.2 percent for Nigeria’s economy in 2023. The IMF, in its World Economic Outlook for April 2023 titled ‘A Rocky Recovery’, also forecast a three percent growth in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) for 2024. Other countries highlighted in its 2023 projections were USA (1.6%), Germany (-0.1%), France (0.7%), Italy (0.7%), Spain (1.5%). Japan (1.3%), UK (-0.3%), and Canada (1.5%). Others are China (5.2%), India (5.9%), Russia (0.7%), Brazil (0.9%), Mexico (1.8%), Saudi Arabia (3.1%), and South Africa (0.1%). The projection by the Washington DC-based global lender comes…

A VIGILANCE group, Nasarawa Eggon Unit, on Monday arrested six suspected kidnappers in their hideout. The group invaded their hideout at Tudun Waya, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and also rescued seven abducted victims during the raid. The suspects were said to be responsible for the recent spate of kidnapping-for-ransom along the Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/Lafia road. It was also gathered that after their arrest, the six suspects were taken to the state Police Headquarters, Lafia for further investigation and prosecution. The feat achieved by the Vigilante attracted cheers from residents of the area who trooped out to watch…

GUNMEN, who kidnapped children and women in Wanzamai village, Zamfara State have demanded N30 million ransom, a family source told our source. Suspected bandits had on Thursday abducted at least 80 persons from farmlands in Zamfara and Katsina states. A resident of Wanzamai village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State identified as Sani Wanzamai said about 80 children from Wanzamai village were kidnapped and more than 20 other persons from neighbouring villages were abducted. Our correspondent learnt that the abductors had called some of the victims’ families and demanded that N60m must be paid before the children can…

THE Internally Displaced Persons residing in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital are appealing to the government and other well-meaning individuals to come to their aid in terms of food and other essential items. They made the appeal while speaking with News Point Nigeria in the state capital at the distribution of this year Ramadan welfare food items, donated by former Governor of the state, Abdulaziz Yari. The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) consists of women, children and men who are currently seeking for refuge in the capital city of Gusau. They have been sacked from their various communities by suspected Terrorists.…

THERE was tension in Gwadabawa community of Sokoto state, following a conflict between the Fulani and Hausa people residing in the area. It led to the death of many locals from both sides, including a security operative. A local official, Aminu Gwadabawa, told VOA Hausa in an interview monitored by our correspondent on Saturday, that “people in the area were living in fear, as the conflict even claimed the life of a soldier. “Both sides are wary of reprisal attacks from the other side.” According to a survivor, “the Fulani attacked my relation with knives. But he has spiritual powers…

LESS than 24 hours after the former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Professor Onje Gye Wado was kidnapped, his abductors have placed a N70 million ransom for his release. A family source who is monitoring the developments. told our correspondent that the kidnappers placed a call for the first time since the abduction of professor Onje Gye Wado demanding for a N70 million ransome for the release of the abductees. It would be recalled that Professor Onje Gye-Wado, was kidnapped Thursday night in Rinz village of Wamba local government area by unknown gunmen. The source said “the kidnappers are in…

GOMBE State Governor,  Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has felicitated with Christians in the state and the world over on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration, urging them to use the occasion to pray for the newly elected leaders from the just concluded elections, and for the peace, progress and healing of the nation going forward. In a goodwill message, Governor Inuwa said the Easter period provides an opportunity for strengthening of unity of purpose, reinforcement of  bond of  brotherhood and dedication in service to God and humanity as exemplified by Jesus Christ. He said, “Easter symbolises love, sacrifice, service to…

NO fewer than eight persons have been confirmed dead following attacks and counter attacks between farmers and herders in Ussa Local Government Area of Taraba state. Confirming the incident to News Point Nigeria, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abdullahi Usman revealed that the house and vehicles of the paramount ruler of Kwesati in the area was razed by aggrieved youths for not taking drastic measure to tackle issues of insecurity in the area. According to Usman, it is a case of mischief where the Fulani herders do not allow the Kuteb tribe to cultivate their farms while the Kuteb…

THE Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have raided enclaves of Boko Haram in the fringes of Sambisa Forest in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, killing at least 18 fighters. Our correspondent learnt that the troops got credible intelligence from the newly established camp where the insurgents coordinated operations in the Sheutari and Mutari general area. It was gathered that the troops of 21 Task Force Brigade Bama in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force(CJTF) on Tuesday conducted precise clearance into the Garin Ba’aba enclave which led to the elimination of nearly a score of insurgents. “Our…

THREE suspects have been arrested in Zamfara for allegedly printing fake dollar notes in the state. New Point Nigeria reports that the suspects were nabbed by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Parading the suspects on Wednesday at the NSCDC headquarters in Gusau, Commandant Muhammad Bello Muazu said the suspects were apprehended in connection with printing and circulating fake naira and U.S. dollar notes in the state. Represented by the Command’s spokesman, Ikor Oche, the commandant said the suspects, aged 28 and 29, were arrested in Gusau on April 3, while trying to pay a transport…

SOKOTO state government has assured its   employees who are yet to receive their February salary that they will be paid today or tomorrow, just as March salary will be paid tomorrow. The state Commissioner of Finance, Dr Ali Inname  stated this today while briefing newsmen after the state executive council meeting. Inname refuted allegations that over ten thousand staff are yet to receive their February salaries. He explained that out of the total 35,320  civil servants in the state, only 1,054 were yet to receive their February salaries. The commissioner described a statement credited to some civil servants claiming…

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has named the newly commissioned National Counter Terrorism Center after the Jordan King, King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein. The Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, adding that the Nigerian leader also had a phone conversation with Al-Hussein. Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the deepening of the Nigeria-Jordan strategic partnership in matters of security and other global issues, Shehu stated. “In the conversation, the Jordanian leader called to wish the President a happy and successful Ramadan and to especially thank him for naming the auditorium in the newly commissioned National…

A 22-Year-Old girl, Maryam Umar, who was born without arms, has pleaded with public-spirited Nigerians, the government and non-governmental organisations to come to her aid to enable her to complete her registration into Gombe State University. Umar writes and does house chores with her toes. Based on the payment advice sent to her by the University, she recently obtained admission to study Economics at the varsity but has to pay N81,322.50 for school fees. Pleading for assistance in an interview with journalists at the Correspondents’ Chapel, Umar said her parents did not have the resources to enable her to proceed…

GUNMEN numbering about 60 have invaded Garin Baka village in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area  of Taraba State, killing at least 15 people. It was gathered that the gunmen came into  the village from at about 7.30pm on Friday and fire gunshots into different directions. It was also gathered that they set houses on fire, rustled cows and looted shops and warehouses. A resident, Yakubu Garba, said when the attackers came, many of the villagers were praying inside a mosque. He stated further that the prayer was halted and there was pandemonium in the village as residents ran for dear life. Garba…

THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University chapter has declared a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action. This follows a permission by the ASUU national to the state branch to embark on the strike action to press home its demands and the state government’s rebuttal of claims that it is not owing workers salaries. Arising from a congress meeting, the union insists that the rationale behind their action is hinged on government’s failure to pay earned academic allowances, promotion arrears, fractional payment of salaries to staff as well as unsettled staff pension and gratuity scheme. Mr Samuel…

THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Gombe State has presented certificates of return to the State Governor and governor-elect, Muhammadu InuwaYahaya, his deputy Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau and all House of Assembly members- elect. The presentation of the Certificates of Return followed their victory at the just concluded Governorship and State House of Assembly elections. While the INEC Commissioner- in-charge of Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba States, Dr. Baba Bila presented the Certificate of Return to Governor Inuwa Yahaya and his Deputy, the Gombe State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Umar Ibrahim handed same to members- elect of the Gombe State House…