By Uzair Adam

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has lamented the worsening insecurity and economic hardship in the country, saying ransom payments have become as common in many Nigerian homes as rent and school fees.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for celebrating Nigeria’s debt profile while citizens continue to battle hunger, insecurity and rising living costs.

The former vice president was reacting to recent remarks by the Presidency defending the country’s borrowing level in comparison with other African nations.

According to him, the government’s position showed a disconnect from the realities faced daily by ordinary Nigerians.

“It is both astonishing and insulting that at a time when millions of Nigerians can barely afford one meal a day, when parents are withdrawing children from school because of crushing hardship, when businesses are collapsing under unbearable electricity tariffs and inflation, and when entire communities are being overrun by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, the Presidency is celebrating debt figures,” he said.

Atiku said insecurity had made travelling by road dangerous in many parts of the country, while families now live in fear of kidnappings and attacks.

“In many parts of Nigeria today, travelling by road has become a gamble with death. Families go to bed praying not to receive midnight calls announcing the abduction of loved ones,” he stated.

He also linked the country’s worsening food crisis to insecurity, noting that many farmers had abandoned their farmlands because of attacks by armed groups.

“Food production has declined sharply because rural communities now live under constant threat of attacks, abductions and killings. The inevitable result is what Nigerians are currently witnessing — astronomical food prices, widespread hunger and rising anger among citizens,” Atiku added.

The Waziri Adamawa maintained that borrowing is not necessarily wrong if funds are invested in projects capable of improving infrastructure, boosting productivity and creating jobs.

However, he argued that Nigerians had seen little improvement in their living conditions despite the government’s increasing debt profile.

He accused the administration of focusing on propaganda rather than addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.

Atiku further recalled that the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in which he served as vice president, implemented reforms that helped Nigeria exit the Paris Club debt burden and restore international confidence in the economy.

“Nigerians do not care about statistical gymnastics from government spokespersons. They care about whether food is affordable, whether their children are safe, whether businesses can survive and whether the future still holds any promise,” he said.

He urged the Tinubu administration to confront the country’s challenges with sincerity, urgency and compassion before the situation worsens further.

By Anwar Usman

The Ukraine Defence Intelligence has reported the death of another Ayebusiwa Olabode Victor, a Nigerian, who was allegedly killed while fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war with Ukraine.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Ukrainian National News Agency, Ukrinform, and the country’s Defence Intelligence arm, the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine on Thursday.

Victor, born April 28, 1992, was said to be from Ilutitun in Ondo State and  he was killed in the Kharkiv region near the settlement of Hrafske during combat operations involving Ukrainian troops.

The agency revealed that Victor signed a mercenary contract in late February 2026, a week after Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged  citizens to stay away from illegal recruitment into foreign conflicts.

It alleged that many foreign recruits were lured through promises of employment and quick financial gain, only to be deployed to the frontline shortly after arrival in Russia.

“Their story is typical… deception, promises of ‘easy money,’ a week of training, deployment to the front, and a quick death,” the statement read.

The Ukrainian authorities further revealed that recruitment networks use social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp to target African nationals.

It claimed victims are issued visas and one-way tickets, and upon arrival in Moscow, their passports are seized under the guise of documentation processing.

They are then allegedly told there is no job, no valid visa, and no means of return, leaving them with limited options.

“Deportation with debt, imprisonment, or signing a contract with the occupying army,” the agency said, describing the alleged choices faced by recruits.

The report also cited figures suggesting that at least 215 Nigerians have signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence, while about 25 are either dead or missing in action.

The Ukrainian intelligence agency urged Nigerians to resist recruitment attempts and avoid being drawn into what it called an “illegal war,” while encouraging victims or targets of recruitment schemes to report through its designated support channels.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A rare albino buffalo in Bangladesh, popularly nicknamed “Donald Trump” because of its blond tuft, has escaped being slaughtered for Eid al-Adha after authorities intervened at the last minute.

The buffalo, which weighs nearly seven hundred kilograms, had already been sold for sacrifice before officials halted the process over security concerns linked to growing public attention.

A Home Ministry official confirmed on Wednesday that Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed ordered that the animal should be spared. Authorities also directed that the buyer be refunded while the buffalo would be moved to the national zoo in Dhaka.

“At the ‌last moment, the decision was taken to spare the buffalo from sacrifice due to security ‌concerns and the unusual level of ‌public interest,” a ministry official said.

Interest in the animal spread rapidly after videos of it circulated online ahead of the Eid celebration scheduled for Thursday. Many people reportedly travelled to the farm to catch a glimpse of the unusual buffalo, which stood out because of its light-coloured hair and calm nature.

The owner of the farm, Ziauddin Mridha, said his younger brother gave the buffalo the nickname after noticing a resemblance to United States President Donald Trump.

Mridha explained that the animal is gentle and requires special care, including regular feeding and bathing.

Albino buffaloes are uncommon in Bangladesh, where dark-coloured cattle are more common during the Eid livestock season. Reports indicated that the animal’s unusual appearance and nickname contributed to the attention that eventually saved it from slaughter.

Meanwhile, Muslims in Mali are facing difficulties ahead of Eid al-Adha as the prices of sheep continue to rise following a blockade imposed by armed groups linked to al-Qaida.

The blockade has reportedly disrupted the transportation of goods into Bamako, the country’s capital. Analysts said the situation has affected supplies and pushed the cost of animals beyond the reach of many families preparing for the religious festival.

The armed group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin reportedly announced the blockade earlier this month. The group has frequently targeted trucks and commercial vehicles transporting goods into the city.

Mali, which depends heavily on supplies transported from neighbouring coastal countries such as Senegal and Ivory Coast, has experienced increasing economic pressure as a result of the disruption.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday assured Nigerian children held captive by criminals in Oyo, Borno, and other states that they have not been abandoned by his administration, as he issued a series of directives to security agencies to intensify rescue operations nationwide.

In a Children’s Day statement released by the State House, the President also acknowledged the pain of grieving families, saying, “Your government will not turn your pain into ceremony.”

The address, which coincided with Eid-el-Kabir, struck a somber tone as Tinubu noted that while the nation celebrates its youngest citizens, some children and their teachers remain in captivity instead of being home with their families.

“To those children, their parents, and their teachers, I say this as a father and your President: you are not forgotten. You are not abandoned,” Tinubu said.

He directed all relevant security agencies to sustain and intensify coordinated rescue operations for abducted children and other vulnerable citizens, insisting that such operations must be “intelligence-led, carefully executed and focused on the safe recovery of our children.”

The President also ordered the strengthening of school protection measures in high-risk areas, including updated school vulnerability mapping, closer coordination between state governments and security commands, rapid response links between schools and local security units, and stronger community-based early warning systems.

The Federal Ministry of Education, working with state governments, is to deepen the implementation of the Safe Schools framework “with clear reporting, clear responsibility and clear timelines,” Tinubu added.

Beyond rescue, the President directed relevant ministries and agencies to ensure recovered children receive proper reintegration support, including medical attention, counselling, education, and dignity. “Rescue is not the end of the government’s duty,” he said.

Tinubu also appealed to parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, transport unions, local vigilantes, and the media to play active roles in protecting children, warning that silence about suspicious movements around schools places children at risk.

“The fight to protect children must begin before an attack happens, not after one has already occurred,” he said.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in education, healthcare, nutrition, social protection, digital skills, and safer communities, adding: “Childhood must not be a privilege reserved for a few. It is the right of every Nigerian child.”

He ended with a direct message to Nigerian children: “You matter—your dreams matter; your safety matters. Your education matters. Be assured that your future matters to this government and to this nation, and we will safeguard it.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Presidency has called for legal action against social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over an audio clip allegedly linked to President Bola Tinubu.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, accused the influencer of spreading false information capable of misleading Nigerians and damaging the President’s reputation.

In a post shared on X on Wednesday, Onanuga condemned the circulation of the recording, which allegedly contained fabricated comments attributed to Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform,” Onanuga wrote.

The controversial audio, which many observers suspect may have been generated through artificial intelligence voice-cloning technology, allegedly featured Tinubu making sensitive political remarks. Among the claims in the recording were allegations that insecurity in the South-East was intentional, that the President once asked former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2023 race in his favour, and that he was unconcerned about the country’s economic difficulties.

The recording also alleged that funds obtained through World Bank loans were being channelled into election activities.

VDM shared the clip alongside a video message directed at his followers. He urged Nigerians to listen carefully to the audio before deciding whether to support Tinubu in the next presidential election.

“You people watch it, see this next video I’m about to play. After you people watch it, we’ll come decide whether na for shrine them cook una mind. All the people wey wan support Bola Ahmed Tinubu for 2027, you go come know whether they don cook your mind (“Watch this next video I’m about to play. After you watch it, we will decide whether your minds have been influenced in a ritualistic manner. All those who intend to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 will then understand whether they have been mentally manipulated),” he said.

After playing the audio, the influencer openly rejected the possibility of Tinubu returning to office in 2027.

“This man does not have anything to offer. Come 2027, any other option is welcome, but for me, myself and I, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot offer us anything anymore. So he should go,” he added.

By Uzair Adam

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with an alleged Hajj seat fraud involving more than N9 million.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Nafiu Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, identifying the main suspect as Aminu Hassan Zauro.

Others arrested alongside him are Tabiu Abubakar, Usman Attahiru and Mustapha Sani Zauro.

According to the police, four additional suspects — Bello Jos, Atiku Store, Umar Gimba and Usman Bunza — are currently on the run.

Abubakar explained that the arrests followed a complaint filed by the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency after discrepancies were discovered in the records of some intending pilgrims.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Aminu Hassan Zauro allegedly obtained N8.6 million from a victim with a false promise of securing two Hajj seats for the 2026 pilgrimage despite lacking any authorised access to Hajj slots.

The suspect was also accused of collecting another N690,000 from a different victim under the same pretence.

Police further stated that the suspect allegedly attempted to conceal the fraud by issuing victims unauthorised Hajj materials, including branded bags, hijabs, wrappers and fake medical cards.

Items recovered during the investigation include the materials and a Tecno Android phone.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Bello Sani, urged intending pilgrims to transact only with the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency and accredited officials to avoid being defrauded.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Armed bandits have reportedly killed a teacher at Federal Government College, Anka, in Zamfara State, Mustapha Yahaya Maru, after collecting ransom from his family.

Maru was kidnapped earlier this month while travelling to Anka alongside other passengers after gunmen intercepted their vehicle on the road.

Following the abduction, the attackers reportedly contacted the victim’s relatives and demanded a large ransom. Family members later gathered the money after negotiations with the kidnappers in the hope of securing his release.

However, the teacher was reportedly killed on Tuesday despite the payment.

The incident has left residents of Maru community and members of his family in grief. It has also renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in Zamfara State and other parts of the North-West.

Cases of kidnapping and attacks by armed groups have continued across several communities in the state.

In another incident, suspected bandits reportedly attacked travellers along Tashar Lawali Road in Talata Mafara Local Government Area on Monday, May eighteen.

Security sources said the assailants blocked the road near Jangebe District at about eleven twenty in the morning before opening fire on motorists and commuters.

The attackers reportedly targeted a vehicle conveying local government officials and abducted two occupants.

The victims were identified as Jamilu Sani, Director of Planning in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, and Muslimu Habibu, a councillor representing Jangebe Ward.

Another official, Samaila Ladan, who works with the Hajj Affairs Unit of the local government council, reportedly sustained a gunshot injury to his right hand during the attack.

The driver of the vehicle, Lawali Hakimi, was reportedly killed at the scene.

By Uzair Adam

A Nigerian pilgrim participating in the 2026 Hajj exercise has died in Muzdalifah shortly after arriving from Arafat during the early hours of Wednesday.

The deceased, believed to be from Bauchi State, reportedly collapsed during the overnight movement of pilgrims between the two holy sites.

Witnesses said Saudi security personnel and emergency medical officials swiftly evacuated the pilgrim from the area after the incident.

He was seen being wheeled away by security officers alongside members of the emergency response team.

Two officials attached to the Bauchi State pilgrims contingent were also present during the evacuation.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not officially confirmed the identity of the deceased, while the cause of death remained unknown pending an official statement.

The incident occurred during one of the most physically demanding stages of the Hajj pilgrimage, as millions of pilgrims move between holy sites amid large crowds and intense weather conditions.

Thousands of Nigerian pilgrims had earlier arrived in Muzdalifah after observing the Day of Arafat, regarded as the spiritual climax of the annual pilgrimage.

By Uzair Adam

As part of efforts to ensure an inclusive Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Kano State Government has donated Sallah cows to persons with special needs and vulnerable homes across the state.
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The intervention, coordinated by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, saw six clusters of persons living with disabilities receive one cow each alongside N20,000 transport support.

The benefiting groups include persons with spinal cord injuries, persons living with albinism, persons affected by leprosy, the visually impaired, the hearing impaired, and persons with physical disabilities.

Speaking during the distribution ceremony at the Nassarawa Children’s Home, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi Sani, said the gesture reflects Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable residents in the state.

She noted that the administration considered it important for persons with special needs and other disadvantaged groups to celebrate the Sallah festivities with joy and dignity alongside their families.

According to her, the donation is part of the government’s broader humanitarian and inclusive governance agenda aimed at supporting vulnerable members of society.

The Director of Persons with Special Needs, Dr. Binta Bala, commended the ministry for sustaining initiatives targeted at improving the lives of vulnerable persons in Kano State.

In a similar gesture, the state government also presented one cow each to Nassarawa Children’s Home, Remand Home Goron Dutse, Kwalli VVF Centre, and Tudun Maliki Torrey Home to enable residents celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.


Representatives of the benefiting associations expressed appreciation to the governor and the ministry for the support, describing the intervention as timely. They also offered prayers for continued guidance and protection for the governor.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has inaugurated a committee to identify illegal structures and review building approvals across Kano metropolis as part of efforts to strengthen urban planning and environmental safety.

While inaugurating the committee on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, described the assignment as critical to the physical, economic, and environmental development of the state.

He expressed concern over the growing trend of indiscriminate construction of buildings without proper approvals, saying the development poses serious challenges to public safety, environmental sustainability, and orderly urban growth.

According to him, despite existing regulations guiding physical development in the state, some individuals continue to embark on construction projects without obtaining the necessary documentation from relevant authorities.

The SSG urged members of the committee to carry out their responsibilities with diligence, integrity, and commitment in the overall interest of Kano residents.

The committee is chaired by the Director General of the Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS), Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani.

Other members include retired Permanent Secretary and former Head of the Department of Architecture at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil, Dayyabu Zubairu Gani; Barrister Ahmad Sunusi of the Kano Internal Revenue Service (KIRS); Umar Musa Umar of Northwest University Kano; retired Surveyor General Abubakar Usman; Dr. Zainab Ibrahim Jibril; retired civil servant Sunusi Abdullahi K/Naisa; Freedom Radio’s Muzammil Ibrahim Yakasai; and Bello Zakari, Special Assistant on Revenue to the DG KANGIS.

Mustapha Ibrahim Fagge, Director of Administration and General Services at KANGIS, will serve as secretary of the committee, while Yusuf Yakubu Ismail from the Office of the Head of Civil Service will serve as co-secretary.

The committee has been mandated to identify illegal structures in Nasarawa, Tarauni, Kumbotso, and Fagge local government areas.

It is also expected to review all approvals granted within the last one year and determine those processed under both the immediate past and current managing directors.

In addition, the committee is tasked with recommending measures to halt illegal developments and advising the government on sustainable solutions to improve compliance with physical planning laws and urban development policies.

The committee is expected to submit its report within four weeks.

Responding on behalf of the committee members, Chairman Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani thanked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for finding them worthy of the assignment.

He said the confidence reposed in the committee reflected the government’s trust in their professionalism and commitment to service delivery.

Dr. Sani added that reforms and achievements recorded under his leadership at KANGIS, especially in the areas of discipline and institutional development, had strengthened public confidence in the agency.

He assured the government that the committee would work tirelessly to justify the confidence reposed in it.