Category: News

According to eyewitnesses, the attack unfolded in the Giro Masa community when security operatives were suddenly targeted by the assailants.

The gunmen, believed to have been operating in the area for some time, were reportedly traced by security forces to a construction company yard.

Following a tip-off from residents, soldiers were dispatched to secure the site—but were ambushed along the way.

Eyewitnesses also said the assault, which occurred Tuesday night, may have resulted in the deaths of an undisclosed number of military personnel and two civilians.

In the chaos, two military trucks were said to have been set on fire.

Residents, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the scene as terrifying and chaotic, leaving the community in shock.

The military authorities have yet to officially comment on the incident but Governor Nasir Idris confirmed the deadly attack, which happened on Tuesday night.

While speaking to journalists after visiting the mortuary and the Accident and Emergency unit of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, on Wednesday, where victims of the attack were taken, Idris described the attack as barbaric.

He assured that the state government would cover the medical bills of the injured and provide support to the families of the deceased security personnel.

“This is a sad incident. These are the soldiers who protect the lives of Kebbi residents, yet they found themselves in this situation. The Kebbi State Government will not relent in its efforts to protect the lives of its citizens,” he said.

The governor also prayed for the souls of the deceased and reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening security across the state.

He later proceeded to the scene of the attack for an on-the-spot assessment. Channels TV

The ANED CEO said this in an interview with Nairametrics on Monday.

Oduntan’s comments came amid incidents of power outages rocking Nigerian communities.

What the Disco chief is saying 

He said Nigeria’s three major hydroelectric power plants are not generating enough power, hence Discos’ reliance on gas-fired plants to augment supply.

“Gas is the fuel we use for most of our generation. We have water too, but that one is not much. Just three major hydro power plants at Shiroro, Kainji Dam, and Jebba. What they give us collectively is not up to one-third of our production. So we rely heavily on gas-fired power plants like the one at Egbin,” he said.

According to him, one of the solutions to the power supply menace is to increase production.

“What you should do is to increase production, increase output; thereby, you’ll be able to fulfill all obligations.” 

He also acknowledged that a major challenge facing electricity companies is a liquidity crisis.

“Liquidity issue. People should endeavor to pay for their energy usage. People should fish out those using electricity illegally; if they see something, they should say something. The ministries, departments, and agencies should pay their debts, that’s the way out. It’s about payments, and they should deal with the issue of tariff mismatch,” he told Nairametrics.

He also sought technical alignment within the electricity distribution chain.

“There should be technical and commercial alignment. If we’re generating 10,000MW, the Transmission Company of Nigeria should be able to transmit that, and the distribution companies should be able to distribute that 10,000MW.” 

Nigeria’s prolonged power outages, affecting homes and businesses nationwide, are primarily due to inadequate gas supply to thermal power plants.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) made this known in February.

The system operator attributed the sustained drop in electricity generation to severe fuel constraints impacting the national grid.

In a statement titled “Declining Power Output Attributable to Generation Shortfalls and Gas Supply Limitations,” posted on its official X handle, NISO said average available generation is currently around 4,300 megawatts, significantly below the country’s installed capacity.

Electricity distribution companies in Nigeria are facing financial pressure.

A recent directive by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) required them to refund N20.33 billion to customers who purchased prepaid meters under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.

The directive was contained in an amended order issued by the regulator on March 1, 2026, directing electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to reimburse affected customers within 12 months.

Under the order, the refunds will be credited to customers’ electricity bills in equal instalments over the repayment period—a move aimed at strengthening consumer protection and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s electricity market.

Industry stakeholders say the directive comes at a time when electricity distribution companies are already struggling with severe liquidity challenges across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

Executives within several DisCos warn that the order could further strain their already fragile financial positions. Nairametrics

With this decision, the party has effectively barred Datti Baba-Ahmed, the running mate of Peter Obi and other aspirants from the North from contesting for the position on its platform in the coming elections.

Usman added that the decision was a firm policy shift intended to provide clarity for prospective aspirants ahead of the next general election.

She gave the hint on Tuesday in Abuja at the end of a consultative meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

She stated: “We have one certain decision that we have taken. That is to say that we will certainly not field any aspirant from Northern Nigeria. We have zoned the position to Southern Nigeria. So if any Northerner comes now to want to contest elections, we certainly will not accept that.”

Usman, however, added that the party remained committed to internal democracy and would not handpick a specific individual.

Her words: “As for who, I can’t tell you now because then it won’t be democratic anymore. When the aspirants come, whoever the people like and vote for during the primaries, then whoever it is that wins the primaries, then we put them in the position.”

Usman revealed that a suit filed at a High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, against the National Caretaker Committee was dismissed for lacking merit.

According to her, To God be the glory, the case was thrown out. The court discovered that they had no locus standi. I believe the judge did very well by standing on truth and the case is now thrown out, so it is over.

On the party’s upcoming congresses, initially scheduled to begin on Thursday, March 26, Usman hinted at a potential adjustment to the timetable to accommodate a “surge” of new members.

She argued that sticking to the immediate date might disenfranchise many who are currently seeking to join the party.

“If we go ahead to stick to that date, to my mind, we are going to disenfranchise quite a number of people. I think we should tinker with that date, sit together as a group and come up with a new date,” Nenadi stated. ThisDay

The ICPC, in a statement yesterday by its spokesperson, John Odey, said El-Rufai would be arraigned at a Federal High Court in Kaduna today.

Part of the statement read, “The suit with number FHC/KD/73/2026 has charges ranging from conversion of and possession of public property, to money laundering.

“Similarly, another charge, number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, against Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule (LEDA), has also been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division.

“The charges in the State High Court case range from abuse of office, fraud, and intent to commit fraud to conferring undue advantage, among others. Both charges were filed by the ICPC on 18 March 2026.

“The date of arraignment in the State High Court will be communicated at the appropriate time as determined by the Court.”

The ICPC said El-Rufa’i has been duly served. Recall that El-Rufai has been in detention since 16 February 2026, after he honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and was taken to the ICPC after 48 hours.

In a video statement released on Friday, March 20, 2026, Governing Body member Gerrit Lösch said the clarification is intended to “give Christians the freedom to make personal decisions regarding the use of their own blood during surgeries or other medical treatments.”

He emphasised that while Christians must abstain from blood as a doctrinal principle, “the Bible does not comment on using one’s own blood in medical care.”

“Regarding the use of one’s own blood…a Christian must decide for himself how his own blood will be handled in the course of a surgical procedure, medical test, or current therapy,” Lösch said.

Citing biblical instructions from Noah and the Mosaic Law, he explained that Christians today are not bound by the command to pour out blood and cover it with dust: “The Bible does not comment on the use of a person’s own blood in medical and surgical care.”

According to Lösch, many members already accept procedures involving their own blood, including blood tests, heart-lung machines, cell salvage devices, and kidney dialysis. Christians may now choose whether their blood is removed, stored, and returned during surgery.

“Therefore, after much prayer and consideration of the Scriptures, the Governing Body has decided to clarify our position on the use of a patient’s own blood in medical and surgical care.

“Some Christians may decide that they would allow their blood to be stored and then be given back to them. Others may object. Each Christian must make his personal decision on all matters involving the use of his own blood with regard to medical or surgical care,” Lösch added.

The prohibition on receiving blood transfusions has long been a defining principle for Jehovah’s Witnesses, rooted in biblical teachings rather than medical concerns.

The guidance stems from multiple passages in both the Old and New Testaments, including Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 17:10, Deuteronomy 12:23, and Acts 15:28–29, which instruct abstaining from blood. Tribune

In a statement issued by the Chairman of the National Moon Sighting Advisory Committee, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Sultan said the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH was not sighted on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, across the country.

“The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee, did not receive any report from various organisations across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH.

“Sultan accepted the report and accordingly declared Friday, 20 March 2026, as the first day of Shawwal, that is, the day of Eid-al-Fitr,” the chairman noted.

The statement further added that fasting would continue, as Thursday, 19 March 2026, is the 30th day of the month of Ramadan 1447 AH.

The Sultan felicitated the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wished them Allah’s guidance, blessings, and a successful celebration.

He urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for Nigerian leaders to steer the affairs of the country towards sustainable peace, progress, and development.

The Sultan congratulated Muslims on the occasion and wished them a successful Eid celebration across the country.