FORMER Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has raised concerns over the apparent inability of security agencies to locate bandits and kidnappers who openly share videos, make public communications and operate from known hideouts, insisting that authorities possess the capacity to track such criminals. Buratai, who also served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, suggested that the challenge may not necessarily be one of capability, as security agencies have demonstrated the ability to trace ordinary citizens and social media personalities. News Point Nigeria recalls that gunmen recently abducted schoolchildren and teachers from three schools in…
Author: Sadiq Abdullateef
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THE Supreme Court on Monday brought a definitive end to the legal challenge against the merger of Providus Bank Limited and Unity Bank Plc, dismissing an appeal seeking to halt the transaction and awarding costs of N10 million against the appellants in favour of each respondent. News Point Nigeria reports that the judgment was delivered by a five-member panel of the apex court led by Tijani Abubakar in Appeal No. SC/CV/132/2026, arising from Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/137/2025 and Suit No. FHC/L/MISC/734/2025. In a landmark decision, the apex court not only dismissed the appeal as unmeritorious but also invoked its powers under…
RESIDENTS of Borno State have expressed growing concern over what they describe as the Federal Government’s silence following the abduction of 42 primary and junior secondary school students from Mussa community in Askira Uba Local Government Area. News Point Nigeria reports that the residents argued that the government appeared to have prioritised a similar abduction incident in Oyo State, where pupils and teachers were kidnapped, while allegedly downplaying the tragedy in Borno. Speaking to this newspaper, the Chairman of the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Borno State, Abubakar Suleiman, said the Federal Government had not demonstrated fairness in its…
FORMER Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has announced his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleging that the party’s recently concluded primaries were massively manipulated in favour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Lawal, in a statement sent to News Points Nigeria, titled “The Kachalla Series Part 1,” accused the party leadership of orchestrating a predetermined process to ensure Atiku’s emergence, claiming election results were altered and legitimate winners replaced with loyalists of the former vice president. The former SGF also declared that despite his criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he believes…
THE endorsement of former President Goodluck Jonathan by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has once again thrust the former Nigerian leader into the heart of the country’s unfolding 2027 political calculations, reigniting a debate that has dominated party circles, political gatherings, and public discourse for months. What began as speculation over a possible comeback has now evolved into a major national conversation about legacy, political relevance, opposition realignment, and the battle for power ahead of the next presidential election. On Saturday, the PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki formally ratified Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the…
FOR decades, Kano has enjoyed a reputation as one of West Africa’s foremost commercial centres and a historic hub of Islamic scholarship, trade, and culture. However, in recent years, beneath the bustling markets, thriving businesses, and vibrant communities lies a growing security challenge that many residents say is gradually spiralling out of control. News Point Nigeria’s examination of the situation reveals an alarming rise in thuggery, gang violence, and politically linked mob attacks popularly known as “Fadan Daba”, a phenomenon that has increasingly transformed parts of Kano into flashpoints of violence, fear, and destruction. From attacks on markets and shopping…
THE 16th Fulani Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has advised Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to deal firmly with individuals who undermine his administration. News Point Nigeria reports that Sanusi gave the counsel during his traditional post-Eid Sallah homage to the governor, a cultural practice in Kano. This is coming just days after former Kano governor and Governor Yusuf’s mentor, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso called the Governor a ‘boy’ and ‘Abba P A’ delineating him as novice yet to master governance. But Sanusi stressed that leadership must combine justice with authority, quoting from the Qur’an to illustrate his point. “In…
DEFENCE Minister, Christopher Musa has described the alleged coup plot against Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “foolhardy,” insisting that even ordinary Nigerians would have resisted any attempt to overthrow the government. News Point Nigeria reports that Musa, a retired general and former Chief of Defence Staff, made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Arise Television while reacting to the ongoing trial of military officers, civilians, and a cleric accused of involvement in the alleged plot. According to him, those allegedly behind the coup lacked direction and misled junior military officers into participating in the scheme. “Anybody thinking about planning…
PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria is gradually recovering from years of economic and structural challenges, insisting that the difficult reforms introduced by his administration were necessary to prevent the country from sliding into fiscal collapse. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria marking the third anniversary of his administration on May 29, 2026, the President said Nigerians had made enormous sacrifices over the past three years but assured citizens that the country was now stabilising and moving forward again. Addressing Nigerians as “fellow compatriots,” Tinubu recalled that three years ago citizens entrusted him with the responsibility…
AS political permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum in Kano State, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been urged to field businessman and politician, Ibrahim Ali Amin Little, as its gubernatorial candidate. News Point Nigeria reports that the call followed the reported emergence of Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as indications that the New Democratic Congress (NDC) led by former Kano governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, may present either Comrade Abdussalam or Nasiru Gawuna for the race. Speaking with journalists, a representative of the…
THE National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commenced investigations into some tour operators accused of allegedly smuggling additional pilgrims beyond their approved allocations during the ongoing 2026 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. News Point Nigeria reports that the Commission disclosed that the affected operators were also being investigated over allegations of exploiting unsuspecting pilgrims under their care during the pilgrimage. Chairman of NAHCON, Ismail Abba Yusuf, directed the Commission’s Central Security Committee to identify the operators involved and thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged violations. According to NAHCON, any operator found guilty after investigations would…
UNITED States Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, has disclosed that Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of ISIS, was “most responsible for alleged killing of Christians” in Nigeria. News Point Nigeria reports that Hegseth made the disclosure during a cabinet meeting held at the White House on Wednesday, where he spoke on ongoing United States military operations against ISIS elements operating in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region. According to reports, Al-Minuki was killed on May 15 during a joint military operation carried out by the United States and Nigerian forces targeting his compound in the Lake Chad Basin.…
FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the party’s presidential primary election ahead of the 2027 general election. News Point Nigeria reports that Atiku secured a total of 1,846,370 votes to defeat his closest rival and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who polled 504,117 votes. Businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen came third in the contest with 177,120 votes. The outcome of the primary officially positions Atiku as the flagbearer of the ADC for the 2027 presidential election in what political observers describe as a major development in the opposition landscape.…
TODAY, Muslim faithful across Nigeria will join over two billion Muslims around the world in celebrating Eid al-Adha, popularly known in Nigeria as Eid-Al-Kabir or simply “Babbar Sallah” in many northern communities. From the ancient city of Kano to the bustling streets of Kaduna, from Sokoto to Maiduguri, Bauchi, Katsina, Dutse, Gombe and Yola, Ibadan to Ado-Ekiti the atmosphere is already filled with excitement, prayers, colourful attire and the cherished traditions that have defined the festival for generations. Across the North, the early morning will witness thousands of worshippers trooping to Eid praying grounds in flowing white jalabiyas, babban riga,…
JUSTICE Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election. News Point Nigeria reports that delivering Judgement, Justice Lifu also awarded a N20 million fine against Jideobi and in favour of the ex-president. He equally awarded a 1 million fine against the plaintiff and in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). Justice Lifu held that Jideobi lacked the legal right to have instituted the suit, having not suffered any loss from his perceived Jonathan’s intention…
MORE than 1.6 million pilgrims gathered on Tuesday at the Plain of Arafat for the most sacred and spiritually defining stage of the Hajj pilgrimage, in scenes marked by intense devotion, prayers and reflection, according to reports by the Saudi Press Agency. News Point Nigeria reports that from the early hours of the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims streamed into Arafat, where they are expected to remain within the designated boundaries of the sacred site until sunset, dedicating the day to worship, Qur’an recitation, remembrance of Allah and supplication. Widely regarded in Islamic tradition as the pinnacle and heart of…
FORMER Chief of Staff to Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the All Progressives Congress (APC) national Chairman, Mustapha Bala Dawaki, has defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). News Point Nigeria reports that Dawaki, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa constituency in Kano State, moved to the opposition party barely a week after losing his return ticket to consensus within the APC. The defection was confirmed on Monday by Saifullahi Hassan, media aide to one of the NDC leaders and Kwankwasiyya figure, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. According to him, the defection took place at the Miller…
THE Federal Government has come under fresh scrutiny after admitting that it has no detailed records identifying local contractors involved in the controversial $460 million Abuja CCTV Project, a development that has triggered renewed pressure from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for full disclosure of all beneficiaries linked to the security contract. The revelation emerged in the Federal Ministry of Finance’s response to ongoing contempt proceedings initiated by SERAP over alleged failure to fully comply with a Federal High Court judgment ordering disclosure of details surrounding the National Public Security Communication System project, popularly known as the Abuja…
THE ruling All Progressives Congress on Saturday staged what many party leaders described as one of its biggest nationwide political mobilisations since coming to power in 2015, as members trooped out across Nigeria’s 8,809 wards for the party’s presidential primary election ahead of the 2027 general polls. In this Sunday political feature, News Point Nigeria takes a deeper look at the scale, symbolism, political calculations, and implications of the APC primaries that effectively positioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second-term battle in 2027. From Lagos to Rivers, Kaduna to Imo, and from Ogun to Akwa Ibom, the exercise turned…
ABDULAZIZ Umar Ganduje, the eldest son of former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has obtained the nomination form to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the National Democratic Congress. News Point Nigeria reports that Abdulaziz picked the form on Saturday to contest for the Dawakin Tofa/Tofa/Rimin Gado Federal Constituency in Kano State ahead of the next general election. The move has drawn political attention due to Abdulaziz’s long-standing affiliation with the Kwankwasiyya political movement despite his father’s influential role in the APC over the years. Abdulaziz is widely…