Armed bandits have targeted Kogo village in Faskari Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State, kidnapping 16 residents, including children, women, and men.

According to a local resident who confided in Vanguard, the attack which unfolded silently at about 8:20 PM yesterday, caught the villagers off guard as the assailants executed their plan with meticulous precision.

“The hoodlum quietly infiltrated the community, possibly parking their motorcycles at a distance to avoid detection.

“Without causing much uproar, the assailants targeted a residence and eventually took away 16 people comprising of children, women, and men,” revealed the local source.

The community is now grappling with fear and uncertainty, anxiously awaiting updates on the ongoing situation.

The residents are deeply concerned about the safety of their kidnapped fellow villagers and the overall security of the area, the source noted.

When contacted, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the spokesperson for the Katsina Police Command, stated that he would verify the report and provide a response. As of the time of filing this report, he was yet to confirm or communicate any updates.

A Nigerian-Canadian citizen, and the Special Assistant and Advisor to member of Canadian Parliament, Mr Akinade Oduntan, has been appointed as Mayor’s Brampton Business Ambassador.

Oduntan, a prominent leader in the Black Canadians community has distinguished himself in various community services over the years as this earned him accolades and recognition in Canada.

His recent appointment was rectified by the Mayor of Brampton; Mayor Patrick Brown.

The appointment will enable the Nigerian-Canadian entrepreneur initiate investors, businesses and investment into the City of Brampton from African countries and also act as a spokesperson.

Oduntan, popularly called ‘Akin’ is an Advisory Committee member to the Mayor of Brampton, Canada, representing the Black community. He is also on the Advisory Committee of Brampton Transit.

Akin is an active member of Peel Police Chief’s Resource Council.

He actively participates in professional and community groups in Canada and outside of Canada.

He graduated with a degree in Pharmacology/Physiology from the University of Lagos and later completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology in Canada.

He served as the Public Relations officer of the Institute of Safety Professional of Nigeria (ISPON) Lagos chapter.

He has over 30 years of leadership experience, including 25 years in direct safety management practices.

Oduntan in a remark described the appointment as one that would further stimulate a multi-bilateral business relationship between Nigeria and Canada and also foster inter-racial relationships.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that the Lagos State Government will disburse a total amount of N3.1 billion to some of its retirees.

Confirming this in a statement on Friday, Sanwo-Olu said he hopes that the news will put smiles on the faces of the families affected.

“Next week, we are set to disburse N3.1 billion under the Contributory Pension Scheme to over 1,000 retirees who have served our state tirelessly. Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed,” he wrote on X.

“It is pertinent to take note of the fact that in the lifetime of our administration, we have disbursed over N60 billion as pension to over 17,000 retirees. This achievement fills us with pride.

Sanwo-Olu stated that prioritizing the welfare of those who have shaped the history of Lagos State is not just a commitment, it is the legacy of the Government.

The Governor added that the trust of the people of Lagos is paramount, and together, everyone involved is constructing a state that champions its own.

“A heartfelt thank you for your unwavering dedication. Your contributions form the very foundation of our vibrant state,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“There is so much more to be done, and we will continue to strive to achieve more. Let’s keep building a stronger, caring Lagos together.”

The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, disclosed on Friday that rampaging bandits terrorising some parts of the state are threatening to attack him.

The governor made this known during an expanded emergency security council meeting at the Government House.

He stated that the bandits’ threat was based on security reports.

Speaking in Hausa, Radda said: “Based on security reports that we are receiving, I am among those that the bandits are thinking of attacking, but that doesn’t muddle me because God is with us, and he will protect us.”

However, the governor explained that the threat by the hoodlums would not stop his government from adopting revolving security strategies to tackle banditry and other security challenges in the state.

The security meeting had in attendance the heads of security agencies in the state, traditional and religious leaders, top government officials and members of the business community and was still going at time of filing this report.

A civil servant, Jamilu Zuntu, on Thursday demanded the sum of N7 million from his wife, Hadiza Aliyu, to grant her divorce request.

He told the court that he had spent N2.5 million on her education over a period of two and a half years.

“I also bought boxes of clothes worth N2.5 million and paid for other traditional rites,” he claimed.

Hadiza, in response to her husband’s demand, said that she was only willing to pay N100,000, being the dowry paid on her “to free myself from this union.”

Represented by her counsel, A. A Imam, Hadiza also requested the custody of their daughter, arguing that the father was “not in a position to provide for her.”
The judge, after hearing both sides, adjourned the matter to Feb. 27 for a ruling

(NAN)

With the Lagos City Marathon taking place on Saturday, the state government has announced the closure of some critical roads in the metropolis for the sporting event.

The government in a Friday statement by the State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said some routes would be temporarily unavailable to motorists during the marathon.

Major routes that will be shut between 5.00 am and 2.00 pm are Funsho Williams Avenue from Stadium, Surulere; Ikorodu Road to Anthony, Gbagada to Third Mainland Bridge, Third Mainland Bridge (Inbound and Outbound), Dolphin Road to Alfred Rewane Road, Falomo Roundabout to Bourdillon Road, Lekki Bridge to Freedom Way and Akin-Adesola to Ahmadu Bello Way.

According to the commissioner, alternative routes would be available during the marathon.

Motorists could drive through Apongbon Bridge inwards Eko Bridge through Costain Roundabout, Iponri, and Bode Thomas for a desired destination or utilize Eko Bridge through Costain Roundabout and Apapa Road to link Oyingbo/Jebba to access Herbert Macaulay for a desired destination, he said.

“For Motorists trying to navigate the Third Mainland Bridge, the 3rd Mainland Bridge will not be available to Motorists from 12.00 tonight till the end of the marathon,” he said.

The commissioner stated that motorists could equally go through Victoria Island to link Independence Bridge and CMS Bridge to access Apongbon inwards Ijora-Olopa to Iddo and Oyingbo to connect Herbert Macaulay Road to continue their journeys.

He also hinted that all outbound journeys from Ikorodu Road, Funsho Williams Avenue en route Lagos Island are exempted from the diversion, adding that Officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority would be deployed to the diversion points for seamless traffic flow and safety of motorists.

The government urged motorists who have no serious business along the marathon diversion routes to avoid the areas, adding that movement on the 3rd Mainland would return to the status quo immediately after the marathon is concluded.