Category: Metro

At least 90 farmers and fishermen have been killed in the past five months in two deadly attacks linked to Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), in the Lake Chad region of Borno State.

According to local and security sources, the attacks occurred between January and May 2025, with the most recent taking place on May 15 at Malam Karanti in Kukawa Local Government Area. ISWAP fighters reportedly stormed a bean field, killing over 50 farmers and abducting several others. Survivors said the assailants surrounded them, threatening to execute anyone who tried to flee. Most of the victims were said to have been slaughtered on the spot.

Prior to the attack, the farmers had reportedly been operating under the protection of an ISWAP commander, Amir Akilu, after agreeing to pay levies. However, the absence of the commander created an opportunity for rival Boko Haram fighters to strike, accusing the farmers of espionage.

In a similar attack on January 10, 2025, at least 40 farmers were killed at Dumba Island near Baga. The attackers accused them of collaborating with Nigerian troops despite previously granting them permission to farm.

Corpses Inaccessible for Burial

Five days after the Malam Karanti massacre, the bodies of the slain farmers remained unrecovered. A relative of two victims, identified as Baana, said attempts by a joint team of soldiers and civilian vigilantes to retrieve the corpses were unsuccessful due to insecurity in the area.

Zulum Calls for Offensive on Terrorist Strongholds

In response, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, called on the military to launch operations into the Lake Chad Islands, particularly the Tumbus, which he described as the breeding ground for insurgents. Speaking during an assessment visit by the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, Zulum lamented the military’s inaction over the past decade in these areas, warning that porous borders with Chad, Niger, and Cameroon were enabling the influx of foreign fighters.

CDS Emphasizes Lake Chad Recharging

The Chief of Defence Staff emphasized the importance of recharging Lake Chad to aid military operations. Gen. Musa explained that restoring water to the lake would remove barriers for naval access and help flush out terrorists. He also highlighted plans for acquiring advanced weaponry and adopting new strategies to end the insurgency.

Farmers Caught Between Rival Terror Groups

Security sources revealed that some farmers had struck agreements with one ISWAP faction, paying levies for access to farmland. However, another group, unaware of the arrangement, attacked them. In some cases, farmers who failed to meet insurgents’ demands were enslaved or forced to serve as couriers and logistics workers.

Amnesty International Condemns Attack

Amnesty International condemned the Malam Karanti killings in a statement on its official X handle, labeling the attack as a war crime and calling for thorough investigations. The organization criticized the government’s failure to protect rural communities and urged authorities to hold perpetrators accountable.

The rights group noted a pattern of killings since 2020, with nearly 250 farmers murdered in similar incidents. Victims were often targeted for refusing to pay illegal levies or cooperating with rival factions. Amnesty warned that without decisive action, civilians in Borno and other conflict-prone regions would remain vulnerable.

Background: Zabarmari and Continued Violence

The recent violence echoes the 2020 Zabarmari massacre, where over 40 rice farmers were killed by Boko Haram in Jere LGA. That incident, described by the UN as one of the deadliest against civilians that year, remains a chilling reminder of the threats rural communities face in Nigeria’s northeast.

As Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to compete for territory and influence, civilian casualties are mounting—underscoring the urgent need for coordinated, aggressive counterterrorism efforts.

The Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has arrested the main suspect behind a major land scam involving the illegal sale of a 3.55-hectare plot originally allocated to a co-operative society within the State House.

Valued at over ₦500 million, the fraudulent scheme saw the land sold and resold multiple times in a series of suspicious transactions.

Sources familiar with the investigation revealed that the arrested individual, reportedly well-connected in Abuja’s political and real estate sectors, was apprehended after weeks of surveillance and questioning by the DSS. The suspect remains in custody as the probe continues.

The investigation was launched after the co-operative’s Executive Committee discovered in March 2025 that the property—intended for staff housing—had been illegally sold. The land was initially sold for ₦100 million, then resold for ₦150 million, followed by a ₦250 million transaction. A fourth attempted sale for ₦300 million triggered further scrutiny.

Following a formal petition submitted on April 2, the DSS commenced a full-scale investigation on April 8 after a high-level briefing with the Director General.

Several individuals linked to the transactions have been questioned, with some temporarily detained. Meanwhile, the DSS has ordered the fraudulent sellers to begin reimbursing unsuspecting buyers who had unknowingly purchased the land.

A joint review by the DSS and the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) found that only ₦45 million of the total sum had been used for legitimate processes such as acquiring a Right of Occupancy, paying ground rent, and initiating a Certificate of Occupancy.

The co-operative’s leadership has vowed to pursue full recovery of the land and ensure that all parties involved face legal consequences, calling the case one of the most brazen examples of land fraud involving government staff property in recent memory.

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

No fewer than  239 criminal suspects have been arrested by the Kogi state Police command while several weapons and ammunition were recovered within four months of operation in Kogi state.

The Kogi State Police Commissioner, Miller Dantawaye who disclosed this at a press briefing in Lokoja on Tuesday,
announced the arrest of 239 suspects for various criminal offenses between February and May 2025.

The breakdown of the suspects  arrested within the period includes: 66 suspected armed robbers, 75 suspected kidnappers and 18 suspects arrested for an alleged culpable homicide.

Others suspects arrested includes 21 for unlawful possession of firearms, 21 suspects arrested for rape, 6 for cultism while 49 were arrested for other heinous crimes respectively.

According to the commissioner, some weapons recovered by the command   during its operations
includes 5 AK-47 Rifles, 2 AK-49 Rifles, 9 Magazines, 344 Rounds of 7.62/39mm Ammunition, 62 Rounds of 5.56mm Ammunition and 2 Rounds of 7.62/59mm Ammunition.

Others are 1 Locally made Revolver Barrel Gun, 1 Black Pump Action Magazine,9 Expended AK Ammunition, 7 Expended Cartridges, 2 Pump Action Guns and 2 Locally made Pistols respectively.

Commissioner Dantawaye also pointed out that the Command has initiated personnel training to boost mental and operational capacity for more effective service delivery in the state.

“Participants of Course 7 in the ongoing Refresher Combat Operation Training Exercise graduated last week Friday,”  adding that the Command has adopted comprehensive crime prevention strategies.

“I assure you that the renewed commitment of the command to sustain the tempo of fight against criminality in Kogi State and guarantee protection of lives and properties remains unequivocal and unwavering.”

He attributed the achievements recorded by the Police to the proactive strategies rooted in intelligence-led policing and robust interaction with the various stakeholders of our communities and solicited the  cooperation of the good people of Kogi State to provide credible and timely information to the Police.

The Commissioner noted that these efforts are part of the IGP’s community policing strategies aimed at building public confidence in police service delivery.

Dantawaye therefore called on community leaders and stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, opinion leaders, youth groups, market bodies, farmers, herders, vigilantes, hunters, transport unions, and others, to support the fight against crime in Kogi State.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five suspects in connection with the abduction and gruesome murder of a one-year-old girl, Sakina Mamuda, in Duhun Bake village, Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, in a statement issued Thursday evening by his spokesperson, Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, commended the swift and decisive action of the DSS in tracking down the suspects.

According to the statement, the suspects kidnapped the infant and demanded ransom from her family before tragically killing her and disposing of her body in an abandoned open well.

The arrested suspects—Zailani Rabiu, Hafizu Yusuf, Abubakar Abdulkareem, Umar Lawan, and Amadu Salisu—are all from the same local community as the victim. They are currently under investigation for alleged criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and homicide.

During a joint press briefing at the Government House in Kano, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, alongside the Commissioner for Information and other top officials, assured the public that the suspects would be prosecuted without delay and that justice would be served swiftly.

Governor Yusuf expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss and praised security agencies, particularly the DSS, for their prompt response. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to bolstering security through enhanced intelligence gathering, logistics support, and inter-agency collaboration.

“This senseless tragedy has shaken us deeply. I commend the DSS for their swift and decisive action. We will not rest until those responsible face the full weight of the law,” the governor said.

The heartbreaking incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice, as residents and rights advocates demand firm action against those who target and harm children.

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old suspect in connection with a deadly armed robbery in Danbare Quarters, Kano, which occurred on Monday, May 5, 2025.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said police responded to a distress call at around 6:40 a.m. reporting an armed attack on the residence of 30-year-old Shehu Muhammad. The victim was attacked with a sharp cutlass by two assailants, sustaining severe injuries.

Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, immediately deployed tactical teams to the scene. The victim was rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital but was later confirmed dead.

One of the suspects, identified as Aliyu Umar, was arrested at the scene, and the weapon allegedly used in the attack was recovered. He is currently in police custody and assisting with the investigation.

CP Bakori assured the public that the suspect will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation, adding, “This arrest sends a clear message—criminals will not go unpunished in Kano.”

SP Kiyawa commended the community for their swift response and cooperation, emphasizing the importance of public involvement in crime prevention.

The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to help maintain security in the state.

The Nasarawa State Police Command has launched an investigation into the tragic death of five children who were found lifeless inside an abandoned vehicle in the Agyaragu community, Obi Local Government Area.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday in Lafia. According to the statement, the children were discovered unresponsive inside an unserviceable vehicle parked at the residence of one Mr. Abu Agyeme.

Nansel stated that the incident was reported to the police around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday by a resident, Mr. Ozimna Ogbor. The children, all aged between six and ten, were believed to have entered the abandoned car unnoticed and were later found locked inside.

Police officers who arrived at the scene evacuated the victims to Aro Hospital, Agyaragu, where a medical doctor confirmed them dead, with suffocation suspected as the cause.

The state Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, has ordered a full investigation into the circumstances leading to the tragic event. He also extended his condolences to the affected families and urged parents, guardians, and vehicle owners to be extra vigilant to prevent similar tragedies.

“This heartbreaking incident is a painful reminder of a similar tragedy that occurred in August 2019,” Nansel added, noting that the victims’ bodies had severe heat burns. The remains were released to their families for burial upon request.

The police have reiterated the importance of supervising children and securing unused or abandoned vehicles, especially during hot weather conditions.

By Israel Adamu, Jos

Senator Nora Ladi Daduut  has expressed deep sadness over the passing of former Plateau  State Deputy Governor  Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden who passed on to glory in Jos on Sunday 4th May 2025 at the age of 74 .

Senator Daduut  who represented Plateau South Senatorial district in the 9th National assembly in a statement  described Tyoden’s death as a huge loss to the people of the state and Nigeria, noting that his wisdom, and dedication to Plateau’s development will be greatly missed.

“His passing is a huge loss to the people of Plateau the APC  family  and Nigeria.

“I mourn the loss of my Boss in the University  of Jos , a great leader, a true patriot. May his soul rest in peace,” she stated.

Daduut added that Prof. Tyoden  was an outstanding  educationalist   and a cherished son of  Plateau   

He was a  dedicated teacher, and a pillar in  Plateau’s  State’s governance.

 His contributions to the  education profession were not only profound but also transformative, influencing the lives of many who had the privilege of learning from him.

 His absence will be deeply felt across Plateau State and the entire nation.

“While we mourn this great loss, we also take solace in the legacy he leaves behind—a legacy of dedication, integrity, and service.

 Prof  Tyoden’s contributions to Plateau State will continue to inspire future generations.

 His life was one of purpose, and his memory will serve as a beacon of hope and dedication for all who strive for excellence and justice.

“May his soul Rest in Peace ,she added

A Lagos Special Offences Court in Ikeja has sentenced Abubakar Sani to one year in prison for fraudulently profiting from a system glitch that led to a loss of over N1.1 billion at Lotus Bank.

Justice Olubusola Okunuga delivered the verdict on Wednesday, April 30, after Sani pleaded guilty to an amended one-count charge of possessing funds suspected to be proceeds of fraud. The charge was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

While passing sentence, Justice Okunuga noted that Sani was a first-time offender who saved the court’s time by admitting to the offence. She sentenced him to one year in prison, with an option of a N1 million fine.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of funds found in Sani’s Access and Keystone Bank accounts to the Federal Government.

According to EFCC counsel Fanen Anum, the case began in July 2024 when Lotus Bank reported a major fraud incident linked to a glitch in its E-bill payment system. The bank revealed that 718 customers exploited the malfunction to withdraw large sums, resulting in a total loss of N1.1 billion.

Sani was found to have received N16.7 million through multiple illicit transfers. Investigators traced N4.18 million to an Access Bank account belonging to his brother, Usman Sani, while N1.09 million was discovered in Abubakar’s Keystone Bank account, which was subsequently frozen.

Documents including Sani’s statements and bank records were admitted into evidence without objection from the defence. The EFCC confirmed that the offence contravened Section 329 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

By Anne Azuka 

The Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, has lauded Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as “the greatest innovator of all times” following a prestigious national recognition awarded to the Commission.

In a significant achievement for the state’s healthcare sector, the DSCHC was honoured with the ‘Most Innovative Health Insurance Agency of the Year 2025’ award by the Health Insurance and Managed Care Leadership (IHMCL). 

The award highlights Delta State’s strides in improving access, affordability, and efficiency within its health insurance framework.

Presenting the award to the Director-General, Mr. Abraham Obuseh, who received the award on behalf of the Commission in Abuja, said it was a great privilege for him and his colleagues to represent the Commission and receive this award on behalf of the entire Delta State Contributory Health Commission.

While receiving the award, Dr. Akpoveta credited Governor Oborevwori’s visionary leadership and unwavering support as the driving force behind the Commission’s transformation.

 “This award is a reflection of the Governor’s commitment to revolutionising healthcare delivery in Delta State. His support and innovation have enabled us to reach new heights,” he said.

He noted that under the leadership of Governor Oborevwori, the Commission has flourished.

 “There is no health commission in any state that is as forward-thinking, as dedicated, and as innovative as ours. And we all know—there is one man behind this remarkable transformation.”

According to him, the award represents more than just a title—it reflects a journey of consistent growth, commitment, and innovation. 

“Our efforts didn’t start today. The foundation was laid 8–9 years ago when we set out to break boundaries and introduce a new era of health insurance in Nigeria. From those early days till now, we have remained at the forefront, setting standards in both policy and practice.”

He applauded the Health Insurance and Managed Care Leadership (IHMCL) for recognizing the work of the Commission as the foremost health insurance institute in the country.

He also praised the Board and management staff of the Commission for their continuous support towards its growth and development.

By Gbenga Afolabi, Akure

Easter Day celebration turned soar for the people of Ipele, Owo, in Ondo State following the killing of a couple and their two children.

Our correspondent gathered that the slain couple recently converted to Christianity from Islam.

However, it was gathered that this did not go down well with some of the extremists in the area, who started issuing threats to them, asking that they should vacate the community.

A community leader, Pa Isaac Akinfenwa told our correspondent that the man, Abbulrahman Hakeem, did not take the threats seriously.

“He used to be an Islamic teacher; however, he converted to Christianity and started preaching to some of the Muslims in the area.

“This infuriated the extremists among them and they asked him to leave the community.

“After reporting the matter to the police, they did not act. He also said he was not leaving the community, a place he has lived with his family for over 20 years.

“Unfortunately, on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, some gunmen believed to be the extremists stormed his house in the dead of the night and shot the couple dead, alongside their children. It was such a gruesome act,” Pa Akinfenwa lamented.

He blamed the development on some people who he said were desperate to import Sharia into the South-West.

“You have been hearing the news that some persons want to introduce Sharia into the South-West.

“However, there has been strong opposition to it; you can see the kind of thing they want to bring to our place.

“You can’t force people to belong to a certain religion; this is the same kind of thing the Boko Haram terrorists are doing.

“I urge security agencies to ensure that the killers of this couple and their two children are brought to book,” he further stated.

Meanwhile, when our correspondent visited the Owo Police Station, a senior police officer confirmed the murder of the couple and their children.

He said that investigation was ongoing and that no arrests had been made.

It could be recalled that not long ago, some concerned Nigerians asked the United States of America to declare Nigeria as a country of interest over the persecution of Christians in the country.