Crime
JUST IN: Senate Rejects Political Solution to free Nnamdi Kanu, wants Simon Ekpa extradited from Finland

The Nigerian Senate has urged the federal government to collaborate with Finland Government to extradite IPOB Agitator, Simon Ekpa who currently resides in Finland to face charges for his sit-at-home calls and inciting trouble in Nigeria’s southeast, while rejecting a prayer seeking “political solution” to free the leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu from the detention of the Department of State Service, DSS.
Recall that Simon Ekpa, who is a self-acclaimed leader of the Separatist group, IPOB has been passing decrees from his base in Finland to his followers, establishing a strict sit-at -home order in Nigeria’s southeastern states which the state government has already kicked against.
Today, Wednesday 26th, the activities of Simon Ekpa and his gang finally caught the attention of the Senate, following a motion by Senator, Osita IZUNAZO, as he has since 2021 tormented citizens in the region-applying terrorist tactics to force them to close to lock up their shops, crippling commercial activities in the region.
IZUNAZO’s motion was co-sponsored by all other 14 senators from the Southeast-inviting Nigeria’s federal might to end the rascality of Simon Ekpa and his band of outlaws in the Southeast, while efforts by the Governors of the five Southeastern states have achieved little to end the terror activities of Ekpa and his men- those who dare to disobey his sit-at-home order often pay dearly for it.
The senate condemned the situation in the Southeast and called for the extradition of Ekpa from his base in Finland.
The senate however rejected a prayer by the Southeast senators calling for political solution “ to release IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu from DSS detention, saying it is offensive to its rules and sub-judice.
Kanu was extradited from Kenya in 2021 after he jumped bail in Nigeria, alleging threat to his life by Nigerian security forces.
On October 2022, Justice Binta Nyako of the Court of Appeal struck 8 from the 15 count charge earlier brought against Kanu by Nigerian government.
The appellate court ordered his release on account of his unlawful extradition from Kenya to Nigeria to face terrorism charges. But the Supreme Court upturned the decision- of the court of Appeal, leaving Nnamdi in detention since then.
An additional prayer by senator IFEANYI UBAH asking the Senate to prevail on the Federal Government to obey court orders on Kanu was also rejected without a single senator seconding it.
Senate however observed a minute silence in honour of those killed unjustly for not adhering to the sit-at-home order by Simon Ekpa and his gang.
Crime
Zamfara residents pay millions for safety
It was learned that on Sunday, April 20, bandits issued a fresh demand of N60 million from residents of Dankurmi village in Maru LGA.

Residents across Zamfara State are being extorted by armed bandits who demand levies running into hundreds of millions of naira in exchange for allowing the people to remain in their homes.
Daily Trust reports that the levies, enforced under the threat of abduction, violence, or death, have left communities in a state of fear and financial ruin.
Since January 2025, it was gathered that over N500 million has been paid by various communities to different bandit groups in a desperate bid to avoid attacks.
In January alone, the late bandit kingpin, Isuhu Yellow, imposed a N172.7 million levy on 25 villages, including demands for agricultural produce.
For instance, Gijinzama village was charged N8.5 million, Dakolo N5 million plus 20 bags of beans, Kibari, Kunchin Kalgo N20 million, Sungawa N15 million, and Yalwa N2.7 million, among others.
Shortly after, another notorious bandit leader, Dogo Gide, demanded N100 million from 23 communities in Tsafe LGA, prompting mass displacement.
The affected communities included Kunchin-Kalgo (N20m), Sungawa (N15m), Rakyabu (N15m), and Kwaren Mai-Saje (N10m).
It was learned that on Sunday, April 20, bandits issued a fresh demand of N60 million from residents of Dankurmi village in Maru LGA.
Locals say that they were given until Wednesday to comply or face dire consequences. Kidnappings had already commenced before the deadline.
Crime
Police rescue 10 kidnapped University of Benin students

Edo State Police Command says it has rescued 10 University of Benin, UNIBEN, students abducted by suspected kidnappers at Ofosu area along the Benin-Ore expressway.
It was gathered that the students were on their way to Babcock University for Annual GYC Africa Conference when they were kidnapped on April 16 at the community bordering Edo and Ondo States.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Moses Yamu disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen.
Yamu said the rescued students are eight males and two females.
He said during the rescue operation, one of the suspected kidnappers was killed, while other escaped with bullet wounds.
He also disclosed that one of the Police officers, an Inspector sustained gunshot injury and is currently responding to treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
The statement read: “The Command wishes to update the general public of the unfortunate kidnap of some students who were on their way to Babcock University for Annual GYC Africa Conference on 16/04/2025 at a location bordering Edo and Ondo States.
“On receipt of this information, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, immediately deployed operatives of the Ohosu Division, IRT, tactical teams alongside vigilantes and hunters into the bushes for possible rescue of the victims and arrest of suspects.
“During the operation, operatives engaged in a gun duel with these kidnappers. In the process, one of the kidnappers was neutralised, while others escaped with bullet wounds.
“The operatives were cautious to avoid collateral damages as the kidnappers used the victims as human shields. Unfortunately, an Inspector of Police sustained a gunshot injury and is currently responding to treatment.
“This rescue effort eventually paid off as the ten (10) kidnapped students comprising eight (8) male and (2) females were released due to intense pressure mounted on them.”
Crime
JUST IN: IDF eliminates terrorist behind January West Bank shooting

Israeli security forces on Wednesday morning killed Muhammad Zakarna, a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, during a counterterrorism operation near Jenin.
Zakarna was identified as one of the terrorists involved in the deadly shooting attack in the West Bank village of al-Funduq in January.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Zakarna, a resident of Qabatiya, was among three gunmen who opened fire on civilians in al-Funduq on January 6, killing Master Sgt. Elad Yaakov Winkelstein, an off-duty Israeli police officer, and civilians Rachel Cohen and Aliza Raiz.
The IDF said Zakarna was located in a cave near the village of Misilyah following intelligence provided by the Shin Bet security agency.
During the attempted arrest by Yamam, the Israel Police’s elite counterterrorism unit, and IDF troops, a gun battle broke out between the forces and the suspects.
The military said the forces used shoulder-launched missiles during the exchange.
Zakarna and another Islamic Jihad member, Marooh Hazima, also from Qabatiya, were killed.
Hazima had previously been released from Israeli prison in the November 2023 ceasefire-hostage deal with Hamas and had since resumed terrorist activity, the IDF said.
A number of weapons and military gear were recovered from the scene. Several accomplices were also detained and found to be in possession of handguns.
The IDF confirmed that the other two terrorists behind the al-Funduq attack, Qutaiba al-Shalabi and Mohammed Nazal, both affiliated with Hamas — were previously killed in an Israeli operation in Qabatiya on January 23.
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