A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Maryam Sanda till June 28 and 29, 2018.

The case was adjourned because the counsel to the defendant, Mr. Joesph Daudu was absent in court today.

Mr. Daudu through a letter asked the court for an adjournment due to his ill health.

The Registrar of National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof Charles Uwakwe, has been suspended over alleged financial mismanagement and abuse of office.

Also suspended are two deputy directors in charge of finance and procurement, respectively, in the council.

Rumour had made the rounds that the three top officials of the council had been sacked, but a competent source in the council disclosed on Sunday that the men were on suspension.

The death toll from a bloody clash between bandits and militiamen over the weekend in Kaduna has risen to 71, a traditional ruler told AFP on Tuesday.

More bodies were recovered after bandits overran a local militia protecting the village of Gwaska in Kaduna state on Saturday, putting the spotlight on the increasing violence in West Africa’s largest economy ahead of presidential polls next year.

“The death toll now is 71 with more bodies being evacuated,” said the Emir of Birnin Gwari Malam Zubair Jibril Mai Gwari II.

Emerging reports indicate that armed gunmen on Monday attacked Veritas University, Bwari, Abuja and abducted a Catholic Priest identified as Michael Kwanashie, who is also the personal assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Michael Kwanashie. According to the reports, the attackers stormed the Catholic institution around 12am and shot into the air to scare people before kidnapping the victim from his quarters, situated opposite the institution.

A day after the Nigerian Army arrested a notorious herdsman said to be the brain behind most killings in Benue state, another herdsman has been nabbed by soldiers in the state. The Army in a statement signed by Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, Director, Army Public Relations said troops of 72 Special Forces Battalion deployed in operation Mesa while on patrol at Adagu village in Guma LGA of Benue state, arrested one militia herdsman, Idi Gemu.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Abubakar has disclosed that the Nigeria Air Force would soon deploy about 150 special forces to Taraba state in a bid to restore peace to trouble areas and address the issue of killings by suspected herdsmen. Abubakar stated this on Wednesday in Enugu when he led a delegation of senior officers of the Air Force on a courtesy visit to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.