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Zamfara: Bandits Kill 16, Injure 14 In Sallah Day Massacre …Gov Suspends Emir, District Head Over Killings
No fewer than 16 people have been confirmed killed, and 14 others injured in suspected bandits’ attacks in Kanoma community in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State while celebrating Sallah.
The Director General, Press Affairs to the Zamfara State Government House, Yusuf Idris, confirmed the incident to newsmen, yesterday in Gusau, the state capital.
Also confirming the report, the District Head of Kansas, Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed said the bandits came in large numbers and shot indiscriminately at whoever crossed their way, which resulted to the death of 16 innocent people while 14 others sustained injuries.
Among those killed, according to a resident of the area, who pleaded anonymity, were the village oldest man who is over a 100 years and his two children.
The Zamfara State Governor, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle has paid a condolence visit to the people of the area.
The governor said he was aggrieved by the news of the attack which resulted in the death of innocent souls with others sustaining various degrees of injury.
The governor assured people of the area of the provision of adequate security measures that will bring an end to armed banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
His administration, according to him, is poised to collaborate with all well-meaning citizens of the state to end the security challenges facing the state.
He called on the locals to provide government with accurate intelligence reports that will assist the security agencies in apprehending the criminals.
The governor also prayed Allah to reward the souls of those who lost their lives with Jannatul firdaus and give their families the fortitude to bear the loss.
Matawalle also called on the bandits to surrender their arms and embrace peace before it is too late.
He then directed the immediate transfer of all the victims that were admitted at Kanoma Hospital to the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau for better medical attention while promising that all medical bills will be shouldered by the state government.
The governor also directed the security agencies to move swiftly in order to arrest the perpetrators of the act.
As a measure to tame the worsening situation, the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Muhammad Matawalle approved the suspension of Emir of Maru, Alhaji Abubakar Cika Ibrahim and District Head of Kanoma, Alhaji Ahmed Lawal.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Director General, Press Affairs to the Zamfara State Government House, Yusuf Idris, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Gusau, yesterday.
Their suspension, according to Idris, is as a result of series of complaints from the community over their alleged involvement with bandits that unleashed inhuman attacks in different communities in the state.
Idris revealed that the duo will remain suspended pending the outcome of an investigation panel which will be set up by the state government soon.
The Emir has, however, been directed to hand over his official vehicles and all other government properties in his possession to the Senior District Head, while the District Head of Kanoma is to hand over same to the most senior village head.
The suspensions are with immediate effect.
This confirmed the allegation of former minister of defence, Lt. General Mansur Dan Ali over the involvement of some monarchs in the activities of bandits in Zamfara State.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai has concluded a tour of areas affected by the activities of armed bandits in North-West region.
It would be recalled that a visit by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to felicitate with troops on Tuesday during the commemoration of the 2019 Eid-El-Fitr celebration marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan had been reported.
Buratai’s visit to the North-West reached a climax, yesterday, as he continued operational tour of the troubled areas in Zamfara and Katsina states, respectively.
Represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Army, Major General Lamidi Adeosun, the COAS combed the affected areas by touring the borders and likely bandits’ approaches between Nigeria and Niger Republic.
The convoy of the COAS came to a halt along the Gusau — Jibia — Zurmi road, a border location close to Maradi in Niger Republic where he interacted with a detachment of Nigerien troops patrolling the borders of Niger and Nigeria.
The detachment, upon interaction led by one Capt Mamadu Yousuf, disclosed that it was a joint patrol security arrangement between Nigeria and Niger aimed at fighting armed banditry at the borders of the two nations.
The COAS and his entourage later moved into the hinterland where they had a brief stopover and interaction with troops and local vigilantes at Yar’Gamji village in Katsina State.
Recall that about 14 locals were reportedly recently killed during an encounter with armed bandits in Yar’Gamji village.
Three other women were also abducted which necessitated the Nigerian Army to deploy some soldiers to the community.
While in Yar’Gamji, Adeosun read the goodwill message of the COAS to the troops, and urged them to sustain the tempo against the bandits.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division of Nigerian Army, Major General Hakeem Otiki promised an enhanced welfare package for the troops as contained in the COAS goodwill message, while urging them to crush any criminal element in the area.
“Ensure you do your job diligently without delay because as soldiers, you have the license to kill criminals but you must not be killed.
“It is your responsibility to safeguard this nation from every form of security threat. Make sure you patrol the flashpoints both day and night. Do not hobnob with any locals to avoid distractions”, he instructed.
The COAS and his team proceeded to the Palace of the District Head of Batsari where issues bothering on security challenges around the jurisdiction of the traditional ruler were discussed.
The Chairman of Batsari Local Government Area, Alhaji Mannir Mu’azu was also in the palace to receive the COAS during the visit.
Representative of the COAS later moved to the front line, to address troops of 17 Brigade at the outskirts of Batsari town in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State during a Sallah Day luncheon organized by the Chief of Army Staff in honour of the troops.
Adeosun advised the troops to be professional and responsive in the discharge of their constitutional roles.
According to him, “As professionals, you are constitutionally tasked to protect Nigeria and her citizens. You must use your weapons legally to ensure that criminals operating in this region are decimated immediately”.
In his remarks, the GOC 8 Division, Major General Hakeem Otiki applauded the commitment of the troops while tasking them to do more because “much has been given to you so much is expected accordingly”.
Representative of the COAS and his entourage later paid an operational visit to Tashan Modibbo – a local border community in Batsari axis, where a route often used by the bandits is located.
The representative of the COAS and his entourage proceeded to Katsina State Government House where the team was received by the Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, the Secretary of the State Government and other top government officials.
Adeosun posited that the purpose of the visit was to interact with the troops as well as assess the security situation in the state and the North-West region.
“This visit is in line with the tradition of the COAS to pay homage to the executive governor of the state and assess the disposition of troops, and the security situation in the region”.
He noted that security situation in Katsina State recently escalated through the inimical activities of armed bandits but was curtailed by the gallant troops.
He also informed the governor that peace has returned to the once troubled areas, especially in Batsari Local Government.
He acknowledged the efforts and support of the state government, urging them not to be tired.
Reacting to the gesture, Governor Aminu Bello Masari prayed that the visit will be historic in curbing the menace of armed banditry in the state.
Spokesman to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Segun Sowunmi, has advised his principal, Atiku, to learn from President Bola Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
The Tide reports that in a bid to wrest power from President Tinubu in 2027, Atiku has been leading the movement by opposition politicians to form a coalition of political parties ahead of the next general election.
Last month, opposition politicians set up a team comprising former Minister of Transpiration, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, to decide whether to float a new party or fuse into an existing platform.
While the main opposition party, PDP, struggles with a perennial leadership crisis, the former Vice President is bent on establishing another political force to take power from the ruling party in 2027.
But Sowunmi, who has been Atiku’s ally for many years, disagrees with his move, saying instead of forming a coalition with another political platform, he should coalesce opposition politicians into the PDP.
Speaking during an interview on TVC on Tuesday, Sowunmi, who was Atiku’s campaign spokesperson in the last election, asked his principal to learn from President Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
Sowunmi believes Atiku, having benefitted from the PDP as a former Vice President and getting the party’s presidential ticket twice, should not seek to form a coalition that will not have the PDP as its base.
He said, “I’ve always said to people, people love with their hearts. I love atiku with my bones. But I can’t help him against himself. You can’t run vice presidency on PDP two times with Obasanjo, get presidential candidate on that same party two times. I don’t agree with him that the next best thing is to be shopping for…(a platform) If you want a coalition, why are you not coalescing them into your party?” he asked.
The former PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State advised the ex-VP to learn from Tinubu on how to build a coalition without dumping his political party.
“Look at your rival, your friend. You guys started together. At best, even if you want to say he’s building a coalition is he not coalescing opponents into his place”? Sowunmi asked again.
The PDP chieftain, who recently showered praises on Tinubu after he visited him, said the President has an “uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special” regardless of political affiliations.
His words: “That guy (Tinubu) is something oh, he has this uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special. It doesn’t matter whether you are a former foe or a president’s friend, every moment you share with him, I don’t know how he does it, though you’re going to leave the place feeling that you matter, feeling that he gets it, feeling that what you guys are talking about is important. And there’s something about him, when he gives you his word, he will say something like ‘ko le ye’, meaning that to the best of human ability, it will stand.”
Meanwhile, there have been conversations about Sowunmi’s political stance as many questioned his relationship with Atiku, with whom he shares a longstanding political relationship.
Asked about his relationship with Atiku following his meeting with Tinubu, Sowunmi said he doesn’t know if the former Vice President is upset.
“I don’t know whether Atiku is upset or not upset, but I know a lot of our followers are talking a lot of nonsense, and I’m wondering how I became attached to Atiku when I’ve been in PDP since 1999 never leaving,” he responded.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to fix inconsistencies in tax services across its over 300 offices nationwide.
The move aims to make tax processes clearer, more transparent, and easier for Nigerians.
In a statement, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Collins Omokaro, said the updated SOP is a key part of the agency’s plan to improve taxpayer experience.
He explained that, in the past, different FIRS offices used different methods, which often confused taxpayers.
“This is about people, experience, and impact. It’s a step towards a tax system that supports voluntary compliance and national development,” Omokaro said.
The new SOP provides a single guide for key processes like registration, payment, audit, and enforcement. This will ensure all FIRS offices follow the same steps, making the system fairer and more predictable.
FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, described the SOP as more than just a set of rules.
“This SOP is not just a technical document; it is a declaration of who we are becoming as a service. It reflects our commitment to transparency and service to the Nigerian people,” he said.
The SOP also supports FIRS’s digital transformation, combining human and technological systems to deliver faster and more reliable services. It will also improve internal efficiency by providing clear guidance and better training for staff.
“With this rollout, every FIRS staff member has a clear mandate: study it, apply it, and embody it. That’s how we’ll earn the trust of Nigerians,” Omokaro added.
The reform is part of FIRS’s efforts to become a more service-driven organisation, focused on clarity, consistency, and national growth. The agency hopes the new SOP will make tax services better for Nigerians and increase public trust in the system.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, says the Federal Government is committed to building a world-class public service in Nigeria.
Walson-Jack made this known in Abuja, on Wednesday, at a World Press Conference ahead of the International Civil Service Conference and the African Public Service Week scheduled for June 25 to 26 in Abuja.
She said a recent study tour to Singapore was part of preparatory activities aimed at positioning Nigeria’s civil service for excellence and attracting global participation in the upcoming events.
“The study tour to Singapore was the first major activity we undertook under the collaboration between the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Heads of Service of the 36 states and the FCT,” she said.
According to her, the visit, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), involved 20 State Heads of Service and was designed to benchmark best global practices and enhance Nigeria’s public service delivery.
“The idea was born out of our ongoing collaboration, where we share ideas and knowledge across federal and state levels.
“Singapore was chosen because it is globally recognised for excellence in public service,” she explained.
Walson-Jack noted that the second phase of the tour will involve the remaining 17 heads of service later this year.
She said the tour provided participants with the opportunity to engage with both public and private sector institutions in Singapore, compare administrative practices, and gain insights into global standards.
“It was an eye-opener and a capacity-building opportunity.
“Since our return, several state civil services have begun implementing reforms in collaboration with the federal service, particularly in areas such as capability development and digital transformation,” she added.
Walson-Jack further disclosed that Nigeria would host a reciprocal study tour during the upcoming African Public Service Week, where foreign delegates will engage with various federal institutions.
“They will see firsthand our digitalisation efforts, performance management systems, and other reform initiatives aimed at transforming our civil service.
“We hope the experience will inspire similar actions in their home countries,” she said.