News
Fulani Groups Want Youths Killing Investigated
A Fulbe group has called for the investigation of the men of the Nigerian Army over the alleged killing of 11 youths in Tilde -Fulbe, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In a statement jointly signed by Abubakar Siddique Mohammed; Professor Massoud Omar; Professor Auwalu Yadudu; Professor Muhammad Mustapha Gwadabe; Professor Tanimu Abubakar; Dr Kabir S.Chafe; Mallam Babayola M. Tuongo; Professor Abdullahi Musa Ashafa; Malam Naseer Kura; Dr Salihu Zubairu Mustapha; Dr Aminu Musa; Malam Murtala Abubakar; Dr Aliyu U. Tilde and Kabiru Danladi, Ph.D, said the killing of the 11 Fulani youths must be investigated.
“We, the undersigned, in the exercise of our constitutional rights and in good conscience as concerned and dutiful Nigerian citizens, hereby add our collective voice to an appeal made for intervention and investigation into the murder of 11 Fulani youths by soldiers in Tilde Fulbe at Ladugga Grazing Reserve, Kachia Local Government.
“The appeal was made by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Governor of Kaduna State and the Northern Governors Forum.
“Our support for the appeal is based on the conviction that in the context of the current devastating insecurity and economic hardships, failure to investigate such grave allegations of willful murder of innocent citizens by agents of the state will only further deepen the distrust for state institutions, sever the bond between government and people and jeopardize the security-community relations,” the group said adding that they believed that the Federal Government should, at this trying moment, promptly investigate allegations of breaches and indiscretions on such fundamental human rights as security of life, personal liberty and property, in order to halt this negative trend and provide succour to the aggrieved parties.
“By doing this, the Federal Government would have discharged its constitutional responsibilities, therefore safeguarding its image and that of the military and other security agencies.
“Our appeal for intervention and remediation is informed by the disturbing details of what appears to be deliberate and unprovoked actions by some elements of the Nigerian military in the arbitrary killings of citizens from the affected rural communities as revealed by the findings of the preliminary investigations carried out by the Kaduna State chapter of MACBAN.
“The report of the investigation, which is contained in a press statement by the Association provides disturbing details of how the extra-judicial killings and looting of households by soldiers were carried out in the Tilde Fulbe community in Ladugga,” the group added.
Accusing the men of the Nigerian army for the act, the Fulbe group said they shot and killed one Nura Yusuf at close range at Crossing Katul Market in full glare of the public and hurled his corpse along with his motorcycle into a military van and drove away.
“The dead body of Nura was later found around Oduma village, where it was dumped. That was two (2) days after the soldiers demanded for the sum of four hundred thousand Naira (N400,000.00) from the brother of the deceased. The soldiers claimed that the money was to be used for the treatment of the victim. However, they did not respond when the brother demanded to hear the voice of Nura before giving them the money.
“According to the press statement, the soldiers who MACBAN describes as “trigger hungry” arrested four (4) more young men from the same village and later shot and killed all of them in cold blood and dumped their bodies in the bush around Antai village in Kachia LGA, along the road leading from Crossing to Maro of Kajuru LGA,” the group added.
A National Youth Service Corp member, Rofiat Lawal, who was kidnapped along the Benin-Ore Expressway on Tuesday has regained freedom after her family paid a ransom of N1.1m.
ELANZANEWS reports that Lawal was kidnapped while en route to Ibadan, Oyo State from Benin, Edo State to resume at her place of primary assignment.
The abductors were said to have demanded an N20m ransom which her family appealed that they could not afford.
Following back-and-forth negotiations, the kidnappers reportedly reduced the N20m ransom to N5m.
Giving an update on the incident, Lawal’s friend identified as Agbakwara, who was privy to the incident, disclosed on Saturday that Aminat has regained her freedom.
Sharing a video of the victim in a Facebook post, Agbakwara wrote, “In the early hours of Friday, the kidnappers pressured us, warning that if we failed to meet their demands, we should not expect her return.
“In desperation, I reached out to everyone I could, her colleagues in school, the Muslim association, her friends from her hometown, my fans, and her family.
“Through the collective efforts and generosity of so many, we were able to raise N1.1 million, which was sent at 4:20 pm on Friday to an account provided by the kidnappers.
“The recipient, Isaac Ayo, claimed that his sister had also been kidnapped and assured us he would deliver the ransom alongside his own.”
He stated that Lawal was finally reunited with her family on Saturday morning.
“For hours, we anxiously waited. Finally, at around 10 pm, we received the long-awaited call: they had been released and taken to the hospital.
“This morning, we got another call confirming that Rofiat was on her way home, and the others had also safely returned to their families.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed, shared the news, and tagged the necessary authorities. Your support made this possible,” he concluded.
Mrs Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President, has launched two lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of defamation and infringement of her fundamental rights.
In her legal filings, Mrs Akpabio is seeking an astounding ₦250 billion in damages, alongside an additional ₦1 billion to cover legal costs.
The suits, presented to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, arise from sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against her husband, Godswill Akpabio, during an interview on Arise News last Friday.
In the fundamental rights suit (Suit No: CV/814/25), Mrs Akpabio contends that the statements made by Akpoti-Uduaghan on 20th February 2025, as well as during the televised interview, represent a “flagrant violation” of her fundamental rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Referencing Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Mrs Akpabio is pursuing several legal remedies, including: “A declaration that the Senator’s remarks breached her fundamental rights and subjected her and her children to emotional and psychological distress.
“A perpetual injunction restraining Akpoti-Uduaghan from making any further inciteful, scandalous, and defamatory remarks against her.
“₦250 billion in damages for what she categorises as exemplary, punitive, aggravated, and general damages incurred as a result of the senator’s statements.”
In a separate defamation lawsuit (Suit No: CV/816/25), the wife of the Senate President challenges the allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan, asserting that they have inflicted irreparable harm on her reputation and that of her family.
She argues that the claims, aired on national television, have “tarnished her family’s reputation and brought them into disrepute and opprobrium.”
“The Defendant’s assertion on national television that the Claimant’s husband, who serves as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, made sexual advances towards her without any substantiation has severely damaged the reputation of the Claimant and her entire family,” the suit states.
Mrs Akpabio is also seeking a court declaration affirming that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements were indeed defamatory.
Her requests include: “A declaration that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s assertions on national television—that the Claimant’s husband, the Senate President, made sexual advances towards her without evidence—have harmed her reputation and that of her family, resulting in disrepute and opprobrium.
“An order compelling Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue a formal written retraction of her statements and to provide an unconditional apology to the Claimant and her family, to be published in two national newspapers.
“An order mandating Akpoti-Uduaghan to pay ₦1 billion in punitive and exemplary damages for the ramifications of her statements on the Akpabio family’s reputation.
“A perpetual injunction preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further defamatory statements against the Akpabio family.”
These lawsuits represent a notable escalation in legal proceedings following a contentious exchange between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Akpabio.
The dispute first gained prominence when Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a verbal altercation with the Senate President during a Senate session, which she subsequently escalated by levelling allegations of sexual harassment during a televised interview.
The allegations have ignited a nationwide debate, drawing significant attention and eliciting mixed responses from the public.
News
Governor Uba Sani Extends Warm Ramadan Greetings, Calls for Unity and Reflection in Kaduna State
As the holy month of Ramadan 1446 AH begins, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Muslim faithful in Kaduna State, Nigeria, and across the globe.
In his Ramadan message, Governor Sani emphasized the importance of reflection, empathy, and solidarity during this sacred period.
Governor Sani urged Muslims to embrace the noble values of Ramadan, including generosity, brotherhood, and cooperation. He called on citizens to share food, love, time, and respect with the less privileged in society, reinforcing the spirit of compassion that defines the holy month.
“This is the time to renew our relationship with Almighty Allah and seek His mercy for our state and country,” Governor Sani stated. He also encouraged citizens to pray fervently for the sustenance of peace and unity in Kaduna State, highlighting the strength of the state’s diversity.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to consolidating peace, revitalizing the economy, and ensuring sustainable growth and development in Kaduna State. “As a government, we shall continue to do all that is necessary to place Kaduna State irreversibly on the path to progress,” he said.
Governor Sani concluded his message with a prayer for the spirit of Ramadan to illuminate the hearts and souls of all citizens. “May this holy month bring blessings, peace, and prosperity to our state and nation. Ramadan Mubarak,” he added.