By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Learjet 60 aircraft has crashed in Greenacres, Palm Beach County, in the US state of Florida, with reports indicating that several people may have died.

Emergency response teams were deployed to the scene on Sunday afternoon following the incident, which occurred near Military Trail, between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the crash in a statement, announcing the closure of both northbound and southbound lanes of Military Trail until further notice.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

Videos circulating online appeared to show the aircraft making a sharp turn before plunging towards the ground near a mobile home park, where it reportedly struck and destroyed a trailer, triggering a massive fireball.

Flight-tracking information from ADS-B Exchange indicated that the aircraft descended approximately 27,000 feet within one minute before its tracking signal was lost.

Although reports indicated that several people had died, authorities had not confirmed the number of casualties as of the time of reporting. It was also unclear whether anyone on the ground was killed or injured.

The aircraft, identified as a Learjet 60 business jet manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace, had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was heading to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.

The aircraft model typically accommodates six to seven passengers and a two-person crew.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the crash would be investigated in collaboration with the National Transportation Safety Board to determine its cause and other circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Senior Pastor of Victory Life Bible Church International, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, has criticised Nigeria’s societal and political culture, saying the celebration of questionable wealth is discouraging creativity, innovation and meaningful contributions to national development.

Achudume argued that the perception of politics as a means of acquiring personal wealth, rather than serving the public, was undermining the country’s ability to nurture talented individuals and develop innovative businesses.

He made the remarks during a thanksgiving service organised to mark the 50th anniversary of the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abeokuta.

According to a statement issued by the church’s media office on Sunday, the cleric expressed concern that people who accumulated wealth through questionable political means were often celebrated rather than held accountable.

He said Nigeria needed individuals who would deploy their talents, ideas and creativity to address societal challenges, establish businesses and inspire others instead of relying on political positions for personal enrichment.

Achudume also expressed concern over what he described as the declining standard of societal values, particularly the promotion of indecent dressing and nudity under the guise of entertainment and fashion.

“They celebrate emptiness and call it showbiz. They celebrate nakedness and call it fashion,” he said.

The pastor further criticised the growing obsession with social media popularity, observing that some people now measure their relevance by the number of followers they have online.

He urged Nigerians to make responsible choices, resist negative societal influences and pursue lives defined by purpose and positive contributions to society.

On religious matters, Achudume encouraged Christians to establish a strong relationship with God before encountering difficult circumstances, noting that challenges were inevitable in business, marriage, careers and other aspects of life.

He advised believers to remain steadfast in their faith during difficult periods rather than abandon their convictions or turn to questionable spiritual alternatives in search of solutions.

Speaking at the event, the Ogun State NUJ Chairman, Wale Olanrewaju, commended the cleric for his longstanding support for journalism and contributions to society.

Olanrewaju described Achudume as a social crusader who had consistently used his voice to challenge government actions and draw attention to issues requiring urgent intervention.

He added that the cleric’s relationship with journalists and willingness to support the profession had earned him the respect of media practitioners.

In recognition of his contributions to journalism and society, Achudume was presented with the Ogun NUJ Golden Jubilee Ambassador Award during the thanksgiving service held as part of activities marking the council’s 50th anniversary.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Suspected bandits have killed a 47-year-old security guard and abducted a married woman during successive attacks on Ribah community in Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the attacks, saying joint security operatives comprising police officers, military personnel and local vigilantes repelled the assailants.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, said the attackers first attempted to block Rambo Junction along the Ribah–Dirin Daji Road at about 7:25pm on Friday but were confronted by security operatives.

According to him, the gunmen later regrouped and returned to the community, firing sporadically from different directions.

During the exchange of gunfire, a security guard identified as Hassan Boder was fatally struck by a bullet. He was reportedly attached to a newly constructed filling station along the Ribah–Kanya Road.

Usman said security operatives responded promptly after receiving a distress call and successfully forced the attackers to retreat.

He added that security operations had been intensified in the area, with patrols ongoing and efforts being made to track down and arrest those responsible.

However, reports from the community indicated that the attackers, who reportedly arrived on more than 10 motorcycles, abducted a married woman during the incident.

Troops Rescue 11 Kidnap Victims

In a separate development, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 11 kidnapped persons in two operations conducted in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The rescues took place on October 30 and 31, 2026, following military operations against suspected bandits and terrorists in the area.

The spokesperson for the 8 Division, Sokoto, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Osoba said the first operation followed a distress call reporting that armed bandits had blocked a road leading to Ribah town and attempted to invade the community.

He explained that troops deployed to the area discovered that some residents had been abducted, while motorcycles were abandoned at the scene.

The soldiers pursued the attackers and engaged them in a gun battle, forcing them to flee and abandon seven kidnapped victims.

The rescued persons were identified as Sa’adu Bala, Dantani Yahyi, Nura Musa, Nasiru Muhammad, Abdulakeem Abubakar, Abdulahi Maikudi and Zaki Gom.

The military said they had been reunited with their families.

In another operation around Wasagu, troops conducting routine patrols came under attack by suspected terrorists but repelled the assailants.

According to Osoba, the attackers fled, abandoning four people they had earlier kidnapped from their farms in Wasagu village.

The rescued victims were identified as Lawali Ali, Samaila Shuaibu, Kasimu Shuaibu and Aliyu Bala. They were subsequently handed over to the community head.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against bandits and other criminal groups, assuring residents that efforts would continue to protect lives and property across the area.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least 5,000 members of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Katsina State have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring support for the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Yakubu Lado Danmarke, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The defectors, led by the Chairman of Katsina Frontiers, Alhaji Aliyu Sani, formally joined the PDP during a rally held in Katsina on Sunday.

Speaking at the event, Sani said the decision to leave the APM was informed by their confidence in Danmarke’s leadership qualities and his record of humanitarian activities, particularly his support for vulnerable groups, including the poor, elderly and children.

He cited the senator’s provision of food and financial assistance to residents, especially during Ramadan, describing him as a humble leader who prioritises public welfare over personal comfort and material wealth.

Also addressing the gathering, Muhammad Hassan El-Makki said Katsina needed a leader genuinely committed to improving the living conditions of its people.

He described Danmarke as an experienced politician capable of transforming key sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, energy and infrastructure.

El-Makki also highlighted the senator’s scholarship programmes and contributions to community development, urging residents to support his governorship ambition.

In his remarks, Danmarke welcomed the new members, saying their defection reflected growing confidence in the PDP and his candidacy.

He disclosed that the group comprised political structures linked to a former governorship aspirant, prominent individuals, retirees and grassroots coordinators drawn from different parts of the state.

The PDP governorship candidate identified insecurity as Katsina’s most pressing challenge, promising to make the restoration of security his administration’s immediate priority if elected.

He also pledged to revitalise the education, healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure sectors, while criticising the incumbent administration over what he described as its failure to meet residents’ expectations.

Danmarke called on the people of Katsina to support the PDP, promising people-centred governance and a comprehensive effort to rebuild the state.

The state PDP Chairman, Alhaji Nura Amadi Kurfi, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing confidence that Danmarke’s candidacy would bring progress and development to Katsina.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation Hadin Kai have killed four senior leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including two Arab fighters, alongside several other terrorists during a military engagement in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The operation took place on October 31, 2026, following an attack by ISWAP fighters on military positions in the area.

The Acting Military Information Officer of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

He said the troops deployed both ground forces and air support to confront the terrorists, inflicting casualties on the group’s leadership and fighters.

Among those killed were Abu Hajara, described as a prominent member of ISWAP’s Shura Council, and Abul Walid, a senior commander and close associate of Ba Shuwa, the group’s overall Wali.

The other two casualties were identified as high-ranking Arab fighters.

Goni added that troops recovered several weapons, ammunition and communication devices following the engagement.

He described the operation as a demonstration of the troops’ combat readiness and firepower, saying it had dealt a significant blow to ISWAP’s leadership and operational capacity.

The military spokesman noted that the attack in Kukawa occurred barely three days after another major engagement in Buni Yadi, where troops reportedly neutralised 55 terrorists, including several key commanders.

Those identified in the Buni Yadi operation included Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri, also known as Munzir, Habu Ikkima Nakif Yana Faruk and Commander Gogore.

The Theatre Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining military operations against terrorist groups in the North-East, with the stated objective of protecting civilians, dismantling terrorist camps and restoring security across the region.

The Daily Reality

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has vowed to relocate to Kano for two weeks to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ahead of the 2027 elections.

Bello made the pledge at the Yoruba Political Mobilisation and Empowerment Programme organised by the Leke Abejide Foundation in Kano, urging Yoruba and other non-indigenous communities to unite behind the All Progressives Congress.

He said he was prepared to go beyond political speeches and personally join efforts to deliver Tinubu and Yusuf, insisting that the communities’ reported nearly 500,000 votes for Tinubu in 2023 were not enough. He expressed confidence that Rep. Leke Abejide’s political network could mobilise at least two million votes for Tinubu in 2027.

Bello also urged the communities to support all APC candidates and appealed to Northerners to back Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that the president should be allowed to complete his constitutionally permitted two terms.

“After eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is from the North, President Tinubu has not even completed his first four-year term. Must he complete his eight years before power returns to the North?” he asked.

He defended the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure record, citing improved conditions on the Kano-Abuja Federal Highway.

Earlier, Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State and is Asiwaju of Yoruba in Kano, said N500 million had been set aside as interest-free loans for women’s cooperative societies. Beneficiaries included Yoruba women from eight states and Igala and Ebira communities from Kogi resident in Kano. He said widows would receive food, clothing and financial assistance, with separate programmes planned for youths and men.

Governor Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting non-indigenous communities and ensuring their participation in governance. He said special advisers had been appointed for Yoruba, Igbo and northern minority communities, adding that similar representation could be extended to Igala and other groups.

By Abubakar Suleiman 

For a people or a region plagued by insecurity and extremism, it is understandable that peace-loving people would embrace or support anyone who presents themselves as a peace advocate or ambassador. These ambassadors could be atheists, Muslims, Christians, or agnostics. However, there is a fundamental difference between advocating peace and being hell-bent on striking at the very pedestal upon which Islam has stood for centuries. The latter will inevitably come with its own blowback.

The search for peace, rightly so, can be likened to a drowning man holding on to anything that looks like a stick, even if it is a snake. Many found what seemed like a stick in Masussuka. Hadith, the second source of Shari’ah, which comprises accounts of the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), was dismissed, mocked, misinterpreted, and abused by Masussuka. His treatment of Hadith was not guided by any established scholarly procedures, and this is where Masussuka fell short of intellectual rigour. He became the authority who made or marred a Hadith according to his own whims and caprices.

For the record, he is not the first to subject Hadiths to scholarly scrutiny. Many others have done so, but they followed established procedures. This is what makes Masussuka appear more like a sophist than a scholar. With cheerleaders, both innocent and dishonest, hailing him in their search for peace and their fight against extremism, Masussuka basks even more in his whimsical delusions. Attempts to get him to participate in open intellectual debates have proved abortive.

When the heat in the kitchen became unbearable over his rejection of ALL Hadiths, Masussuka created novel criteria for accepting Hadiths: “It should not contradict the Qur’an, it should not impugn the reputation of the Prophet (SAW), and it should not call for terrorism.” I don’t know of any Islamic cleric or scholar in history who has proposed these criteria. This was entirely his own invention.

Even non-Muslims are well aware of the five pillars of Islam. Yet Masussuka reduced them to three. How the Hadith that explicitly outlines the five pillars of Islam failed to meet the criteria he set for himself is a conundrum he failed to address or reconcile before his unfortunate murder. Hadiths concerning voluntary fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, as well as many well-known Hajj rituals, also fell short of his criteria. He dismissed Islamic jurisprudence with a wave of his hand. He threw the historic martyrdom of Hussain (RA), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), into the gutter. He denied history. That denial alone could strike at one of Shi’ism’s most important historical foundations.

Under the umbrella of peace advocacy, Masussuka enjoyed the protection and intellectual endorsement of people who would ordinarily be quick to criticise anyone resorting to unscholarly procedures in other fields of knowledge. He had sound Qur’anic memorisation, a sharp tongue, coherent and incoherent logic, and the ability to explain and translate Arabic words in a didactic manner. He also didn’t spare his interlocutors from name-calling: karuwar kundila, bunsuru da babban riga, jaba mai bakin sharri, etc. Even the foremost compilers of Hadith, Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim, were not spared his invectives. Shehu Inyass and Ahmad Tijjani also got their fair share of name-calling. That’s the peace ambassador.

In fairness, he called for peaceful coexistence between Muslims and non-Muslims. He spoke out about out-of-school children and parental irresponsibility. On the other hand, he spoke against Hadiths with reckless abandon, devoid of intellectual honesty.

As I have said before, I understand that some intellectuals are genuinely concerned about taming extremism and tendentiousness, as well as ending the romance between religious leaders and politicians because of its ‘overbearing influence’ on governance. Hence, their newfound love for Masussuka.

But hatred or dislike of Hadith or of Sunni scholars should not make you hold a snake and mistake it for a stick. There’s nothing new in what he propagated. He has only regurgitated the past. Tomes were written long ago debunking the kind of logical fallacies he propagated. The democratisation of social media tends to make these arguments appear new, but they are not. To paraphrase Thomas Sowell, one of the most important reasons for studying history is that virtually every stupid idea in vogue today has been tried before and proved disastrous.

One credit you have to give Sunni scholars, however you feel about them, is that they have made themselves available for open debates and have written books to debunk ideologies they consider inimical to theirs. Therefore, intellectuals should endeavour to write books or engage them in open debates on the issues they have with Hadiths. Don’t be a coward like Masussuka, who threw insults and intellectual missiles from afar.

There is no gainsaying that no one deserves to die for holding a contrasting view or subscribing to a non-mainstream ideology, particularly when such a view or ideology poses no threat to social integration. The constituted authority should determine what constitutes a threat to overriding public interests or social stability and act accordingly.

It was with dismay that I received the news of Masussuka’s assassination. I remarked: “A hero has been created by cowards and bloody murderers.” I wish he had lived long enough to be defeated by the truth, or even suffocated by it. His death has also denied us the remarkable spectacle that would have accompanied the intellectual debates he shied away from.

I hope and pray that these murderers are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law. I fear that, if precedent is anything to go by, his family and students would only be left to lick their wounds and grieve over his loss. But I pray that the Nigerian government proves me wrong this time around.

By Uzair Adam

Man O’ War Nigeria has expressed readiness to partner with sports stakeholders to identify and develop grassroots sports talents across the country as part of efforts to promote national sports development.

The National Commander of the organisation, Ademola Gbenga, said the initiative aligns with its vision of “Build the Youth, Build the Nation”, noting that its nationwide structures could be used to support talent discovery and development programmes.

Gbenga stated this during a strategic partnership visit by the Editor of Sahel Sports Newspaper, Abdulgafar Oladimeji, to the organisation’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Represented by MC A. R. Ikumapayi, the National Commander said Man O’ War was strategically positioned to build partnerships that would promote physical fitness, discipline and national unity through sports.

He explained that the organisation, a youth-focused uniformed voluntary body, operates in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with structures in tertiary institutions, secondary schools and communities.

“One of our core mandates is youth development, leadership training and positive engagement of young people. Sports is one of our strongest tools to achieve that,” he said.

He added that sports should be viewed as more than competition, describing it as a means of instilling discipline, teamwork, resilience and patriotism among young people.

The Editor of Sahel Sports Newspaper, Abdulgafar Oladimeji, described Man O’ War as one of Nigeria’s longstanding voluntary paramilitary organisations with an enviable history.

He urged the national leadership to further strengthen the use of sports activities to promote physical fitness and agility among its members.

Oladimeji noted that regular sporting activities were essential for maintaining physical readiness, developing mental toughness and strengthening unity among members.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out any plan to postpone the 2027 general elections, insisting that the polls will be conducted according to the approved timetable.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance on Saturday during an interactive meeting with the commission’s staff and Resident Electoral Commissioners from the six South-South states in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Amupitan said preparations for the elections were already underway and that the commission had no intention of altering its statutory timetable, dismissing claims by some political parties that the polls might be postponed.

“Our statutory timeline is fixed. We will not change anything. The election must hold as scheduled,” he said.

He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting credible elections in accordance with the law.

The chairman also disclosed that Rivers State would receive particular attention during the preparations because of its strategic electoral importance and its position as the state with the highest number of registered voters in the South-South region.

According to figures released by the commission, Rivers has 3,736,434 registered voters, followed by Delta with 3,525,988, Edo with 2,865,263, Akwa Ibom with 2,566,198, Cross River with 1,928,978 and Bayelsa with 1,200,691.

The six states collectively have 15,823,550 registered voters.

Amupitan urged INEC officials to ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised because of operational shortcomings.

He also revealed that the commission had published the voters’ register online and at designated locations for public scrutiny.

He said INEC had received more than 5,000 claims seeking corrections to details such as names and dates of birth, alongside over 600 objections, all of which were being addressed.

The chairman announced that the final voters’ register would be released on December 15, adding that the commission was determined to resolve all outstanding issues before the deadline.

He explained that although INEC initially considered conducting a fresh validation of the voters’ register when he assumed office, the proposal was abandoned because of concerns that the exercise would take place too close to the general elections.

On the commission’s preparedness, Amupitan expressed confidence that lessons from recent off-cycle governorship elections, particularly the Osun State election, would help improve the conduct of the 2027 polls.

He described the Osun election as particularly encouraging, noting that it recorded the highest voter turnout in the history of off-cycle elections in Nigeria and was adjudged credible by local and international observers despite earlier security concerns.

He said the experience gained from those elections would strengthen INEC’s preparations for the general elections.

Amupitan further disclosed that the commission was working with security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, to ensure the safety of voters, electoral officials, ad hoc staff and election materials.

He said INEC wanted all parts of the country to remain peaceful so that citizens could exercise their voting rights without fear.

The chairman also dismissed concerns that artificial intelligence or computer algorithms could determine the outcome of the 2027 elections, maintaining that the decision would rest with Nigerian voters.

“It is the people of Nigeria that will decide the outcome of the elections and not AI or any algorithms,” he said.

However, he acknowledged the growing cybersecurity threats associated with artificial intelligence and said the commission would explore technological measures to protect its digital infrastructure from possible attacks.

He warned INEC personnel, including members of the National Youth Service Corps serving as ad hoc election staff, against any attempt to compromise the electoral process.

According to him, any official found undermining the elections in their area of assignment would face punishment in accordance with the law.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said Nigeria’s security challenges did not begin under President Bola Tinubu, noting that terrorism, insurgency, banditry and other forms of violence had existed in the country long before the current administration assumed office in May 2023.

Dogara, who is the Chancellor of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, made the remarks on Saturday during the institution’s 16th convocation ceremony, where 836 graduands received various academic qualifications.

He attributed the country’s persistent security problems to years of porous borders, the proliferation of illegal arms, youth unemployment and the spread of extremist ideologies.

“Insecurity in Nigeria did not begin with this administration. This is no excuse, because the facts need no defence. Terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence did not arrive in 2023,” Dogara said.

He stressed that the challenges had developed over several years and were deeply rooted before Tinubu became president.

However, the former Speaker acknowledged that national security remained a major responsibility of the Tinubu administration, noting that the President had consistently identified it as a priority.

Dogara also congratulated the graduating students, urging them to recognise the importance of their talents, creativity and innovation in addressing the country’s challenges.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Professor Bode Ayorinde, said Nigeria had made considerable progress in expanding access to tertiary education but expressed concern about the employment and career opportunities available to graduates after leaving school.

Citing figures from the National Universities Commission, Ayorinde disclosed that Nigeria had 312 universities as of June 2026. The institutions comprised 77 federal universities, 67 state-owned universities and 168 private universities.

He described the figures as evidence of significant investment in human capital development, involving sacrifices by parents, governments and lecturers, but questioned whether the country was creating sufficient opportunities to absorb the growing number of graduates.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Omolola Irinoye, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to quality education, saying the university had continued to combine intellectual development with practical skills, character building and social responsibility since its establishment.

The Daily Reality