By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command haa successfully arrested a notorious gun runner along Sokoto-Gusau highway and  recovered illegal arms and ammunition in his possession.

A statement by the spokesperson of the Police Command, ASP Ahmed Rufai said there officers 
attached to Tureta Police Station acted on credible intelligence while conducting “a stop-and-search operation”. 

“‘The operation led to the interception and arrest of Murtala Abubakar, a 45-year-old suspect from Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State””.

Continuing, ASP Rufai mentioned items recovered from the suspect to include,  
“”Four (4) locally fabricated rifles, Three (3) locally fabricated pistols, Sixteen (16) rounds of AK-47 ammunition and Three (3) rounds of G3 ammunition'””. 

While noting that the command remained committed to curbing crime and criminality, ASP Rufai reassured that their intensified efforts towards  mobbing up proliferation of illegal arms and fighting crime of all nature is paying off. 

The Police Spokesperson, Rufai who further noted that, the suspect and recovered exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Sokoto, for further discreet investigation, quoted the Commissioner of Police Ahmed Musa as saying, “”This operation reflects our unwavering commitment to public safety. We urge citizens to continue providing timely intelligence to aid our efforts in dismantling criminal networks.”  

“”The Sokoto State Police Command remains dedicated to ensuring security across all communities and calls for sustained collaboration with residents to achieve lasting peace””. CP Musa appealed. 

In light of disappointing local election outcomes, members of the UK Conservative Party will gather this week to deliberate on the possible removal of their leader, Kemi Badenoch. The urgency stems from a growing concern about the party’s future following significant gains by Reform.

Two senior Conservative backbenchers have confirmed to The Independent that they are initiating discussions with fellow MPs regarding a leadership change. “We cannot continue as we are; she (Ms. Badenoch) is simply not equipped for the task,” stated one MP.

This move follows a disheartening election where the Conservatives lost 15 councils and 674 seats, raising alarms about the party’s viability. Concurrently, Nigel Farage announced that his party has eclipsed the Conservatives to become the primary opposition to Labour, securing 676 seats and overall control of 10 councils.

One Conservative MP remarked, “These results are actually worse than those from last year’s general election. We have somehow regressed.”

Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives faced a significant defeat last Thursday, resulting in the loss of hundreds of councillors and control of 15 councils.

Reports indicate that several Tories have approached Robert Jenrick to consider another leadership bid just six months after his previous attempt failed. While some plotting against Ms. Badenoch are her critics, sources claim that discussions regarding her future involve members beyond the usual factions.

Former Foreign Secretary Sir James Cleverly is also reportedly positioning himself as a centrist alternative to the right-leaning Jenrick, as noted in the report. Over the weekend, Sir James expressed to GB News that while he supports Badenoch, he remains open about a potential leadership bid should the opportunity arise.

Critics within the parliamentary party have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of a clear strategy to counter Reform. An initiative to garner her backing for an anti-Reform task force—drawing on former allies of Farage from Ukip and the Brexit Party—was reportedly ignored, despite backing from prominent Brexiteer Sir Bill Cash.

One senior backbencher commented, “I feel as if I’ve been banging my head against a brick wall trying to determine the strategy for confronting Farage and Reform. There has been nothing.”

Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, notably shared on X that all Tory council candidates in his Newark constituency had won, amid a backdrop of hundreds of Tory losses across the country. He dedicated his weekend to fundraising efforts in various regions.

However, one MP voiced concerns: “If we allow Kemi another year, it could spell disaster for us. There are no policies, no ideas, no strategy, and she lacks charisma.”

MPs are assessing that previously secure seats in regions like East Anglia, Essex, Kent, and southern England could be at risk based on last week’s results. There are also grievances regarding her selection of senior staff, particularly former MPs like Rachel MacLean and Therese Coffey. “They just don’t seem to grasp the severity of our situation,” another MP remarked.

Nonetheless, Tory MPs are also wary of new regulations requiring a third of them (currently 41 MPs) to trigger a vote of confidence through letters to the 1922 Committee chair, Bob Blackman. While MPs have yet to publicly advocate for Badenoch’s removal, some Conservatives have.

Jason Smithers, the former Tory leader of North Northamptonshire Council, publicly called for Badenoch’s resignation following the election results, stating, “I cannot comprehend how a party leader can remain in position after such dismal results nationwide.”

Phillip Blond, director of the ResPublica think tank and former advisor to David Cameron, has echoed calls for Badenoch to step down. However, she remains resolute in her position. In an interview with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Badenoch argued against the notion that leadership changes can swiftly rectify issues, asserting that the party’s current challenges will not be resolved in six months. She emphasized, “This isn’t merely about winning elections; it’s about remedying our country.”

Despite her statements, Badenoch’s interview seems to have heightened concerns among MPs. One senior MP noted, “She speaks as if we have ample time to turn things around. We do not. It may already be too late. She has left a significant gap for Nigel Farage to occupy.”

Members of the shadow cabinet are attempting to alleviate tensions, advising Tory MPs against moves to unseat Badenoch, emphasizing that she “needs time.”

The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Reform Committee to review existing policy documents and propose comprehensive reforms to ensure the scheme remains effective and responsive to current national needs.

Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday during the inauguration of the committee.

He noted that the NYSC had long been a pillar of national integration, promoting unity across Nigeria’s diverse cultures while providing young Nigerians with valuable life experiences.

“Today signifies an important step forward in our collective journey to improve one of Nigeria’s most valuable national institutions dedicated to unity, empowerment, and development,” Olawande said.

He emphasised the vital role the NYSC had played in fostering national unity and youth development since its inception in 1973, but stressed that it was now time to reassess and modernise the scheme to reflect contemporary realities and challenges.

“As the nation advances, we must improve the institutions that support its development.

“While the NYSC has made remarkable progress, it also faces significant challenges, particularly concerning the safety of corps members, infrastructural deficits, and questions about the scheme’s relevance in a changing socio-economic landscape,” he said.

Olawande explained that the committee’s mandate includes conducting a comprehensive review of the scheme, assessing its current operations, and proposing reforms to make it more secure, innovative, and impactful.

“Our goal is to transform NYSC into a platform that offers youth better opportunities in skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and career development,” he added.

“The committee will also review existing policy documents, laws, and reports guiding the NYSC; engage in consultations with stakeholders nationwide; and recommend legal, policy, and institutional reforms, including improved funding and monitoring frameworks.

“A comprehensive report is expected to be submitted to the Minister of Youth,” he said.

In her remarks, Hajiya Hadiza Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, stressed the need to restructure technical and vocational training in alignment with academic development.

She said such reforms would enable young people to make long-term contributions to their communities and the country.

Also speaking, Minister of State for Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, proposed the creation of a Teachers’ Corps and Medical Corps for NCE-certified graduates and healthcare professionals, especially those willing to serve in rural areas for a voluntary two-year period.

He said the Teachers’ Corps would help address educational gaps and offer a path to government employment, while the Medical Corps would strengthen healthcare delivery in underserved communities, particularly in maternal and child health.(NAN)