Local

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested three men accused of sexually abusing girls aged nine, 10 and 11 in separate incidents across the state.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, October 15, 2026, as he raised concerns about children’s vulnerability to abuse and called for greater community vigilance.

According to the statement, the first case was reported on October 12 at the Tilden Fulani Division in Toro Local Government Area.

The victim’s mother alleged that a 47-year-old man, Auwal Ibrahim, of Unguwar Sarkin Hausawa, lured her 11-year-old daughter into a narrow passage with N500 before sexually abusing her.

The girl was taken to General Hospital, Toro, for medical attention. Police said the suspect initially denied the allegation, while detectives visited the scene and commenced investigations.

The second incident was reported on October 13 at the E Division in Bauchi by a woman from Gwallameji, whose nine-year-old daughter was allegedly abused by a 35-year-old man, Sabitu Muhammed.

The woman alleged that Muhammed lured the child into his room and sexually abused her on several occasions.

Police arrested the suspect and took the girl to the police clinic in Bauchi for medical examination and support. The case was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

In the third case, a 40-year-old woman from Wuntin Dada reported to the B Division in GRA, Bauchi, on October 13 that her 10-year-old daughter had been sexually abused.

According to the police statement, the girl had been sent to buy sugar on the evening of the incident when a 22-year-old resident of the neighbourhood, Anas Adam, allegedly intercepted her and took her to his house.

Detectives visited the scene, while the victim was taken to the police clinic for medical examination. Adam was arrested in connection with the allegation.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged offences, describing them as inhumane and barbaric. He assured the victims and their families that the command would conduct thorough investigations and pursue prosecution where the evidence supports it.

Aliyu urged parents, guardians and community leaders to pay close attention to children’s safety and report suspicious behaviour or suspected abuse to the nearest police station.

He stressed that protecting children required collective responsibility and called on residents to remain vigilant to help prevent further abuse.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 12 suspects, including eight alleged kidnappers and four suspected informants, during security operations in Millennium City and Maraban Rido.

The command also announced the deployment of three additional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) provided by the Kaduna State Government to strengthen operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities in the affected communities.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. He said the operations involved clearance exercises, targeted raids and patrols conducted in collaboration with other security agencies.

The eight suspected kidnappers were identified as Dauda Murna, Usman Abdullahi, Abubakar Sulaiman, Saleh Abdullahi, Usman Muhammed, Mathias Moses, Makama John and Tafarki Audu.

The four alleged informants were identified as Shuaibu Sabiu, Audu Makama, Simon Moses and Amadu Mathew.

According to the police, preliminary investigations suggested that some suspects had allegedly supplied criminal groups with information about security operations.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that two of the suspects allegedly confessed to leaking information about police operations to criminal elements, thereby undermining security efforts and endangering the lives of security personnel and residents,” the statement said.

The command did not identify the two suspects who allegedly confessed or provide further details about the recovered firearms.

Police said investigations were ongoing to establish the extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement, identify other accomplices and bring those connected to the crimes to justice.

In a related development, the command said the state government had released three additional APCs to improve security operations in Millennium City and neighbouring communities.

The vehicles are expected to support surveillance, strengthen police response and facilitate operations against suspected criminal hideouts.

The statement added, “The command assures the residents that clearance operations of criminal hideouts will be sustained to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt their activities, and facilitate the rescue of kidnapped victims.”

The police also disclosed that a government delegation led by the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Malam Sani Kila, met traditional rulers, residents and other stakeholders in the affected communities on October 10 to discuss the security situation.

During the meeting, Kila called for greater cooperation between residents, community leaders, government officials and security agencies.

“He reiterated that security is a collective responsibility and urged residents, community leaders, landlords, and youth groups to promptly report individuals suspected of aiding or abetting criminal activities and to continue supporting security agencies in their efforts to maintain peace and public safety,” the statement said.

The command noted that the forested areas surrounding Millennium City presented geographical challenges for security operations and urged residents to provide credible information to help identify suspected collaborators of criminal gangs.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu, directed the immediate deployment of additional tactical personnel, operational vehicles and other security resources to the affected communities.

The statement said the deployment was intended to “intensify surveillance, improve response times, and prevent further criminal activities.”

Rabiu urged residents to remain calm, report suspicious movements to the nearest police station and cooperate with security agencies.

The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across Kaduna State, adding that operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities would continue.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Kano State Police Command has handed over a recovered orange Vibe motor vehicle and an ash-coloured Haojue motorcycle to their rightful owners.

The command disclosed this in a press release issued by its Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on Friday.

According to the statement, the two properties were recovered through intelligence-led operations and handed over to their owners at the command headquarters in Bompai, Kano, after the verification of ownership documents and completion of necessary procedures.

The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the police for recovering their properties, praising the command for its professionalism, commitment to justice and prompt response.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, congratulated the owners and said the recoveries aligned with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

The vision, the statement said, emphasises the protection of lives and property, the restoration of stolen items to victims and the promotion of public trust through transparent and accountable service.

Bakori reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Kano State, adding that all recovered stolen properties would be returned to their legitimate owners after due verification.

The command urged members of the public seeking further information to contact the investigating police officer on 08140081608 or visit the office of the Police Public Relations Officer at the Bompai Police Headquarters.

By Maji Bappa Maina


Infrastructure becomes particularly significant when it reaches the places where limited connectivity has constrained economic and social activity.

This is the context in which Yobe’s expanding network of rural access roads deserves closer examination.

Across the state, new road connections are emerging between communities that have historically depended on difficult routes to reach larger settlements, markets, farms and essential services.

These are not primarily urban roads designed to reshape city traffic.

They are rural access roads, and their significance lies in the connections they create beyond the major centres.

Under the administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni, a number of such roads have been constructed, while others are at different stages of development.

The emerging network includes the new road from Potiskum to Ngojin; Potiskum to Degubi; Fadawa to Daya; Fika to Maluri; Damagum to Gubana; Dawasa to Kukuri; Danchua to Jajere; Ngelzarma to Mashio; Bingel to Danchua; Damaturu to Gambir; Bukarti to Toshia; Karasuwa to Galu; Balangua to Kumagannam; Chumbosko to Tagali; the road to Dagona; Nguru to Balangua; Gashua to Masaba; and Gujba to Ngalda, which is ongoing.

Taken together, these routes suggest something larger than a collection of isolated construction projects.

They point towards an attempt to improve the geography of access across Yobe by bringing rural communities into stronger physical connection with the wider economy.

Why Rural Access Matters

For many rural communities, the road is the first link in a much longer development chain.

A farmer may produce enough food but struggle to reach a profitable market. A trader may have demand for goods but face high transportation costs. A student may live relatively close to an educational institution yet experience difficulty reaching it.

A patient may need medical attention but encounter delays because the journey itself is difficult.

In each case, the problem is not necessarily the absence of opportunity. Sometimes, it is the difficulty of reaching it.

This raises an important question: what happens to a rural economy when physical access begins to improve?

The answer cannot be assumed. It has to be observed through changes in transportation, agricultural marketing, movement of people, access to services and local economic activity.

Roads and the Rural Economy

Yobe’s rural economy makes connectivity particularly important.

Agricultural production does not end at the farm gate. Produce must move from farms to collection points, markets and larger commercial centres.

The condition of the connecting road can influence the cost, speed and reliability of that movement.

The new routes linking communities such as Potiskum and Ngojin, Ngelzarma and Mashio, Nguru and Balangua, Gashua and Masaba, and Fadawa and Daya therefore deserve to be viewed through an economic lens.

Their potential significance extends beyond transportation.

Better connectivity can create stronger relationships between producers, traders and consumers.

A rural road can consequently become part of an economic system rather than simply a physical structure.

Extending Development Beyond Urban Centres

There is also a geographical dimension to the intervention.

Public investment naturally receives greater visibility in major towns, where large populations and public institutions are concentrated.

Rural infrastructure presents a different challenge: its beneficiaries are more dispersed, and its impact may be less immediately visible.

Yet development becomes broader when infrastructure reaches beyond administrative and commercial centres.

The road from Damagum to Gubana, for example, or the connections involving Danchua, Jajere, Bingel, Bukarti, Toshia, Karasuwa, Galu, Balangua and Kumagannam, are important precisely because they extend connectivity into communities outside the major urban corridors.

The significance of such projects should therefore be considered in terms of inclusion, mobility and opportunity.

The Question of Development Impact

However, constructing rural roads should not be the final measure of success.

The more important assessment begins after the road becomes usable.

Are journey times falling? Are transport costs becoming more manageable? Are farmers reaching markets more easily? Are communities gaining better access to schools and health facilities? Is commercial activity increasing along these routes?

These are the questions that can turn infrastructure statistics into evidence of development.

For that reason, the long-term evaluation of Yobe’s rural road programme should move beyond the number of projects completed.

It should examine what these roads are changing in the lives and economic activities of the communities they connect.

From Connectivity to Opportunity

The broader significance of rural access infrastructure is that it can reduce the physical barriers separating communities from opportunity.

A road connecting Gujba to Ngalda, for instance, has a different development significance from a conventional urban road.

Its importance is rooted in the communities and economic spaces it brings closer together.

The fact that the route is still ongoing also highlights the need to view infrastructure as a process whose ultimate value becomes clearer after completion and sustained use.

The same principle applies across the wider network.

When rural communities become better connected, movement becomes easier; when movement becomes easier, economic interaction can expand; and when economic interaction expands, new possibilities may emerge.

This is why rural roads deserve to be considered within the broader conversation about development in Yobe.

Beyond the Road Itself

The emerging rural access network under Governor Mai Mala Buni presents an interesting case for examining how infrastructure can influence development outside the major urban centres.

Its importance will ultimately depend on more than construction.

Maintenance, road quality, accessibility throughout the seasons and the economic activities generated around the routes will determine whether the initial investment produces lasting value.

The real measure of these roads will therefore be found in the communities they connect.

If a farmer reaches a market with less difficulty, a trader moves goods at lower cost, a student travels more easily, or a patient reaches a health facility sooner, the road has acquired a meaning beyond concrete, earthwork and engineering.

It has become a pathway to participation.

And perhaps that is the more important story emerging from Yobe’s rural roads, development is gradually extending into the spaces between the major towns, one connection at a time.


Maji Bappa Maina is a Voice of Development, Leadership and public Insight agent and he writes from Yobe State Nigeria

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least 20 people have died in a fatal road accident at Hawan Kibo community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The crash occurred at about 5pm on Friday along the Hawan Kibo bend, a section of the road known for frequent accidents, according to eyewitnesses.

The Plateau State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Corps Commander Adelaja Ogungbemi, confirmed the death toll in a telephone interview with The PUNCH in Jos.

He said, “Yes it is true. There was an accident this evening at the Hawan Kibo area in Riyom LGA of Plateau state. Our Officers are right there at the scene on rescue Operation.

” It was a terrible accident. They have evacuated many injured persons to the hospital and others are still being taken to the hospital right now. At the moment, I can confirm to you that 20 people have been confirmed dead from the accident ”

Ogungbemi attributed the crash to brake failure and urged motorists to ensure their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on journeys.

“It was a brake failure. We will continue to advice that motorists should always check their vehicles before driving. And they should drive carefully especially when negotiating a bend,” he added.

An eyewitness, Moses Gyang, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, described the crash as severe.

“I was close by when it happened around 5pm. The vehicle lost control while descending the hill. It was a terrible sight, people were shouting for help,” the eyewitness said.

Another witness said the number of people who gathered at the scene made the rescue operation more difficult.

“We have never seen such an accident here in recent times. Many people were lying on the ground. FRSC officers came quickly and started carrying the injured to the hospital, but many had already died,” he said.

FRSC personnel remained at the scene as of the time of filing the report, where they continued rescue operations and evacuated injured victims to hospitals for treatment.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command has reiterated its enforcement of the ban on Durbar, horse-riding, and other animal-riding activities across the state, warning individuals, institutions, and organisations against violating the directive.

The command said the Kano State Government, in consultation with relevant security agencies, kept the restriction in force as part of measures to preserve public peace and maintain security across the state.

Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, said this on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a joint security press briefing at the Bompai Police Headquarters in Kano.

Bakori said security agencies had received reports of possible breaches of the directive, stressing that the security concerns that led to the ban remained unresolved.

“The Kano State Police Command, in conjunction with relevant security agencies in the state, hereby reiterates that these executive security directives regarding the ban on Durbar/horse-riding activities are still in force and binding on all persons in the state, irrespective of status or position,” he said.

The latest directive comes amid renewed controversy over horse-riding activities involving supporters of Kano’s two rival emirate camps.

The state government imposed the restriction after a public procession by the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, on September 27, citing security concerns and the risk of confrontation between supporters of rival camps.

However, on Thursday, October 1, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II rode on horseback to the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano to attend the Independence Anniversary celebration, despite the government’s ban on horse-riding.

Horse-riding has traditionally been associated with Kano’s Durbar culture. However, authorities have previously imposed restrictions due to concerns about indiscriminate riding in public places.

In 2020, the Kano Emirate Council announced a ban on indiscriminate horse-riding and unofficial Durbar activities within the metropolis, citing reports of injuries, deaths, property damage and alleged criminal activities involving some riders.

Speaking on the current security situation, Bakori said law enforcement and security agencies’ primary responsibility was to maintain public peace, safety, and order.

He stressed that the authorities would not allow activities capable of undermining public safety, adding that security agencies had agreed on additional measures to ensure proper coordination and coverage.

“For the avoidance of doubt, in order to strengthen security coordination and to ensure proper security coverage, this Joint Security Meeting has resolved” that any person, institution or organisation seeking to undertake any form of Durbar or horse/animal-riding activity in a public place must give at least 72 hours’ prior written notice to the Kano State Police Command.

He explained that the notice must be submitted through the Office of the Commissioner of Police to enable security agencies to conduct the necessary security assessment and make appropriate arrangements for public safety and order.

“All concerned are therefore urged to comply strictly with all lawful security directives and to cooperate with the security agencies,” Bakori said.

The Commissioner assured residents that law enforcement and security agencies remained united and committed to enforcing the law and safeguarding public peace and order across Kano State.

He added that the directive applied to everyone in the state, irrespective of status or position.

By Uzair Adam 

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has arrested one Tasiu Adamu Maje over the alleged illegal sale and leasing of a government-owned Horse Stable at the Race Course, popularly known as Filin Sukuwa, in Kano.

The commission issued a statement on Tuesday, signed by its Acting Chairman, Hafsat Ada’u Kutama, Esq., saying the arrest followed complaints about the alleged unauthorised disposal of the government property.

Muhammad Amir Yunusa and Usman Bala Yakasai, also known as Sharif, filed the complaints, alleging that Maje transferred and offered the property to private individuals without lawful authority.

According to the commission, its investigation found that the alleged transactions were carried out without the knowledge or approval of the Kano State Sports Commission, the statutory body responsible for allocating and managing Horse Stables in the state.

The PCACC said it invited and interviewed individuals connected to the transactions during the investigation and established that the Sports Commission had neither authorised nor approved any transaction involving the Horse Stable.

“The Horse Stable has not been officially allocated to any individual, whether by sale or by lease,” the commission said.

It added that the document the suspect allegedly relied on to conduct the purported transaction was not an approved or recognised document of the Kano State Sports Commission.

The commission further said the same unapproved document was allegedly used in transactions involving two different individuals.

According to the PCACC, selling, leasing, or transferring government-owned Horse Stables to private individuals without the requisite approval contravenes established government policy and applicable administrative procedures.

The commission alleged that Maje agreed to sell the Horse Stable to Muhammad Amir Yunusa for N4.5 million while simultaneously collecting rent from Usman Bala Yakasai.

It said N180,000 was reportedly demanded as rent from Yakasai, of which N150,000 was paid.

Following its investigation, the PCACC declared the purported transactions involving the Horse Stable unauthorised and invalid.

“The property remains the property of the Kano State Government and is under the control and management of the Kano State Sports Commission,” the statement said.

The commission reiterated that no individual has the authority to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of government property without the appropriate legal and administrative approval.

It said it was taking steps to recover the Horse Stable and return it to the Kano State Sports Commission.

The suspect is expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction, where the allegations against him will be subjected to due process, the commission said.

It added that it would pursue all appropriate administrative and legal measures under the law.

The PCACC also warned individuals against converting government property into private assets or using public property for personal financial gain.

“Government property is not for private sale, unauthorised leasing or personal gain,” the commission warned.

It said it would continue to investigate allegations involving the unlawful disposal, transfer or commercialisation of public assets and take appropriate action against anyone found to have violated the law, regardless of status.

The commission advised members of the public to exercise caution before entering into transactions involving government property.

It urged prospective buyers, tenants and investors to verify the ownership, allocation and legal status of government property directly with the relevant government authority before making payments or entering into agreements.

The PCACC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting government property, preventing abuse of public assets and promoting accountability, transparency and responsible management of public resources.

It also urged members of the public to report suspected corruption, abuse of office, illegal disposal of government property and other forms of misconduct through the commission’s official reporting channels.

By Uzair Adam 

The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Kano State Command, has deployed personnel to Garko Local Government Area to track and contain dogs suspected of carrying rabies after one dog reportedly attacked and bit 18 people in the area.

The State Commander, Abdullahi Al’ameen, disclosed this in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdullahi-Umar, on Sunday in Kano.

Al’ameen said the command received a distress report at about 2 p.m. that a dog suspected to be rabid had attacked residents in Garko town.

According to him, the dog initially attacked and bit 11 people in Garko town before moving into neighbouring communities, where it attacked seven additional residents.

“The dog had so far bitten 11 persons in Garko town before moving to neighbouring communities, including Raba, Kadage, Gurjiya and Dausai,” he said.

The commander added that the command had received another report indicating that two more dogs were suspected to have contracted rabies in the area.

He said personnel from the NFSS Garko Division, led by the Divisional Forest Officer, Auwalu Muhammad, had been deployed to the affected communities to track and contain the suspected rabid dogs.

Al’ameen urged residents of Garko and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and promptly report sightings of stray or suspected rabid dogs to the nearest NFSS office or other security agencies.

He also advised anyone bitten by a suspected rabid dog to seek immediate medical attention, stressing the importance of prompt treatment.

Al’ameen assured residents that the NFSS would continue to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to prevent further attacks.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

At least six inmates have died within a week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the 115-year-old Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano, with Amnesty International Nigeria calling on the authorities to declare an emergency and take immediate action to prevent further deaths.

The rights organisation said a number of inmates are currently receiving treatment as the suspected disease continues to spread within the prison. It warned that the actual number of deaths could be higher.

Amnesty particularly raised concern over the condition of critically ill inmates and called for their immediate transfer to hospitals for appropriate medical treatment.

The organisation also expressed concern about the large number of awaiting-trial inmates held at the facility, noting that some prisoners can spend years behind bars without being convicted of a crime.

According to Amnesty, overcrowding, poor sanitation, inadequate food and limited access to healthcare remain serious problems in Nigeria’s correctional facilities.

It warned that failure by the authorities to respond urgently to the situation at Kurmawa Prison could result in additional deaths and potentially amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, a serious human rights violation under international law.

Amnesty called for urgent measures to contain the suspected outbreak and improve conditions in Nigerian prisons, stressing the need for the country to ensure that the treatment of inmates complies with human rights obligations and international standards.

By Uzair Adam

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested seven suspected members of a cattle-rustling syndicate allegedly operating across Garki, Jahun and Miga Local Government Areas of the state.

The Daily Reality reports that the suspects were arrested during routine patrols following actionable intelligence and information from members of the public about their alleged activities.

The operation also led to the interception of two vehicles allegedly used by the suspects and the recovery of eight cows suspected to have been rustled.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

According to him, the arrests and recoveries followed sustained intelligence gathering, community engagement and intensified patrols in identified flashpoints and vulnerable areas across the state.

The suspects were identified as Sulaiman Tijjani, 20, of Gunka Village, Jahun LGA; Abdullahi Musa, 40, of Chai-Chai Village, Ringim LGA; Bala Muhammad, 30, of Ayama Village, Auyo LGA; Isah Adamu, 27, of Tagwai Village, Miga LGA; Yusuf Sa’idu, 32, of Kukui Village, Taura LGA; Mansur Usaini, 29, of Majiyawa Village, Ringim LGA; and Kaku Abubakar, 27, of Jajimaje Village in Yobe State.

The command said the vehicles recovered were a dark blue Golf car with registration number WRA 158 FU and an ash-coloured Golf 3 Wagon with registration number ABJ 493 HN, Abuja.

The eight cows were also recovered and are being kept as exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State Command, CP Tijjani Murtala, commended the officers involved in the operation for their vigilance, courage and professionalism.

He also appreciated members of the public whose timely information contributed to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the livestock.

The police said the seven suspects remain in custody and are assisting investigators with useful information.

It added that efforts were ongoing to identify other alleged members of the syndicate and recover additional rustled livestock.

The command urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to help combat cattle rustling and other criminal activities across the state.