A security source said the operation followed actionable intelligence on the kidnappers’ hideout.

The source said the combined team mobilised to the area at about 4:23 p.m. on Wednesday and made contact with the criminals at about 5:59 p.m., forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding bushes.

“All eight victims were rescued unharmed and have been reunited with their families,” the source said.

Those rescued are Mrs Rashida Musa (19), Mrs Hafsat Nuhu (18), Mr Zakari Saleh (52), Miss Hasiya Yahaya (13), Mr Ahmed Yahaya (14), Mr Ibrahim Saiba (11), Miss Salma Yahaya (14) and Mr Sophan Idris (18).

The source added that follow-up exploitation and pursuit of the fleeing suspects were ongoing to apprehend those responsible and dismantle the criminal network.

Source: NAN

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The training is to strengthen the capacity of media institutions, journalists and social media content creators to develop and integrate Media and Information Literacy, MIL, policy into their editorials and contents.

The training, titled, “Integrating Media and Information Literacy, MIL, into Editorial Policies of Media Organizations and Social Media Content Creators”, was declared open by the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Waiya.

The commissioner noted that there were so many media organisations operating in Nigeria, particularly online, which had been actively performing their traditional role of informing, educating and entertaining the public.

He said, however, that there was the need to take seriously, the issue of media and information literacy.

Said he: “Media education is important. Therefore, this training workshop cannot come at a better time when many people on the street are now assuming the role of a journalist, even though they do not have any experience or professional training. All they have is just a smartphone and internet access.”

In the context of countering misinformation and disinformation, Waiya called on all media chief executives and senior editors to put in place an operational procedure that would ensure the integrity of the information ecosystem.

The Head of Office and Representative (AI) of UNESCO Office in Abuja, Mr. Albert Mendy, described the role of media executives as pivotal.

“Your leadership in promoting ethical, inclusive, and MIL-informed journalism will not only enhance the quality of news and information but will also contribute to rebuilding public trust and strengthening democratic engagement,” he said.

The UNESCO Head of Office, represented by Ms Yachat Nuhu of the UNESCO Abuja Communication and Information Sector, urged the participants to use the workshop platform to exchange ideas, share best practices, and identify sustainable strategies for embedding MIL into the culture of journalism.

Mendy said, “By doing so, we affirm the media’s enduring role as a public good and a cornerstone of freedom of expression.”

He thanked the government of Kano State for always associating with UNESCO-led activities.

“We would also like to express our appreciation to our implementing partner Media and Information for All Network (MAIN) for their steadfast collaboration and shared commitment to empowering media actors across Nigeria,” he said.

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The Zonal Director of National Broadcasting Commission, Alhaji Jamilu Yahaya Jega, noted that “As a regulatory body committed to fostering responsible broadcasting and content creation, we recognise that Media and Information Literacy represents a critical foundation for building an informed citizenry.”

Represented by the NBC Kano State Director, Alhaji Adamu Salisu, the Zonal Director affirmed that the integration of MIL principles into editorial policies was not merely a theoretical exercise but a practical necessity.

“When media organisations and content creators embed these principles into their operational frameworks, they significantly contribute to elevating professional standards, promoting ethical practices, and enhancing public trust. This workshop, therefore, addresses one of the most pressing needs in our contemporary media ecosystem,” Alhaji Jega said.

Welcoming the participants, the chairman of MAIN, Prof Jide Jimoh, highlighted the threats posed by widespread cases of misinformation and disinformation to ethical journalism and democratic engagement.

He urged the participants to seize the opportunity of the training to deepen their knowledge of the intersection of MIL and ethical journalism and media practice.

The training was attended by by 30 senior management staff of 25 media organisations, including radio, television, newspapers and social media platforms, in seven North-Western states.

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The National Emergency Agency, NEMA, said at least 30 persons had died in the flood while 414,000 were displaced as 70 per cent of the city was submerged in flood water.

Speaking from Maiduguri where humanitarian workers are on the front line to provide immediate support to affected residents, Plan International Nigeria’s Food Security and Nutrition Specialist, Dr Emmanuel Nuhu, called on all stakeholders including the government, politicians, donor agencies, and INGOs to prioritise coordinated support for the residents.

“This is the worst flood in the state in over three decades and the washing away of debris from cemeteries, zoos, waste disposal sites, sewages, and other filthy locations put the residents especially children and girls in danger of contracting waterborne diseases such as cholera, giardiasis, salmonellosis and dysentery,” he said.

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He said: “The situation is dire for a population that has suffered displacement and hardship due to insurgency for more than 14 years.”

Also speaking, the Country Director of Plan International Nigeria, Charles Usie while commiserating with the governor and people of Borno State, said in a crisis like this, “children and women suffer most. Food is scarce and basic hygiene materials for adolescent girls and women are unavailable.”

He commended the state governor for showing leadership by personally leading relief support for the affected residents.

“Maiduguri is host to our biggest humanitarian intervention in the northeast of Nigeria. We are working round the clock to support victims many of who have lost their homes and are displaced,” Usie said.

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The Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Mr Bashir Nuhu, in a statement on Sunday, said that the step underscored the corporation’s commitment to safeguarding depositors’ funds.

Nuhu noted that payments commenced within four days of the bank’s closure.

According to him, the direct payment method marked a historic shift in the NDIC’s approach to reimbursing depositors promptly.

He said that while the majority of insured deposits had been paid, the NDIC was working to reach the remaining 17.64 per cent of insured depositors.

He noted that many of the remaining depositors had accounts with post-no-debit instructions, lacked BVN, or had no alternative accounts.

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According to him, the corporation is actively engaging these depositors through phone calls and text messages.

The spokesman acknowledged the challenges posed by unpaid uninsured deposits, which represent a larger portion of the total deposits.

Nuhu assured the public that the NDIC was working to recover assets and debts to facilitate payments to the depositors through liquidation dividends.

The director said that once all insured and uninsured deposits were settled, NDIC would proceed with payments to creditors according to legal priority.

He reaffirmed the corporation’s dedication to protecting depositors’ funds and urged the public to continue banking confidently.

Source: NAN

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Other defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022, are four members of the disbanded Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT, including Sunday J. Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that the defendants had not placed sufficient materials before the court to warrant granting the request.

Ruling on Kyari’s bail application, Justice Nwite said that bail was at the discretion of the court.

The suspended IRT boss was detained following his arrest on February 14, 2022 by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for alleged involvement in cocaine deal.

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Kyari, along with four suspended officers, was arraigned on March 7, 2022.

Two suspected drug traffickers, Chibunna Umeibe, and Emeka Ezenwanne, who were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, were also charged.

While Kyari and the IRT members pleaded not guilty, Umeibe and Ezenwanne pleaded guilty and were convicted.

Meanwhile, Kyari, in his fresh application for bail, said he had spent two years in pre-trial detention by March 7, far in excess of one year which the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 deemed exceptional circumstances, even for person charged with capital offence.

Source: NAN

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The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, revoked Heritage Bank’s license on Monday.

Mr Bashir Nuhu, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, NDIC, in a statement, said that relevant laws necessitated immediate actions to safeguard depositors’ funds.

“Following the revocation of the banking license of Heritage Bank Plc by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) today, June 3, 2024 and the appointment of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) as the liquidator, pursuant to Section 12(2) of BOFIA, 2020,

“The corporation wishes to announce to depositors of the bank in particular and the banking public in general, as follows:

“The NDIC has commenced the Liquidation of Heritage Bank Plc in accordance with Section 55 sub-section 1 & 2 of the NDIC Act 2023.

“The corporation has also commenced the liquidation process of the failed bank with immediate verification and payment of insured deposits to the bank depositors.”

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He explained the payment options to various categories of the bank’s depositors.

“Depositors of the bank that have alternate accounts within the industry will be paid up to the insured amount of N5 million per depositor using their Bank Verification Number (BVN) to locate their alternate account.

“While depositors with funds in excess of N5 million will be paid liquidation dividend upon realisation of the bank’s assets and recovery of debts owed to the bank,” he said.

Nuhu advised all depositors of the defunct bank without alternate bank accounts in the industry to visit the nearest branch of the bank with proof of account ownership, and verifiable means of identification.

He listed the required documents to include a driver’s license, permanent voter’s card, National Identity Card, together with an alternate account and BVN for the verification of deposits and subsequent payment of insured sums.

He added that depositors could also file online claims by visiting the NDIC website claims page on www.ndic.gov.ng/claims/claims, download and fill the claims forms and upload the required documentation.

He advised creditors to visit the nearest branch of the bank to file their claims or via the online platform.

“Please note that the process of payment of creditors will commence immediately after all depositors have been paid,” Nuhu said.

He advised debtors who had not completed repayment of loans to contact the Corporation’s Asset Management Department (AMD).

“Visit the NDIC website for more details. The NDIC wishes to assure the entire banking public of its commitment to the continued safety of depositors’ funds in all licensed banks.

“As such, depositors are urged to continue their banking businesses without fear as banks whose licenses have not been revoked remain safe and sound,” he said.

Source: NAN

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President Tinubu also used the opportunity of the summit to visit the Nigerian contingent stationed in the country under the ECOWAS Stabilisation Force.

The 63rd Ordinary Session summit, which will open on Sunday will be the first international engagement of the president within the African continent since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

President Tinubu, whose plane touched down at the International Airport in Bissau at exactly 5.30 p.m. local time would be the centre of attraction at the summit.

READ ALSO: ECOWAS summit: Tinubu leaves for Guinea-Bissau Saturday

The 16 regional leaders are expected to address memoranda on pressing sub-regional issues including Report of the 50th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council, MSC, covering security challenges faced by the member countries, Report of the 90th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Council of Ministers on the financial situation of the body and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.

Other matters slated for consideration by the leaders are the Report on the status of Transition in the Republics of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, Memoranda on the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme and the Report on Obstacles to Free Movement of Goods on the Abidjan- Lagos corridor.

Upon his arrival, President Tinubu visited the Nigerian Troops under the ECOWAS Stabilisation Force in Guinea-Bissau.

He expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the soldiers and their Commander, General Al-hassan Grema, for their dedication and service to Nigeria and their host country, adding that Nigeria would continue to support democracy in West Africa and around the world.

“I am here to show solidarity with you. I want to assure you we are committed to support peace and democracy not only in West Africa but around the world.

“Nigeria is a giant that has made its mark in Sierra Leone and Liberia and other places. We count on your support for the defence of constitutional order. I heard your allowances have been paid up to date. Nothing else should make you angry. We will continue to build a virile force.

“We are proud of you; proud of your loyalty. Nigeria depends on you. There will be peace and progress in our country,” president said.

Brigadier General Grema expressed the appreciation of the troops to President Tinubu for being the first Commander-in-Chief in Nigeria’s history to visit his soldiers outside the shore of the country.

While in Guinea-Bissau, the Nigerian leader is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings and have other engagements on the sidelines of the summit.

On the entourage of the president on the trip are National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Acting Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Folashodun Shonubi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Aliyu Ahmed, and ECOWAS Permanent Representative, Ambassador Musa Nuhu.

Others on the entourage include former governors, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) and Senator Abu Ibrahim from Katsina State.

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