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The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern States and Abuja have strongly condemned the recent brutal killings in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

 

In a statement released on Tuesday in Kaduna, Rev. Yakubu Pam-led Northern CAN expressed deep sadness and outrage over the senseless and barbaric attacks that have claimed the lives of innocent and peace-loving citizens.

 

“We are deeply saddened and outraged by the senseless and barbaric attacks that have claimed the lives of innocent and peace-loving citizens.

 

These repeated acts of violence are not only a violation of human dignity and the sanctity of life, but they are also a direct threat to the peace and unity of our state and the nation at large,” Pam said.

 

Northern CAN called on security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

 

“We call on security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice. We also urge the government at all levels to take proactive steps to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further loss of lives,” he said.

 

Pam stressed the need for stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, security operatives, and community-based organisations, to unite in purpose and work together to end the cycle of violence that has plagued Plateau State for far too long.

“The time has come for all stakeholders to unite in purpose and work together to end the cycle of violence that has plagued Plateau State for far too long,” he said.

 

He said Northern CAN stands in solidarity with the grieving families and the entire people of Bassa LGA in this moment of pain.

 

“We pray for peace, healing, and justice. Plateau must not bleed again,” Pam said.

 

PUNCH online reports that only recently, a crisis engulfed the association over tenure elongation.

 

At the center of the crisis is the tenure of Pam, whose term as chairman allegedly expired over two years ago.

 

The crisis took a turn for the worse when Rev. Hayab’s group conducted an election, appointing him as the new chairman while Rev. Pam’s faction has denounced the move, describing it as a “religious coup” and “fraudulent.

Several Nigerian women have been seen breaking down in tears after reportedly losing millions of naira to CBEX, a digital trading platform that recently crashed.

 

According to circulating reports, the platform became inaccessible after users experienced difficulties withdrawing their funds. Many later discovered that their account balances had been wiped to zero.

 

CBEX had positioned itself as a high-yield investment platform, promising users a 100% return on investment within one month. Investments were made strictly in U.S. dollars.

 

The crash has sparked a wave of emotional reactions online, with many investors expressing regret and frustration over their losses.

 

In a video shared on social media, some women are seen lamenting their experiences.

Watch the video below

Chairmen and Secretaries of the All Progressives Congress in the 16 local governments that make up Kano South Senatorial District have called on Senator Sulaiman Kawu Sumaila to return to the party.

 

The APC Chairman of Albasu Local Government Area, Iliyasu Hungu, made the call on behalf of the 16 party chairmen, secretaries, and ward leaders at a news conference in Albasu town on Tuesday.

 

Senator Sumaila currently represents Kano South Senatorial District on the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party.

 

Hungu said the call became necessary because of the value Senator Sumaila would add to the APC if he rejoined the party.

 

“There is no doubt that Senator Sumaila will add immense value to our great party if he answers our call and returns to the APC, and will assist in uniting members of the party in the zone.

“We know Senator Sumaila’s capacity and value in Kano politics. Though he is not a card-carrying member of the APC, the man extends his hand of fellowship to all, irrespective of their party affiliations.

 

“This is the kind of politician we need in the APC. We are therefore, appealing to our serving and former APC state lawmakers from Kano South, the APC caucus, the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, and the APC State Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, to help us in pacifying Sen. Sumaila to consider our plea.

 

“We have confidence that Senator Sumaila will play a greater role in promoting APC in Kano State. We really miss him and we are calling on him to return and join us in promoting the party together,” Hungu said.

 

He explained that APC needs committed politicians like Sen. Sumaila, who always devote their energy and resources to the development and well-being of their constituents.

 

“Senator Sumaila has no match in Kano South. We really need the man back in the APC. We will be happy if the Senator agrees to return to the party,” Hungu added.

A community in the Magboro area of Ogun State have raised the alarm over the increasing spate of burglary and suspected human trafficking in the area, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

 

An investigation by NAN reveals growing concern and anxiety, particularly among those living in Happyland Estate, over the activities of suspected criminals.

 

According to residents, the burglaries appear to originate from within the community, rather than from external intruders.

 

The residents say they have identified a particular house where the suspected criminals reside, but feel helpless because the building is allegedly owned by a senior officer of a security agency.

 

Members of the Community Development Association of Happyland Estate expressed their concerns in interviews with NAN, describing the presence of unfamiliar individuals in the area as troubling.

 

Mr Mose Mutwang, a resident and CDA executive, stated that the issue had escalated significantly between December and February, prompting the community to involve the Warewa Police Station along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

 

“We’ve been witnessing a steady rise in burglary cases since December. By February, we escalated the matter to the Warewa Police Station.

 

“Following that, we convened an emergency CDA meeting to assess the situation. Our investigation led us to a house on Unity Street harboring several unidentified young men and women,” Mutwang said.

 

He further described the building as an unregistered hotel, raising additional concerns about its security risk to the community.

 

“The property does not appear to be residential in the normal sense. It is an open environment with minimal security, and the landlord doesn’t live there.

 

“When we visited with the CDA Chairman, we discovered the setting posed a danger to the community,” he added.

 

Another resident, Adekunle Sogbehin, noted the increasing presence of unfamiliar faces in the estate. He also revealed a possible case of human trafficking linked to the same house.

 

“One of the boys in that compound confided in us. He said he’s from Cameroon and was lured to Nigeria with promises of being taken to Europe.

“After paying a huge sum to an agent, he found himself stranded in Magboro. The boy now depends on his mother for feeding and is clearly in a helpless situation,” Sogbehin said.

He called on the government and security agencies to investigate the situation urgently.

 

“We’re concerned. That house reportedly houses about 30 people in a single flat, with no proper sleeping arrangements.

 

“We suspect human trafficking or possible recruitment for internet fraud. We need the authorities to investigate and ensure the safety of these young individuals,” he said.

 

Sogbehin emphasised the importance of saving both the community and the victims from criminal exploitation.

 

“We don’t want to be labelled a community that harbours criminals. This is beyond us now; we need outside help,” he added.

 

Also speaking, CDA Chairman, Mr Bolade Awopetu, echoed the community’s concerns and urged the government to intervene.

 

“We are appealing to the authorities to come to our aid. The house on Unity Street is a serious security risk.

 

“I personally visited the location, and some of the occupants admitted they feel trapped. Since they moved in, we’ve noticed a spike in criminal activity.

 

“For peace to reign, something must be done,” he said.

 

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, advised the residents to formally petition the Commissioner of Police for appropriate action.

 

NAN

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, on Sunday received the 2023 deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Emana Ambrose-Amawhe, into the All Progressives Congress.

 

Her visit to the governor came hours after she announced her defection to the APC via her X handle.

 

Emana was led to the governor and his wife, Rev Eyoanwan Otu, by the state chairman of the APC, Alphonsus Ogar Eba, alongside the Chief of Staff to the Governor.

 

Speaking with newsmen, Emana said, “I only went to greet His Excellency, the Governor and His Wife, Her Excellency Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, as a mark of respect and to formally inform them of my movement.

“The day of my formal and ceremonial movement to my New Party, the All Progressives Congress, along with thousands of my supporters and other big names, will be made known soon.”

 

Emana, who had recently resigned from the PDP, addressed her resignation letter dated March 28 to the chairman of Edem Odo Ward in Akpabuyo Local Government Area.

 

She said her decision was not taken lightly but reaffirmed her commitment to serving her community and contributing to the progress of Cross River and Nigeria.

 

Before joining the APC, Emana was the running mate to Senator Sandy Onor in the 2023 governorship election and had previously contested for the House of Representatives ticket for the Bakassi/Akpabuyo/Calabar South Federal Constituency under the PDP.

Virgil van Dijk says he expects a “big summer” for Liverpool in the transfer market as he reportedly closes in on a deal that will secure his future at Anfield.

 

Arne Slot’s men are on the brink of a record-equalling 20th English league title after Sunday’s 2-1 victory at home to West Ham, in which Van Dijk scored the winner.

 

They are 13 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal with just six games to go and could wrap up the title next weekend if results go their way.

 

Van Dijk’s own future is likely to be secured later this week, with the announcement of a two-year contract to match Mohamed Salah’s new deal.

 

Forward Federico Chiesa was the only outfield signing in last year’s post-season transfer window but he has rarely featured and Liverpool manager Arne Slot will be eager to strengthen.

 

“I think Liverpool should be able to challenge for titles in the upcoming years,” said Van Dijk, who captained the team for the 100th time in the league against West Ham.

 

“Whatever happens in terms of players going out, players coming in, I think it should be a big summer. I think they’re planning to make it a big summer, so we all have to trust the board to do the right job.

 

“I think we 100 percent can improve. I think we shouldn’t forget the quality that the Premier League possesses, especially this season. It’s incredible how everyone can beat everyone.”

The Dutch international, 33, said Liverpool would also benefit from a pre-season, with no major international competition taking place this year.

 

“This year, there is a training camp and there is time for the team to work on what the manager wants and I think that will then improve the team,” he said.

 

“I think a proper pre-season would definitely help the club in order to be even more consistent than we already have been.”

 

Van Dijk is set to become only the second Liverpool captain to lift the Premier League trophy and he is looking to add to that.

 

“Being successful with Liverpool, the culture of the club, everything that embodies Liverpool — that is just part of me,” he said.

 

“I love the club, that’s pretty obvious. I think you can see that in the way I speak about the club, the way I work for the club in terms of what I do on the pitch on and off the pitch, and that will always be the same.”

President Bola Tinubu has directed relevant education regulatory bodies to intensify efforts in clamping down on illegal tertiary institutions operating across Nigeria.

 

Speaking at the 14th convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday, the President ordered the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education, and other agencies to take decisive action against what he described as “certificate millers” undermining the credibility of the education sector.

 

Tinubu, who was represented by the Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Rakiya Ilyasu, warned that the integrity of the academic system must not be compromised.

 

“At this juncture, it has become imperative to reiterate that this administration remains committed to strengthening the integration of all agencies involved in the administration of education to enhance efficiency and quality,” the President said.

 

He added, “The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) are working in alignment to improve the quality of education and ensure that cases of forgery and unrecognised institutions both within and outside the country have no place in our education ecosystem.

“I therefore charge the heads of these agencies to remain steadfast in upholding government’s resolution to safeguard our education sector from quack and fake institutions as the integrity of our academic system must not be compromised and that the activities of certificate millers are checked and put to a stop permanently.”

 

At the convocation, 51 inmates from correctional centres across the country graduated from NOUN, including 41 undergraduates and 10 postgraduates.

 

The event also featured the conferment of honorary degrees on the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen.

 

Tinubu further tasked NOUN to lead the country’s transition into a digitally skilled economy, urging the university to embrace full online learning in line with its Open and Distance Learning model.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has criticised the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, describing him as “naive” about the country’s security realities following a deadly Boko Haram attack on the Damboa-Maiduguri Road on Saturday.

 

The explosion, which occurred on the major road linking the state capital, Maiduguri, to Damboa, killed at least eight people, severely injured seven others, and left 14 more with minor injuries.

 

It is the latest in a series of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, underscoring the persistent security challenges in the region.

 

Zulum, reacting after the incident, faulted the minister’s recent remarks on the state’s security.

 

“I believe the Minister of Information is naive about what is happening in the country. He doesn’t know what is ongoing in the country,” Zulum said.

 

He urged greater resilience from both the affected communities and the Nigerian Army, calling for sustained efforts to secure the volatile road.

 

“I want to advise the communities to be resilient enough. I want to advise the Nigerian Army to be resilient enough because there’s no way people will travel a distance of 700 kilometers to go to Damboa.

 

“Ordinarily, they come here to Damboa, it’s only about 100 kilometers,” he stated.

Despite the attack, Zulum reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of the Maiduguri-Damboa route.

 

“We shall ensure that travel from Maiduguri to Damboa will continue. This will not deter us from following the road, artillery, and all other security agencies to give up security along the road so that such incidents will not happen again,” he added.

 

The governor disclosed that he had met with top military officials in Abuja, including the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, and Chief of Air Staff, who assured him of continued efforts to combat insurgency.

 

“We are so happy with the response that we had from the service chiefs,” he said.

 

Zulum expressed confidence that Borno would not return to the height of insecurity seen in previous years.

 

“I want to assure the people of Borno State that, Insha Allah, under my watch, Boko Haram will not have the capacity to do what they did before,” he stated.

He also emphasised continued collaboration with the federal government and the military to address the state’s security concerns.

 

“I will keep up to the expectations of the people of Borno State by completely addressing the problem of insecurity,” he said.

Pope Francis on Palm Sunday delighted worshippers with an impromptu tour of St Peter’s Square, against the advice of his doctors to avoid crowds while recovering from pneumonia.

 

For the second Sunday in a row after the longest hospital stay of his papacy, the 88-year-old pontiff left his Vatican quarters, handing out sweets to children and shaking hands while doing the rounds of the Vatican landmark.

 

While sat in his wheelchair, the Argentine appeared in rather good form, without the nasal cannula — a plastic tube tucked into the nostrils — used to help him breathe during his convalescence.

 

Since his release from hospital, the pope has ventured out on several occasions despite his doctors urging him to rest, with his surprise visits appearing on no official Vatican programme.

 

On Thursday, he made an unscheduled visit to Saint Peter’s Basilica to inspect renovation work and to visit the tomb of Pius X, before making a trip on Saturday to pray at his favourite basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

And after his planned meeting with King Charles III was initially cancelled due to his ill health, Francis welcomed the British monarch and Charles’s second wife Queen Camilla in private on Wednesday.

 

The extent of his participation in next week’s Easter celebrations — the holiest period of the Christian calendar — is however yet to be confirmed by the Holy See.

 

In his Sunday Angelus prayer, released by the Vatican, the pontiff thanked the flock for their prayers and issued his customary call for peace in the world.