A group of bandits carried out a violent attack on a church service in Bakinpah-Maro, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning around 10:00 AM, targeting both an ECWA and a Catholic church.

At least three people were killed in the attack, and a large number of individuals are feared to have been kidnapped. Among the missing is Pastor Bernard Gajera, a prominent figure from one of the churches.

Cafra Caino, a former Chairman of Kajuru LGA, confirmed the tragic event and reported that 30 people were abducted, including Pastor Bernard Gajera from one of the churches.

Caino said, “The terrorists attacked the churches during service, killing three people and abducting many others. The community is in shock, and we urge the authorities to take immediate action to rescue the kidnapped victims.”

The attack comes after the Maro community raised funds to build a security post for law enforcement agencies, following repeated attacks that have prevented farmers from accessing their farmlands.

The kidnapping of Pastor Gajera and many others has sparked fears of a growing trend of targeting religious leaders and communities.

The incident has left the community in a state of fear, with many calling for increased security measures to protect lives and property.

A local resident said, “We urge the government to take decisive action to address the security challenges in our community. We cannot continue to live in fear of bandits and kidnappers.”

Another eyewitness under anonymity, described the attack as horrific.

“When the bandits arrived in large numbers, many worshippers fled the church,” the eyewitness said. “It was a horrendous sight. We were helpless as we watched the bandits wreak havoc.”

The eyewitness called on the government to intensify efforts to protect lives and property in the southern part of the state.

“We can only call on both the state and federal governments, despite their efforts, to continue to try harder for the safety of lives and property in southern part of the state,” the eyewitness said.

As of the time of filing this report, the police are yet to comment on the incident. However, the attack has raised concerns about the escalating insecurity in the region.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, on Monday, urged troops on the front line across the country to redouble their efforts in defending the nation.

He also urged them to continue to exhibit the highest standard of discipline and loyalty to the country while going about their duties.

This was contained in a statement by the Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau.

Gusau said, “Musa called on our gallant troops to redouble their efforts in defending our motherland and to also continue to uphold the highest standards of discipline, loyalty and integrity that are hallmarks of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“He also urged them to continue to work in unity with other security agencies in order to defeat the forces of evil and to restore peace and stability across our nation. He further called on all Nigerians to embrace the virtues of tolerance, mutual understanding, and respect for constitutional authority.”

According to the statement, the CDS also saluted members of the Armed Forces who had demonstrated an unwavering commitment and valour in the face of various security challenges confronting our dear country.

“Particularly, the courage and bravery of the troops of Operation Fansan Yamma in Zamfara State for bringing down a notorious bandit leader, Haliru Buzu, and others. The CDS also extended his appreciation to the troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri for their noble role in rescuing thousands of flood victims during the recent devastating flood in Maiduguri.”

Sean “Diddy” Combs, a prominent US rapper, was taken into custody in New York City on unspecified federal charges.

Homeland Security Investigations officers arrested the 54-year-old hip-hop mogul on Monday at his temporary residence, the Park Hyatt New York hotel located on 57th Street.

Damian Williams, the US attorney for the southern district of New York, confirmed the rapper’s arrest in a statement shared via X (formerly known as Twitter)

While the charges against Combs are unclear, Williams said “we expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time”.

Diddy has been in the public eye since November 2023 after several women, including Cassie Ventura, the rapper’s ex-girlfriend, took him to court, claiming they were sexually assaulted.

Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, Diddy’s former producer, also filed a lawsuit alleging that the rapper sexually harassed, drugged, and threatened him for over a year.

In March, the United States Department of Homeland Security raided two properties linked to Diddy.

In May, a video surfaced showing Combs assaulting Cassie in 2016.

Diddy, who had denied Cassie’s claims, however, apologised. He said he was “truly sorry” and that his actions were “inexcusable”.

A Michigan inmate was recently awarded $100 million for a sexual assault lawsuit against Diddy by default judgment.

Nigeria’s annual inflation rate decreased to a six-month low in August, offering the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) a potential opportunity to pause its aggressive interest rate hikes.

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that consumer prices rose by 32.2% in August, down from 33.4% in July.

The slowdown in inflation was primarily attributed to the diminishing impact of the recent devaluation of the naira and the removal of fuel subsidies.

These measures were implemented by President Bola Tinubu as part of his economic reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment and reducing government spending.

The easing inflation rate may provide the CBN with a window to halt its series of interest rate increases, which have been aimed at combating rising prices.

Higher corn yields and a six-month window to import the crop and wheat duty-free also contributed to the softening in price increases.

Data collection was concluded before mid-August, so the effect of a 45 percent increase in gasoline prices in early September, which saw a bump in transport costs, was not captured.

The slowdown raises the prospect that policymakers will pause a tightening cycle that’s lifted the benchmark rate to 26.75 percent from 11.5 percent in just over two years. It will also give the monetary policy committee, which will announce its decision on Sept. 24, time to assess the impact of recent currency volatility, devastating floods in northeastern Nigeria and the increase in gasoline prices on inflation.

Food inflation slowed to 37.5 percent in August from 39.5 percent a month earlier. Core price growth, which excludes agricultural produce and energy, quickened to 27.6 percent from 27.5 percent.