The police in Borno have confirmed the arrest of two Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) for allegedly beating a 72-year-old man to death in Ngala Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nahun Daso, said in Maiduguri on Monday, that the incident occurred at the ‘ISS IDP camp’ in Ngala on Saturday.

He said that the suspects, identified as Modu Mohammed, 25, and Annami Modu, 32, conspired and attacked the victim, Abba Mustapha, with sticks over allegations of witchcraft.

“The suspects accused the victim of bewitching the wife of one of them and causing her ill health. They beat him up in his house at the camp,” the spokesman said.

He added that policemen at the camp rescued the victim and rushed him to the General Hospital in Ngala, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel.

According to him, the suspects were arrested at the scene, while the place have also recovered some exhibits.

He said the corpse of the deceased was released to his family for burial in line with Islamic rites after an autopsy.

He said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Maiduguri, had begun investigation into the matter.

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, October 1, 2025, a public holiday in celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the Federal Government. He congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad on the milestone, describing it as a historic occasion.

In a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr.

He further encouraged Nigerians to keep faith in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said is focused on national rebirth, economic transformation, and collective prosperity.

Expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future, the Minister said: “With the cooperation of all Nigerians, the country will continue to grow stronger in peace, progress, and development.”

He wished all citizens a happy and memorable 65th Independence Day celebration.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Minna Operations Office on Tuesday in Minna engaged stakeholders on measures to curb incessant boat mishaps in Niger.

Head, NEMA Minna Operations Office, Hussaini Isah said the aimed was to share expertise, experiences and valuable insights on boat mishap prevention and response strategies.

Isah reiterated the significance of effective preparedness, enforcement and response strategies in mitigating the impact of boat mishap on lives, means of livelihoods, communities and infrastructure.

“Boat mishap and other hydrological hazards have poised a significant threat to Nigeria’s economic, social and environmental well-being,” he said.

Isah stressed that relevant agencies must tackle key areas, including causes of boat accidents, enhance search and rescue operations, sensitisation campaigns and enforcement of the use of life jacket.

He called for state and local governments support for community leaders to find a lasting solution to frequent boat mishaps on waterways.

Isah commended the participants, speakers and partners for their contributions, highlighting their expertise and commitment to disaster risk reduction and community resilience.

“Let us work together to build a more resilient Nigeria, where communities are better informed, better prepared and better equipped to withstand and recover from any form of emergency or boat mishap incident,” he said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director-General of NSEMA, said stakeholders had identified underwater tree stumps and inadequate distribution of life jackets as major causes of boat mishaps in the state.

Baba-Arah, represented by Alhaji Garba Salihu, Director, Relief and Rehabilitation of NSEMA, said life jackets were yet to reach the intended users, adding that they should be given directly to boat operators.

He also emphasised the need for stakeholders and partners with resources to cut underwater tree stumps during the dry season when rivers are dry, saying it would help reduce the risk of boat accidents.

The meeting brought together representatives from various agencies, including NEMA, NIWA, NSEMA and the state’s ministries of Transport and Humanitarian Affairs.

Others were NSCDC, Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Sarkin Ruwa, and Sarkin Gwata from Shiroro Local Government, among others.