A Customary Court in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, has sentenced a 24-year-old mechanic, Usman Sagir, to 12 months in a correctional facility for stealing an electronic amplifier from a church.
Sagir was charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass and theft, contrary to Sections 58, 327 and 270 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law.
The prosecutor, ASP Esther Bishen, told the court that Des Dave reported the matter at the Kafanchan Divisional Police Headquarters on March 27.
Ms Bishen explained that the complainant had gone to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Kafanchan, for rehearsal when he discovered that unknown persons had broken into the church and stolen an amplifier, valued at N250, 000.
She said the complainant quickly went in search of the thieves, and sighted the defendant carrying the amplifier on Jos Street.
She said he shouted thief, prompting the defendant to throw away the amplifier and took to his heels.
“The complainant ran after the defendant and apprehended him before handing him over to the police.
“The defendant confessed that he conspired with one Ahmed Zawuya, now at large, to commit the crime.
“When the charges were read to the defendant, he pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency,” the prosecutor said.
In her ruling, the Presiding Judge, Patience Baryat, sentenced the convict to six months imprisonment or a fine of N20, 000 for criminal trespass.
Ms Baryat also sentenced him to six months or a fine of N30, 000 for theft, while striking out the first count charge of criminal conspiracy.
She ruled that the sentences would run concurrently.
A video has surfaced online showing some members of the Agaji volunteer group of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah, JIBWIS, popularly known as Izala, chanting lyrics that appear to call for armed attacks on citizens in Enugu and Jos.
The footage, which gained attention on social media, particularly X on Sunday, shows a group of uniformed young men wearing brown attire and blue berets, reportedly associated with the Agaji volunteer wing of the Islamic organization.
In the video, one of the men leads a morale song containing references to obtaining an AK-47 rifle to attack people described as “infidels” in Enugu and Jos.
The chant includes the lyrics: “He should be given AK47. He would then go to Enugu, the land of the infidels. On Sunday when they are worshiping and clapping, he would then open fire, so that he can kill the infidels.”
The singer subsequently repeats the call for an AK-47, this time referencing Jos, and chants about killing more people he describes as infidels, before referring to the act as “the training.”
“He asked to be given AK-47 again. So that he can go to Jos and kill more infidels. That is the training.”
The exact date and location where the video was recorded have not been verified.
The footage, which has sparked reactions online, raised concerns over the possibility of attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
Arise News Political Editor, Sumner Sambo, has told opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, that they cannot defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, with only press statements.
Sambo spoke during the Arise TV Morning Show, on Monday, while reacting to political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said that the opposition parties are not doing enough on the ground to convince Nigerians that they are serious about taking power from APC.
According to him, the APC is already in campaign mode and President Bola Tinubu has flagged off his re-election bid in Kaduna, while opposition parties are still issuing statements from Abuja.
"You can't beat APC with press statements. You have to be proactive. You have to go to the grassroots," Sambo said.
He said Nigerians want to see the opposition in their villages, wards and local governments, not just on television.
Sambo added that ADC and NDC must show unity, structure and a clear alternative message if they want to defeat Tinubu and APC in 2027.
He said if they continue with press conferences without grassroots mobilisation, APC will easily retain power.
He advised the opposition to learn from APC's strategy of early mobilisation and massive rallies.