Nigerian Military Subdue Heavily Armed Bandits Heading To Kano City

January 2, 2026

Heavily armed bandits riding over 50 motorcycles, heading to Kano City were dislodged in Yankwada, Babanduhu and other villages in the Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State by the Nigerian Military after engaging in a gun battle between yesterday, January 1 and early hours of today, January 2.
Chairman of the Shanono/Bagwai Community Security Forum, Yahya Bagobiri, who confirmed the development, said that the bandits launched the attack in retaliation for losing nine fighters to military operations last week.
“The intentions of the Bandits is to penetrates Kano, but with the redeployment of more Military and provisions of more Arms would stop their criminal missions.”
“The Bandits riding over 50 Motorcycles, each having three persons with Bazookas and other heavy Guns, raided Yankwada, Babanduhu and other villages, opening fire from around 1am Thursday to 5am Friday, resulting in killing a civilian.
“The Bandits were dislodged by the Military tactical fighting despite the facts that they came with heavy Arms but succeeded only in stealing 100 Cows and killing one civilian.”
Yahya Bagobiri commended the Military for the gunfight and for blocking the bandits from entering the main towns.
He called on the Federal Government to provide more Arms and redeploy more men to complement those gallant officers on the ground.
He assured that with additional arms and the cooperation of the Nigerian Air Force, the bandits would be contained, and that the areas of Shanono, Bagwai, Tsanyawa, and Gwarzo Local Government Areas would have peace.

Ohinoyi Of Ebiraland, Kogi Central, Pleads For Cooperation With Constituted Authorities

Greenbarge Reporters

January 1, 2026

The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, in Kogi Central Senatorial District, Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje has pleaded with his subject to imbibe the spirit of cooperation with constituted authorities towards accelerating development in all fields of human endeavours.
In his New Year message, the Paramount first class ruler also stressed the importance of community-based efforts aimed at improving the welfare of the people.
He called on all sons and daughters of the land to embrace the virtues of discipline, hard work, unity and commitment as essential pillars for personal progress and the collective advancement of the land.
He emphasized that sustainable development can only be achieved through a shared sense of responsibility, moral uprightness and dedication to lawful and productive endeavors.
The Ohinoyi called on parents, youths, traditional institutions, community leaders and stakeholders to play their respective roles in nurturing a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous society.
According to Ahmed Anaje, the future of Ebiraland depends greatly on the values that are upheld today.
His Royal Majesty reaffirmed the Palace’s steadfast commitment to initiatives that would continue to promote peace, social harmony, economic empowerment and overall development across Ebiraland.
He extended warm royal greetings and best wishes to the people of Ebiraland, both at home and in the diaspora, even as he prayed for peace, good health, abundant blessings and renewed hope for every household.
He wished all and sundry a joyful and prosperous New Year, filled with renewed determination to build a greater and more united Ebiraland.

Budget DG Describes Story Of Altered Tax Law As “Careless Amplification Of Unverified Claims”

Greenbarge Reporters

December 31, 2025

Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu has described the news making the rounds about the alteration of new tax reform Acts as a careless amplification of unverified claims.
Defending the integrity of the Tax Reform Acts, in a statement today, December 31, Tanimu Yakubu warned that democratic integrity is endangered by such careless amplification of unverified claims.
“A nation cannot be governed by insinuation or sustained on circulating documents of uncertain origin.”
He said that public confidence, once shaken by speculation, is often difficult to restore.
He therefore reaffirmed the integrity of Nigeria’s newly enacted Tax Reform Acts, even as he further cautioned against what it described as governance by speculation and unverified claims.
The Budget Office boss said that he had taken note of concerns raised by the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, acknowledging that the sanctity of the law is central to constitutional democracy and not a mere procedural formality.
He said that any suggestion that a law could be altered after debate, passage, authentication and presidential assent without due process would strike at the core of the Republic and undermine citizens’ right to be governed by transparent and stable laws
He emphasized that both government and citizens share a common interest in truth, clarity and due process, and that public finance depends heavily on trust in the legality and clarity of fiscal laws.
He welcomed the decision of the National Assembly to investigate the allegations, describing institutional inquiry, not conjecture as the appropriate response to claims of illegality.
On public access to the law, the DG agreed that Nigerians and the business community are entitled to clear and authoritative texts of all laws they are required to obey, saying however, that the authenticity of legislation is determined by certified legislative records and official publication processes, not by informal or viral reproductions.
Tanimu Yakubu stressed the importance of separation of powers, warning that claims suggesting Nigeria is being governed by “fake laws,” if not backed by established facts, risk eroding confidence in democratic institutions.
He said that legislative scrutiny should not be dismissed by the executive, and that oversight is a constitutional duty, not an act of hostility.
From a fiscal perspective, the Budget Office DG said that legal certainty is essential for revenue projections, macroeconomic stability, budget credibility and investor confidence.

“While it is not the custodian of legislative records, uncertainty around operative tax provisions directly affects economic planning.”
To restore confidence, he proposed a set of measures, including the publication of verified reference texts in a single public repository, orderly access to Certified True Copies for stakeholders, clear public explanations where discrepancies are alleged, and strict alignment of all implementing regulations with authenticated legal texts.
On the calls for suspension of the tax reforms, the DG cautioned against allowing prudence to slide into paralysis, saying that properly implemented tax reform is necessary to reduce dependence on borrowing and inflationary financing, while easing indirect burdens on vulnerable citizens.
“Where clarification is required, it must be provided; where correction is required, it must be effected; where investigation is required, it must proceed.”
He stressed that governance and reform should not be stalled by unresolved conjecture.
Tanimu Yakubu made it clear that taxation is a democratic covenant that binds citizens and the state, insisting that compliance depends on transparency and trust.
He called on political actors to protect institutions as much as positions, even as he advised citizens and businesses to rely on verified sources and resist the spread of unauthenticated information.

CBN Celebrates As Nigeria’s Purchasing Managers’ Index Hits 57.6 Points

Greenbarge Reporters

December 31, 2025

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has rolled out drums to celebrate the upward movement of the country’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) attained over 50-point expansion threshold strengthening domestic
economic activity in December 2025.
According to the spokesperson of the apex Bank, Hakama Sidi Ali, in a statement today, December 31, the December 2025 PMI Survey, released by the Bank, puts the Composite Index at 57.6 index points, representing the strongest activity momentum recorded in about five years.
The report indicated sustained improvement, reflecting continued expansion across major employment-generating sectors.
It said that sectoral PMI readings showed that agriculture remained robust at 58.5 points, industry recorded 57.0 points, while the services sector remained in positive territory with 51.9 points, indicating broad-based growth in output and business activities during the month.
The Survey indicated also that 32 of the 36 sub-sectors monitored posted expansions in
key indicators such as production levels, new business orders, and employment.
The CBN notes that this outcome highlights a steady rebound in domestic demand and strengthening productive activities, particularly within the non-oil economy.
The Bank attributed the improved PMI performance to the positive effects of ongoing
macroeconomic stabilisation measures, including efforts to enhance the operating
environment and support business confidence.
“These reforms continued to bolster job creation, production efficiency, and overall optimism about economic prospects in the
fourth quarter of 2025.
“The December PMI reading reinforces expectations of a stable growth outlook as Nigeria transitions into the new year.”
The PMI is an economic indicator used to measure the health of a country’s manufacturing and services sectors. It shows whether business activity is improving, staying the same or worsening, based on surveys of purchasing managers in companies.
It is a leading indicator that gives early signals of economic trends and is used by governments, investors, banks and businesses to make decisions. PMI helps assess economic growth, inflation pressure and employment trends.

Varsity Don, Prof. Sule Ya’u Laments Poor Remunerations For Journalists In Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

December 30, 2025

A senior lecturer in the department of mass communication at Bayero University Kano (BUK), and an Associate Professor, Sule Ya’u Sule has lamented the poor remunerations for practicing journalists in Nigeria.
Speaking at the launching for an endowment fund to assist journalists in Kano State, Sule Ya’u recalled the recent embarrassing discovery he made in regard to salary of an average journalist in the country.
He said that he was part of an interview panel for the recruitment of journalists, and that in the process, he discovered that the take-home pay of the highest paid journalist so far “was nothing to write home about.”
He said that in some cases, hardworking journalists are either not paid their pitiable salaries by their employers or are owed an upward of 10 month salaries.
Sule Ya’u regretted that journalists who raise people, especially politicians from none entity to high public pedestal through their reportage are mostly left in poverty and on the same spot.
He noted that the worse is a situation in most cases, in which most people they so elevated are the same that would turn round to downgrade or even spite them.
The senior lecturer then commended the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ for coming up with an idea of floating an endowment fund.
He appealed to the friends of journalists both in government and private sector to contribute immensely to the fund.
This came as the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf was believed to have earmarked about N100 million in the 2026 budget towards assisting journalists across the country.
His spokesperson, Mustapha Muhammad, at an award night ceremony by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the Tahir Guest Palace in Kano on Sunday, December 28, said that the governor has always been the friend of media and journalists, adding that beyond friendship he is always thinking about their wellbeing and welfare.
Alhaji Mustapha Muhammad promised members of the Kano Correspondents Chapel in particular and all the journalists operating in the state of the concern of the governor for smooth operating environment to practice their trade.
He said that the governor appreciates the positive roles members of the chapel have been playing in his continued efforts to develop the state.
At the endowment fund launch, a business tycoon, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdúlkarim Zaura donated N2 million while a member of the House of Representatives, Barrister Muhammed Bello, former Kano State Commissioner of information, Garba Muhammed, Chief Executive of Amasco, Alhaji Ibrahim Mustapha, Alhaji Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Ambassador Usman Hassan, Hon Kabiru Alhassan Rurum donated one million naira each.

Kano Journalists Confer Distinguished Leadership Award On Editor-In-chief Of Greenbarge Reporters, Others

Greenbarge Reporters

December 30, 2025

Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), has conferred an award of distinguished leadership on the Editor-in-chief of Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper and hardcopy magazine in Abuja, Nigeria, Yusuf Ozi-Usman, nipr. He is the pioneer chairman of the chapel from 1992 to 1994.
The insignia of the award plaque reads: “Kano Correspondents’ Chapel, NUJ Distinguished Leadership Service Award 2025, presented to YUSUF OZI-USMAN, in recognition of your quality leadership, dedication and invaluable contributions in your service as Former Chairman…”

… Murtala Adewale presents the award to Yusuf Ozi-Usman
The chapel conferred similar award on the subsequent chairmen of the chapel, including Alhaji Tajudeen Suleiman, Dr. Lamara Garba Azare, Osa Director, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar Askira, Alhaji Ibrahim Garba, Alhaji Aminu Ahmed Garko, Alhaji Mujitaba Ramalan Bello, Alhaji Bala G. Abdullahi, Alhaji Baffa Jakusco and Edwin Olofu. Babajide Otiteju missed the event being one of the foundation executive of the chapel.
Speaking during an organized award night at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano city on Sunday, December 28, the current chairman of the chapel, Alhaji Murtala Adewale described the event as unique.
According to him, the first chairman of the chapel, Yusuf Ozi-Usman led the chapel from 1992 to 1994, about 33 years ago, saying that his leadership and the leadership of the subsequent chairmen strengthened unity, professionalism and progress in the chapel.
“Today, it is a privilege for some of us, just occupying this position, to meet these past leaders.
“We are also celebrating our members who God has elevated to different areas of human endeavour. “We are also celebrating our friends, the friends of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel, who identify with us at all times.”
He described the Get-together and Award Night as one for “reflection, celebration and display of service to humanity.”
Murtala Adewale said that the award night was dedicated to recognizing past leaders and celebrating elevated members of the Chapel.
“It is also a special night set aside to reward the wisdom of long-serving members, and to recognize the loyal friends of the Chapel,” he said.
Those who received Awards as Friends of the Chapel include former President of the NUJ who also served as former Kano State Commissioner of Information, Comrade Muhammad Garba; Associate Professor Sule Ya’u Sule, Alhaji Inuwa Waya, Honourable Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, Honourable Baffa Babba Dan Agundi. Others are Director General Media and Publicity in the State Government House, Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa and former member of the House of Representatives, representing Kano Municipal, Honourable Sha’aban Sharada.
Those who got Awards as elevated members of the Chapel are Mr. Babajide Otitoju, Jaafar Jaafar, publisher of Daily Nigerian; Associate Professor Rukaya Aliyu and the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Comrade Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu.
Those who received Long Service Awards at the occasion included Abdullahi Mallam Yusuf, Mohammed Kabir Ya’u, Mohammed Abdulsalam, Chief Jacob Ajakaiye, Desmond Mbogh, Maduabuchi Jerry and Ahmed Mohammed Soron Dinki. The oldest journalist in the country, over 80 year old Chief Ajayi Maimeyatan was also honoured.

Kano Journalists Honour Yusuf Ozi-Usman, 33 Years After His Leadership

Greenbarge Reporters

December 30, 2025

….Chairman Murtala presenting the award to Yusuf Ozi-Usman

Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) conferred Distinguished Leadership Service Award on Yusuf Ozi-Usman, nipr 33, years after he led the chapel as its pioneer chairman, starting in 1992. The award was conferred on him and others in an organized award night in Kano on Sunday, December 28, 2025. Yusuf Ozi-Usman is currently Editor-in-chief of Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper and hardcopy magazine in Abuja, Nigeria.

Yusuf Ozi-Usman, making a remark

Reps Member, Barr Shehu, Insists On Stopping Implementation Of Altered Tax Reform Law

Greenbarge Reporters

December 30, 2025

One the members of the House of Representatives who raised eyebrows over the alleged alterations in the controversial tax reform law, Barrister Muhammed Bello Shehu has warned against the implementation of the new tax law allegedly altered by the executive arm of the government.
He stressed the urgent need for the National Assembly to do the necessary corrections before the implementation.
The lawmaker made the fear of the possible dare consequences of implementing the altered law against the background of the Federal Government’s move to implement it from January 1, 2026.
Barrister Bello Shehu spoke on Sunday, December 28 at the award night ceremony of the Kano Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano.
The legislator, representing Fagge Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, stressed that implication of implementing questionable law would constituente a clear danger to the democracy.
Barrister MB Shehu advised the leadership of the National Assembly, “to take the issue of the Tax Reform very seriously.”
The lawmaker, who was elected on the platform of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) seazed the opportunity to advise journalists to always strive to keep Nigeria as one indivisible country.
According to him, Nigeria’s unity can be leveraged with its diversity.
“Nigeria remains one indivisible country, irrespective of our political, religious and ethnic affiliations.”
Representative MB Shehu commended the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel for organizing the all-important event. He was one of the friends of the Chapel and journalists that received the award.

Banditry Will Be Defeated Next Year, Senate President, Akpabio Predicts, Amidst US Bombings

Greenbarge Reporters

December 26, 2025

A few hours after the United States of America launched airstrikes in Sokoto, Nigeria’s Northwest, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has predicted the total end to bandit and terrorist activities next year, 2026.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the President of the Senate on Media and Communication, Anietie Ekong, quoted Senator Akpabio as saying, “I want to assure all Nigerians that the new year will usher in renewed peace in our country.”
Akpabio spoke during a prayer and fasting service organized in his honour and that of his family at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, Ukana Ikot Ntuen in Essien Udim Local Government Area.
The Senate President said that with the renewed collaboration with international partners, especially America, insurgency will soon be defeated.
He also enjoined Nigerians to set aside their differences, embrace peace and foster unity among their families, States and Nigeria as a whole.
According to him, Nigeria can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, stressing:” Nigerians will be redeemed from banditry and insurgency in the new year and beyond.”
Senator Akpabio advised Nigerians, irrespective of political leanings to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu in the fight against banditry and insurgency.
This was even as the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, encouraged family members to set aside personal biases and live together in love.
The head of the Greater Akpabio Family, Chief Ekan Akpabio urged family members to keep supporting Senator Akpabio as a great Ambassador of the Family, Essien Udim LGA and Akwa Ibom as a whole.
He appealed to family members holding political positions to remain connected to their roots and prioritize the welfare of their relatives.
The annual Prayer and Fasting Service, held every December 26, is a time for the Akpabio family to express gratitude and offer thanksgiving to God for His sustenance throughout the year while they also pray for the peace and unity of Nigeria.

UBA Faces Court’s Anger For Failure To Effect N1.07 Billion Judgment Debt To Ex Kogi Deputy Gov

Greenbarge Reporters

December 26, 2025

The United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) may be compelled by the National Industrial Court for its alleged defiance of an order directing the release of over N1 billion from Kogi State Government accounts to settle a judgment debt to former Kogi Deputy Governor, Elder Achuba Simon.
The court gave the order in Abuja on 27th November 2025, specifically instructing UBA to transfer N1,070,860,138, alongside N2 million and N1 million in costs, from the state government’s accounts to the judgment creditor’s Access Bank account.
A legal documents dated 22nd December 2025 and signed by Samuel Ogala of Falana & Falana Chambers, accused the bank of having failed to execute the court directive despite multiple rulings in favour of enforcement.
The case traces back to a Court of Appeal judgment in suit number CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/1053M1/2024, which entitled Elder Achuba Simon to the substantial sum from the Kogi State Government. The enrolled order of the appellate court confirmed this entitlement, paving the way for execution proceedings against the state government’s assets.
Court records show that following an order nisi granted on 7th October 2025, UBA was directed to show cause why funds belonging to Kogi State Government in its custody should not be forfeited to satisfy the judgment debt. In response, the bank disclosed two accounts: a Kogi State Government SRA account (number 1002944334) containing N20,014,648.31, and a Kogi State ACRESAL IDA Designated Dollar Account (number 3003543886) holding $3,765,343.69.
The court being satisfied that the funds in the account being enough to satisfy the judgment sum made the order nisi absolute on the 27th day of November 2025,” the legal notice states. The garnishee order absolute represents a final court directive that legally compels the bank to release the specified funds.
However, rather than comply with the order, UBA filed an appeal and a motion for stay of execution before the National Industrial Court. This manoeuvre was struck out on 18th December 2025, according to a court ruling attached to the demand notice. The bank’s continued resistance has prompted the judgment creditor’s legal team to issue a formal demand notice to UBA’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
The lawyers argued that the bank has overstepped its statutory role as a mere stakeholder in the dispute.
“It is trite law that the bank is only a proxy to the judgment debtor and not an advocate for it,” the notice reads. “Your bank in this case has gone beyond its statutory role as a proxy to Kogi State Government and has now descended into the arena to act as an advocate for Kogi State Government, thereby assuming the liability of any cost or decision that the court may award on their behalf.”
The legal team further challenged UBA’s reported ground for appeal, which claims that the funds in question belong to the World Bank rather than Kogi State Government. This argument contradicts the bank’s earlier admission in its affidavit to show cause, where it acknowledged that the accounts were held in the name of Kogi State Government.
Under Nigerian law, garnishee proceedings allow judgment creditors to attach debts owed to judgment debtors by third parties. Banks holding funds for judgment debtors are typically required to surrender those funds to satisfy court judgments unless they can demonstrate a superior legal claim to the money. The principle of interpleader action, referenced in the demand notice, provides that only parties with a legitimate property interest can challenge garnishee orders.
Falana and Falana Chambers warned that UBA’s continued refusal to comply could result in further embarrassment and additional costs at the Court of Appeal.
“We believe that your esteemed office is not aware of the decision being taken on this issue by your bank branch manager in Abuja,” the notice states, appealing directly to UBA’s top management to intervene.
The legal firm has demanded swift action from the bank to execute the garnishee order absolute and transfer the funds to Elder Achuba Simon’s designated Access Bank account.
Meanwhile, the legal team of Elder Simon Achuba has filled a motion ex- parte which was as well heard on 18/12/25 asking the court to attach UBA moveable and immovable properties.The court ruled that the parties be put on notice and adjourned the case to 14/1/26. If the court grants the legal team prayers on 14/1/26, UBA risks losing moveable properties and three branches attached.

1...212223...2,499 Page 22 of 2,499