Category: Daily Trust

The new Permanent Secretaries are Malam Abdu Usman, Dr Sani Suleiman, Dr Shamsuddeen Yahaya Suleiman and Dr Hussaini Hamisu Yanduna.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Radda said the appointments were based on competence, experience and hard work, rather than personal connections.

He urged the appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them by ensuring transparency, accountability and adherence to due process in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.

‘The Oath of Office is not merely a ceremony. It is a commitment to integrity, accountability and faithful service,’ he said.The governor said the appointments, which cut across different local government areas, were also aimed at promoting equal opportunities in the civil service.

He, however, expressed concern that some local government areas could not produce eligible candidates because they lacked officers with the required qualifications or grade levels.

‘It is our hope and prayer that, in the coming years, every Local Government Area in Katsina State will produce qualified officers capable of competing successfully and serving as Permanent Secretaries,’ he said.Radda also charged senior civil servants to mentor younger officers and facilitate knowledge transfer to ensure continuity and strengthen the service.

He said his administration would continue to promote professionalism, institutional capacity and digital transformation across government institutions.

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.

Residents of Mubi town in Adamawa State have expressed outrage after a businessman, Suleiman Abu, was allegedly shot by a soldier during a patrol in Mubi North Local Government Area.

The incident reportedly occurred around 8:40pm on Sunday.

Residents said the victim was riding an electric motorcycle when he noticed soldiers on patrol.

Fearing arrest because of the existing restriction on motorcycle movement between 9pm and 6am, he reportedly made a U-turn and headed home before the curfew took effect.

Witnesses alleged that after Abu parked his motorcycle and attempted to lock the gate to his residence, a soldier who had followed him opened fire at close range.

The bullet reportedly grazed his shoulder before hitting his lower jaw, leaving him with severe injuries.

An eyewitness told Daily Trust that neighbours rushed out after hearing the gunshot and apprehended the soldier.

He was, however, later released following the intervention of his superiors and community elders.

The victim was initially taken to the Federal Medical Centre Mubi, before being referred to the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital in Yola, where he is receiving treatment.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with residents insisting that security personnel are expected to protect civilians and adhere to the military’s rules of engagement.

A resident, Abubakar Sadeeq Lamorde, said that even if the businessman had violated the motorcycle restriction, he should have been arrested and processed in line with the law rather than being shot.

Another resident, Danladi Dechamba, described the incident as tragic, saying Mubi residents had endured years of insurgency and continued to cooperate with security agencies in the interest of peace.

He said the victim was neither an insurgent nor a criminal, adding that security personnel must exercise restraint while carrying out their duties.

‘A soldier who pursues an unarmed civilian into his home and shoots him undermines the trust between the military and the community. Those responsible must be held accountable,’ he said.

Efforts to speak with the Commander of Sector 4 of Operation Hadin Kai, Brigadier Gen. Amechi Agwu, was unsuccessful as he was said to be attending an official meeting.

The spokesman of the 23 Armoured Brigade Yola, Capt. Abidoyi, told Daily Trust on telephone that he was not in a position to comment on the incident, saying only the military headquarters in Abuja could respond.

Mubi is among the towns worst affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

Meanwhile, residents of Mubi staged a peaceful protest over the alleged shooting, describing the incident as unprofessional and inhumane.

The protesters marched through major streets carrying placards and demanding justice for the victim. They later proceeded to the Emir’s Palace in Mubi to register their grievances.

Receiving the protesters on behalf of the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Isa Ahmadu, the Sadaukin Mubi, Alhaji Adamu Barkido, assured them that the emirate would pursue the matter with the relevant authorities until justice is served.

Also, a team of lawyers led by Barrister M.A. Luguja visited the victim at the hospital and pledged to provide free legal representation.

Luguja said the team would petition the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army Headquarters, the National Human Rights Commission, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and other relevant authorities.

He added that the lawyers would also file a fundamental rights enforcement suit, alleging violations of the victim’s rights to life, dignity, personal liberty and private and family life as guaranteed under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.

Two prominent chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State have resigned from the party, further deepening the wave of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections in the state.

The party leaders, a former Chairman of Funakaye Local Government Area and former PDP Chairman in the council, Hon. Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, and the party’s Assistant Secretary in Gombe State, Hon. Mohammed Babani Bajoga, announced their resignation in separate letters.

Ibrahim Yusuf, in a letter dated August 2, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the PDP in Bajoga West Ward, said he was withdrawing his membership from the party with immediate effect.

He said the decision followed ‘careful reflection and personal consideration,’ noting that he was grateful for the opportunity to serve the party in various capacities, including as PDP chairman in Funakaye Local Government Area.

The former council chairman requested that his name be removed from the party’s membership register and other official records.

‘I appreciate the support and cooperation I received from members throughout my years of service and wish the Party and its leadership success in their future endeavours,’ he stated.

Similarly, Mohammed Babani Bajoga, in his resignation letter dated August 3, 2026, addressed to the PDP Chairman of Bajoga East Ward, announced his voluntary withdrawal from the party with immediate effect.

Babani, who served as the PDP Assistant Secretary in Gombe State, said his resignation followed careful personal consideration and should be regarded as final.

He thanked the party for the opportunity to serve in different capacities and expressed appreciation to members for their support and cooperation during his time in office.

Neither of the two former party officials disclosed the reasons behind their decision to quit the PDP or have they indicated their next political destination.

A legal practitioner and human rights advocate, Hamza Dantani, has called on security agencies across Nigeria to adopt the Department of State Services (DSS) policy of compensating innocent citizens who are wrongly arrested, unlawfully detained or harmed during security operations.

Dantani made the appeal while commending the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi, for introducing compensation for victims of wrongful arrests and operational mistakes, describing the initiative as a landmark step toward strengthening accountability within the country’s security architecture.

In a statement titled, ‘DSS Compensation Initiative Sets Standard for Security Agencies,’ the lawyer said the move deserved national recognition because it demonstrated that security agencies could acknowledge errors without undermining their effectiveness.

According to him, agencies charged with protecting the nation also have a constitutional, legal and moral responsibility to provide redress when innocent citizens suffer violations of their rights.

‘This is a bold, commendable and unprecedented gesture that deserves national recognition,’ Dantani said.

‘It demonstrates that while security agencies have a constitutional responsibility to protect the nation, they also have a moral and legal obligation to acknowledge mistakes and provide remedies to innocent citizens whose rights have been violated.’

He stressed that efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality must always be carried out within the bounds of the law and with respect for fundamental human rights.

‘The fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality is a national priority. However, the pursuit of security must never come at the expense of justice. National security and respect for fundamental human rights are complementary principles that strengthen one another,’ he said.

Dantani noted that the DSS had demonstrated that public institutions could admit and correct operational errors while retaining public confidence.

According to him, accountability strengthens trust between security agencies and the citizens they are meant to protect.

The human rights advocate cited several publicly known beneficiaries of the DSS compensation policy, including Nura Idris, a Kaduna-based farmer and herder who reportedly received ?3 million after being wrongly linked to Boko Haram activities.

He also mentioned Chineze Ozoadibe, an Abuja businesswoman who was awarded ?10 million following her wrongful arrest over allegations of oil bunkering.

Dantani further referred to a Sokoto-based trader who reportedly received ?20 million and lifetime medical care after he was mistakenly shot during a security operation in Jos in 2016.

Other beneficiaries, he said, include Umar Ibrahim, Alhaji Bello Rabiu and Jaja Sarki Bamo, who shared a compensation package after being wrongfully arrested over allegations of banditry and kidnapping, as well as 11 artisans from Osun State who were exonerated of terrorism-related allegations and compensated.

He observed that wrongful arrests and unlawful detention often inflict severe financial losses, emotional trauma and reputational damage on victims.

While acknowledging that financial compensation cannot completely erase such suffering, he said it remains an important recognition that injustice had occurred and that the state was willing to accept responsibility.

Dantani urged the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other law enforcement bodies to institutionalise similar compensation mechanisms whenever innocent citizens are found to have been wrongfully arrested, detained or injured during official operations.

He also advocated reforms aimed at preventing wrongful arrests, including improved intelligence gathering, better identity verification, enhanced forensic investigations, stronger inter-agency collaboration, continuous human rights training for security personnel and independent review mechanisms to investigate complaints.

According to him, professionalism requires security agencies to exercise caution before depriving citizens of their liberty.

‘An arrest should never be treated as punishment, and detention should never become a substitute for proper investigation,’ he said.

Dantani concluded by commending the DSS Director-General for setting what he described as a positive example for other security institutions, expressing hope that the initiative would usher in a new era of accountability, respect for constitutional rights and justice for innocent Nigerians affected by operational errors.

He added that the true test of any justice system lies not only in its ability to punish offenders but also in its willingness to protect the innocent and correct its mistakes whenever they occur.

The United Kingdom has announced the opening of applications for the Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK from 4 August to 6 October 2026.

According to a statement from the UK High Commission in Abuja on Monday, the programme offers fully funded master’s degrees at UK universities to individuals ready to join a global network of future leaders, equipped with world-class knowledge, UK connections, and shared values to address global challenges and drive sustainable development in their communities and beyond.

The statement said Chevening has attracted hundreds of thousands of applications globally for more than 40 years.

Emma Hennessey, Head of the Scholarships Unit at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), said Chevening is looking for exceptional individuals who are ready to collaborate with the UK to help build a more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable future.

‘We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive cohort of global future leaders, so we are particularly interested in receiving applications from under-represented groups.

‘Our scholars and fellows are chosen not only for their achievements, but for their leadership potential, their ability to build meaningful connections, and their commitment to creating lasting impact in their communities and globally.

‘Through access to UK education, networks, and experiences, Chevening equips future leaders with the tools and connections needed to address shared international challenges together.

‘I encourage anyone considering applying to reflect carefully on Chevening’s vision and purpose, and on how their own experiences and ambitions align with the impact our global community is working to achieve,’ Hennessey said.

On his part, Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Nigeria, said Chevening is far more than a scholarship to study in the UK, stressing that it is an opportunity to join a global network of exceptional leaders committed to creating positive change in their communities and beyond.

‘Through a world-class education, exposure to UK values and culture, and lifelong connections with the UK and Chevening alumni, scholars gain the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to address today’s most pressing challenges and advance sustainable development.

‘If you have a clear vision for making a meaningful impact in areas of shared priority between Nigeria and the UK, I encourage you to apply and take the next step in your leadership journey,’ he said.

Before applying, candidates are strongly encouraged to review the resources available at chevening.org/vision and assess whether they are ready to present a competitive application.

Since the programme started in 1983, over 60,000 professionals have advanced their careers through Chevening, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to developing the leaders of tomorrow.

A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Wuse, Abuja, on Monday discharged a convict, Ibrahim Salisu, on health grounds.

Salisu had pleaded guilty to charges of joint act and theft.

Chief Magistrate Ekpeyong Inyang said the court exercised leniency in view of the convict’s health condition.

‘Justice is not about punishing offenders alone. You are advised to be cautious and never commit such an offence again.

‘If you commit this offence again, you will be sent to prison,’ she said.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Catherine Okafor, told the court that Inspector Isa Yusuf and Mukaila Dayyabu of the Utako Police Division arrested Salisu on July 25. (NAN)

The 36 States and FCT Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP loyal to the Federal Capital Territory, Minister Nyesom Wike backed faction of the party has called on the security agencies to immediately investigate the faction of the party led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, accusing them of ‘malicious forgery and distortion of court judgments.’

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Abuja, on Monday, the Chairman of the Forum, Austin Nwachukwu, alleged that members of the Turaki-led faction have continued to parade themselves as a faction of the party despite their expulsion.

The chairmen urged law enforcement agencies to investigate what they described as the ‘criminal and malicious forgery and distortion of court judgments,’ warning that the actions of the group posed a threat to public order and the rule of law.

The chairmen insisted that the only recognised leadership of the PDP is the National Working Committee headed by National Chairman Abdulraham Mohammed and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu.

Nwachukwu, flanked by Babandi Ibrahim Gumel, Secretary of the forum lamented that for several weeks Nigerians ‘have been subjected to a deliberate campaign of falsehood, impersonation, and lawlessness by a group of individuals expelled from the PDP, led by Tanimu Turaki. These persons have chosen to operate as political impostors and we can no longer remain silent.

‘We call on all security and law enforcement agencies to investigate, with immediate effect, the criminal and malicious forgery and distortion of court judgments by these co-travellers.

‘Their utter disrespect for the rule of law, their breach of peace, and reckless utterances pose a clear and present danger to public order. Nigeria is a nation of laws, not of propaganda. No group of expelled and recalcitrant individuals should be allowed to substitute court pronouncements with press statements.’

According to the chairmen these individuals (Turaki-led faction) have continued to ‘falsely and continuously present themselves as a faction of the PDP, despite numerous competent court pronouncements to the contrary.’

Nwachukwu described the development as criminal deception, and adding that ‘there is only one PDP, recognized by INEC and by the courts, and it is the PDP led by the NWC under Abdulraham Mohammed.

‘We reject this identity theft and demand that relevant authorities compel them to desist.’

They also appealed to former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the Turaki-led leadership.

‘Mr. President, your words still guide this nation: ‘My ambition is not worth the blood of a single Nigerian.’ We call on you, in view of the global image and moral authority you command, to address Nigerians directly and disassociate yourself from the continuous use of your name in this spectacle of macabre dance by expelled PDP members,’ the chairmen said.

The Deputy Senate Minority Whip and Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Dr Rufai Hanga, has resigned his membership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Hanga has been meeting with some leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Kano state, with speculations rife that he might join the ruling party soon.

Recently, the senator a former ally of former Kano Governor met with President Bola Tinubu in company of the deputy president of the senate Jibrin Barau.

Hanga announced his resignation in a letter dated August 3, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the NDC in Dakata Ward, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

In the letter, the senator said his resignation takes immediate effect, adding that the decision followed ‘careful reflection and personal deliberation.’

‘I am writing to formally notify you of my resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), effective from today, 3rd August, 2026,’ the letter read.

He explained that he decided to withdraw his membership of the party to pursue other personal commitments and career paths.

The lawmaker expressed appreciation to the ward executive committee and members of the party for the support and cooperation he enjoyed during his time in the NDC.

‘I want to express my sincere gratitude to you, the Ward Executive Committee and the entire membership of Dakata Ward for the opportunities, support and fellowship I enjoyed during my time with the party,’ he stated.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has announced that the Service is transitioning to an annual recruitment cycle as part of efforts to ensure predictable and efficient manpower planning.

Addressing journalists at the Service’s Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday during the release of the final list of successful candidates for the 2024/2025 recruitment exercise, the CG said recruitment into the Service would no longer be conducted at irregular intervals.

‘The Nigeria Customs Service is moving to an annual recruitment cycle. Recruitment will no longer be an occasional event undertaken every several years. It will be a standing, predictable, yearly process,’ he said.

According to Adeniyi, the 2026 recruitment exercise will commence later this year and is expected to be completed within a single calendar year, from advertisement to publication of the final list.

‘It means that a young Nigerian who is unsuccessful this year knows precisely when the next opportunity arrives, rather than waiting in uncertainty for an announcement that may be years in coming,’ he added.

The CG explained that the systems, screening architecture and verification processes developed during the just-concluded exercise have now been fully established, making future exercises faster and more efficient.

‘The delays of this cycle were in significant part the cost of constructing that machinery. That cost has now been paid,’ he stated.

The NCS officially released the final list of 3,852 successful candidates for the 2024/2025 exercise, bringing to a close a nationwide process that began in December 2024.

‘Breakdown by Cadre: Superintendent Cadre: 1,275 Inspectorate Cadre: 367

Customs Assistant Cadre: 2,210

Adeniyi said the Service received an unprecedented 573,680 applications for the 3,852 positions. All applicants underwent multiple stages of screening, including computer-based examinations and verification of credentials against the national identity database,%,%’

He attributed the delay to the scale of applications and the high rate of retirements among senior management officers.

The CG insisted that the integrity of the process was not compromised, stressing that the final list was produced strictly on merit after rigorous scrutiny.

He also disclosed that every state of the federation and the FCT was represented, with the Federal Character principle fully applied.

Adeniyi urged successful candidates to await official communication on physical and medical screening. He warned the public to disregard fraudsters demanding payment for employment.

‘Recruitment into the Nigeria Customs Service remains free,’ he said adding that ‘Anyone approached for money should report such individuals to the Service and relevant security agencies.’