News
Tension as bandits demand 5 cows, bags of crops to allow farmers harvest produce in Niger communities
Fear and tension has gripped four communities of Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State as some gang of armed bandits have demanded from the communities to make available their farm produce and cattles to them or risk deadly attack.
The communities include Gulbi Boka, Dusai, Bena and Bangi the headquarters of Mariga Local Government Area.
The demands of the armed bandits was coming barely one week after the deadly attacks on Muhoro community which resulted in the killing of the traditional ruler of the community, Alhaji Usman Abara and fourteen of his subjects.
The armed bandits sent a strong worded message to the four communities demanding from them five bags of their farm produce and five of their cattles or risk a deadly invasion of their communities in the next two weeks.
A resident of one of the community who pleaded for anonymity exclusively told CAPITAL POST that the message of the armed bandits have already put the entire four communities into palpable fear and tension.
According to the villager, the same gang of gunmen had last week sent to a neighbouring community demanding for N50 million from Muhoro community who are mostly farmers before they will allow them to harvest their farm produce, saying that their refusal to pay the money means attack on their communities.
The traditional ruler was contacted by the villagers informing him of the demands of the armed bandits which the traditional ruler turned down telling his subjects that he will not be party to the demands of the armed bandits.
Apparently, undermining their demands the armed bandits stormed the community, killing the traditional ruler and fourteen of his subjects abducting substantial number of women and children.
Tensions have rose to the feverish peak as fiindings revealed that the armed bandits have already laid a siege on the communities warning that they should In their own interest comply with their demands or be ready for attack in two weeks time.
Already, it was gathered that the four communities have been deserted as most of the villagers have abandoned their homes for fear of deadly invasion of their homes by the armed bandits.
Speaking in a telephone interview with CAPITAL POST in Minna, the Commissioner of Police in Niger State Mr. Monday Bala Kuryas said although the command has not received such report, but was quick to say the Command will not leave any stone unturned in fortifying more tactical squad to safeguard the communities.
He said the Command will mobilise men of the anti-kidnapping squad and other teams of the Command to ensure the safety of the communities.
He however appealed to the affected communities to report any unfriendly and suspicious movement in their communities to the appropriate security agencies for prompt action.
Abuja currently is agoged as Pastor Chris Oyakhilome holds a 3-day mega crusade in Abuja, the Zonal Pastor of Christ Embassy Abuja Zone 1 and the Chairman, Steering Committee, Pastor Dipo Fisho, yesterday, disclosed that the crusade is basically to spread the love of Christ and save the souls of the people.
According to Fisho, the crusade holds from Friday March 21st-Sunday March 23rd 2025 at the Main Bowl of the National Stadium, Abuja, with the theme ‘Upward and Forward Only with Pastor Chris’.
He said: “The Word of God in Hebrews 13:1 says, “Let brotherly love continue.” What a profound and deeply stirring exhortation! When meditated upon, this passage can illuminate your heart and open your mind to divine epiphanies by the Spirit of God. Glory to His Name!
“The Lord Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, declared the greatest commandment: “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, and mind,”* followed by this: “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”Brotherly love, therefore, isn’t merely a suggestion—it is a divine mandate! Hallelujah!
“We are utilizing every medium available—social media, billboards, television, radio, and more—to share this divine invitation. Thousands of brethren across Abuja and its environs well branded and kitted are reaching out daily, spreading the Good News, distributing flyers, and inviting everyone to this life-changing program. Yes, ‘Upward and Forward Only with Pastor Chris’ will take place from the 21st to the 23rd of March, 2025, at the Main Bowl of the National Stadium, Abuja, starting at 3 PM daily. Hallelujah!
“To love God is to serve Him and to honor Him with our lives, walking in obedience to His divine instructions. When we follow His Word, our faith is expressed, and therein lies our success. This is the very heartbeat of ‘Upward and Forward Only with Pastor Chris’. For decades, I have had the privilege of pastoring and mentoring countless souls, and I can tell you this: the love of God is the very crux of the Gospel. His love compels us to speak with wisdom, to react with grace, and to stand boldly for the truth. Hallelujah!
“As Christians, we are custodians of the Gospel of Christ. This sacred message is not ours to keep hidden; we are commissioned to take it to the ends of the earth. Matthew 28:19-20 the Master charges us to go into all the world and preach the Good News to every creature. This is our divine calling! For ‘Upward and Forward Only with Pastor Chris’, the Holy Spirit has directed us to bring this message of salvation and divine life to the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja. Praise the Lord!
“Regardless of your background—whether you are a Free Thinker, Muslim, Animist, Buddhist, or Occultist—this message is for YOU! The love of God knows no boundaries, and His salvation is available to all who will receive it. We invite you to join us for this extraordinary 3-day event that will transform your life forever. Glory to God!
“This effort is a demonstration of brotherly love. We are so full of the joy, beauty, and reality of God’s amazing grace that we must share it with everyone! Love compels us to act, to give, and to bring others into the fullness of God’s blessings in Christ Jesus. Praise the Lord! This is why we are sparing no expense—because some things are worth far more than money. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our salvation, and now it is our time to shine His light to the world.
“Beloved, the love of God has brought immense success into my life, and I am passionate about seeing you live victoriously in Christ Jesus. This is why my brethren and I from all Christ Embassy Churches and LoveWorld Fellowships across Abuja extend this heartfelt invitation to you. Come and experience the power of God for yourself!”
Thousands have been stranded at Heathrow in the United Kingdom as fire guts electrical substation that supply electricity to the airport.
The international flights has been disrupted in the early hours of Friday with a yet to be released option as at the time of the press.
Authority said, Heathrow Airport will be closed all day Friday after a fire at a nearby electrical substation that supplies it with power
The fire is still burning, London Fire Brigade says, with no power at Terminal 2 and 4 as well as 5,000 homes nearby. Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, warns of days of disruption – more than 1,350 flights are thought to be affected today.
The implications will stretch far wider than Heathrow, and could impact flights much further afield,
Edited by Jenna Moon and Barbara Tasch, with Charlotte Gallagher reporting from Heathrow
Smith goes on to say that 29 people from neighbouring properties were evacuated over the fire, adding around 150 people in total were evacuated to a rest centre.
He says the fire brigade will continue to have a presence in the area throughout the day.
Fire safety and fire investigation officers are working with the Met Police to establish the nature of the fire, he adds.
There remains no power at Terminal 2 or Terminal 4 at Heathrow Airport, Smith says.
We’re now hearing from the London Fire Brigade, as deputy commissioner Jonathan Smith addresses reporters with an update on the fire at the electricity substation near Heathrow Airport.
The fire involved a transformer comprising 25,000 litres of cooling oil that was fully alight. 10% is still alight, he says.
Met Police declared it a major incident, he adds, saying that firefighters worked under challenging conditions.
Press watch live above to follow along. We’ll bring you more updates shortly.
BBC/CAPITAL POST NIGERIA
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has lost its quest to remove the ally of Chief Nyesom Wike as the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the early hours of Friday affirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary.
Anyanwn who was planted by Wike as the National Secretary of the PDP has been engrossed in legal battle as Wike, the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT is now loyal to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
In a unanimous judgment, the five member panel averred that the matters bordering on the leadership or membership of a political party is its internal affair and should not be the business of a Court, hence, the Court has washed off its hands in PDP affairs.
The court proceeded to set aside the decision of Appeal Court, Enugu Division which on 20 December 2024 affirmed the removal of Anyanwu by a Federal High Court in Enugu.
The Apex Court held the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to have heard the matter instituted by Aniagwu Emmanuel.
Anyanwu contested for Imo State Governorship on the platform of PDP in 2023, but failed to secure victory.
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