A member of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Engr. Abdurrahman Ahmad Kandarawa, has facilitated the release of 45 kidnapped victims after leading a delegation to negotiate with terrorists operating in the state.

DAILY GAZETTE gathered that the victims were freed last Friday following a renewed peace agreement between community leaders and the armed group, an arrangement aimed at reducing the region’s persistent insecurity.

A video obtained by DAILY GAZETTE shows one of the terrorists confirming that the release was carried out because both sides upheld earlier promises.

The bandit stressed that the group expects the government and security agencies not to “escalate the situation,” adding that the agreement should allow their people to return to town and resume normal activities.

Hon. Abdurrahman, who led the dialogue process, defended the controversial engagement with the terrorists, comparing it to global conflict-resolution efforts.

“Even in the world, peace agreements are made to ensure coexistence,” he said.

“There is nothing wrong in making peace to secure a lasting and peaceful future for our people.”

The development comes amid a wave of recent attacks across northern Nigeria.

Earlier on Monday, DAILY GAZETTE reported that terrorists stormed Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State, abducting multiple female students and killing at least one staff member.

A school guard was also injured in the attack, which occurred at about 5:52 am, just as students were preparing for morning activities.

Residents say the attackers are still in the area and have called for urgent government intervention to rescue the girls.

In a separate incident, terrorists launched a deadly assault on Rogun Village in Kpada District, Patigi LGA of Kwara State.

According to a security source, the attackers targeted a police outpost late Sunday night, engaging security personnel in a prolonged gun battle.

By the time the shooting ended, two security operatives, a police constabulary and a vigilante officer, had been confirmed dead.

The latest releases in Katsina come against the backdrop of ongoing violence that has plagued communities across the North-West and North-Central regions.

The Federal Government on Wednesday attributed the renewed wave of violent attacks, including the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and a deadly assault on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara, to recent statements made by the United States, as anger spread across the country.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said posts by US President Donald Trump alleging a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and threatening possible American military intervention had “inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups” that now seek to justify attacks using international rhetoric.

“Recent pronouncements from the United States have inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups seeking to exploit international narratives and make bold statements by attacking soft targets,” Akume said.

He noted that before Trump’s comments, insurgent operations had been significantly weakened, leaving only isolated banditry.

“This resurgence underscores the vital need for collaboration, not public labelling,” he added.

Between October 30 and November 1, Trump announced the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and warned he could deploy US forces if Nigeria failed to stop alleged killings of Christians.

He also said he had instructed the “Department of War” to prepare for possible action and threatened to suspend US assistance.

Akume reiterated that Nigeria does not require foreign troops, stressing that the Armed Forces have reclaimed territory, degraded Boko Haram and ISWAP leadership, and carried out successful operations.

What Nigeria needs, he said, is targeted support, especially intelligence, technology, and equipment.

He also rejected any framing of Nigeria’s conflict as a “Christian genocide,” stating that verified evidence shows insurgents attack both churches and mosques, killing Muslims and Christians.

The Kebbi attack occurred early Monday at Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu LGA.

Bandits killed the Vice Principal, Hassan Makuku, who reportedly attempted to shield students, and abducted dozens of schoolgirls.

The Kebbi Police Command confirmed 24 students were taken.

State officials later clarified that 26 girls were abducted, but two, Salma and Hauwa’u Liman, escaped and have been reunited with their families.

In Kwara, gunmen attacked Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku on Tuesday night while a live-streamed service was underway.

At least two worshippers were killed and around 35 abducted, according to police and eyewitnesses.

A viral video captured churchgoers scrambling for safety as gunmen fired into the building before fleeing into the bushes.

Security forces and local vigilantes have since launched a manhunt.

President Bola Tinubu postponed his travel to the G20 Summit in South Africa and the AU–EU Summit in Angola to receive direct updates on the Kebbi and Kwara incidents.

He ordered increased security deployment and directed the police to pursue the attackers aggressively.

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq visited Eruku on Wednesday, announcing plans to seek a Nigerian Army Forward Operating Base and a Mobile Police Squadron in the community.

He accused police personnel in the area of failing to respond during the attack, even alleging they fired tear gas at vigilantes and residents who tried to pursue the fleeing bandits.

Local youths also accused the police of negligence, insisting they had supported the division, including building houses for officers, yet received no help when the community was under attack.

Protesters later barricaded the Ilorin–Kabba highway, leaving vehicles stranded.

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, condemned the Kebbi abduction as “one tragedy too many,” likening the pattern to previous mass abductions in Chibok, Dapchi, Kankara, and Kagara.

The group faulted poor surveillance around vulnerable schools and criticised weak coordination among security agencies.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) warned that the “Christian genocide” narrative, once dismissed, was now becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy due to the government’s refusal to confront the roots of insecurity.

Former Kano governor and 2023 presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso condemned the escalating crisis, calling recent killings and kidnappings, including that of Brigadier General Musa Uba in Borno, evidence of serious intelligence failures.

Former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi criticised the federal government’s “lack of political will,” accusing it of issuing hollow statements instead of taking decisive action.

The Nigeria Labour Congress expressed sorrow over the Kebbi abductions and warned that the ease with which bandits struck, despite existing security measures, suggests “something more worrying.”

Prominent activists and entertainers, including Omoyele Sowore, Falz, Inibehe Effiong, Debo Macaroni, Femi Adebayo, and Simi, also lambasted the government.

Many called for Tinubu’s resignation, accusing the administration of failing to protect citizens.

Falz and other public figures resurfaced Tinubu’s past criticism of former President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to apply the same standard to himself.

Simi lamented that Nigeria has become a place where tragedies repeat while authorities remain unmoved:
“‘Sorry’ is not enough. Never has been.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja will today deliver a crucial ruling in the long-running legal battle between the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and the Federal Government.

Justice James Omotosho is expected to rule on multiple applications filed by both sides, including Kanu’s challenge to the validity of the terrorism charges against him and his request to be released on grounds of alleged unlawful detention and breach of fundamental rights.

Kanu has been held by the Department of State Services since June 2021 following his controversial return from Kenya, an episode his legal team insists amounted to “extraordinary rendition.”

He is currently facing seven terrorism-related counts, which include allegations of incitement, operating an unlawful organisation, and threatening national security. Kanu denies all accusations.

Justice Omotosho fixed today’s date on November 7 after Kanu failed to open his defence within the six days allocated to him.

Although the prosecution closed its case on June 19, 2025, having called five witnesses and tendered numerous exhibits, Kanu did not proceed with his defence, instead filing new motions contesting the legality of the proceedings.

He argues that the terrorism law under which he is being tried has been repealed, rendering the charges invalid.

Kanu also asked the court to strike out the plea of “not guilty” earlier recorded on his behalf, alleging it was entered under misleading circumstances and contrary to a Supreme Court decision.

He wants all subsequent court proceedings nullified.

However, Justice Omotosho ruled that Kanu was given ample opportunity to defend himself.

The judge noted that the matter, originally filed in 2015, had suffered many delays, mostly at the defendant’s request, before being transferred to his court for an accelerated hearing.

He emphasised that while the court cannot compel a defendant to present a defence, a refusal to do so amounts to waiving that right.

Having abandoned his defence, the court concluded that it would proceed to judgment.

Kanu’s legal odyssey has been marked by numerous adjournments and appeals.

In 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged him and ordered his release, declaring that his rendition from Kenya violated international law.

The Federal Government appealed, and the Supreme Court later reversed the ruling, sending the case back to the Federal High Court for trial.

The IPOB leader’s continued detention has remained deeply contentious, sparking regional, national, and international calls for his release.

Many groups in the South-East argue that freeing him would help ease rising security tensions, but the Federal Government insists he must face trial.

As anticipation builds, security agencies have increased surveillance and patrols across the South-East.

In Abia, Kanu’s home state, Police spokesperson ASP Maureen Chinaka said the Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, has deployed officers statewide to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

She stressed that the police, working with other security agencies, are prepared “24/7” to maintain peace regardless of the judgment’s outcome.

Despite the heightened vigilance, there was no noticeable security presence around Kanu’s hometown of Afaraukwu as of the time of reporting.

In Enugu, police spokesman Daniel Ndukwe declined to speculate, asking, “Have you seen the judgment that he is going to be convicted?”

At the national level, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, did not respond to inquiries.

In a related development, Kanu has submitted a criminal complaint to an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court accusing two DSS witnesses, known in court as TAA (PW1) and BBB (PW2), of giving false evidence during his trial.

In the complaint dated November 13, Kanu alleges that both witnesses committed perjury between May and July 2025 during proceedings concerning the admissibility of statements he made in 2015 and 2021.

He cites several laws, including sections of the Penal Code, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and constitutional provisions.

Kanu claims that TAA lied when he said he did not know Mr Brown Ekwoaba, a senior DSS investigator who Kanu says oversaw his detention and interviews in 2015.

He supports this with affidavits from his brother and another defendant, as well as public records showing Ekwoaba’s role at the time.

He also accuses BBB of contradicting himself, claiming in court that he had never met Kanu except during trial, despite having earlier testified that he conducted Kanu’s video interview at the DSS Headquarters in July 2021.

Kanu argues that the alleged falsehoods were used to conceal the true chain of custody behind his statements, which are central to the prosecution’s case.