Category: Metro

The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Kogi State, in collaboration with other security agencies, has arrested 26 suspected kidnappers during a major security sweep in Kogi West.

Commander Jerry Omodara (retd.), the State Security Adviser, disclosed this on Tuesday while parading the suspects in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area. The arrests follow the recent abduction of Chief Samuel Bello in Yagba West and the killing of retired Major Joe Ajayi, who was kidnapped from his home in Odo-Ape despite a ₦10 million ransom payment.

Omodara stated that the two-week operation is part of Governor Ahmed Ododo’s proactive security strategy to rid the state of criminal elements. He revealed that several locals were among those arrested for aiding kidnappers with logistics, including food and supplies.

“It’s not just the kidnappers in the forests who were apprehended. We’ve also arrested locals serving as their logistics backbone,” Omodara said. “Investigations following the killing of Major Ajayi exposed the involvement of some community members. These suspects are now helping us trace the roots of the kidnapping crisis.”

He emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance stance on crime, warning that Kogi will not serve as a haven for bandits or criminal networks.

Omodara urged communities to bolster grassroots security by supporting local vigilantes, who are permitted to bear arms at certain levels, and to enhance intelligence gathering. He also warned that women are being exploited to deliver supplies to bandits, often through youth collaborators in the communities.

He linked recent protests in the state to external influences seeking to undermine the government’s efforts. “Some individuals outside Kogi orchestrated the protests, but the affected communities have disassociated themselves,” he said.

Omodara reassured citizens that Governor Ododo remains committed to restoring peace across the state. He pointed to security defenses set up along border areas like Olamaboro and Omala to prevent the inflow of criminals from neighboring states.

Deputy Commandant of the CJTF in Kogi West, Jeremiah Danjuma, praised the joint effort of state and federal authorities, stating that the recent forest raids resulted in the arrest of 16 suspected kidnappers, some of whom came from Zamfara.

“Some of the most dangerous suspects have already been handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation,” Danjuma added.

Oba Sunday Omodamori, the traditional ruler of Aiyegunle-Igun Bunu, condemned the actions of locals collaborating with criminal elements and denounced the recent protests.

“These bandits have infiltrated our communities from as far as Kebbi and Zamfara. Fortunately, the government responded swiftly,” the monarch said. “It is disappointing that some of our youths are working with them. That’s the real issue we should be addressing, not staging protests against a government actively fighting insecurity.”

The Kogi State Government reiterated its resolve to continue working with all security agencies to flush out kidnappers and restore lasting peace to the state.

The continued bloodletting and mindless killings across Benue State are both disheartening and utterly condemnable.

The Secretary to the government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, stated that the latest reprehensible act, one among too many is not merely a tragedy for Benue State, it is a deep wound to the soul of our nation.

He also stressed that these dastardly acts are not restricted to Benue state alone but Plateau and Zamfara states also suffer the same fate. These killings are economic deterministic, not religious driven.

The innocent lives lost; men, women, and children will not be forgotten. We mourn them not as strangers, but as brothers and sisters, bound together by a shared humanity and a common destiny.

Beyond mourning, I call on all sons and daughters of Benue, our leaders, traditional institutions, and key stakeholders to come together now, urgently to forge a path toward lasting peace and security. We must rise above division and act decisively to protect our people and preserve our future.

I express profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his swift directive for a full security operation to rid Benue of these killers and bring the perpetrators to justice.

It is to be noted also, that the federal government has rendered assistance through NEMA, while more troops have been deployed to Benue state to handle the explosive situation.

On my part, as a son of the soil and a key stakeholder, I will not relent in consulting, mobilizing, and coordinating all necessary efforts to find and implement a durable solution, as I am doing the same for all the other affected states.

As believers, Christians, Muslims, traditionalists, we believe in the sanctity of human lives. Any single life lost offends the sensibility of God Almighty. All of us must live as brothers and sisters in peace and harmony.

I extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families and the resilient people of Benue. In this dark hour, we stand with you. And we will not rest until justice speaks, – loudly, clearly, and without delay.

May the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace, and may peace return to the land of Benue.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna 

In a significant milestone in health care reform in Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Eleven (11) inmates suffering from hernia have undergone successful  surgery at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kuje, FCT Command.

The surgeries, conducted by a dedicated team of in-house medical experts from the Service,  marked a huge breakthrough in the ongoing transformation of healthcare delivery in correctional facilities.

According to NCoS release on Friday by its spokesman, Umar Abubakar, the laudable achievement is a direct result of the visionary leadership of the Hon. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose unwavering commitment to upgrading facilities and infrastructure across custodial centres is yielding tangible results.

Under his stewardship, the health and wellbeing of inmates have become central to the broader Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR — an agenda that recognizes the intrinsic worth of every Nigerian, including those behind bars” it added.

“This initiative has not been limited to Kuje alone. Across the country, custodial centres are experiencing unprecedented improvements in healthcare systems. Notably, the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Janguza, Kano State, along with several other facilities nationwide, have seen substantial upgrades to their hospitals and medical units, ensuring inmates receive dignified and adequate medical attention.

“The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche MFR, mni, along with the entire management team, express profound gratitude to the Honourable Minister for his proactive stance and humanitarian approach to correctional administration. 

“These developments is a testament of a transformative era where rehabilitation, humane treatment, and reintegration of inmates are prioritized as core mandates of the correctional system.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service remains steadfast in its commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare and promoting the welfare of all persons in custody, while contributing meaningfully to the vision of a more just, compassionate, and secure society”, it stated.

Media Devt Foundation loud Tinubu for Posthumous National Honors on journalist

…Wife, daughters expresses joy

By Achadu Gabriel, kaduna 

The Africa Media Development foundation (AMDF) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for conferring posthumous national honors on late James  Bagauda Kaltho, a journalist who paid ultimate prize in pursuit of truth.

AMDF said it “extended it’s heartfelt appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for conferring posthumous national honors on late Bagauda Kaltho, a journalist who made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of truth, in a statement Thursday in kaduna.

“This recognition honors Kaltho’s courage, dedication, and commitment to journalism. It also highlights the importance of press freedom and the need to protect journalists as they exercise their constitutional assignment”, it stated.

Commenting, the Executive Director of AMDF, Sekyen Dadik, said “We commend the President’s gesture, which serves as a reminder of the value of journalistic integrity and the sacrifices made by those who dare to speak truth to power.

“As an organization that supports and advocates for press freedom, the recognition also serves as an encouragement to continue to speak for oppressed journalists and amplify call for safety of journalists in Nigeria and beyond.” AMDF stated.

AMDF had in 2019 introduced the Bagauda Kaltho Media Lecture Series to immortalize Mr. Kaltho, who disappeared between late 1996 and early 1997 because of his journalism work. “Until his disappearance, he was a courageous and fearless investigative journalist”.

“The yearly lecture series which holds on September 19th, Kaltho’s birthday, has kept his name and has continued to bring to the fore the challenges African journalists face in the course of their duty”, it noted.

In a conversation with AMDF, Kaltho’s wife, Martha, full of joy on the posthumous honor conferred on her husband expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and added, “at last, my husband has been vindicated.”

Kaltho’s daughters, Ann and Leshi also expressed appreciation to all who have been standing with the family in their difficult moments.

AMDF hopes that this honor will  bring comfort and solace to Kaltho’s family knowing that the struggles and contributions of their father was never in vain, according to Zhiroh Jatau, AMDF Press Freedom Manager. END 

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has made an early morning visit to hospitals in Maiduguri, arriving at the State Specialist Hospital at 5:00 a.m, Thursday. The Governor sympathized with patients and donated cash support to commemorate Nigeria’s 2025 Democracy Day.

The Governor donated N50,000 cash to each patient in the Gynaecology, antenatal, postnatal and gynae emergency wards, according to statement released by his media aide, Abdurraman Bundi..

Interacting with the patients, Zulum re-echoed his commitment towards providing improved healthcare services to the people of Borno, it stated.

Governor Zulum also visited the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, providing the same gestures to support the ill people, meeting their medical bills.

Accordingly, Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, will commission 20 road projects executed by his administration in commemoration of the 2025 Democracy Day.

The Governor will also mark the commencement of two hospital projects and an international conference centre in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government areas.

The hospitals include Borno Orthopaedic Hospital, cited in Goni Kachallari, and a new General Hospital in Kaleri, all in Jere Local Government Area.

In the six years of his administration, Zulum has undertaken more than 1,000 projects in education, healthcare, agriculture, road networks, water and environment among other critical projects.

By Muhammad  Ibrahim, Sokoto 

According to the police, a formal petition was submitted regarding the incident, prompting swift action and Rabo’s subsequent arrest.

 The command strongly condemns domestic violence and assures the public of a thorough investigation.

The victim Bashariyya Usman, a 15-year-old domestic worker suffered multiple injuries. 

Fauziya Rabo, currently in police custody

for the ongoing investigation with the police urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information

The command condemns domestic abuse and ensures justice will be pursued according to the law, treating all parties fairly without bias. 

The Police spokesman DSP Ahmad Rufa’i in a statement issued to newsmen in Sokoto said the incident has sparked widespread concern, with the police urging residents to allow the investigation to run its course.

 Commissioner of Police Ahmed Musa emphasized the command’s commitment to protecting human rights and enforcing laws that safeguard dignity and safety. 

If found guilty, Rabo may face charges related to physical assault and child abuse under Nigerian law. The police have promised to update the public transparently as the investigation progresses.

By Israel Adamu, Jos 

Plateau state Youths Council  Riyom Branch on Tuesday lamented the senseless killings of innocent persons in the Local government Councils in the past few weeks .

They also added that over 58 persons have been killed in  the past one month .

Comrade Zang Kefas Davou the PYC Chairman, Riyom Branch who addressed newsmen at the NUJ Press center  flanked by other members of the council urged the Federal government to intervene and ensure that this killings are nipped in the bud.

He said  ” For over two decades, since the year 2002, Riyom Local Government Area has been subjected to a relentless and systematic campaign of violence, solely perpetrated and orchestrated by armed Fulani militias. 

This dreaded campaign has been mostly characterized by unprovoked attacks, resulting in the senseless and brutal murder of thousands of our people in cold blood.

 In their words ” Our once thriving communities have been reduced to rubble, with properties worth billions of Naira utterly destroyed and the very sources of our people’s livelihoods, particularly our farmlands, deliberately annihilated and in some cases rendered completely unproductive.”

. This orchestrated violence has also led to the brazen grabbing of our ancestral lands with no attempts for reversal in spite of the existence of several legal frameworks to address same.”

 ” The marauding activities of these armed militias have continued to dispossessing indigenous communities of their heritage and means of survival, and displacing several more thousands of our people into lives of destitution and uncertainty.”

The Youths group added  “As I address you, these marauders are in possession of the cellphones of some of their victims and pick up calls that are placed on their SIMs. “

Furthermore, 31 people were severely injured  and are currently battling for their lives, receiving treatment in various hospitals where many are struggling with inadequate resources for better medical care. 

The economic and social fabric of our communities have been further torn apart, with over 82 houses and properties worth millions of Naira deliberately burnt and destroyed.

 Beyond the immediate physical destruction, large hectares of our cultivated farmlands, representing the very essence of our people’s sustenance, have been mowed down and decimated. 

The consequence of this recent surge of violence alone has led to the displacement of more than 15,000  people, who are now living in precarious conditions, without shelter, food, or dignity.

While we acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of security agencies and governments at all levels (local, state, and federal) in curbing these attacks, it is imperative to state unequivocally that such efforts, however commendable, cannot be seen as enough.

 Our governments need to understand that the magnitude of the problem Riyom Local Government is facing far outweighs their current response. 

The group also lamented that the primary responsibility of government, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), is the protection of lives and property, and the welfare of its citizens. In Riyom, this fundamental responsibility is being severely challenged, and the lives and livelihoods of our people remain gravely imperiled.”

The people of Riyom have exhibited extraordinary patience. This patience, however, should not be mistaken for weakness, apathy, or an invitation for further aggression. It is a proof to our profound belief in justice, our hope for peace, and our respect for established authorities. But our endurance has a limit. We repeat and we will still repeat again that our endurance has a limit.

The group also demanded a massive, permanent, and proactive deployment of security forces, particularly, troops of Nigerian Mobile Police Force (MOPOL) across all vulnerable communities in Riyom Local Government Area. 

Their operations must go beyond reactive responses as the case has been to include intelligence-led operations, constant patrols, and the establishment of forward operating bases to deter these attackers and protect our people, farmlands, and properties round-the-clock.

They added that the destruction of farmlands is a deliberate strategy by our attackers to impoverish our people and dispossess them of their land. 

“We demand immediate, concrete and strategic measures to protect our farms from further destruction and provide adequate security for farmers to return to their fields without fear as the farming season deepens. There is no gainsaying that food security is national security.”

” We call for the immediate, safe, and dignified return and resettlement of all displaced persons to their ancestral homes. Unlike the ones done to achieve cheap political points, the one we demand must be accompanied by comprehensive rehabilitation programmes, including the provision of housing, livelihood support, and psychosocial services to help victims rebuild their lives.”

The cycle of violence thrives on impunity. We demand the immediate arrest, thorough investigation, and diligent prosecution of all perpetrators of these heinous crimes who are well known persons , We call on the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Defense Staff, Director General of Department of State Services and the Attorney General of the Federation to purposefully collaborate to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done with the view to end the ongoing impunity. Without justice, true peace is unattainable.

They also said ” We demand that all ancestral lands illegally and forcefully grabbed by armed militias be immediately reclaimed and restored to their rightful owners. This is non-negotiable. Land is not just property; it is our identity, our heritage, and our future. Let it be on record that we are not and we will not at any time be willing to part away with an inch of our land no matter the high sophistication of the terror that might be unleashed on our lives.

They also appeal to the federal and state governments through their humanitarian intervention frameworks, as well as international donor agencies, and humanitarian organizations to provide urgent relief materials, medical supplies, and psychosocial support to the thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and victims in Riyom Local Government. Without mincing words, their suffering is immense and immediate, 

The body of a retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, who was abducted from his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, has been recovered weeks after his kidnapping—despite a ₦10 million ransom payment by his family.

Ajayi was kidnapped around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, when gunmen stormed his home, firing shots into the air before taking him away.

Sources revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded a ₦50 million ransom, but the delay in payment due to financial constraints reportedly led to a deterioration in Ajayi’s health, as he was denied access to his essential medication. Family members had pleaded to send his drugs but were told it would incur additional costs they couldn’t afford.

As Ajayi’s condition worsened in captivity, the abductors eventually reduced their demand to ₦10 million. Believing he was still alive, his family rushed to meet the revised demand.

Tragically, after the ransom was paid, the kidnappers directed the family to a location where they said Ajayi would be found. Instead, his lifeless body was discovered and has since been deposited at the Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary.

This incident comes amid a growing wave of kidnappings in Kogi State. Earlier in May, a first-class traditional ruler, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Oba of Okoloke in Yagba West LGA, was also abducted from his home. He remains in captivity.

Speaking during Eid celebrations in Okene, Governor Usman Ododo addressed the rising insecurity and urged residents to remain calm. He assured the public that ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat criminal activity in the state are beginning to show results.

By Israel Adamu,Jos

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has declared that its push for Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to join the party is based on a “directive from above”.

The Forum has been calling on Mutfwang, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to defect to the APC.

However, the Forum’s attempts to woo Mutfwang is being resisted by some leaders of the APC in Plateau State, who believe the governor’s defection would automatically hand him the party’s structure, as well as the governorship ticket for the 2027 election.

Opposition to the North-Central APC Forum’s campaign to recruit Mutfwang heightened after the group adopted the Green Cap Movement for the 2027 governorship poll in Plateau State. The green cap is associated with Mutfwang and his supporters.

While the Forum explained that the decision to embrace the Green Cap Movement was part of moves to bring Mutfwang to the APC, some leaders of the party in the state described the development as an anti-party activity that should attract sanctions.

Some Plateau APC leaders have as a result called for the suspension of the Chairman of the North-Central APC Forum, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC candidate in the 2023 governorship election, had recently raised questions over Zazzaga’s commitment and membership of the party.

In a statement released on Saturday in Abuja, Zazzaga, a member of the APC campaign council in the 2023 election, hinted that the North-Central APC Forum’s campaign to bring Governor Caleb Mutfwang to the APC is backed by the national leadership of the party.

Warning APC leaders in Plateau State to desist from frustrating efforts to bring Mutfwang and other prominent opposition politicians into the party, the Forum said those working against the efforts are actually the ones guilty of anti-party activities.

“The North-Central APC Forum is warning those who are against calls for Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to join the APC to desist from their unprogressive disposition because our campaign is based on a directive from above.

“This warning especially goes to political office holders, officials and other leaders of the party in the state who have been working against our efforts to strengthen the party, which is what we intend to achieve by calling on the governor to join the APC.

“We advise those who have constituted themselves as cogs in the wheel of progress to thread with caution as they cannot succeed in working against the interests of the party. No sort of intimidation or blackmail will stop us from our quest to get Governor Caleb Mutfwang to join our great party, the APC.

“It is imperative to emphasize that the party does not belong to anybody and as stakeholders who are committed to the progress of the APC in the North-Central, believe that progressive eken6 such as Governor Caleb Mutfwang, should be welcome in the party,” the statement added.

Pointing to recent defections from opposition parties to the APC, particularly the defection of governors Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, and Umo Eno of Akwa-Ibom, the Forum stressed that Plateau State should not be left behind.

“It is our wish that the entire North-Central should be APC. At the moment, Plateau is the only state in the zone that is not APC, which is why we are working to get the governor to join our great party.

“We believe that in addition to the establishment of the North-Central Development Commission by President Bola Tinubu, having all governors of the zone under one political platform – APC – will ensure accelerated development of the region. This conviction informed our quest to bring Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State to the APC.

“Plateau State should not be left behind in the wave of progress that is sweeping through the country as evidenced by the defection of the governors of Delta and Akwa Ibom states – as well as several opposition members of the National Assembly – to the APC,” the statement noted.

The Forum, in the same vein, observed that, already, Mutfwang has a cordial relationship with President Bola Tinubu and leaders of the APC at the national level.

According to the Forum, the Plateau governor spent the Sallah with President Tinubu in Lagos.

“Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State is a progressive, which is why we want him in our great party, the APC. We believe that all right thinking APC members in Plateau State and the North-Central at large should support this noble cause.”

The North-Central APC Forum, in the same vein, advised the executive committee of the party in Plateau State to work with Mutfwang.

“We advise that if there is anything they (Plateau APC EXCO) needs to sustain the party in the state, they should align with the state government,” the Forum said in the statement.

The Forum equally issued a warning to those behind calls for the suspension of its chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, noting that they would in the end realize that their efforts are counter productive.

“Calling on the governor to defect to the APC is not anti-party activity, rather it is a move that should be commended by all stakeholders as it is in the interest of the party for a sitting governor to join its ranks. Indeed, we expect all members of the APC in Plateau State to support us in calling on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to join the party, like his colleagues in Delta and Akwa Ibom have done.

“Working against our efforts is the real anti-party activity and that is why we feel it is necessary to point out that calls for suspension of the leaders of the North-Central APC Forum for calling on Governor Caleb Muftwang to join our party is counter productive. Those involved in this self-serving agenda should have a rethink, otherwise they would have themselves to blame,” the statement added.

By Achadu Gabriel, kaduna 

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the rehabilitation and expansion of the Alau Dam to avert a repeat of last year’s devastating flood disaster.  

Maiduguri and surrounding local government areas experienced their worst flooding in decades following the collapse of the Alau Dam in 2024, a release by media aide Abdurraman Bundi has revealed.

The released availed weekend stated that “In response, the Federal Government approved N80 billion for the dam’s reconstruction and expansion, with a groundbreaking ceremony held in March 2025 to mark the commencement of the project”.  

Governor Zulum was responding to a request by the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, on the need to fast tract the project, during the traditional Sallah homage at the Government House in Maiduguri. 

The Governor expressed concern over the slow pace of work, warning that the rainy another season has already begun.  

“After the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and expansion of the dam, which we all attended, the truth is that the work is not progressing as expected,” Governor Zulum stated. 

“The last time I visited the President, I informed him about the true state of the project, and I assure you that I will not relent. I will continue to follow up, and I have also notified the Vice President as well. 

“In the meantime, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) has constituted a committee to provide immediate intervention at the dam”, he stated.

The governor pledged to connect all local government headquarters to the national grid before the end of his tenure. He also promised massive road rehabilitation once the Pulka quarry plant is completed.  

“These are two critical issues dear to me, he said. I assure Your Royal Highness that all local government headquarters will be connected to electricity before my tenure expires, ‘Insha Allah”. 

Regarding road infrastructure, insecurity has been a major challenge, “but we remain committed. We have procured 40 brand-new Howo tipper trucks, and once the Pulka quarry plant is completed, we will embark on extensive road rehabilitation across the state.”  

Governor Zulum thanked the people of Borno for their continued support and cooperation to his administration.   

Earlier, the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi said the Sallah homage has been part of the tradition during every festive season, acknowledging the unprecedented transformation the Zulum’s administration is executing across the state.

He emphasized the importance of expediting the Alau Dam project, noting that the first phase should have been completed by now. He referenced the recent flooding in Mokwa, Niger State, as a warning of what could recur in Borno if swift action is not taken.  

“We witnessed the catastrophic flooding in Maiduguri on 10th September 2024, and we do not want a repeat, the Shehu said. The Federal Government must act immediately and now.”.

The royal father also urged the Governor to follow up with the Federal Government on oil exploration in Tuba, road rehabilitation, and electricity connectivity for local government areas.  

During the event, Governor Zulum also received delegations from the University of Maiduguri, Kashim Ibrahim University, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, and Federal Orthopaedic Hospital, Azare, who paid similar homage.