Troops Respond to Kidnap Threat Letter in Kaduna Community

By Zagazola Makama

Troops have responded to a reported kidnap threat letter found in Anwar Hali village in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 11:45 a.m. on May 1 when troops of Sector 7, Sub-Sector 75 were alerted to the presence of a suspicious letter in the community.

The sources disclosed that the letter, written in Hausa language, contained two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and a telephone number allegedly provided for contact.

According to the sources, troops contacted the number and recorded the conversation as part of ongoing investigative procedures.

They added that efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the individuals behind the threat.

Security operatives assured residents that surveillance and patrols have been intensified in the area to prevent any attack and maintain public safety.

Troops Respond to Kidnap Threat Letter in Kaduna Community

Adedini Joins 2027 Reps Race, Vows Inclusive Development for Ife Constituency

By: Michael Mike

A development advocate and grassroots mobiliser, Marcus Adedini, has formally declared his intention to contest the House of Representatives seat for Ife Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections.

Adedini’s entry into the race follows his purchase of the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination and expression of interest forms, signalling what he described as a decisive step toward deepening public service and advancing community-driven development across Ife land.

Positioning himself as a candidate rooted in grassroots engagement, Adedini highlighted years of involvement in community-focused initiatives spanning education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and social welfare. According to him, these efforts reflect a consistent commitment to improving living standards and expanding opportunities for residents.

In the education sector, his interventions have included scholarship schemes, distribution of learning materials, and support for infrastructure development aimed at enhancing the quality of teaching and learning. His healthcare outreach programmes, he noted, have provided medical services to underserved communities while promoting awareness on preventive health practices.

Adedini also underscored his focus on youth empowerment, citing initiatives that equip young people with vocational skills, entrepreneurial training, and startup support to tackle unemployment and foster economic independence. Similar programmes, he added, have targeted women and vulnerable groups, helping to strengthen livelihoods and social inclusion.

Beyond community projects, Adedini pointed to his legislative exposure, which includes contributions to policy discussions and drafting of bills in sectors such as education, healthcare, and social development. He argued that his understanding of budgeting processes and project facilitation would enable him to attract federal interventions to the constituency.

Calling on constituents to support his ambition, Adedini pledged to run a campaign anchored on issues, inclusivity, and accountability. He assured residents of effective representation and responsive leadership if elected, emphasizing that his vision is built on sustainable development and collective progress.

Adedini Joins 2027 Reps Race, Vows Inclusive Development for Ife Constituency

World Press Freedom Day 2026: NHRC Demands Zero Tolerance for Attacks on Journalists

By: Michael Mike

As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark World Press Freedom Day, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a strong call for zero tolerance against attacks on journalists, warning that press repression poses a direct threat to democracy.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, said a free and independent media remains the “lifeblood” of any democratic society.

In a statement commemorating the 2026 observance, he stressed that press freedom is not a privilege but a fundamental right guaranteed under Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights obligations.

Ojukwu underscored the intrinsic link between a vibrant press and democratic governance, noting that societies where journalists operate freely tend to experience greater accountability, transparency, and citizen participation. Conversely, he warned that any attempt to silence the media undermines public trust and weakens democratic institutions.

“Every threat to a journalist constitutes a direct attack on democracy and the public’s right to know,” he stated, expressing concern over persistent cases of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, assaults, and online harassment targeting media practitioners across Nigeria.

The NHRC boss also condemned the killing of journalists in the line of duty, describing such incidents as grave violations that foster fear and self-censorship within the media space. According to him, these trends erode the quality of public discourse and hinder the media’s watchdog role.

In response, the Commission has begun systematic tracking and documentation of press freedom violations nationwide. Ojukwu said the findings will be made public to support evidence-based advocacy and strengthen accountability mechanisms for the protection of journalists.

He urged government authorities, security agencies, and non-state actors to refrain from actions that hinder lawful media operations, while calling on law enforcement bodies to conduct prompt and transparent investigations into all reported cases of abuse.

“Silence in the face of attacks on journalists emboldens further violations and erodes public trust,” he warned.

Ojukwu also challenged journalists to uphold professional ethics and remain committed to truth and public interest reporting, even in the face of mounting pressures.

He further called on Nigerians to actively defend press freedom, describing it as a shared responsibility and a cornerstone for safeguarding all other rights in a democratic society.

The annual observance of World Press Freedom Day serves as a global reminder of the importance of a free press and the need to protect media practitioners who risk their lives to inform the public.

World Press Freedom Day 2026: NHRC Demands Zero Tolerance for Attacks on Journalists