By Our Reporter

Several supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were reportedly injured on Saturday when suspected hoodlums attacked members of the party in Yankara town, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, during activities surrounding Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s campaign rally.

The violence also led to the burning of a vehicle belonging to the Musa Adamu Network (MAN), while movement along a major road was disrupted, triggering panic among residents.

Eyewitnesses alleged that the attackers ambushed APC supporters travelling to attend the governor’s campaign rally in Faskari.

One of the witnesses claimed that some youths had barricaded the road expected to be used by the campaign convoy. The witness further alleged that two APC supporters sustained fatal injuries during the confrontation.

However, the claim of fatalities had not been independently verified as of Saturday night, while the police had yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of 9:10 p.m.

The Caucus Chairman of the Musa Adamu Network, Alhaji Nura Sule Yandaki, said he was travelling with 11 members of his team to participate in the governor’s rally when the violence erupted.

Yandaki explained that the situation reportedly deteriorated during a Maulud procession organised by another Islamic group, with suspected hoodlums allegedly exploiting the gathering to attack vehicles conveying passengers, including APC supporters.

He also confirmed that a vehicle belonging to his organisation was set ablaze during the incident.

Condemning the attack, the Secretary of the Musa Adamu Network, Shamsuddeen Sani Lema, urged security agencies to investigate the incident, apprehend those responsible and ensure they face prosecution.

Lema described the violence as unacceptable, insisting that political engagements should not be characterised by intimidation, attacks or other forms of violence.

He also called on the justice system to strengthen mechanisms for preventing similar incidents across the country.

Despite the reported attack, Radda went ahead with the Tinubu-Dikko 2027 Campaign Rally in Faskari, where he highlighted his administration’s interventions in healthcare, security, education and infrastructure.

At the gathering, the governor announced the completion and opening of the Faskari General Hospital, describing the development as the fulfilment of a campaign commitment to residents.

“During our previous campaign visit, we promised not to forget the hospital in Faskari. Today, by the grace of Almighty Allah, we have fulfilled that promise by opening the hospital for our people,” Radda said.

He further listed ongoing government projects covering road construction, renovation of schools, improvement of healthcare services and security operations.

According to him, the initiatives were aimed at consolidating peace and creating a conducive atmosphere for businesses and other economic activities to thrive.

Radda also pledged to sustain transparency, promote agricultural development and strengthen community-based governance, assuring residents that qualified indigenes of Faskari would continue to have opportunities to contribute to the state’s development.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Tinubu-Dikko 2027 Campaign Council, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, expressed satisfaction with the turnout at the rally.

Dangiwa praised the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and highlighted what he described as the achievements of the Radda administration in security, healthcare, education and human capital development.

He urged APC members, particularly youths and women, to intensify mobilisation at the grassroots ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, the Katsina State APC Chairman, Bishir Saulawa, assured party supporters that the APC would conduct a peaceful and issue-based campaign, focusing on its achievements rather than personal attacks or divisive rhetoric.

(CHANNELS)

By Our Reporter

A Nigerian soldier, operating undercover and disguised as a ransom courier, has outsmarted a suspected kidnapper by delivering the ₦200,000 allegedly demanded from a female victim before arresting him in a coordinated sting operation.

The suspect, identified as Mukaila Iliyasu, was arrested while receiving the money during an intelligence-led operation conducted by troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The operation also led to the recovery of the ₦200,000 allegedly demanded by the suspect, who had reportedly threatened to abduct the female victim if she failed to meet his demand.

In a statement issued at the weekend, the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, said the operation followed intelligence provided by DSS operatives.

According to the statement, the DSS alerted troops on October 29, 2026, to an incident involving an adult female resident who was allegedly threatened by Iliyasu.

The suspect was said to have demanded ₦200,000 from the woman, threatening to abduct her if she failed to pay the money.

Following the report, troops and DSS operatives coordinated an anti-kidnapping operation to apprehend him.

The statement said a soldier, acting in disguise, posed as the person delivering the demanded ransom and successfully handed the money to the suspect, who was arrested while receiving it.

It added that the suspect was subsequently handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.

“The operation was successfully conducted with precision and professionalism,” the statement said.

The Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE and General Officer Commanding 5 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, commended the troops and DSS operatives for their professionalism, gallantry and effective inter-agency collaboration.

Gara urged the security personnel to sustain their intelligence-sharing framework and operational cooperation to strengthen efforts against kidnapping and other security threats within the Joint Operations Area.

By Our Reporter

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that two suspected Ebola Virus Disease cases detected in Yola, Adamawa State, tested negative after two rounds of laboratory examinations.

The agency’s Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Saturday, explaining that the NCDC was working with the Adamawa State Government to investigate the cases and strengthen disease surveillance.

According to Idris, the Adamawa Public Health Emergency Operations Centre received a report in the early hours of October 30 concerning two individuals exhibiting symptoms associated with Ebola.

He said the affected persons were immediately isolated, while medical samples were collected for laboratory investigations and other necessary public health measures activated.

However, results from two rounds of laboratory tests returned negative, indicating that neither of the suspected cases had been confirmed as Ebola.

Idris clarified that there was currently no laboratory-confirmed Ebola case in Adamawa State, adding that the previously confirmed infection in the Federal Capital Territory remained the only confirmed case in Nigeria.

The NCDC chief praised the Adamawa State Commissioner for Health and his team for their swift response, assuring residents that the agency would continue to provide technical assistance to support the state’s disease response efforts.

He appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified reports or speculations about the suspected cases.

He advised the public to obtain information from official government sources and recognised public health communication channels.

Describing Ebola as a serious infectious disease, Idris emphasised the importance of early detection, proper medical treatment and strict infection prevention and control measures.

He urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding to seek immediate medical attention.

The NCDC director-general further advised people with such symptoms, particularly those who might have been exposed to the virus, to provide healthcare workers with relevant travel and contact histories.

He also warned against self-medication, urging Nigerians to seek professional medical advice and comply with public health guidelines.

Idris said the NCDC, Adamawa State Government and other relevant stakeholders would continue to monitor the situation and communicate verified developments to the public.

He reaffirmed the commitment of public health authorities to protecting Nigerians through early detection, evidence-based interventions, transparent communication and coordinated response efforts.