News

By Dahiru Kasimu Adamu

Rice farmers in Kebbi State are in a dilemma as quila birds, locally known as Buwa, continue to threaten food security by devouring their farm produce.

During a visit to rice clusters in the Argungu fadama land, including Dankwalli, Kuyar Masama, Janduma, Kwalaga, and others, farmers were seen shouting, wielding sticks, and using other materials to make loud noises to scare the birds away from their farms.

The farmers described the situation as disastrous. “Quila birds need only a short time to finish what farmers spend months cultivating. This forces us to move early to the farms and prevent the birds from ending our farming,” said Lauwali Usman, a farmer at the Dankwalli rice cluster.

Another farmer, Usman in Kuyar Masama,  explained how the quila bird “has caused some farmers to harvest their rice early because they can no longer keep moving to their farms every morning and evening to prevent the birds from eating their produce. They are afraid of losing what they spent months cultivating.”

Many farmers have stories to tell about the quila bird and how it threatens rice farming. What they share in common, however, is an appeal to authorities to assist them by spreading chemicals to eliminate the birds, arguing that traditional methods are too weak.

In a previous interview, Dr Aminu Aliyu, an agriculturalist who teaches at the Department of Agricultural Education, Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu, said the best and most scientific method of addressing the quila bird problem is “locating their nesting environment and spreading chemicals. This can be achieved by collaborating with local farmers and extension agents, and is normally done by the state government or in conjunction with the federal government.”

Dr Aliyu described quila birds as “migratory birds that travel long distances and can cause havoc to any farm they stay on, even within a short period.”

Apart from rising input costs and the petrol price hike due to subsidy removal, the quila bird has been a major problem affecting rice farmers since the beginning of dry season farming, known locally as Katashi in Kebbi State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Three former members of the Osun State House of Assembly have ended their membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking another development within the party in the state.

The politicians, Lekan Oyediran, Aleem Bakare and Folorunso Oladoyin, submitted separate resignation letters to APC local government chairmen between June 1 and June 2.

Bakare attributed his decision to what he described as a lack of internal democracy within the party. However, Oyediran and Oladoyin did not state any reasons for their departures in their letters.

Oyediran represented Odo Otin State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2003. Bakare served as the lawmaker for Ejigbo State Constituency between 2003 and 2007.

Oladoyin represented Ife South State Constituency from 2011 to 2019. He later served as Osun State Commissioner for Education during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola until the government left office in November 2022. Bakare also worked in Oyetola’s administration as Special Adviser on Land Matters.

The three former lawmakers are known associates of former APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, who has maintained a distance from party activities since the conclusion of the APC governorship primary in December 2025.

Speaking on the development, spokesperson for the Senator Iyiola Omisore Campaign Organisation, Jamiu Olawumi, acknowledged that the former lawmakers were close to Omisore. He, however, denied suggestions that the former deputy governor directed them to leave the party.

According to Olawumi, the politicians may have made the decision after assessing their political prospects.

He also dismissed speculation that Omisore was preparing to leave the APC.

“The anxiety is unfounded and baseless. We support Iyiola Omisore for his governorship ambition. Anyway, we went for him, we saw his capacity and capability, that is why we went to invite him to come and contest.

“So, if the outcome of the contest amounts to our strongest defence line being removed, people who cannot withstand the shock could leave the party, and could also leave his camp to join the winning camp.

“That does not mean Omisore is leaving the party, because Omisore was not our breadwinner. We are political associates. So, people who want to be mischievous, and who are taking the animosity that far, they say his men are leaving, that he was going to leave.

“Those who left are Oyetola’s men too. Bamisayemi (Oladoyin) was a Commissioner for education under Oyetola. While Oyetola is losing his cabinet member, Omisore is also losing his supporters. These are the inner members of the caucus of Oyetola now who are leaving the party. It is not about Omisore but about their conviction that the party had not fulfilled their dreams and they cannot realise their dreams and aspirations within the party.”

Responding to the resignations, Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, said the party was not worried by the development. He noted that members have the constitutional right to join or leave any political party.

Olabisi also argued that the APC had attracted several prominent politicians, particularly from the Peoples Democratic Party, in numbers that exceeded those leaving the party.

By Muhammad Abubakar

U.S. Representative Thomas Massie has called for a temporary suspension of American aid to Israel, arguing that such a move would quickly reduce tensions in the Middle East and lower energy prices.

Massie’s remarks came in response to reports that President Donald Trump angrily confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s military actions in Lebanon. According to Axios, Trump warned Netanyahu that Israel’s operations were undermining U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region and risked escalating the conflict.

Reacting to the report on social media, Massie wrote that Washington should “just withhold foreign aid to Israel for a month,” claiming the move would prompt Israel to halt military operations against its neighbours, help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and reduce U.S. gasoline prices. He also described Israel as “the biggest welfare recipient from American taxpayers.”

Massie’s comments add to ongoing debates in Washington over U.S. military and financial support for Israel amid heightened regional tensions and concerns about the broader economic impact of instability in the Middle East.

By Uzair Adam

A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has warned that Tehran would respond with a massive wave of missile and drone attacks if the United States carries out further military strikes against the country.

Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Khamenei, issued the warning on Wednesday in a post on X, declaring that any new aggression by Washington would trigger an immediate and forceful response.

“Every shot fired and every attack will be met with a deluge of missiles and drones,” Rezaei wrote, adding that “the aggressor will swiftly be punished.”

The warning comes in the wake of recent US strikes targeting an Iranian tanker and facilities on Qeshm Island.

The attacks reportedly heightened tensions in the region and were followed by retaliatory strikes on Kuwait and Bahrain.

The latest exchange of threats has further raised concerns about a wider escalation of hostilities in the Middle East.

By Uzair Adam

Unknown gunmen have abducted the wife and twin children of the younger brother of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday morning at Elewura in the Challenge area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Confirming the incident, one of Adelabu’s media aides, Femi Awogboro, said the woman, identified as Laide, and her twin sons, Peter and Paul, were travelling within the city when they were intercepted and taken away by the attackers.

According to Awogboro, the family was heading from Elewura to connect to the expressway when the gunmen struck.

“Adelabu’s younger brother’s wife, Laide, together with her twins, Peter and Paul, was kidnapped this morning by unknown gunmen at Elewura, Challenge, Ibadan,” he said.

He added that the victims were forcefully taken away by the kidnappers during the attack.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Oyo State Police Command, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said he could not immediately confirm the development.

“I cannot independently verify this for now. Please hold on,” Ayanlade stated.

Further details were still being awaited as of press time.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has begun an investigation into the suspected killing of a teenager in Kari Village, Darazo Local Government Area of the state, according to a police statement.

The statement was issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, on June 3, 2026.

Police authorities said the incident was reported to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Darazo on May 24, 2026, at about 4:15 p.m.

According to the command, the report alleged that Abdullahi Muhammad, a 17-year-old resident of Kari Village, drowned in the Kari River under circumstances linked to another resident of the community, Aisanu Nura, aged 18.

Findings from an initial investigation indicated that the suspect allegedly persuaded the deceased to accompany him to the river before he was drowned.

Police operatives from the Darazo Division responded to the report and arrested the suspect. Investigators have since commenced inquiries into the matter.

The command disclosed that the body of the victim had not been recovered as of the time of the statement, while efforts to locate it were still underway.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Bauchi for further investigation.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, mni, psc (+), directed investigators to conduct a thorough and professional probe into the incident.

He assured residents that the circumstances surrounding the case would be fully uncovered and that anyone found responsible would face prosecution in line with the law.

The police command also called on parents and guardians to pay closer attention to teenagers under their care and encouraged members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command says its newly created Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) has recorded a significant success in efforts to curb street violence in the state capital after apprehending eight suspected thugs linked to a clash between rival groups.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, on June 2, 2026.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on May 29, 2026, at about 8:10 p.m. when VCRU operatives on patrol in the Jahun area received information that rival groups from Sabuwar Kasuwa Railway and Sabuwar Titi had engaged in a violent confrontation near the Fadan Bayam area of Jahun.

Police said members of the groups allegedly blocked a major road and were armed with sticks and cutlasses during the clash.

Upon receiving the report, officers moved to the scene, dispersed the hoodlums with teargas and restored order in the area. During the operation, one suspect identified as Abdulaziz Hashim, 16, of Sabuwar Kasuwa Railway, was arrested with a cutlass.

The command stated that further investigations led to the identification and arrest of seven additional suspects on May 31, 2026. They were listed as Mohammed Abubakar, 21, of Sabuwar Kasuwa; Ibrahim Almustafa, 15, of Sabuwar Kasuwa; Ahmad Rufai, 14, of Unguwan Jaja; Umar Isiyaka, 16, of Sabuwar Kasuwa; Habir Umar, 18, of Sabuwar Kasuwa; Aliyu Babangida, 15, of Sabuwar Kasuwa; and Usman Aliyu of Unguwan Jaja.

Police said all the suspects were interrogated and subsequently charged to court, while efforts continue to track down other members of the group who escaped arrest.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, mni, psc (+), praised the VCRU operatives for what he described as their swift response and professionalism.

He also reaffirmed the command’s determination to dismantle criminal gangs and maintain security across Bauchi metropolis for law-abiding residents.

The police further urged parents and guardians to discourage their children and wards from participating in thuggery and other violent activities that could threaten public peace.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has launched an investigation into an armed robbery and kidnapping case linked to an incident that occurred along the Abuja–Kaduna highway, leading to the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of a stolen vehicle.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command.

According to the statement, the case was reported at the ‘A’ Division Police Station in Township, Bauchi, on May 27, 2026, at about 7:20 p.m., according to the police.

The complainant, a professional driver who resides in the Zanda area along Gwagwa Dede Road, Church Street, Abuja, told investigators that he was attacked and abducted by suspected criminals while carrying out a transport assignment.

Police said the driver explained that on May 21, 2026, at about 7:00 a.m., a man hired him to transport wedding guests from Kaduna State to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for an agreed fee of ₦400,000.

During the journey, the passenger reportedly asked the driver to take a different route through Kuyello Village in Kaduna State. Upon arrival in the area, armed men riding three motorcycles allegedly intercepted the vehicle.

According to the police, the passenger was later identified as Idris Mohammed, also known as Yellow, a resident of Badaromo Village in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Investigators said he allegedly instructed the driver to stop before the armed men attacked him.

The assailants reportedly beat the victim with rifle butts and held him captive for 24 hours.

Police said the driver eventually regained his freedom after paying a ransom of ₦3 million through a transfer to an OPay account.

The suspects were also accused of taking away the victim’s red Toyota Corolla with manual transmission, a Tecno Pop 10 mobile phone valued at ₦130,000, ₦15,000 in cash, and a wristwatch worth ₦10,000.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer of ‘A’ Division, Township, coordinated an intelligence-led operation that lasted three days. The operation led to the recovery of the stolen vehicle and the arrest of the principal suspect.

The command stated that the suspect had confessed to involvement in the crime and had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Bauchi for further investigation and prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, mni, psc (+), assured residents that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects who remain at large and recover the remaining stolen property.

He also advised members of the public to be vigilant when engaging commercial transport services and to promptly report suspicious movements to the nearest police station.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Retired Lieutenant General Tukur Burutai, a former Chief of Army Staff in Nigeria, has cast doubt on claims that security agencies are unable to locate the hideouts of bandits and kidnappers, despite the criminals regularly posting videos from their locations.

The former Nigerian ambassador to the Republic of Benin stated that security forces possess the capability to track down such offenders. Burutai made this known in response to growing concerns over how criminal groups are using social media and videos to publicize their activities.

The retired General said he does not agree that security agencies have failed to identify where the bandits are hiding, especially given how frequently the criminals display their operations in public.

Although he did not directly criticise the security agencies, Burutai suggested that there might be underlying reasons for the approach they are currently taking.

He further emphasised the need to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework through continuous training of personnel, increased manpower, and improvements in their welfare and morale.

By Anwar Usman

The Nigeria Union of Teachers, FCT chapter, on Tuesday staged a massive solidarity rally in Abuja to demand greater protection for educators and learners and to call for the safe return of kidnapped victims across the country.

The rally, which began at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education and proceeded to Area 11, comprises teachers, union leaders, ed stakeholders in the education sector and supporters carrying placards with inscription “End The Reign of Fear in Our Schools” “Teachers Deserve Security, not Fear” “Kidnapping Has no Place in Education,” among others.

The rally,  themed “United for Education, Together for Our Future,” is aimed at drawing attention to the growing insecurity bedevilling schools and educational institutions nationwide.

Not less than 82 pupils were abducted between May 13 and 15 during separate attacks in Oyo and Borno states.

42 pupils were kidnapped in Borno State after armed groups attacked schools in Askira Uba and Chibok Local Government Areas on May 13 and 14.

Another 40 pupils were abducted in Oyo State on May 15 during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The Oyo attack also claimed the lives of a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, a motorcyclist and some security operatives during rescue efforts.

The Chairman of NUT FCT, Abdullahi Shafa, while addressing participants during the rally,  said the protest in line with a directive from the union’s national headquarters.

“We are acting on the directives of the National Headquarters of this union. They instructed us, in every state of the federation, to embark on a solidarity rally in protest against what has happened to our teachers and students in parts of the country,” the state chairman said.

Shafa lamented the killing of the teacher and the continued attacks on educators and students, describing the situation as disturbing and detrimental to the nation’s educational development.

“Teachers do not deserve this kind of treatment. Even those who engage in kidnapping should understand that targeting teachers is unacceptable, he added.

The protest ended with participants marching peacefully to deliver a letter to the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, calling for urgent measures to secure schools, protect teachers and learners, and bring perpetrators of attacks on educational institutions to justice.