Tinubu condemns killings in Plateau and Kaduna

President Bola Tinubu has strongly condemned the barbaric and cowardly attacks by gunmen in Angwan Rukuba district, Jos, Plateau State.

He equally condemned the attacks in Kahir village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Tinubu in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Spokesman Bayo Onanuga described the attack on the community in Jos and the killing and abduction of wedding guests in Kaduna as an affront to all that Nigeria stands for. He assured Nigerians that the barbaric acts will not go unpunished.

"Anyone who will sneak under the cover of the night and kill defenceless citizens as done in Jos and Kahir village, is a heartless coward. By attacking soft targets in Jos, their objective is not only to cause harm but also trigger a spiral of reprisal attacks and further bloodletting," he said.

The statement disclosed that Tinubu has directed security agencies to intensify all efforts to pursue the perpetrators and those spreading misinformation that can inflame tensions and further endanger lives. He cautioned some sections of the media, insinuating the attacks were religiously motivated.

President Tinubu reaffirmed that security agencies are actively addressing the situation and stressed that public cooperation is vital to maintaining peace and protecting lives and property. He stressed the need for communities to comply with evacuation, relocation, and related advice and processes. He hailed the safe return of two of the Kaduna victims.

“I urge our security agencies to be more proactive in preventing these attacks by acting on early warning intelligence. All the remaining abductees from Kahir village must be rescued immediately", the President said.

"I commend Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State for his efforts in containing the situation in Jos and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for supporting the rescue and containment efforts. I assure the people and government of the two states of my support. I commiserate with the families of those killed and pray for the quick recovery of the injured. Our government is currently acquiring more sophisticated equipment to enable our security agencies to track and smash criminals, in real time, wherever they are."

Court adjourns El-Rufai’s bail hearing till Wednesday

The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday adjourned hearing in the bail application filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, until Wednesday.

The presiding Judge, Justice Rilwanu had earlier fixed March 31 for the bail application hearing after listening to arguments from both the defence and prosecution.

El-Rufai was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering.

The former governor had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

El-Rufai had also appeared before Kaduna state high court over alleged abuse of office, fraud, and intent to commit fraud .

The former governor was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) with charge, number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26.

The ICPC’s charge was against El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule (LEDA).

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the former governor arrived the court premises 9:40am alongside officers of the ICPC

Security was heightened across Kaduna metropolis ahead of the arraignment, with armed personnel of the police, DSS, and Kaduna State Vigilance Service deployed to strategic locations.

Access to the court premises was restricted, as only accredited journalists and court officials were allowed entry into the premises even though the were still barred from the court room to cover the proceedings.

Counsel to El-Rufai Upon Akan declined interview with journalists after the session saying the case “has been adjourned till tomorrow”.

NAN recalls that the former governor was arraigned on Tuesday, March 24, at the Federal High court in Kaduna state by the ICPC over alleged conversation of and possession of public property and money laundering.

Nurses threaten night-duty boycott over Akure health centre attack

Following the abduction of several nurses last Saturday at a health centre in Akure, the Ondo State capital, nurses in the state have threatened to withdraw from night duties.

The Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), in the state, Felix Orobode, issued the warning after armed men reportedly invaded Oke Ijebu Health Centre in the heart of Akure, assaulting staff and carting away valuables.

According to Orobode, the attackers stormed the facility in the night and beat staff mercilessly and stole money and other belongings before whisking some of the health workers away.

He added that conflicting reports initially emerged, with some suggesting a kidnapping and rescue operation, while others claimed the victims were later released.

Providing clarity, the union leader said affected staff confirmed they were abandoned by their assailants along Ondo Road after the attack.

“We were told the attackers came in a bus and forced their way into the facility. The staff on duty were beaten and some were taken away.

“When we spoke with the victims, they said they were dropped around Olokuta Prison along Ondo Road. That is what we reliably gathered,” he stated.

This account aligns with information from security sources, including local operatives, who indicated that the victims were not formally rescued but later found after being abandoned by the attackers along the same route.

The ANNM Chair described the incident as a stark indication of worsening insecurity in the state, especially as it occurred in a central area of Akure.

“For this to happen in Okeijebu, the heart of Akure, shows clearly that we are facing serious security challenges,” he said.

The union leader warned that nurses across the state may boycott night shifts if urgent security measures are not implemented, raising fears of a looming disruption in healthcare delivery, particularly during critical overnight hours.

“I want to make this clear: we are not going to wait until our members are kidnapped and we begin to raise ransom. If government fails to secure our facilities nurses will withdraw from night duty across Ondo State,” he declared.

He expressed deep concern over the inadequate security presence at public health facilities, lamenting that many centres are left vulnerable as they rely on elderly, unarmed guards lacking the training and equipment needed to respond to security threats.

You can see the security man here—an elderly man, unarmed, without any security training. That is what we have in most of our facilities,” he said.

Orobode stressed that fear among health workers could severely impact service delivery, as staff may become reluctant to attend to patients during vulnerable hours.

“If health workers are afraid of their lives, how can they give their best to patients? The morale is already affected,” he added.

He said discussions had been initiated with the state commissioner for health and the Akure South local government chairman to address the situation, while the union’s state executive council is expected to take a final decision on the proposed industrial action.

“The government must act now. The primary responsibility of any government is the security of lives and property,” he said.

El-Rufai’s son apologises to Shettima for calling him ‘spineless’

Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has issued a public apology to Vice President Kashim Shettima for a now-deleted social media post in which he described the Vice President as “painfully spineless.”

In a post on X on Sunday, Bashir described his tweet as reckless and expressed admiration for the Vice President.

Tagging Shettima’s handle, El-Rufai wrote, “I want to use this medium to personally apologise to the Vice-President of Nigeria, His Excellency Sir Kashim Shettima, for my old post referring to his person as spineless.

“He is someone I greatly admire and respect. It was a reckless tweet.”

In the original tweet, posted on March 6, 2026, and subsequently deleted, Bashir urged Shettima to take stronger action against alleged corruption at the Presidential Villa.

He wrote, “I like Shettima. He’s just painfully spineless.

“I hope one day he realizes he is positioned in a unique place, and has the ability to take the whole corrupt criminal family system at the Villa down. He has the leverage tbh.”

The apology post gained traction on social media with some users praising Bashir for owning up to the mistake and showing accountability.

Others mocked the retraction, questioning his consistency or suggesting external pressures prompted the reversal.

In replies, Bashir insisted there were “no threats,” saying: “There was no truth in the tweet. It was uncalled for and disrespectful.

“We no dey fear arrest for this side o,” he added.

This episode comes after political fallout involving Nasir El-Rufai, Bashir’s father, and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The ex-Kaduna governor had been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission following his arrest over allegations of corruption and money laundering.

He was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count charge, with the case adjourned until March 31, 2026, for hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.

He was, however, reportedly granted release from ICPC custody to attend the funeral of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, whose burial was held on Sunday.

Fear as fire outbreak hits Mayorkun’s Lagos mansion

Concerns have mounted over the safety of popular singer Mayorkun and his family following reports of a devastating fire at his Lagos residence late Saturday night.

The incident reportedly occurred around 9:35 p.m., shortly after the “Eleko” singer returned home from a performance. Sources suggest an explosion triggered the blaze while the singer, his wife, and children were inside the building.

Videos circulating online show a section of the mansion engulfed in flames, sparking a wave of anxiety among fans and colleagues. While emergency responders were seen arriving at the scene, official confirmation of the occupants’ safety and the extent of the damage remains pending.

As news of the fire spreads, social media has been flooded with prayers from well-wishers, many calling for urgent updates on the singer’s and his household’s well-being.