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]