Police kill three Notorious bandits, recover arms in Benue gun battle

By: Zagazola Makama

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Benue have neutralised three notorious bandits and recovered arms following a fierce gun duel in the Sankera axis of the state.

The incident occurred on May 3, 2025, at about 1900hrs, following intelligence that a group of bandits from Shitile and Ukum were holding a clandestine meeting in Sankera to plot attacks on Tactical Teams providing security in the area.

Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the bandits were traced to the Tse-Gondo axis near a forest, where they opened fire on the advancing Surveillance and Tactical Teams.

The operatives swiftly returned fire, leading to a heated exchange in which three of the bandits sustained gunshot wounds. They were rushed to a hospital where they were confirmed dead by medical personnel.

The police recovered two locally fabricated pistols and two live cartridges at the scene.

The operation also led to the injury of several fleeing bandits, including one notorious criminal identified as Baba Gule. Intelligence reports indicate that the group was acting under the command of Konyo Amakaa, a notorious bandit leader from Shitile, who allegedly ordered the attack in retaliation for the death of one Sughnen Ayua.

Ayua, a known gang member, had suffered fatal gunshot wounds on April 29, 2025, during a shootout with Tactical Teams.

The police sources said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal network threatening peace in Sankera and surrounding areas.

Police kill three Notorious bandits, recover arms in Benue gun battle

Defunct CPC’s Forum of State Chairmen: We owe a duty to Support Tinubu, Leadership of APC

By: Michael Mike

The Forum of State Chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressives’ Change (CPC) has declared their support for President Bola Tinubu, stating that the breakaway members from the All Progressives Congress (APC) have merely exercised their democratic rights.

The group in a statement signed by the National Secretary, Sulaiman Oyaremi, and representatives of each of the zones, Lekan Obolo, Mike Agbe, Enyinnaya Ibiam Nnachi, Isah Ramatu Saidu, Ahmad Dawayo and Musa Abubakar Damaliki said: “We believe that we owe ourselves a duty to support the current leader of the party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and contribute to the transformation of APC into an inclusive institution where all stakeholders would have a sense of belonging and ownership.”

The statement read: “We, members of the Forum of State Chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressives’ Change (CPC), have observed with discomfort the way the CPC bloc in the ruling All Progressives’ Congress (APC) has become a subject of political controversy in recent times.

“Unfortunately, with several camps speaking for the defunct CPC, the situation has exposed a lack of coherent leadership within the bloc. We are further concerned that this development signposts a lack of inclusiveness in the leadership of APC and the government it birthed.

“It is a self-evident reality that members of the defunct CPC, especially former State Chairmen of the legacy party, have not been treated fairly either through government appointments or party apparatus both at the national and state levels, their contributions to the electoral successes of the party notwithstanding.

“Against the conflicting statements concerning the position of the CPC bloc within the APC, we believe that those who chose to either leave or remain in APC have merely exercised their democratic rights

“On our part, as members of the Forum for State Chairmen of the defunct CPC, while we do not begrudge those who have decided to quit APC, we wish to state without any ambiguity that, except for a few of us, we are unanimous in our decision to remain in the party with our principal, former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We also want to use this medium to call the attention of the President to the multifarious challenges that Nigerians face. The high level of insecurity and economic hardship are becoming existential threats to many citizens.

“It is, therefore, important that the President, APC governments at all levels and the leadership of the party give these challenges the desired attention. These issues of governance, rather than the 2027 elections, should constitute our priority as we move closer to the second anniversary of the current government.”

Defunct CPC’s Forum of State Chairmen: We owe a duty to Support Tinubu, Leadership of APC

District Head urges traditional title holders to remain loyal to emirate

By: Yahaya Wakili

In his effort to bring unity among his people, the district head of Watinane in the Tikau emirate council of Yobe state, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Watinane, has called on the traditional title holders to always be loyal to the emirate.

He made the call today while the Waziri and Zanna Kura of Watinane district, Alhaji Yahaya Hassan and Alhaji Abubakar Musa, paid him homage at his palace in Watinane town, respectively.

Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Watinane said the appointing of such traditional title holders will bring unity among the entire people, as well asbring development to the district, adding that this is the main purpose of appointing these traditional title holders.

The district head urged the new traditional title holders to be loyal to the emirate, noted that at any time when the emirate calls them, let them respond on time as soon as possible, and pray to Almighty Allah to guide and help us all to move the domain forward.

Speaking earlier, the new Waziri of Watinane, Alhaji Yahaya Hassan, said they were at this palace to express their gratitude to the district head for offering them this opportunity to contribute their quarter to the development of the district.

He thanks the district head for giving them this appointment, assuring that they will give him all the necessary support and cooperation to see that this district and Tikau emirate council move forward.

Also speaking, the new Zanna Kura, Alhaji Abubakar Musa, thanks the district head, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Watinane, for this gesture and calls on the people to acquire education, both Islamic and Western education.

Alhaji Abubakar maintained that acquiring knowledge is very important; it will help you in your life, even in your business activities or farming activities; it will assist you. The Waziri position is the most senior among the traditional titleholders.

Dignitaries accompany the Waziri and Zanna Kura, including Zanna Yawudima of the Pataskum emirate, Alhaji Yakubu Amana, Madakin Baino, Alhaji Bala NEPA, Galadiman Watinane, Malam Musa, among others.

District Head urges traditional title holders to remain loyal to emirate