Troops intercept ammunition and IED components on Kaduna-Jos road, arrest seven suspects
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Troops from Operation ENDURING PEACE intercepted a significant cache of ammunition and suspected improvised explosive device IED components on the Kaduna-Jos road, leading to the arrest of seven suspects. The interception occurred on Thursday near Boys Science Secondary School on the Manchok-Jos road in Kaduna State. The military stated that the vigilant troops, reinforced by a Special Forces Tactical Team, conducted a precision stop-and-search operation. Items recovered from a commercial vehicle included 569 rounds of 12.7mm anti-aircraft ammunition, several warheads, 189 empty shells of 7.62mm ammunition, and mobile phones suspected to be IED components. The driver, Khalifa Bawa, denied ownership of the items, claiming they were handed to him for delivery by an anonymous source, with no contact information for either the sender or the intended recipient. All seven occupants of the vehicle are currently in custody. This operation is part of intensified efforts by security agencies to disrupt the movement of arms and explosives in the North-Central region.
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World Cup fans will be charged $150 for a 36-mile 58-km round-trip train journey between New York and Meadowlands Stadium, where eight matches, including the final, will be held. NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri confirmed the fare for the route to MetLife Stadium. Only 40,000 train tickets will be available per game, a significant increase from the typical $12.90 return rail trip. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill attributed the price hike to FIFA, citing a $48 million state bill for fan safety at the stadium. Sherrill stated that FIFA should cover transportation costs, or New Jersey commuters would not bear the expense. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed this sentiment, calling for FIFA to fund transport. FIFA, facing criticism over high match ticket prices, expressed surprise at the New Jersey Governor's approach, stating that original host city agreements required free fan transportation. While a renegotiation stipulated transport "at cost," FIFA noted that no other major event at NYNJ Stadium required organizers to pay for fan transportation. New York Governor Kathy Hochul also criticized the reported price, calling a fare over $100 for a short train ride "awfully high." Local media reports indicate that $10.4 million in US federal funding has been allocated to the New York-New Jersey area for transit network costs, part of $100 million for host cities.
The Federal Government has introduced emergency hotlines and a WhatsApp channel for reporting school bullying cases, following a Stakeholders Consultative Dialogue on Anti-Bullying in Schools organized by International Alert Nigeria in Abuja. The initiative aims to address the widespread issue of bullying in Nigerian schools, where studies indicate 70 to 85 percent of students have experienced it. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Abel Enitan, represented by Assistant Director Gender, Augustina Apakasa, announced the ministry's reporting channels: 09012660044 for calls, 08052536133 for WhatsApp messages, and antibullying@education.gov.ng for emails. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons NAPTIP, represented by Director, Violence Against Persons Prohibition, Rebecca Enwusoyele, also provided a toll-free short code, 627, and an email address, @naptip.com.gov, noting that while bullying is not explicitly mentioned in the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act 2015, sections on intimidation, threat, and placing someone in fear can be applied. The National Safe School Response Coordination Centre, represented by Special Assistant Adebola Adeoye, also urged the public to use its hotline, 09131232323. Programme Manager of International Alert Nigeria, Sunday Jimoh, stated that a communiqué and advocacy note would be produced to engage policymakers on the implementation of existing anti-bullying legislation.
Must ReadThe United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF and the Government of the Republic of Korea have initiated a routine immunisation investment in the Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State. This program aims to reach thousands of zero-dose children across Nigeria. UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, highlighted the initiative as crucial for closing immunisation gaps and protecting vulnerable children, noting that Nigeria has an estimated 2.2 million zero-dose children, the highest number in Africa. Saeed emphasized that the challenge is not a lack of vaccines but issues of access and equity, and commended the Federal Government for prioritizing immunisation. The Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Lagos, Lee Sang Ho, stated that Korea will contribute $70 million globally to the project, with $5.6 million allocated to Nigeria. This funding will support efforts in 40 local government areas across Lagos, Ogun, Niger, Bauchi, Adamawa, and the Federal Capital Territory, focusing on reducing zero-dose vaccinations and strengthening immunisation systems. Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, affirmed that the initiative aligns with the state's commitment to inclusive healthcare and ensuring equitable access to quality immunisation for every child.
The Niger State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to establishing the Niger State Carbon Market Office to position the state as a key player in Nigeria’s emerging carbon market ecosystem. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the state government to align environmental sustainability with economic growth, revenue diversification, and investment attraction. The Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, stated that this represents a major milestone in the state’s development agenda, focusing on forward-looking policies under Governor Umar Bago's leadership. The carbon market initiative is viewed as a strategic economic intervention designed to access climate finance, stimulate green investments, create jobs, and strengthen the state’s revenue base. The SSG's office will coordinate policy alignment and collaboration across government institutions, ensuring a whole-of-government approach. The state will adopt a phased implementation approach for efficiency and sustainability. The Governor will provide strategic leadership, the SSG’s office will oversee coordination, and the Ministry of Environment will serve as the interim focal point. The Niger State Carbon Market Office will act as the central coordinating platform. The structure is designed to reduce bureaucracy and improve execution. Niger State will leverage international partnerships and external expertise in areas like carbon accounting, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification, project certificati