In the early hours of January 3, suspected extremists, believed to be members of Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), also referred to as Lukurawa, launched a deadly attack at a police checkpoint in Garin Natshini Gada, Argungu local government area of Kebbi state. The assault left two police officers dead and over 2,000 cattle rustled. Eyewitnesses reported that the Lukurawa extrimists, riding on motorbikes, overwhelmed the police personnel at the checkpoint, seizing two AK-47 rifles and other equipment. A police patrol vehicle was abandoned at the scene during the attack. Security sources revealed that the extremists swiftly fled the…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
Nasarawa state governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule has dissolved the State Executive Council (SEC). Governor Sule also sacked the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Muhammed Ubandoma-Aliyu. ALSO READ Inside Zamfara: How forgotten health center has thrown Damɓa community into crisis The move came shortly after the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, departed the state after a one-day visit. The Nasarawa governor himself announced the cabinet dissolution during an emergency SEC meeting, which commenced at about 7 pm on Friday. Recalls that most of the cabinet members earlier participated in the state function during the visit of the vice president to the State…
Nigerian telecommunications operators have proposed a 100% increase in tariffs to address escalating operational costs driven by inflation and rising service delivery expenses. The proposal, submitted to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), was disclosed by Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday. Toriola highlighted that the tariff adjustment is crucial for the industry’s sustainability as it grapples with significant financial pressures. However, he noted the uncertainty surrounding the NCC’s approval of such a substantial hike. “We’ve put forward requests for approximately 100% tariff increases to regulators. I doubt they’ll approve that…
Cameroon’s long-serving President, Paul Biya, has dropped a strong hint about seeking re-election in the country’s 2025 presidential race, extending his already 43-year tenure in office. In his New Year’s address to the nation, the 91-year-old leader referred to 2025 as “a year of great challenges,” a remark widely interpreted as an indication of his intention to remain in power. Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, is the world’s oldest head of state. His continued grip on power has been made possible by a 2008 constitutional amendment that removed presidential term limits, enabling him to seek re-election indefinitely. Despite…
Former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, has unveiled the Northern Star Youth Empowerment Initiative, emphasizing the urgent need for northern youth to take leadership roles in governance and development. The initiative, launched under his chairmanship with Naja’atu Mohammed as co-leader, aims to tackle socio-economic challenges and foster unity across the northern region. Addressing journalists at his residence in Sokoto on Tuesday, Bafarawa described the initiative as a non-political, non-tribal, and non-religious movement committed to inclusivity and empowerment. He highlighted its primary objectives to include Empowering northern youth through education, skills training, and mentorship programs to prepare young people for…
The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally submitted the requirements for the extradition of pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa to Finland, according to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa. Speaking on Channels Television’s 2024 Year-In-Review programme on December 31, 2024, General Musa expressed confidence in the ongoing legal processes. “Well, I’m sure he (Ekpa) is cooling off somewhere,” he remarked. “Legal action is going to be taken accordingly. I don’t want to say much about that, but I’m happy he has been arrested. The Federal Government has actually forwarded most of the requirements to the Finnish Government, so…
Cote d’Voire has announced that French troops will leave the country by the end of the month, marking the end of a decades-long military presence. This move positions the country as the latest African nation to recalibrate its military ties with its former colonial power. This development fuels suspicions that these expulsions of French troops from former colonies may not signify true freedom or independence. Instead, it could indicate a strategic policy shift by France from overt physical military presence to subtler, proxy forms of control, akin to the British colonial model. True liberation, as seen in some Sahel nations,…
As Nigeria prepares to usher in 2025, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre/ Transparency International Nigeria (CISLAC/TI-Nigeria) has expressed deep concerns over the socio-economic challenges that plagued the nation in 2024. In a statement signed by Auwal Rafsanjani, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria urged the government to act decisively in 2025 to address these challenges. “Nigeria’s future depends on the collective will of the government to implement bold, inclusive, and sustainable policies,” Rafsanjani stated. It called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to implement swift and comprehensive measures to address citizens’ plights and meet their expectations in the coming year. CISLAC/TI-Nigeria criticized the…
The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has sparked speculation after changing his name on his social media platform X to “Kekius Maximus”. The tech mogul – and close confidant of US President-Elect Donald Trump – offered no immediate explanation for the name or his new profile image which depicts the character Pepe the Frog – a meme that has been used by far-right groups. The move has sent ripples through the cryptocurrency world, sending the value of a memecoin – a digital currency inspired by internet memes – that shares the same name skyrocketing. In the past, Mr Musk has…
Former Niger Delta freedom fighter, Asari Dokubo has become the Amanyanabo of Torusarama Piri in the Degema local government area of Rivers State. Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, presented staff of office and certificates of recognition to Dokubo of the Kalabari extraction, along with three other newly recognized monarchs in the state. The other recipients include: HRM Winston Odize Alamina Oputibeya XII, the Amanyanabo of Koniju in the Okrika Local Government Area; HRM Eze Noble Friday Uwoh (CSP, Rtd), the Eze Igbu-Ehuda (Ahoada) IV in the Ahoada-East Local Government Area, and HRH Prince Ike Ehie, the Eze Igbu Orilukwoe, also…