Residents of Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State have confirmed the presence of armed bandits in the northern part of the local government. They said they were attacked this weekend by bandits chased from the northeast and northwest. Some residents were reportedly killed, while the community vigilante vehicle and motorcycles were also burned. Although, the Kwara State Police Command has consistently denied that there is presence of bandits in the state, residents of Baruten are backing up their claims with video and photo evidence. Baruten is a six-hour drive from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
READ ALSO: [Insecurity] Bakare Advocates Formation Of Zonal Security Councils A resident who wants anonymity confirmed that the northern part of Baruten LGA is now occupied by the bandits, who have chased residents away. There are also reports of the presence of the bandits in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.
A former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has dismissed ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s and others’ visit to the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Shittu, who was featured on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the visit means nothing.
The Katsina State Command on Sunday said it has successfully foiled a kidnap attempt along the Funtua to Gusau Highway and rescued ten kidnap victims unhurt.
The victims comprised two drivers and eight passengers. Efforts are being intensified to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects as the investigation proceeds.
In a statement on Sunday, the spokesman of the Katsina Police Command, Abubakar Sadiq, said that on April 19, 2025, at about 2135 hours, an information was received at the Faskari Division that suspected armed bandits laid ambush at Marabar Bangori village along Funtua-Gusau Road with intent to kidnap occupants of two vehicles.
He said the vehicles, a black Golf Saloon (BWR 781 SW) and an ash-colored Golf (DTM 179 TA), were en route from Katsina to Faskari.
READ ALSO: Police Arrest Suspected Drug Dealers In Katsina, Recover Illicit Substance
Sadiq added that upon receiving the information, the patrol team attached to Faskri Division mobilized and responded promptly to the scene, engaging the bandits in a gun battle.
“The bandits were overpowered and fled into the nearby bush, abandoning their mission. Ten (10) victims, including two drivers and eight passengers, were rescued unhurt. Efforts are being made to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects as the investigation proceeds. Further developments will be communicated in due course,” the statement added.
The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Bello Shehu, commended the officers for their professionalism and prompt response, which undoubtedly saved lives.
Shehu further reiterated the commitment of the command towards ensuring the safety and security of the good people of the State.
The Zonal Pastor, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Katsina State, Olawale Oluwabusola.
Meanwhile, the Zonal Pastor of the Katsina State branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Olawale Oluwabusola, on Sunday, charged leaders and followers to emulate the life of sacrifice as exemplified by Jesus Christ for the betterment of society.
He encouraged Christians to see Easter as a season to renew their walk with God and focus on their eternal journey.
According to him, the importance of Easter Celebration which marks the end of the 100 days of fasting and prayer declared from the beginning of the year cannot be over stated.
Oluwabusola, who was speaking in an interview with Channels Television shortly after performing early morning Easter Sunday Service believed that, God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
He therefore urged faithful on love and sacrifice, quoting John chapter 4 verse 24 which states that, God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
A former Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Bola Tinubu, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said that the North will, in the next six months, take a stand on who to support for the presidency in 2027.
He said no politician can win the presidency in 2027 without the support of the region.
In a video interview he granted in Hausa language, Baba-Ahmed, who appeared alongside a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, lamented the state of the nation and urged northerners to resist divisive and deceptive politicians ahead of the next general elections.
He said, “In the next six months, the North will decide where it stands. If the rest of the country wants to join us, fine. If not, we will go our own way. One thing is clear: nobody can become president of Nigeria without northern support.
“We want a government that understands our problems and can address them. After Buhari’s eight years, we became wiser. Now, we are in another government, and we are still crying. Is crying all we know how to do? ” Baba-Ahmed asked.
READ ALSO: NASS, Executive Relationship: Bakare Asks Tinubu To ‘Stop Playing God’
According to the former presidential aide, the North had suffered greatly during the Boko Haram insurgency, which affected all groups, Muslims, Christians, Fulani, Baju, and others, highlighting the need for unity.
“Before Buhari became president, Boko Haram was bombing mosques, churches, Abuja, and Lagos. That was a time Northerners had to unite. Today, no politician can just show up and expect Northerners to fall in line. Who are you? ” he questioned.
He therefore warned against further marginalization of the North, noting that continued disregard for the region would have consequences. .
“If they plan to rig the election, they should be careful. It won’t be good for Nigeria. The North is watching, elders, masses, and interest groups will soon say “enough is enough ‘. The injustice and sidelining must stop.
Baba-Ahmed urged the northern region to look beyond identity politics, stressing that competence and integrity should guide voter decisions.
A former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tunde Bakare, has decried the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government under President Bola Tinubu, asking the Nigerian leader to “stop playing God”.
Bakare, the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), issued the warning in his state of the nation address delivered in the Lagos auditorium of his church on Sunday.
He raised the alarm over the state of affairs in the country, saying Nigeria is steering in the wrong direction.
“To the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under whose brand of politics the institution of legislative oversight is collapsing and our democracy is faced with an existential threat, I say: Mr. President, Nigeria is too delicate for this kind of politics,” the preacher said.
“If this state capture was what you meant by emi lo kan, it is an anti-climax that can only be counterproductive in the end. I urge you, Mr. President, to think deeply and reflect on these words: ‘No man is wise enough nor good enough to be trusted with unlimited power. ’ Please, stop playing God! ”
FILES: President Bola Tinubu (L) exchanges pleasantries with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, at a joint NASS sitting in Abuja.
“Mr. President, it is through your influence that the Nigerian National Assembly has become a haven for legislative rascality,” Bakare argued.
READ ALSO: ‘It Undermines Democracy,’ Kwankwaso Faults NASS Approval Of Emergency Rule In Rivers
‘Most Spineless’
FILE: Bola Tinubu, and former vice presidential aspirant, Pastor Tunde Bakare, exchange pleasantries at the venue of the APC national convention in Abuja on March 26, 2022. Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun.
Recalling the recent activities of the National Assembly, including the approval of a state of emergency in Rivers, the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Bakare said the country’s legislative arm of government is now “an extension of the executive, grossly violating the principles of separation of powers, and rubber-stamping the whims and caprices of” President Tinubu’s office.
“This National Assembly, the Tenth, has by its unconstitutional endorsement of the president’s abuse of powers proven to be the most spineless in our recent history.
Manchester United made an unwanted record on Sunday after suffering its 15th defeat in the Premier League this season after a 0-1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Despite a spirited victory over Olympique Lyonnaise in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, Ruben Amorim’s charges were dealt a rude awakening with a sublime free kick from Pablo Sarabia, who was barely three minutes on the pitch.
Manchester United had the lion’s share of possession in the first half, but Emmanuel Agbadou got across to deny Alejandro Garnacho when he got a sight of goal.
READ ALSO: Arsenal Stroll Past Ipswich, Make Liverpool Wait For Title Party
Manchester United’s Portuguese head coach Ruben Amorim reacts after the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on April 20, 2025. Wolves won the match 1-0. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
Manchester United began the second period brightly, with Rasmus Hojlund denied by an inch-perfect tackle after he’d initially used superb strength and skill to break into space.
There was also a huge moment of worry for Wolves when Nelson Semedo’s strongly hit back-pass briefly looked like it might evade Bentley and nestle in the goal, but instead landed in a safe position.
Amorim turned to the bench for a triple substitution as the hour mark approached, with Mason Mount entering the game alongside Dalot and Fernandes.
But it was Alejandro Garnacho who created the next chance, delivering a teasing low cross to the far post that Hojlund was just unable to reach.
