At least 22 people have been arrested following a violent clash involving illegal miners in the M.I. Wushishi Estate area of Minna, Niger State that left several injured.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Niger State Command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said officers from the Maitumbi Division responded swiftly after receiving reports about the unrest.

“On July 10, 2025, around 10:00 a.m., our operatives were alerted to a violent clash linked to illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi Estate area. The DPO of Maitumbi Division led a team to the scene, where 22 suspects were apprehended. Some others fled before police arrival,” Abiodun said.

He added that the suspects, including several women, are currently being held at the state criminal investigation department (SCID) in Minna, while efforts are ongoing to track down others who escaped.

The Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Garba Yahaya, visited the scene shortly after the incident.
According to a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Dibie Maureen, the commissioner condemned the illegal mining activities and described the violent clash as a threat to public safety.

Ths statement also reiterated that the government maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy on illegal mining.

Bauchi State Government has assured Wikki Tourists will be stronger and more competitive in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, next season.

Wikki Tourists gained promotion to the NPFL after finishing top of Group A in the NNL Super 8 playoffs

The state commissioner for Youth and Sports, Alhaji Adamu Babayo Gabarin stated that the Bauchi Elephants is fully back to where it belong.

OSUNDAILY NG recalls that Wikki Tourists were relegated to the second tier league in 2023.

“This team has all it takes to compete and remain at the top level of Nigerian football League from the coaching crew to the quality of players,” Gabarin stated.

“We are committed to giving them the backing they need to not just stay in the NPFL, but to also thrive.”

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Kaduna State, Prof. Saidu Babura-Ahmad,
has pledged that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, would credibly conduct the three bye-elections in the state scheduled for August 16, 2025.

Babura-Ahmad made the pledge on Friday in Kaduna during a ‘One-day Stakeholder Engagement’ on the forthcoming polls in three constituencies.

The Resident Commissioner listed them to include: Chikun and Kajuru Federal Constituency as well as Zaria Kewaye and Zaria Sabon Gari State Constituencies.

“This meeting was convened for me to introduce myself to you as the new REC, who is here for a very important national assignment,who will be fair to all in the state.

“We are also here to duly intimate you on our robust preparations for the upcoming bye-elections in these affected constituencies,” he said.

The REC further stated that the polls will be conducted in 33 Registration Areas, having 1,169 Polling Units.

According to him, at least 4,829 ad hoc staff would conduct the elections while the commission would use 947 assorted vehicles during the exercise.

He added that the commission was engaged in 24-hour activities to ensure that the exercise was successfully conducted.

The don added that the commission has made special arrangements to ensure that no voter in any of the security black spots was disenfranchised.

According to him, plausible arrangements were also being made to fully cover all the hard-to-reach areas, using any possible means of transportation.