Author: Chronicle Editor

Armed bandits have kidnapped the father of the Speaker of Zamfara State House of Assembly, Alhaji Nasiru Muazu Magarya. The assailants also whisked away the speaker’s stepmother, uncle and four other relatives. According to reports, the gunmen carried out the operation in Magarya community of Zurmi Local Government Area of the State. Bandits raid Zamfara hospital, kidnap health worker The Zamfara state police command was yet to confirm the incident as at the time of filling this report. Over the past few months, Zamfara state has become the epicenter of school kidnappings, killings and random abductions. The rate of insecurity…

The Emir of Kazaure in Jigawa, Alhaji Najib Hussaini-Adamu, has donated five motorcycles and 25 torchlights to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NCSDC), Area C, Kazaure Command. CSC Adamu Shehu, the spokesman of the Corps, stated this in a statement sent to The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Wednesday. Shehu said the items were presented to the Corps Area Commander in charge of the Area C Command, Mr Bishir Magaji, on Tuesday in Kazaure. He said the motorcycles and rechargeable torchlight were donated to the Area Command and four divisional offices of the Corps in the…

The Mexican government has sued some of the biggest US gun manufacturers, accusing them of fuelling bloodshed through reckless business practices. The lawsuit alleges that the companies knew they were contributing to illegal arms trafficking, which has been linked to many deaths. Officials say the Mexican government is seeking as much as $10bn (£7.2bn) in compensation, though any amount would be decided by the court. The companies have not yet commented. They include Smith & Wesson and Barrett Firearms, among others. The BBC has contacted both companies for comment. The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday in the US state of…

No less than 482 migrants on Wednesday crossed the English Channel in 21 small boats, setting a new record for a single day crossings, the UK Home Office has said. The Ministry of Defence had earlier confirmed that an exercise on its firing range at Hythe had to be stopped when people landed on the beach there. According to Home Office figures, there have now been 10,236 arrivals in 434 boats so far in 2021. The Home Office said French authorities had stopped 246 people from crossing. Dan O’Mahoney, clandestine Channel threat commander, said:   “These dangerous small boat crossings, facilitated…

Amnesty International has revealed grim statistics concerning the gruesome clampdown by Nigeria’s security operatives on separatists in country’s southeast region. According to the global human watchdog, Anambra, Imo, and Abia states were the hotbeds of brutality. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have been campaigning for the independence of the region, due to the incessant attacks by Fulani militia/herdsmen. IPOB’s agitations, led by the embattled Nnamdi Kanu, have been met with deadly crackdowns by the Nigerian government. Kanu himself is undergoing a trial for treason in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. Amnesty International Nigeria said the violent crackdowns have led to…

Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has failed to win a medal for Nigeria in the Men’s shot put final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Thursday. Enekwechi became known for his talent after clinching the gold medal at the African Games in Rabat with a throw of 21.28m. He was placed last overall with a throw of only 19.74m. United States’ Ryan Crouser, the world record holder in both the indoor and outdoor events in shot put, won the gold medal with a personal best of 23.30m which is more than his previous Olympic record of 22.52m. Tokyo Olympics: PUMA ends four-year contract…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has authorized the acquisition of a 20% stake in Dangote Refinery for $2.76 billion. The minister of state for petroleum resources, Timipre Sylva stated this while briefing journalists at end of the weekly FEC meeting in Abuja on Wednesday. The Dangote Refinery is a 650,000 barrels per day integrated refinery project under construction in the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos. It is expected to be Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest single-train facility, upon completion. He said the FEC also approved the sum of $1.48 billion for the rehabilitation of both Warri and Kaduna…

The Federal Executive Council has approved the sum of $11.17bn to connect all of Nigeria’s coastal cities by rail within six years. Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this during while briefing State House correspondents after the virtual FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Mohammed said that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, presented two memos which had to do with Federal Government’s commitment to expanding and consolidating on the rail project. “The first one has to do with the Kano-Jibia rail and the other one has to…

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has denied having a contract with German manufacturing company, PUMA. According to the Secretary General of AFN, Prince Adisa Beyioku, he was not aware of any contract between AFN and PUMA. However, PUMA stated that it had fulfilled its obligations concerning the contract to the federation till date and payment was made to the AFN Technical director, Sunday Adeleye’s account. “I am the Chief Administrative and Chief Accounting Officer of the AFN as contained in the AFN constitution (2017 as amended), article 8.7.1 and article 4.4.2 of the 2017 Code of Governance as referenced…

By Chibuike Anyanwu Yesterday, the media was awash with news about the termination of kits supply contract by Puma to Team Nigeria. The deal signed in 2019 before the appointment of the current Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare was supposed to lapse in 2022. The contract signed by the then leadership of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Ibrahim Gusau had a Non-Disclosure Agreement without the supervision of the Ministry, in total disregard for due process. Mr Dare on assumption of office discovered that funds for the Puma kits contract was paid into personal accounts and the…