News
85 abducted as bandits return to Kaduna-Abuja expressway
No fewer than 85 persons, comprising both travellers and residents, were said to have been abducted by terrorists at Katari along the Kaduna – Abuja highways near Katari, in the Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
It was also gathered that more than four residents were killed by the hoodlums.
The breakdown of those abducted by the bloodthirsty terrorists indicated that between Thursday and Sunday, January 7, 2024, a total of 85 persons were abducted.
The Kaduna State Police Command confirmed that there was a bandit attack on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway at Dogon Fili near Katari.
However, the command was silent on the abduction of the travellers along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, stated that security operatives battled the terrorists before they fled in different directions.
The police spokesman noted that in the process, some travellers were caught in the crossfire, and they sustained varying degrees of gunshot injury.
He gave the names of those hit by bullets to include: Jibrin Tasiu (27), Jummai Abubakar (20 ); Zafira Abubakar (11 ) and; AbdulKarim Nurudeen (two), Chinedu Jerry Moneke (37) and Ayo James ( 42).
He said those injured were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
The statement was titled, “Security operatives engaged bandits in a fierce battle along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.”
He said, “There was a heavy gun duel along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway between security operatives and bandits on the 6th January 2024 at 2330 hours or thereabouts.
“The incident occurred when the bandits in their large numbers attempted to cross the said expressway at Dogon fili area heading towards Jere axis and were engaged in a fierce shootout by the well-alerted security agents, who dislodged the hoodlums and ensured a lot of them only escaped but with gunshot wounds.
“Hence, the Police Command is calling on the public around that axis to be on the watch for any person or persons nursing suspected bullet injuries and report the same to the closest Police station or any security outfit.
“In the course of the battle, commuters plying the highway were caught in a crossfire, of six persons sustained varying degrees of bullet injury.”
The police described the incident as “an unfortunate isolated incident in a long time as the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway has since been fortified for the use of commuters thus.”
However, our correspondents who visited the area on Tuesday, gathered that over 30 travellers were abducted.
It was learnt that 55 other persons were picked up by another set of hoodlums in the three communities of Badoko, Dudumishini and Kwakware villages, all in Katari.
The District Head of Bishini, comprising Katari, Doka, Ariko, Kworotsho and other villages, Yohana Sarki, told The PUNCH that despite the huge presence of the military along the highways, villages under his domain were being attacked everyday.
Sarki said, “The government is doing its best, but they need to deploy more security operatives.
“Yesterday, we found two lifeless bodies lying, and I had to order the vigilantes to evacuate the bodies. They are trying. I am calling on the government to equip our vigilantes in order to complement the efforts of other security agencies.”
Recounting his ordeal, a resident who is also a leader in the village, told The PUNCH that those attacking Katari and its environs were foreigners who spoke the Fulani language.
He said, “What happened on Sunday, January 7, 2024, for instance, was that bandits blocked the major highway. We were told that some travellers travelling to Abuja and other places were abducted. I could not, as a matter of fact, ascertain the number of those abducted.
“But before then, the bandits in their huge numbers had attacked some villages around the Katari general area and abducted several locals, and about four others were killed.
“At Dudumishini village, the bandits abducted no fewer than 30 residents while some escaped. There are no fewer than 25 people with the hoodlums now and also at Kwakware village, about 35 were picked by the terrorists while some escaped, leaving about 30 with them. All these happened a few days to when the incident on Sunday occurred.”
The Chief Imam of the Katari Central Mosque, Suleiman Mohammed, equally confirmed the Sunday attack to The PUNCH.
He said, “Precisely 9.30 pm on Sunday, 7, 2024, I was home when I heard gunshots all over. I later got to know that bandits in their large numbers and bearing dangerous weapons struck. They blocked the entire Kaduna-Abuja highways around the Katari axis, and some travellers along the road from Abuja were taken away while some escaped.
“Eyewitnesses told us that several travellers, in the range of 30, were taken away by the bandits. That was what I was told. They might be more than that.”
When asked if the terrorists had called to demand ransom, the cleric said: “Normally, the bandits don’t call to demand for those abducted along the road. They contact individual homes to demand ransom. Those abducted were travellers, not residents.
The Trump administration has informed Congress about plans to sell nearly $6 billion in weapons to Israel, demonstrating U.S. support as the country faces increasing international isolation due to its conflict in Gaza. Click link to continue reading.
The proposed package includes a $3.8 billion deal for 30 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, which would nearly double Israel’s fleet.
Additionally, there is a $1.9 billion sale of 3,200 infantry assault vehicles for the Israeli army, according to a U.S. official and another source familiar with the proposal, who requested anonymity since the plans have not yet been made public.
Officials indicated that deliveries of these weapons would take at least two to three years.
These proposed sales come at a time when U.S.-backed efforts to negotiate an end to Israel’s nearly two-year conflict with Hamas have stalled. This news follows Israel’s recent strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, which has drawn significant criticism from American allies in the region.
As Nigeria’s political scene heats up, new allegations have emerged about the appointment of a new Chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The current INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, will retire in less than 60 days after leading the 2023 presidential elections.
There are concerns that the President’s choice for the new chairman could cause major conflicts across the country. Click link to continue reading.
*Scores 84.38 per cent in midwifery council examination
Atiba University, Oyo, Nursing and Midwifery students have excelled in the recently concluded Midwifery Council Examination held in Ibadan, Oyo State. According to a statement by the institution, “the outstanding result once again underscores the University’s status as a beacon of academic and professional excellence in healthcare education.”
According to the statement, the University recorded an impressive overall success rate of 84.38 per cent, “reflecting the quality of teaching, mentorship, and commitment that define the Atiba learning experience,” the statement said.
Out of the 32 candidates presented, 27 students passed all three papers outright, thereby qualifying with distinction, with three (3) and two (2) having reference in Papers 1 and 2, respectively.
The institution stated that it remained committed to supporting the five students who would be retaking their papers, assuring them of renewed mentoring and guidance towards eventual success.
Speaking on this achievement, the Founder and President of Atiba University, James Adesokan Ojebode (PhD), commended the students for their resilience and the staff for their tireless commitment to training competent health professionals. He stated:
“This performance is a great source of joy and pride to us at the Atiba University, Oyo. It is proof that our vision of producing globally competitive graduates who are grounded in knowledge, skill, and character is being realised. I congratulate the students, faculty, and all stakeholders who contributed to this success.”
Similarly, the Acting Registrar, Mrs. Oyepeju Ayomide Ogunseye (Esq), expressed delight at the outcome and emphasised the importance of the success to the department’s continued growth:
“These results reflect the hard work of our students and the painstaking preparation by our faculty. Midwifery is a delicate and noble profession, and our students’ strong performance in this rigorous examination is evidence of their readiness to make a positive impact in the healthcare sector.”
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Sunday Olawale Okeniyi, also congratulated the successful candidates while reaffirming the University’s dedication to continuous improvement:
“We are encouraged by these results, and as an institution, we remain committed to providing the enabling environment, academic support, and infrastructure necessary for our students to excel at the highest levels. We will continue to raise the bar in training professionals who will serve society with excellence and integrity.”
Okeniyi further noted that the performance was not only a major milestone but also a validation of the University’s steady investment in quality teaching and professional mentorship.
With this success, Atiba University Oyo continues to strengthen its role as a centre for excellence in health sciences, reaffirming its mission to nurture competent, compassionate, and ethical professionals for Nigeria and the global community.
“What is needed now is politics that can turn our anxieties about life and the future into hope,” the 64-year-old told reporters.
Takaichi, a former internal affairs minister and close ally of slain ex-premier Shinzo Abe, revealed her bid during a meeting with former Prime Minister Taro Aso, now the LDP’s supreme adviser. Click link to continue reading.
Japanese conservative politician Sanae Takaichi on Thursday announced her intention to run for the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a contest that could make her the country’s first female prime minister, Kyodo News reported.
Takaichi, a former internal affairs minister and close ally of slain ex-premier Shinzo Abe, revealed her bid during a meeting with former Prime Minister Taro Aso, now the LDP’s supreme adviser.
“What is needed now is politics that can turn our anxieties about life and the future into hope,” the 64-year-old told reporters. She is scheduled to outline her policies at a press conference on Friday.
Takaichi is considered one of the leading contenders in the Oct. 4 party election, alongside Farm Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. A Jiji Press poll of 2,000 respondents showed Koizumi ahead with 23.8% support, followed by Takaichi at 21%.
Other expected candidates include Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi.
The LDP leadership vote was originally scheduled for 2027, the end of Shigeru Ishiba’s three-year term, but was moved up after Ishiba announced his resignation on Sept. 7 following his coalition’s defeat in July’s upper house election.
While stepping down as party president, Ishiba will remain prime minister until the LDP chooses a new leader – a role that in Japan’s political system is effectively equivalent to the premiership.
The atmosphere in River State has significantly stabilized following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to lift the six-month state of emergency that had been in place.
Although the immediate tension has eased, the challenges that Fubara will face from the state assembly and local government are looming large.
These potential conflicts could ignite a new wave of political turmoil, threatening to plunge the state back into chaos. Click link to continue reading.
The underlying issues remain unresolved, leaving many apprehensive about the future of governance in River State.
Tinubu, in a statement he signed yesterday, declared that the emergency rule would end at midnight, clearing the way for Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule to resume duties today.
The president said he saw no reason for the state of emergency to continue a day longer.
A fresh prophecy from Prophet Julius Okonkwo, a cleric and the presiding pastor of Kingdom Seeker Ministries based in the United States, revealed that the storm is not yet over in Rivers State.
“This jubilation should wait; I am not seeing peace at the moment, no peace, no cohesion; everyone is in a mind game, the storm is not over, and there will be another brutal storm. For Fubara, the battle is not over; he’s not happy, and things won’t favour him. The governor would be in his office with folded arms, eating and refreshing, but he wouldn’t have governing power. He has not been forgiven; only time will tell,” said Okonkwo in his weekly message.
Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy or Don Baba J, is a Nigerian record producer, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Following the closure of Mo’ Hits record label, Don Jazzy set up Mavin Records. Here is everything you need to know about Don Jazzy’s bio and net worth.
Don Jazzy is the founder and CEO of Mavin Records, Nigeria’s largest music company that has generated hit songs for several of the country’s top singers.
Don Jazzy has produced several popular songs for a variety of musicians, including D’banj, Wande Coal, Tiwa Savage, and many more. He has received several accolades for his songs, including the Nigerian Entertainment Award for Song Producer of the Year.…click link for full details
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