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13th Edition of ECOWAS Wrestling Tournament Opens with Celebration of Culture

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13th Edition of ECOWAS Wrestling Tournament Opens with Celebration of Culture

By: Michael Mike

West African culture was on celebration in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital as the 13th edition of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) African Wrestling Tournament commenced in grand style.

The event which kickstarted on Thursday and will draw to a close on Saturday at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, has a total of 55 athletes from 11 countries competing for top honours, with each nation represented by five wrestlers and four technical officials.

The colour opening ceremony had various culture displays and dances from across the region showcasing the rich culture and tradition.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of Youth and Sports Development for ECOWAS, Ambassador Francis Njoaguani, expressed his appreciation and highlighted the importance of the tournament in fostering cooperation and unity among the 12 ECOWAS member states.

Although Cape Verde is absent from this year’s event, Njoaguani stressed the significance of sports as a powerful tool for regional integration.

He said: “This programme brings together wrestlers from all our member states,” noting that: “It strengthens collaboration among nations and showcases the unifying power of sports. We believe this will enhance the integration efforts that ECOWAS advocates.”

He said with young people making up 54% of the ECOWAS population, the vital role sports play in economic development and youth engagement cannot be wished away.

He said: “Sports not only connect participants but also drive economic growth,” he stated. “We aim to leverage sports to spread the message of ECOWAS regarding integration and youth development, which are essential to our goals of development and human capital enhancement.”

The tournament opened with team events, while individual bouts across weight categories of 65kg, 75kg, 85kg, 100kg, and 120kg are scheduled to follow in an elimination format, leading to the semi-finals and finals.

Njoaguani also extended an invitation to the public to attend the tournament’s grand finale on Saturday, where medals and prizes will be awarded to the champions.

As excitement builds, the tournament aims not only to showcase athletic talent but also to foster regional camaraderie and development through the spirit of competition.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, said the Commission’s commitment to using sports as a platform for youth empowerment, regional integration, and economic growth.

This year’s tournament also coincides with the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, adding greater significance to the event.

Dikko praised the rich cultural heritage embedded in traditional wrestling, describing it as more than just a sport:

“It embodies the spirit of resilience, strength, and discipline—qualities that define our great continent,” he said, as dignitaries, athletes, and fans gathered to celebrate this prestigious event.

Dikko further commended the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who currently chairs the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, noting his dedication to using sports as a vehicle for peace and regional cohesion.

“This tournament is a testament to our collective commitment to promoting cultural ties and strengthening the bonds that unite us,” he emphasized.

Hosting the tournament firmly positions Nigeria as a central figure in promoting and developing traditional sports across the region. Dikko reiterated the National Sports Commission’s dedication to maximizing the power of sporting events for youth development, regional unity, and economic progress.

13th Edition of ECOWAS Wrestling Tournament Opens with Celebration of Culture

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Police operatives arrest village head, 13 others for aiding banditry in Niger State

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Police operatives arrest village head, 13 others for aiding banditry in Niger State

By: Zagazola Makama

Security operatives in Niger State have arrested the village head of Guiwa and 13 other individuals for allegedly aiding and abetting armed bandits in Mashegu Local Government Area.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrests were made on May 23, 2025, during an ongoing clearance operation by a joint team of police officers, hunters, and local vigilantes targeting bandits’ camps and hideouts in Guiwa and Telle villages.

The village head, Mai Anguwa Garba Mohammed, was apprehended on reasonable suspicion of providing shelter and logistical support to the bandits. The others arrested are residents from various nearby communities suspected of collaboration with the criminals.

Those arrested include Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu of Wawa village, Borgu LGA; Umar Abubakar of Gwajibo; Musa Mohammed of Telle village; Mohammed Abubakar of Dukku, Rijau LGA; Molema Aliyu of Pallagi; Oro Abubakar of Arera; Shehu Alhaji Ardo of Adogon Mallam; Umar Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abubakar, Saidu Mohammed, and Babuga Abdullahi, all of Lumma; Mohamadu Bako of Gwajibo; and Babuga Saidu of Lumma.

During a search of the village head’s residence, security operatives recovered four motorcycles, one live cartridge, and ten cattle believed to have been stolen by the bandits. Three of the cattle, which were injured, were slaughtered to prevent further suffering.

Sources from the Niger State Police Command said investigations into the matter are ongoing and reiterated its commitment to rooting out all collaborators who facilitate banditry in the state.

Police operatives arrest village head, 13 others for aiding banditry in Niger State

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Nigerian Army troops rescue eight kidnapped victims, neutralize one kidnapper at Kogi-Enugu border

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Nigerian Army troops rescue eight kidnapped victims, neutralize one kidnapper at Kogi-Enugu border

By: Zagazola Makama

Nigerian Army troops and other joint security agencies acting on credible intelligence stormed a kidnappers’ den around Isi River, located at the boundary between Nokwa Community in Kogi State and Nimbo in Enugu State, on May 23, 2025, at about 2:00 p.m., rescuing eight kidnapped victims and neutralizing one suspected kidnapper.

The troops engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, forcing them to flee the scene. The rescued victims, who were unharmed, include:
Ugwuoke Victor Chidera (male) of Amaebo Ovoko, Asogwa Sochima (male) of Umuekada Ovoko, Igboeze South LGA, Calister Ezema (female) of Ebugwu Ibagwa Ani, Ezugwu Charity (female) of Mgboko Aku, Igbo Etiti LGA, Ezugwu Kenneth (male) of Mgboko Aku, Ike Nnamdi (male) of Achom Alunor and Francis Okoro (male) and Ikenna Okeagu (male), both of Abi in Uzuwani LGA.

The troops have intensified Operations in the general area.

Nigerian Army troops rescue eight kidnapped victims, neutralize one kidnapper at Kogi-Enugu border

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Youths break peace accord in Taraba, trigger deadly reprisal attacks despite repeated warnings

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Youths break peace accord in Taraba, trigger deadly reprisal attacks despite repeated warnings

By: Zagazola Makama

Barely weeks after security forces brokered a peace accord between farmers and herders in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, renewed violence has broken out, triggered by actions that have now led to death, destruction and growing instability in the region.

Zagazola Makama was reliably informed by intelligence sources that despite the security agencies holding three separate meetings with youth and community leaders where appeals for restraint and peaceful coexistence were passionately made, local youths in Badanwa reportedly violated the terms of the agreement by launching attacks on Fulani herders grazing near their farms.

The sources said that the troops deployed under Operation Lafiyan Jamaa responded swiftly to a distress call at about 2:50 p.m. on Friday, May 23. Upon arrival, the troops discovered that some fleeing Fulani herders had retaliated in panic, killing two locals believed to be from Munga Lelau village. The victims, according to sources, were attacked with machetes during the chaos and confusion that ensued.

The violence spiraled further when troops, while pursuing leads into the unfolding crisis, encountered armed bandits burning houses in Munga Lelau. In the exchange of fire, troops neutralised two of the bandits and recovered a dane gun, a cell phone, a fabricated pistol, and four cartridges. Further searches around Munga Doso village led to more arms recovery.

The crisis, according to security officials, could have been avoided if community leaders had been obeyed and the peace agreement upheld.

“You cannot go and attack people grazing near your village and expect them not to retaliate. That is the reality we are dealing with. We had already put a framework in place for dialogue and monitoring,”

The resurgence of hostilities was a a result of a reckless mob action and the failure of some community elements to honour peace initiatives facilitated by security agencies. Just because you see a Fulani man with his livestock, you the. Pick up sticks, cutlass and other weapons and began shouting hochebe hey hochebe hey. And now that it has become bad, you are calling on the security agencies to defend you,” a senior security officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

Security forces have since intensified patrols in the general area to forestall further escalation. However, the general situation remains volatile, with fresh tensions threatening to undo months of painstaking confidence-building efforts.

In the wake of these developments, security authorities have suggested that the local government consider imposing a curfew in the affected areas as a short-term measure to prevent further reprisal attacks and restore normalcy.

“It’s time to go beyond warnings. There must be consequences for those who break peace accords or act as enablers of violence. No community can progress in a state of perpetual suspicion and provocation,” said Bala Ibrahim, a conflict resolution expert based in Jalingo.

Zagazola report that for now, the military and other security agencies have continue to dominate the general area with strategic patrols. But the challenge ahead is steep: rebuilding broken trust, enforcing accountability, and ensuring that peace is not just signed but sincerely upheld.

Youths break peace accord in Taraba, trigger deadly reprisal attacks despite repeated warnings

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