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SAD! 500 Kaduna households displaced after bandits’ invasions – CDA chairman
The Chairman of the Kauru Local Government Area Community Development Associations, Abel Adamu, has disclosed that over 500 households have been displaced in different attacks by bandits.
The CDA chairman, who made this disclosure on Sunday at a press briefing in Kaduna, said the recent surge in violence and attacks in the area has resulted to the loss of many lives, displacement of people, and destruction of properties.
He also explained that the cases of abduction of innocent people in the area were alarming and thus called for concerted security efforts to nip the ugly situation in the bud.
Adamu recalled that just last Friday, a woman was killed by her abductors in the Kiffin Chawai after paying the ransom as demanded by the bandits.
He said the recent violent attacks resulted in the displacement of thousands of visitors and residents in Kumana and Kauru chiefdoms, even as several others in the Dokan Karji, Bandi, Rumaya, Kwassam, Kaibi, Kusheka, Geshere, and Binawa, axis, among others.
“This is uncalled for, and we plead for immediate action from the government to ensure the safety and security of our people,” Adamu stated.
Arewa PUNCH reports that the Kauru Local Government Area, known for its farming activities, has now become a hotspot for banditry, crippling the economic activities.
“The latest assault on residents underscored the deteriorating security situation in the region,” he insisted.
“As a community, we have tried to address these issues through our initiatives, such as neighbourhood watch programs and community policing.
“However, the situation has deteriorated to a point where we require immediate intervention from the relevant security agencies and the global community.
“To address this issue, we are calling on the government to establish two military bases, one each in Kauru and Kumana chiefdoms.
“These military bases will provide a permanent security presence in the area, helping to deter attacks and provide a sense of security for the local population, who are now sleeping with their two eyes opened in fear of the unknown.
“While thanking the government for the establishment of a military base in Chawai chiefdom, we also want to call for the provision of more security personnel to address the pockets of attacks being witnessed in some parts of the chiefdom,” Adamu appealed.
According to him, as law-abiding citizens, the communities are willing and ready to work closely and cooperate with the government in its quest towards restoring lasting peace in the local government area.
However, the CDAs Chairman commended the Kaduna State Governor for the ongoing construction of the Pambegua to Kauru Road project to a credible and competent contractor.
He noted that the Kauru Local Government area which is made up of Kauru, Kumana, and Chawai Chiefdoms had been without good and access roads for over three decades, such that people coming from the Chawai axis would have to travel hundreds of kilometers, through Saminaka in the Lere Local Government Area to Pambegua in Kubau Local Government Area due to lack of access roads.
He stressed further that this singular factor has also been a contributing factor to the delay in the swift response needed by the operatives of Operation Safe Haven, located in Kafanchan, as the team have to travel nine to ten hours before arriving the scene of any attack in the Local Government Area.
“It is in the light of this that we are advocating the extension of the construction of the Pambegua – Kauru Road to Kwassam, Geshere, and Mariri to link communities from the three chiefdoms and ease transportation problems faced by the people, especially during the rainy season.
“This will not only improve the economic prospects of the area but also enhance the security of the people by providing easier access to security personnel and emergency services,” Adamu clarified.
The CDA Chairman, while commendiñg the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, for facilitating a military barrack in Southern Kaduna, saying that, upon completion of the project, “it would help in addressing the myriads of security challenges bedevilling the region.
Finally, “We want to use this opportunity to commend the relentless efforts of the chairman, Kauru Local Government Area, Alhaji Bashir Tanko Dawaki, our representatives at both the national and state assembly, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, Hon. Mukhtar Zakari Chawai, and Hon. Barnabas Haruna Danmaigona, for working round the clock to ensure the security of lives and property of the people.”
The Lagos State chapter of the Labour Party has fixed today, Friday for its chairmanship primaries for the July 12 Local Government election in the state.
The LP State Chairman, Pastor Dayo Ekong, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Lagos.
Ekong said that the chairmanship primaries would be held at the various council areas.
According to her, the party will adopt the delegate-based mode (indirect) to pick its candidates
“Our councillorship primaries will hold today (Thursday) across all the wards, while the chairmanship primaries will be held on Friday in all the local government areas.
“We are committed to free, fair and transparent primary elections.
“We are confident of a good outing in the election,” the chairman said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission is to conduct the election in 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state.
NAN
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has deposed the traditional priest of Okhuoromi community, in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Ovbokhan Igbinovia, over alleged unethical practices.
The monarch sacked the priest on Thursday, May 15, 2025, over cases of land grabbing, extortion, and unauthorized demolition of private properties. leveled against him.
The Oba of Benin announced the removal of Igbinovia in his palace through the Obazelu of Benin, Chief Osaro Idah, to the elders of Okhuoromi, led by its Odionwere (village head), Pa. Oghagbon Edosomwan.
He directed the village head to administer the area for and on behalf of the palace.
The Oba, who opined that the Benin throne does not support acts of lawlessness and criminality under any guise, distanced the palace from the alleged sacrilege.
He assured the victims of demolished property that justice would be served in due course.
The highly revered Benin monarch added that top palace chiefs have been assigned to further investigate and assess the level of damages in the community.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, has called on the National Assembly to emphasise on funding for the effective take-off of already established institutions rather than creating new ones.
Dr. Alausa stated this at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, while presenting a memorandum on Thursday in Abuja.
The public hearing featured deliberations on three bills:
“A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Hawul Local Government Area, Borno State (HB.1797) – to provide full-time courses and training in technology, applied sciences, arts, social sciences, humanities, and management.
“A Bill to Amend Section 3(2)(b), the Second Schedule, and Section 31 of the Federal Polytechnics Act, Cap F17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (HB.1413).
“A Bill to Amend the Federal Polytechnics Act, Cap F17, to review the functions of polytechnics (HB.2114)”.
The Minister speaking against the “Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Hawul”, emphasised that the Federal Government maintains a policy of equitable distribution of federal institutions across states.
According to Alausa, no state should host more than one federal polytechnic, while every state must have at least one. Currently, all states except Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory are covered under this arrangement.
He asserted that with limited resources, government efforts should be directed at strengthening existing institutions to deliver quality education rather than spreading resources thin by establishing new ones.
Alausa stated, “the Federal Ministry of Education has expanded avenues for establishing private tertiary institutions. States and individuals are encouraged to utilise these channels to support national educational development”.
In view of prevailing funding constraints, he recommended that deliberations on the proposed Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Hawul, Borno State, be suspended.
He also urged the House to ensure that resources are dedicated to improving the quality of education for Nigerian students by consolidating support for already existing institutions.
With regards to the proposed amendments to the Federal Polytechnics Act, the minister raised no objections except for the provision seeking to include representatives of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on the Governing Council of Polytechnics.
“While both organisations play significant roles, their core functions do not directly align with the responsibilities of a polytechnic’s governing council. NBTE serves as a regulatory body, while MAN advocates for the interests of manufacturers”, he stated.
Earlier, the sponsor of the bill, Rep. Usman Balami (PDP–Borno), defended the proposal, citing insecurity and rising unemployment in Borno as pressing reasons for establishing the institution.
He described the proposed college as a strategic response to the growing number of unemployed youth and a means to equip them with skills necessary for self-reliance and economic empowerment.
“This institution will provide diverse training programmes tailored for today’s dynamic job market. It will bridge the gap between theory and practice, producing graduates ready to meet workforce demands”, Balami said.
According to the Borno lawmaker, the college will foster innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, and stimulate economic growth in the region by nurturing local talent and promoting a culture of self-employment.
Earlier in his remarks, the Committee Chairman, Rep. Fuad Laguda (APC–Lagos), noted a general consensus on the importance of skills acquisition in tackling unemployment.
He encouraged stakeholders to make robust contributions, assuring that the committee would carefully consider all submissions in its report.
“With the passage of these bills, Nigerians will have greater access to knowledge and skills in the arts, sciences, technology, humanities, and vocational and technical education,” Laguda said.
He also commended the leadership of the House for their support and the trust reposed in the committee to drive meaningful legislative outcomes.
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