News
United States in Four Years Trains 215 CSOs and BMOs, Supports Over 1,000 Organisations in Policy Reforms
United States in Four Years Trains 215 CSOs and BMOs, Supports Over 1,000 Organisations in Policy Reforms
By: Michael Mike
Over the past four years, the United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has improved the organisational and advocacy capacities of local civil society organisations (CSOs) and business membership organisations (BMOs) in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
USAID, through the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) activity in Nigeria, trained 215 CSOs and BMOs and supported more than 1,000 organisations to drive policy reforms addressing development challenges: poverty, education, healthcare, corruption, service delivery, citizen participation in governance, and gender equality.
At the SCALE closeout event on Wednesday, USAID Nigeria Peace, Democracy and Governance Office Director, Angela Martin said: “USAID remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s journey towards a more inclusive and democratic society.”
USAID supported its CSO partners through training, mentoring, and coaching, enhancing their sustainability. This support led to over $8.4 million in grants won by SCALE partners from donor agencies, improving their resource diversification.
Launched in October 2020 and implemented by Palladium, the SCALE activity achieved more than 81 policy actions across sectors at federal, state, and local levels.
Other achievements include: Support for a nationwide CSO self-regulation consultation, resulting in a CSO self-regulation council. This initiative identified six regulatory frameworks, addressing issues of corruption, money laundering, and terrorist financing. Over 400 organizations have adopted these frameworks; Integration of perspectives from women, youth, and people with disabilities into civic space dialogues with the government; Engagement with security agencies, traditional, religious, and community leaders to address trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, and child marriage. The project supported local efforts to identify and report cases, leading to 28 investigated trafficking cases; and launch of four postgraduate programmes on organisational development and advocacy at Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
According to a statement, the SCALE activity’s achievements aim to guide future initiatives for strengthening civil society and development in Nigeria.
United States in Four Years Trains 215 CSOs and BMOs, Supports Over 1,000 Organisations in Policy Reforms
Bandits Attack Fulani Settlement in Kaduna, Kidnap Several Residents
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits stormed a Fulani settlement in Nariya, Kaduna, in the early hours of Sunday, abducting an unspecified number of residents.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the assailants invaded the home of the late Amadu Janu, a known cattle breeder, at around 12:01 a.m., March 7, firing sporadically before whisking away their captives to an unknown destination.
Following the attack, security operatives were deployed to the scene, where an initial assessment was conducted.
The security forced have since launched a manhunt for the attackers and are intensifying efforts to rescue the victims.
Bandits Attack Fulani Settlement in Kaduna, Kidnap Several Residents
Police Arrest Own Officer Over Alleged Killing of 19-Year-Old Girl in Delta
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Delta State have arrested a member of the Anti-Cult Unit, Philip Chukwuka, 33, for allegedly shooting and killing a 19-year-old girl, Isioma Nwayalani, in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the tragic incident was reported at 8:30 p.m. by the family of the victim who informed the Okpanam Divisional Police Headquarters that they had received a distress call from a man identified as Chika, informing him that his younger sister had been fatally shot.
Upon receiving the report, the police patrol teams were swiftly deployed to the scene, where they encountered a large crowd protesting the killing.
The security operatives managed to disperse the crowd peacefully, and a spent cartridge was recovered at the scene.
The victim was immediately taken to the Specialist Hospital, where she was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. Her body has been deposited for an autopsy.
Meanwhile, the suspect has been arrested, and his service weapon has been recovered as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have assured residents that the case will be thoroughly investigated, and justice will be served.
Police Arrest Own Officer Over Alleged Killing of 19-Year-Old Girl in Delta
Kaduna Police Arrest Suspected Kidnapper After ₦2 Million Ransom Payment
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Police Force, Kaduna Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper, identified as Nafi’u Musa, alias “Weezy,” 27, of Mando, Kaduna, after a ransom payment of ₦2 million was traced to him.
According to police sources, operatives apprehended Musa on March 8, 2025, at about 3:00 p.m. following a technical analysis of his mobile phone numbers.
The suspect was allegedly involved in the abduction of a victim in Katsina State, whose family paid the ransom for their release.
Meanwhile, a mob attack was reported on suspected thieves in Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State has left one person dead and two others injured.
The incident occurred in the early hours of March 8, 2025, after villagers spotted three individuals behaving suspiciously.
The suspects identified as Ussaini Ibrahim and Isa Magaji managed to escape, while Lawal Rua, 30, Turange Magaji, 28, and Aminu Adamu, 25, were caught and severely beaten.
Security forces from Ikara Division responded to the scene and rushed the injured suspects to Amana Hospital in Dalawan, where Aminu Adamu was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. The remaining two suspects are receiving treatment under police watch.
Authorities have launched an investigation to track down the escaped suspects and identify those responsible for the attack.
Normalcy has since been restored to the area.
Kaduna Police Arrest Suspected Kidnapper After ₦2 Million Ransom Payment
Sokoto Community Guards Accused of Cattle Rustling, Residents Demand Urgent Investigation
Nigeria Place Second Behind Senegal at 13th ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament
Bandits Attack Fulani Settlement in Kaduna, Kidnap Several Residents
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