News

Nigerians are to blame for poverty, corruption, insecurity in country: Senator Ningi

Published

4 hours ago

April 24, 2026

Preport

Senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, has faulted Nigerians over their failure to demand accountability from leaders and challenge them to stop killings and kidnappings across the country.

In a Channels TV interview on Thursday, Mr Ningi said, “Nigeria is not helpless. We still have those with ideas. The problem is that people have not come to realise that they push the government to do what they want. People lament, then go back and watch. People must challenge and talk to our faces that we’re not doing the right thing.”

Mr Ningi’s statement came amid escalating killings, especially in Borno, Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kwara and Kano.

He stated, “I look at politics as part and parcel of what is aiding this thing because a lot of us, myself included, have contracted our time in politicking rather than providing the much-needed security for our people.

“It is a failure of leadership. I am also included, and there is no regret in saying I am also involved. It is a complete failure of leadership. We must take responsibility that we haven’t been there for the people. We must admit that to show that we’re set to make a serious change.”

The lawmaker stressed the need for more effective strategies to ensure the safety of lives and property across the country.

“When the matter is discussed in the National Assembly, we lament and task the security agencies. And I say, why don’t we look at another option and devise something new? There would be more problems if we don’t look backwards and forward and come up with clear solutions,” he explained.

News

Two hunters killed as bandits launch fresh attack on Plateau community

Published

3 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

Preport

Two local hunters have been reportedly killed in a fresh attack by some bandits in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

It was gathered that these renewed attacks in the state are linked to reprisals between some Fulani herdsmen and the Berom Mikitia groups operating in the area.

In a post shared by Zagazola Makama, a counter-terrorism expert, the bandits launched the attack on the community on Thursday at about 7 am.

Sources in the area said the troops had responded to a distress call from Kum village, however, upon their arrival the hunters were already lying lifeless.

The hunters identified as Haruna Chiana and John Ranka were said to have travelled from Foron District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area for hunting activities.

They were attacked alongside another victim, Markus Pam who sustained injuries.

Makama also noted that Pam was evacuated alongside the late hunters to the General Hospital in Riyom.

To secure the area from further attacks, security operatives have also launched a manhunt for the suspected bandits.

The particular attack comes weeks after a series of similar incidents in Plateau state, especially in Jos North Local Government Area.

Hundreds of residents of the state are said to have been killed with the state and federal government promising improved security in Plateau.

News

Family narrates abduction, release of UniJos student, Azi

Published

1 hour ago

April 24, 2026

Preport

A University of Jos student, John Arum Azi, who spent about two weeks in captivity arrived Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Wednesday at about 10pm, after regaining his freedom.

The victim was abducted while travelling to Kaduna from Jos. A video of him being tortured by his captors generated reactions across the country and beyond.

His abductors later moved Azi from Kaduna to Zamfara, prompting rumours that he had been killed.

A short video on Tuesday circulated online showing that he had been released and was in the company of someone who appeared to be his relative.

His elder brother, Bulus, confirmed that he has been reunited with the family and has been admitted to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for treatment.

Bulus said Azi told the family upon arrival that he was not abducted on his way to Kaduna as widely reported, but in Zaria, where he had gone for a job.

According to him, “Azi had already arrived in Zaria and was on his way to meet his contact for the job he went for when he was kidnapped and taken into the bush.”

Bulus, while narrating how Azi was released, stated that their family had been in touch with the kidnappers since the victim was kidnapped, saying that they were always sendingmoney to them for recharge cards upon their request.

Sometimes, he explained that they would tell them that they are sick themselves and that they should send money for their drugs, stressing that they kept negotiating the ransom, which they had earlier agreed to be N6 million.

He noted that when the kidnappers saw the crowdfunding activities online, they increased the ransom to N15 million, pointing out that they appealed to them, and eventually settled at N10,315,000, and that was what they eventually paid the kidnappers.

Azi and another abductee, he explained were transported on motorcycles from Zamfara to Zaria, with an armed member of the abductors following behind upon payment of the ransom.

Upon arriving in Zaria, Bulus also explained the other abductee — a Muslim boy from Toro in Bauchi State — contacted a relative, who rushed them to a hospital where they were immediately given drips.

He explained that after the initial Zaria treatment, they then chartered a vehicle from Jos to Zaria to bring him back, saying that Azi arrived on Thursday night at about 10pm, and was rushed to JUTH for proper treatment.

He lamented that all Azi’s body has stripes from the flogging he received from the kidnappers.

Asked whether security agencies or government officials were in contact with them during the incident, he further explained that they reported the matter to the police when the video first surfaced, and that the DSS also contacted them at the initial stage.

However, after Azi was released, he said the police only reached out after seeing the video online and offered to assist in escorting them home, but arrived after the family had already picked him up and taken him to JUTH.