In a significant move against child trafficking, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has handed over three abducted children to their relieved parents.

The children, who were stolen from Bauchi and sold in Anambra by unscrupulous individuals, were safely returned through collaborative efforts.

During the formal handover at the Bauchi Government House, Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Auwal Musa, briefed the Governor on the successful rescue operation.

CP Musa narrated the joint efforts of the Bauchi and Anambra State Police commands, working in close coordination with the Office of the State First Lady under the Gender-Based Violence Committee.

First Lady Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his unwavering support in combating child abuse, abduction, and trafficking.

Aisha Bala Mohamme emphasized that Governor Bala’s commitment has been instrumental in the success of various initiatives led by the committee.

Governor Bala Mohammed condemned the heinous activities of those exploiting innocent children.

Governor Bala praised the security agencies, as well as the First Ladies of Bauchi and Anambra States, for their crucial roles in tackling such criminal acts.

Addressing parents, Governor Mohammed urged them to remain vigilant and ensure the proper upbringing and monitoring of their children.

He, however, called on community leaders to supervise and monitor residents in their localities to prevent future occurrences.

In a statement by Governor Balas media aid Lawal Muazu Bauchi Reiterating the importance of justice, Governor Mohammed stressed that justice delayed is justice denied, directing that perpetrators be dealt with decisively according to the law.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria have dropped three places in the 2024 Global Firepower (GFP) ranking, moving from 36th position in 2023 to 39th among 145 nations assessed worldwide.

This marks a second consecutive year of decline for Nigeria, which was ranked 35th in 2022.

Punch reports that the drop comes despite the acquisition of fighter jets and other military assets, alongside reported successes in the fight against terrorism within the country.

Nigeria also slid from third to fourth place among African countries, with Egypt maintaining its top spot on the continent, followed by Algeria and South Africa.

Globally, the United States retained its first-place ranking for the 18th consecutive year, showcasing superior strength across material, financial, and resource categories. Russia, China, India, and South Korea rounded out the top five.

Other notable African nations in the rankings include Ethiopia, Angola, Morocco, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The GFP report assessed countries based on over 60 factors, including military resources, financial stability, logistical capabilities, and geography. Nigeria’s Power Index (PwrIndx) score for 2024 stood at 0.5619, with a score of 0.0000 being considered “perfect.”

The Kano State Government has convened a crucial stakeholders meeting to review and assess the water supply system of the Wudil Regional Water Scheme. The scheme encompasses Wudil, Warawa, Gaya, and several other local government areas.

State Commissioner for Water Resources, Umar Haruna Doguwa, emphasized the importance of the meeting, stating, “The main aim of the meeting is to review and look at the water supply system in the Wudil Regional Water Scheme as a whole.” He highlighted the inclusion of traditional rulers and members of the assembly in the discussions, noting that their input is vital for addressing the challenges faced by the water supply system.

Doguwa said every month 1.5 billion Naira is being spent by the state Government for the treatment plants and for boosting water supply .

Doguwa further explained that the government is investing heavily in water treatment and supply. “We are able to gather traditional rulers, members of the assembly, and one of the strategies is to discuss extensively on how to tackle the problem. The government is investing heavily in water treatment supply,” he said. He also mentioned his recent visit to Thomas, where he urged residents to pay their water bills to support the sustainability of the water supply system.

Musa Haruna Tahir, Chairman of the Kano State House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources, expressed the committee’s readiness to support policies that will enhance water supply. “We are ready on every policy that will boost water supply and to also make legislation. We visited all the treatment plants,” Tahir stated.

The stakeholders’ meeting is seen as a significant step towards improving the water supply system in the Wudil Regional Water Scheme, ensuring that residents have access to clean and reliable water.