By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has ordered an investigation into allegations linking two senior police officers to the disappearance and alleged killing of social media activist and lecturer, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.

The officers named in the allegations are CSP Hussaini Gimba and CSP Hassan Gimba.

The directive followed petitions submitted on Friday by a Kano-based activist and human rights lawyer, Abba Hikima.

According to the petitions, Muhammad Musa Kamarawa, a former Senior Special Assistant to former Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle, accused the officers of making threats against him. Kamarawa also alleged that the officers claimed they killed Dadiyata and other persons in his presence at Operations Yaki in Kaduna.

The petitions urged the police authorities to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation into the claims.

One of the petitions stated that if the accusations were untrue, the investigation would clear the officers involved.

However, the petition added that if the allegations were established to be true, justice should prevail “irrespective of rank, office or influence.”

The petitions also expressed concern over the prolonged uncertainty surrounding Dadiyata’s whereabouts. They called for the establishment of an independent panel to investigate the matter.

The IGP acknowledged receipt of the petitions through his Principal Staff Officer, CF Lateef Adio Ahmed.

In a response, the police leadership confirmed that the case had been transferred to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Monitoring Unit for immediate investigation.

The letter also assured the petitioners that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to justice and accountability.

Dadiyata was abducted from his residence in Barnawa area of Kaduna State in August 2019.

Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown. The case has continued to attract national attention and repeated calls for accountability.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A police inspector identified as Abdulkadir Garba has died after a lightning strike hit him in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The incident happened on Wednesday opposite the headquarters of the Borno State Police Command.

Garba, who was widely known as “Buratai,” was said to be controlling vehicle parking with a senior officer, ASP Wazani Adamu, when the tragedy occurred at about 2:19 p.m.

The spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, confirmed the incident in a statement.

According to him, the officers noticed strong winds that suggested rainfall was approaching and tried to move to safety before lightning struck them.

“Rain often comes with its own blessings, but this one arrived with a heartbreaking streak of tragedy,” Daso said.

“It was on a quiet Wednesday, May 7, 2026, at about 2:19 p.m., when Inspector Abdulkadir Garba, popularly known as ‘Buratai,’ a police officer widely respected for his dedication, commitment and passion for duty, was carrying out his routine responsibility of coordinating vehicle parking opposite the Borno State Police Command headquarters alongside his senior colleague, ASP Wazani Adamu.”

Daso stated that a loud thunder sound was heard moments before the lightning struck the two officers.

He said ASP Adamu survived the incident, while Inspector Garba sustained partial burns and died from the impact.

“Unfortunately, Inspector Abdulkadir Garba, who was directly impacted, sadly lost his life,” Daso said.

The police spokesman described the deceased officer as diligent and committed to his work.

“He lost his life, not to violence or conflict, but to the force of the storm,” he said.

“Inspector Abdulkadir Garba was more than a police officer to many; he was a familiar face, a hardworking officer and a symbol of dedication to service.”

Daso added that the officer’s death had thrown colleagues, friends and residents into mourning.

“Sometimes, life reminds us how fragile and unpredictable it can be. One moment, duty calls. The next moment, eternity answers,” the statement added.

By Bilyamin Abdulmumin, PhD

The politics of the Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro federal constituency fascinate me for several reasons: All three major contenders hail from Jega, and for three consecutive election cycles, they have contested in tightly fought primaries and elections.

Now, another cavalry, a former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, threw his hat into the foray. The addition of Alhaji Jafar Jega to the list has dramatically changed the calculations and trajectory of the constituency politics. Because Ahmad Jafar enjoys the massive goodwill of the people in Kebbi State. Unlike some politicians who claimed that people called on them to contest, Ahmad Jafar genuinely enjoys that goodwill. 

By virtue of the high office he held, the former CG secured a number of jobs, especially in this contingency. Community leaders, clerics, and politicians drove to his house to pay their respects and to appreciate his gesture. Therefore, such a person joining the race must add dynamics to the game. 

The incumbency of officials can either be a tool for success or a vehicle for their downfall. Honourable Mansur Musa (Dan Jamiah), the current House representative, unarguably used this opportunity to his advantage. He used his position and oversight function as deputy chairman of the Federal Road Safety Commission in the lower chamber to bring infrastructure development never seen in this constituency. The citizens left in awe, reduced to asking this burning question: Can an NA member carry out such development? 

It should never be forgotten in a hurry that Dan Jamiah overcame all odds against him, coming from the PDP to defeat the then-incumbent and ruling party, the APC. Now, after getting into office, he consolidated the people’s goodwill even further.

Ahaji Kabiru Labbo Ajiya delves into the current battle as energetically as always. He is a populist, which is why he commands significant goodwill among voters. The part that particularly sets Ajiya apart is his initiatives in business and job creation. It’s without a doubt that Ajiya will hustle through the NA position to bring the developmental projects in this constituency to equal levels. The hurdle that had been standing before Ajiya was the primary elections. The political scheming and calculation were previously against him.

Alhaji Umar Danbuga’s political trajectory is seen as elite-driven. So, in this region where candidates’ emergence highly depends on elite goodwill, this is to the face of Alhaji Umar. In addition, the job opportunities and sponsorships through his office, as well as his personality, are part of his legacy. However, the odds against Alhaji Danbuga, Secretary, are that he has no benefit of doubt. He was the longest-serving member for this constituency. This makes different voters express different views about his candidacy.

I think Dan Jami’ah and Ajiya belong to the Senator Aleiro camp within the APC, while Jafar Ahmed and Danbuga Secretary belong to the Dr Nasir Idris/ Senator Atiku Bagudu camp. This factor may ultimately play a crucial role in deciding who emerges as the ticket-bearer come 2027.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A legal practitioner, Abba A. Hikima, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, demanding what he described as an immediate, independent and transparent investigation into allegations surrounding the disappearance and alleged killing of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.

Hikima made the disclosure in a petition dated May 8, 2026, which he also shared on his Facebook page alongside copies of the document.

The petition was addressed to the IGP at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja.

In the letter, the lawyer referred to allegations reportedly made by Muhammad Musa Kamarawa, a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle.

According to the petition, Kamarawa allegedly accused CSP Hussaini Gimba and CSP Hassan Gimba of involvement in Dadiyata’s alleged killing.

The petition quoted Kamarawa as saying: “…they threatened to kill me as they killed Dadiyata and Saminu S/Fada Gusau amongst others in my presence at Operations Yaki Kaduna…”

Hikima described the allegation as “an extremely grave matter” that should not be ignored by the police authorities.

He stated that Dadiyata has remained missing since August 2019 and noted that the case has continued to generate public concern and unanswered questions.

“Accordingly, where a citizen expressly claims that he witnessed the killing of Dadiyata and directly linked same to named police officers, there is an urgent need for a thorough, independent and credible investigation into the allegation,” the petition read.

The lawyer further argued that if the allegations are false, a proper investigation would clear the officers’ names and reassure the public.

“However, if there is any truth whatsoever in the allegations, then justice must be allowed to take its full course irrespective of rank, office or influence,” he added.

Hikima urged the IGP to immediately set up an independent investigative panel to probe the claims against the two senior police officers and make the findings public.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Musa Muhammad Kamarawa, a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-Zamfara State Governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has alleged that missing activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, was killed while in police custody.

Kamarawa made the allegation while accusing two senior police officers of intimidation, unlawful detention and abuse of office during an investigation conducted against him in 2021.

According to him, the officers threatened to kill him if he disclosed his relationship with Matawalle during interrogation.

He identified the officers as CSP Hussaini Gimba and CSP Hassan Gimba and called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate them over alleged violations of his rights.

Kamarawa claimed the officers used Dadiyata’s alleged killing as a threat against him while he was in custody at Operations Yaki in Kaduna.

“In the course of investigation, I was coerced by them that I shouldn’t make any attempt to disclose my relationship with former Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Bello Matawalle, current Minister of State for Defence,” Kamarawa said.

“That was the main reason in all the video clips they recorded on me under duress, I never disclosed our relationship with him because they threatened to kill me as they killed Dadiyata and Saminu S/Fada Gusau amongst others in my presence at Operations Yaki Kaduna.”

He also accused the officers of conducting a biased investigation against him and searching his residence without a valid warrant.

“The alleged police officers, CSP Hussaini Gimba and CSP Hassan Gimba, have investigated me partially, looted my money, property and illegally searched my house without a valid search warrant,” he alleged.

Dadiyata, a lecturer and social media critic, was abducted from his residence in Barnawa area of Kaduna State in August 2019. Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown.

The disappearance of the activist attracted national attention and sparked repeated demands from civil society groups and members of the public for answers about his fate.

Earlier this year, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai alleged during an interview on Arise News that former Kano State Governor and ex-APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, had issues with Dadiyata over his criticisms of the Kano government.

“He (Dadiyata) is a critic of the Kano government, it was Ganduje that was his problem, go and check his timeline, I don’t even know him,” El-Rufai said.

He also claimed that a police officer allegedly confessed that operatives were sent from Kano to abduct the activist.

“Three days after Dadiyata’s abduction, a policeman posted from Kano to Ekiti confessed to someone that they were sent from Kano and abducted Dadiyata, and felt bad about it,” he said.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has picked the senate nomination form of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) five days after formally joining the party.

Mohammed resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on May 2 and moved to the APM, citing prolonged court cases and internal disputes within the PDP as reasons for his departure.

In his statement issued on Thursday, the governor confirmed that he picked the nomination form during the APM National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the party’s national headquarters.

“During the meeting, I officially picked up my nomination form to contest for the senate seat representing Bauchi south senatorial district under the platform of the APM ahead of the forthcoming elections,” he said.

The NEC meeting was presided over by Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, the party’s national chairman, and focused on key national and internal party issues. The session also provided an opportunity for Mohammed to formally engage with the party’s leadership structure.

He noted that Nigeria’s political environment has become increasingly difficult due to “undemocratic practices and political intimidation”, which he said have limited genuine participation for progressive leaders and movements.

Following consultations with political associates, stakeholders, and supporters across the country, Mohammed said the APM emerged as the most suitable platform for his political direction.

He explained that the party aligns with his political values, especially in the areas of good governance, internal democracy, justice, inclusiveness, and respect for the rule of law.

“I further emphasised that our decision to join the party was driven by conviction and the desire to contribute meaningfully to building a stronger democratic culture in Nigeria,” he said.

Mohammed also disclosed that several political office holders and stakeholders who were previously aligned with the PDP structure in Bauchi have followed him into the APM.

These include members of the National Assembly, the Bauchi State House of Assembly, local government chairmen, commissioners, ward executives, party officials, and other supporters at the grassroots level.

The governor assured the party leadership of his commitment to contribute resources, experience, and political support toward strengthening the APM ahead of future elections.

By Anwar Usman

Fresh political realignments rocked the House of Representatives on Thursday as five lawmakers abandoned the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party for the Nigeria Democratic Congress and the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Among those who switched parties were Muhammed El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency.

Muhammed El-Rufai defected from the APC to the NDC, a development political observers view as a strong indication of the deepening rift between his father and the ruling party.

The political realignment was contained in a statement read by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary on Thursday.
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‎Muhammed El-Rufai’s exit came months after speculations over his political future following the increasing criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration by his father, Nasir El-Rufai.
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‎The former governor, once a key ally of Tinubu and a prominent APC figure, has in recent months openly accused the ruling party of abandoning internal democracy and sidelining loyal stakeholders.
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‎Joshua Obika, representing Abaji/Gwagwalada/Kuje/Kwali Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory also joined the NDC.

In the same vein, Abdulhakeem Kamilu, representing Wudil/Garko Federal Constituency of Kano State, dumped the ADC for the NDC, citing what he described as unresolved leadership issues within the party.

In another development, two lawmakers from Kaduna State, Suleiman Richifa and Umar Ajilo, defected from the PDP to the ADC.
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‎The lawmakers linked their defection to the lingering crisis within the PDP at both the state and national levels.
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‎The latest defections came barely days after 17 lawmakers reportedly aligned with the NDC, underscoring growing efforts by opposition politicians to build a coalition capable of challenging the APC in the 2027 elections.
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‎The development further altered the political composition of the House and fuelled speculations that more defections may occur in the coming months as political consultations intensify ahead of the next election cycle.

By Engr. Kabir Bashir Shariff, PhD

For decades, residents of Kano have lived with a persistent and worsening water crisis. What should have been treated as a state emergency has instead become a normalised hardship. In a city of over 10 million people, access to clean and reliable water remains uncertain for millions.

Water is the most basic requirement for life. Yet in Kano, households, businesses and institutions struggle daily to secure it. This is not due to a lack of infrastructure alone, but a combination of systemic neglect, poor planning and weak execution.

The state’s municipal water supply depends largely on two major treatment plants—Chalawa and Tamburawa. The Tamburawa Water Treatment Plant, built during the administration of former Governor Shekarau, was designed to produce 150 million litres of water per day. However, it has never reached that capacity.

Having worked at the plant as an intern in 2013, I saw its potential. Unfortunately, that potential has remained unrealised due to multiple challenges.

One of the major problems is the inadequate supply of raw water. The Kano River, which feeds the Tamburawa plant, has been affected by both climate variability and upstream water diversion. The Tiga Hydropower facility, for instance, significantly reduces the volume of water reaching the treatment plant.

Infrastructure decay is another critical issue. Key components of the water system—from intake pumps to filtration units—are either poorly maintained or no longer functional. Clarifiers, sedimentation tanks and filter beds have deteriorated over time, while high-lift pumps are frequently out of service.

Electricity supply further complicates the situation. Water treatment and distribution require stable power, yet the plants operate under erratic electricity conditions. This limits their ability to function effectively and consistently.

Perhaps the most fundamental flaw lies in the distribution system itself. The Tamburawa plant water supply model relies heavily on direct pumping from treatment plants to households. There are few, if any, functional elevated storage reservoirs to support gravity-based distribution. As a result, water flows only when pumps are running—an inefficient system that drives up energy costs and leaves many areas without water for long periods.

Regulatory lapses have also contributed to the problem. Damaged pipelines caused by construction activities are often left unrepaired, while leakages and illegal connections go unchecked. This further weakens an already fragile system.

In response to these challenges, many residents and commercial centres have turned to boreholes. While this offers temporary relief, it poses a long-term threat. Excessive groundwater extraction is already leading to declining water tables, dried wells and environmental stress.

The Kano State Government’s recent allocation of N21 billion for water infrastructure upgrades is a step in the right direction. However, funding alone will not solve the problem unless it is backed by sound planning and accountability.

There is an urgent need to invest in elevated water storage systems across the city. By pumping treated water into strategically located reservoirs, distribution can be sustained through gravity. This will reduce energy costs, improve efficiency and ensure a more reliable supply.

Equally important is the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure and the adoption of modern technologies. Power supply to water facilities must also be prioritised, possibly through dedicated or alternative energy sources.

Looking ahead, Kano must plan for its future. As the fastest-growing urban centres in northern Nigeria, these cities will see increasing demand for water. The state should begin developing new water treatment plants using available irrigation dams and other water sources.

Kano’s water crisis is no longer just an infrastructure issue—it is a public health and economic concern. Access to clean water should not be a privilege. It is a basic right.

The time has come to move beyond promises and take decisive action.

Engr. Kabir Bashir Shariff, PhD, can be contacted via kabir-bashir.shariff@unicaen.fr.

By Muhammad Abubakar

A military court in China has sentenced former Defence Minister Li Shangfu to death for corruption, with a two-year reprieve on the execution of the sentence, state broadcaster China Central Television reported.

Li, who previously served as one of China’s top military officials, was found guilty of corruption-related offences following an investigation by Chinese authorities. Under China’s legal system, a death sentence with a two-year reprieve is often commuted to life imprisonment if the convict is deemed to have shown good behaviour during the suspension period.

The ruling marks another major development in China’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign, which has targeted senior political and military figures in recent years. Li was removed from office in 2023 after months out of public view, fuelling speculation about investigations into alleged misconduct within the military establishment.

By Maji MB

Like a traveler who set out at dawn with hope carefully folded into his resolve and a quiet determination that refused to fade with distance or difficulty, Governor Mai Mala Buni embarked on what would become a wide-reaching and sustained reform of the healthcare system in Yobe State, approaching it not as a set of isolated projects but as a deeply interconnected mission to rebuild trust, restore access, and reimagine how care could be delivered across both urban centers and remote settlements. From the outset, the focus was not on surface-level improvements but on laying down enduring foundations that could support growth for years to come, even in places where infrastructure had long been weak or unevenly distributed.

He began by returning to the roots of the system, prioritizing primary healthcare as the entry point for most citizens and the backbone of any sustainable medical structure. Across communities, 140 Primary Healthcare Centres were revived or newly established, each one functioning not merely as a building with equipment but as a functioning access point for families who previously had to travel long distances for even basic medical attention. These centers became essential spaces where preventive care, maternal support, child health services, and first-response treatment could be accessed closer to home, gradually reshaping how communities interacted with the healthcare system and reducing delays that often turned treatable conditions into emergencies.

From that foundation, the reforms expanded outward into secondary and tertiary levels of care, with local government areas strengthened through secondary facilities and more specialized services distributed across zones to reduce pressure on central hospitals. At the highest level, tertiary institutions were reinforced to handle more complex cases, creating a more coherent referral structure that allowed patients to move through the system in a more organized and efficient way. This layered approach helped reduce bottlenecks while also ensuring that care was not concentrated in one location but spread in a way that matched population needs.

Recognizing that geography and terrain often determine survival in emergencies, the administration introduced 88 customized tricycle ambulances designed specifically for hard-to-reach areas where conventional vehicles struggled. These ambulances became more than transport solutions; they functioned as critical links between vulnerable households and formal medical care, navigating narrow paths and rural roads to retrieve patients in urgent need. In many cases, they shortened the time between crisis and treatment, reinforcing the idea that healthcare accessibility is not only about facilities but also about mobility and reach.

Alongside infrastructure expansion, attention was given to financial protection and inclusion through the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, which expanded coverage to over 300,000 residents. This initiative reduced the immediate financial burden on households by allowing citizens to access services without bearing the full cost of treatment upfront, with government support covering the majority of expenses and patients contributing a small portion. In practice, this helped shift healthcare from being a sudden financial shock to a more predictable and manageable system of shared responsibility.

To address the persistent challenge of drug availability, the establishment of the Drugs and Medical Consumable Management Agency became a central intervention point, supported by over ₦2.3 billion worth of medical supplies. This ensured that hospitals and clinics were no longer frequently hindered by stock shortages or treatment interruptions. Medicines, consumables, and essential supplies became more consistently available, strengthening confidence in public health facilities and improving continuity of care for patients who previously faced delays or had to seek alternatives outside the state.

Emergency response systems were also strengthened through improved ambulance services and inspection mechanisms designed to ensure accountability and readiness across facilities. This meant that response times in critical situations improved, coordination between facilities became more structured, and oversight mechanisms helped maintain operational standards. In practical terms, this created a more responsive system where emergencies could be handled with greater speed and fewer procedural delays, particularly in situations involving accidents or sudden medical complications.

A major humanitarian component of the reforms was the introduction and expansion of free healthcare services for vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, young children, accident victims, and patients requiring dialysis for kidney-related conditions. By removing financial barriers in these high-risk categories, the system provided direct relief to families facing some of the most expensive and emotionally taxing medical situations. This intervention not only reduced mortality risks but also reinforced the principle that certain categories of care should remain accessible regardless of income level.

In parallel, immunization and disease prevention efforts were significantly strengthened through collaboration with development partners, leading to a notable increase in immunization coverage from 16% to 65%. Programs targeting polio and other childhood diseases were intensified, resulting in improved public health indicators and positioning the state as one of the most improved in the country. At the same time, investment in medical infrastructure continued at the teaching hospital level, including the construction of a 300-bed Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health complex and the expansion of overall capacity to over 700 beds, alongside the introduction of advanced diagnostic equipment such as MRI, CT scan, mammography, digital X-ray, and ultrasound systems.

Finally, attention turned toward sustainability and human capital development, with upgrades to institutions such as Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery and Galtima Mai Kyari College of Health Sciences, including improved facilities, expanded learning environments, and enhanced living conditions for students. In a notable workforce intervention, automatic employment opportunities were provided to graduates to strengthen staffing levels across the health system. Over time, these combined efforts contributed to improved national recognition, culminating in the state’s emergence as the best-performing state in the National Primary Healthcare Competition of December 2025, reflecting a system that had evolved from fragmented services into a more coordinated and steadily improving healthcare framework.

Maji MB wrote from Potiskum, Yobe State.