Daily News In Bits...

Reports emerged on Sunday indicating that residents of at least 26 communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State have begun contributing money to pay for fresh levies imposed by bandits who have barred them from accessing their farms ahead of the wet season farming activities. The armed groups issued a three-day ultimatum, warning farmers not to visit their farmlands until the levies demanded from the affected communities were paid.

 One of the sons of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), Isyaka Rabe, has said his father had no history of diabetes or high blood pressure, contrary to claims attributed to the Katsina State Government. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, DW, Isyaka said reports suggesting that his father died as a result of diabetes were inaccurate.

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 Gunmen have abducted Mr Adeniyi Adelana, the traditional ruler of Ode Oriya village, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State. The monarch was reportedly kidnapped during a late-night attack on his residence on Friday, June 13, at about 8:05 p.m.

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 No fewer than 11 persons, including a pregnant woman and six children, have reportedly died in a boat mishap in Makurdi Local Government Area, LGA of Benue State. The incident occurred between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday as the victims were crossing a river from Wadata to Daududawada community during a heavy downpour that swept across parts of Makurdi.

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 The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has cleared eight political parties and candidates for Saturday’s by-elections scheduled to fill vacant federal and state legislative seats in six states. The elections will be held in four senatorial districts in Rivers, Enugu, Nasarawa and Ondo states, one House of Representatives constituency in Kano State and a State House of Assembly constituency in Kebbi State.

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Those responsible for the abduction of retired Maj.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, who died in their custody, will be identified and brought to justice, the Defence Headquarters, DHQs, vowed on Sunday. Maj.-Gen. Abubakar was the former Director of Defence Information (DDI). DHQ Chief Administration Officer, Maj.-Gen. I.M. Abdullahi, described the late general as a distinguished officer whose service and sacrifice to the nation would remain indelible.

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Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, national leaders of the party, members of the National Assembly, ministers, and thousands of enthusiastic supporters from within and outside Ekiti State are expected to converge on Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday for the grand finale mega rally in support of the re-election of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and his deputy, Chief Monisade Christianah Afuye.

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 A 22-year-old man, Abdulmalik Bakare, and two other persons have been reportedly killed by suspected cultists who invaded the Oreta community in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State. The father of the deceased, Tunde Bakare, said in an interview on Sunday that the incident occurred on Wednesday. According to him, six suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.

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 The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, said it had arrested no fewer than 97 persons in connection with various criminal activities in some parts of the state. According to the corps, the suspects were allegedly involved in criminal activities, including kidnapping, burglary, robbery, and violation of the anti-open grazing law, among others.

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 Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has said that security in the state under his administration was better than what obtained in Anambra State under former governor Peter Obi. This is as the All Progressives Congress chieftain faulted opposition figures, including Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s handling of insecurity in Nigeria without providing practical approaches to addressing the challenge

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