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Police Arrest 15 Suspected Arsonists Linked to Burning Bauchi School 

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Police in Bauchi have arrested 15 suspected thugs in connection with the burning of a primary school block in Kandahar, an inner-city area of Bauchi metropolis,WikkiTimes reports.

According to WikkiTimes, the thugs set the school ablaze following a clash with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the area. The CJTF office, located near the school, was also torched during the incident.

The spokesperson for the Bauchi State Police Command, SP Ahmed Wakil, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. He revealed that during the unrest, CJTF members confronted the attackers, leading to one of the assailants, 22-year-old Saidu Musa, sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest from a locally-made firearm.

ALSO READ: Rice stampede: Anambra police confim 22 deaths, Soludo mourns

Musa was rushed to Bauchi Specialists Hospital for treatment. SP Wakil appealed to residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands and to report any grievances or security concerns to the appropriate authorities.

The Commissioner of Police for Bauchi Command, Auwal Mohammed, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. He assured the public that those responsible for the violence would be brought to justice.

Rice stampede: Anambra police confim 22 deaths, Soludo mourns

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The Anambra State Police Command confirmed on Sunday that 22 people lost their lives in a tragic stampede during a rice distribution event in Ihiala Local Government Area on Saturday,Daily Trust reports.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, disclosed the casualty figure after visiting the hospital where injured victims were receiving treatment. Expressing sympathy to the families and friends of the deceased, he wished the injured a swift recovery.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, issued a statement on behalf of the CP, announcing that an investigation into the incident is ongoing. He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Ndi Anambra through crime prevention, emergency response, protection of vulnerable populations, and fostering community security.

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, also expressed profound grief over the loss of lives, particularly among women, the elderly, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children. In a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, the governor extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

ALSO READ: 2025: Kano targets over N80bn revenue, to prosecute tax defaulters

The statement explained that the event, organized by the Obi Jackson Foundation under Chief Ernest Obiejesi, aimed to distribute relief materials to underprivileged community members during the festive season. However, the governor noted that the tragedy highlighted the need for a more structured and secure approach to such charitable initiatives.

In response, the state government has launched an investigation to uncover the causes of the stampede and identify any lapses in safety protocols. Governor Soludo assured that the findings would guide actions to prevent future occurrences.

The government also urged charitable individuals and organizations to prioritize safety during relief distribution efforts. Governor Soludo recommended measures such as establishing multiple distribution points to minimize overcrowding, implementing systems to prioritize vulnerable groups, employing trained personnel for crowd control, and conducting public awareness campaigns on safety protocols.

“These measures will ensure that relief activities are carried out in a safer and more organized manner, safeguarding lives while supporting those in need,” he stated.

2025: Kano targets over N80bn revenue, to prosecute tax defaulters

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Hama Media
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The Kano State Government has announced a quarterly revenue generation target exceeding N20 billion for 2025,Daily Trust reports.

As part of its sweeping reforms in tax administration, the state also plans to prosecute tax defaulters starting in 2025.

This was disclosed by Dr. Zaid Abubakar, Executive Chairman of the Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), during a presentation at the ongoing High-Level Retreat for top government officials. The Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, confirmed the development.

Dr. Abubakar emphasized that the reform aims to enhance the efficiency of tax collection and ensure compliance, rather than increasing tax rates. He reiterated the state’s ambitious revenue projection of over N20 billion per quarter in 2025.

ALSO READ: Be Ready For National Duty, CDS Tells Retiring Generals

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s earlier decision to overhaul the leadership of the revenue service, including the dismissal of the former chairman and the appointment of a new management team, has already yielded significant improvements in revenue performance for the third and fourth quarters of 2024.

“To further drive these reforms, the Governor will introduce a new tax collection model,” Dr. Abubakar said. “This model is expected to significantly boost revenue in 2025, enabling the administration to deliver on its campaign promises across key sectors of development.”

Be Ready For National Duty, CDS Tells Retiring Generals

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Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has called on retiring Generals to remain committed to contributing to national development,leadership reports.

Speaking on Friday at a cocktail reception in Abuja honoring 18 retiring Army Generals, General Musa highlighted the importance of their continued involvement in national security and strategic operations, akin to practices in other countries.

“The sacrifices made by your families, particularly the unwavering support of your spouses, are deeply recognized. Your retirement is not an end but a transition to serve greater national causes. You will be needed in strategic planning, defense production, and national security roles, as is customary for veterans globally,” he said.

ALSO READ: Yuletide: FG begins free train ride nationwide 

The ceremony celebrated two retiring Major Generals and 16 Brigadier Generals, including Maj. Gen. A. Mohammed, Maj. Gen. B.Y. Baffa, Brig. Gen. D.O. Donibo, Brig. Gen. K.A. Sulaiman, Brig. Gen. D.J. Abdullahi, Brig. Gen. K. Abdulkarim, and Brig. Gen. H.A. Gambo, among others.

General Musa praised the Generals for their courage, wisdom, and determination, commending their resilience and adaptability in addressing modern security challenges. He described their careers as marked by exceptional strategic

Yuletide: FG begins free train ride nationwide 

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The federal government on Friday launched a nationwide free train service to alleviate the high cost of transportation for passengers during the yuletide season,Daily Trust reports.

Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Ben Iloanusi, welcomed the first set of passengers arriving at the Kubwa train station in Abuja from Rigasa. He acknowledged safety concerns raised on the first day of the initiative and assured passengers that the NRC is taking steps to address these issues.

Iloanusi revealed that the free train service is expected to accommodate 20,000 passengers daily, with a target of providing free rides to 340,000 passengers before the initiative concludes in the first week of January.

ALSO READ: Supreme Court, Hajj Commission, UI Among ‘High Corruption Risk’ MDAs –…

The service will operate seamlessly across five major routes:

  • Abuja-Kaduna
  • Lagos-Ibadan
  • Warri-Itakpe
  • Port Harcourt-Aba
  • Lagos Mass Transit

Addressing concerns about racketeering, Iloanusi stated that the NRC’s ticketing portal is fully operational, with measures in place to prevent individuals from purchasing multiple tickets.

Supreme Court, Hajj Commission, UI Among ‘High Corruption Risk’ MDAs – ICPC

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Hama Media
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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has identified 15 ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) as being at “high corruption risk” in its latest Integrity and Compliance report,leadership reports.

Released on Thursday, the report assessed 330 MDAs, successfully evaluating 308 of them. Fifteen MDAs were classified as non-responsive, while seven were exempted due to government policies.

In its Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS), the ICPC ranked the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as the top-performing agency with a score of 89.75. It was followed by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) with 89.33 and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET) with 88.73.

However, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), the Nigeria Press Council (NPC), the University of Ibadan (UI), and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) were among the MDAs that scored zero points, placing them in the “high corruption risk” category.

ALSO READ: Boko Haram strengthens presence in Niger State, as explosives kill three,…

The scorecard evaluated institutional integrity using three key performance indicators: management culture and structure, financial management systems, and administrative systems.

ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare described the EICS as a preventive tool to enhance compliance with ethical standards and anti-corruption measures. “In 2024, the tool assessed 323 responsive MDAs, while 15 were non-responsive and classified as high corruption risk,” Bakare stated.

Key Findings of the Scorecard

  • No MDA achieved full compliance with assessed standards.
  • 29.55% of MDAs achieved substantial compliance.
  • 51.62% had partial compliance.
  • 15.91% showed poor compliance.
  • 2.92% were entirely non-compliant.

ICPC’s Tracking of Government Projects

The ICPC also released its 2023-2024 Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Report, which monitored government-funded projects across sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Between 2023 and 2024, the ICPC tracked 1,500 projects worth ₦610 billion across 22 states. Key issues identified included:

  • Shoddy, partial, or non-execution of projects.
  • Abandoned projects due to poor coordination between outgoing and incoming legislators.
  • Misuse of project vehicles and conversion of government-funded assets for personal use.
  • Contract over-invoicing and underperformance.

The commission recovered ₦346 million in cash, ₦400 million in assets, and saved the government ₦30 billion through its tracking initiative.

Conclusion

The findings underscore ongoing challenges in ethical compliance and project execution within Nigeria’s public sector. They highlight the urgent need for stricter oversight, accountability, and improved governance to address these persistent issues.

Boko Haram strengthens presence in Niger State, as explosives kill three, injure four locals

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Hama Media
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In under a month, Boko Haram terrorists operating along the Bassa and Allawa areas of Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State have planted at least four explosives, resulting in the deaths of three locals and injuries to four others,Premium Times reports.

Three of these incidents occurred on Thursday, killing two people and injuring four.

Three siblings—Mali, Nehemiah, and Jona—were walking to their farm from Bassa village when they stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by the terrorists. One of the siblings, a minor, lost a leg, while the other two sustained injuries. While local reports indicated four people were injured and receiving treatment at IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna, a hospital staff member noted seeing only three victims, including the boy who underwent an amputation.

ALSO READ: US Airstrike Kills Islamic State Leader Abu Yusif In Syria

The incident took place along the Bassa-Gwadara road. According to an artisanal miner familiar with the area, the event occurred around 7 a.m. “A bread seller on a motorcycle witnessed the injured siblings and went to get help,” the miner recounted. “However, as he returned with rescuers, his motorcycle hit another IED, killing him instantly and injuring one of the rescuers.”

Later that day, another explosion occurred around 4 p.m., according to Yusuf Shapa, a youth leader in Bassa.

The third incident happened along the Tudun Baturiya-Erena road, where another victim stepped on an explosive while fleeing Bassa to Erena on a motorcycle.

Previous Incidents

On December 7, an IED along the Bassa-Unguwar Usman road claimed the life of Isiyaku Gambo, who was torn apart by the blast.

Between February and December of this year, there have been at least six IED attacks in the area. One such attack in February forced the military to withdraw troops from Allawa garrison town after two newly deployed soldiers were killed by explosives.

Boko Haram insurgents are believed to be camping in the Maganda and Kugu areas of the Allawa forest reserve. This forest connects two other terror-stricken reserves: Kamuku National Park in Kaduna State and Kwiambana Forest in Zamfara State.

In 2021, former Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello raised concerns about Boko Haram hoisting their flag in Kaure village, Shiroro LGA. The group has continued to establish a presence in places like Kurebe and other areas within the LGA.

From their base in Allawa forest, the insurgents launch attacks on civilians, security personnel, and vigilantes, further destabilizing the region.

Government Response

Efforts to reach Abdullahi Garba, Niger State’s Commissioner for Homeland Security, for comments on measures to address Boko Haram’s activities in the state were unsuccessful, as he had not responded to inquiries by the time of reporting.

US Airstrike Kills Islamic State Leader Abu Yusif In Syria

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Hama Media
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The United States has announced the death of Abu Yusif, also known as Mahmud, a key leader of the Islamic State (IS), in an airstrike conducted in eastern Syria,leadership reports.

The US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed that the strike also killed another IS operative. The operation targeted a region previously controlled by the Syrian regime and Russian forces.

General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of Centcom, reiterated the United States’ commitment to preventing IS from exploiting Syria’s current instability.

“The United States, in partnership with allies and regional partners, will not allow ISIS to take advantage of the situation in Syria to regroup,” Kurilla stated.

ALSO READ: Land revocation: Wike gives Onnoghen, Abass, Akume, others fresh 2 weeks…

He also highlighted IS’s ongoing destabilizing activities, including attempts to liberate over 8,000 operatives detained in Syrian facilities. “We will continue to aggressively target IS leaders and operatives, especially those involved in external operations,” he added.

The strike occurred amidst significant political upheaval in Syria. Following the recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, the former Syrian president fled to Russia after a rapid offensive by the Islamist rebel coalition Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. This marked the end of Assad’s 14-year rule and a pivotal shift in Syria’s turbulent history.

Land revocation: Wike gives Onnoghen, Abass, Akume, others fresh 2 weeks to get C-of-Os

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Hama Media
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a renewed two-week ultimatum to the owners of 762 plots in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or face permanent revocation of their land allocations,Daily Trust reports.

The FCT Administration had earlier announced the revocation of land titles for several individuals, including former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajuddeen Abass, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, among others, due to their failure to settle outstanding payments for their C-of-Os.

In a statement released on Friday by the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike emphasized that the primary objective was not to revoke the allocations but to ensure compliance with payment requirements. The statement read:

ALSO READ: Many children feared killed in Ibadan funfair stampede

“On October 5, 2024, a list of 3,273 allottees who had not paid for their C-of-Os was published, giving them two weeks to make payments or risk losing their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O). Out of these, 2,511 complied, leaving 762 defaulters.

“On Thursday, a notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of these 762 defaulters was published. Since then, many affected allottees have expressed willingness to pay. In line with the government’s aim to secure payment rather than revoke titles, an additional two-week grace period has been granted.

“The 762 allottees, along with 614 others who still owe balances on their C-of-Os, now have until January 3, 2025, to settle their dues. After this deadline, the withdrawal of R-of-O titles for non-compliance will be final, as stipulated by Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.

“After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extensions.”

Many children feared killed in Ibadan funfair stampede

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Hama Media
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Several children are feared dead following a stampede at a private children’s fun fair held at Basorun Islamic High School in Ibadan, Oyo State,Daily Trust reports.

According to Daily Trust, the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday.

Oyo State’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, confirmed the tragedy and assured the public that the state government had promptly deployed a rapid response team to assist the victims.

He further disclosed that injured children were rushed to various hospitals in Ibadan, including Patnas Hospital, Western Hospital, Ring Road State Hospital, Molly Specialist Hospital, and the University College Hospital (UCH). Oyelade expressed gratitude to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, for mobilizing response teams and pledged that the state government would provide support to the victims and their families during this difficult time.

ALSO READ: Economy responding positively to my policies —Tinubu

The government clarified that it was not involved in organizing the event and stressed the need for proper planning and coordination when hosting large gatherings, especially those involving children and elderly individuals.

A comprehensive report from the Commissioner of Police is awaited to determine the total number of victims in this tragic incident.

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