Islamic scholar, Sheikh Mohammed Tukur Sani Jangebe, has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently rehabilitate the Maru–Mayanchi–Maradun road in Zamfara State, warning that its deteriorated condition is contributing to the rise in cases of banditry.

Speaking to journalists in Gusau, Sheikh Jangebe said the road, plagued by over 100 potholes, slows down traffic and exposes commuters to attacks and abductions by armed groups.

He noted that although the road is part of a federal dualisation project, work has yet to reach the affected stretch, despite its daily use for trade and transportation.

“I appeal to the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works, to carry out emergency repairs on the road to ease the hardship faced by travellers,” he said.

The scholar added that the situation has worsened during the rainy season, further damaging the road and increasing the risks to road users.

He also urged the governors of Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, and Sokoto States to work together in rehabilitating critical sections of the road while awaiting the full execution of the federal project.

The traditional ruler of Umudiawa autonomous community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu, has described his recent suspension as monarch as a grave injustice that will not stand.

He also linked his suspension to an award presented to President Bola Tinubu and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, by the Ndigbo Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum, which he leads.

Eze Ofoegbu was recently suspended by the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers on allegations of running a parallel traditional rulers’ forum and for alleged acts of insubordination.

However, addressing journalists at his palace on Sunday, Eze Ofoegbu insisted that due process was not followed in the suspension, maintaining that he neither challenged the government nor violated any rule of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers.

He further alleged that the chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mbah, had ordered him to withdraw the awards given to President Tinubu and Deputy Speaker Kalu, and that his refusal to comply with this directive contributed to his suspension.

According to him, the awards were given in recognition of appointments and projects delivered to Igboland under the current administration.

Eze Ofoegbu also claimed that some traditional rulers in Abia were coerced into signing the suspension letter. He clarified that the Ndigbo Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum is not in conflict with either the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers or the South East Council of Traditional Rulers.

He added that his forum has consistently defended Igbo interests, halted the demolition of properties belonging to Igbos in Lagos, promoted Igbo culture, and worked to protect Igboland from external threats.

“From that day we honoured the President, I started receiving phone calls from different people. The chairman warned me not to give the President an award, saying that I will be suspended,” he said.

Eze Ofoegbu also alleged that traditional rulers in Abia State do not enjoy unimpeded access to Governor Alex Otti.

Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has again assured justice for the families of wedding guests who were killed by a mob in Mangun District of Mangu Local Government Area last month while traveling for a wedding ceremony in Quan Pa’an council of the state.

The victims, who were traveling from Zaria, Kaduna State, for the wedding ceremony had missed their way and found themselves in Mangun where they were mistaken for terrorists and attacked by a mob, killing about 22 of them in the process, while 11 others were injured in the incident.

But while reassuring the families of the victims of his administration’s resolve to get justice for the decreased, Gov. Mutfwang said his administration is working with authorities in Kaduna State to come up with measures that will be satisfactory to all.

Mutfwang, who gave the assurance while speaking with the BBC Haua Service on Saturday, lamented that “conflicts related to the deep-rooted hatred between followers of different religions and ethnic groups, which sometimes involve innocent travelers, cannot be ended in a short period of time.”

He, however, stressed that his government is taking appropriate measures regarding the killings with a view to ensuring justice for the families of the victims.

According to the Plateau governor, some of the measures already taken include sending a ‘special delegation’ led by the Emir of Wase to console the Emir of Zaria where the victims were from.

“The current situation is that around 22 people are being held over the attack and we have confirmed that those who were injured have returned home safely.

“And we are currently in contact with the leaders of Zaria to advise us on how to help the bereaved families and those who are sick,” Gov. Mutfwang said.