Headlines
Police Invitation: Offa Community, Youths, Others Defend, Absolve Saraki

Police Invitation: Offa Community, Youths, Others Defend, Absolve Saraki
By Steve Oni, Ilorin
The people of Offa in Kwara state, the scene of the bloody armed robbery attacks of April 5, this year, have stated that they did not agree that the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, had anything to do with the incident.
This is just as coalition of Kwara youths under the aegis of Kwara Agenda, asked the federal government and the Nigeria Police to stop politicising the Offa robbery incident.
Also, elders of Ajikobi Central Ward in the Ilorin West local government area of the state, where Saraki hails from said that they received with shock the invitation of the Senate President by the police in respect of the unfortunate Offa armed robbery attack.
High Chief Bayo Akinola, who addressed newsmen in Offa on Monday on behalf of Olofa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, said that the community had left “what has happened to God, but we don’t want the innocent to be punished. We want police to go after the real culprits”.
High Chief Akinola’s view was corroborated by the national General Secretary of Offa Descendants Union (ODU), Chief Atinuke Wosilat McCarty.
The elders of Ajikobi Central, in a statement signed by their coordinator, Alhaji Salihu AbdulWahab Agbaji, said that, ” it is illogical and unthinkable that the Senate President and the political leader of Kwara state will ask bandits to kill the citizens that he leads.
“‘The plot against our son is as a result of his growing popularity across the country, a situation which is making some of his political rivals uncomfortable. We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently call the Inspector General of Police to order so as to allow our hard earned democracy to blossom.”
Members of the coalition of Kwara youths during a peaceful protest from the hinterland of Ilorin metropolis to the Press Centre of the NUJ in GRA, condemned the invitation extended to Saraki by the police over the Offa robbery incident.
The youths, in their hundreds, carried placards with various inscriptions, such as “Stop evil politics,” Be professional”, “No to over politicisation of Offa robbery”, “Saraki is not an armed robber’, “Don’t implicate Saraki.”
Addressing newsmen, the coordinator, Kwara Agenda, Haruna Yakub Kannike, said that the group was surprised by police invitation of Saraki over Offa robbery incident, adding that, “nothing can be farther from the truth!”.
He added: “Our attention has been drawn to a fresh plot by the Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, Abuja to implicate the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki in the April 5,2018 dastardly armed robbery attacks on banks in Offa, Kwara state. During the robbery operation that shook Offa to its foundation many innocent citizens including nine policemen were murdered by the bandit.
“Prominent Nigerians have blamed the wanton killings of harmless citizens in Offa on that BLACK Day on the inefficiency of men and officers of the Nigeria Police.
“We are, however, surprised to see the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris wanting to politicize a serious criminal offence by insinuating that our revered Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki and our amiable Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed had links with five of the arrested armed robbery suspects. Nothing can be farther from the truth!
“It’s instructive to note that this latest ploy to frame Dr Bukola Saraki came after an earlier failed attempt by the Force Headquarters to frame our leader in a murder case involving some suspected cultists. The Senate President had on May 16,2018 during a plenary in the Senate intimated his colleagues about the plot by the police to frame him up in the murder case. When that attempt failed, following public outcry, the police is now concocting another cock and bull story just to nail Saraki at all cost.
“It is on record that Saraki, because of his love for the people of Offa was the first public officer to visit us after the robbery incident, condoled with us and gave us succour.
“We are also pleased that the Senate President has dissociated himself from the armed robbery suspects and expressed his willingness to honour the police invitation whenever he’ s duly invited.
“What is more, the Kwara state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has also refuted police allegations of sponsoring, funding, arming or otherwise supporting political thuggery.
“Ahmed has dismissed the allegations against him as false and rejected his alleged indictment by the Nigeria Police or the armed robbery suspects in their custody.
“He affirmed that while the state government has empowered several youth groups under its acclaimed Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) scheme neither he nor the statement government can be held liable for how beneficiaries utilize the credit. He therefore urged the police to complete their investigations and charge the suspects to court soon in line with the dictates of the rule of law.
“We are also pleased to note that the duspected gang leader had during an interview with newsmen in Abuja confessed that “one ex -dismissed police officer Michael Adikwu was the one that comes with armunitions”.
“On the alleged involvement of Dr Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on the robbery incident, the suspected gang leader said “No! They did not send us for the robbery but because we are their political thugs , that’s what led us to the robbery.It is devil that pushed us”.
“We want to use this forum to make it clear to the police hierarchy that Saraki is our leader and a law abiding citizen whose passion is to improve the lots of the common man. He should be left alone to continue the good job he and his colleagues are doing at the National Assembly.
“We are therefore warning those behind this fresh plot to frame and tarnish the image of our leader to retrace their steps. We have no doubt in our mind that this fresh plot like the ones before it shall fail woefully.
“Dr Bukola Saraki remains committed to the cause of the Nigerian masses, and their prayers and support shall always keep him going and ensure this victory over his adversaries.”
Headlines
BREAKING: Senate to Engage US Lawmakers Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria

By: Fabian Apechihin
The Nigerian Senate is set to engage with US lawmakers following renewed debate on alleged targeted attacks against Christians in the country.
The controversy intensified after American TV host Bill Maher, on his HBO program, described the situation as a “silent genocide,” accusing Western media of downplaying mass killings by Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, and Fulani militias. He cited claims that over 100,000 Christians have been killed since 2009 and thousands of churches destroyed.
Maher’s remarks were echoed by Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who argued that the crisis had not received the international media attention it deserves.
Government Rejects Genocide Narrative
In response, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the claims as misleading and divisive. He emphasized that terrorist groups do not target Christians alone, insisting that Nigerians of all faiths—including Muslims and non-religious citizens—have suffered at the hands of violent extremists.
“Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a religious war is a gross misrepresentation of reality,” Idris said.
Headlines
Nigeria @ 65: The Worst Is Over, We’ve Turned a New Corner — Tinubu

By: Fabian Apechihin
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his Independence Day broadcast marking Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, assured citizens that the country has overcome its toughest challenges and is on the path to recovery.
Honouring the Founding Fathers
Tinubu paid tribute to the sacrifices of Nigeria’s independence leaders, including Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
“They believed it was Nigeria’s manifest destiny to lead the black race as the largest black nation on earth,” he said.
Journey So Far
Reflecting on six decades of nationhood, the President noted that Nigeria had endured a civil war, military dictatorships, and political crises but survived with “courage and grit.”
“At Independence, Nigeria had only 120 secondary schools and two tertiary institutions. Today, we have over 23,000 secondary schools, 274 universities, 183 polytechnics, and 236 colleges of education,” he said, adding that the country had made “remarkable progress” in healthcare, telecommunications, aviation, and infrastructure.
Tough Reforms, Signs of Recovery
Tinubu said he inherited a fragile economy distorted by decades of poor policies but chose reform over inaction.
“Our administration ended the corrupt fuel subsidy regime and abolished multiple foreign exchange rates that enriched a few while impoverishing the majority,” he stated.
According to him, the measures are yielding results:
- GDP grew by 4.23% in Q2 2025, the fastest in four years.
- Inflation fell to 20.12% in August, the lowest in three years.
- ₦20 trillion was realised from non-oil revenue by August.
- Debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from 97% to below 50%.
- Foreign reserves climbed to $42.03 billion, the highest since 2019.
- Oil output rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day, while Nigeria refined petrol domestically for the first time in four decades.
- The stock market surged from 55,000 points in May 2023 to 142,000 points by September 2025.
“The worst is over. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to today’s relief,” the President declared.
Tackling Insecurity
Tinubu said security agencies were making gains against insurgency, separatism, and banditry.
“Hundreds of communities have been liberated, with thousands of displaced persons returning home. We salute the gallantry of our armed forces,” he said.
Investing in Youth
Describing young people as Nigeria’s “greatest asset,” Tinubu highlighted ongoing programmes:
- NELFUND Student Loans: ₦99.5bn disbursed to 510,000 students.
- Credicorp Loans: ₦30bn given to 153,000 Nigerians for solar, housing, transport, and digital devices.
- YouthCred: Credit support extended to NYSC members.
- iDICE Programme: Partnership with AfDB, AFD, and IsDB to boost innovation in digital and creative sectors.
Call for Collective Effort
Acknowledging that reforms have caused temporary hardship, Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain steadfast.
“Our progress must not be measured by statistics alone, but by food on our tables, quality of education, electricity in our homes, and safety in our communities,” he said.
He called on citizens to embrace productivity, pay taxes, support local industries, and contribute to nation-building.
“The dawn of a new Nigeria is here — self-reliant, prosperous, and united. With God on our side, we will overcome. Let all hands be on deck,” he concluded.
Would you like me to compress this further into a shorter news report (around 6–7 tight paragraphs) for quick-read media, or keep it as a detailed feature-style recap like this one?
Headlines
Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal

A total of 28 persons abducted by suspected bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State have been released without ransom following a peace arrangement with bandit kingpin.
The bandits, led by their commander identified as Isya Akwashi Garwa, handed over the captives to officials of the council on Wednesday.
Zagazola reports that those released were largely residents of Mairua, Kanen-haki and Yar Dabaru communities.
Local authorities confirmed that the release was the outcome of a reconciliation effort initiated in the area to restore peace and reduce violent attacks.
Community leaders in Faskari described the development as a positive signal and urged both sides to sustain the peace process. They also urged the bandit to force other bandits still attacking in the area to stop.
A council official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The captives were released this afternoon without any ransom being paid. The bandit leader fulfilled his promise under the peace talks,”he said.
Meanwhile, residents expressed relief at the safe return of the abductees, with some calling for stronger security guarantees to consolidate the gesture.
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