News
Soldiers ambush bandits, kill three in Kaduna-Abuja expressway operation
The Troops of Sub-Sector 4, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, ambushed bandits and neutralised three of them off the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Lt-Col. Musa Yahaya, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna.
Yahaya said, “In a well-coordinated operation on Tuesday, troops of Sub-Sector 4, Operation FANSAN YAMMA successfully neutralised three Violent Extremists and Insurgents (VEIs) in an ambush at an area near Ngwagi Hill, Gwagwada Community, off the Kaduna – Abuja highway in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.”
The spokesman said that the success of the operation was based on acting on credible intelligence that the VEI was sighted near Ngwagi Hill.
He said that troops were immediately deployed on long-range fighting patrol to the likely road-crossing point of the insurgents.
According to him, the troops got to the location at about 5.30 p.m. on the same date. They successfully launched the ambush, which effectively neutralised three armed members of the criminal group.
“During the operation, troops also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including two AK-47 rifles, eight AK-47 rifle magazines, 374 rounds of 7.62mm x 39 special ammunition and 88 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 NATO ammunition.
Other items recovered were one Infinix mobile phone, medical supplies, clothing, and dry rations, ” Yahaya said.
He said the operation’s success was a testament to the troops’ high fighting morale and combat efficiency.
“This achievement is also due to the effective collaboration between the military and intelligence agencies, which provided credible intelligence that informed the operation.
He said the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, commended the troops for their resilience and successful conduct of the operation.
He charged the troops not to relent on their oars until all criminal elements operating in the Division and the Sector’s area of operational responsibility were neutralised.
NAN
A civic group, Concerned Citizens, has called on the Kaduna State Government and other stakeholders to urgently rebuild a primary school in Sanga Local Government Area that was destroyed by fire.
In a statement sent to Elanza News on Thursday, the group urged Governor Uba Sani, the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board, local lawmakers, philanthropists, and non-governmental organisations to support the reconstruction of the six classrooms and office space at LGEA Primary School Arak 1, Hayin-Gada.
The fire, which broke out on 3 March 2025, completely razed the unfenced school, reducing it to ashes. While no lives were lost, classrooms, essential documents, learning materials, and furniture were destroyed.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, particularly as the community has no electricity supply.
“The school authority, the village head of Arak 1, and community elders are also appealing to former students and other stakeholders to assist in rebuilding the classrooms, providing learning materials, and rehabilitating the boreholes,” the statement said.
The group stressed that any form of support—whether financial donations, building materials, furniture, books, or advocacy—would help prevent disruption to the children’s education.
“Let us come together to rebuild this school and secure a better future for the children of Arak 1, Hayin-Gada. Education is a right, not a privilege—let’s not allow this fire to rob them of their dreams,” the statement added.
With the rainy season approaching, the Concerned Citizens warned that urgent intervention is needed to restore the school before further damage occurs.
The Senate has passed a vote of confidence in its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, reaffirming its support for his leadership amid recent controversies.
This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti) and seconded by Deputy Minority Leader Olalere Oyewumi (PDP-Osun) during Thursday’s plenary.
In his motion of urgent national importance, Bamidele cited Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Rules, emphasising that Akpabio had demonstrated effective leadership since the inauguration of the 10th Senate despite the controversy surrounding allegations of sexual harassment.
Addressing concerns over Akpabio’s handling of a petition referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, Bamidele clarified that the matter had nothing to do with sexual harassment.
“Some critics have accused this Senate of allowing Akpabio to preside over his matter. However, the issue before us was strictly about a motion referred to the Ethics Committee,” Bamidele stated.
He urged Nigerians to recognise that the Senate operates within the framework of the law, not personal biases.
“We are guided by rules, not the whims of individuals. This is not about a group of men conspiring against a woman but ensuring our rules are respected. That is the only way we can guarantee peace, law, and order,” he added.
Bamidele further dismissed claims that the Senate lacked the authority to suspend a member, stating that legal interpretations would ultimately confirm the Senate’s position.
He urged Nigerians not to be distracted by the sexual harassment allegations, noting that the matter was already before the courts.
“While we acknowledge public concern, we remain focused on our legislative duties. There are pressing matters that require our attention for the good of the country,” he said.
According to him, the Senate will continue to work alongside the executive to improve economic conditions and promote democratic participation.
“Our priority is to bring economic stability and development to Nigerians. We will not be sidetracked,” he affirmed.
In his response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio thanked his colleagues for their support and emphasised that the 10th Senate remains united in its commitment to national progress.
He also accused Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of misrepresenting her suspension at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting, stating that she embarrassed the country with a misleading narrative.
A political think tank, FixPolitics has kicked against the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate, describing it as a threat to democracy, gender inclusion, and the rule of law.
The organisation said that by imposing the suspension under the pretext of rule violations, the Senate had not only silenced Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan but also disenfranchised the people of Kogi Central senatorial zone, depriving them of their constitutional right to representation.
“This action blatantly disregards judicial precedents, including Senator Ali Ndume v. Senate of Nigeria (2018) and Senator Dino Melaye v. Senate of Nigeria (2016), which affirm that lawmakers cannot be suspended in ways that strip their constituents of representation”, FixPolitics said in a statement by its Executive Director, Dr Anthony Ubani.
He said, “The Senate’s repeated defiance of these rulings raises serious concerns about its commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative processes.
Beyond undermining democratic principles, this punitive measure also calls into question the institution’s willingness to address misconduct within its ranks.”
According to the FixPolitics, the suspension highlights the systemic barriers and entrenched misogyny that Nigerian women face in politics and society at large.
“Female representation in the Senate has plummeted by nearly 50 per cent – from seven women in the 9th Assembly to just four in the 10th Assembly. This decision sets a dangerous precedent that could further discourage women from political participation and silence victims of harassment.
“As a signatory to CEDAW, the Maputo Protocol, and SDG 5, Nigeria has an obligation to foster gender inclusion in governance. Actions like these reinforce exclusion, rather than progress. Moreover, public officials must always remember that they hold office in trust for the people and have a duty to model behaviour that promotes civility, decorum, and respect for all Nigerians, regardless of gender.
“Their actions should inspire confidence in the nation’s institutions and reflect the highest ethical standards.
“In today’s interconnected world, where events unfold in real-time through the Internet of Things (IoT), the conduct of public officials is scrutinised globally.”
The organisation said the “unconstitutional” suspension of a duly elected legislator denied constituents their fundamental right to representation in the National Assembly.
Ubani said, “In this case, an entire senatorial district in Kogi State is being disenfranchised – an outcome that contradicts both the spirit and letter of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The Senate, as Nigeria’s highest lawmaking body, must uphold the rule of law rather than continuously flout court rulings that protect the rights of elected representatives and their constituents.
“We stand in solidarity with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and commend her courage in speaking out on this matter. The Senate’s response sets a troubling precedent that may discourage other victims from speaking out for fear of retaliation or dismissal.
The FixPolitics unequivocally condemns the Senate’s actions and demands the immediate reinstatement of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“We call on the Senate to uphold justice, transparency, and accountability by ensuring that allegations of this nature are investigated thoroughly and impartially – free from internal biases and procedural technicalities.”
FixPolitics called on the civil society organisations, human rights advocates, and the Nigerian public to join it in demanding a legislative environment where all members could perform their duties without fear of harassment or unjust reprisal.
“The integrity of our democracy depends on institutions that serve all Nigerians without bias or discrimination. The FixPolitics is a research-driven, citizen-led initiative committed to addressing the deeprooted challenges of poor governance by recognising the central role of politics in building effective states and shaping Africa’s development, beginning with Nigeria,” the statement noted.
It added, “We remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating an inclusive, transparent, and accountable political system. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and support all efforts that promote justice, equity, and the protection of democratic values in Nigeria.”