Suspected bandits have kidnapped Revd. Fr. Mikah Suleiman, the parish priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church in Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State. The Acting Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Very Revd. Fr. Nuhu Iliya, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday. “With sadness in our hearts, we write to inform the general public of the kidnap of one of our priests, Revd. Fr. Mikah Suleiman. This sad event occurred in the early hours of today, Saturday, 22nd June 2024 in the Father’s rectory. Fr Mikah is the Parish Priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State,”…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Residents of the Mereri and Damba areas of Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, have voiced their anguish over persistent terrorist attacks, urging both federal and state governments to take immediate action to ensure their safety. Addressing journalists in Gusau, Alhaji Mustapha Usman, a traditional leader from Damba, expressed frustration over the government’s inaction. “Why should both the federal and state governments abandon us to the terrorists? We don’t sleep with our two eyes closed, as the bandits are ravaging seriously in these areas,” he said. Usman described Damba and Mereri as hotbeds of banditry, where criminals operate freely without any…
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai visited former President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday at his residence in Daura, Katsina State. The visit comes less than 24 hours after Buhari received Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). El-Rufai’s visit follows a series of high-profile meetings with Buhari, indicating ongoing political consultations. Further details of the discussions between El-Rufai and Buhari have not been disclosed.
In a strategic move to enhance the country’s foreign reserves and bolster the value of the Naira, the Federal Government has revamped the National Gold Purchase Program. This initiative was highlighted when the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, presented a newly refined gold bar to President Bola Tinubu in Abuja. The gold bar, sourced from artisanal and small-scale miners and refined by an agency of the Ministry, signifies a milestone in the government’s efforts to reform the solid minerals sector. Alake praised President Tinubu for his support, assuring that the sector will soon contribute significantly to the nation’s…
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has issued a stern warning to politicians in Ondo and Edo States, urging them to refrain from arbitrary attacks on journalists during the forthcoming elections. This warning was issued through a communique at the end of the NUJ’s quarterly National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Ibadan from Thursday to Saturday. The communique was drafted by Comrade Amos Etuk (Chairman, NUJ Akwa Ibom State Council), Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu (Chairman, NUJ Anambra State Council), Comrade Chiroma Ali Ibrahim (Secretary, NUJ Borno State Council), and Comrade Mary Replong Domtur (Secretary, NUJ Plateau State Council). It…
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reach a compromise to prevent disruptions in the academic calendar. Speaking at a news briefing in Akure on Sunday, NANS Senate President, Henry Okunomo, emphasized the need for immediate and decisive action to avoid a potential strike by ASUU, which has issued a three-week ultimatum to the government over outstanding demands. Okunomo called on President Bola Tinubu to allocate sufficient resources to the education sector, improving infrastructure, providing necessary teaching aids, and ensuring timely payment of salaries and benefits…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has scheduled its councilorship and chairmanship primary elections for June 26-27, 2024, in preparation for the upcoming local council elections. In a statement issued in Ilorin, party spokesman Olusegun Olusola Adewara confirmed the dates and outlined the procedures for selecting candidates across the 16 local government areas of the state. “The party will adopt primary elections and or ratifications where applicable to determine its candidates,” Adewara stated. “This is in furtherance of our party’s commitment to true democracy where people’s rights to aspire to serve are strictly protected.” The PDP has also…
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of the health sector under Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration, describing it as the worst in the state’s 33-year history. In a statement issued on Sunday, Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal alleged that the Adeleke administration’s approach to healthcare is marked by negligence and inadequate manpower. Lawal criticized the governor for failing to address the pressing needs of the sector. “The height of cruelty for a democratic government is to pay lip service to the health sector by refusing to engage the needed…
Former lawmaker Senator Shehu Sani has described Atiku Abubakar’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari as akin to “trekking in the Sahara” if it had political undertones. Atiku, the former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election, visited Buhari on Saturday at his residence in Daura, Katsina State. He was accompanied by the immediate past Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, along with other PDP stakeholders. Commenting on the visit, Sani noted on his X handle on Sunday that while a Sallah homage was understandable, a political mission would be…
Residents of High Level in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, are grappling with significant losses following severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall on Friday. InfoStride News reports that the construction of an underpass in High Level contributed to the extensive flooding in the area. The project, undertaken by Baahaus Global Investment Nig. Ltd., has been linked to the blocked water channels and drainages, exacerbating the flood’s impact on local businesses and livelihoods. Victims of the flooding have alleged negligence on the part of the construction company, which they claim blocked all water channels, forcing water into homes and business premises.…
Troops of Operation UDOKA have successfully destroyed 14 boats and numerous drums of crude oil recovered from oil bunkerers at Isimini Waterside in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State. The operation, led by Major General Hassan Dada, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu, resulted in the arrest of six suspects, who have been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) for further questioning and prosecution. Maj. Gen. Dada, accompanied by Brigadier General Olusola Diya, Brigade Commander of the 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia, disclosed to journalists…
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has expressed concerns over the ineffectiveness of over $36 billion in loans meant to fund 197 projects in Nigeria, as the country’s debt profile surged to N121.67 trillion. Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. The criticism follows a recent report from the Debt Management Office, which revealed that Nigeria’s debt had increased from N97.34 trillion at the end of 2023 to N121.67 trillion by the end of March 2024. Reacting to the rising debt, SERAP alleged that the World Bank’s loans have failed to alleviate poverty in…
Politicians from the Okigwe Zone in Imo State have called on their counterparts from the Owerri Zone to support their bid for the governorship in the 2027 election. This appeal was made during a meeting held at the residence of His Royal Majesty Eze Oliver Ohanweh in Isiala Mbano LGA, attended by notable figures including former governor Ikedi Ohakim and Senator Patrick Ndubueze. The politicians argued that equity and fairness necessitate that the Okigwe Zone should produce the next governor of the state. They pointed out that their tenure was cut short with the emergence of Rochas Okorocha from the…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed its readiness for the local council elections scheduled for September 21, 2024, as announced by the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC). In a statement issued on Saturday in Ilorin by the party’s spokesman, Olusegun Olushola Adewara, following a general meeting with political parties and the state electoral commission, the PDP confirmed its preparedness for the elections. The party was represented by its state chairman, Babatunde Mohammed, and state party secretary, Abdulrahman Abdullahi Kayode. “The PDP is pleased to declare that our party is fully prepared for the upcoming elections. Consequently, we have…
Police in Jigawa State have arrested seven suspects in a raid on criminal hideouts in Kazaure and Dutse local government areas. DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, the spokesman of the command, announced the arrests in a statement issued to media outlets. According to the statement, a team of policemen from Dutse and Kazaure Divisional Police Headquarters conducted the raid at Zai Hills, Gindin Dinya, and Bandawa, all in Dutse and Kazaure LGAs. During the operation, seven suspects were apprehended for various offences. Among them was Haruna Alto’m, 27, from Sabkarawa village, Yankwashi LGA, who is a suspected notorious drug dealer terrorizing…
A young man, yet to be identified, was electrocuted near the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) center in Otukpo, the headquarters of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. The incident occurred late Friday night when the suspected thief, after vandalizing a transformer on a high-tension pole, was electrocuted as power was suddenly restored by the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC). InfoStride News reports that the lifeless body was discovered dangling from the high-tension pole on Saturday morning, attracting a large crowd of onlookers. At the time of filing this report, electricity distribution officials were working to retrieve the…
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has issued a ban on traditional rulers from entering into any form of agreement regarding industry or mining activities within their domains. This move aims to curb illegal mining and unauthorized land transactions that have adversely impacted the environment and endangered significant public assets in the state. According to verifiable media outlets, Governor Abiodun had previously cautioned traditional rulers against allocating land to illegal miners and engaging in unapproved sales of public property, particularly plantations. In a statement released on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the governor emphasized…
Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives (PDP-Rivers), has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the cholera outbreak in the country. In a statement released on Saturday, Chinda emphasized the urgent need for a coordinated response from all stakeholders to address and contain the outbreak effectively. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recently reported the outbreak of the water-borne disease in 30 states across the federation. Chinda highlighted that the situation underscores critical deficiencies in public health safety measures and necessitates immediate action. “The outbreak highlights critical deficiencies in public…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State has affirmed that Governor Agbu Kefas holds the prerogative to appoint officials as he deems fit. This statement was made by the party’s spokesperson, Andetarang Irammae, on Saturday in response to concerns about recent appointments made by the governor. The governor recently announced a list of PDP members to serve as Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Community Special Assistants, and Heads and Members of Boards, Commissions, and Agencies. This list has sparked concerns among some party loyalists who are uncomfortable with certain appointments. Addressing these concerns during an interactive session…
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has attributed all his accomplishments in office over the past year to President Bola Tinubu. Governor Alia made this disclosure on Friday during his thank-you tour to the Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency. The clergyman-turned-politician emphasized that every achievement, including the construction of roads, an underpass, payment of salaries, pensions, and gratuities, as well as the remodeling of the Assembly Complex and State Secretariat, was possible due to President Tinubu’s support. “All my achievements are the handiwork of President Tinubu,” Alia stated, highlighting the significant backing he received from the President. Alia also urged the people of…