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By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command has arrested five members of a criminal syndicate that specialized in impersonating police officers to extort unsuspecting citizens across Kano, Kaduna and Katsina States.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Command’s Spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday, October 16, 2025, around 1:00 p.m., following credible intelligence.

Those arrested were identified as Aliyu Abbas (35), Sani Iliyasu (47), Ashiru Sule (41), Abubakar Yahaya (45), and Adamu Kalilu (45).

They were nabbed by operatives of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) while parading themselves as police officers.

According to the statement, several incriminating items were recovered from the suspects, including a fake police warrant card, handcuffs, CFA 2,500, mutilated naira notes of various denominations, and a blue Peugeot 406 with registration number NSR-188-BD used for their operations.

“During investigation, the suspects confessed to engaging in a series of impersonations using the fake warrant card to extort innocent citizens and carry out other criminal acts in Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna States,” the statement added.

SP Kiyawa said the suspects would be charged to court upon the completion of the investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, warning that the police would not tolerate any form of criminal impersonation or illegal activity in the state.

He further urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or persons to the nearest police station.

By Khadijat Abdulrasheed

A short play on Peer Pressure, Courage, Confidence, and Modesty.

CHARACTERS:

 1. Amina: Hijabi girl, shy but spiritually strong. Calm and polite.

 2. Toke: Trendy, confident girl who loves teasing others. Loud and playful.

 3. Zee: A follower. Often supports Toke but watches and thinks deeply.

 4. Teacher Fatima: A teacher who is Kind, firm, and respected.

SCENE 1: School Corridor (After Break)

[The school bell rings. Students return from break. Some are laughing, others are walking in groups. Amina walks in quietly, her hijab well-arranged. Toke and Zee stroll in together, looking fashionable.]

TOKE

(laughing loudly)

Ha! See our aunty again. Amina, the hijab ambassador! You no dey ever gree show small swag?

ZEE

Her own swag na hijab and long skirt. Babe, this is 2025 o, not 1925!

TOKE

(pretending to whisper)

Na only God go help her. Fashion don pass her by.

AMINA

At least I cover myself the way Allah wants. That’s my absolute confidence.

TOKE

Confidence ke? You dey hide beauty under a scarf. If I get your fine face, I go use am blow on IG! You go just dey hear likes everywhere.

AMINA

But if beauty is only for likes… what happens when you lose followers?

ZEE

She get point o.

TOKE

Abeg joor. I no get time for all this hijabi wisdom. Let’s go jare.

[Toke and Zee walk off. Amina walks the other way with a peaceful look.]

SCENE 2: Classroom, Next Day

[Students are chatting. Teacher Fatima walks in. The class becomes quiet.]

TEACHER FATIMA

Good morning, class.

STUDENTS

Good morning, ma.

TEACHER FATIMA

Today, I want to talk to you about something important, which is Dignity in Modesty.

(She pauses)

Modesty is not weakness. It’s not for the old. It’s not backwardness.

It is honour and it is strength. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said Modesty is part of faith.

Even when people laugh at you… be like Maryam (AS). She was mocked, but she remained pure and firm.

We dress modestly, not because we are ashamed of our beauty but because we are grateful for it.

[Amina listens with a soft smile. Toke shifts uncomfortably. Zee watches them both.]

SCENE 3: Corridor After Class

[The students come out. Amina is by her locker. Toke hesitates, then walks up to her.]

TOKE

Uhm… Amina.

AMINA

(looks up, smiling)

Yes?

TOKE

About yesterday… I was just catching cruise, but… You really dey try sha.

AMINA

It’s not me. It is Allah who gives strength.

TOKE

(chuckles)

I wish I could get your kind courage. Me, I dey fear people’s opinion die.

AMINA

You can ask Allah for strength, too. He listens.

ZEE

Maybe courage is not about talking loudly. It may be about standing firm.

[They all walk off slowly. Peaceful music fades in.]

SCENE 4: Two Weeks Later, School Debate Competition

[The school is holding a debate. Topic: “True Confidence From Appearance or Inner Values?” Amina and Toke are in the same group. The hall is packed. Teacher Fatima is in the audience.]

TOKE

(nervously looking at Amina)

I have never joined anything like this before.

AMINA

You will do well. Just speak the truth from your heart.

[Toke steps up, clearing her throat. She speaks slowly.]

TOKE

Before, I thought confidence was how you walk, dress, and trend online.

But I met someone who never followed the crowd… yet she stands taller than all of us. She wears her scarf with pride… and doesn’t need to shout to be heard.

That kind of confidence…

Comes from knowing who you are, not who people want you to be.

[The audience claps. Amina looks down shyly. Zee claps too, smiling proudly.]

SCENE 5: Corridor, After School

[Toke, Amina, and Zee walk together. Toke now wears a scarf, not a full hijab, but modest.]

ZEE

Wonders shall never end. Our slay queen don join hijab squad.

TOKE

(laughs)

But honestly, I feel freer and more comfortable.

AMINA

That’s because obedience to Allah removes the burden of impressing people.

ZEE

And between peer pressure and modesty… I think we know who really won.

TOKE

Modesty won because it gave me peace. Not pressure.

[Teacher Fatima walks by slowly and overhears. She stops and smiles.]

TEACHER FATIMA

When a heart chooses Allah over people, that heart has already won.

(she looks at them all)

May Allah keep your steps firm. Always.

ALL THREE GIRLS

Ameen.

[They walk off together, smiling. This time, not as different girls, but as sisters.]

✨ THE END

MORAL MESSAGE:

Modesty is not a cage. It is not something that locks you away or hides your beauty in shame. It is an honour, a beautiful shield that protects your dignity, your heart and your purpose. It is a quiet strength that says, I know my worth and I choose to honour it the way my Creator wants. True confidence is not found in the approval of the crowd, not in likes, not in views, and not in trends. Crowds change, opinions shift, but Allah’s pleasure never changes. When He is pleased with you, that is the highest success. Peer pressure is loud, it laughs, it whispers, and it tries to make you feel small for not joining the crowd. But modesty doesn’t need to shout. It walks calmly through the noise, stands firm, and in the end… it lasts longer.

By Rabiu Elkanawi

Mr Sulaiman Abbas, a Nigerian-born researcher, is contributing significantly to scientific innovation with his groundbreaking work that has the potential to transform global approaches to climate change.

Abbas, having obtained his MSc from Tianjin University in China, co-authored a highly cited paper on interface engineering for the electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂). His research investigates the potential of meticulously engineered nanomaterials and catalyst interfaces to transform CO₂, a significant factor in climate change, into useful fuels and industrial chemicals.

“I have consistently demonstrated a commitment to identifying solutions in the face of challenges,” Abbas stated. 

In Nigeria, industries and power stations emit significant quantities of CO₂, which is frequently regarded merely as waste. My research aims to convert waste gas into valuable resources for energy production and manufacturing.

This study elucidates the engineering of metal–metal, metal–oxide, and molecular interfaces to facilitate the efficient breakdown of CO₂, addressing the resilient chemical bonds that complicate its processing. Abbas’s research enhances catalyst performance, indicating novel methods for producing clean fuels, chemicals, and power storage systems, while simultaneously decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Nigeria’s reliance on oil and gas causes environmental issues like rising emissions. Abbas’ research suggests capturing CO₂ from industries, developing low-carbon sectors for green jobs, and rural electrification using CO₂ conversion with solar and wind energy.

Mr Abbas is pursuing a PhD in Solid State Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati and is part of international networks on sustainability and clean energy. His work highlights a circular carbon economy, where Nigeria and developing nations turn environmental challenges into innovation catalysts.

In the pursuit of carbon-neutral technologies, innovators such as Mr Abbas demonstrate that Nigeria’s emerging scientists are prepared to take a leadership role.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 21 individuals who were held captive by bandits, some for more than four months.

The group of freed hostages includes four Chinese nationals.The rescue was carried out on October 17 by a combined force from the 12 Brigade in Lokoja and the 22 Armoured Brigade in Ilorin, operating under the 2 Division/Sector 3 of Operation FANSAN YAMA.

According to an army press release signed by Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye, the victims—comprising 14 men, 5 women, 1 infant, and the four Chinese citizens—were abducted from various locations across Kwara and Kogi States.

The military stated that its “intensified offensive” pressure forced the bandits to abandon their captives, leading to their rescue.

Following their release, the victims received immediate first aid and were evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment.

Officials reported that many were physically weak and unable to walk without assistance due to extreme exhaustion but are now responding positively to medical care.

Major General CR Nnebeife, the General Officer Commanding the 2 Division, sympathized with the victims and reassured the public of the army’s commitment to its ongoing campaign.

“The Division remains committed to sustaining the ongoing onslaught against all criminal elements,” Major General Nnebeife stated.

“There will be no hiding place for bandits and other criminals within the Division’s Area of Responsibility.”

The GOC also acknowledged the support of the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies in the successful operation, directing his troops to “maintain the tempo” to restore peace and security in the region.

The rescued victims are expected to be reunited with their families after making a full recovery.

By Tijjani Usman Dalhatu

The recent announcement that Mathematics will no longer be compulsory for admission into Arts and Humanities programs in Nigerian universities has generated both relief and concern. While it may appear to remove a long-standing obstacle for many students, it also raises a deeper philosophical question about the role of Mathematics in shaping thought itself.

Mathematics is far more than a subject in the school curriculum; it is a philosophy of reasoning, structure, and truth. It disciplines the mind to detect order in complexity, to question assumptions, and to think with clarity. It is the silent philosopher that underlies all genuine understanding, whether in the sciences, the arts, or the humanities.

History is rich with thinkers who embodied this union of logic and imagination. Bertrand Russell, both philosopher and mathematician, sought truth through reason and ethics. G. H. Hardy regarded pure mathematics as a creative art, not just an academic pursuit. Lewis Carroll, a mathematician, used logic and paradox to craft timeless literary classics. And Omar Khayyam, celebrated as a poet of destiny, was first a master of algebra and astronomy.

Their lives remind us that the boundaries we draw between science and the humanities are artificial. Every discipline, whether it studies numbers or narratives, still depends on logic, pattern, and evidence. Even the modern historian employs statistics to interpret migration, the linguist applies probability to syntax, and the sociologist uses data to understand society.

Removing Mathematics from the foundation of Arts education risks cultivating thinkers who may feel deeply but reason shallowly. They may be fluent in expression yet uncertain in structure. In an age governed by data, where information is quantified and measured, even the humanities must remain numerate to stay relevant.

Mathematics sharpens the intellect not by teaching us to count, but by training us to think precisely. One may exclude it from certificates, but never from the mind.

For to reason is to calculate, and to imagine is to measure the infinite.

Tijjani Usman Dalhatu is a lecturer and researcher in Chemistry Education at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. He can be reached via tijjani.usman@futminna.edu.ng.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Senator Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State, has approved a new salary structure for three major tertiary institutions in the state.

The approval covers academic and non-academic staff of Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, the Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology, and the College of Education, Gidan Waya.

This decision brings to an end a 15-year-long struggle by the staff of these institutions, who have been demanding a review of their remuneration package.

The new salary structure is expected to align their pay with contemporary economic realities and improve morale.

While the specific details of the new salary scale were not immediately released, the approval is seen as a major victory for the educational sector in the state and a fulfillment of the government’s commitment to the welfare of its workforce.

By Sabiu Abdulahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has cautioned the public against a fake appointment letter currently circulating on social media, describing it as a scam.

In a statement titled “SCAM ALERT!!!”, the Service clarified that it is “not issuing appointment letters at this stage of its recruitment exercise.” It further emphasized that the letters in circulation are “FAKE and should be disregarded.”

The NCS explained that the recruitment process is still ongoing and has not reached the stage of issuing appointment letters.

It stated that “the ongoing recruitment process is still at the examination stage; the Superintendent Cadre recently completed their CBT across the six geopolitical zones, while the Inspector and Customs Assistant Cadres also just concluded their online CBT.”

According to the Service, the fake letters are “another attempt by fraudsters to mislead unsuspecting applicants.”

The NCS urged applicants and the general public to remain calm, avoid sharing unverified information, and rely only on official updates from its verified communication channels.

It advised the public to follow the Nigeria Customs Service on its authentic social media platforms and website.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The National Industrial Court in Abuja has scheduled a hearing in a lawsuit filed against the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

According to a court notice, the case (NICN/ABJ/214/2025), brought by Maidu Shehu and nine others, will be mentioned before the court on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

The notice, dated September 1, 2025, and addressed to the claimants’ counsel, A.A. Hikima, Esq., directs all parties to appear before the court sitting in Garki, Abuja, for the proceedings.

The suit names the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and three other defendants, though the specific details of the claimants’ grievances were not disclosed in the notice.

The upcoming mention is typically a procedural hearing to address pre-trial matters and prepare the case for a full trial.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government has clarified that no inmates have been released under the recent presidential pardon, as the process is still undergoing a final administrative review.

In a press statement on October 16, 2025, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), stated that the exercise is at its last stage to ensure full compliance with legal and procedural requirements.

The clarification comes amid public speculation regarding the implementation of the clemency approved by the President following the Council of State’s endorsement.

Fagbemi explained that the final step involves issuing the formal instruments for the release of each beneficiary.

This stage, he noted, allows for a final verification of the list to correct any potential errors before the documents are sent to the Controller-General of Corrections for action.

“This verification process is part of the standard protocol and reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and due diligence,” the AGF stated.

He reiterated that the process is not delayed but is meticulously following the law to ensure only duly qualified individuals benefit.

“The rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness,” Fagbemi said, adding that the public would be duly informed once all checks are concluded.

The Minister also appreciated the public’s vigilance, noting that such engagement strengthens institutional integrity and demonstrates a collective care for justice and good governance.

By Uzair Adam 

The Senate has confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The confirmation followed a three-hour screening session at the Senate Chamber on Thursday, during which lawmakers grilled the nominee of President Bola Tinubu on several issues regarding electoral integrity and independence.

After the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the confirmation to a voice vote, and the “ayes” carried the day without any objection. Akpabio, thereafter, urged Amupitan to ensure that votes count under his leadership.

During the screening, Amupitan dismissed claims that he served as Legal Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal or at the Supreme Court. 

He noted that the law reports of those proceedings were publicly available for anyone to verify.

The new INEC Chairman pledged to ensure credible elections where losers would freely congratulate winners, stressing that such outcomes would strengthen democracy and national development. 

He also vowed to prioritise logistics, safeguard election materials through technological innovations, and intensify voter education.

Amupitan entered the chamber at 12:50 p.m. after a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) was seconded by Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) to suspend Order 12 and admit him into the chamber.

Before the questioning session began, Akpabio informed his colleagues that Amupitan had been cleared by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Inspector-General of Police, confirming he had no criminal record.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier written to the Senate seeking Amupitan’s screening and confirmation as INEC Chairman in accordance with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

In his letter, Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite action on the confirmation process, attaching Amupitan’s curriculum vitae for consideration.

Akpabio subsequently referred the President’s request to the Committee of the Whole, which concluded the legislative process with the confirmation on Thursday.