News

I will not negotiate with bandits, says Gov Bago

Gov. Mohammed Bago, of Niger has declared that he will neither negotiate with bandits nor pay ransom for kidnapped victims in the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, in Minna.

The governor made this known during a condolence visit to the people of Rijau and Magama Local Government Areas, whose communities were recently attacked by bandits in Kontagora.

Bago said the state has reached a point where the people must stand up and defend themselves, warning that ransom payments would only turn kidnapping into a thriving business.

“I will not negotiate or pay ransom to bandits. The moment we start paying, they will open shop on our heads and keep kidnapping people,”he said.

He described the situation as a state of war that requires collective resistance, noting that it was a constitutional duty for the lives and property of the people to be protected.

Bago added that he would prioritise that as the constitution does not state how far he should go in protecting the people.

“We are surrounded by enemies, but we will not give up. The constitution gives us the right to defend our lives and property, and we will do just that. There is no going back.”

He described as embarrassing and unacceptable that communities could be invaded and their residents turned into internally displaced persons.

He reeled out plans to recruit and train 10,000 members into the Joint Task Force (JTF) to help restore security, with recruitment beginning immediately.

Bago also declared a total ban on mining activities across the entire Zone C of the state, which covered eight Local Government Areas, comprising Magama, Kontagora, Rijau, Wushishi, Mariga, Borgu, Mashegu, and Agwara.

He noted that illegal mining had become one of the major drivers of insecurity in the area, with miners often accessing forest zones unharmed while residents suffered repeated attacks.

“It is suspicious that miners can enter the forests freely, yet the bandits don’t touch them.

“I hereby, ordered the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to arrest anyone caught engaging in mining activities,”he added.

The governor assured victims of recent attacks of his administration’s support.

Bago promised to compensate the families of those who lost their lives, medical treatment for the injured as well as assistance for those who lost their sources of livelihood. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

News

Maryam Sanda removed from Tinubu’s pardon list

The name of Maryam Sanda sentenced to death in 2020 for the culpable homicide of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, has been removed from the pardon list by President Bola Tinubu.

This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday.

Onanuga noted that President Tinubu was exercising his constitutional powers of prerogative of mercy as captured under Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He stressed that the new list came about after consultations with the Council of State and the public opinion and signing of all relevant instruments necessary to formalise the updated list of beneficiaries.

According to the statement, Tinubu ordered the removal of individuals convicted of severe crimes, including kidnapping, drug offenses, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal firearms possession or trafficking, from the list.

Also, those who were previously pardoned on the old list have had their sentences reduced.

News

Fresh list of 34 persons granted clemency by President Tinubu released

A new list of those granted clemency by President Bola Tinubu has emerged from the Presidency.

The list contained about 15 Nigerians pardoned by the Tinubu administration.

Another four persons, whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment and fifteen others granted clemency, were also listed

Pardon:

1. Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia
2. Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar
3. Ayinla Saadu Alanamu
4. Hon. Farouk M. Lawan
5. Herbert Macaulay
6. Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa
7. Ken Saro Wiwa
8. Saturday Dobee
9. Nordu Eawo
10. Daniel Gbooko
11. Paul Levera
12. Felix Nuale
13. Baribor Bera
14. Barinem Kiobel
15. John Kpuine

From death sentences to life imprisonment:

1. Emmanuel Baba
2. Abubakar Usman
3. Khalifa Umar
4. Mohammed Umar

Clemency:

1. Oroka Michael Chibueze
2. Adesanya Olufemi Paul
3. Daniel Bodunwa
4. Hamza Abubakar
5. Buhari Sani
6. Mohammed Musa
7. Muharazu Abubakar
8. Ibrahim Yusuf
9. Saad Ahmed Madaki
10. Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa
11. Richard Ayuba
12. Adam Abubakar
13. Emmanuel Yusuf
14. Chinedu Stanley
15. Johnny Ntheru Udor

News

Anambra election: Violence won’t be tolerated – NSA warns

The National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, has issued a stern warning to politicians and stakeholders against violence in the November 8, 2025 Anambra governorship election.

The NSA warned that violence won’t be tolerated.

Ribadu gave the warning on Tuesday at the meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, held at INEC Headquarters, Abuja.

Represented by the Director of Internal Security, Hassan Abdullahi, the NSA reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for the poll.

He charged political parties and candidates to promote peace and discourage violence before, during, and after the exercise.

“We are engaging with political leaders and local stakeholders to send a clear message that violence will not be tolerated,” he said.

According to him, the Office of the NSA is committed to implementing President Bola Tinubu’s directive on the strategic mobilization of security forces during the electoral period.

He further stated that enhanced surveillance, deployment of adequate security personnel, and improved intelligence gathering have been put in place to prevent any attempt by destructive elements or desperate politicians to undermine the electoral process.