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Bandits In ‘Helicopter’ Shoot, Kill Over 32 In Kaduna …Overtake Farmlands, Demand Levies From Villagers In Zamfara
In Kaduna State, about 32 locals were killed by bandits in separate attacks on four communities in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.
Journalists were told, yesterday, that the gunmen attacked UngwanGamu, DogonNoma, UngwanSarki and Maikori in Southern Kaduna.
The District Head of Kufena, Titus Dauda, said the gunmen attacked the communities on Sunday killing 32 people.
He said a church and many houses were burnt by the hoodlums.
According to him, “the bandits first attacked DogonNoma in the early hours of Sunday, and killed many people mostly men, before proceeding to UngwanGamu and Maikori villages where they also killed people and burnt down houses.
“The victims have been laid to rest while the affected communities have been deserted by the residents due to fear of being attacked.”
Some locals claimed a helicopter was seen shooting at the residents from the air, while the remaining bandits were on the ground to attack any fleeing residents, which was countered by a security agent.
He said under anonymity that the military engaged the bandits both by ground and air, which eventually forced the bandits to retreat.
The police were yet to react on the incident.
Similarly, many community members in Dansadau emirate of Zamfara State have lamented that they do not have access to their farms as bandits have taken over their lands.
According to some of the villagers, who spoke with newsmen, they had to pay levies for the bandits to allow them to cultivate their farms, especially during this year’s rainy season.
“Some villages had to pay N20million as a levy, the bandits were even demanding free access to the farms after its cultivation”.
Dansadau axis had been a colony of banditry before the bandits overtook every part of the state.
Kuyabana forest is one of the forests in the Dansadau Emirate where bandits have their camps and hideouts, from where they move to nearby villages to unleash terror attacks on innocent citizens of the state.
Most of the communities have embarked on fervent prayers to seek divine intervention, even as they urged the federal and Zamfara State governments to demonstrate enough political will to tackle the menace that has been ravaging the axis for over a decade.
A resident of the area and a farmer,Mohammed Dansadau, said the spate of killings, kidnappings and cattle rustling has escalated in the troubled area.
Dansadau appealed to the authorities to address the unfortunate development to save the souls of the residents from the constant insecurity in the area.
“The farmers can no longer engage in their farming activities due to constant operations of the bandits in the Dansadau axis. So, we want the federal and Zamfara State governments to take proactive steps, to enable residents go about their legitimate endeavours”.
However, the state police authority could not be reached as the two lines of the state’s police Spokesman, SP Mohammed Shehu, was switched off following many attempts.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.