Local

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Residents of Gwana District in Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State, have abandoned their homes and belongings as insecurity in the community intensifies.

Families are fleeing the area in large numbers, seeking safety in neighbouring states, leaving the settlement nearly deserted.

Pictures that have gone viral on social media show people hurriedly packing their belongings, loading household items onto vehicles and motorcycles, and preparing to leave the community amid palpable fear.

Witnesses state that repeated attacks and constant threats have made it impossible for residents to go about their daily activities. Some residents said the situation has become unbearable, with many unable to sleep peacefully at night.

“The absence of an adequate security presence has emboldened criminal elements, leaving villagers vulnerable to further attacks,” one local resident said.

The mass displacement has also disrupted farming and other economic activities. Many residents have left behind farmlands, livestock, and personal property, relocating to safer communities or seeking refuge with relatives in neighbouring states.

Authorities in Bauchi State had not issued any official statement on the situation in Alkaleri at the time this report was filed.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Kano State Police Command has successfully dismantled a notorious six-member car theft syndicate, recovering three stolen vehicles in a targeted operation led by the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).

The crackdown followed a directive from the Inspector-General of Police to intensify efforts against organized crime. According to a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna, the breakthrough began on February 13, 2026, with the arrest of the primary suspect, 35-year-old Aliyu Mamman.

Mamman, a resident of Gusau, Zamfara State, was apprehended at Hotoro Ring Road in Kano. During interrogation, he confessed to stealing several vehicles across Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina States. His testimony led detectives to five accomplices: Abdulhamid Usman, Saliha Abdulhamid, Auwal Shuaibu, Sani Bala, and Ahmad Mannir.

The recovered vehicles include a Golf Wagon, a Golf Opel, and a Hijet (commonly referred to as “Kurkura”).

The Kano State Police Command attributed the success to its transition toward intelligence-led and technology-driven operations. Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori has ordered a full investigation to identify other members of the network and urged the public to stay vigilant.

The suspects are expected to be charged in court following the conclusion of the investigation.

By Uzair Adam

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have thwarted attempts by suspected traffickers to smuggle consignments of cocaine and opioids concealed in a fake pregnancy and inside the body through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and the Seme land border in Lagos en route to Europe and other destinations.

A 35-year-old Kano-based businesswoman, Rabi Muhammad, was intercepted on Monday, February 16, 2026, at the Seme border while attempting to cross into Cotonou, Benin Republic.

NDLEA officers grew suspicious of her protruding stomach during checks at the departure point.

A thorough search later revealed that the pregnancy was staged. Officers discovered she had strapped a pink-coloured calabash to her stomach to simulate a baby bump and conceal 3,200 capsules of tramadol, which she allegedly intended to sell in Cotonou.

On the same day in Kano, NDLEA operatives at the screening point of the departure hall of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport intercepted a 41-year-old Ivorian national, Michael Gohouri, also known as Anunwa Onyinye Michael.

He was apprehended during the outward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 bound for Milan via Addis Ababa.

A body scan confirmed he had ingested illicit substances. In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the suspect was placed under observation, during which he expelled 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms.

Investigations revealed that Gohouri had arrived in Lagos from Milan on January 17, 2026, and had travelled between Lagos and Enugu for three weeks before heading to Kano, where he reportedly ingested the cocaine in a hotel room.

He was allegedly promised 5,000 Euros upon successful delivery of the drugs in Milan.

The suspect, who claimed to have both Ivorian and Nigerian parentage, reportedly applied for asylum in Italy in 2013 and obtained a resident permit valid until May 25, 2026.

He was also found to possess a Nigerian National Identification Number bearing the name Anunwa Onyinye Michael.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives arrested the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trans Fortress Global Resources, Kolapo Oladapo Raji, who had been on the agency’s watchlist since 2025 following intelligence reports.

The 57-year-old suspect was apprehended at his residence in Safe Court Apartment, Ikate, Lekki, Lagos, on Thursday, February 12, 2026, shortly after returning from the United Kingdom.

A search of his home reportedly led to the recovery of four large bags containing parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 89.20 kilograms. A 2024 Toyota Hilux was also recovered at the point of arrest.

According to the agency, Raji admitted financing drug consignments for an overseas associate and said substantial profits encouraged him to establish an independent drug distribution network.

In other operations across the country, NDLEA operatives arrested suspects in Lagos, Rivers, Kogi, Ondo, Bauchi, Delta and Edo states, seizing large quantities of skunk and codeine-based syrup.

At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, a joint examination by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies uncovered 170,900 bottles of codeine-based syrup concealed in a container following processed intelligence.

Along the Okene/Lokoja highway in Kogi State, operatives recovered 7,300 pills of tramadol hidden inside two sound systems during a routine patrol.

A follow-up operation in Abuja led to the arrest of two suspects linked to the consignment.

Further raids in Ondo forests led to the seizure of hundreds of kilograms of skunk and the arrest of multiple suspects, while in Bauchi and Edo states, large quantities of cannabis were confiscated and illicit farms destroyed.

The NDLEA said the operations underscore its intensified efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks across the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force Southeast under Operation UDO KA have thwarted a suspected kidnap attack and rescued five victims during a swift response on February 20, 2026.

The incident took place around 6:55 p.m. at the 9th Mile axis within the 82 Division Area of Responsibility. Security sources said the troops acted on a distress call that indicated a suspected attack by IPOB/ESN elements targeting commuters heading towards Anambra State.

Military personnel moved quickly to the location and confronted the armed group. On arrival, they engaged the attackers with force, which forced the suspects to retreat into nearby bushes.

The operation led to the safe rescue of five kidnapped individuals. None of the victims sustained injuries. Troops also recovered the vehicle used to convey them, which was found intact.

After the rescue, security forces intensified patrols across the area. The move is aimed at tracking down fleeing suspects and preventing any attempt by the attackers to regroup. Authorities said the continued presence of troops has helped to reassure residents and commuters while weakening criminal activities in the area.

The Nigerian Army reiterated its determination to protect lives and secure major routes across the Southeast. It also called on members of the public to support security agencies by sharing timely and credible information to help sustain peace and stability in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least 50 people have been killed after armed men launched a deadly overnight attack on a community in northwestern Nigeria’s Zamfara State, according to officials and residents.

The incident occurred in Tungan Dutse village, located in the Bukkuyum area. Witnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles late Thursday night. The assault continued into Friday morning. During the attack, houses were set ablaze and several women and children were taken away.

A lawmaker representing Bukkuyum South, Hamisu A. Faru, confirmed the scale of the killings. “They have been moving from one village to another … leaving at least 50 people dead,” he said.

Faru also noted that the number of abducted persons remains uncertain. He explained that authorities are still working to determine how many people are missing.

Residents said there were early warning signs before the attack. One of them, Abdullahi Sani, stated that villagers had informed security operatives after seeing more than 150 motorcycles carrying armed men a day earlier. However, no preventive action was taken.

“No one slept yesterday; we are all in pain,” Sani said, adding that three members of his family lost their lives.

The latest violence highlights the ongoing insecurity affecting parts of northern and western Nigeria, where armed groups continue to carry out attacks on communities.

In a related development, reports indicate that at least 46 people were killed last week in separate attacks in the Borgu area of Niger State. The deadliest incident occurred in Konkoso village, where dozens of residents were reportedly shot or killed in brutal circumstances.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has strengthened its security partnership with the United States. This follows concerns raised by former US President Donald Trump, who accused Nigeria of failing to curb killings and threatened possible intervention.

On December 25, US forces carried out air strikes in Sokoto State in coordination with Nigerian authorities. Earlier this week, Nigeria’s military confirmed the arrival of about 100 US personnel to support local forces.

According to Defence Headquarters spokesperson Samaila Uba, the US troops will provide “technical support” and “intelligence sharing” to assist in tackling “terrorist organisations”, along with “associated equipment”.

He added that the foreign troops will not participate directly in combat operations but will operate under Nigerian command.

By Umar Saleh Burra 

‎Residents of Burra District in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State have renewed their appeal to telecom companies to establish a fully functional telecommunications network within their community.

‎With an estimated population of over 80,000 people, the Burra District remains without access to reliable mobile network services. Community members report that the only available network provider in the area delivers inconsistent and poor connectivity, making communication extremely difficult for residents.

‎Speaking on behalf of the community, Umar Saleh Burra, the absence of a stable telecommunications network has significantly affected economic activities, healthcare communication, education, security coordination, and access to digital financial services. Business owners lament that unreliable connectivity disrupts transactions and limits opportunities for growth.

‎“Students face challenges accessing online educational resources, while families struggle to maintain contact with relatives and essential services. 

‎Community leaders emphasised that in today’s digital age, telecommunications services are not a luxury but a necessity. They noted that expanding network coverage to the Burra District would enhance socio-economic development, promote financial inclusion, improve emergency response systems, and strengthen overall community connectivity.

‎“We are law-abiding citizens who contribute to the economic and social development of our state. We humbly appeal to Nigerian telecom companies and relevant authorities to consider establishing network infrastructure in Burra District,” Saleh stated.

‎The people of Burra are also calling on political leaders, policymakers, and relevant regulatory agencies to support this request and facilitate collaboration with telecom companies to address the communication gap affecting the district.

‎As Nigeria continues to expand its digital economy, communities like Burra urge telecommunications providers to extend coverage to underserved rural areas to ensure inclusive national development.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have reportedly killed more than 30 people in Dutsin Dan Ajiya village, Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Residents said the attackers stormed the community on Thursday night. They arrived on motorcycles after sealing off entry and exit routes. The assailants then attacked the village and targeted residents.

Witnesses disclosed that the gunmen fired repeatedly and moved from house to house without resistance for several hours.

A resident confirmed that about 30 bodies had been recovered as of Friday morning. Several persons were still missing at the time of filing this report.

“The attack resulted in the death of at least 30 residents, both men and women. Many were wounded, and several others were abducted during the raid,” he said.

Zamfara State and other parts of the North-West region have continued to witness violent attacks linked to bandit groups. The criminals have carried out killings, kidnappings, and destruction of property over the years despite repeated security operations.

Amid the persistent insecurity, the Zamfara State Government allocated N1 billion in its 2026 approved budget for the construction of cemeteries across the 14 local government areas. The provision falls under the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Earlier this month, bandits ambushed travellers returning from Maga Market to Kyaram community in Bukkuyyum Local Government Area. At least five people lost their lives during that attack, while several others could not be accounted for.

In another incident reported on January 31, at least four residents of Gwargwaba village in Nahuce District of Bungudu Local Government Area were killed after armed men invaded the area on January 29, 2025. Houses were set ablaze during the assault.

Security alert platform Bakatsine confirmed that four villagers were burned to death inside their homes during the raid.

The repeated attacks have sparked public anger across the state. In July 2025, residents from more than 30 communities in Gusau Local Government Area staged a protest over what they described as constant killings and abductions.

The demonstrators carried placards with messages that read: “We, the people of about 30 communities of Gusau 11, need peace and want to be rescued from bandits,” and “Peace is our concern as we are being killed every day. End banditry in Mada, Lilo, Ruwan Bore, Fegin Baza, Bangi, others.”

Protesters stated that fear of attacks had forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands during the rainy season. They also accused the attackers of looting food supplies and destroying property.

A previous review of the Zamfara State budget document also showed plans to spend N2.5 billion on the purchase of 50 vehicles in 2025. Records indicated that N13.114 billion had already been expended between January and October 2024 for the same purpose.

Security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the latest attack at the time of this report.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents have attacked and destroyed three trucks loaded with fish in Borno State.

Daily Trust reported that the incident occurred at Mile-forty in Magumeri Local Government Area on Thursday afternoon. Sources said the drivers were heading to Maiduguri when the assailants intercepted them at about 1:00pm.

A security source confirmed that the drivers escaped unharmed, but the vehicles were completely burnt.

“Thank God that all the drivers escaped but the three vehicles: two Peugeot J5 and a school bus loaded with fish were burnt down,” the source said.

One of the affected drivers, who asked not to be identified, described the ordeal. He said they abandoned their vehicles and fled into nearby bushes when the attackers struck.

“We parked the vehicles and ran into the bush. Thank God we all made it alive but I watched helplessly as the only means of my livelihood got burnt to ashes. Tell the government to do something on that road.

“Before, they used to abduct people and demand ransom from families, but they frequently intercept vehicles these days to loot and burn them down,” he said.

The driver appealed to the federal government and security agencies to deploy more personnel along the route in order to safeguard travellers and their property.

This latest attack follows a similar pattern of assaults along the Maiduguri–Monguno axis. On February 10, 2026, insurgents reportedly stopped four trailers conveying cattle from Monguno to Maiduguri. They carted away over 100 cows and set the vehicles on fire.

Four days earlier, gunmen blocked four trucks carrying beans to Maiduguri from Monguno at Garin Kashim in Guzamala LGA. The trucks were also burnt.

Several drivers who ply the road blamed the repeated incidents on the absence of adequate security presence.

“It has become a daily occurrence now and no action has been taken. From Maiduguri, one can only find a military checkpoint at Gajaganna, Gajiram, and the new one in Mairari, then Monguno.

“Unless the government takes this seriously, livestock and grain businesses that begin to thrive in those areas would soon collapse. Because, we can no longer risk our lives and vehicles on thatk road,” he said.

The driver further urged authorities to strengthen security on the road. He cited the Gwoza axis, where soldiers have been strategically stationed to prevent attacks.

“Many truck owners have now withdrawn their vehicles from this road. These things kept happening and no action has been taken so far,“ he said.

By Uzair Adam

The Chairman of the Singer Market Development Association, Alhaji Junaid Zakari, has described the latest fire outbreak at Singer Market in Kano as a severe setback for traders, revealing that goods and property valued at over N5 billion were destroyed.

In an interview with the journalists on Sunday, Zakari said more than 1,500 shops, including containers and makeshift stalls operated by small-scale traders, were completely razed.

He explained that the affected section is among the busiest parts of the market, housing high-value goods acquired through substantial capital investment.

“The affected area contains a large concentration of goods. Based on our preliminary assessment, over 1,500 shops and small containers were burnt. We estimate that properties worth more than N5 billion have been lost,” he said.

Zakari expressed deep concern over the economic consequences of the incident, noting that many traders depend entirely on daily sales to support their families.

“This is a major blow to our members. Some traders operate with borrowed capital, while others rely on cooperative contributions.

“The impact of this loss is enormous,” he added, confirming that the main fire had been extinguished while firefighters continued efforts to put out remaining pockets of flames.

When The Daily Reality visited the market around 10:12 a.m. on Sunday, smoke was still rising from parts of the affected areas, including Gidan Gilas, Gidan Gashash, Gidan Mai and the Audu Yahaya Danbatta section.

Firefighters were seen battling lingering flames and carrying out cooling operations to prevent a fresh outbreak.

Some traders sifted through debris in search of salvageable items, while others stood in clusters discussing the scale of their losses.

Alhaji Isa Abubakar, a shop owner, said he lost goods worth over N200 million.

“From God we come, and to Him we shall return. It is heartbreaking to witness goods worth billions of naira destroyed by fire,” he stated.

He also commended Yusuf for visiting the scene to show solidarity with affected traders.

Another trader, Musa Ibrahim, said he lost goods valued at over N340 million, lamenting that the fire had consumed everything in his shop.

Similarly, Halifa Abubakar, who operates a Point of Sale (POS) business in the market, said he lost all the cash in his shop, much of which belonged to other people.

He, however, noted that his loss was minor compared to traders who lost goods worth billions of naira, adding that he could not immediately determine the exact amount involved.

The fire, which broke out on Saturday evening, raged into the early hours of Sunday, causing widespread destruction and anxiety among traders.

The incident occurred just weeks after another devastating fire at the market resulted in significant losses, compounding the hardship faced by business owners.

As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire had yet to be determined, and authorities were still investigating the circumstances surrounding the outbreak.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have circulated a video showing a large number of women and children said to have been abducted from Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The footage, which lasts one minute and 17 seconds, was published by Sahara Reporters. It shows dozens of female captives and minors assembled in an open location while an unidentified speaker questions them. The face of the speaker was not shown in the clip.

During the exchange, the speaker asked the victims, “Where were you abducted?”

They responded, “From Woro.”

He followed up with another question, “Which local government?” and they replied, “Kaiama.”

“Which state?” he pressed.

“Kwara,” the captives answered in unison.

The speaker then asked, “How many are you?” Two women answered, “176.”

After the responses, the unidentified speaker accused the Federal Government of downplaying the number of abductees.

“You can see that your infidel government lied to people that you are not more than 30,” he said.

The video ended shortly after the remark.

As at the time this report was filed, neither the Federal Government nor the Kwara State Government had confirmed the authenticity of the footage or the number of victims mentioned by the insurgents.

Security agencies have also not released any official statement in reaction to the claims.

The incident has sparked renewed anxiety over insecurity in Kwara State. The North-Central state has not been widely known as a major centre of Boko Haram operations when compared with states in the North-East.