By Abigail David

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called for a new approach to women’s economic empowerment, urging women to move beyond being beneficiaries of interventions and become active contributors to Nigeria’s economic growth.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim made the call at the SheIsIncluded 2026 Summit, where the Federal Government announced plans to expand economic opportunities to 10 million Nigerian women through skills development, recognised credentials, employment and entrepreneurship.

The minister said women should be equipped with the tools and opportunities needed to create wealth and contribute meaningfully to the economy.

Under the SheIsIncluded initiative, women will have access to free, mobile-based learning in local languages using phones they already own. Participants will also receive verifiable credentials designed to be recognised by employers and financial institutions.

The programme is supported by Ubuntu Tribe, its implementation and technology partner, through Ubuntu Tribe Academy.

Ubuntu Tribe founder, Mamadou Kwidjim Toure, said technology could help remove barriers to skills development by making learning accessible regardless of income or location.

Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, Nurudeen Zauro, described the summit as a shift from policy discussions to practical implementation.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader economic development agenda and its ambition to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Armed bandits, in large numbers, have again reportedly launched an attack, killing a local vigilante, Mustapha Baba, and abducting a woman and her son at Kyauta, Millennium City, in Kaduna State.

The brother of the deceased, Yusuf Baba, who confirmed the incident on his social media handle, said Mustapha Baba was shot by the bandits during the attack and rushed to Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, Kaduna, where he later died on Wednesday night.

The terrorist group reportedly attacked a house located near the popular Mai-Rago Friday Mosque in the area.

According to a family source, the attackers demanded to see the owner of the house but later abducted his wife and son when they could not find the main target.

Series of attacks

It was gathered that the incident is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Kyauta and other communities within Millennium City.

A previous attack was reported at the Police Estate in Baban Saura, where five residents were reportedly abducted.

During a recent security meeting, residents of Millennium City appealed to the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to improve road access to some parts of the community as part of efforts to address insecurity.

Stakeholders demand action

The Chairman of the Millennium City Security, Development and Enhancement Forum and Chairman of Katukan Danhonu Community, Alhaji Abu Mohammed, said stakeholders had identified the completion of the Eastern Bypass road project as a top priority, describing the abandoned road and bridge construction as a major challenge to effective security operations in the area.

The stakeholders urged the Federal Government to expedite work on the Eastern Bypass and complete the bridge to improve accessibility for security agencies, facilitate the movement of heavy-duty vehicles and ensure prompt emergency response to security threats.

They also called for the deployment of additional police and military personnel, as well as more sophisticated security equipment, to strengthen the capacity of security agencies to combat banditry and protect communities in the area.

Police yet to comment

The police had yet to issue any official statement regarding the attack as at the time of filing this report on Thursday.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, has lauded the Department of State Services (DSS), for rescuing kidnapped victims and dislodging a criminal camp on the outskirts of Atabula village, Aloshi District, Obi LGA of the state.
Governor Sule spoke on the heels of the recent rescue, by DSS operatives, of one Joseph Obagwu, who had gone to secure the release of his son, Samuel Olom Obagwu, a student of the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA).
DSS officers had on the same Tuesday arrested three members of the kidnap syndicate at Gidigidi Hotel, behind Shinge Market in Lafia LGA. The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Musa, Titus Baka Fidelis, and Sani Adamu.
It was revealed that Adamu had received ₦200,000 from the victim’s family, as part of the ransom demanded by the syndicate.
Governor Sule described the arrests as a demonstration of the effectiveness and dedication of the security agencies, urging them to sustain the momentum and remain resolute in the fight against criminal elements.
He appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible and useful information to security agencies, stressing that collective vigilance and cooperation are essential to maintaining peace and security in the state.
Also commending the DSS, the traditional ruler of Duduguru community, in Jenkwe Development Area of Obi Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State, Chief Pius Ogu, said the rescue operations had brought huge relief to his community.
He disclosed that the elder Obagwu was abducted after paying Two million Naira ransom for the release of his son, a FULAFIA student who was earlier kidnapped on August 11, 2026.
“The kidnappers released the son and took in the father as replacement,” disclosed the traditional ruler.
He continued, “the DSS operatives, apparently acting on credible intelligence,stormed the kidnappers’ camp in the early hours of Tuesday, forcing them to flee into nearby bushes. In the process, they successfully rescued the victim, Joseph Obagwu, who had been held hostage since August 15, 2026. The operatives thereafter razed the criminals’ camp”.
He added that the suspects are currently in custody for interrogation,” stressing that the rescue and arrest had brought so much relief to his community.

“We used to hear that the DSS has been unrelenting in its effort to wipe out kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes across the country. We witnessed this first hand, and are very happy for it.
“As the agency continues to deploy a combination of intelligence-driven operations, sustained surveillance, and strategic collaboration with sister security agencies to track down perpetrators and dismantle their hideouts, we, the citizens pledge our support to help them continue on this great path,” he declared.