Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress yesterday had his presidential aspirations strengthened by the endorsement of Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello. Speaking when he saw Tinubu at the government residence for Niger State, where cattle rustling and banditry occur daily, much like they did on Wednesday, he claimed his visit to the former leader was to ask for blessing. He said prayers for me.You're curious about the consultation's conclusion. We are a democracy in operation. We are in charge of a democracy.

A 6-month-old baby, Chinedu Chukwueke, has reportedly been stolen at his mother’s salon shop in Kure Ultra-Modern Market, Minna, Niger State. The father of the boy, Chikezie Stanley Chuks, broke the sad news on his Facebook page. He wrote, “Good afternoon, pls my baby boy by name Chinedu Chukwueke of 6 months old was taken from my wife’s shop today Sunday 23 July, 2023 at Kure market Minna. Pls any useful information about this little baby should be reported to the nearest Police station or contact 07033186837.”

The worried father said, “She’s of average height, light in complexion, with 11 facial marks. She spoke Igala and introduced herself as Rabi. She was wearing a red dress with a matching hijab.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Niger State, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said the incident had not been officially reported to the Police. “I wish to use this medium to advise the parent to report at GRA Police Division, which covers Kure Market for documentation and necessary in-depth investigation towards ensuring the rescue of the baby and arrest of the culprit,” he said.

A six-month-old baby, Chinedu Chukwueke, who was stolen from his mother’s shop at Kure Ultra Modern Market, Minna, Niger State capital, has been found. Father of the child, Chikezie Stanley Chuks, disclosed this on Wednesday. He said the baby was dumped at a refuse dump close to Gauraka police station in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State.

Daily Trust reports that the baby was taken from his mother’s shop by someone who tricked the mother that she wanted to learn hair dressing. “Baby have been found. He was dumped at a refuse dump close to Gauraka police station. Baby is in good health,” he announced. When contacted, the Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that the baby was found on Wednesday at about 12:30pm.

Terrorists killed dozens and displaced hundreds in four states over the weekend, including Niger and Kuchi. Residents of the affected communities reported that attackers rode on motorcycles and operated unchallenged before attacking residents. DSP Wasiu Abiodun kept sealed lips, but State Commissioner for Local Government Emmanuel Umar confirmed the attack. Security operations are ongoing and people are still on the run. The four camps of Abdulkarim and Dankarami were attacked by more than 1500 bandits, looting everything and setting places on fire. The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday, with eleven people confirmed killed and some inflicted with gunshot injuries. Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has ordered that bandits should be classified as terrorists.

Farmers in Wushishi and Lavun LGAs have fled their homes since Friday night due to bandits' movements. The Niger State Vigilante Corps Chairman, Ibrahim Iko-Iko, confirmed that the bandits have been in the area since Friday and have moved close to Lavun LGA. The military has been deployed to trace the bandits, who residents claim are still in their villages. The situation is being assessed to enable the state government to respond to the needs of internallydisplaced persons in Wushishi and other parts of the local government.

Nigeria's rising cost of living has led to protests across the country, with an attack on a truck carrying food items in Suleja area of Niger State and hundreds of residents of Dikwa town in Borno State protesting and raising concerns over hunger. The rising cost of food items has made access to three square meals per day increasingly unattainable for millions of people. In addition, soldiers had to open fire when some youths attacked trucks loaded with foodstuff in the Suleja area of Niger State. Many bags of assorted foodstuffs, especially rice, were stolen before soldiers arrived at the scene.

Police operatives blocked protesters from staging a peaceful demonstration against hunger, social, and economic difficulties in Jigawa State. The protest was organized by civil society organizations and political associations, and the state police commissioner requested them to postpone the demonstration due to security issues. The protesters called on President Bola Tinubu to review his economic policy to align it with the needs and welfare of Nigerians rather than foreign interests. They also called on the state governor, Malam Umar Namadi, to increase the workers' wage award from the proposed N10,000 to N30,000, which should be paid before Ramadan.

The National Economic Council (NEC) has taken steps to put an end to the economic challenges confronting the nation, including making fertilisers available to farmers and the establishment of agro-rangers to tackle insecurity in the farms. The vice president said that with collective efforts in developing a clear and actionable roadmap through short, medium, and long-term strategies, Nigeria will overcome its economic challenges.

In conclusion, the rising cost of living in Nigeria has led to protests and calls for government intervention to address the situation. The National Economic Council (NEC) has taken steps to ensure food security and affordability, but more work is needed to address the ongoing challenges faced by the country.

An audio clip purportedly released by bandits threatening to sack more villages in Rafi and other LGAs in Niger State has created fear among the farming communities of the areas. Residents told City & Crime that they could not sleep well since the audio went viral.

In the 14-minute audio clip shared with our reporter, the bandits asked the villages to come for negotiation within three days or face severe attacks. The speaker, in Hausa language, threatened that farming activities in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State; and Gidigori, Garin-Zara, Pandogari, among other villages in Rafi LGA of Niger State, would not be allowed to farm this rainy season unless an agreement was reached.

Meanwhile, residents of the threatened communities have called on the state and federal governments to take immediate measures to avert the planned attacks and allow farmers to go about their farming activities.

Residents of communities affected by banditry and insurgency in Niger State have described President Muhammadu Buhari's directive for military operations in the state as long overdue. One of the affected communities, Mohammed Danjuma Abubakar, said her husband was kidnapped and is still in captivity.

Residents of communities affected by banditry and insurgency in Niger State have described President Muhammadu Buhari's directive for military operations in the state as long overdue. One of the affected communities, Mohammed Danjuma Abubakar, said her husband was kidnapped and is still in captivity.

Terrorists have claimed responsibility for the Monday’s surveillance helicopter crash in Badna, Chukuba ward of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. The Nigeria Air Force had said its MI-171 helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission crashed on Monday near Chukuba village in Niger State and that investigation had commenced to determine the probable cause of the incident. But terrorists, in a two-minute-and-seventeen-second video, on Tuesday claimed they brought down the jet using AK47 rifle. Daily Trust Fact-Check team used different tools to verify the video which returned with no similar search. This means that the video is new on the internet. It may not be deep fake; therefore, the chances of it being authentic are likely and high. The narrator in the video, who spoke in Hausa, said they belonged to Dogo Gide group, one of the notorious bandits that had terrorised parts of Niger State, causing deaths of many farmers and security operatives. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, yesterday cleared air on helicopters’ crashes, citing seasonal challenges which are weather conditions. He spoke in his office at NAF headquarters, Abuja, when Niger State governor, Umar Bago, paid him a condolence visit over the killing of soldiers in the state. Responding, Governor Bago appealed to NAF not to be tired of fighting insurgents, urging the air chief to send some detachment and some fighter planes to Minna airport for quick interference when the enemies are advancing.