metro
Bandits: Govt closes four Zamfara markets as death toll hits 90
The Zamfara State Government has ordered the closure of four markets in three local government areas in the state as death toll from reprisal attacks between bandits and vigilante members rose to 90.
Reports from affected communities indicated that no fewer than 90 corpses had been buried after the latest round of mayhem while many people were still missing.
The affected markets include Magami, Dan Sadau, Wanke and Dauran in Gusau, Maru and Zurmi local government areas of the state.
While the state government was silent on the casualty figures, residents of Magami said they had buried more than 60 corpses as at yesterday morning, with many of them brought in from surrounding villages.
They had earlier reported the recovery of 53 bodies, saying that many residents who were still missing were feared killed.
The funeral prayer was presided over by the Chief Imam of Magami town, Sanusi Na’ibi.
Gusau Local Government Area where the attackers were said to be purely on a mission to kill and not to loot was believed to be the worst hit.
The local government area hosts two of the affected markets, namely Magami and Wanke.
Other affected local government areas are Maru and Zumi, which host Dansadau and Dauran markets respectively.
“Security agencies are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance. They are also ordered to deal, ruthlessly with anyone found violating law and order within and around the affected markets,” the state’s commissioner for information, Ibrahim Dosara, said in a statement.
Dosara said the government was dismayed by “the callous act of terrorism meted to innocent people carrying out their legitimate business.”
He said the government had directed its Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to as a matter of urgency mobilise to the affected communities and provide immediate assistance to the families of the victims.
The government also implored security agencies in the state to collaborate with one another to provide the needed security to the areas and across the state.
The government said it was deeply saddened by Wednesday’s attacks on some communities in Magami District of Gusau Local Government Area of the state, which claimed 51 lives.
The sole administrator of Bakura Local Government, Aminu Suleiman, had told reporters that more than 30 people were killed in Bakura and Maradun.
Suleiman said the deaths were recorded over days of reprisal attacks between members of outlawed vigilante groups and bandits.
The government condemned the act of terrorism targeted at law-abiding citizens who have been contributing to the development of the state in particular and the country in general.
The government regretted that the evil act happened while it was making efforts to ensure full return of peace and security in the state.
metro
Atiku Challenges Tinubu Over Mecca Trip, Demands Daily Photo, Video Proof
Atiku Challenges Tinubu Over Mecca Trip, Demands Daily Photo, Video Proof
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide daily, verifiable photographic and video evidence of his presence in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during his announced Umrah pilgrimage, questioning whether the trip could include an unannounced visit to France.
Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.
The opposition leader alleged that information available to him suggested Tinubu might make a brief appearance in Makkah before travelling to France. However, he did not publicly provide evidence to substantiate the allegation.
Atiku called on the Presidency to release clear, current and date-stamped photographs and videos each day showing Tinubu at the Kaaba, the sacred structure at the centre of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, and participating in the religious rites associated with Umrah.
He argued that Nigerians deserved verifiable information about the President’s whereabouts, daily engagements and the purpose of the trip, particularly because the journey had been presented as an opportunity to pray for the country.
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Atiku also raised questions about the President’s health and a reported $20 billion loan request involving a French business partner, urging the Presidency to clarify the issues and disclose Tinubu’s full itinerary.
The former Vice-President said he and other Nigerians would join the President in praying for the country’s peace and progress. He, however, cautioned against invoking religion without sincerity.
“No one should invoke the name of Almighty Allah in vain,” Atiku said, according to the statement.
He maintained that a presidential trip presented as a spiritual mission for Nigeria was a matter of public interest, adding that citizens were entitled to know the President’s official engagements and how the journey was being funded.
The Presidency had earlier announced that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Thursday, October 29, for Makkah to perform Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time of the year.
Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, said the visit would provide Tinubu with an opportunity for spiritual reflection, devotion and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress.
According to the announcement, the President was expected to return to Nigeria the following week after completing the pilgrimage.
The Presidency’s announcement identified Makkah as the destination for the religious exercise. As of the latest reports, Atiku’s allegation of a possible onward journey to France had not been independently verified.
The dispute comes amid heightened political scrutiny as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general election, with opposition figures increasingly questioning the administration’s decisions, public spending and transparency.
Atiku Challenges Tinubu Over Mecca Trip, Demands Daily Photo, Video Proof
metro
Yobe Court Jails 20-Year-Old Man Seven Years for Sex with 16-Year-Old Girl
Yobe Court Jails 20-Year-Old Man Seven Years for Sex with 16-Year-Old Girl
A Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu, Yobe State, has sentenced a 20-year-old man, Dauda Umaru, to seven years’ imprisonment for procuring and having sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old girl.
The court, presided over by Justice Aisha Y. Salihu of Court 2, also ordered Umaru to pay ₦1 million into the Victim Trust Fund Account and an additional ₦500,000 as compensation to the victim.
The conviction was secured by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) under Section 16(1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition), Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, as amended.
According to NAPTIP, the court warned that failure to pay the stipulated amount would attract an additional seven months’ imprisonment.
Umaru was arraigned on July 13, 2026, and convicted on October 27, 2026, following the prosecution of the case.
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The judgment highlights the legal consequences of sexual exploitation involving minors and the role of NAPTIP in investigating and prosecuting trafficking-related offences.
The case also draws attention to the need to protect children from sexual exploitation and ensure that offenders are brought before the courts.
In a related case reported earlier in October, a Borno State High Court in Maiduguri sentenced a 37-year-old woman, Fatima Sanda, to two years’ imprisonment for procuring a 16-year-old girl for sexual exploitation. The court also ordered her to pay ₦500,000 in compensation to the victim.
Both cases were prosecuted under the same anti-trafficking law, which criminalises the procurement of persons for sexual exploitation.
Yobe Court Jails 20-Year-Old Man Seven Years for Sex with 16-Year-Old Girl
metro
Tinubu Heads to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, Seeks Allah’s Blessings for Nigeria
Tinubu Heads to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, Seeks Allah’s Blessings for Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will travel to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday to perform Umrah, the Islamic lesser pilgrimage, and pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress.
The planned trip was announced on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the announcement, Tinubu will use the spiritual journey to seek Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its citizens as the country continues to grapple with economic and security challenges.
Umrah is a voluntary Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed at any time of the year, unlike Hajj, which takes place during a specific period in the Islamic calendar.
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Before departing Abuja, the President is expected to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force to support its operations. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the religious exercise in Saudi Arabia.
The planned visit comes as his administration continues to pursue economic reforms and address security concerns across the country.
The Presidency said the pilgrimage would provide the President with an opportunity for spiritual reflection and devotion, including prayers for Nigeria’s continued peace, unity and development.
The announcement did not provide further details about the President’s travel delegation or the precise date of his return.
Tinubu Heads to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, Seeks Allah’s Blessings for Nigeria
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