Author: Sani Nura

FORMER Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has raised alarm over what he described as widespread poverty, unemployment, and inadequate access to healthcare in Bauchi State, declaring that the situation must change as he formally announced his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election. News Point Nigeria reports that Tuggar made the declaration on Saturday in Bauchi, where he painted a stark picture of the state’s current realities despite its abundant human and natural resources. He said the North-East state is at a critical turning point. “Our state stands at the crossroads. We’re rich in history, culture, and human potential,…

ZAMFARA State Governor Dauda Lawal on Thursday met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to discuss security, economic development, and political developments in the state. According to a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the closed-door meeting focused largely on efforts to address insecurity in Zamfara, as well as strategies to strengthen the state’s economy. The statement noted that President Tinubu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the state, particularly through increased troop deployment and provision of necessary equipment to enhance security operations. “Governor Lawal held a…

BAUCHIi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Thursday described himself as a “freelance politician,” following the leadership crisis and legal stalemate in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). News Point Nigeria reports that Mohammed stated this after a closed-door meeting with a former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, at Ramat House in Bauchi, where both leaders held discussions, seen as part of ongoing consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Neither PDP nor ADC is standing alone. I am a freelance politician now, and his party is also in limbo. We are looking up to the judiciary. But certainly, we are all in…

THE Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has directed troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to scale up ongoing operations against bandits and other criminal elements in the North-West, stressing the urgent need to secure the region and the country at large. News Point Nigeria reports that Oluyede issued the directive during an operational visit to the Headquarters Theatre Command of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), in Gusau, Zamfara State. The visit, according to military authorities, was aimed at evaluating operational readiness, addressing challenges confronting troops, and boosting morale in the sustained campaign to…

THE Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (CPG), popularly known as Askarawan Zamfara, have intercepted 98 landmines allegedly being transported to bandits in Maru Local Government Area of the state. News Point Nigeria reports that the CPG Commandant, DIG Muhammad Shehu Daligent (rtd), disclosed this while parading the suspects in Gusau, the state capital. He explained that the explosives were intercepted following credible intelligence on a vehicle conveying the dangerous items from Gusau to Bindin village. According to him, “it is a well-known fact that bandits have taken over Bindin village, and anyone there is either a bandit or collaborator.” Daligent…

IN a bid to address the issue of out-of-school children, particularly among nomadic Fulani communities, the Office of the Special Adviser to the Kebbi State Governor on Student Matters has flagged off the Kauran Gwandu Back-to-School Programme for Fulani children in Kebbi State. News Point Nigeria reports that the programme, which was flagged off in Alela, a nomadic settlement in Zauro Ward of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, saw the enrollment of 50 nomadic children into school. He provided with uniforms, school bags, and essential learning materials to support their education. Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Special Adviser to…

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State has formally brought to an end its discussions with the All Progressives Congress (APC) after both parties failed to reach an agreement on the conditions required for a possible political realignment. News Point Nigeria reports that the announcement was made on Saturday by the Bauchi State PDP Chairman, Sama’ila Burga, during a press briefing held at the party’s secretariat in the state. Burga explained that despite a series of engagements involving Governor Bala Mohammed and other party officials, as well as high-level discussions that included the Vice President, the Speaker of the…

THE Saudi Arabia has reduced Nigeria’s Hajj allocation, a development that has compelled the Zamfara State Hajj Commission to drop 456 intending pilgrims from participating in this year’s pilgrimage. News Point Nigeria reports that the Chairman of the commission, Musa Mallaha, disclosed this in an interview in Gusau, explaining that the reduction cut the state’s quota from 2,207 to 1,741 pilgrims. “This affected 456 intending pilgrims from the state who may not be able to participate in this year’s exercise,” Mallaha said, highlighting the impact of the revised allocation on prospective participants. Despite the setback, the commission said preparations for…

TARABA State Governor Agbu Kefas has committed the sum of ₦1.3 billion to cover the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees of 39,000 students in public secondary schools across the state. The development forms part of the ongoing implementation of the free-education policy of his administration, which is aimed at removing financial barriers to education and ensuring that every child in Taraba has access to quality education. The announcement was contained in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, Zainab Jalingo. The approval, according to the statement, covers a total of ₦1,390,209,350.00 for…

THE Zamfara State First Lady, Hurriya Dauda Lawal, on Thursday hosted members of the Northern Governors’ Spouses’ Forum in Gusau, where they resolved to sustain borehole drilling projects to address water challenges in rural communities. The resolution was contained in a communiqué sent to News Point Nigeria at the end of the forum’s quarterly meeting held at the Zamfara State Government House. The communiqué was signed by Asmau Mohammed Inuwa and the forum’s secretary, Lami Fintiri. The meeting was chaired by Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya and brought together spouses of governors from across the northern states to deliberate on key issues…

ARMED bandits have killed at least 18 persons in Bunkasau village, under Zarummai ward in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, following a late-night attack on the community. Residents said the assailants, numbering over 80 and riding on motorcycles, stormed the village at about 9 p.m. on Friday, shooting sporadically at residents. Confirming the incident in a telephone interview with News Point Nigeria, the Zamfara State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mahmud Dantawasa, stated that 18 people were killed while many others sustained injuries. Reacting to the incident, Governor Dauda Lawal expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, describing the…

RESIDENTS of communities in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State have been thrown into panic after suspected bandits issued a six-day ultimatum, demanding 700 cattle and 1,000 sheep to avoid an attack. The demand was conveyed in a letter sighted by News Point Nigeria, delivered to the affected communities on April 6 where residents were given notice until Friday, April 10, to comply. The threat has reportedly triggered widespread fear across the affected communities, namely, Sukuntuni, Unguwar Tsamiya, Magama, Walawa, and Tudun Wulli, with reports of armed bandits moving freely on motorcycles. A resident, who spoke on condition of…

THE Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, has commended Governor Dauda Lawal for the development efforts in Zamfara State. News Point Nigeria reports that Mohammed spoke when she paid an official visit to Zamfara State on Thursday, according to a statement by the Zamfara Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, where she conducted an on-site inspection in Maru Local Government and other locations. “This is enough for us to be able to partner. Investors want an enabling environment. Peace is what you need today for people to come. The Zamfara narrative focuses on conflict related to solid minerals, and…

THE Katsina State Government, in collaboration with the Al-Usra Marital Support Foundation, has commenced intensive pre-marital counselling and training for about 1,000 intending couples ahead of a planned mass wedding in the state. News Point Nigeria reports that the exercise, held across Katsina, Daura, and Funtua zones, forms part of preparations for the mass wedding programme known as Auren Gata, an initiative of the state government scheduled for April 25. Speaking on the development, the Chairperson of the foundation, Murjanatu Ibrahim-Duwan, said the training was designed to strengthen family values and reduce cases of divorce within the society. She explained…

BANDITS have killed five people including two police officers and three civilians during an attack on Yarkatsinan Laka Community in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara state. A statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Spokesperson of the Zamfara Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the bandits, riding on over 50 motorcycles and carrying sophisticated weapons, invaded the community. The statement added that Police Strike Unit responded swiftly and engaged the assailants in a gun duel, resulting in the neutralization of eleven (11) bandits, while several others escaped with gunshot injuries. However, the statement added that two police personnel…

THE Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has extended his heartfelt condolences to his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Adamu Ladan, following the passing of his beloved mother, Hajiya Hadiza Ladan in Katsina. News Point Nigeria reports that speaking at demise’s family house in Dandume, Katsina state, Dangiwa described the passing away of late Hadiza as a painful and irreplaceable loss, saying that the death of a mother leaves a vaccum that cannot be easily filled. He urged the bereaved family to find comfort in the remarkable life she lived and the values instilled in her children…

THE Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammad Usman Zuru, is dead. News Point Nigeria reports that Zuru died on Monday night in an Egyptian hospital where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. His death was confirmed by sources close to the Kebbi State Government, although details of the illness were not disclosed. Until his death, he represented Zuru Constituency in the state assembly and was regarded as a key figure in the legislature. Confirming the development, an aide to the governor on Communication and Strategy, Idris Zuru, described the incident as shocking. “The death…

THE only male child of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Yusuf (Talban Daura), has indicated interest in running for the House of Representatives seat in the 2027 poll. This was contained in a letter which he personally signed, as obtained by News Point Nigeria on Tuesday. The letter, dated 3rd April 2026, is titled: “Expression of interest to contest for the seat of House of Representatives Sandamu/Daura/Mai’Adua Federal Constituency.” It read, “With all respect, I am extremely delighted to write and inform you of my intention to contest for the seat of House of Representatives at the above-mentioned constituency (Sandamu/Daura/Mai’adua),…

FOUR persons are feared to have been killed in an attack on communities in Gebbe District of the Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Sunday by suspected bandits. News Point Nigeria reports that the attackers were said to have emerged from their hideout in the Wawa Forest in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, which borders the affected communities in Shanga. Some buildings were also set ablaze during the attack that affected the Kalkami, Tungar Bori, and Kawara communities, among others. Available information confirmed that, in addition to Kalkami, the suspected bandits also burnt down Kawara…

A COORDINATED counter-offensive by security forces in Zamfara State has led to the killing of scores of suspected bandits, including the son of a notorious kingpin, during a fierce gun battle in Tsafe Local Government Area. Security sources told News Point Nigeria that the confrontation began late on Saturday when armed bandits attacked members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), popularly known as “Yan Maiduguri”, in Kunchin Kalgo village. In response, a joint security team mobilised reinforcements to support the CJTF operatives, resulting in an intense exchange of gunfire. A security operative involved in the operation said, “We overpowered…