Local

By Sabiu Abdullahi

One person has been confirmed dead while several others sustained injuries after a violent clash disrupted a wedding event in Tulmi, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.

Details of the incident emerged in a post shared on X on Tuesday by security analyst Zangozola Makama. According to the post, the violence broke out on Sunday at about 10:30 p.m. during a send-off ceremony organised in honour of a wedding by Godiya Mai Rai.

Makama stated that the fight involved a group of men from Garin Ardo Usman village and two other individuals at the venue.

“A group of men from Garin Ardo Usman village, including Wada Hussaini, Ganji Alhaji Idi, Yaya Hussaini, Mohammed Maikudi, Bello Alhaji Idi, and one Tijjani, reportedly clashed with Abubakar Usman, 35, and Bello Adamu, 19,” Makama wrote.

The confrontation resulted in the death of Abubakar Usman, while Bello Adamu and Wada Hussaini sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Sources said the injured victims were taken to Cottage Hospital Tulmi for medical attention. The body of the deceased was also deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.

Police authorities confirmed that the suspects escaped from the scene after the incident. They added that efforts are underway to track down and arrest those involved.

An investigation has also commenced to determine the circumstances that led to the deadly clash.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a suspected notorious thug, Auwalu Ali, popularly known as Auwalu Dan Baba, during a security operation in Kano metropolis.

The arrest followed what the police described as an intelligence-led operation carried out in the Dorayi area of the city. Officers from the Dorayi Police Division apprehended the 26-year-old suspect on January 31, 2026.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the command said Auwalu was a known figure in criminal activities across parts of the state. The police described him as someone who “has a history of coordinating and organising thuggery groups to attack and rob innocent citizens.”

The command also disclosed a separate incident that occurred in Sharada Quarters, where officers responded to a distress call involving a suspected armed robber. According to the police, the suspect was beaten to death by an angry mob after an attack that left a woman critically injured.

“The victim was rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, where a police officer selflessly donated blood, saving her life,” the statement said.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, praised the officers involved for their conduct. He commended their “sacrifice and professionalism,” with particular emphasis on the act of blood donation. The police chief also expressed appreciation to residents for their “continued support and cooperation.”

The command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police stations, as part of efforts to strengthen security across the state.

By The Daily Reality

A family in Benue State has accused a military convoy of killing a farmer, Mr Aondover Tseshom David, along the Katsina-Ala Road, an incident they described as reckless homicide and an abuse of power, SaharaReporters, a Nigerian online newspaper, reported.

The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, January 22, 2026, in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. The deceased was said to have been hit by a military convoy while attending to his daily activities aimed at supporting his family.

Relatives alleged that after the incident, security operatives dumped the farmer’s corpse at a police station. The body reportedly remained there until family members were contacted and compelled to arrange its retrieval.

The deceased’s first child, Miss Aondover Msendoo, demanded justice and described the incident as devastating and inhumane.

“My name is Aondover Msendoo. I am a 300-level Nursing student at Bayero University, Kano, and the first child of six,” she said.

“On Thursday, January 22, 2026, my life and that of my entire family were irrevocably shattered. My beloved father, Mr. Aondover Tseshom David, a poor, hardworking farmer from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, was brutally run down and killed by a military convoy along the Katsina-Ala Road.”

She said the family’s pain was worsened by how her father’s remains were treated after his death.

“The horror did not end with his death. His lifeless body was carelessly dumped at a police station as if he were trash, and left there until we, his traumatised family, could gather the strength and money to retrieve him. This act of profound indignity added immeasurable pain to our already unbearable loss,” she said.

Miss Msendoo said her father was the sole provider for the family and struggled daily to cater for his wife and six children.

“My father was the only provider for our family. His life was one of struggle, sacrifice and resilience. Just last July, we endured the agony of his kidnapping from his farm. We sold what little we had and borrowed money to pay a large ransom for his release,” she said.

She added that after his release, he returned to farming in an effort to rebuild their lives before his death.

“He survived criminals and kidnappers, only to be killed not by bandits, but by those sworn to protect the lives of Nigerians,” she said.

According to her, the family now faces severe hardship. She said her mother is overwhelmed, while relatives have mounted pressure for a quick burial due to increasing mortuary bills.

“We are now destitute. My mother is broken and under intense pressure from extended family members to bury my father immediately because of escalating mortuary costs. My five siblings are very young, and their future is now uncertain,” she said.

“As a student, I am struggling to see how I can continue my education while carrying this burden and at the same time fighting for justice for my father.”

Miss Msendoo rejected suggestions that the incident was accidental.

“We are convinced this was not an accident. It was an act of reckless homicide and a gross abuse of power, followed by the degrading treatment of my father’s remains. This speaks to a culture of impunity that has become common in our country,” she said.

She expressed concern that the case could be ignored without public attention and legal action.

“We fear that without the powerful voice of Nigerians and strong legal advocacy, this crime will be ignored and my father will become just another anonymous statistic,” she said.

The grieving daughter appealed to human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), to intervene and assist the family.

“Therefore, I humbly and desperately appeal for help. Please help us secure justice for my father. Help us hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure that no other family goes through this twin trauma of loss and indignity,” she said.

“We need guidance, legal expertise and strong advocacy to navigate this fight against a formidable system.”

Despite their circumstances, she said the family still believed in justice.

“We are poor, but we are not without hope. We believe in the rule of law and in champions who make it work for people like us,” she said.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army and the Benue State Police Command had not released any official statement on the incident.

By Zayyad Mohammed 

As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, the political temperature across the Northeast is steadily rising. Of the six states in the region, the All Progressives Congress (APC) currently governs four, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe,while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) controls Adamawa and Bauchi. For the APC, reclaiming Bauchi is not merely a state contest; it is a strategic necessity in consolidating dominance in the Northeast.

Political analysts often remind us that all politics is local. Nowhere is this truer than in Bauchi State, where history, identity, and grassroots connection frequently outweigh elite credentials and federal influence. As the race for 2027 gathers momentum, the central question is not just whether the APC can win Bauchi, but who within the party has the capacity to deliver that victory.

Within the Bauchi APC, the contest is shaping up as a high-stakes battleground involving heavyweight figures: Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Senator Shehu Buba Umar of Bauchi South; and former NAPIMS Managing Director, Alhaji Bala Wunti. Each brings distinct strengths, yet Bauchi’s political history suggests that not all strengths translate into electoral success.

Bauchi’s politics is unique, even by Nigerian standards. Since 1999, power has changed hands regularly after eight years, as seen in the transitions from Adamu Mu’azu to Isa Yuguda, and later to Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. This swinging pattern reflects a politically conscious electorate shaped by the enduring NEPU legacy, the sensitive Katagum–Bauchi balance, and an unwavering demand for grassroots leadership.

While Professor Ali Pate boasts international exposure and technocratic depth, his political challenge lies at home. Among many Bauchi voters, he is perceived as distant from local political struggles, earning the nickname “Wakilin Turawa”, a subtle but powerful reflection of weak grassroots resonance. Similarly, Alhaji Bala Wunti is widely regarded as competent and capable, yet Bauchi APC’s recent history with political newcomers raises red flags. In 2023, Air Vice Marshal Saddique Abubakar emerged suddenly to clinch the party ticket, only to suffer a resounding defeat at the polls. A similar pattern played out in 2015 when M.A. Abubakar rode the Buhari wave to victory but failed to secure a second term in 2019.

Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, though a seasoned political actor, faces another challenge which is common in Bauchi politics: perceived aloofness from the grassroots. In a state where political success depends on daily engagement with local realities, distance; real or imagined, can be costly.

Against this backdrop, Senator Shehu Buba Umar stands out as a politically grounded contender. Several critical factors tilt the scale in his favour. Notably, all Bauchi governors since 1999 have emerged from Bauchi South, aligning squarely with Senator Buba’s constituency. The enduring Katagum–Bauchi political factor further strengthens his position, as does his deep-rooted grassroots network across the state.

More importantly, Senator Buba is widely viewed as the only aspirant within the APC with the political reach and local acceptance required to confront and defeat an incumbent party. His long-standing engagement with party structures, traditional institutions, and grassroots actors has earned him the quiet support of many political stakeholders. In Bauchi, where elections are often won long before polling day through alliances and local trust, this advantage cannot be overstated.

It is therefore unsurprising that many observers believe the APC leadership, at state, national, and presidential levels, may ultimately rally around Senator Buba Shehu Umar. In a highly competitive state like Bauchi, emotion must give way to strategy, and strategy demands choosing a candidate who aligns with the state’s political realities.

For the APC, winning Bauchi in 2027 is part of a broader objective: securing all six Northeast states in both the gubernatorial and presidential elections. Achieving this requires a deliberate, state-by-state approach that prioritizes grassroots candidates and addresses genuine local agitations. In Bauchi, the choice of governorship candidate will not only determine the fate of the state election but could significantly influence the party’s presidential performance.

As history has repeatedly shown, Bauchi does not reward political experiments. It rewards familiarity, structure, and  grassroots connection. In that equation, Senator Shehu Buba Umar appears not just as a contender, but as the APC’s most viable pathway to victory in 2027.

Zayyad Mohammed writes from Abuja, 08036070980, zaymohd@yahoo.com

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kano State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation following the gruesome murder of a woman and her six children at their home in the Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters on Friday.

According to a police press release, a distress call was received at about 12:10 pm on January 17, 2025, reporting that unknown hoodlums had broken into the residence of Haruna Bashir and attacked his household.

The victims, identified as 35-year-old Fatima Abubakar and her six children, were assaulted with dangerous weapons, sustaining fatal injuries.

Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, immediately deployed a team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Lawal Isah Mani, to the scene.

The bodies were evacuated to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, where medical personnel confirmed their deaths.

The Police Commissioner has instructed a team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), led by ACP Wada Jarma, to conduct a thorough investigation to apprehend the perpetrators.

The command has expressed its condolences to the bereaved family, the Dorayi Chiranchi community, and the people of Kano State.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Hisbah Board says it recovered more than N145 million for residents through mediation on child support and debt-related disputes in 2025, marking one of its most significant interventions in recent years.

The disclosure was made by the Deputy Commander of the board, Dr. Mujahiddeen Aminuddeen, in an audio briefing, where he outlined the agency’s activities across the state during the year under review.

According to Dr. Aminuddeen, a total sum of N145,406,409 was recovered from cases involving debt disputes and child support, ensuring that divorced mothers and creditors received what was due to them without the delays often associated with conventional court processes. He described the recovery as a major milestone in the board’s efforts to promote social justice.

“Hisbah has successfully recovered what belongs to some people. By the grace of God, the total reached N145,406,409,” he said.

Beyond financial mediation, the deputy commander explained that the board recorded a surge in demand for its counselling services in 2025. He said the counselling department handled 93,231 cases involving individuals seeking guidance on marital, family and personal issues during the period.

He further disclosed that the board received 12,446 complaints, out of which 1,908 cases were successfully resolved through reconciliation. For cases that involved criminal elements, Dr. Aminuddeen said 4,246 suspects were processed by Hisbah and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and prosecution.

The deputy commander also noted that Hisbah carried out nine major operations between January and December 2025, leading to 132 arrests. He explained that such operations were aimed at addressing activities considered harmful to public order and the moral values of Kano State, including a widely reported raid on an illegal gathering in Hotoro late last year.

Dr. Aminuddeen attributed the board’s achievements in 2025 to the cooperation and support of Kano residents, stressing that the agency’s work is guided by a sense of religious and moral responsibility. “This was not a small effort. Hisbah is the work of God,” he said, adding that public support played a crucial role in the successes recorded.

He reaffirmed the board’s commitment to mediation, counselling and collaboration with security agencies, noting that Hisbah would continue to prioritise social harmony, justice and the protection of vulnerable members of society across the state.

By Anas Abbas

A student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has died in tragic circumstances following an alleged assault by fellow students who accused him of involvement in a phone theft incident.

The incident occurred at the Eni Njoku Hall of Residence, where the undergraduate was reportedly confronted by other students over suspicions that he was connected to the disappearance of a mobile phone.

Sources say that the confrontation quickly escalated into a physical attack, with several students and hostel residents reportedly administering a severe beating.

The victim was said to have suffered critical injuries during the altercation and was later taken to a medical facility, where he was pronounced dead.

Details about the identity of the deceased, including his name and level of study, have not yet been officially released by the university or law enforcement, but various posts on social platforms refer to him as a UNN student who was allegedly beaten to death on suspicion alone.

The Enugu State Police Command has reportedly initiated an investigation into the matter to ascertain the exact sequence of events and whether criminal charges are warranted. Authorities are reviewing eyewitness testimony and security footage as part of the probe.

UNN management has not yet issued an official statement confirming the student’s death, but the incident has sparked concern among students and advocacy groups over rising cases of campus vigilante justice and the dangers of taking the law into one’s own hands.

Further updates are expected as police continue their investigation and as the university responds to queries from the press and the public.

By Maryam Shehu

Electricity remains one of the most essential public utilities in Nigeria–central to daily life, small-scale enterprises, and family survival. Yet for residents of Tudun Jukun, Madaci and other communities in Zaria, power has become a source of deepening hardship rather than progress.

For nearly three weeks, Tudun Jukun and several neighbouring communities have been plunged into a persistent blackout, with no meaningful announcement from the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) or any government authority. The outage comes on the heels of a controversial and devastating spike in electricity bills that many residents say they were never consulted about and cannot afford.

In October, KEDCO reportedly reclassified the community into Band A, one of the highest electricity tariff categories, despite Tudun Jukun’s socio-economic reality. The community, home to more than 2,000 households, has less than 40 per cent of residents considered middle class, while the majority struggle daily with food insecurity, unstable income, and rising costs of living. Many parents rely on public schools, yet still struggle to provide basic learning materials for their children.

Residents say KEDCO claimed to have engaged community elites before implementing the Band A classification. Shortly after, households were issued bills of ₦10,000—already burdensome for a community where many live below the poverty line.

The situation worsened dramatically in early November, and households received bills as high as ₦115,000, and in some houses, even higher. With residents unable to pay, the community was soon thrown into darkness. Since November 20, 2025, Tudun Jukun has remained without electricity, despite petitions and repeated attempts by concerned people to seek redress.

The power cut has devastated small and micro-businesses that rely on electricity to function. Welders, tailors, food vendors, shop owners, and artisans have seen their livelihoods crumble.

“My father is old and serves as a Ladan at a nearby mosque, so my family depends on me for everything,” said Ibrahim, a local welder. “I tried carrying my machines to Hayin Usama, where they had light, but now they also haven’t had power for two days. My clients are collecting their materials without waiting, and things are completely ruined for me.”

Women-led household businesses are also affected. “I used to make ₦3,000 to ₦5,000 daily from soyamilk and zobo,” said Hadiza, a mother and small-scale producer. “That money supported my household, but since the first week of this outage, I’ve had to learn how to survive without income.”

Across the community, youths, artisans, and family breadwinners now face worsening poverty, prolonged idleness, and rising frustration as no tangible explanation or action has been offered by authorities.

Residents are calling on KEDCO, the local government, and all responsible bodies to urgently address the issue. They argue that the prolonged outage and unexplained tariff hikes undermine their rights to dignity and economic participation as protected under Sections 14(2)(b) and 17(3)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which obligate the government to ensure the welfare of citizens and provide adequate facilities for their livelihood. They also reference the regulatory duties of electricity distribution companies under the Nigerian Electricity Act and NERC guidelines, which require fair billing, transparency, and continuous service except in cases of officially communicated faults or approved maintenance.

Residents are demanding a transparent review of the billing process, a resolution to the petitions already submitted, and direct engagement with the community’s leaders. They insist that electricity must be restored immediately, alongside compensation or remedial measures for what they describe as an unjust disruption of their rights and livelihoods.

Until then, Tudun Jukun remains in darkness, both literally and economically.

Maryam Shehu writes from Zaria and can be reached at maryamshehu6354@gmail.com.

By Anas Abbas

A newly married woman, Zainab Muhammad, has allegedly killed her husband, Abubakar Abdurrahman, barely 3 days after their wedding in Jibia, Katsina State.

The couple reportedly tied the knot on Thursday afternoon in the Jibia area of Katsina state.

However, according to a neighbor, the tragic incident occurred yesterday afternoon when Zainab allegedly slaughtered her groom.

The neighbor who spoke to The Daily Reality said the shocking incident happened inside the couple’s residence, throwing the community into confusion.

Speaking on the cause, the ward head told our reporter that the suspect had been battling what he described as “jinn/[demons]-related problems,” which he believes may have influenced her actions.

He noted that community members were aware of her condition prior to the incident.

Abubakar’s remains were buried yesterday at about 5 p.m. according to Islamic rites.

Police authorities have taken the suspect into custody for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, has challenged a statement by a United States congressman who described the Kebbi school attack as an assault on a “Christian enclave.”

Rep. Riley M. Moore had posted on X, calling for prayers for “the 25 girls who have been kidnapped and for the repose of the soul of their vice principal who was killed.”

He also wrote that “the attack occurred in a Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria,” and urged the Nigerian government to do more to curb rising violence.

Ahmad responded directly to the congressman in a post of his own. He expressed appreciation for the concern but stressed that the lawmaker’s account was incorrect.

He wrote: “While appreciating your concern and praying for our sisters, @RepRileyMoore, it is important to correct a crucial detail here, the attack did not occur in a Christian enclave. It happened within a Muslim community and the victims themselves were Muslims.”

Ahmad said the error highlighted a recurring problem. He stated that incidents like this show why Nigerians often complain that outsiders “either do not understand the complexity of Nigeria’s insecurity challenges, or you are deliberately pushing unholy narratives that risk worsening our already fragile unity.”

His reaction has sparked renewed discussion around how international figures describe security incidents in Nigeria and the sensitivity required when addressing religious identity in conflict-affected communities.