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Deborah Samuel: Tambuwal Imposes 24-Hour Curfew As Protest, Violence Rock Sokoto

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SECURITY personnel yesterday broke up a massive protest by youths in Sokoto who were demanding the immediate release of the suspects arrested in connection with Thursday’s lynching of a female student in the metropolis.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal followed it up with imposition of a 24-hour curfew on the city and a call for calm.

Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, fearing a spill-over of the Sokoto unrest, placed an immediate ban on protests in his own state.

The body of Deborah Samuel, the victim of the Thursday attack in Sokoto, was laid to rest last night in her home town in Niger State.

Her parents and other relations remained devastated by her death.

The murderers of the Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto student had accused her of blasphemy.

She was mobbed, stoned and clubbed to death, after which her body was set ablaze.

The Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT) Nigeria and the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) yesterday condemned her extra-judicial killing.

Soldiers, policemen and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) as well as those of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had confronted the Sokoto youths as they advanced on the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, to register their grievances.

The security personnel fired canisters of tear gas at the protesters when it appeared their action was getting out of hand.

A combined team of security men led by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kamaludden Okunlola, stopped the protesters who were throwing stones and trying to burn the palace.

Religious centres were under tight security.

Some of the protesters soon regrouped away from the palace to molest residents but were again dispersed by security patrol teams.

The youths, some of whom carried placards calling for the release of the detained suspects, were shouting “Allahu Akbar”, translated in English as “God is the greatest.”

Others took over the streets, chanting songs and urging security agents to release the arrested persons.

The protesters burnt tyres on Ahmadu Bello Way, Emir Yahaya Road, Kanwuri and other streets, forcing shop owners to close midday while many streets became empty.

Hundreds of security personnel were subsequently deployed across the metropolis.

Bills inviting youths to participate in the protest had been shared overnight in the city.

They were asked to gather at Gawon Mama Roundabout at 9am.

Be calm, Tambuwal tells protesters, residents

Following the tension sparked by the Friday killing, the arrest of two suspects by the police and the protest demanding their release, Governor Tambuwal invoked Sections 176(2) of the Constitution, Sections 1 and 4 of the Public Order Act; and Section 15 of Sokoto State Peace Preservation Law, and imposed a curfew within the Sokoto metropolis for the next 24 hours.”

He appealed to the people to “kindly continue to observe law and order and calm down (on the) restiveness currently pervading in the metropolis.”

Everyone, he said, should “please, in the interest of peace, go back home and observe this measure with a view to the re-establishment of peace, law and order in the state.

“It is not in the interest of anyone for us to have a breakdown of law and order. I, therefore, appeal for restraint and, for people to observe and respect the rule of law.”

Governor Tambuwal met with security chiefs, leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Rev. Nuhu Iliya and Islamic religion leaders on Thursday to prevent the situation from escalating.

El-Rufai bans protests in Kaduna

Moments after curfew was imposed in Sokoto, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai placed a ban on protests related to religious activity throughout the state with immediate effect.

The prohibition, according to Internal Security and Home Affairs Commissioner, Samuel Aruwan, “becomes imperative in view of moves by some unpatriotic elements to organise series of for-and-against protests related to a security development in one of the Northern Nigerian States.”

He added: “The Kaduna State Government, in consultation with security agencies under the umbrella of the Kaduna State Security Council, has placed a ban on protests related to religious activity throughout the state with immediate effect.

“Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, who has been briefed of the development, has charged security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of this ban against any form of religious protest in the state.

“The Governor also charged religious leaders, community leaders and traditional rulers throughout the state to complement the efforts of government and security agencies towards the maintenance of peace and stability.

“Security agencies have thus resolved that any attempt by individuals or groups to disrupt the peace and stability of the state by way of religious protests will not be condoned. Such protests will be promptly halted and conveners prosecuted.

“Citizens are implored to remain calm as they go about their lawful pursuits, and to immediately report any such activity or security concern to the Kaduna State Security Operations Room on 09034000060 and 08170189999. “

Deborah buried in Niger

The deceased was laid to rest at about 6.30 last night at the Christian Cemetery in her home town of Tunga Magajiya, Rijau Local Government area of Niger State amidst protest by youths in the area that the Sokoto State Government should have taken responsibility for the funeral.

The funeral service was conducted by Deborah’s uncle, Emmanuel Maaji, who is also an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) pastor in Tunga Magajiya.

The bereaved father was said to have been unconscious since she heard the news on Thursday with her blood pressure shooting up dangerously. Her father has been inconsolable, family sources said.

Maaji said the family wanted the burial done immediately.

He said the parents were not happy with the way the Sokoto State Government handled the matter.

He said: “The government only called and said that it was not right for the family to take the body like that without informing them.

“They said that they shouldn’t bury the body as the body is for the government and not for the family.

“They asked them to put the body in the mortuary.”

It was gathered that Deborah spent much of her life, including attending primary school, in Sokoto.

Extra-judicial killing alien to Islam – NASFAT

An Islamic group, Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT) Nigeria, yesterday condemned the extra-judicial killing of Deborah Samuel by a mob in Sokoto.

The Chief Missioner NASFAT, Imam Abdul Azeez Onike, said in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Abdul Akeem-Yusuf, that the incident was condemnable.

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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