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By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Nigerian-born Australian woman, Binta Abubakar, has been arrested by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for allegedly trafficking 15 students from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and forcing them into unpaid labour on farms in Queensland.

Abubakar, 56, was taken into custody on Wednesday at Brisbane Airport shortly after returning from PNG, where she had reportedly been operating from.

Her arrest marks the culmination of a two-year investigation launched in July 2022 by the AFP’s Northern Command Human Trafficking Team, following a report received from Queensland Police.

The AFP stated, “A group of PNG nationals who had moved to Australia to study were instead allegedly forced to work against their will on farms.”

According to investigators, Abubakar used her company, BIN Educational Services and Consulting, to lure young people aged between 19 and 35 into Australia under the false promise of full educational scholarships.

The company had advertised itself as offering a “holistic and modern approach to education, training, and employment.”

However, after their arrival in Australia between March 2021 and July 2023, the students were allegedly compelled to sign legal agreements binding them to repay various undisclosed expenses, including tuition, flights, visa fees, insurance, and legal services.

Authorities alleged that, to repay these supposed debts, the students were forced to work long hours on fruit farms in areas such as Lockyer Valley and Stanthorpe.

Police say the work arrangements often breached their visa terms.According to the AFP, “The students were made to work 10 hours a day, seven days a week,” and their earnings were allegedly collected by Abubakar.

“The farmers did not know of Abubakar’s alleged scheme,” the police added.

The situation reportedly worsened when some of the students resisted.

Police claimed Abubakar intimidated them with threats of deportation or warned their families back in PNG.

“She would allegedly receive the wages on the workers’ behalf and withhold them. If they refused to comply, Abubakar allegedly threatened to have the students deported or intimidated their family in PNG,” authorities said.

Abubakar is facing 31 criminal charges.

These include four counts of trafficking in persons, 14 counts of deceptive recruiting for labour or services, and 13 counts related to debt bondage.

Although she has been granted conditional bail, Abubakar is due to appear in court again on September 19.

Reacting to the arrest, AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said, “The AFP is committed to protecting vulnerable foreign workers who are targeted by those driven by greed and profits.”

He further noted, “Victims of debt bondage and other human trafficking offences can be lured to Australia with a promise of a dream career or free education—things they may not have access to in their country of origin. If the conditions of that promise change, it can leave victims in an extremely vulnerable situation in a foreign country, where they are likely to have little financial or emotional support and face issues with language barriers.”

Telfer urged the public to report suspected cases of exploitation and reassured them of the AFP’s continued focus on safeguarding victims. “The AFP can help people who are exploited. We are focused on ensuring the welfare of victims,” he said.

This case comes shortly after German authorities arrested 13 suspected members of a Nigerian criminal syndicate in a separate crackdown on transnational crime.

By Uzair Adam 

The Kano State Government has refuted claims that it secured a new external loan of $6.6 million under the current New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) administration.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director General of the State Public Debt Management Office, Hamisu Sadi Ali, described the allegation as false and politically driven.

The claim was made by a group known as the APC Patriotic Volunteers, which alleged that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s government had taken a fresh loan within two years of assuming office—an allegation earlier reported by the Daily Nigerian on June 11, 2025.

Sadi Ali dismissed the report, insisting that the present administration had not contracted any new domestic or external loans since coming into power.

“Since the inception of the NNPP-led administration till today, the Kano State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has not taken a single fresh loan,” he said.

He clarified that the government is still servicing loans inherited from the previous All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, which he described as a “wasted” eight-year period under former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The debt office boss also criticised Usman Alhaji, the leader of the APC group and former Secretary to the State Government, questioning his understanding of the 2021 law that established the State Public Debt Management Office—a law signed during the APC administration.

“If he claims ignorance of the law, we must remind him of Section 4(b), which empowers the State Debt Management Office to borrow on behalf of the government—under strict procedures and documentation,” Sadi Ali said.

He challenged the group to provide verifiable evidence from the Federal Debt Management Office in Abuja to back their claims.

“They should provide the name of the creditor, the subsidiary loan agreement, the purpose of the loan, the amortisation schedule, and whether it is a multilateral or bilateral loan,” he added.

Sadi Ali emphasised that the public can now differentiate between facts and political propaganda, adding that Governor Yusuf remains committed to fulfilling his mandate without being distracted by baseless accusations.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

In a historic academic achievement, Dr. Zaidu Jibril Muhammad, a lecturer at Sule Lamido University (SLUK), Kafin Hausa, has become the first African recipient of the prestigious King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation.

Dr. Zaidu, who lectures in the Department of Arabic, Faculty of Humanities, clinched the 2025 award for his Hausa translation of the Arabic literary masterpiece Maqāmāt al-Ḥarīrī, published under the title Dandalin Hikimomi. The Prize’s Board of Trustees praised the translation for its scholarly depth and cultural resonance, calling it a significant contribution to African scholarship and global cross-cultural understanding.

Born on May 15, 1985, in Shungurum village, Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of Jigawa State, Dr. Zaidu holds a Ph.D. in Arabic Language among other qualifications.

Dr. Zaidu is also a prolific author, with four major Hausa translations of classical Arabic works. In addition to Dandalin Hikimomi, his works include Dandalin Dabaru (from Maqāmāt Badī‘ al-Zamān al-Hamadhānī), Bakandamai Bakwai(from Al-Mu‘allaqāt al-Sab‘a), and a Hausa version of a widely used Arabic academic guide for university students. He has also published fifteen academic articles in national and international journals.

Currently serving as a Lecturer I and a member of the International Union of Arabic Language, Dr. Zaidu’s groundbreaking achievement has been described as a landmark not just for Nigeria but for the entire African continent.

By Muhammad Abubakar

A young Indian family’s new life abroad ended in tragedy when Air India flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London crashed this morning, killing 241 people on board, with one miraculous survivor.

Among the victims were Dr Pratik Joshi and Dr Komi Vyas, both accomplished medical professionals, and their three children: aged 9, 6, and just 18 months. Their story, tragically, has come to embody the human cost of an unthinkable disaster.

Dr. Joshi, 38, had been living and working in London for the past six years, laying the foundation for a new life in the UK. Tirelessly working through the red tape of immigration and professional certification, he had long dreamed of reuniting his family abroad and offering them a brighter, safer future.

That dream was finally within reach. Just two days ago, Dr. Komi Vyas resigned from her job at a government hospital in Gujarat. The couple had packed up their lives, said their goodbyes, and looked forward to turning the page. Friends and relatives recall their excitement and plans to settle in South London, enrol their children in school, and continue their medical careers.

Before boarding the flight, the family took a photo after boarding and sent it to relatives with the caption: “One way to a new beginning.” Minutes later, the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control moments after taking off.

The Indian diaspora in the UK, especially among the medical fraternity, is mourning the loss. “Pratik was more than a colleague; he was a friend and a father trying to do right by his family,” said Dr. Meena Chauhan, who worked alongside him at St. George’s Hospital in London. “He was so excited they were finally joining him. It’s just incomprehensible.”

Back home in Vadodara, grief has swept through the neighbourhood. Friends and family gathered at the now shuttered family home, still echoing with recent packing sounds. A neighbour, clutching the last family photograph, said, “They were finally going to be together. They had waited so long.”

In a world fixated on the future, this family’s tale serves as a profound reminder to value the present—to embrace life, to express love, and to never delay happiness.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has honoured Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, with the national title of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in recognition of his contributions to democracy and national development.

Governor Sani, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle, faced multiple detentions during the fight for democratic governance. His long-standing commitment to justice and civil rights has earned him widespread respect.

Notably, he is the only serving governor named in this year’s national honors list, as announced by President Tinubu during a joint session of the National Assembly.

Congratulatory messages have poured in for Governor Uba Sani on the recognition.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

A devastating tragedy unfolded near Ahmedabad early Thursday morning as AI171, a commercial flight carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after taking off. Authorities have confirmed that there appear to be no survivors.

Ahmedabad’s city police commissioner told The Associated Press that rescue teams at the scene found no signs of life amid the wreckage. “It is with deep regret that we believe all 242 people on board have perished,” he said.

Emergency responders and investigators are working to secure the site and begin efforts to identify the victims. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with aviation officials and forensic teams en route.

The flight, operated by Air India, was en route to London. Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke and hearing a loud explosion in the area shortly before dawn.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences via social media, calling the incident “a heartbreaking loss.” Grief counselling and support services have been offered to the families of those on board.

More updates will follow as the investigation continues.

Your Excellency,

I offer my warmest congratulations on your two-year milestone as the Executive Governor of Jigawa State. Steering the affairs of a diverse and dynamic state is no small feat, and under your leadership, we have indeed witnessed tangible progress. 

May Almighty Allah continue to strengthen your resolve and guide your hands as you navigate public service responsibilities.

In these two years, your administration has recorded remarkable achievements across critical sectors—agriculture, education, infrastructure, security, and healthcare. There is much to commend, from the introduction of bold reforms to the implementation of people-centred policies. 

Notably, your decision to approve a ₦70,000 minimum wage—nearly double the previous figure—has sent a powerful signal of your administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare. This singular act resonates deeply with civil servants across the state, who now have renewed hope in a more dignified standard of living.

Sir, these achievements have not gone unnoticed. Numerous awards and recognitions by reputable organisations are a testament to the strides your government has made. 

Yet, as a concerned citizen and journalist, I feel compelled to highlight areas still yearning for attention, not to diminish your efforts, but to reinforce the voices of everyday Jigawans who earnestly seek your listening ear and urgent intervention.

Our healthcare system, for instance, still bears the scars of neglect, particularly in rural communities. Several hospitals lack basic medical facilities, suffer chronic shortages of essential drugs, and are grossly understaffed. 

During my recent fieldwork, enrollees under the Jigawa State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (JCHMA) lamented being forced to purchase prescribed medications from private pharmacies due to stockouts in government hospitals.

Even more concerning is the plight of newly recruited nurses and midwives, many of whom are yet to be captured under the new salary structure. Their morale is low, which understandably affects service delivery quality. 

Surely, if we must strengthen healthcare delivery, the welfare of frontline health workers must not be overlooked. In the agricultural sector, where Jigawa’s reputation shines, a widening gap exists between government efforts and grassroots impact. 

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Jigawa accounts for 75% of Nigeria’s agricultural exports, and nearly 90% of our people depend on farming for their livelihood. Yet, many smallholder farmers, particularly those in remote villages, say they have not received the much-publicised palliatives and support inputs. 

Some have had to rely on exploitative loans from private lenders, only to repay in harvests, leaving them at the mercy of uncertain seasons and fluctuating prices.

I humbly suggest the establishment of community-based monitoring committees, drawn from trusted local stakeholders, to ensure transparent and equitable distribution of agricultural support. The rural populace, whose turnout during elections often determines the course of governance, must not be left behind when dividends are shared.

Your recruitment of over 3,000 teachers and 147 first-class graduates in education is indeed laudable. This has brought renewed energy to our classrooms. However, many more qualified youths remain unemployed, submitting CVs into what seems like an unresponsive system. 

The discovery of 6,348 ghost workers and the savings of over ₦314 million monthly offer a golden opportunity to absorb some deserving graduates. The teacher shortage still looms large. The Nigeria Union of Teachers reported a deficit of 32,000 teachers in Jigawa. 

This is not just a statistic—it is a call to action. If we must invest in our future, we must first empower those who educate the future. Your administration’s empowerment initiatives have also made notable impacts—programs like the mobile kitchen distribution scheme have provided many with a path to self-reliance. 

But the landscape of youth enterprise is vast and diverse. Young people engaged in trades such as phone repairs, tailoring, and tricycle operations have felt excluded. 

To build an inclusive economy, your empowerment programs must evolve to accommodate a broader range of trades and offer skills training as well as access to starter kits or seed capital.

Your Excellency, when hope meets genuine leadership, progress becomes inevitable. The people of Jigawa have shown faith, and now they ask for more inclusion, visibility, and compassion in policy execution. Their plea is not one of criticism, but of partnership. 

They long to be part of the story you are writing for Jigawa—one of transformation, equity, and shared prosperity.

Sincerely yours,

Muhammad Abubakar Tahir,

A concerned Jigawa indigene.

By Maryam Ahmad

Anti-migrant riots have spread across parts of Northern Ireland, with violent mobs attacking police and targeting migrant communities.

Clashes erupted in several towns, leaving police vehicles damaged and officers injured. The unrest, sparked by anti-immigrant rhetoric online, began in a Belfast suburb and quickly spread.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland condemned the violence and confirmed multiple arrests. Community leaders and rights groups have called for calm and urged protection for vulnerable communities.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation.

By Muhammad Abubakar

A wave of violent attacks across Plateau State over the past week has claimed the lives of at least 41 people, with dozens more reportedly wounded, local sources and security officials have confirmed.

In what residents describe as a series of coordinated assaults, a total of 96 homes were set ablaze in several communities, displacing scores of families and raising fresh concerns over the escalating insecurity in the region.

The attacks, which spanned multiple local government areas, are believed to be part of ongoing communal clashes and reprisal violence that have plagued the state for years. Eyewitnesses recount harrowing scenes of gunfire, arson, and panic as armed assailants descended on their villages under the cover of darkness.

Authorities say security operatives have been deployed to the affected areas, but locals continue to express frustration over what they perceive as a slow or inadequate response to the violence.

While the Plateau State Government has condemned the attacks and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice, humanitarian agencies are calling for urgent relief efforts to support the growing number of displaced persons.

As of the time of this report, no group has officially claimed responsibility for the attacks. Investigations are ongoing.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government has dismissed media reports claiming the collapse of a potential forward sale of crude oil involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).

In a press statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the government acknowledged market speculation around the deal but clarified that no final decision had been made.

It described reports of the initiative’s failure as “unfounded.”

The statement emphasized the government’s commitment to exploring transparent and fiscally responsible financing options to maximize Nigeria’s oil resources, boost external liquidity, and enhance economic stability.

Authorities reassured stakeholders that innovative strategies remain underway to strengthen the nation’s financial outlook.

No further details were provided on the status of the proposed crude oil sale.