Tension heightens as 30-year-old Cult member was stoned to death
Tension heightens as 30-year-old Cult member was stoned to death
A 30-year-old man, Darlington Watson, was brutally stoned to death on Wednesday evening by rival cult members in the Agudama-Epie community of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
This incident comes amid an escalating cult war between the Greenlanders and Bobous factions.
Reports indicate that Darlington, a member of the Greenlanders cult, was forcibly dragged out of a moving tricycle by members of the opposing Bobous group before being viciously stoned to death.
The violent incident is part of an ongoing deadly conflict between the two groups, which has led to multiple casualties as they battle for control of the new transport terminal in the Igbogene community, located on the outskirts of Yenagoa. The ongoing cult war continues to claim lives as both factions fight for dominance in the area.
An eyewitness, who refused to identify himself for security reasons, said, “The boy was in a tricycle (keke) when suspected members of a rival cult group stopped the vehicle, dragged him out, and brutally assaulted him with sticks and stones until he succumbed to his injuries and gave up the ghost.
“The incident occurred around 5:15 pm on Wednesday, opposite one of the Pentecostal churches at Agudama-Epie in Yenagoa.”
The eyewitness reported that the family of the deceased had already removed the body for burial by the time a police patrol team arrived at the scene, with the assailants having fled.
Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident on Thursday and stated that investigations were underway to track down those responsible for the brutal killing.
Mohammed also issued a strong warning to young people, urging them to refrain from joining cults or engaging in any criminal activities.
His words: “Information at my disposal has it that yesterday (Wednesday) at about 1900 hours, the Divisional Police Officer led the patrol team to the area.
“Bobous and Greenlander cult groups were clashing at Agudama-Epie. In the process, one Darlington Walson, a 30-year-old from the community and a member of the Greenlander group, as well, was inflicted with machete cuts and stoned to death by the rival group.
“On arrival at the scene, the family of the deceased had evacuated the corpse for burial. Investigation has been intensified to apprehend the suspects involved in the killing.”
The holiday, effective immediately, is aimed at allowing students, teachers, and educational stakeholders to fully participate in the spiritual practices of fasting, prayer, and other religious observances throughout the month.
The move, which begins today, underscores the significance of Ramadan for the Muslim community in these northern states.
In Kebbi, the revised 2024/2025 academic calendar indicates that the second term officially ended on February 28, 2025, with the Ramadan break starting March 1, 2025.
Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ahmed Idris, confirmed that the break was approved to enable Muslim students and staff to fully engage in their religious duties.
Kebbi’s schools will resume for the third term on April 7, 2025. Idris further emphasized that all educational institutions must adhere to this schedule, wishing the Muslim community a spiritually enriching Ramadan.
Similarly, in Katsina, the state government has ordered all schools to close for the duration of Ramadan. Dr. Aminu Usman, the Commander General of the state’s Hisbah Board, issued a directive emphasizing compliance, particularly for private schools, with penalties for those found non-compliant.
These steps reflect the region’s commitment to supporting the religious observance of Ramadan while ensuring educational schedules are respected.
The statement reads: “In accordance with the Katsina State government’s directive, all private schools are required to close for the Ramadan period to allow pupils to fully observe the holy month. The directive includes extra lessons, please.
“The Hisbah Board urges all school proprietors to strictly comply with this directive. Non-compliance will not be tolerated.
“May Allah accept our fast and grant us His blessings.”
In Bauchi State, the Ministry of Education has issued a directive mandating that all schools—public, private, and faith-based—close for the next 40 days to allow Muslim students to observe the month-long fasting period with their families.
The decision has sparked a wave of mixed reactions, particularly among parents.
While the move is intended to accommodate religious observances, many parents have expressed confusion and concern over its timing, given the looming external examinations that students are expected to sit for in the coming months.
Some parents, have questioned the necessity of such a long break.
They argue that the holiday disrupts students’ preparation for critical exams, such as the West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO), and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) tests, which require consistent study and syllabus completion.
The Association of Christian Private Schools in Bauchi has also voiced concerns about the impact of the holiday.
In a letter addressed to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, the association’s chairman, Reverend Musa Bogoro Zakka, criticised the proposed academic calendar.
He warned that a five-week holiday, followed by an intense examination period without adequate preparation, would harm students’ morale.
He added that the tight schedule would leave little room for proper academic revision, potentially affecting students’ performance in their final exams.
“The enforcement of the proposed Ramadan break may disrupt peaceful coexistence between Christian and Muslim students mentally as it may be perceived as forcing all students to remain at home regardless of their religious affiliations.
“But if it is made optional as has always been, it will encourage and entrench flexibility and tolerance in educational policy of the Ministry of Education, in line with the core principles of the Executive Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, who has demonstrated inclusiveness in all his government policies and administration which the Christian community is very proud of.
“Another critical issue is that the closure is restricted to only nursery, primary and secondary schools in the state while tertiary institutions, civil servants and the private sector go about their normal activities. It gives the impression that private sector education is being undermined and marginalised.
“We had hoped as always that the calendar be kept optional while the needs of our Muslim students are taken into consideration by adjusting the timetable for lessons to close earlier than usual.
“We are also aware that the flexibility exhibited in academic planning by past commissioners of education in Bauchi State has greatly entrenched the value of peaceful coexistence.
“Partnership between private and public schools built a robust collaboration with the ministry which has been providing policy and supervision to all schools under it, yet noting the peculiarities of private sector education so that parents have value for the funds expended on school fees. If this is sustained, we will be very grateful.
“In conclusion, we hold in high esteem the religious and moral benefits of Ramadan fasting as it entrenches the tenets of both learning and character in our various institutions. All we are asking is that instead of outright closure of all nursery, primary, and secondary schools in the state, it can be made optional while the government, in its usual magnanimity, makes adequate and sufficient provision to take good care of our boarding Muslim students and give the usual Sallah celebration holidays.”
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Army General abducted by suspected gunmen, others still in captivity 23 days after
Army General abducted by suspected gunmen, others still in captivity 23 days after
It has been 23 days since armed bandits stormed Tsiga town in the Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, abducting a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga (retd) and nine others.
Tsiga was abducted on a Wednesday, with the kidnappers later contacting his family and demanding a ransom of N250 million for his release.
While the full details of the ransom negotiation remain unclear, sources suggest that Tsiga might have been handed over to a different gang.
According to unverified reports, after an initial payment was made to the first group of kidnappers, a new set of captors emerged, demanding an even higher ransom of N500 million. As of now, Tsiga remains in captivity.
A family source confirmed to ‘Weekend Trust’ that the General is still being held, but the good news is that he is alive and the family is in contact with his abductors.
“It shall be well,” the source added, maintaining hope for his safe return.
Further details reveal that multiple efforts are being made at various levels to secure Tsiga’s release, although “glitches” have delayed the process.
“He ought to have been released by now, if not for some hurdles, but they are being managed,” a source explained.
Meanwhile, banditry continues to plague southern Katsina, with increasing incidents of abductions and terror across communities like Kankara, Bakori, Malumfashi, Danja, Faskari, and Sabuwa.
On Wednesday night, bandits kidnapped prominent businessman Alhaji Balan Awwal and his son from their home in Malumfashi. However, the son was quickly rescued and returned home, while Awwal’s fate remains uncertain.
A Malumfashi resident shared that the kidnappers carried out the operation quietly, without firing shots, making it difficult for neighbors to realize what had happened until after the assailants had left. Awwal, who was once involved in the oil and gas business, is now in his 60s and reportedly suffering from illness.
Banditry in the area is becoming increasingly bold, with high-profile figures also being targeted.
‘Weekend Trust’ has learned that the son of the chairman of Malumfashi Local Government was recently abducted, though details remain scarce. Just a week ago, Bakori town also saw an attempted kidnapping of prominent residents, highlighting the expanding reach of these criminal groups.
A resident of Bakori recounted a failed abduction attempt at the home of a businessman, Alhaji Tukur Kashi, who narrowly escaped after spotting the attackers thanks to his home’s surveillance cameras. When local vigilantes fired shots, the kidnappers fled, but not before abducting another businessman, Alhaji Awwalu Maishanu, along with his wife and daughter on their way out of town.
As banditry continues to surge across Katsina, the security situation remains dire, leaving residents fearful and uncertain of what the future holds.
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Senator Ireti Kingibe criticizes Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over outburst against Akpabio
Senator Ireti Kingibe criticizes Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over outburst against Akpabio
Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims of mistreatment in the Senate, asserting that the Kogi Central lawmaker has enjoyed more privileges than other female senators.
In an interview on Arise News on Friday, Kingibe addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The incident, which took place on February 20 during a plenary session, involved a heated exchange over a change in seating arrangements. Akpoti-Uduaghan later accused Akpabio of retaliating against her after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances.
Kingibe, however, countered Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations, emphasizing that she was not the only senator whose seat had been moved.
The FCT senator also criticised Akpoti-Uduaghan for failing to adhere to Senate rules, stating that such issues should be handled within the framework of parliamentary procedures.
“Silence is golden, especially when one of us is not following the rules. And as women, we did not want to come out publicly to say anything negative about her; and we were hoping all of this will blow over, as a lot of things do,” Kingibe said.
“The senate is not a place where we are supposed to fight over trivialities like seating arrangements.
“This is about the rules of the senate. So if I can point out that other women have been moved several times on that day, I wasn’t there, but I gathered that several men were also moved.”
Kingibe said although the senate is “not gender friendly”, it has been improving.
“And the truth of the matter is, when we make a fuss and draw the attention of the Senate president, he corrects it,” she said.
“Truly, the senate can do better than it’s doing, but there’s hardly anything that’s been done to us that’s not done to other men.
“The truth is, Senator Natasha has gotten the most privileges among all four of us (female senators). The seat I sit on now has been moved four times.
“I want women to know we have to follow the rules of the institution we choose to enter, and that is mostly the point of this visit here.”
Regarding the allegations of sexual harassment, Kingibe stated that she is not personally close to Akpabio and therefore could not comment on such matters.
“I collected some documents for Senator Natasha, informed her and went to her house. She told me that she was supposed to discuss something with Akpabio but he said to meet him at a hotel,” Kingibe added.