Zamfara

Suspected bandits have abducted six students of Federal Polytechnic, Kauran Namoda, Zamfara State, following an attack on their off-campus residence located on the outskirts of the Low-Cost area of Kaura Namoda town. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the day, has prompted a coordinated rescue operation by security agencies aimed at securing the safe release of the victims. Confirming the development, the member representing Kaura Namoda South Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Hon. Mannir Haidara Kaura, said security operatives had already swung into action. “The incident occurred, and security operatives are currently carrying out rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped students,” he said. Read Also: NEMA warns 178 Kano communities of flood risk, lists 28 vulnerable LGAs A student of the institution, Ibrahim Ahmad, disclosed that one of the abducted students managed to escape from the captors, leaving three male and three female students still in captivity. Meanwhile, a group under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Kaura Namoda has expressed concern over what it described as the deteriorating security situation in the area, allegedly linked to the activities of a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Bello Dansadiya, and his gang. In a statement, the group recalled previous kidnapping incidents in the area, including the abduction of two senior lecturers who reportedly spent more than two months in captivity despite the payment of ransom. The group also cited the kidnapping of three residents and a district head from his residence near a military base, noting that the victims were allegedly still being held in a known bandit camp around Dajin Yamma. “Alarmingly, all these victims are reportedly still being held in a well-known bandit camp around Dajin Yamma, yet no rescue operations have taken place. Where are the fighter jets and armoured vehicles?” the group queried. The Zamfara State Police Command also confirmed the abduction and assured residents that efforts were underway to rescue the victims. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the attack occurred at the students’ residence located outside the institution’s campus, adding that one victim escaped while six others remained in captivity. According to him, the institution itself remains adequately secured against external threats. “The school premises have been fortified with adequate security personnel, making it extremely difficult for bandits to penetrate,” he said. Abubakar explained that preliminary investigations indicated that one of the students stepped outside during the night and inadvertently left the door open. “One of the students went outside during the night, claiming he wanted to urinate. In the process, he left the door open. Coincidentally, bandits passing through the area entered the house and abducted the students,” he stated. He added that operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), in collaboration with troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, had launched a coordinated operation to rescue the abducted students and apprehend the perpetrators. “Our VCRU personnel, together with troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, are working to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students,” Abubakar reiterated. (Trust)

Zamfara State on Friday recorded its first-ever Hajj flight departing from the newly constructed Gusau International Airport, as 415 intending pilgrims boarded a Max Air flight bound for Saudi Arabia. The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the spokesperson to Governor Dauda Lawal, Sulaiman Idris. According to the statement, the inaugural flight, operated by Max Air with flight number NGL270, conveyed 288 male and 127 female pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise. Speaking during the departure ceremony, Governor Lawal described the event as a historic milestone and a major fulfilment of his administration’s campaign promises. Read Also: FROM VISION TO REALITY: Matawalle’s Legacy Takes Zamfara to the Global Stage “I am happy today that our pilgrims will be flying directly from Gusau International Airport to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage,” the governor stated. “Many doubted this would become a reality, but today it has. We began building this International Airport on June 18, 2024,” he added. Lawal noted that the airport would significantly ease the burden previously faced by pilgrims who had to travel to Kano or Sokoto before boarding Hajj flights. According to him, the new development would reduce travel stress and enable pilgrims to reach Saudi Arabia in less than four hours. The governor further disclosed that discussions were already ongoing with airline operators to commence commercial flight operations from the airport. He thanked the people of Zamfara State for their support and prayers, while wishing the intending pilgrims a successful Hajj exercise and safe return. Lawal also urged the pilgrims to pray for peace, progress and development in Zamfara State and Nigeria at large.

A dispute has intensified at Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata Mafara, Zamfara State, following allegations of forced eviction of long-standing residents of the Bakalori Irrigation Scheme colony area, amid an ongoing court case over land ownership. A former staff member of the institution, who served for over 15 years, raised concern over what he described as attempts to remove occupants from the community, including individuals allegedly perceived as political supporters of former governors Abdulaziz Yari and Bello Matawalle, both of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a statement addressed to the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, the former staff member alleged that the actions of the Polytechnic management amount to politicising an academic environment that should remain neutral, inclusive, and guided by due process. He claimed that both staff and non staff residents within the Polytechnic’s surrounding community are being affected by what he described as forced ejection, raising concerns about fairness and legality. Read Also: Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, APC Loyalists Clash Over Staff Evictions from Colony Residential Complex, Mafara According to him, the Polytechnic management has taken the matter to court, seeking the removal of occupants from the disputed area on the basis that the land belongs to the institution. However, he challenged the claim of ownership, insisting that there is no clear documentary evidence showing a valid purchase from the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority. He further alleged that records indicate the institution had earlier requested and received a refund from the authority, casting doubt on its ownership claim. The matter is currently before the court and has been adjourned for hearing in the coming weeks, as both parties maintain opposing positions on the disputed land.

Gusau International Airport in Zamfara State has recorded its first aircraft landing, marking a significant milestone as the state prepares to receive high-profile dignitaries in the coming days. The development was confirmed in a statement by Sulaiman Idris, spokesperson to Governor Dauda Lawal, who disclosed that a Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft, operated by the Federal Government, landed successfully at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Describing the event as historic, Idris said the governor personally witnessed the maiden landing, which he noted represents a major step forward in the state’s infrastructure development. According to him, the aircraft, bearing registration number 5N-FGZ, conducted a one-off test flight aimed at assessing the airport’s readiness for VIP operations scheduled for the coming week. Read Also: Ganduje, Kuku Lead Nigeria’s Airports Into a New Era Why Engr. Abba Ganduje is Still Needed in Dawakin Tofa Federal Constituency Eid-el-Fitr: Hon. Muhammad Sanusi S. Kiru, FCIA, Felicitates Muslim Ummah, Urges Unity and Sustained Values He explained that the test was carried out in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, adding that the state government had earlier secured approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which granted a “No Technical Objection” (NTO) for the operation. The flight, he added, was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), limiting operations strictly to daylight hours between sunrise and sunset. Governor Lawal expressed satisfaction with the successful test run, noting that the development represents a significant boost to his administration’s efforts to reposition Zamfara State, particularly given the absence of a functional airport in the state since its creation over three decades ago. The construction of the airport was officially flagged off in June 2024, with a projected completion timeline of 30 months. The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming Zamfara into an attractive destination for both local and international investment, stressing that critical infrastructure such as an airport is essential to achieving that vision. Earlier, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the project, had underscored the importance of the airport, describing it as a crucial social and economic asset for the people of the state.

The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed that several people were killed following explosions caused by objects suspected to be Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the Magami–Dansadau Road in Maru Local Government Area of the state. The confirmation was given on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Abubakar said details surrounding the incident were still sketchy but assured that investigations had commenced to ascertain the exact cause of the explosions. According to an eyewitness, Malam Yunusa Isah, who was part of a security-escorted convoy travelling on the road, suspected bandits planted three explosive devices between the Maikogo and Mai’ayaya communities. He explained that the first blast destroyed two motorcycles and led to the death of four people. Read Also: Sule Unveils World’s First University of Public Relations in Nasarawa End of an Era: Prominent Nigerians and Global Icons We Lost in 2025 NNPP Reaches Agreement With Families on Replacing Deceased Kano Lawmakers Isah added that a second explosion later affected some trailers along the road, resulting in the death of about five additional persons. He noted that the convoy was lengthy and that the explosion occurred towards the rear of the vehicles. The eyewitness further disclosed that security operatives attached to the convoy engaged the attackers in a gun duel and chased them into nearby bushes. He also said a woman reportedly fell from a moving vehicle in panic after the explosions and was accidentally run over by another vehicle, leading to her death. DSP Abubakar stated that security agencies had been reinforced in the area to ensure the safety of road users, adding that the command would issue a comprehensive statement as investigations continue.

The management of Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata Mafara, is facing mounting criticism following the issuance of sudden eviction notices to some staff members alleged to be affiliated with the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State. The affected staff include Dr. Lawal Umar Maradun, Malam Jamilu Hassan and one Malam Abdulhakim Yusuf who were directed to vacate their residences at the Rima River Basin Development Authority Staff Quarters, popularly known as Bakalori Estate, without prior joint approval from relevant authorities. One of those affected is said to be a close associate of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, who reportedly spent about ₦20 million renovating the house he occupies. Read Also: Dr. Gwaram Appointed Provost, Set to Lead Federal College of Agriculture, Kirikasamma The Bakalori Estate Community Association (BECA) has rejected the Polytechnic’s action, describing it as unilateral, unjust and contrary to the established agreement governing the estate. In a protest letter dated September 22, 2025, and addressed to the Registrar of the Polytechnic, the Association insisted that the institution lacked the authority to carry out evictions without mutual consent between the Rima Basin Authority and the Polytechnic management, as stipulated in their joint agreement. The Association’s Secretary, T/Wada Samaila Abubakar, who signed the letter, said the notices violated Article 16 of the joint RIMA/POLY committee guidelines, which clearly states that allocation and revocation of houses must be handled exclusively by the joint committee. BECA also accused the Polytechnic of selective enforcement, noting that those affected were fully compliant with rent payments, while others who defaulted were left untouched, raising what it described as “serious concerns of miscarriage of justice.” The Association further appealed to the Polytechnic management to halt the planned eviction and ensure due process, fairness, and peaceful coexistence within the community. Members warned that failure to reverse the action may force them to seek legal redress. The Polytechnic management has yet to respond publicly to the protest.