Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Northern Nigeria

  • Gombe attack leaves two dead, four abducted as governor condemns violence

    Gombe attack leaves two dead, four abducted as governor condemns violence

    2025-12-29 09:00:00
    Punch reports that gunmen attacked homes in Pindiga, Akko LGA of Gombe State, killing two residents and abducting four others, prompting condemnation and pledges of action from the state government.

    Other reports add police timing and incident details, describing the raid as an early-hours attack on residential homes along the Pindiga–Kashere axis.

    The incident reinforces the persistence of night raids and abductions in parts of northern Nigeria, raising pressure on security response and community intelligence systems.

    The Guardian quotes police saying the incident occurred at “about 3:30 am,” while TVC News reports the attack happened “in the early hours of Sunday.”

    Echotitbits take: The metric is not statements—it’s prevention and rescue. Watch for swift pursuit operations, credible intelligence loops, and whether arrests/prosecutions follow (often the missing link).

    Source: The Punch — December 29, 2025 (https://punchng.com/gombe-gov-fumes-as-gunmen-kill-two-abduct-four/)
    The Punch 2025-12-29

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Katsina, UNICEF move to count Almajiri and Islamiya pupils—planning bigger education reforms

    Katsina, UNICEF move to count Almajiri and Islamiya pupils—planning bigger education reforms

    Photo Credit: Independent
    2025-12-28 09:00:00

    Figures cited by PUNCH show Katsina State is partnering with UNICEF to conduct a census of Almajiri and Islamiya schools, aiming to establish accurate data for education planning and child-welfare support.

    Officials say the exercise will map enrolment patterns, school distribution, and gaps that have long complicated targeted interventions.

    The initiative is expected to feed into reforms on basic education delivery and social support for vulnerable pupils.

    The Guardian quoted the bureau describing the exercise as “the first step to building a better future.”

    Echotitbits take: Data is the doorway to smarter budgeting—especially for welfare-linked education. Watch whether census outputs become a live registry tied to school feeding, health checks, and conditional support for families.

    Source: Independent — June 27, 2025 (https://independent.ng/unicef-katsina-govt-set-to-count-almajiri-islamiya-schools/)

    Independent June 27, 2025

    UNICEF, Katsina  Govt Set  To Count Almajiri, Islamiya Schools

  • FG prepares deployment of 7,000 forest guards across northern states

    FG prepares deployment of 7,000 forest guards across northern states

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-28 09:00:00

    In a report published by Punch, the federal government said thousands of newly recruited forest guard operatives have completed training ahead of deployment across northern states.

    The initiative is presented as part of a wider push to curb banditry and improve security in forested corridors often linked to armed groups.

    TheCable’s newspaper roundup said “7,000 newly recruited forest guards… have completed a three-month intensive training programme,” reflecting how multiple dailies framed the move as a new layer in the security architecture.

    Echotitbits take: The headline number is less important than command-and-control, rules of engagement, funding, and coordination with police, DSS and the military. Watch whether the programme becomes community-embedded intelligence—or just another uniformed layer with unclear accountability.

    Source: The Punch — December 27, 2025 (https://punchng.com/fg-to-deploy-7000-forest-guards-in-north/)

    The Punch 2025-12-27

  • Papiri school abductions: last batch of Niger pupils freed as families prepare reunions

    Papiri school abductions: last batch of Niger pupils freed as families prepare reunions

    Photo credit: Dailypost
    2025-12-22 09:00:00

    According to *The Punch*, Nigeria’s Presidency says the final group of pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, has been released—bringing the month-long ordeal to a close.

    The latest release covers the remaining 130 schoolchildren who were still being held after earlier breakthroughs that saw dozens escape and others rescued in phases.

    Officials say the children are expected to reunite with their families in Minna in time for Christmas, following a security-led effort involving military intelligence.

    The incident had drawn national outrage, again spotlighting the recurring pattern of mass school kidnappings in the North-Central/North-West corridor and the pressure on authorities to secure releases quickly and safely.

    Associated Press separately confirmed the release and quoted government spokesmen saying there were “no hostages remain in captivity,” while Reuters also reported the students were freed after a “military-intelligence-driven operation.”

    **Echotitbits take:** The key question now is deterrence: arrests, prosecution, and hardening school security—because “rescues” without consequences keep the kidnapping economy alive. Watch for official clarity on the fate of abducted staff and whether community protection measures follow in Papiri and surrounding LGAs.

    Source: Dailypost — December 22, 2025 (https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/21/abducted-st-marys-schoolchildren-in-niger-state-regain-freedom/)

  • Kebbi Expands Empowerment for Persons With Disabilities

    Kebbi State has distributed empowerment packages to persons with disabilities as part of a social-inclusion and welfare drive. The initiative is framed as support for livelihoods and reduced vulnerability.

    Stakeholders will watch for sustained programming and institutionalisation beyond one-off distributions.

    2025-12-09

    Punch

    2025-12-09

  • Kano Mobilises 4,444 Qur’anic Reciters in Anti-Insecurity Drive

    Kano State’s government mobilised 4,444 Qur’anic reciters in a faith-based initiative aimed at reinforcing community resolve against insecurity. The event reflects the state’s blending of spiritual and civic approaches to public anxiety.

    Officials may hope the mobilisation complements conventional security efforts and fosters social cohesion during a tense period.

    2025-12-09

    Punch

    2025-12-09

  • District Head, Son and 11 Others Murdered in Zangon-Kataf LGA

    District Head, Son and 11 Others Murdered in Zangon-Kataf LGA

    Military hierarchy under the auspices of Operation Safe Haven has confirmed the killing of the District Head of Gidan Zaki, Haruna Kuye, his son, Destiny, and 11 others in Kaduna State by unknown assailants.

    The military said they were killed in the early hours of Tuesday (November 17) in their residence at Gidan Zaki, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The eleven persons killed were identified as Amadu Mallam, Idi Gefefe, Isah Goma, Awwalu Goma, Babangida Iliyasu, Lado Iliyasu, Ya’u Jumare, Hamza Umaru, Shehu Jibril, Tukur Albasu, and Musa Adamu Muruzuwa.

    The military added that the District Head’s wife sustained machete wounds on her hand while his daughter had a gunshot wound on her finger.

    Other persons who sustained various degree of injuries include: Muazu Albasu, Samaila Chairman, Junaidu Husaini, and a yet to be identified woman earlier thought to have been killed.

    The security report also stated that the act was carried out by about five men wielding AK-47 rifles and machetes, who also tried to burn the house and a vehicle.

    The military said three empty cases and a live round of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered at the scene, adding that the troops in collaboration with other security agencies are carrying out investigations and trailing the assailants.

    Meanwhile, the Governor Nasir El-Rufai-led Kaduna State Government has condemned the killings, describing the act as evil and violation of the sanctity of the human lives.

    The governor also described the assailants as enemies of peace, saying they must be fished out and made to face the wrath of the law.

    El-Rufai, who condoled the Kuye family and the Atyap Traditional Council, prayed for the repose of the souls of the District Head, his son and other victims.

    He praised the district head for his contributions to the peace-building efforts in Zangon-Kataf.

    The governor has, besides, directed Kaduna State Commissioner of Police and Director of the Department of State Services to team up with the military forces on the ground to ensure diligent investigations.

    In a related development, security agencies have also reported attacks in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where armed bandits attacked Fatika, Kaya and Yakawada villages.

    Two persons were killed and some kidnapped.

    In another development, security agencies have given more information regarding Monday’s attack at Albasu village of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The security agencies have, similarly, identified the local killed by bandits on Sunday after they kidnapped two persons at Maraban Kajuru in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The victim has been identified as Albarka Addu’a, a former village head of Kyemara Gari.

    Kaduna State Government has, however, assured that the El-Rufai administration would continue to give security updates to the citizenry, as it continues to work assiduously with security agencies on the protection of life and property across the state.

    The government enjoined citizens to furnish the incumbent administration with relevant information on: 09034000060, 08170189999, and via email: Internal.Security@kdsg.gov.ng

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Coalition Of Northern Groups Begins Expanded Protest #EndInsecurityNow Today

    Coalition Of Northern Groups Begins Expanded Protest #EndInsecurityNow Today

    A Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has directed all its chapters across the 19 northern states to begin an expanded protest across the region today.

    This was made known by the spokesperson of the coalition, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, while addressing journalist in Abuja.

    Suleiman stated that the protest by the coalition will be tagged #Endinsecuritynow.

    “With the insecurity challenges affecting northern state of the country, the CNG is left with no option but to direct the extension of the protests to all northern states, commencing from Thursday, October 15, 2020″, he said.

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    The coalition, speaking through Suleiman accused leaders in the North of habitual abandoment of their people when the need arises.

    He said: “That while the southern elected and appointed leaders and representatives are quick to identify with their people at the time of need, their counterparts from the North, including the President, Senators, Rep members, governors, state legislators, other government appointees would rather abandon the hundreds of thousands of people in northern communities exposed to crime, lawlessness and insecurity in the hands of bandits, insurgents, kidnappers, rapists rustlers, and other violent criminals without any form of protection.

    “That it is contradictory that despite several protests and pleas by northerners, the authorities never deemed it fit to extend the swift spirit deployed against FSARS into securing the North, or addressing the myriad distresses faced by northerners.

    “That the authorities appear bent on sustaining the harsh, unacceptable regime of exploitative hikes in electricity tariffs for which the North shall bear the brunt more than other parts of the country,” he said.

    To end all manifestations of insecurity in northern Nigeria and other parts of the country, the coalition urged the federal government to immediately declare a state of emergency on security and take practical steps.

    The Coalition added that it will also demand thorough reorientation of the entire police force and its empowerment by way of additional personnel, modern training and adequate equipment to reclaim its universal internal security function.

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    The outlined that it will: “Mount pressure on leaders to show real commitment to protecting lives of citizens, ending the prolonged closure of our universities, reconsidering hiked commodity prices, reducing youth unemployment, and checking the rise in poverty level.

    “Publicly condemn and pass a vote of no confidence on those office holders and elected leaders who have abandoned the bulk of northerners to the mercy of a vicious insurgency, destructive banditry, rape and sexual assaults, violent communal clashes amidst mounting poverty and entrenched fear of widespread kidnappings for ransom.

    “To declare the agreement reached by labour with the government on new electricity tariff unacceptable and demand the immediate, unconditional reversal to the old rates,” he added.