Category: Daily Trust

President Bola Tinubu may go into record as the first number one citizen to return to Lagos to mark Independence Day since the relocation of the capital city to Abuja.

The Independence Day was first held on October 1, 1960, when the Union Jack was lowered and replaced with Nigeria’s Green-White-Green flag.

At that inaugural event which held when Lagos was Nigeria’s capital city, Princess Alexandra of Kent who represented Queen Elizabeth II, presented the constitutional instruments of independence, while Azikiwe was sworn in as Governor-General.

Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa delivered a national address at that auspicious occasion which marked the country’s sovereignty.

After Nigeria’s capital was relocated to Abuja, virtually all leaders, military and civilian, have been marking the symbolic occasion in the capital city.

This year was not going to be an exception until Tinubu, an indigene of Lagos, decided otherwise.

Early signs that this year’s celebration would be marked outside Abuja were noticed after Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, issued a statement on September 26, 2025.

While the opening line of the statement indicated that the president was in Lagos, the subsequent paragraphs were unclear.

The itinerary showed that Tinubu was to visit Imo on the last day of September, then commission the remodelled National Theatre, which has been renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.

But the statement didn’t say if Tinubu would return to Abuja from Imo or would fly to Lagos for the commissioning after marking the historic occasion in Abuja.

However, by Monday, the cancellation of the Independence Day parade was announced. No key reason was given for this development.

The canceled military parade is a significant part of the Independence Day Celebration.

Before the announcement of the cancellation, some had thought the line-up of activities would go on under Vice-President Shettima, but as of the time this report was filed, the Vice President had not returned to the country from his trip to Germany.

Shettima had departed New York, where he represented Tinubu at the United Nations General Assembly, and headed for Germany.

Text of the speech of the president released by his media team showed it was read in Aso Rock, but the Independence Day celebration certainly goes beyond speech. It is usually accompanied with a whole lot of activities.

The absence of the usual parade and the schedule to commission projects in Lagos have therefore set this year’s celebration apart from all others in recent history.

For many, it rekindled memories of Nigeria’s earliest independence anniversaries when Lagos still served as the capital.

But for others, it raised questions about how future commemorations may be shaped by the personal choices of those in power.

What remains clear is that Tinubu’s ‘decision’ has opened a new chapter into the narrative of Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations.

The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has backed Nigeria’s tax reforms which culminated in the new tax laws, describing them as necessary for economic growth and development.

The recently-inaugurated Executive Secretary of the continental body, Ms Mary Baine, made the support known during a visit to the chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

A statement by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman said ATAF stands by Nigeria in reforming its fiscal landscape and pledged the readiness of the body to give technical support in areas that would help in realising the gains of the reforms.

She referenced how the organization had helped Zambia to build capacity in the area of raising revenue from mining, promising to offer support to Nigeria in the same area.

According to her, ATAF is willing to leverage Nigeria’s continental and global influence to mobilise member-countries to strengthen the organisation.

The FIRS chairman, while welcoming the visitors, expressed confidence in the capacity of the Executive Secretary to lead ATAF to glory.

He charged Africans to look inwards for homegrown solutions to challenges, stressing that salvation cannot come from the Western world.

‘My belief has always been that solutions to Africa’s challenges can only come from Africa. There is no free lunch anywhere. I have said that I don’t believe in aids; I believe in cooperation.

‘So, the expectation from us as a continent is also to bring what we can contribute to the work, most especially in tax matters. For us, we have to evolve our own fiscal policy which is what Nigeria has done with the new tax laws.

‘Before now, we had tax laws that were colonial relics. We had the Stamp Duties Act of 1939 which was enacted when there was no internet,’ he said.

Julius Berger, subsidiaries showcase products at Big 5, ECOBANK Expos

By Faruk Shuaibu

Nigeria’s leading engineering construction company Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, last week in Lagos, led its various subsidiaries to make a commanding impression at the recently concluded BIG 5 and ECOBANK Expositions, showcasing the unique innovation, craftsmanship, and expansive portfolio alongside its subsidiaries.

While the Big 5 event took place at the historic Landmark Events Centre, the other held inside the expansive ECOBANK Pan African Centre, Lagos.

Conscious of the opportunity the development presented to stakeholders in the sector, Nigeria’s best in the provision of aluminium and glass solutions, ABUMET, the pioneer in design and engineering in the country, PrimeTech Nigeria Ltd as well as the company’s Excellence Centre and Julius Berger Precast Services stormed the landmark event with new innovations and revised editions of their products and services at the Landmark Event Centre.

Each Julius Berger subsidiary brought their unique flair to the events. From cutting-edge architectural designs to advanced solutions and premium aluminium systems. The stands reflected the group’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and technological advancement.

A Facility Manager and officer in charge of the company’s Excellence Centre, Aleksandar Serafimoski said the Centre has a little bit more diverse portfolio.

The Commercial Manager for the Julius Berger Precast Services, Christian Bauer, said, ‘We are representing Julius Berger, and what we are basically trying to do is to showcase that we are branching out into smaller scales.’

The administration of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has commenced the digitization of Adamawa State Government archives in a move aimed at modernizing records management and boosting administrative efficiency.

The Managing Director of Truck Transit Park Limited (TTP), Jamal Onwubuariri, has stated that poor infrastructure, inadequate technology deployment, and long delays at border posts are major factors slowing down trade logistics in Nigeria and the West African subregion.

Onwubuariri stated this while presenting a goodwill message at the 2025 Transport Summit organized by the Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) in Lagos with the theme, ‘Driving the Transport Logistics Value Chains for Economic Growth.’

He revealed that in July, he undertook a 6,000-kilometre road trip from Nigeria to Liberia to observe firsthand the state of road transport infrastructure, challenges, and opportunities along the corridor.

‘We have infrastructure gaps. The roads we have, both here in Nigeria and across the West African region, are not sufficient for the volume of road traffic,’ Onwubuariri said. ‘The second challenge is that our ports, in terms of their infrastructure and technology deployment, are not sufficient for the volume of cargoes that comes into this region.’ The TTP boss identified long delays at border posts as another hurdle for trade, explaining that Nigerian truck drivers often spend weeks transporting perishable goods to neighbouring countries.

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The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned newly inaugurated Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) that the rank is only a privilege that can be withdrawn at any time if it is abused.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of 57 new SANs and the opening of the new legal year 2025/-2026 on Monday, Justice Kekere-Ekun said their achievement signifies not only professional excellence but also a commitment to ethical conduct and the upholding of the integrity of the legal profession.

‘The conferment of this rank is a rigorous process, reflecting the high expectations placed upon those who bear the title,’ he said.

‘It signifies not only professional excellence but also a commitment to ethical conduct and the upholding of the integrity of the legal profession. ‘You have all actively participated in the pre-swearing-in induction programme organized by the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), where invaluable insights were shared with you.

‘I urge you to uphold and internalize those principles, so that you may carry this rank with the utmost dignity, grace, and sense of responsibility it demands.

‘Let me take a moment to reiterate a caution I delivered at last year’s ceremony. The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is a privilege, not a right. The privilege can, and indeed will, be withdrawn in appropriate circumstances where it is abused.

‘I commend the efforts of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee in sustaining the standards and integrity of the processes leading to the final selection of successful applicants.’

She said the judiciary remains steadfast in its constitutional role of dispensing justice fairly and impartially, adding that they will continue to work tirelessly to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial process, uphold the rule of law, and protect the rights and freedoms of all Nigerians.

In his remarks, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), bemoaned the adverse ratings and negative perception indexes of the judiciary due to low public confidence in the judiciary arising from perceptions of undue influence, inconsistent rulings, and delays that frustrate justice, and allegations of corruption.

He recalled the Supreme Court’s decisions that have strengthened the country’s judiciary, including the 15th November 2024 matter of Attorney-General, Kogi State V Attorney-General of the Federation, which affirmed the constitutionality of the establishment laws and prosecutorial powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit.

According to him, another major decision was the 22nd November 2024 judgment in the Attorney-General, Lagos State V Attorney-General of the Federation, which nullified the National Lottery Act, establishing that the National Assembly lacks the constitutional power to legislate on lotteries, which is a residual matter for the state houses of assembly.

In every generation, young people have always been painted with bold colors-sometimes rebellious, sometimes revolutionary, but always impossible to ignore. Today’s youth culture is not just a passing phase; it is a force reshaping values, communication, and identity in ways older generations are only beginning to understand.

From TikTok trends to street fashion, from activism on social media to the creative redefinition of music, youth culture is setting the pace of global conversations. It is easy to dismiss these shifts as ‘just vibes,’ but in reality, what we are witnessing is the solidification of a cultural power bloc that dictates politics, consumer habits, and even morality.

Older generations often accuse young people of being distracted, unserious, or glued to their screens. But what is overlooked is the creativity embedded in that very digital presence. A viral dance trend may look trivial, but beneath it is a new language of global connection. A single tweet can mobilise thousands for protests, donations, or social change. The same tools that critics call ‘distractions’ are, in fact, instruments of innovation.

The youth are not merely consumers of culture-they are producers. Fashion houses, music labels, and even political campaigns have realised they cannot thrive without appealing to young audiences. The slang that dominates advertisements, the memes that fuel marketing, and the styles walking international runways all originate from youthful creativity. The world borrows from youth, yet ironically, youth are still told to ‘grow up.’ But youth culture is not only about entertainment. It is also about resistance. Across the world, young voices are leading conversations on climate change, gender equality, and mental health awareness. They are bold enough to question traditions, yet flexible enough to remix them into something fresh. They are redefining respect, not as blind obedience to age, but as mutual recognition of humanity.

The danger, however, lies in how quickly youth culture is misunderstood or exploited. Commercial industries capitalise on it without acknowledging its creators. Governments sometimes suppress it when it becomes too politically charged. Even within families, youthful expression is often mistaken for disrespect. To treat youth culture this way is to silence the very voices shaping the future.

The truth is simple: youth culture is not the enemy of tradition, nor is it a threat to society. It is the evolution of identity, the heartbeat of progress, and the living proof that society is never stagnant. To dismiss it is to dismiss the future.

It is time for parents, leaders, and institutions to stop asking, ‘What is wrong with young people today?’ and start asking, ‘What can we learn from them?’ Because whether through music, media, activism, or fashion, youth culture has already proven one thing-it is here to stay, and it speaks louder than ever before.

When Africa gathered in Addis Ababa from September 8 to 10, 2025, for the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS-2), the message was loud and clear: the continent wants climate investment, not climate aid. This second gathering of African leaders, experts, financiers, and activists was not just another diplomatic ritual. It was a defining moment in which Africa sought to reframe its role in the global climate economy-from a victim of climate disasters to an investment frontier rich with opportunities.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed captured the spirit of the summit when he declared: ‘It’s time to replace climate aid with climate investment.’ His words were echoed by Kenya’s President William Ruto, who lamented the persistent failure of wealthy nations to meet long-standing commitments-especially the pledge to double adaptation finance by 2025.

The frustration is justified. Africa contributes less than four per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it shoulders some of the harshest climate impacts: devastating floods, prolonged droughts, creeping desertification, collapsing food systems, and recurring humanitarian crises. In spite of this, the continent attracts only about one per cent of global climate finance. This imbalance is not just unfair; it is unsustainable.

Where was Nigeria in all of this?

Vice President Kashim Shettima had earlier made a symbolic appearance in Addis Ababa in June during Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, where he pledged Nigeria’s readiness to ‘play our part to keep Africa green.’ That was a welcome gesture of solidarity. But when it came to the main stage of ACS-2 itself, Nigeria’s delegation was hardly visible. No major speeches, no prominent leadership roles, and no defining interventions were reported. For a country that has suffered catastrophic floods in the Niger Delta, desertification swallowing up the far north, and millions of internally displaced people struggling to survive climate shocks, this absence was both puzzling and troubling. In climate politics, showing up is as important as planning. Presence and visibility are strategic. By remaining quiet, Nigeria missed a crucial opportunity to influence Africa’s collective position and secure a bigger slice of the emerging climate investment pie.

The Addis summit was not merely a litany of complaints. It was a showcase of solutions and opportunities. Delegates highlighted: Africa’s vast renewable energy potential, especially solar, wind, and hydro; nature-based solutions such as Ethiopia’s tree-planting drive that is restoring degraded lands; Climate-smart agriculture that promises food production stability in the face of erratic rainfall and the push for fairer terms in exploiting critical minerals-like lithium, cobalt, and manganese-that are vital for the global green transition.

Africa presented itself not as a victim, but as a hub of opportunity and innovation. And yet, Nigeria-the continent’s largest economy and most populous nation-failed to project its voice. This is especially ironic given Nigeria’s recent climate policy advances.

Nigeria has validated its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) and launched its first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1). These documents are not just bureaucratic paperwork; they are meant to enhance our credibility with investors, signalling that Nigeria is serious about meeting its climate commitments. But credibility abroad requires visibility at the right forums. Addis was one of those moments-and we were quiet.

Yet, Nigeria’s climate challenges cannot be tackled with loans alone. With debt levels already stretching our fiscal limits, the Addis call for more grants, concessional finance, and direct investments should have been Nigeria’s rallying cry.

For instance, Nigeria’s sun-rich northern region is ideal for solar power projects that could electrify rural communities, reduce dependence on diesel generators, and unlock jobs in green industries. Climate-smart agriculture, demonstrated by several African countries at ACS-2, could transform the way Nigerian farmers cope with floods, droughts, and shifting planting seasons. For Nigeria, adaptation is not a luxury-it is a matter of food security and survival.

As the biggest economy and home to the continent’s largest youth population, Nigeria’s voice carries weight in shaping continental narratives. Yet our muted presence in Addis signalled either disinterest or lack of coordination. Neither is acceptable.

Africa’s youth and women were placed at the heart of the Addis conversations, emphasizing the need for inclusive climate strategies. With over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population under 30, our country could lead in channelling this demographic power into innovation, renewable energy entrepreneurship, and climate-resilient farming. Missing the chance to highlight this at Addis was a strategic misstep.

Nigeria’s quiet role at ACS-2 should be a wake-up call. Symbolism matters. When Africa presents a united front, Nigeria should not be in the shadows-it must be at the head table. Looking ahead to COP30 in Brazil next year, Nigeria must align itself fully with Africa’s demands for investment, fairness, and climate justice.

That requires action on several fronts: implementing NDCs and BTR commitments not just on paper, but through concrete projects that attract investors, strengthening renewable energy policies to reduce risks for private sector participation, supporting farmers with adaptation programmes-irrigation schemes, improved seeds, early warning systems-that translate global commitments into local survival strategies, and giving youth and women a central role in the climate economy, not as token participants but as drivers of innovation.

The Addis summit is a clear demonstration that Africa is no longer content with being portrayed as helpless. The continent wants to lead, not beg. For Nigeria, the lesson is unmistakable: solidarity speeches are not enough. Presence, visibility, and strategic engagement are essential.

Our farmers, who battle erratic rains and shrinking harvests, cannot afford rhetorical commitments. Our youth, who could either drive the green economy or drown in unemployment, need a clear roadmap. Our economy, struggling with energy deficits and environmental degradation, requires bold investments.

Africa is ready to move from climate aid to climate investment. Nigeria must help lead from the front-or risk being left behind. When Africa presents a united front, Nigeria must be at the head table-not quietly in the background.

Ahmad resides at FMA2, off Yaya {Petel) Abubakar Road, Fadamar Mada, Bauchi Email: masalihu@aol.com

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has warned that the escalating insecurity and poverty in northern Nigeria have become so dire that they must now be treated as a national emergency rather than a regional concern.

Dogara spoke on Tuesday during a panel session at the Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit (NNIIS) 2025 organised by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) in Abuja.

Lamenting over the worsening bloodshed across the region, the former Speaker said the magnitude of killings in the North had spiritual implications.

‘With the kind of bloodletting we are witnessing in the North, if you are a person of faith, you will know that we are operating under a curse because it is human blood. ‘The effect of a curse is that you sweat without results. That is why we are sweating in this part of the country without any tangible outcome.’

Dogara insisted that security must be the top priority before any meaningful development could occur, urging governors in the 19 northern states to pool resources to combat the menace.

‘If it will mean pulling all the 19 northern states’ resources together to tackle insecurity, we must do it. Otherwise, all our conversations here will amount to nothing,’ he stressed.

Dogara also urged the region to stop depending on external solutions, saying northerners must take charge of their own destiny.

‘We need to depart from doing business as usual and embrace radical, transformative action. Help is not coming from anywhere – we must take our destiny into our own hands,’ he warned.

He argued that without the development of the region’s vast population, Nigeria’s overall progress would remain stalled.

‘The development of northern Nigeria is not a regional prerogative. It must be seen as a national emergency. If the vast number of people we have in the North are not developed, Nigeria is going nowhere.’

Also speaking, Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, said the region’s youth population, often seen as a potential asset, had become a liability due to their involvement in banditry and cybercrime.

‘The most that get recruited by bandits are young people. The young people doing cybercrimes are also within our group,’ he said.

El-Rufai added that while more young people were now being appointed into public positions, the focus must shift to building a culture of respect, mentorship, innovation, and service among the youth.

While presenting a summary of the summit, Prof. Doknan Sheni, Director-General of NEF, said the event opened with inclusive measures such as interpreters, live-streaming channels, and safety guidance for participants.

He explained that the ten-year development plan (2025-2035) was designed as an action-oriented roadmap to reduce poverty, curb insecurity, and create employment, with emphasis on harnessing human and natural resources.

The summit deliberated extensively on four key themes: Power – bridging energy deficits through decentralisation and partnerships.; Agriculture – shifting from subsistence to agro-industrial transformation; Digital Economy and Innovation – leveraging technology to unlock growth; Mining – promoting inclusive and sustainable exploitation of mineral resources.

Prof. Sheni noted that the high point of the summit was the signing and adoption of the Northern Nigeria Integrated Economic Development Charter, now positioned as the guiding instrument for collective action to drive transformation in the region.

He said that the region must move beyond rhetoric into bold, coordinated action if it is to fulfil its role as the economic engine of Nigeria.

He said: ‘The high point of the summit was the formal signing and adoption of the Northern Nigeria Integrated Economic Development Charter. This document, endorsed by regional leaders and stakeholders, is now positioned as the central instrument to guide collective action in driving economic growth and transformation in Northern Nigeria.

‘The proceedings closed with assurances of faithfulness, commitment, and competitiveness in implementing the resolutions, backed by infrastructure development, power generation initiatives, and inclusive community participation. The overall message was clear: moving beyond rhetoric into bold, coordinated action is essential if the region is to fulfil its role as the economic engine of the nation.

‘Several presentations underlined the challenges and opportunities in agriculture, mining, infrastructure, power, and digital economy. It was agreed that synergy between public and private sectors is vital for building an enabling environment, attracting investors, and ensuring security. Discussions also highlighted the importance of transparency, streamlined approvals, policy reforms, and youth empowerment in advancing economic transformation.’

The former Chairman of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, Alhaji Alhassan Bawa Niworo, has been kidnapped.

Niworo was reportedly kidnapped along several other travellers around 4pm on Monday, September 29, 2025.

Their attackers struck between Felegi and Ibi communities on Mokwa-New Bussa road in Borgu LGA.

Sources said the former Chairman of SUBEB along side other people including one Barrister Ahmad were on their way to Minna when the terrorists blocked the road and whiskered them into the nearby forest.

Several other abductees were said to be traders returning from New Bussa weekly market.

How villages Allegedly Shield Terrorists

Some of the kidnapped victims who regained freedom on Friday after payment of millions of naira ransom told Daily Trust that their captors were shielded by a few villages where they used as camps.

A victim said one of the villages was Telle village in Mashegu LGA. Other villages alleged to have been used as camps include Koloho, and Fanga.

Our Correspondent could not independently verify if the listed villages provide shield under duress.

But Daily Trust recalls that in May 2025, Security Operatives Arrest Village Head of Guiwa, Garba Mohammed and 13 Others from Telle and other Villages in Mashegu, Borgu, Rijau among other LGAs for Aiding Banditry in Niger State.

The village head, according to the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command was arrested alongside 13 others following an intelligence report about their alleged involvement with bandits.

Community leaders reportedly used his residence as a hideout, where bandits regularly met to plan their operations.

Abiodun said the arrests followed clearance operations targeting bandits’ and kidnappers’ hideouts in the Mashegu area on Thursday and Friday.

‘On 22nd May, 2025, police operatives and vigilante members conducted clearance operations in some identified kidnappers’ hideouts in Mashegu LGA, such as Magaman-Daji forest and its environs, and in the process, most of the suspected kidnappers fled from the scene and others were believed to have escaped with gunshot injuries.

‘On 23rd May, 2025 at about 9 a.m., in continuation of this operation, the team stormed Guiwa and Telle villages based on credible information received, and the Mai-Angwan of Guiwa village, Mall. Garba Mohammed, was arrested for screening and aiding banditry activities, using his house as a hideout with recovery of four motorcycles kept in his custody and ten cattle.

‘ Thirteen others were also arrested in different locations within Mashegu LGA for similar reasons. However, they are under interrogation and investigation is in progress to ascertain their roles and involvement in banditry activities in the area,’ Abiodun explained.

Although the police spokesperson did not provide the names of the other suspects, sources identified other suspects as Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu of Wawa village, Borgu LGA; Umar Abubakar of Gwajibo; Musa Mohammed of Telle village; Mohammed Abubakar of Dukku, Rijau LGA; Molema Aliyu of Pallagi; Oro Abubakar of Arera; Shehu Alhaji Ardo of Adogon Mallam; Umar Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abubakar, Saidu Mohammed, and Babuga Abdullahi-all of Lumma; Mohamadu Bako of Gwajibo; and Babuga Saidu of Lumma.

In the latest attacks, Residents told Daily Trust that the Telle and neighbouring villages had become notorious for aiding and abetting attacks in the area.

‘Recently, the Telle village gained attention due to a security operations where authorities arrested the village head of a neighboring village, Guiwa, and 13 other individuals for allegedly aiding and abetting armed bandits.

‘So, Telle village is situated in the Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State. The village has been affected by banditry activities, with residents experiencing attacks, theft of livestock, and abductions, one of the sources said.

Many Farmers Flee as attacks persist

Residents of farming communities in Mariga, Magama, Kontagora, Mashegu, Borgu and Rijau LGAs in the Niger North Senatorial District of Niger State have continued to flee their homes for the past five days due to renewed attacks on their communities and constant movement of bandits in the area for the past five days.

In the wee hours on Tuesday, residents told our Correspondent that bandits numbering over 200 invaded Ibeto, a community in Magama LGA, forcing the residents to flee.

In a video shared by one of the residents, women and children walked through dark paths with torchlights to escape in the wee hours on Tuesday.

‘Yesterday night (Monday), they crossed to communities including Dogon-Daji, Ugulu, Maira, Atabo and Ibeto. They also invaded Lioji village before crossing to Maira, Ugulu, Atabo and Ibeto. At Atabo, many residents were kidnapped when they couldn’t get cattle to rustle ‘, he said.

He said residents of Ibeto fled their homes in the night before bandits eventually took over the community.

Sporadic gunshots were reportedly heard when they invaded Ibeto but fleeing residents could not establish if there were casualties.

Another source said, ‘They entered Magama this morning (Tuesday) before proceeding to Yangale where they kidnapped four people. They were in groups. We are currently in the Bush with children and women. Please help us with prayers. We need help’.

Also on Saturday afternoon, bandits numbering over a hundred reportedly invaded Talle, a village in the Kulho ward of Mashegu LGA of Niger State.

The fleeing residents told Daily Trust that the attackers arrived at the village around 2pm on Monday, and ordered all shop owners in the community to close their businesses.

One of the residents said the bandits also blocked all access routes into the village, preventing entry and exit except few others who took risk and escaped.

Daily Trust also gathered that residents of Ragada and adjoining communities in Mariga LGA have fled their homes since Sunday following the movement of bandits in the area.

On of the residents told Daily Trust they slept on mountains despite rainfall and watch bandits cooking food in their homes.

On Saturday afternoon, dozens of travellers were also reportedly kidnapped along Kontagora -Rijau road.

The Permanent Secretary, Niger State Ministry for Homeland security did not pick calls or reply text messages sent to his phone over the development.

But the police spokesperson confirmed the attack on Ibbi-New Bussa road but was silent on other attacks.

He said one of the policemen on patrol was injured and a patrol vehicle was damaged while repelling the attackers.

According to him, ‘On 29th Sept., 2025 at about 11.30am, suspected armed men attacked the Police nipping point along Ibbi-Bussa road, the Police tactical team engaged and repelled the hoodlums, and in the process, the Police patrol vehicle was damaged with gunshots, while one of the Policemen sustained gunshot injury and he was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment’.