metro
How terrorists bombed Abuja-Kaduna train, attacked passengers Monday night
- Gunmen shot at us, forced their way into the train – Passengers
An Abuja-Kaduna train was on Monday night attacked by terrorists after it ran into explosives suspected to have been planted on the rail track between Dutse and Kakau areas of Kaduna State.
The 6pm passenger train hit the explosives about 30 minutes to Rigasa Train Station in Kaduna.
This reportedly halted the movement of the train.
Some passengers said a number of people were wounded by gun bullets fired at them by the terrorists.
Security agents were said to have been promptly drafted to the area to rescue the passengers.
A security source in Kaduna said, “What we know is that suspected IED’s were planted on the track and the train has derailed. We don’t know for sure if there is any injury or death.”
Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. Fidet Okhiria, confirmed the attack, saying, “There was an incident but we are managing it.”
One of the passengers said some persons were abducted.
Another passenger said, “There are six people we have counted with bullet wounds, there maybe more but so far this is what I can confirm. Security agents are trying to get them medical attention.
“We also learnt that the bandits forced their way into some coaches and have abducted some people.”
Daily Trust quoted one Zainab Musa, another passenger, as saying, “Currently, we are all lying down flat and security forces have started converging to drive the terrorists away. We are grateful to be safe and not harmed,” she said over the phone.
Another passenger, Anas Iron Danmusa, said the explosives planted by the terrorists ‘destroyed’ the engine of their train.
He said, “As at 8pm, we were just lying on the seats of the train praying. The gunmen were shooting sporadically around Katari-Rijana area.”
In a statement, Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, said security agencies had secured the train trapped by terrorists.
“The Kaduna State Government received multiple reports of an attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train service at around Kateri-Rijana general areas.
“Relevant action agencies were urgently contacted, and robust deployments of personnel were swiftly made to the area to secure the passengers on board.
“Efforts are ongoing to convey the passengers from the location and others that sustained injuries have been rushed to hospitals for urgent medical attention.
“The Government of Kaduna State will be liaising with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to ascertain the list from the passengers’ manifest for efficient tracking.”
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.
READ ALSO:
- Benin govt says coup attempt foiled as soldiers seize state TV, gunfire rocks Cotonou
- BREAKING: Soldiers Announce Coup in Benin Republic, Declare President Patrice Talon Removed
- Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
“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.
READ ALSO:
- Benin govt says coup attempt foiled as soldiers seize state TV, gunfire rocks Cotonou
- BREAKING: Soldiers Announce Coup in Benin Republic, Declare President Patrice Talon Removed
- Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
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.
READ ALSO:
- Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
- Dangote urges wealthy Nigerians to invest in industries, not luxury cars, private jets
- Mohamed Salah Slams Liverpool Boss Arne Slot, Hints at Anfield Exit Ahead of AFCON Departure
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
-
metro3 days agoSenate Launches Emergency Probe into Widespread Lead Poisoning in Ogijo, Lagos/Ogun
-
Sports1 day ago2026 FIFA World Cup Draw: England Draw Croatia as Brazil Face Morocco in Tournament Opener
-
News1 day agoAkpabio sues Natasha for ₦200bn over sexual harassment allegations
-
metro3 days agoNed Nwoko vows legal action against rising online harassment, criminal defamation
-
metro2 days agoTinubu Govt Eliminates More Terrorists Than Previous Administrations — Fani-Kayode
-
metro1 day agoNigerian woman sparks outrage for refusing chemotherapy despite ₦30 million donations over religious Beliefs
-
metro1 day agoFour Teenagers Killed in Banki Explosion as Borno Police Probe Deadly IED Blast
-
Opinion2 days agoSiyan Oyeweso: Lessons in virtue and vanity