Author: GANUX

 

Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, has confirmed that no fewer than five people have been reportedly killed by bandits in Saturday’s attack.

 

DSP Abubakar, while confirming the attack on Gobirawa Community of Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State on Tuesday, said the hoodlums also set two vehicles ablaze.

 

“Five persons fatally shot and two vehicles set ablaze. Investigation is ongoing with a view to arresting the perpetrators and forestalling further occurrence”, he told PUNCH.

 

Meanwhile, an eyewitness from the community, Sani Abdullahi Kuki, confirmed in a telephone conversation with newsmen on Monday that bandits have reportedly killed no less than 19 people at the community on Saturday night.

 

The PUNCH learnt that the hoodlums, armed with dangerous weapons, reasonably coming from the neighbouring Danmusa forest, invaded the community at about 9:00 pm and started shooting sporadically, killing several people on the spot as several others were still unaccounted for with residents demanding more security presence in the community, calling on relevant authorities to assist them as war, according to them, is gradually moving closer to the Local Government Headquarters.

 

He explained that, during the attack, an unspecified number of persons, mostly women, children and the elderly, were abducted; and entire shops belonging to residents were burnt down; and over 20 houses were set ablaze.

 

“This is totally out of control. I couldn’t even stay till the end to witness the entire burial process of one of the deceased because I couldn’t control my anger. I left the cemetery at the time when personnel were digging graves for the five other victims who were burnt to death.

“Some of the residents who sought refuge inside grain silos were set ablaze by the hoodlums. Some were burnt beyond recognition and were recovered on Sunday morning for burial.

 

“Some of the victims were sent to Dutsinma General Hospital; others were referred to Katsina Hospital after the incident.

 

“The bandits killed 19 persons on the spot. Several others were still unaccounted for. As of now, I don’t think there are at least 20 women staying in the community. Many people were evacuated to safer places in 20 vehicles.

 

“All the shops in the community were burnt down. Over 20 houses set ablaze. The hoodlums, reasonably coming from the neighbouring Danmusa forest, also abducted an unspecified number of persons, mostly women, children and the elderly.

 

“Upon sighting the Armoured Protective Carrier Vehicle approaching the community, the hoodlums ran away.

 

“We are calling on relevant authorities to assist us, please as war is coming closer to the local government headquarters. We also need more security presence,” he said.

 

Nigerian music star David Adeleke, aka Davido has responded to a controversial social media post that criticised his association with the Igbo community, declaring that he shares Igbo heritage himself.

 

The post, made by user @Yakbel on X on Tuesday, cautioned the singer against maintaining close ties with Igbos, suggesting that they would eventually betray him.

 

“Davido just dey carry Ibo full body, until when dem betray am before e rest,” the user wrote. “Yoruba boy dey frolick with Ibos in 2025, they want your head and everything you have to belong to them. You can never satisfy Ibos ooo. IBOs are not people you surround yourself with as a Yoruba man.”

In a swift and clear response, Davido dismissed the tribal sentiment, replying, “Lol, I AM IGBO by blood.”

 

The singer’s statement has since sparked widespread reactions, with many praising him for rejecting divisive rhetoric and affirming unity across Nigeria’s ethnic lines.

 

Earlier, Davido on Monday hosted Elder Bright Chimezie after acknowledging him for inspiring his verse on ‘With you’ few days ago.

 

The National Secretary of the defunct Social Democratic Party and ex-Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, revealed that he directly asked former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), to step down during the June 12 crisis after the annulment of the 1993 presidential election won by MKO Abiola.

 

In an excerpt from his autobiography, Being True to Myself, launched on May 13, Lamido recalled Babangida’s response, saying no Nigerian would dare tell him to resign to his face.

 

In chapter 7, titled ‘June 12 Consumes IBB’, Lamido revealed, “I was at the Nicon Noga Hilton hotel suite (now Transcorp Hilton) when my phone rang one early morning. The voice identified itself as Col. Bamalli and said that the C-in-C wants to see you now. Being unfamiliar with the nomenclature, I asked, Who is C-in-C? to which he replied, Mr President.

 

“I said, but I am just waking up, I haven’t even had my bath. Unknown to me, Babangida was on the parallel line. I heard his voice, Kai Sule, ka zo yanzu (Hey Sule, come over right now”). I said, Yes Sir!”

 

The former Jigawa State Governor recalled that he was not convinced by Babangida’s justification for annulling the election.

 

He said during their meeting at the Presidential Villa, Babangida’s claim that Abiola couldn’t take office because the government owed him money came across as mere moralising.

 

Lamido stated, “As the National Secretary of the SDP, I told him, No, the SDP is done with any discussion with the federal military government concerning the June 12 elections. We shall not participate in any new election, as far as we are concerned. It must be June 12 or nothing else.

 

“I was adamant against any form of arrangement for a new political transition that he was now proposing. However, the actions and utterances of the self-appointed champions of June 12. The National Democratic Coalition and others compelled the leadership of the SDP to reconsider their position. In my discussion with Babangida, being the first time we met, he found me genuine, with no pretensions and even maybe naïve.

 

“Then he asked me, Sule, what do I do? In my naïve and innocent way, I told him frankly, Sir, you must resign and leave office. Immediately, I said that his countenance changed. I saw fire in his eyes; for some minutes, he was speechless.

“He (Babangida) looked at me straight and said, Sule, no Nigerian can dare say that to me, and I know Nigerians very well. I never thought you could be that daring. You are very lucky. I see in you someone who is godly. I know whatever you have been saying or doing was genuine and not induced. Whatever you say or do, right or wrong, is your personal understanding of issues. Even if it were madness, it is original, a reflection and a reflection of your true self.”

 

The former Jigawa State Governor said Babangida admitted he wished he had met him earlier, acknowledging that his previous impressions of him were mistaken.

 

Lamido explained that the intense meeting between the National Republican Convention and SDP negotiators and Babangida’s team led to the creation of Chief Ernest Shonekan’s Interim National Government in 1993.

 

He stated, “Before Babangida could announce the formation of the Interim National Government, he must have felt that he needed to have a suitable person to head it from the Southwest, someone who could be accepted by the Yoruba, as a kind of consolation and a person that had good connections with the British Government, which had been piling diplomatic pressure on the military government.

 

“As a former chairman of the United African Company (UAC), one of the oldest British companies in Nigeria and a very strong pillar in the country’s economy, Chief Earnest Shonekan fits the bill.

“Mr. Shonekan was well respected in the corporate world; he has the stature and national acceptance and was not controversial.

 

“Although none of their prominent politicians had played any role in the elections, the Yoruba now wanted to hijack the victory of the SDP and its presidential candidate, Chief Abiola, and make it their own affair.

 

“The choice of Shonekan, a Yoruba, was to demonstrate that the annulment of the June 12 election was not because Abiola was a Yoruba.”

 

Lamido stated that, contrary to speculation, the NRC and SDP were not involved in selecting Shonekan as the head of the Interim National Government.

 

The Catholic Diocese of Awka, Anambra State has expressed its deep sadness over the passing of one of its priests, Reverend Father Anthony Udogu, who died in the early hours of Monday, while playing lawn tennis.

 

The deceased, until his death was the Parish Priest of St. Francis Parish, Awka and Dean of Awka Il Deanery.

 

He was born on December 24, 1964, was ordained on August 19, 1995, and died on May 19, 2025.

 

The news of his death was disclosed in a short press statement released on Tuesday by the Diocesan Chancellor, Diocesan Catholic Secretariat, Awka, Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubisi.

 

The statement read, “With faith in the resurrection of the dead, the Catholic Diocese of Awka announces the demise of our brother priest, Rev. Fr. Anthony Nnaemeka Udogu, whose sudden death occurred, in the early hours of today(Monday) May 19.

“He slumped while playing lawn tennis, and was quickly rushed to the nearby hospital.

 

“All efforts to save his life proved abortive. Until his demise, he was the Parish Priest of St. Francis Parish Awka and Dean of Awka Il Deanery.”

 

He said the Catholic Diocese of Awka condoles with the family, parishioners and all those who mourn his death.

 

“Please note that the funeral arrangement will be announced soon. May the soul of Rev. Fr. Anthony Nnaemeka Udogu rest in the bosom of the Lord, Amen,” the statement added.

 

The Emir of Daura in Katsina State, Alhaji Faruq Faruq has dethroned Iliya Mantau, the Village Head of Mantau in Yarmaulu, Baure Local Government Area of Katsina State, over allegations of involvement in the kidnapping and rape of a woman in the community.

 

The Emir announced this on Monday following complaints from residents of Yarmaulu, which led to a youth-led protest last week.

 

The Punch learnt that the protesting youths accused the dethroned village head, Iliya Mantau, and others of kidnapping Zulaihatu and her baby, and allegedly raped her after collecting N20m ransom.

 

The incident caused a public uproar, especially as the Emirate delayed taking action for almost a year despite the matter being in court.

 

While announcing the removal, the Emir of Daura reiterated that the Daura Emirate would not tolerate any form of abuse against the common people.

He emphasised that the Emirate remains open to all citizens who wish to file complaints or report injustices.

 

“If anyone feels wrong, even if it is my own child who is responsible, they should come forward and present their complaint to the Emirate. This is an Emirate of the people.

 

“This Emirate has previously removed a traditional leader it had appointed, and even Sarki Abdurrahman once ordered the imprisonment of his own son over wrongdoing. That is why we will never condone the abuse of anyone”, the Emir declared.

 

Effective from Monday, the Emir announced that Iliya Mantau ceases to be the Village Head of Mantau and a new representative will soon be appointed to ensure leadership based on justice and integrity.

 

The Emir also warned the public against spreading unfounded rumours and encouraged them to continue abiding by the law and to channel their grievances through appropriate legal avenues.

 

The Enugu State Police Command, on Tuesday, announced the rescue of 28 kidnapped victims and arrested 10 suspects in multiple coordinated operations.

 

The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, in a statement through the Command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the operations were part of sustained efforts to rid Enugu State of unrepentant violent criminals.

 

Giwa said, “We have successfully rescued 28 kidnapped victims, arrested 10 male suspects, and recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles, and other exhibits.

 

“The operations were carried out in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and community members.”

 

The statement also said in one of the operations, operatives attached to Umumba Police Division rescued four victims kidnapped along Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area. Four male suspects linked to the crime were immediately arrested and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations.

 

“We promptly rescued two male and two female victims kidnapped along Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road following a tactical bush-combing operation,” he added.

 

In another operation, operatives from the 9th Mile Division swiftly responded to a distress call and rescued a yet-to-be-identified male suspect from a violent mob. The suspect and three others had attempted to kidnap a woman, who raised an alarm and was abandoned by the suspects.

 

The statement noted that the command also recovered a pump-action gun, two live cartridges, and ₦220,000 intended for ransom payments in another operation. “Efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” Giwa said.

 

The statement partly reads, “On May 18, 2025, at about 6:30 p.m., operatives attached to Umumba Police Division, working with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and community members, promptly rescued two male and two female victims kidnapped along Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area, following a tactical bush-combing operation. Four male suspects linked to the crime were immediately arrested and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations.

“On the same day, at about 6:34 p.m., operatives from 9th Mile Division swiftly responded to a distress call and rescued and rearrested a yet-to-be-identified male suspect from a violent mob. The suspect and three others had attempted to kidnap a woman, who raised an alarm and was abandoned by the suspects. The rearrested suspect, who was severely beaten by the mob, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being investigated further.

 

“Similarly, operatives from Okpuje Police Division of the Command, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards, on May 17, 2025, carried out a strategic bush-combing operation in a forest bordering Okpuje in Enugu State and Odolu in Kogi State. During the operation, they intercepted two men found with ₦150,000.00 and ₦70,000.00 respectively, intended for ransom payments, as well as loaves of bread and drinks menacingly requested by the kidnappers.

 

“Upon further incursion, the team encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers but responded with superior firepower, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds and abandon the victims, a pump-action gun, and two live cartridges. The victims were rescued unhurt and the exhibits recovered. Efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing.”

 

The statement further noted that on May 14, 2025, at about 5:30 a.m., operatives from Igbo-Eze North Division, with the Military and Neighbourhood Watch, rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Amaka-Okpodu community in Kogi State.

 

“The victims, some of whom were returning from a traditional marriage ceremony, had been allegedly abducted on May 10, 2025, along Iyionu-Aguibeje Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA by hooded armed men. Five male suspects were subsequently arrested following credible intelligence, and three firearms were also recovered. Additionally, a minibus and four motorcycles used by the travelling victims were earlier recovered from the scene of the crime.

“In another operation, on May 13, 2025, at about 9:45 p.m., operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, acting on credible information, rescued a kidnapped victim along the Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway and recovered his Toyota Camry. A white Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 703 LP used by the suspects and a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu, were also recovered. Operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects are ongoing.”

 

Giwa commended the police operatives, collaborating security agents, and law-abiding community members for their efforts in making the operations successful. He reaffirms the command’s commitment to making Enugu State safer and more secure by rooting out violent criminals and their activities.

 

“Residents are urged to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and cooperative with police and other law enforcement authorities,” Giwa said.

 

Nollywood actress, Grace-Charis Bassey, formerly known as Belinda Effah, has graduated from the United States Navy’s boot camp, officially earning the title of Sailor and taking the oath of allegiance as a citizen of the US.

 

She disclosed this in a series of posts shared on her Instagram page on Monday as she dedicated her achievement to her late father, Naval Commander Asido Bassey Effah.

 

Bassey wrote, “Last week, I graduated from the US Navy boot camp as a Sailor and took the oath as a citizen of the United States.

“This journey wasn’t easy — but I carried my roots, my faith, and my vision every step of the way. Nigeria raised me. America challenged me. I stand today stronger and more determined than ever.

 

“Thank you to everyone who believed in me. Thank you so much for all the outpouring love and support. This is just the beginning. In honour of my late father – Naval CDR Asido Bassey Effah.”

 

Sharing videos from the graduation ceremony, she stated that she also joined the choir to stay true to her craft and concluded her post saying, “I am eternally grateful. Proudly a US Sailor.”

 

Watch videos below:

 

(𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎) 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐍𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐲: 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞-𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐔𝐒 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫, 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧

 

Nollywood actress, Grace-Charis Bassey, has graduated from the United States Navy’s boot camp, officially earning the… pic.twitter.com/u3CKd408TB

 

 

A Nigerian based in the United Kingdom, Ifedayo Johnson, has lost in a viral English skills showdown to an English X user who goes by the name Angantýr, with the handle @BasedNorthmathr, on social media.

 

Johnson, who hails from Oyo State, scored 79, losing by just four marks in the EFSET quiz competition with Angantyr, the Britain who scored 83.

 

The competition took place in separate X Spaces on Sunday, and was followed live by over 5,000 netizens.

 

PUNCH Online had reported that a heated immigration debate on X has turned into a linguistic showdown after the British user claimed the UK care sector had become “critically dependent on Nigerians who barely speak English.”

Angantýr said, “Why did we make our care sector critically dependent on Nigerians who barely speak English and each bring with them three dependents?”

 

Johnson with the X username @Ifedayo_Jimcruz, who faulted what he called the disrespect on Nigerians challenged Angantýr to a full English language proficiency test, including writing, listening, reading, and speaking.

 

Johnson tweeted, “I’m openly challenging you to an English Language skills test. This would entail writing, listening, speaking and listening tests.

 

“If your overall score is higher than mine, I’ll quietly pack my bags and leave this country within 24 hours.

 

“But if I score higher than you, you’ll keep your mouth shut and never again question or disrespect the English Language skills of any Nigerian.

 

“Let me know when you’re ready, so we fix the date and other modalities. About time y’all are put where you belong.”

 

After the competition results were announced on social media on Sunday, mixed reactions had followed the Nigerian-born contestant’s loss, with both criticism and praise pouring in.

In response, Johnson took to his social media handle to challenge the stereotype that Nigerians hardly speak English, asserting that this misconception has long been disproven.

 

“I hate to explain as I like how everyone is running their narratives. I enjoy it so much and it’s expected.

 

“The challenge was to have the test done in the four Basic Language Skills but we couldn’t come to terms on that and only did two.

“Meanwhile, those were the strong forte of native speaker of any language.

 

“Let me repeat, Nigerians speak English and they do so very well.

 

“Yes, I boasted and I’m still boasting. If you have a problem at boasting about what you know you’re good at, that’s your problem.”

 

For Angantyr, he took to his X account immediately to announce the results, declaring that he had made England proud in the linguistic showdown.

 

He wrote, ”Honour defended. England conquered.”

 

Recall, the controversy started when Rachel Clarke tweeting as #doctor_oxford wrote on Monday, “1 in 5 of the UK’s care workforce have a non-British passport. Starmer would have us believe these carers are the ‘squalid’ result of a ‘failed experiment.’

 

“I say they do vital, necessary, humane, skilled work and they are worth their weight in gold.”

 

Nigerian boxers have expressed outrage over the continued delay in repatriating the remains of Oluwasegun Olanrewaju from Ghana, 50 days after the fighter’s tragic death following a bout at the Bukom Arena.

 

The development comes two days after a seven-member committee submitted its final report on the circumstances surrounding Olanrewaju’s death to Ghanaian Minister for Sport and Recreation, Kofi Adams, but with no clear timeline for when the boxer’s body will be returned to his grieving family.

 

“It just feels like the sports minister does not care about Nigerian boxers, as if we are nothing to them,” professional boxer Taiwo Esepo told our correspondent.

 

“Because just imagine a Nigerian boxer went out to go and fight and something like this happened, but they are not fighting for the parents so definitely, something is going on.

 

“Why can’t our authorities sue them? Why can’t they fight for us? This can happen to anyone tomorrow and all these can’t make any Nigerian boxer happy.”

 

Olanrewaju, popularly known as ‘Success’, collapsed during a bout against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu at the Trust Sports Emporium Boxing Arena at Bukoum on March 29 and was later pronounced dead at the Korle-Bu Hospital.

 

UBO Champion Idowu Rasheed, who had previously fought Olanrewaju, shared his distress over the situation.

“He is someone I have fought before and so this really hurt me to the core. When he died, I felt I would quit boxing but I had to come back because this is my profession and way of feeding myself and my family,” Rasheed said.

 

“And now, we still haven’t seen his body. They said he is dead and they haven’t brought his body for this long and that is not right at all. If he is dead, they should let the family see him and bury him so they can move on. His family and wife need to see him and bury him.”

 

NBBofC secretary general Remi Aboderin told our correspondent that a meeting was held on Monday but provided no definitive update on when the boxer’s remains would be repatriated.

 

Commonwealth Games medalist Abdul-Afeez Osoba also expressed his dismay at the prolonged situation.

 

“I am not even that close to him but I can’t imagine it would have taken this long,” Osoba said.

 

“I want to believe the NBBofC are on it and discussing with the Ghana Boxing Authority but according to even my religion as a Muslim, he should have been buried immediately. It is not a good thing even for the family and they cannot be happy.”

 

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has said that the naira-for-crude deal allowed it to reduce the price of petrol, which translates to reduced costs at the pumps.

 

This is even as the company affirmed that the prices of petrol will remain affordable and stable. The company said on Monday that despite the fluctuations in global crude oil prices, it has consistently reduced the price of petrol.

 

The company, in a release signed its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said the decision to maintain price stability reflects its unwavering commitment to supporting the Nigerian economy and alleviating the burden on consumers from the increase in fuel prices by maintaining price stability.

 

“We are immensely grateful to President Bola Tinubu for making this possible through the commendable naira-for-crude initiative, which has enabled us to consistently reduce the price of petroleum products for the benefit of all Nigerians,” the statement stated.

 

Dangote said the decision to maintain prices stability despite crude price fluctuations underscores its dedication to providing affordable, reliable, and high-quality petroleum products without compromising operational efficiency and sustainability.

“Our approach aligns with the objectives of the Federal Government’s ‘Nigeria First Policy’, which promotes the prioritisation of locally-produced goods and services.

 

“By refining petroleum products domestically at the world’s largest single-train refinery, we are proud to make a substantial contribution to Nigeria’s energy security, foreign exchange savings, and overall economic resilience—aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is focused on addressing the nation’s economic challenges and improving the well-being of Nigerians,” the statement said on Monday.

 

The company assures all stakeholders—consumers, partners, and the government—of its continuous dedication to operational excellence and national service.

 

“Dangote Petroleum Refinery remains committed to ensuring that the benefits of our local refining capacity are fully realised and enjoyed by the Nigerian populace. We will continue to prioritise affordability, quality, and national interest in every facet of our work,” the statement added.