Four illegal miners killed as mining pit collapses in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Four persons have died following the collapse of a sand excavation pit at Tangur Community in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Zagazola Makama reports that the incident occurred at about 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22, when troops of Sector 5, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), Bokkos, responded to a report of a sand collapse involving suspected illegal miners along a river line in the community.

The troops visited the scene and confirmed that four victims had died as a result of the collapse.

The deceased were identified as Mallam Fahad Aliyu and three other women whose identities were not immediately established.

The bodies were recovered by their relatives for burial rites.

During preliminary inquiries, troops engaged the community leader over the incident.

The community leader reportedly told the troops that he was not aware of the illegal mining activities taking place in the area.

Further investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and the extent of illegal mining activities at the location.

Four illegal miners killed as mining pit collapses in Plateau

VP Shettima Joins World Leaders At UNGA 81 Opening, Delivers Nigeria’s Statement Thursday

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday joined world leaders at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the opening of the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA.

VP Shettima, who is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and leading Nigeria’s delegation to the global gathering, had earlier attended a welcome breakfast hosted by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for Heads of Delegation and their spouses.

The Vice President arrived at the General Assembly Hall in company of Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.

Also in the Nigerian delegation were the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, and other senior government officials.

The General Debate, holding from September 22 to 28 under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all,” opened with remarks by UN Secretary-General Guterres and addresses by world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and United States President Donald Trump.

VP Shettima is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement before the General Assembly on Thursday, September 24, setting out the country’s position on major global issues and President Tinubu’s priorities for reform of international institutions, sustainable development, peace and security, climate action and a more equitable global economic order.

On his way from the United Nations Headquarters, Senator Shettima, accompanied by governors, ministers, presidential aides and other members of the Nigerian delegation, made a brief stop at Nigeria House in New York.

Earlier in his New York engagements, VP Shettima represented President Tinubu at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, AMSG, where he called for a new continental push to end Africa’s dependence on the export of raw minerals and build processing, manufacturing and value-addition industries around the continent’s critical resources.

Senator Shettima said Africa’s mineral wealth must translate into jobs, industrial growth and improved living standards for Africans, urging countries on the continent to strengthen cooperation rather than compete through concessions that diminish the value of their resources.

The Vice President will also participate in other high-level and bilateral engagements during the UNGA week as Nigeria advances its national interests and strengthens cooperation with international partners.

VP Shettima Joins World Leaders At UNGA 81 Opening, Delivers Nigeria’s Statement Thursday

Alleged Wire Tapping: Court Reserves Ruling on El-Rufai’s No Case Submission

By: Zagazola Makama

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has reserved ruling on a no case submission by a former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El’Rufai, on a charge of alleged wiretapping brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The DSS filed an amended five-count charge against el-Rufai following a February 13, 2026, Arise TV interview where he stated that associates had listened to the phone communications of National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.

The secret police had told the court that El’Rufai’s actions breached the Cybercrimes and Nigerian Communications laws.

At the resumed hearing, on Tuesday, counsel to El’Rufai, Paul Erokoro, SAN, informed the court that they filed a no case application on 26th August 2026.

A. K. Ekere who held brief for Erokoro, urged the Court to discharge the case filed against El’Rufai and award penalties against the DSS, arguing that no prima-facie evidence was before the court to warrant a defence.

Responding, the prosecuting lawyer, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, informed the court that the prosecution filed its reply to the no-case submission on 6th September, 2026. He urged the court to overrule the no case submission filed by the defence and order El’Rufai to begin his defence.

He added that as there was evidence of El’Rufai’s confession which was tendered as evidence in court. That it duly established a case against the former governor.

After listening to lawyer to the DSS, and to the former governor, the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdullmalik adjourned the matter to October 26, 2026.

Alleged Wire Tapping: Court Reserves Ruling on El-Rufai’s No Case Submission