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Kaduna Govt, Adara Differ On Aerial Attack; HURIWA Carpets Military Over Killing

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Kaduna State Government has debunked reports of aerial attack by terrorists against Adara communty in Southern Kaduna, while affirming that 32 people were killed in the attack.

According to the government, the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) helicopter, which was spotted in the communities, arrived there to engage the bandits.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the government received initial reports from security agencies that bandits attacked the villages of Dogon Noma, Ungwan Sarki and Ungwan Maikori in Kajuru Local Council on Sunday.

While debunking the claims of military complicity, Aruwan explained that, according to reports, the bandits stormed the area in large numbers on motorcycles and proceeded to raze several houses while killing locals. It noted that the helicopter sighted at the area came on rescue mission.

Aruwan added: “The state government wishes to clarify, based on reports received since Sunday, that the bandits killed 31 citizens attacked at the first two locations. They then headed for Ungwan Maikori, where they killed another person and burnt some houses.”

BUT the National President of Adara Development Association (ADA), Awemi Maisamari, has said the air raid by a helicopter aided the bandits.

In a statement last night, he insisted: “I stand on my earlier statement and the report of my people on the killings and attack in the villages. If the government is saying that NAF was at the scene of the attack to confront the terrorists, that is strange. There have been many occasions when distress calls were made, how many times have they come to defend the villagers? Maybe this is the first time, but I am not aware of that.”

Maisamari urged the government and the public “to visit the affected villages and observe the havoc the terrorists inflicted on the people.

He added: “The terrorists had a field day to set houses ablaze and loot several shops. They were not in a hurry to inflict damage and kill our people.”

Meanwhile, the HUMAN Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has carpeted the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) over its failure to deploy the 12 newly-acquired Super Tucano fighter jets in the North West, seven months after a Federal High Court designated bandits as terrorists.

HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, slammed the military hierarchy, especially NAF, for its tardiness in dealing with terrorists in the North West.

The group said: “While the army and NAF were condoning the heinous killings of bandits, the marauders, now emboldened by the inaction of government, allegedly moved on to deploy sophisticated weapons, including an attack helicopter.”

According to reports, terrorists in helicopter attacked residents of Adara community in the southern part of Kaduna State on Sunday and killed over 30 persons.

Maisamari said the carnage was carried out by Fulani terrorists, who, aside shooting sporadically from the helicopter, were reportedly aided by assailants on the ground, who came on 150 motorcycles carrying three armed fighters each.

“The death toll on Wednesday morning was 32, as villagers combed surrounding bushes for more bodies. Seven were found decomposing,” he said, adding that an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in the area was destroyed.

Onwubiko described the killing in Adara as unfortunate and totally avoidable, “if the military didn’t ignore intelligence and telltale signs.”

Sympathising with the bereaved and praying for their consolation and comfort, HURIWA noted: “This new dimension of helicopter being used by Fulani terrorists is shocking, but not unexpected, as there have been bold signs over the place, going by the chronology of the sophisticated terrorism that banditry by Fulani blood-letters have evolved into.

“It is ironical that the terrorists are now operating on air, shelling houses and killing innocent residents, when the military, who should decimate the them through air raids have failed to bombard them for reason best known to them. Even the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, indicted the military for failing to act on intelligence regarding the precise locations of the Fulani terrorists, even when the military is monitoring their telephone conversations, and now they are on the air. Who gave them the helicopters?”

HURIWA recalled that a frustrated el-Rufai, in March after the train attack, accused the military of knowing the location of the bandits wreaking havoc in the state but refusing to bomb their hideouts.

 

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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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