COVER
Gunmen Whisk Away Pastor, Wife, Others during Church Service in Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja and Dan Amasingha, Minna
The newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, has been reportedly attacked by bandits whisking away the Pastor, his wife and other members.The attack occurred yesterday during Sunday service.
The community was said to have been thrown into chaos on Sunday morning after armed bandits launched an attack during the church service. According to locals, the attack forced worshippers to run for safety as gunshots echoed through the area. The pastor of the church, popularly known as Orlando, was taken away along with his wife and several other members.Residents described the incident as terrifying, saying the bandits stormed the community unexpectedly and left many people in shock. The exact number of those abducted is yet to be ascertained.Meanwhile the Kogi State government through the Commissioner of Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo has confirmed the development saying that government has intensified surveillance and patrols, and launched a manhunt for the bandits who attacked the Cherubim and Seraphim church in Ejiba, Yagba West LGA of the state.The pastor of the church, his wife and yet to be ascertained members of the church were during today’s service whisked away by the gunmen.The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, when contacted, said, “Yes, I have information to that effect, and I am also aware that the security network, comprising the conventional security agencies and the local security architecture, is currently doing what they should do.”The authorities of Yagba West Local Government Council are working hard with the security agencies to ensure those kidnapped are rescued alive. The perpetrators, too, already know that Kogi will do everything possible to secure every one of its citizens abducted.”The Governor of the State, His Excellency Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo, is coordinating activities, and we will keep the press updated on the operations.”We urge the citizens to be security-conscious and also report suspicious movement and faces to security agencies. When you see something, say something.”Worship Centres in the outskirts should also reconsider worshipping in crime-prone areas for now until the situation gets better.”Christian Worshipers Urge Tinubu, Bago to Rescue Abducted PupilsWorshippers from within the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora on Sunday called on President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly for the safe return of the abducted children and teachers of St. Mary’s Private Catholic church in Papiri Agwarra local government area of Niger state who are still held in captivity.One of the worshippers, a retired teacher, Madam Cecilia Audi, who spoke with our Correspondent after the Sunday Mass called on President Tinubu to act fast and ensure the safe return of the children like they did for those in Kebbi state.According to her “honestly, I pity the Bishop for all the stress and to know that these children and teachers are still in captivity, but God will see him through and bring our children back to us safely.“President Tinubu and Governor Umar Bago do all you can to bring back our children. We are all crying and cannot eat or sleep.”Another parent and worshipper, Tina Okeke who is also the Provincial Catholic Women President and Elizabeth Otti charged women in the state and Nigeria at large to join in the prayers to call for urgent release of those in captivity.Accordingly, they said “we believe in God that these innocent young children will return home and be reunited with their parents.”Okeke then asked “is it an offense to send our children to school or to get our children educated? Mothers all over the world irrespective of religion, tribe or other affiliation are praying along with us.“I call on our dear President and his wife to please act fast, find a way to get these children returned safely to their parents”.While assuring that the prayers said during the service shall be answered, Elizabeth Otti disclosed that, the people now go out in fear, they worship and go to the market in fear.An executive member of the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO), Kontagora Diocese, Emmanuel Anyanwu said ever since the adoption, most parents have not been able to sleep or eat.He then appealed to the federal and state governments including the security agencies to top up their actions. “I have not been myself ever since, as you can see, everyone is devastated but our hopes are high”, he added.In his Homily to mark the First Sunday of Advent at the St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna prayed for the ‘Return of the pupils, students and teachers who were abducted over a week ago.According to him “what happened to us is very tragic, and unexpected. But those who are supposed to stand up to do their work have started doing so.“As I speak to you now, one of our catechists has four children among those abducted. We cannot hide from reality and the time has come for the truth to be told.Bishop Yohanna, who is also the Proprietor of the School, said for over a week now, 265 children and teachers are not yet accounted for.“We need them back and I believe those who are responsible to secure us are doing their work. Everyone is traumatized but let’s continue to pray”.While thanking everyone for their support and prayers, Bishop Yohanna said “I want to believe that our government is ready and capable to do the right thing for the safe return of the children and teachers”.Suspend All Non-essential Gatherings Now, Bakare Urges FGPastor Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer, Citadel Global Community Church has urged the Federal Government to suspend all non-essential gatherings in vulnerable areas nationwide, and place them under emergency patrols.Bakare made the call at a State of the Nation news conference titled: “The Darkness before Dawn” held at the Citadel Global Community Church in Lagos on Sunday.The pastor noted that while such measures might appear as militarisation of affected communities, they remained essential and temporary steps of neutralising terrorism in Nigeria.“The suspension of mass gatherings and increased emergency patrols measures must be taken to prevent further mass kidnappings.”He lamented that terrorists have intensified their attacks on Nigerians from the moment the U.S President, Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over allegations of a government-tolerated killing of Christians.Bakare noted that years of leadership failure to confront the nation’s underlying crises finally came to a head.According to him, to position Nigeria strategically in the shifting global order, an integrated approach is required, one that would involve a critical review of our governance structure, security architecture and geo-economic strategy.Bakare said it is the failure of state institutions over the years that transformed a local revolt into a vicious terrorist movement and other unresolved grievances.According to Bakare, at the 2014 National Conference, the progressives were convinced that Nigeria does not need the creation of additional states.”We strongly believed that what was needed was the consolidation of states into geopolitical zones, rather than the further balkanisation of non-viable states.“However, for the sake of trustful give-and-take, and in the spirit of equity, we, at the Committee for Political Structure and Forms of Government, aligned with our Committee Chairman, elder statesman, retired Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, and advocated an additional state for the South East.“Concessions such as these will lay the groundwork for genuine integration and inclusion in the South South, which includes Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers. Years of environmental degradation and resource control disputes led to militancy.”The pastor also reiterated the call for restructuring Nigeria to ensure cohesion and unity.“While we acknowledge ongoing efforts of President Bola Tinubu to swiftly address the situation—from the declaration of emergency on security to mass recruitment into the police force—we urge him to rise up to the occasion and restructure Nigeria.Bakare also suggested that the Federal government should render an apology and compensation to victims of terrorism nationwide.“This would entail opening a Victims and Survivors Register and the President would tender an apology on behalf of the Nigerian state to communities across the nation, calling each community by name, and, possibly, some of the families most gruesomely hit in the attacks.”On the issue of state police, Bakare said that the President must not leave the process to state governors or the Governors’ Fora of the various zones.“A nationally driven approach to devolution of policing powers will ensure that the right checks and balances are put in place to prevent subnational executive overreach.”He said the one-year National Youth Service Corps should be replaced with a two-year scheme, the first year of which would be deployed toward military training and deployment.The pastor called for standardisation of the nation’s Identity Management System with a view to answering the question, “Who is a Nigerian?”He also recommended a constitutional referendum to give Nigerians a say on ongoing reforms, such that Nigerians would have the opportunity to determine how they intended to be governed.Bakare pointed out that by directing that police officers be withdrawn from elite protection to actual policing duties, President Tinubu has already taken a step in the direction of one of our earlier recommendations“To Nigerians across the nation, let us not despair. Let us instead hold fast to our conviction regarding the destiny of our nation, rest assured that our story will soon change for the better,” he added.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils. The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face a team of interrogators at its office daily throughout December.A credible source in the EFCC said on Monday that the daily appearance was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged 490 million dollars Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request.
The source said that Malami, who was summoned for interrogation by the EFCC on Saturday, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next one month.According to the source, one of the conditions for his release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.The source said Malami would have to appear daily at the anti-graft office due to the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st.He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him,” the source added.According to the source, a fact sheet on the former minister revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.“We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”The commission cited the large volume of documents he must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.The source said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, on Monday in Abuja, however, described the EFCC investigation as a political witch‑hunt.He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on Nov. 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical and devoid of substance, insisting they collapse under factual scrutiny.
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