Category: Daily Trust

This brings to an end nearly six months of anguish for their families and communities.

The Kwara State Government announced the development on Wednesday through its official Facebook page.

It described the release as a major breakthrough and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, security agencies and everyone who contributed to the operation.

‘Alhamdulillaah and kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, security forces, and everyone who played a role in this huge feat. We are grateful!’ the government stated.

Although authorities were yet to disclose the details of the operation as of press time, multiple community sources told Daily Trust that security personnel, backed by military hardware, had moved into the forest earlier in the day before news of the victims’ freedom filtered into the communities.

Aliyu Umar, a resident and member of the community negotiating team through a mediator, said reports reaching the communities indicated that the Federal Government had mounted a rescue operation.

He said residents of nearby Wawa reported seeing seven or eight long vehicles escorted by Army armoured tanks moving into the forest.

He added that information circulating within the communities suggested the captives had been handed over to government officials.

‘We were hearing that the Federal Government was making moves. Information reaching me was that they had been handed over. People in Wawa saw several vehicles and Army armoured tanks heading into the forest,’ he said.

The Village Head of Woro, Alhaji Salihu Umar, gave a similar account.

He said available information to the community suggested a Federal Government rescue team had entered the forest to receive the victims.

According to him, residents had reported seeing buses, Army gun trucks and other security vehicles heading towards the area.

‘We had not spoken with the victims ourselves at that point, but everything we were hearing suggested they had been handed over to the rescue team,’ he said.

Also confirming the development, Dr Abdul Ibrahim, who had played a prominent role in community efforts to secure the captives’ freedom, said the circumstances surrounding their release were still unclear.

‘Yes, it is true. They are arranging vehicles to bring them to Il?rin. We do not know exactly how they secured the release. We do not know whether there was any negotiation or ransom involved. At this stage, we simply do not know the circumstances,’ he said.

The release marks a dramatic turnaround after months of uncertainty that had triggered protests, appeals and desperate negotiations by affected families.

Only last weekend, hundreds of residents, youths and women staged a peaceful protest in Kaiama, demanding urgent government intervention after the captives spent 171 days in terrorist custody.

The protesters marched through the town, carrying placards and urging the Federal Government to intensify rescue efforts while calling for stronger security around communities bordering the Kainji Lake National Park, which they described as a major criminal hideout.

The latest development also comes barely five days after families disclosed that more than ?155 million painstakingly raised through community donations, personal savings and the sale of valuables had been rejected by the terrorists.

Speaking then on behalf of affected families, Dr Abdul Ibrahim told Daily Trust that the kidnappers declined the money, insisting they would only negotiate directly with the governments of Kwara and Niger states because many of the captives came from both states.

He also alleged that the abductors had threatened to kill some victims while forcing female captives into marriage, heightening fears among relatives.

The 176 victims were abducted during the coordinated terrorist assault on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities on February 3, an attack that left hundreds dead, displaced many families and destroyed homes and public infrastructure.

The massacre sparked national outrage and prompted President Tinubu to order reinforced military deployments and intensified security operations in Kaiama and adjoining communities.

More details have emerged regarding the suspension of the chairmen of Rogo, Bebeji, and Bagwai local government councils by the Kano State House of Assembly.

According to the Majority Leader,Lawan Hussaini Dala, the action was prompted by multiple petitions alleging financial and administrative misconducts.

Daily Trust reports that the Assembly suspended Abubakar Mustapha (Rogo), Dr. Alhassan Salisu (Bebeji), and Bello Gadanya (Bagwai) following the adoption of a report by the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during plenary.

Speaking exclusively with Daily Trust, the House Majority Leader said the Assembly received petitions from a wide range of stakeholders, including community groups, civil society organisations, and elected councillors from the affected local government areas.

He explained that the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs subjected the petitions to preliminary scrutiny by examining financial and administrative records obtained from the councils and holding interactive sessions with key local government officials before recommending the suspension of the three chairmen.

According to him, the petitions alleged financial misappropriation, abuse of office, breach of public trust, fraud, and other administrative infractions.

The chairmen were also accused of incompetence in managing the affairs of their councils and diverting public funds for personal interests.

‘The investigation is far from over,’ Dala said, adding that the committee would widen its probe by inviting all relevant stakeholders to present evidence and defend their positions before arriving at its final recommendations.

He explained that, in line with the Assembly’s constitutional oversight powers, the House directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to ensure the immediate handover of leadership to the vice chairmen pending the outcome of the investigation.

Dala disclosed that the committee has three months to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Assembly, after which lawmakers will determine whether the allegations against the suspended chairmen have been established or whether they should be cleared.

He urged residents of the affected councils and other stakeholders to remain calm and allow the committee to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation without interference.

Our correspondent could not reach any of the suspended chairmen as of press time last night.

The attack occurred at about 10:47 p.m on Tuesday, when the assailants reportedly stormed the community and opened fire on the local security volunteers, who were keeping vigil to protect residents from possible attacks.

The victims were identified as Dachung Danjuma, 51; Victor Danjuma, 37; and Nyam Danjuma, 35.

The victims, who were biological brothers, were said to have been killed on the spot during the attack, leaving their family and the community devastated.

A member of the community, Lyop Bitrus, told journalists that the brothers were on routine night patrol when the gunmen ambushed them, throwing the community into panic as residents fled their homes for safety.

‘They were keeping watch over the community when the gunmen suddenly attacked them. Sadly, the three brothers were killed on the spot. They sacrificed their lives while protecting the community. The tragedy was particularly painful for the family of Victor Danjuma, who was married with five children,’ Lyop said.

The spokesperson of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Mr. Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the incident, saying the attackers invaded Tarai community in Jol village under the cover of darkness and targeted the local vigilante team guarding the area.

Tengwong described the killing of the victims as heartbreaking, lamenting the continued attacks on communities in Riyom and other parts of Plateau State despite repeated appeals for improved security.

He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities and bring the perpetrators to justice, stressing that residents could no longer continue to live under the constant threat of attacks.

spokespersons of the State Police Command and Operation Enduring Peace, SP Alabo Alfred and Captain Polycarp Oteh, had yet to respond to inquiries from our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.

Davido made the disclosure during a livestream with Nigerian content creator and streamer Carter Efe, where the conversation turned to football and his preferred national team.

The award-winning singer said his support for Portugal was influenced by his friendship with some members of the national team.

‘Because I have a lot of friends in the Portuguese team. I want Portugal to win,’ Davido said.

When Carter Efe suggested that his support for Portugal was primarily because of Ronaldo, Davido affirmed his admiration for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

‘I love Ronaldo. I’m a CR7 fan,’ he said.

Davido went further to claim that he communicates regularly with Ronaldo, describing the Portuguese star as a legend.

According to the singer, their communication goes beyond merely knowing each other, as he suggested that they exchange messages frequently.

During the livestream, Davido showed Carter Efe what appeared to be a conversation with Ronaldo on his mobile phone.

The apparent revelation drew an excited reaction from Carter Efe, who repeatedly exclaimed, ‘God, I don mad! I don mad! I don mad! I don mad!’

The moment subsequently generated reactions after clips from the livestream circulated on social media.

Davido, one of Africa’s most prominent music stars, has over the years publicly demonstrated his interest in football and interacted with several personalities in the sport.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, is widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players, having won five Ballon d’Or awards and enjoyed a highly successful career with clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

However, the authenticity of the apparent conversation displayed by Davido during the livestream could not be independently verified.

The Federal Government says it will begin the rollout of a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network across the country within weeks as part of efforts to improve broadband connectivity and accelerate Nigeria’s digital economy.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Tuesday after briefing President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

He said all funding and contractual processes for the project had been completed and deployment would commence soon.

‘In a few weeks, Nigerians will begin to see us laying fibre across the country. This project will transform Nigeria for good,’ he said.

According to Tijani, the network will cover every state, geopolitical zone, local government area and ward, significantly improving internet access and service quality nationwide.

The minister also thanked President Tinubu for reforms that have strengthened the communications sector, including the designation of digital infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, tariff adjustments and tax harmonisation.

He said the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product had risen from between 16 and 18 per cent to nearly 21 per cent since the administration came into office.

Tijani further disclosed that the government would begin deploying about 3,700 telecommunications towers from October to provide network coverage for more than 20 million Nigerians living in underserved communities.

He also announced that Nigeria would launch an alphanumeric postcode system on October 1, giving every property a unique address to improve e-commerce, security and public service delivery.

A witness, Markus Nathaniel, said the incident happened around 5:48am on Wednesday and involved a J5 Peugeot bus with registration number JJN 605 ZY and another Peugeot bus without a registration number.

He said one of the buses, fully loaded with bananas, pineapples and oranges, was travelling at speed from the Lokoja end when it allegedly overtook dangerously, resulting in a head-on collision with the other bus coming from the opposite direction.

He said one of the buses, which was loaded with fruits, suddenly went up in flames, adding that all four occupants, including the driver, were burnt beyond recognition.

He said the corpses of the passengers were deposited at the Kwali General Hospital morgue by rescue officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

An official of the FRSC, who was part of the rescue team but preferred anonymity, also confirmed the incident, saying four people, including a driver, were burnt to death after the two buses collided.

He disclosed that the corpses were deposited at the Kwali General Hospital morgue, attributing the accident to wrongful overtaking and speed limit violation.

The FRSC official further disclosed that three persons died in another accident following a head-on collision between a vehicle and a trailer near Government Secondary School (GSS) Yangoji, along the same highway.

He said the accident also happened on Wednesday, around 8:15am, and involved a Toyota Highlander Jeep without a registration number and a Howo trailer with registration number GWL 292 YM.

He said the Jeep, which was travelling at speed from the Lokoja end, overtook another vehicle and subsequently collided with the trailer, killing three male adults in the Jeep on the spot.

He said two other occupants of the Jeep sustained injuries and were taken to Kwali General Hospital for treatment, while the three corpses were deposited at the hospital’s morgue.

He also attributed the accident to speeding and road traffic violations, saying the Jeep had been towed to the police station in Kwali, while the trailer was moved to the Yangoji FRSC Unit Command.

The FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Iliyasu Tijjani, also confirmed the two accidents to our reporter on telephone but declined to comment further.

Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have arrested four suspected collaborators of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in separate intelligence-led operations in Yobe and Borno states.

The military also said troops intercepted 20 suspected family members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorists fleeing their enclave in Borno following sustained military offensives.

The Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

He said troops of the 159 Battalion under Sector 2 conducted a cordon-and-search operation in Geidam town, Yobe State, on August 3, following credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of two suspected terrorist collaborators.

According to him, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly supplied hard drugs and other logistics to Boko Haram fighters.

Goni said in a separate operation conducted at about 3:30 p.m. the same day, troops of Sector 3 Garrison, in conjunction with the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, arrested two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers in Monguno, Borno State.

He said the suspects allegedly confessed during preliminary interrogation to supplying food items and other materials to ISWAP fighters operating in Kwatan Dowoshi village in Kukawa Local Government Area.

In another development, the military said troops of the 222 Battalion intercepted 20 suspected family members of JAS terrorists during a routine patrol along the Gezuwa axis in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

The group comprised nine women, two men, eight female minors and one male minor.

According to the military, the individuals told investigators they fled Gezuwa following sustained military offensives against the terrorist settlement.

The inauguration and strategic media briefing, held in Abuja on Tuesday, officially commenced mobilisation across the five South-East states for what organisers describe as one of the largest gatherings of women in the region.

The event, themed, ‘One Region, One Vision, Victory for Tinubu 2027,’ is expected to receive First Lady Oluremi Tinubu; Minister of Women Affairs; APC National Women Leader, Dr. Mary Alile Idele; South-East Governors and their First Ladies; wives of federal and state legislators; members of the National Assembly; ministers; party leaders; traditional rulers; professionals; market women; youth organisations; civil society organisations; and thousands of women from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States.

The event will also serve as a grand South-East reception in honour of the First Lady in recognition of her unwavering commitment to women’s economic empowerment through the Renewed Hope Initiative.

Enugu State, under the leadership of Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, will serve as the host state for the regional gathering. The Governors of the South-East, led by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, together with their First Ladies, are joining hands to welcome the First Lady in a collective demonstration of the region’s commitment to women’s empowerment, unity and inclusive development.

The programme will combine large-scale women’s empowerment initiatives, policy dialogue, health outreach and leadership development, while also serving as a platform for grassroots mobilisation in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in 2027.

Speaking at the briefing, the APC South-East Zonal Women Leader and Convener of the programme, Hon. Dr. Oby Ajih, described the initiative as a defining moment for women in the region.

‘For too long, the voices, numbers and capacity of APC women in the South-East have not been matched with visible platforms and resources. This Mega Rally is our answer. It is a statement that South-East women are organised, united and ready to take centre stage in shaping the political and economic future of our zone and our party. When you empower South-East women, you secure votes, you secure communities, and you secure the future.’

She said the rally would not only empower women economically but also demonstrate the unity and political strength of South-East women as they mobilise in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda and President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

The programme, she added, will feature grants and start-up capital for traders, farmers and SMEs; skills acquisition kits; healthcare outreach, including maternal health education and health insurance enrolment support; as well as leadership and political capacity-building programmes for women.

Former Senator representing Anambra Central, Senator Dr. Uche Ekwunife, CON (Iyom), commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for what she described as his administration’s commitment to women’s empowerment and called on women across the South-East to mobilise massively in support of the President’s re-election.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated genuine commitment to improving the lives of Nigerian women through the Renewed Hope Agenda. South-East women recognise these efforts and are prepared to reciprocate with stronger grassroots mobilisation. On August 18, we will speak with one voice in support of the President and the future of our region.’

Also speaking, Hon. Princess Gloria Akobundu, National Organising Secretary of the Tinubu Torch Bearers, described the rally as a strategic platform for strengthening grassroots mobilisation and expanding women’s participation in national development.

‘The Renewed Hope Agenda continues to create opportunities for Nigerian women. This gathering is a demonstration that South-East women are united, organised and committed to advancing the President’s vision because empowering women ultimately strengthens families, communities and the nation.’

Responding to questions from journalists on the level of preparedness, the Abia State Representative on the National Coordinating Committee and Chairman, Media, Protocol and Publicity Committee, Hon. Mary Ikoku, expressed confidence that preparations had reached an advanced stage.

‘From the reports of our various committees, I can confidently say that preparations are well on course. Mobilisation across the five South-East states is strong, coordination is seamless, and every committee is working with a clear sense of purpose.

We look forward to welcoming Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, whose Renewed Hope Initiative continues to put resources, opportunities and renewed hope directly into the hands of Nigerian women.

In the South-East, the August Meeting has always been a symbol of unity, purpose and the strength of our women. On August 18, we will write a new chapter in that proud tradition-bigger in scale, richer in impact and stronger in purpose. We are ready. Enugu is ready. South-East women are ready.’

The Head of the Nigeria National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Dr. Amos Dangut, disclosed this on Wednesday while announcing the release of the examination results in Lagos.

According to him, of the 1,950,726 candidates who sat the examination in Nigeria, 1,834,695, representing 94.05 per cent, had their results fully processed and released.

He added that 116,031 candidates, representing 5.95 per cent, still have one or more subjects being processed due to issues that are currently being resolved.

Dangut assured the affected candidates that efforts were being intensified to complete the processing and release the outstanding results within the next few days.

Giving a breakdown of candidates’ performance, he said 1,687,378 candidates, representing 86.50 per cent, obtained credit passes in at least five subjects, with or without English Language and Mathematics.

He further disclosed that 1,200,514 candidates, representing 61.54 per cent, obtained credits in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has advocated community policing as a key strategy for tackling insecurity across the country.

The Sultan said sustainable peace could only be achieved through collaboration between security agencies and local communities.

Represented by the Chiroman Kano, Alhaji Adamu Lamido Sanusi, the Sultan spoke on Wednesday at the Arewa Awareness Summit on Unity Against Insecurity, held at Arewa House, Kaduna.

He said community members, particularly youths, possess firsthand knowledge of their environment and should be actively involved in intelligence gathering and crime prevention.

‘I personally believe in community policing. To fight crime, we have to work with the people,’ he said.

The monarch said he had consistently worked with imams, religious leaders, youth groups and other community stakeholders to promote peace and strengthen security in his domain.

‘I personally work with the imams, religious leaders, youth groups and other community stakeholders to address the challenges in my area, working to ensure peace and security in the community,’ he said.

He described intelligence gathering as indispensable in combating crime, noting that residents often have better knowledge of suspicious activities within their communities than outsiders.

‘The people in the community, especially the youth, are already in the community. They know the community and the areas better than anyone else. You are able to gather more information through collaboration with the community and through multiple agencies working together in the community,’ he said.

According to him, effective cooperation between communities and security agencies would significantly strengthen efforts to tackle banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

‘So, this cooperation, this working together hand in hand, is highly important in fighting crime in our communities and in the country,’ he added.

The Sultan also commended the organisers of the summit, describing the initiative as a timely platform for exchanging ideas and strengthening partnerships to address insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

‘I commend this programme. It is a very good initiative to listen to, and I hope we will continue to listen and learn more from our key speakers,’ he said.

He said he attended the summit to learn from experts and deepen his understanding of emerging security issues.

‘I am really glad to be here at this programme, and I am looking forward to learning from the key speakers. I really wish to learn from them as part of my daily job,’ he said.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Arewa for Peace, Unity, Cohesion and Development Initiative (ACI), Dr Abdullahi Idris, said the summit was convened to develop practical solutions to insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

He said participants were expected to develop strategies that would strengthen dialogue between communities and the government while promoting collective action against insecurity.

Also speaking, Prof. Mohammed Tasiu Dan Sabo, who represented Prof. Ahmad Rufai, said military operations alone could not guarantee lasting peace.

‘There has to be a link between security, justice, governance and livelihoods,’ he said, stressing that ‘lasting peace cannot be achieved through military operations alone.’

The one-day summit brought together traditional rulers, security agencies, religious leaders, academics, civil society organisations and youth groups to deliberate on practical approaches to addressing insecurity across the North.