metro
Katsina govt speaks on killing of 28 worshippers by bandits
Katsina govt speaks on killing of 28 worshippers by bandits
The Katsina State government has described as cowards, the bandits who attacked and killed 28 morning worshippers in a Mosque in Malumfashi Local Government.
The acting governor of the state, Faruq Lawal-Jobe, who made the remark in Katsina on Saturday, also described the incident as “sad and most unfortunate”.
Mr Lawal-Jobe said this while inaugurating eight new Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), procured by the state government to strengthen the fight against banditry.
In the early hours of Tuesday, August 18, suspected bandits attacked the worshippers during prayer at Unguwan Mantau.
“We have invested so much in terms of security assets.
“We have also succeeded at least in securing four of the eight frontline local governments, including Jibia, Batsari, Kankara and Danmusa.
“So, the battle is not over until it is won.
“And, therefore, we will not relent, we will not be distracted by the cowardly attitude of the bandits, because they are cowards.
“Instead of confronting the people, they decided to attack them very early in the morning when they were performing their obligatory duties,” Mr Lawal-Jobe said.
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He said that the government had saluted the courage of the community, “because the bandits made several attempts to enter the village, and they made resistance, that is why the bandits resolved to do what they did.
“But, thanks be to Allah, 76 of the kidnapped victims were freed early this morning, apart from those that escaped on their way to the bush,” he said.
The acting governor further revealed that the state government had also sought the intervention of the federal government.
“Yesterday, our senators and the members of the House of Representatives met with the leadership of the security forces.
“We are getting support in terms of personnel and assets.
“So, tomorrow, we’ll be hosting the Chief of Army Staff, who will come for an assessment.
“And we are going to provide them with additional information on areas where we require their support,” Mr Lawal-Jobe said.
He commended the locals for their efforts toward providing timely information, saying, “We’ll not be distracted. We will continue until we have a secure state.”
Earlier, the state’s commissioner for internal security and home affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, told journalists that the state government had so far invested about N36 billion in addressing insecurity.
Mr Mu’azu said that Katsina State could now boast of being one of the states with the highest number of security assets in the region.
According to him, the state has 43 Armoured Personnel Carriers, including the eight newly delivered vehicles.
The commissioner further emphasised the need for community participation in the fight against insecurity, saying, “Security is a community-driven effort.
“We urge everyone to contribute to this noble cause.
“Our doors are open for anyone willing to assist, and we remain committed to transparency in all our security investments,” he said.
Katsina govt speaks on killing of 28 worshippers by bandits
(NAN)
metro
Sokoto Officials Deny Mosque Attack as Bandits Kill Five in Gatawa Raid
Sokoto Officials Deny Mosque Attack as Bandits Kill Five in Gatawa Raid
Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Area in Sokoto State, Ayuba Hashimu, has dismissed viral reports alleging that bandits attacked a mosque in the council area, killing an Imam and several worshippers.
Some online platforms had circulated claims that armed bandits stormed a mosque in Sabon Birni, murdered the Imam and congregants, and abducted others.
However, Hashimu, speaking by telephone, described the reports as entirely false.
“I don’t know any mosque that was attacked, not to talk of killing of an Imam and worshippers. The story is false,” he stated.
A member of the state legislature representing the area, Hon. Aminu Boza, also debunked the claims, insisting that no mosque attack occurred on Saturday.
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“I don’t know how they got their story, but it is not true. No mosque was attacked by bandits,” he said.
While officials denied the alleged mosque incident, a separate early morning assault on Gatawa town within the same LGA resulted in five deaths and left one person critically injured.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Daily Trust that six people — including two married women, two teenage girls and two young boys — were abducted by attackers suspected to be bandits.
“The bandits invaded our community around 1:30 a.m. and started shooting sporadically. Our vigilantes engaged them, but four of them paid the supreme price on the spot. Two others sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to the hospital, but one later died,” the resident said.
He added that the attackers also stole livestock as they fled.
“We heard them exchanging fire with security agents, but none of the abducted persons was rescued,” he recounted.
Sokoto Officials Deny Mosque Attack as Bandits Kill Five in Gatawa Raid
metro
FG Begins Recovery of 157 Almajiri Schools
FG Begins Recovery of 157 Almajiri Schools
The Federal Government has commenced the official recovery of 157 model Almajiri schools built during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, in a renewed push to overhaul Almajiri education across the country.
The move was confirmed by Nura Muhammad, spokesperson for the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE), during an interview in Abuja on Sunday. He described the recovery process as a crucial step toward fully revamping and institutionalising Almajiri education.
Muhammad explained that the effort follows the establishment of a legally backed national body now responsible for all Almajiri-related programmes — a structure he said was missing during earlier reform attempts.
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While commending former President Jonathan for constructing the schools, which he described as “a noble and well-intentioned stride toward modernising the system,” Muhammad noted that the previous initiative struggled due to weak policy implementation, including inadequate engagement with Alarammas, the traditional Qur’anic teachers who play a central role in the Almajiri system.
He added that the lack of a strong institutional framework — with the project operating only as an initiative under the Federal Ministry of Education — contributed to its challenges.
According to him, the Commission is now strengthened by law and guided by the newly adopted National Policy on Almajiri Education, positioning it to deliver sustainable reforms.
Muhammad expressed confidence that harmful practices linked to the Almajiri system would be addressed, emphasising that all recovered schools would soon be fully under the Commission’s control and rehabilitated to serve their original purpose.
FG Begins Recovery of 157 Almajiri Schools
metro
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
The Delta State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu in Anambra State, arresting key suspects linked to the case.
Spokesperson SP Bright Edafe disclosed on Sunday that operatives of the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), acting on credible intelligence, apprehended 25-year-old security guard Godwin Mngumi on 6 December 2025. Mngumi allegedly murdered the retired judge, and authorities also recovered the deceased’s mobile phone from him.
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According to Edafe, Mngumi confessed to inviting a friend, Nnaji Obalum, and another accomplice — who remains at large — to the residence where the crime was committed. Obalum has since been arrested, while a manhunt continues for the third suspect.
The arrests mark a major step forward in the effort to bring all perpetrators of the high-profile murder to justice.
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
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