News
Bandit: 40 Out Of 150 Abducted Persons Released In Niger
Forty people out of the 150 abducted residents of Kuchi community in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State have been set free by their abductors.
It was learnt that the freed hostages were mainly women and children, whom the community gave N2 million and purchased 12 Honda motorcycles which they gave to the bandits for their freedom.
The abducted residents regained their freedom on Tuesday morning after the community spent N1.2 million for each of the motorcycles.
Meanwhile, 110 hostages are still languishing in the kidnappers’ den.
It was gathered that the bandits have offered to release another batch of 40 hostages if the community could pay another N2 million and provide six motorcycles. This is even as negotiations are still ongoing between the bandits and the community.
Recall that a large number of bandits invaded the Kuchi community three weeks ago, and killed seven people including four security agents. They looted shops, houses and barns of farm produce.
In the end, no fewer than 150 residents were taken hostage in the attack which the community said lasted over three hours with no resistance from security operatives.
After two weeks, the bandits came up with a demand of N150 million before they could free the captives. The community, however, negotiated N100,000 for each of the abducted residents which the bandits turned down, a source who declined identification revealed.
“We have been negotiating with the bandits but finally they agreed to collect six Honda motorcycles and N2 million for the release of two groups totalling 40 in number.
“The 150 people they abducted were divided into six groups, and they said we should bring six Honda motorcycles and N2 million cash for each of the groups. This is after they rejected our initial offer of N100,000 for each person. They have released two groups, remaining four groups”, the source said.
The source lamented that the community has remained without any security presence since the incident, saying, “Since the incident, no single government official or security agent has visited the community for on-the-spot assessment of what happened. The community is left without security at the moment and it has remained deserted,” the source said.
Apart from the chairman of the local government, Aminu Najume, who had earlier confirmed the attack and abduction, there has been no official statement from either the government or the security agencies over the attack.
When contacted, Najume could not confirm the release of the 40 hostages. He said the Council was not involved in the negotiations with the Bandits saying it was strictly between the community and the bandits. He however promised to find out about the release and get back to this reporter as soon as he gets the details.
Also, when contacted on Tuesday, the spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun said that he would find out.
The Sultanate Council in Sokoto has called on Muslims to begin searching for the new moon of Zulki’ida 1446AH on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
This marks the 29th day of Shawwal 1446AH, the traditional time for moon sighting.
According to a press release signed by Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, Chairman of the Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Muslims are urged to report any sighting of the new moon to the nearest District or Village Head.
The information will then be communicated to the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
The Council has prayed for divine support in fulfilling this religious responsibility, saying, “May Allah (SWT) help us in the discharge of this religious duty, amen.”
The sighting of the new moon is crucial in determining the start of a new Islamic month, and Muslims are expected to follow the traditional method of moon sighting to mark important dates in the Islamic calendar.
Equities investors lost about N202 billion as Dangote Cement flipped, losing 10% of its market value on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) trading platform on Friday.
The pause to bullish trend moderated year to date return while key market performance indicators dropped by 0.30% apiece, according to data from the local bourse.
Despite a largely positive market breadth, the downturn was triggered by sell-offs in heavyweight stocks such as Dangote Cement, the most capitalised company, and 13 others, stockbrokers said in separate report.
The All-Share Index reduced by 321.21 basis points to close at 105,753.05 as bears overran the exchange. Market activities were up though, as the total volume and total value of trades conducted in the local exchange increased by 30.41% and 94.54%.
In its note, Atlass Portfolios Limited told investors that approximately 428.08 million units valued at ₦20,174.97 million were transacted across 14,284 deals.
In terms of volume, GTCO led the activity chart, accounting for 14.40% of the total volume of all trades consummated, followed by FIDELITYBK (9.82%), ACCESSCORP (9.62%), MTNN (7.82%), and ZENITHBANK (5.44%), rounding out the top five.
MTNN emerged as the most traded stock in value terms, accounting for 40.98% of the total value of transactions on the exchange on Friday. IKEJAHOTE, INTBREW and LEGENDINT topped the advancers’ chart with a price appreciation of 10.00 percent each.
Other gainers include VITAFOAM (+9.93%), CADBURY (+9.92%), ETERNA (+9.92%), NASCON (+9.74%), ETI (+9.40%), and thirty-three others.
On Friday, fourteen stocks depreciated, according to details obtained from the domestic bourse. DANGCEM was the top loser, with a price depreciation of -10.00%.
Other decliners include REGALINS (-8.06%), VFDGROUP (-7.57%), CUSTODIAN (-4.97%), DANGSUGAR (-2.03%), and ACCESSCORP (-0.42%). Further review of trading activities showed that the market breadth closed positive, recording 41 gainers and 14 losers.
The sectoral performance was positive, as four of the five major market sectors surged, led by the consumer goods sector, which advanced by 2.21%.
The banking sector rose by 1.55%, and the insurance sector surged by 1.50%, while the oil & gas sector popped higher by 0.07%. The industrial sector recorded a loss of 4.73%. Overall, the equities market capitalisation dropped by ₦201.88 billion to close at ₦66.47 trillion.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the appointment of members of the Interim Management Board of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Golf Club in Abuja.
The latest development was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.
According to the statement, while Peter Deshi was appointed as the chairperson of the Interim Management Board, Yomi Oyelola will serve as the secretary.
Other members of the Interim Management Board are: Otunba Gbengba Elegbeleye, Arc. Nanwor Mamven, Mrs. Ekanem Ekwueme, Arc. Arabi Bello, Lawan Aboki, Okey Nnaedozie, Fred Otobo and Julius Fadairo.
The statement added, “By this appointment, members of IBB Golf Club Interim Management Board are to assume duty with immediate effect.
“The FCT Minister congratulates the appointees and urge them to work assiduously for the repositioning of the IBB Golf Club.”
In related news, there was palpable tension on Saturday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, after sounds of gunshots disrupted a mega rally by a political group reportedly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Reports obtained by Naija News revealed that the rally is being organized by a group coordinated by a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, George Turnah.
The rally was ongoing when sounds of gunshots blazed across the area, raising concerns among residents.
Moments later, normalcy was restored in the area according to the Secretary of NEW Associates in Bayelsa, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, who interacted with journalists.
He noted that the rally would continue despite the disruption.
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