Category Nigeria News

The Katsina State Chapter of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over the renewed spate of deadly attacks by armed bandits across southern parts of the State, mostly in Funtua, Sabuwa, Kankara and Faskari LGAs.

The Coalition, in a statement on Friday, signed by its State Coordinator Abdullahi Kabir, recalled that on Tuesday, 13th May 2025, armed men brazenly invaded the General Hospital in Sabua LGA during daylight, disrupting medical activities and leaving citizens traumatised.

He said, even more shocking was the incident of Wednesday, 14th May 2025, when bandits launched an attack in Funtua town during Maghrib prayer, carting away over 50 cows and creating panic among residents.

This, he explained, happened right in an urban centre, highlighting the deteriorating security situation.

He added that reports from Faskari and Kankara LGAs also indicate ongoing attacks in several villages, where communities live in fear and uncertainty.

These tragic developments are, therefore, according to the Coalition, unacceptable, and they call for urgent attention and a robust response.

“We call on the Katsina State Government to review its current security strategy and adopt a more localised, community-driven approach that empowers vigilantes and traditional institutions.

“The Federal Government must, as a matter of urgency, deploy additional security personnel and logistics to the frontline areas and consider the establishment of a permanent military base in Southern Katsina,” the statement read partly.

READ ALSO: Military Sues For Peace Among Feuding Communities In Taraba

The group also urged relevant security agencies to intensify surveillance, intelligence gathering, and rapid response measures in the affected areas.

“While we decry these recent attacks, we must also acknowledge the positive impacts of dialogue and reconciliation efforts in areas such as Batsari LGA and Jibia LGA, where peace initiatives have contributed to relative calm. These efforts show that, when genuine and community-centred, dialogue can reduce violence and build trust between citizens and the government.

Femi Otedola, a billionaire businessman, praised Aliko Dangote, the company’s president and CEO after their meeting with US President Donald Trump.

In a post on X, Otedola said, “The richest black man in the world is shaking hands with the most powerful man in the world.”

The most powerful man in the world, the richest black man, is demonstrating his support to @realDonaldTrump @AlikoDangote…F. image taken twitter.com/MuBc9kvizv

In honor of the US president, Dangote and Trump had a private dinner hosted by the Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani on Wednesday in Doha, Qatar.

The African billionaire was spotted shaking hands with Trump in a 22-second video that Dangote Group shared on X on Thursday.

Dangote has a net worth of $ 23. 9 billion, according to a Forbes report from March 2025.

READ MORE: &nbsp, Tinubu Congratulations Dangote On World Bank Appointment

According to Forbes, Trump is worth $5.5 billion.

Diverse sectors are where Dangote’s business interests intersect.

A 650, 000 barrels per day (BPD) integrated refinery is housed in the Lekki Free Zone of Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.

The refinery’s pipeline infrastructure, which has 1, 100 kilometers of “three billion standard cubic feet of gas per day,” was described on the company’s website as the largest in the world.

A 435MW power plant is housed in the refinery.

The refinery will have an exchequer of each of these products for export and satisfy all of Nigeria’s requirements for all of them.

A multi-billion-dollar project called “Dangedone Petroleum Refinery” will establish a market for Nigerian crude worth $ 21 billion annually. It added that it is intended to process Nigerian crude while having the ability to process other crudes as well.

Dangote claimed on May 9 that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and &nbsp, his organization, were unaffected by a conflict.

Bashir Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., made a courtesy visit to the NNPC Towers in Abuja and made a pledge to work with the NNPCL to advance strategic cooperation aimed at boosting energy security and promoting national prosperity.

READ ALSO: Dangote claims there is no competition with NNPCL.

The Private Sector Investment Lab, a body tasked with promoting investment and job creation in emerging economies, was appointed two weeks ago by the World Bank.

President Bola Tinubu praised him for his appointment, citing Dangote’s extensive private sector experience, strategic investments, and numerous employment opportunities created by his Dangote Group as a fitting conclusion.

As part of ongoing efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and prevent further communal clashes in some parts of Karim Lamido, the Commander 6 Brigade Nigerian Army / Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, has held a series of strategic stakeholder engagements to ensure the return of peace to affected communities.

This was contained in a press statement issued by Captain Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army.

The engagement involved representatives from the Bandawa, Munga and Fulani communities of Karim-Lamido LGA in response to a recent violent clash between farmers and herders.

The clash, which led to the loss of lives and the displacement of several families, also plunged many into taking refuge at an IDP camp in Lau LGA of the state.

According to the statement, the meeting, which was held behind closed doors, yielded several resolutions, including preparations for a formal peace accord expected to be signed next week by all parties involved.

The Brigade commander was also at Ardo-Kola Local Government Secretariat for a similar meeting where he met with the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Zakari Ismail, opinion leaders, community elders, and youth representatives.

Discussions centred on strengthening community ties, enhancing early warning systems, and reinforcing cooperation with security agencies to tackle issues relating to insecurity in the area.

In the Lau local government area, the brigade commander met with the council chairman, Nigeria Jatau, religious leaders, security operatives, and community influencers.

The dialogue emphasised inter-communal trust building and collaborative security to ensure the safety of all and avert a repeat of what happened in the area years ago, leading to the killing of many.

READ ALSO: ISWAP Kills 23 Farmers, Abducts 18 Others In Borno

The meetings, which form part of the Brigade’s non-kinetic peace strategy, focused on fostering dialogue between farmers and herders, especially as the rainy season farming period begins, a time often characterised by heightened tension over land use.

At each meeting, the Brigade commander applauded the stakeholders for their continued support to the military and urged them to prioritise peaceful coexistence for the greater good of their communities, Taraba State and the nation at Large. He noted that harmony among ethnic groups and neighbouring communities is essential for a successful and productive farming season and beyond.

In his words, “No meaningful development can occur in an atmosphere of conflict. We are committed to peace, but let it be clear that the military will not tolerate any group or individuals bent on destabilising the state ”

The Local Government Chairmen in their separate remarks, praised the Brigade Commander for his proactive and people-centred leadership style. They recalled the positive impact of his similar visit last year, which greatly contributed to peace during the dry season farming period. They applauded his preference for dialogue and collaboration over force, stating that such approaches are yielding long-term results in the region.