Security forces, comprising the Police and Army, have rescued four kidnap victims in Dandume Local Government of Katsina State.

This was revealed in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abubakar Aliyu, on Sunday October 29, 2023.

Aliyu said the victims regained freedom on Saturday, October 28, following a joint operation by the Police operatives and the Nigerian Army during a routine patrol.

He explained that the victims had since been reunited with their families after undergoing medical examinations.

The ICIR reported several kidnapping cases of kidnapping incidents in Katsina state. Earlier this month, this organisation reported that gunmen suspected to be bandits abducted five female Federal University, Dutsin-ma (FUDMA) students in the state.

The abduction came a few weeks after The ICIR reported that over 20 female students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, a state neighbouring Katsina, were abducted by bandits.

The bandits invaded the students’ private hostels in the Sabon-Gida community, Bungudu Local Government Area of the state, in the early hours of Friday, September 22. Sabon-Gida is a few meters away from the university.

[ICIR]

Bandits have abducted the district head of Ruwan Rana under the Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Alhaji Magaji Makau and five others.

It was gathered that the bandits who were on motorcycles entered the community on Saturday night and started shooting sporadically, forcing residents to scamper for safety.

Police authorities in the state are yet to confirm the latest attack.

A resident of Bukkuyum town, Ilyasu Abubakar told Channels Television that immediately the gunmen entered the community, residents went into hiding because they knew that the bandits were there for abduction

He said the district head of the community, Alhaji Magaji Makau and five other prominent persons were abducted during the house-to-house search by the bandits, adding that the bandits also rustled an unspecified number of livestock belonging to the residents of the community.

“The bandits entered the town on Saturday night and started shooting sporadically, people went into hiding because of the fear of being kidnapped,” the resident said.

“They picked the district head and five other persons in the community; several livestock were also rustled.”

[ChannelsTv]

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio,  has described his election into the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, as an enormous opportunity for Nigeria.

The Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) giants which are the Niger Tornadoes, will be looking for their first away victory of the season as they host their Chief-rivals, the Sporting Lagos FC, on Sunday (today).

 The match is scheduled for Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the Onikan Arena in Lagos. The Sporting Lagos has already earlier lost their last two away games against the Abia Warriors (2-0) and the Rangers (2-0). 

Sporting has not won in three matches played so far in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL). The Niger Tornadoes will be hoping to capitalise on their strong performance at home last week to pick up maximum points. 

This will be the first time the two teams will face each other in the NPFL, with the Tornadoes currently in seventh position and the Sporting Lagos team in 12th position respectively. 

[https://news.ng/]

NYSC has deployed 1,691 prospective corps members in Bauchi State for the 2023 Batch ‘C’, Stream 1 orientation exercise.

Mrs Rifkatu Yakubu, Coordinator of the scheme in Bauchi State, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Bauchi that the exercise would begin on Nov. 1 and end on Nov. 21.

It would hold at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp at Wailo in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state, she said.

Yakubu added that prospective corps members would be allowed into the camp only after certification to ensure that there was no intrusion or impersonation of any corps member and to ensure security.

“Registration dates have been assigned to each prospective corps member and they are advised to adhere strictly to all the camp rules and regulations.

“Defaulters will be sanctioned in accordance with the NYSC by-laws,’’ she said.

Yakubu reiterated that the scheme frowned at late night journeys and urged prospective corps members to comply.

She also advised corps members to be punctual, diligent and to comply with the camp’s acceptable dress code, adding that violation of the dress code would not be tolerated.

[Guardian]

THE General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation Dr Mohammed Sanusi has told the Super Falcons they cannot afford to miss out on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The nine-time African champions have not qualified for the women’s football event of the Games since 2008, and they face Ethiopia in Abuja on Tuesday as they seek to return to the global competition.

The first leg of the qualifying tie ended 1-1 in Addis Ababa last Wednesday, with Rasheedat Ajibade equalising for the Super Falcons after the hosts had taken a shock lead.

Sanusi, who watched the Super Falcons train at the Turf Arena in Abuja ahead of the return leg, reminded the African queens that they are an elite team that should be at the biggest events.

“The whole world still talks about how you captivated everyone at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand during the summer,” Sanusi told the players yesterday.

“The Government of Nigeria, the NFF and all stakeholders remain very proud of you. The NFF loves you and is happy with your outing and general conduct at the World Cup, on and off the field of play.

“Now, it is time to destroy this vexed issue of Olympics jinx. The last time you attended the Olympics was in 2008, in China. That was a long time ago. Missing three consecutive tournaments is enough; we have to take our place in Paris.

“I am happy with your game in Addis Ababa and I know you have the capacity to finish off the job here in Abuja on Tuesday.”

The Super Falcons trained at the Turf Arena on Friday and yesterday before moving to the MKO Abiola National Stadium today.

Tomorrow, both the Super Falcons and Ethiopia will have their official training sessions on the turf of the MKO Abiola National Stadium match venue.

The winners of the tie on aggregate will take on the winners of the Cameroon vs Uganda fixture in the third round of the qualifying series.

Uganda, who narrowly eliminated Rwanda in the first round, defeated the Indomitable Lionesses 2-0 in the first leg in Kampala on Thursday.

[NaijaTImes]

President Bola Tinubu  has celebrated his long-time ally, friend and confidant, His Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos State, on his 80th birthday.

Tinubu in a statement by his media aide, Ajuri Ngalale, described the  monarch as a fountain of wisdom, knowledge and a staunch custodian of the rich culture and traditions of Lagos.

“Oba Akiolu and I have come a long way. He is my confidant, he is a dear friend I hold in high esteem for his integrity, honour, and forthrightness. He is always generous with his wise counsel and always willing to offer his fatherly guidance.

“Baba is a defender of the truth and his people. My achievements as Lagos State Governor are partly due to his support and counsel. His Majesty’s reign has brought peace, progress, and development to the good people of Lagos,” the president said.

He thanked the Eleko of Eko for his unceasing prayers and support, recalling his interventions over the years, even in trying times.

“Today, I celebrate an extraordinary monarch whose wit and foresight are peerless. May His Majesty live long, and may his reign on the throne of his fathers continue to be prosperous,” he added. President Tinubu prays.

The Oba of Lagos is a monarch of many achievements. He rose to the pinnacle of his professional career, retiring as an Assistant Inspector-General of Police. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Law School.

[Leadership]

Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag has hinted at starting Mason Mount against Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

According to Ten Hag, the former Chelsea midfielder can make the difference against the champions.

He noted that Mount will always improve his team whenever he is selected.

Ten Hag said: “I think in every game, our game would benefit from Mason Mount.

“I don’t have any concern about lining him up. He did come on in a lot of games, he started in a lot of games.

“In the last game [against Copenhagen] he didn’t [play], but definitely he is one we consider for Sunday because he has abilities to be very helpful against City.”

Mount’s only direct goal involvement for United in any competition so far was an assist in the Carabao Cup third round against Crystal Palace last month.

[DailyPost]

Elder Washima Erukaa who was abducted by gunmen on the 23rd September, in his Zakibiam residence, Ukum Local Government area of Benue state, has been reportedly killed by his abductors.

Elder Washima was a one-time chairman of Katsina Ala and Ukum Local Government area of the state.

The Nation gathered from a reliable member of the family that the kidnappers informed them that Erukaa, who is 80 years died in hands of his captors and has since been buried.

[TheNation]

The elderly and children, especially those in primary and secondary schools bear the brunt of the ineptitude of the government in tackling the perennial issues of flooding which has drove many out of their homes, stranded the elderly who happened to be too weak to outrun the ravaging flood, and prevented children from going to schools.

Findings by Nationaldailyng.com shows that residents living in or around estates like Warewa commonly called Wawa, Isheri Riverview and Opic, Mokore, Arigbede, Banku are mostly hit by this recent surge in flood.

Residents living around these areas who spoke with Nationaldailyng.com claimed they were the worst hit by the flood because it practically submerged their homes, perhaps because of their proximity to the ocean and Lagoon.

While some residents of the affected areas have resorted to helping themselves, some have simply taken advantage of the situation; seeing it as a quick means of business venture.

For instance, a 2-minute journey to and fro their houses cost between N300 and N500 for canoe ride in some parts of Wawa.

Meanwhile, while the canoe ride is for those who could still manage to stay in their houses, those that the flood did not get inside but outside their houses; the flood practically sacked some others, who managed to take a few of their belongings and move out of the area.

This is particularly challenging for older people who struggle to regulate their body temperatures, especially if they are on medication. It is even worse for the hundreds of children, despite their age, who had stopped going to school due to the floods.

Nationaldailyng.com also gathered that for families who had young children who had to go to school, the situation had been hellish, while families, whose houses had been flooded and could not afford hotel costs, had to remain in their water-logged houses.

Alhaji Akeem Ismaila, 70 whose community borders OPIC along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, escaped the floods with his family, but he couldn’t move very quickly.

Many older people like Alhaji Ismaila feel like they are a burden on their families. Hundreds of others like him have been abandoned, and yet to get any respite from the government as more rains pummeled them.

The man, looking miserable and lost, said he lost all his money, home, crops, animals and food.

“Suddenly, one night, when almost all the residents had retired to bed, the flood level surged high and penetrated houses, streets and everywhere and almost submerged us as individuals,” he explained.

“Before the floods, we were busy farming and earned a decent living, but now, we have lost everything except our lives,” he said. “We are depressed and really worried about our losses.”

Ismaila said he has contracted hepatitis from the muddy water and has been unable to access the medication he needs.

His story isn’t unique. Many older people who were forced to stand in water for a long time now have respiratory problems, including asthma, even if they previously did not suffer from these conditions.

Many community leaders in the affected areas blamed the release of accumulated waters from Oyan Dam, situated in Abeokuta North local government area of Ogun State and heavy rains.

But Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, water resources and sanitation, Joseph Utsev, said the recurring floods in Ogun and Lagos were caused by climate change and not the Oyan Dam water release.

Utsev, who disclosed this during a visit to some affected communities in Lagos and Ogun, dams are crucial in flood management and irrigated agriculture, adding that the federal government has developed a comprehensive strategy to better manage flooding nationwide.

According to him, Oyan Dam, boasting of a significant 270 million-cubic-metre capacity reservoir, remains in excellent condition and should not be held accountable for the recent flooding incidents.

Also during a visit to affected communities, Ogun state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said flash floods were responsible for the flood, noting that the rainfall in the state is expected  to reach 3,646mm of rainfall between April and November this year.

However, the residents who spoke with Nationaldailyng.com faulted the arguments, noting that the dam failed to release water at the appropriate time of the year due to its commercialisation and the cage fishing activities going on in the dam.

Speaking on the aegis of the Isheri North GRA Community Development Association, the residents said it was unfortunate that the minister could make such “unguided utterances” without a proper assessment of the situation.

The residents said that while the management of the Ogun Osun River Basin Development Authority had in a document issued in September 2022 agreed that commercial fishing activities could be confined to levels below 56m above sea level, it had refused to implement this agreement.

According to them, the dam was not designed for industrial fishing but for recreational purposes, adding that the Ogun State government never issued any recreational and/or industrial fishing licenses to the companies at the dam.

The residents asked why their lives and property must be put at risk to satisfy the commercial interests of some individuals.

“Why should private enterprises with zero investment in the construction of Oyan Dam be allowed to use the reservoir in such a way as to defeat one of the priority purposes, that is flood control, for which the dam was built?” they asked in a statement.

According to another senior citizen who lives around Kosefe, along Keu, it was his Area’s Rescue Team that came to rescue him and his family at midnight when the flood came, choking them above the bed level.

“The flood had been there quite alright and we have been managing to meander through it, back and forth, thinking that before it could get worse, it would have either lessened or the government would have urgently come to our rescue, especially on the Canals in my area.

“Since, we don’t have extra money to move to a better part, we simply look for ways to manage this Natural crisis whenever it comes up. I just came around now to monitor the level and from what I see before me right now, it is a bit high. I will have to go back to Ogba, an axis of Lagos where we temporarily moved to.”

According to the Chairman of the Isheri Estate Community, Mr Gbenga Osobu, three persons have died since the flood began, adding that 48 families had been resettled within the estate.

The ISECOM chairman also said, “The worth of properties here are in billions of naira. Businesses have been killed here; no commercial activities like before in the last 13 days, we look like a ghost town deserted by people.”

Meanwhile, the management of the dam had absolved itself of blame, saying water would always find its path, and that when water was released to protect the integrity of the dam, the release would inevitably affect houses on the flood plain.

Osobu debunked comments that the area was along flood plain, stating that the estate, especially Isheri North, was conceived when the President, Bola Tinubu, was the governor of Lagos State.

He stated, “These lands were properly allocated, building plans were approved and Certificates of Occupancy or Governor’s consent was obtained for people to build there, except we have some other natural challenges that would prevent people from living here, because some people have lived here for 15 to 16 years.”

He further described the flooding as a combination of natural and man-made factors, which he said could be resolved.

[NationalDaily]