Author: Sani Nura

A FORMER military administrator of Plateau state, and later Senator representing Adamawa North, Colonel Muhammad Mana is dead. He died Friday evening in Abuja, two days after he was reportedly being discharged from an Abuja hospital. A family member of the deceased, and Sarkin Fulani of Mubi, Abdurrahman B Kwaccham, confirmed the development to this newspaper on Friday night. Hailed from Maiha LGA in Adamawa State, Mana was the military administrator of Plateau State between December 1993 and August 1996, during the late head of state Gen Sani Abacha regime. He later became commander of the presidential guard brigade during…

THE lawmaker representing Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Sada Soli, has raised alarm that the armed bandits who carried out Tuesday’s massacre at a mosque in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State are not only known to security operatives but also hold control of territories in parts of the state. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday monitored by News Point Nigeria, Soli said the assailants responsible for killing dozens of worshippers during early morning (Subhi) prayers operate freely across border communities and are linked to the ongoing crisis in neighbouring Zamfara State. “They are…

THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Wednesday said that three bodies have so far been recovered from the boat accident in Sokoto State. It said that 25 people out of the over 50 passengers of the boat had so far been rescued. The agency, however, said that it had concluded the search and rescue operation. NEMA’s Head of Sokoto Operation Office, Aliyu Kafindangi, disclosed this on Wednesday. “For the past three days, we have been on a rescue mission after a boat carrying farmers, market men, and women capsized. “The boat capsized on Sunday with over 50 passengers on…

A QUIET dawn prayer in Katsina State turned into a scene of horror on Tuesday as gunmen suspected to be bandits stormed a mosque in Unguwan Mantau community, Malumfashi Local Government Area, and opened fire on worshippers, killing at least 13 people. The attack, which occurred during the Fajr (Subhi) prayers, has thrown the community into mourning and heightened fears of renewed violence in the state. In a statement, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, described the massacre as a reprisal attack carried out by criminal gangs following a confrontation with local residents.…

AT least 62 kidnapped victims have regained their freedom after a decisive airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) shattered a notorious bandits’ camp in Jigawa Sawai, Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State. The Katsina State Government confirmed the development in a statement released by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, on Sunday. According to the statement, the military action was targeted at the hideout of Muhammadu Fulani, a notorious bandit kingpin whose gang has been responsible for repeated attacks across Katsina and neighboring Zamfara. The strike, carried out at 5:10pm on Saturday, forced the…

A TRAGIC boat mishap has once again thrown Sokoto State into mourning after 10 passengers were confirmed dead and 29 others declared missing when a boat capsized in Kojiyo Ward, Goronyo Local Government Area, on Sunday, August 17, 2025, around noon. The Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement, describing it as a devastating loss to the affected families and the state at large. According to the Goronyo SEMA Desk Officer, the ill-fated boat was conveying about 45 passengers when it suddenly capsized mid-river. At the time of filing this report, six passengers had been…

KEBBI State was thrown into mourning on Saturday night following the death of the Emir of Zuru, Major General Muhammadu Sani Sami II (rtd), who passed away at the age of 81 in a London hospital after a brief illness. The news of his passing was confirmed in separate statements by the Kebbi State Government on Sunday. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, and the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Garba Umar-Dutsinmari, both described the late Emir as a towering traditional ruler and elder statesman who devoted his life to the service of…

A DEVASTATING flash flood has destroyed two bridges, several houses, and farms in the Dandi and Suru local government areas of Kebbi State. The flood, which occurred on Thursday, led to the collapse of two bridges, one in Fana township and another linking the Dakingari-Kyangakwai road. Several houses and vast farmlands were also submerged across the affected communities. The Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Umar Tafida, extended the government’s condolences to the victims in Fana, Aljannare, and Kampani villages in Dandi, Suru, and Argungu LGAs. He also presented relief materials and financial support worth ₦70 million to help alleviate…

BAUCHI State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has appointed a Chinese national, Li Zhensheng, as Economic Adviser to the state government. Mohammed announced this on Thursday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the China Global Promotion Cooperation Research Centre in Bauchi. The move, according to the governor, is aimed at positioning Bauchi as a rising hub of international cooperation, with the long-term partnership expected to accelerate investment, infrastructure development, and bilateral collaboration across sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, and trade facilitation. “As part of the deal, a Bauchi State Representative Office will be…

FORMER Governor of Sokoto State and serving Senator, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has broken his silence on his recent encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), asserting that he will not be cowed by any political or institutional pressure. News Point Nigeria reports that addressing journalists in Sokoto upon his return from EFCC custody, Tambuwal described his visit to the anti-graft agency as voluntary, stating that he honoured their invitation on August 6. According to him, after initial questioning at the EFCC headquarters, he was allowed to return home but asked to report again on August 10…

GOVERNOR Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has announced a three-week medical leave to address health concerns. A statement by Bala Salisu Zango, the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, on Thursday said Radda would begin his medical leave on Monday August 18, 2025. The governor expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their understanding and prayers. He emphasized his commitment to returning to serve the people of the state with renewed energy and dedication. The statement said, “I want to thank everyone for their kind words and ongoing support,” Governor Radda said. “Taking the necessary steps to…

ARMED men loyal to notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji have launched a fresh assault on Garki village in Sokoto State, abducting 16 residents, killing one, and rustling several livestock despite ongoing claims of peace deal with government mediators. News Point Nigeria reports that the attack, which occurred on Wednesday evening, was reportedly led by one of Turji’s most trusted lieutenants, Kallamu and some other of his men. Witnesses said the gunmen arrived in large numbers, firing indiscriminately to create panic before rounding up hostages and stealing livestock. “They came in large numbers, took away 16 people, killed one man, and…

IN a landmark move aimed at deepening grassroots governance and improving service delivery, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has transmitted a bill to the Gombe State House of Assembly seeking approval for the creation of 13 new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the state. The proposal, which the governor described as “a historic step towards inclusive and participatory democracy,” is designed to bring governance closer to communities, especially those in rural and underserved areas. The proposed LCDAs will function as administrative subdivisions of existing Local Government Areas (LGAs). According to Governor Yahaya, their establishment will allow for faster responses to…

ACADEMIC activities at the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, have been suspended indefinitely following a violent protest by students over a midnight robbery at the male hostel that left several injured and valuable items stolen. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when armed robbers reportedly stormed the hostel, carting away gadgets and other belongings. At least nine students were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries, with some rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for treatment. The protest began peacefully in the morning, with students mounting roadblocks along the Bauchi–Dass road to express their…

TARABA State’s political scene is heating up over the continued absence of Deputy Governor Aminu Abdullahi Alkali, who has reportedly been away from the state since January due to ill health. While the ruling government insists Alkali is recovering and remains capable of holding office, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is accusing Governor Agbu Kefas’s administration of flouting constitutional provisions and failing to address what it calls a leadership vacuum. Speaking on the matter, APC’s Publicity Secretary, Aaron Artimas, demanded an official explanation on Alkali’s whereabouts and health status, noting that his absence for over eight months undermines governance.…

OUTRAGE and sorrow spilled into the streets of Zamfara State’s capital on Thursday as hundreds of women, mostly elderly and nursing mothers staged a peaceful protest over the unrelenting wave of deadly bandit attacks plaguing their communities. News Point Nigeria reports that the demonstrators, hailing from Jimrawa village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, marched to the Government House in Gusau, demanding urgent intervention to halt the incessant killings, abductions, and displacement ravaging the area. This protest follows a similar demonstration two weeks ago by residents of Gusau LGA, who said over 100 lives had been lost across Mada, Ruwan…

THE Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) has successfully carried out a precision airstrike on a gathering of terrorists who had assembled at the foot of Asola Hills in Yankuzo Ward, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, to attend a wedding. According to a statement by OPFY’s media officer, Devid Adewusi made available to News Point Nigeria, the airstrike was executed following credible intelligence reports indicating that terrorists from Faskari and Kankara (Katsina State) and various locations in Zamfara were present at the location. “Locals and other reliable sources have confirmed that no fewer than 30 terrorists were…

THE Kebbi State Government has announced the creation of a new district; Sarandosa within Maiyama Local Government Area as part of its broader administrative reforms aimed at improving local governance and traditional leadership. The development, which was disclosed in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Garba Dutsinmari, also includes the appointment of two new district heads. According to the statement released on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi, Sarandosa District was carved out of the existing Maiyama District (Sarkin Kudun Maiyama) and will now serve as a separate administrative unit with its headquarters located in…

BANDITS have abducted at least 20 persons, mostly young girls and women in Moriki town, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. A resident of Moriki, Sufyanu Moriki, told Channels Television that the victims were abducted on Saturday while fetching firewood on the outskirts of the town. “The abduction actually happened on Saturday, they went out to fetch firewood at the outskirts of the town when they were kidnapped by the armed group.” “They are yet to contact anyone to demand ransom.” Police authorities in the state are yet to confirm the incident. The Zamfara Police Command’s spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar,…

AT least five people have been confirmed dead and several others abducted following a coordinated two-day attack by armed bandits on no fewer than 16 villages in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State. According to eyewitness accounts from residents, the attack began on Saturday when the bandits invaded eight villages including Dan İsa, Kyatawa, Tudu, Gidan Haruna, Tsunburburawa, Gidan Juli, Tokarawa, and Gidan Bako. One person was killed in Gidan Haruna and eight women were abducted. On Sunday, the attackers returned and stormed Kwalau village, killing four men identified as Abubakar, Murtala, Aminu, and Bello. Another individual, Ashafa,…