By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Ex-Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has mocked the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, over Federal Government’s empowerment programme. Sani said Edun thinks he can lift 25 million Nigerians from poverty with N25,000. Edun had said the social investment programme had expanded its reach to 25 million vulnerable Nigerians from five million households.

The programme involves direct cash transfers to individuals on the social register, verified through biometric identification and paid through bank accounts or mobile wallets. Speaking with State House Correspondent at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Edun said the first and second payments have already been made to beneficiaries.

According to Edun: “Those payments have been rolled out. They’ve now reached five million households, 25 million Nigerians, and first and second payments are being made.” Reacting, Sani posted on X: “N25k for 25million people.Minister Edun has lifted 25million people out of poverty, they have now arrived at the Airport of prosperity. Kudos.”

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Bandits along the Maiga-Kontagora road in Niger State have kidnapped about 20 passengers traveling in five vehicles.

The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, who represents Mariga Constituency, informed newsmen that the incident occurred on Thursday when bandits blocked the Mariga-Kontagora road between Baban-Lamba and Beri.

Sarkin-Daji was responding to a statement from the military refuting claims that bandits were operating within its training grounds in Kontagora LGA, which also extends to Mariga LGA.

According to the Speaker, families of previously kidnapped victims had taken ransom payments to bandits multiple times in a forested area, reportedly part of the military grounds.

Released victims also told their families they were held in a forest near the Kontagora Army Barracks.

“The passengers kidnapped on Thursday on the Mariga-Kontagora road were also taken to the same forest,” the Speaker said, urging the military to act on accurate information and clear the bandits from the area.

Sarkin-Daji emphasized that, as representatives, they regularly receive feedback from their constituents about their struggles, and they thoroughly investigate these issues before presenting them in the Assembly.

He clarified that while they do not underestimate the military’s capacity to combat bandits, it is dismissive to ignore constituents’ complaints.

He urged the federal government and relevant authorities to address these concerns, as local communities claim that the military training ground has become a safe haven for bandits who emerge from the forest to carry out attacks.

He pointed out that even those released after ransom payments have stated that they were held within sight of the Kontagora Army Barracks.

The Speaker said the military should verify information from the victims and address the issue, rather than dismissing statements made by House members.

He added that despite the military’s dismissal of one Assembly member’s statements on Wednesday, bandits blocked the road between Baban-Lamba and Beri on Thursday, October 31, kidnapping over 20 passengers and moving them to the same forest.

He urged the military to act and clear the criminals from the area, stressing that their role is to protect the people.

The Speaker affirmed that they will continue to raise awareness so the federal government and all stakeholders understand the plight of their people.

There was confusion at a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, as no fewer than four children, among the 76 defendants, billed for arraignment over their involvement in the August #EndBadGovernance protest held across the country, slumped during their trial.

Recall the protest, which began on Aug. 1 to demand for good governance, ended on Aug. 10.

The Inspector-General (I-G) of Police had, earlier charged 11 of the protesters before Justice Emeka Nwite of a sister court on alleged treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspiracy to commit felony and inciting mutiny, among others, which are punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

The protesters were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Gombe over the 10-day protest which resulted in violence and killings in parts of the country.

However, when the matter was called on Friday, I-G’s lawyer, Audu Garba, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment of the 76 defendants, who had been in detention.

Shortly after they were called into the dock to take their plea, four of the children slumped in the open court.

The four of them were Usman Fatihu (21 years), Muhammed Yahaya (14 years), Muktar Ishak Alhassan (16 years) and Mustapha Ibrahim (18 years).

They are 68th, 74th, 75th, and76th defendants respectively in the 10-count charge bordering on treason, among other offences.

The trial judge, Obiora Egwuatu, abruptly stood down the trial and rose.

Justice Egwuatu came back after some minutes later to continue with the trial