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By Khalid Imam 

The Triple R Kannywood Renewed Hope Initiative, the highest body of elite Kannywood actors and other influential Arewa creatives, led by Alhaji Dauda Adamu Abdullahi Kahutu Rarara, organised a special prayer session to pray for peace, unity, and security in Nigeria on 22nd June 2026 at the Aminu Dantata Trade Fair Complex in Kano City.

Conceived by a high-powered 5-Man Committee of Special Prayer chaired by Nura Hussaini, a famous Hausa film actor, the session drew a massive turnout of notable Hausa film actors, directors, singers, scriptwriters, authors, and other creatives in the arts industry. TikTok influencers and dozens of group members were also in attendance, and all were united by their concern over Nigeria’s security situation.

The special prayers attracted enthusiastic attendees from the film and arts industry in Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Niger, Sokoto, Borno, and other Northern regions. Starting around 11 am, members recited the Holy Qur’an. A big cow and a large ram were slaughtered, and the meat was shared among the public. The act sought Allah’s intervention for lasting peace and security, especially in troubled areas. 

Prayers were also faithfully offered for Almighty Allah to completely crush all those directly or indirectly profiting from the killing of innocent lives, especially bandits and other troublemakers. Members also prayed, asking God to bring a permanent end to terrorism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and every form of insecurity plaguing Nigeria, particularly the North.

To ensure a well-coordinated and sustained approach, the initiative is committed to establishing the said powerful standing committee under the chairmanship of Nura Hussaini, with Sharu Nagudu serving as Vice Chairman. All members of the Triple R Kannywood for Renewed Hope Initiative are automatic and committed members, working collectively to hold continuous prayers for peace, unity, security, and Nigeria’s overall development.

At the heart of the prayers was a collective plea for Allah’s immediate intervention in ending the violence still disrupting communities across Nigeria. The group also prayed for lasting peace, security, and stability across Nigeria, for unity, love, and mutual understanding among all citizens, and for wisdom and sound guidance for the country’s political leadership at the national and state levels as they strive harder to steer the nation toward achieving peace and socioeconomic transformation.

Speaking to journalists at the venue of the special prayers and sacrifices, Rarara, a preeminent Hausa song artist and leader of the converged creative minds under the Triple R Kannywood Renewed Hope Initiative, said, “The initiative recognises the daunting challenges security agents face daily in tackling insecurity across the country. This prayer session was organised to complement their efforts by seeking Allah’s intervention and urging the general public to join in praying for the success of the government and security personnel in combating this persistent menace.”

Khalid Imam, a multiple award-winning bilingual author based in Kano, attended the special prayer session and crafted this report.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has shifted its decision on the bail applications filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and his co-defendant, Jimi Lawal, to July 1, 2026.

Justice Hauwa’u Buhari announced the new date after lawyers representing both the prosecution and the defence presented their arguments in the matter filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.

The anti-graft agency is prosecuting El-Rufai, Lawal and five companies over an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, financial misconduct and money laundering.

During the proceedings, the defence counsel informed the court that applications seeking bail for the defendants had already been submitted and urged the court to consider them. After listening to arguments from both sides, the judge reserved ruling until July 1.

El-Rufai arrived at the court premises under tight security as the hearing continued.

Earlier on Wednesday, the former governor also appeared before a Kaduna State High Court in another ICPC case linked to allegations of abuse of office and money laundering during his administration between 2015 and 2023.

The state high court later adjourned the matter until June 29, 2026, for continuation of hearing.

According to the ICPC, investigations uncovered alleged irregularities involving the management of public funds as well as the award of government contracts.

However, El-Rufai and the other defendants denied all allegations brought against them and pleaded not guilty before the court.

New Real Madrid defender Marc Cucurella has expressed his willingness to cover defensive responsibilities for Vinicius Junior in order to help the Brazilian remain effective in attack.

The Spanish full-back recently sealed a €55 million transfer from Chelsea to Real Madrid ahead of the new season.

Football fans have already turned attention to how Cucurella and Vinicius Jr will combine on the left flank at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Speaking about the partnership, Cucurella said he is prepared to support the Brazilian by focusing more on defensive tasks.

He told Marca: “I think we’ll get along well. I don’t care if he doesn’t track back, I’ll do everything he doesn’t want to do.

“As long as he’s decisive and fresh enough to score goals, I’ll do the dirty work. Vinicius has shown that he’s a key and influential player in Real Madrid’s Champions League campaigns.”

Cucurella’s arrival is expected to strengthen Real Madrid’s defence as the club prepares for another campaign in both domestic and European competitions.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have stopped an alleged cattle rustling operation and recovered six cows in the Bakal area of Bauchi metropolis.

The incident followed intelligence reportedly received by the police through the ‘A’ Divisional Police Headquarters, Township Bauchi, on June 23, 2026, at about 12:30 p.m. The information indicated that suspected cattle rustlers were moving six cows toward a riverbank in Bakal through the Goskaram area.

Following the report, police operatives, alongside members of a local vigilante group under the leadership of the Divisional Police Officer of ‘A’ Division, carried out a swift operation in the area.

The security team reportedly pursued the suspects, intercepted them and recovered the six cows. The animals have since been taken into police custody as efforts continue to identify and locate their rightful owners.

Authorities said the suspects escaped during the operation, while efforts are ongoing to track them down.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, ordered a discreet investigation into the incident and directed officers to intensify efforts to arrest those involved.

The police commissioner also praised the operatives for their quick response and commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

He further appealed to residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with useful information that could help tackle crime.

The command assured members of the public that it remains committed to protecting lives and property as well as maintaining security across Bauchi State.

By Anas Abbas

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed as false and misleading claims circulating on social media that a police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Force said the individuals featured in the viral video were not bandits but members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters assisting security agencies in ongoing operations within Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of the state.

According to the police, the footage captured a routine engagement between a police officer and the community security volunteers as they moved to an operational location to support efforts aimed at tackling crime and improving public safety.

The Nigeria Police Force described reports linking the volunteers to banditry as “entirely false, malicious and misleading,” stressing that the narrative was designed to create confusion among members of the public.

The police further condemned what it called the deliberate distortion of facts and the spread of misinformation capable of generating unnecessary fear, weakening public confidence in security institutions and disrupting ongoing security operations.

The NPF urged citizens to disregard the claims attached to the video and to rely on information released through its official communication channels and other authorised government sources.

It also warned individuals and groups involved in producing or disseminating false information that could threaten public peace and security to desist, noting that legal action may be taken against offenders.

The Force reiterated its commitment to collaborating with legitimate community-based security organisations and other stakeholders in the fight against crime and the protection of lives and property across the country.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Anti-Muslim racism is widespread in Germany’s public institutions, with most Muslims reporting discriminatory treatment when dealing with state authorities, according to a recent survey highlighted by anti-racism advocates.

The findings, cited by the alliance against anti-Muslim hatred CLAIM, show that around 80 per cent of Muslims surveyed reported experiencing discrimination in their interactions with public institutions and authorities. The study examined experiences involving government agencies, public services, and other state institutions.

Researchers said the results point to persistent forms of institutional racism that affect Muslims in areas such as employment services, migration offices, law enforcement, and public administration. The study is among the most comprehensive investigations of racism within German federal institutions to date.

The survey comes amid growing concern over anti-Muslim hostility in Germany. A separate civil society report presented by CLAIM this week documented 4,096 anti-Muslim incidents nationwide in 2025, up from 3,080 cases in 2024. The incidents included discrimination, insults, threats, property damage, and violent attacks. Women accounted for nearly two-thirds of recorded cases where gender was identified.

CLAIM and other advocacy groups have called for stronger measures to combat anti-Muslim racism, including improved complaint mechanisms, better monitoring of discrimination, and expanded anti-bias training within public institutions.

Germany is home to more than five million Muslims, making it one of the largest Muslim populations in Europe. Recent studies have warned that discrimination and exclusion continue to pose significant challenges to social cohesion and equal participation in public life.

By Uzair Adam

Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has called on Nigerian universities to move beyond conducting research solely for academic publication and focus on transforming research findings into commercially viable products capable of addressing national development challenges.

The Vice-Chancellor of BUK, Professor Haruna Musa, made the call on Tuesday during the university’s First National Conference and Exhibition on Research and Development, which concluded after two days of deliberations involving researchers, industry experts, policymakers and development partners.

Speaking on the significance of the conference, Professor Musa said Nigerian universities must adopt deliberate strategies to showcase and commercialise research outputs rather than limiting them to academic journals.

According to him, many researchers across Nigerian universities concentrate on publishing their findings without sufficient efforts to translate them into products and services that can benefit society.

“Our research efforts should not end on the pages of journals. We need deliberate initiatives to convert research findings into commercially viable products that can contribute to national development,” he said.

The vice-chancellor explained that the university, through its Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnership (DRIP), organised the maiden conference and exhibition to create a platform where government agencies, industry players and academics could collaborate on commercialising research outcomes.

He expressed satisfaction with the innovations and inventions displayed at the exhibition, describing them as evidence of the immense talent available within Nigerian universities and research institutes.

“What I have seen here shows that Nigerians are talented and that our universities and research institutes are producing research capable of addressing our developmental challenges,” he added.

Also speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. (Barr.) Obiageli Edith Amadiobi, emphasised the need to strengthen linkages between academia and industry to ensure that research addresses real-world problems.

She said the gap between universities and industries could be bridged through deliberate partnerships and programmes that encourage industry-driven research.

According to her, NOTAP’s Industry Technology Transfer Fellowship Programme was designed to support PhD candidates working on research topics identified by industries, thereby ensuring that research outcomes respond directly to market needs.

She noted that research should be problem-oriented and capable of providing practical solutions.

“If there is no problem, there can’t be any solution. The challenges facing industries are better handled by researchers in universities, and that is why we are working to strengthen the linkage between industry and academia,” she said.

The NOTAP boss further stressed the importance of moving from what she described as “research for the shelf” to “research for the market.”

She observed that research loses much of its value when its findings remain unused, adding that universities across the world increasingly support research that can be translated into products and commercial ventures.

Amadiobi also highlighted the importance of intellectual property protection and patent registration for researchers.

She explained that original innovations should be patented to ensure inventors retain ownership rights and benefit from their discoveries.

“Whatever you research into and it is original, you have to own it. By patenting it, you secure your rights and can continue to benefit from the intellectual property,” she said.

She urged universities to establish comprehensive intellectual property policies that clearly define ownership rights, revenue-sharing arrangements and responsibilities relating to research outputs and innovations.

Earlier, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Professor Muhammad Maina, described the conference as a successful first attempt at creating a national platform for discussions on research commercialisation and innovation.

He said the event exceeded expectations and provided valuable lessons that would help improve future editions.

“This is the first national conference and exhibition on research and development in Bayero University. We have tested the waters and can now improve on what we have done, widen participation and attract more exhibitors in the future,” he said.

Maina noted that organisers intend to expand future editions to accommodate more students, researchers and institutions from across the country.

He added that recommendations and observations made during panel discussions would be carefully reviewed and incorporated into the university’s future research and innovation strategies.

According to him, issues relating to intellectual property, research partnerships and commercialisation featured prominently during discussions and would help shape the activities of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnership.

“We have taken note of all the important contributions made during the conference. They will help us recalibrate our standards, improve our operations and strengthen research and development activities within the university,” he said.

The conference, themed “Bridging Knowledge and Enterprise: Intellectual Property, Partnership and Research Commercialisation,” brought together academics, innovators, government officials and industry stakeholders to explore ways of transforming research outputs into products and services that contribute to economic growth and national development.

Cristiano Ronaldo has made football history after becoming the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments.

The Portugal captain achieved the feat on Tuesday night after scoring twice in his side’s dominant 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in a Group K encounter.

Ronaldo first scored at the World Cup during the 2006 edition. He also found the net in the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments before extending the record at the ongoing 2026 competition.

Portugal took the lead in the sixth minute after Joao Cancelo delivered a cross that Ronaldo converted with a neat finish at the near post.

Nuno Mendes later doubled the advantage with a low free-kick from outside the box before Ronaldo struck again shortly before halftime. Bruno Fernandes provided the assist for the forward, who calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.

The goal was Ronaldo’s 10th in World Cup history. The achievement moved him ahead of Portuguese legend Eusebio as the country’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament. Eusebio had scored nine goals during the 1966 World Cup.

Rafael Leao added another goal in the second half, while an own goal from Uzbekistan completed the emphatic win for Portugal.

Ronaldo also came close to increasing his tally further, but the Uzbekistan goalkeeper denied him on multiple occasions.

The victory moved Portugal to the top of Group K with four points ahead of their final group-stage match against Colombia.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has directed officers and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force to stop engaging in unauthorised social media activities while in uniform.

The directive followed concerns over the increasing number of police officers creating online videos, hosting live sessions and posting other content on social media platforms without official approval.

Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Edem, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to the statement, officers are no longer allowed to post unauthorised content in police uniform or publicly comment on official police matters without approval.

The statement also warned personnel against revealing sensitive operational details or using their positions in the force for personal publicity, entertainment or commercial purposes.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, has directed all officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to desist from unauthorised social media activities capable of undermining the integrity, professionalism, and public image of the Force,” the statement reads.

Edem explained that the police chief acknowledged the importance of social media as a communication tool. He, however, stressed that officers must use such platforms in line with existing laws, regulations and the police social media policy.

Disu also ordered commissioners of police, heads of departments and other senior officers to educate personnel under their supervision and ensure compliance with the directive.

The IGP further instructed the Force Intelligence Department and the Professional Standards Department, also known as the X-Squad, to intensify monitoring of social media activities involving police personnel.

According to the statement, supervisory officers would be held responsible if they fail to act against officers who violate the directive within their commands.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kaduna State Police Command has arraigned 24 suspects in connection with the killing of a woman accused of child theft in the Maraban Jos area of the state.

The suspects appeared before a magistrate court sitting at the NDA Junction in Kaduna, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the police spokesperson, Mansir Hassan.

The incident occurred on Sunday after a mob allegedly attacked the woman over claims that she stole a child.

Hassan said the police received a distress call about the attack despite the absence of evidence to support the allegation against the victim.

According to him, the divisional police officer in the area led a team of officers to the scene and rescued the woman before taking her to the police station for protection and investigation.

He, however, said the mob later stormed the station, overpowered officers on duty and forcefully took the woman away before killing her and setting her body ablaze.

The police spokesperson said the suspects are facing charges that include criminal conspiracy, inciting public disturbance, destruction of public and police property, mischief and culpable homicide.

Hassan added that the court adjourned the matter until July 21 for further hearing. He said the suspects were remanded in a correctional facility pending the outcome of the case.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government described the arraignment as a positive move toward justice and respect for the rule of law.

In a statement, the Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, praised the Kaduna police command for what he called swift action in prosecuting those linked to the incident.

“Governor Uba Sani’s administration will not tolerate any form of mob action or jungle justice. We urge residents to always report suspected criminal activities to security agencies and allow the law to take its course,” the commissioner said.

“Anyone found taking the law into their own hands will face the full consequences of the law, regardless of status or affiliation.”