Local

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Christian elders from Borno and Adamawa states have appealed to the Federal Government to deploy forest guards to Sambisa Forest as part of efforts to strengthen security and intensify the fight against insurgency in the North-East.

The appeal was made in Abuja after a three-day fasting and prayer programme organised by Marghi leaders. The gathering also focused on prayers for the safe return of schoolchildren reportedly abducted in parts of Borno and Oyo states.

The elders called on the authorities to “flood Sambisa Forest with forest guards now” to help flush out terrorists and reduce attacks on communities in the region.

Their appeal follows the reported abduction of between 42 and 51 children, most of them toddlers and primary school pupils, by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Mussa town of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on May 15, 2026. The incident affected communities within the Mussa, Birri and Shikarkir areas.

Reports also indicated that bandits attacked Ahoro-Esinele and nearby communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on the same day. About 46 people, including pupils, secondary school students and a toddler, were allegedly taken away during the attack.

Speaking for the Marghi community in Abuja, Elder Gambo Kadir said the security situation in the affected areas is more severe than many people realise. He claimed that numerous incidents are never officially documented.

Kadir noted that local government areas such as Madagali, Gwoza, Askira/Uba and Chibok have faced repeated attacks for more than a decade. He said the recent abduction in Mussa highlights the continuing security challenges confronting residents.

He also criticised the government’s strategy against insurgency. According to him, suspected terrorists are being rehabilitated instead of facing stronger measures.

The community leader further disclosed that another abduction was reported in Kirchiga town in Borno State shortly after the incident in Mussa.

The elders urged the Federal Government to increase the presence of security personnel in communities located around Sambisa Forest, especially in Madagali, Askira/Uba, Chibok and Gwoza.

They also called for improved intelligence gathering and the deployment of modern technology to support efforts aimed at rescuing abducted victims and tackling insurgency across the region.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Residents of Bachirawa and surrounding communities in Kano State have raised concerns over a surge in violent clashes allegedly linked to rival groups identified as Habun Daidai and Tsalha Maikare.

According to a statement issued by concerned community members, the violence has intensified since the Sallah celebrations, leaving many residents displaced and several houses destroyed by fire. The affected communities include areas around Kwanar Ungogo, NRC Road, and Bayan Waya (Makera).

The residents alleged that criminal elements operate openly in parts of the area, particularly around Kwanar Ungogo Market, which they described as a hub for drug trafficking and other criminal activities. They further called on the Kano State Commissioner of Police to reorganize personnel in the Bachirawa and Ungogo police divisions to improve security.

The group also appealed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to visit the affected communities or dispatch a high-powered delegation to assess the situation and address the growing insecurity.

The Daily Reality was unable to independently visit the affected areas or verify the claims contained in the statement at the time of filing this report.

For security reasons, the authors of the statement requested anonymity.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Kano State is mourning the death of veteran broadcaster and seasoned administrator, Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim Getso, who passed away on Saturday evening after a brief illness.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing the late Getso as a distinguished broadcaster, seasoned administrator, and respected public servant. 

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the governor said that Getso devoted his life to advancing professional journalism, public enlightenment, and promoting societal values across Northern Nigeria.

Getso enjoyed a remarkable career spanning several decades in the media industry. He served as Managing Director of CTV 67, now Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), between 2000 and 2003, where he played a key role in strengthening regional television broadcasting. 

Getso later served as Managing Director of Radio Kano from 2011 to 2015, introducing reforms that enhanced the station’s position as one of the region’s leading public broadcasters.

Tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues, media professionals, and government officials, who remembered him for his integrity, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to public service.

Governor Yusuf extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and the media community, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.

By Dr. Saifullahi Shehu Imam

As Kano State marks the third anniversary of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration, the evidence of purposeful leadership is visible across every corner of the state from the bustling metropolitan center to the remotest rural communities. Today, the popular expression #ABBAISWORKING is no longer a mere political slogan; it has become a verified reality, supported by over 1,000 major achievements that have fundamentally reshaped the developmental trajectory of Nigeria’s most populous state.

Perhaps no sector reflects Governor Yusuf’s vision for human capital development more than education. His administration has fundamentally transformed education in Kano by declaring a State of Emergency and allocating an unprecedented 30–31% of the annual budget, the highest in the nation. This historic fiscal commitment was sustained through the subsequent fiscal cycles, securing education as the primary pillar of governance. Across all 44 Local Government Areas, the administration has directed over ₦1.9 billion through the Community Re-orientation Committee (CRC) to renovate thousands of primary classrooms, plus an additional ₦2.9 billion to build new classroom complexes, decongesting urban schools and constructing modern administrative offices. Over 80,000 sets of three-seater desks have been supplied, rescuing more than 240,000 students from learning on bare floors. The government has hired and integrated over 14,000 permanent, pensionable teachers, including thousands of former BESDA volunteers.

Financial barriers have been lowered by providing free textbooks and uniforms for primary students, slashing tertiary registration and tuition fees by 50% at state-owned institutions, and funding examination fees for hundreds of thousands of secondary candidates. The state’s strict targeted funding model has borne immediate fruit, propelling Kano to the top of the national performance chart in the 2025 NECO exams. Furthermore, the revival of the 1,001 Foreign and Domestic Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme has cleared multibillion-naira arrears for stranded medical and engineering scholars in Cyprus and sponsored new cohorts to India and across Nigeria. This holistic investment in infrastructure, teacher welfare, and global scholarships represents the largest commitment to public education in Kano’s recent history, ensuring today’s students become tomorrow’s leaders.
In healthcare, the administration has achieved monumental, system-wide progress by matching robust institutional investment with deeply compassionate public policy.

This vision is explicitly backed by an aggressive fiscal strategy; for the 2025 fiscal year, over ₦90 billion amounting to an impressive 16.5 percent of the state’s total budget has been earmarked for healthcare development. This substantial investment underscores the administration’s unwavering commitment to making healthcare a cornerstone of its governance, moving far beyond basic audits and surveys into real, well-funded structural transformation. A landmark triumph of this commitment is the recovery, comprehensive modernization, and recommissioning of the Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital, a vital 86-bed facility that had been controversially sold, now restored to provide specialized care for Kano’s children. In tandem, the administration has completely remodeled and equipped the critical accident and emergency section of the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital (MMSH) and extensively renovated the Bamalli Nuhu Maternity Hospital to drastically combat maternal and infant mortality rates. To institutionalize these health safeguards, the Governor signed the pioneering Kano State Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Law alongside a mandatory Premarital Health Screening Law to shield future generations from preventable illnesses. These structural transformations ensure that high-quality healthcare is no longer a luxury reserved for a privileged few, but an accessible, everyday right for all Kano citizens.

In the realm of agricultural transformation and food security, the administration has shifted Kano from a reliance on subsistence farming to a powerhouse of agribusiness. Championing a multi-billion naira input initiative, Governor Yusuf flagged off the historic distribution of 79,200 bags (132 trucks) of highly subsidized fertilizers from the Al-Yuma Fertilizer plant in Madobi Local Government, slashing procurement costs by a massive 50% for local farmers across all 44 LGAs. This was bolstered by an additional ₦1 billion worth of free NPK fertilizers distributed via the Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO) specifically targeting smallholder, female, and disabled farmers.

To expand year-round farming capacity, the administration has expanded farmlands and successfully rehabilitated major irrigation schemes across 11 Local Governments, bringing over 1,250 hectares under active development. A crown jewel of this infrastructural strategy is the approval of ₦6.8 billion for the massive Dansoshiya Dam and Irrigation Infrastructure Project in Kiru LGA, designed with a projected storage capacity of 3.1 billion liters of water to empower up to 3,000 farmers in its initial phases alone. These deliberate investments have reduced cultivation overheads, multiplied crop yields, and fortified the regional food supply chain.

Youth empowerment and self-reliance form another vibrant pillar of the Kano Renaissance. Rejecting the old paradigms of political exploitation, Governor Yusuf launched a comprehensive master plan to empower 50,000 young people. The administration began by systematically reviving eight specialized entrepreneurship and vocational institutes that had been abandoned by the previous administration. Highlighting this return to functional capacity, a single cohort of 2,260 graduates recently completed training across these institutes including the Informatics Institute, the Horticultural Institute, the Driving Institute, and the Poultry Institute. These youths left the Government House not just with certificates, but with critical operational assets ranging from laptops, tablets, and toolkits, to livestock and feed, alongside financial seed capital to seamlessly launch their commercial journeys.

On the security front, proactive, intelligence-driven governance has kept Kano State remarkably peaceful and stable despite intense national security challenges. Governor Yusuf has aggressively reinforced the state’s security architecture by assenting to the law establishing the state’s independent Kano State Security Neighborhood Watch, bringing community policing directly to the grassroots. To maximize operational efficiency and response times, the administration recently boosted the Joint Task Force (JTF) operations by distributing dozens of new vehicles and motorcycles across frontline Local Government Areas.

This sustained tranquility stands as an absolute testament to a leadership that deeply understands that the first, most non-negotiable duty of government is the absolute security and welfare of its people.

As the people of Kano celebrate these remarkable achievements, there is a growing consensus that continuity will be essential to consolidate the gains already recorded. The transformation witnessed across the state has inspired renewed confidence in leadership and strengthened public optimism about the future. It is therefore understandable that many citizens, stakeholders, professionals, traditional institutions, and community leaders increasingly look toward 2027 with the hope that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf will be granted another mandate to deepen ongoing reforms and complete the noble work he has begun.

May Almighty Allah continue to grant His Excellency wisdom, strength, good health, and divine guidance in the service of Kano State. And may the overwhelming achievements of the past three years pave the way for a successful re-election in 2027, ensuring that the Kano Renaissance continues uninterrupted for the benefit of present and future generations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least eight security personnel lost their lives after Boko Haram insurgents launched an attack on a Nigerian Army base in Borno State in the early hours of Friday.

The assault targeted the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mandaragirau, under the 25 Brigade, Sector 2 of Operation HADIN KAI, located in Biu Local Government Area.

Those killed included five soldiers and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), according to military authorities.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Haruna Sani, said troops at the base successfully repelled the attack despite difficult weather conditions caused by heavy rainfall.

He said, “Troops of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandaragirau under 25 Brigade of Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, successfully contained a terrorist attack in the early hours of this morning despite adverse weather conditions and poor visibility occasioned by heavy rainstorms.

“The terrorists launched the attack at approximately 0300 hours and attempted to breach sections of the FOB under the extreme weather conditions.

“Determined troops responded with a fierce counter-offensive, decisively frustrating further incursions and inflicting casualties on the attackers. The counter-assault underscores the resilience of the troops at FOB Mandaragirau and reflects the courage and determination of our troops across the theatre.”

Sani, however, confirmed that casualties were recorded among security personnel during the exchange of fire.

He stated, “Regrettably, in the course of the battle, five gallant soldiers paid the supreme price during the intense firefight and close-quarter engagement, while some equipment was also affected by the firefight.

“Operation HADIN KAI honours their heroism and the bravery of all personnel who stood firm in the face of a determined but ultimately futile enemy assault.

“Three members of the CJTF also fell alongside troops, while those wounded have been promptly airlifted by the Air Component Command and are currently in stable condition while receiving appropriate medical care.”

The military spokesman said the deceased personnel demonstrated exceptional courage and commitment in the defence of the country.

He also assured that troops remain in control of the base and have continued operations in the area to consolidate their gains.

According to him, “These failed attacks further underscore the growing desperation of terrorist elements who continue to suffer devastating losses under sustained operational pressure. All necessary measures are being taken to protect communities and sustain relentless pressure, with the deployment of additional troops and critical combat enablers throughout the North-East theatre.”

Meanwhile, local sources told reporters that the insurgents attacked the military position after a heavy downpour and reportedly operated in the area for close to an hour.

The President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, also confirmed the incident and suggested that multiple locations came under attack.

“Yes, the attack occurred. They stormed the location and murdered many soldiers. It is not one place that was attacked,” he said.

Kaigama called for stronger security measures and greater community participation in intelligence gathering to help curb terrorist activities.

“The government needs to create avenues for people who are knowledgeable to discuss and review issues of insecurity. Just as they created forest guards, they must create a grassroots liaison initiative that is not controlled by the government. Through those people, some of these attacks can be reduced,” he stated.

By Dahiru Kasimu Adamu

Rice farmers in Kebbi State are in a dilemma as quila birds, locally known as Buwa, continue to threaten food security by devouring their farm produce.

During a visit to rice clusters in the Argungu fadama land, including Dankwalli, Kuyar Masama, Janduma, Kwalaga, and others, farmers were seen shouting, wielding sticks, and using other materials to make loud noises to scare the birds away from their farms.

The farmers described the situation as disastrous. “Quila birds need only a short time to finish what farmers spend months cultivating. This forces us to move early to the farms and prevent the birds from ending our farming,” said Lauwali Usman, a farmer at the Dankwalli rice cluster.

Another farmer, Usman in Kuyar Masama,  explained how the quila bird “has caused some farmers to harvest their rice early because they can no longer keep moving to their farms every morning and evening to prevent the birds from eating their produce. They are afraid of losing what they spent months cultivating.”

Many farmers have stories to tell about the quila bird and how it threatens rice farming. What they share in common, however, is an appeal to authorities to assist them by spreading chemicals to eliminate the birds, arguing that traditional methods are too weak.

In a previous interview, Dr Aminu Aliyu, an agriculturalist who teaches at the Department of Agricultural Education, Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu, said the best and most scientific method of addressing the quila bird problem is “locating their nesting environment and spreading chemicals. This can be achieved by collaborating with local farmers and extension agents, and is normally done by the state government or in conjunction with the federal government.”

Dr Aliyu described quila birds as “migratory birds that travel long distances and can cause havoc to any farm they stay on, even within a short period.”

Apart from rising input costs and the petrol price hike due to subsidy removal, the quila bird has been a major problem affecting rice farmers since the beginning of dry season farming, known locally as Katashi in Kebbi State.

By Ibrahim Abubakar Diso 

The Kano State Police Command has arrested several suspects in a series of intelligence-led operations targeting illicit drug distribution across the state.

In one of the operations carried out at Nasarawa GRA, operatives of the Special Intervention Squad intercepted two men allegedly in possession of a sack containing 23 rolls of Tramadol, each made up of multiple sachets. 

The suspects, identified as Abdulsalam Muhammad, 30, and Murtala Sani, 34, reportedly admitted involvement in the illegal trade, while police say efforts are ongoing to track down additional suspects linked to the supply chain.

In a separate operation in Gezawa Local Government Area, officers raided a known black spot in Dangari Village, where they arrested a 40-year-old suspect allegedly selling Cannabis Sativa. 

Police recovered 130 wraps and a half-block of suspected cannabis from him. In another arrest in Gezawa Misanda, a 25-year-old suspect was found with 10 wraps of suspected cannabis and bottles of rubber solution, believed to be used as inhalants.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended the operatives for their professionalism and praised residents for providing timely intelligence that aided the operations. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to intensifying the crackdown on drug-related crime in the state.

The police said all suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Governor of Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved a special Eid-el-Kabir goodwill package of N20,000 for civil servants in the state and across the 44 local government areas.

The gesture, announced in a statement issued on Sunday by the Press Secretary to the Office of the SSG, Musa Tanko Muhammad, is intended to support workers ahead of the Sallah celebration. Beneficiaries include civil servants on Grade Levels 01 to 14 in state ministries and local government councils.

According to the statement, the intervention comes shortly after the payment of May 2026 salaries and reflects the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare amid current economic challenges. The governor said the package is intended to ease financial pressure during the festive period and enable workers to celebrate with their families in comfort.

Governor Yusuf also reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to improving workers’ welfare and maintaining a productive public service, while extending Eid-el-Kabir greetings to the people of Kano State.

By Engr. Kabir Bashir Shariff, PhD

For decades, residents of Kano have lived with a persistent and worsening water crisis. What should have been treated as a state emergency has instead become a normalised hardship. In a city of over 10 million people, access to clean and reliable water remains uncertain for millions.

Water is the most basic requirement for life. Yet in Kano, households, businesses and institutions struggle daily to secure it. This is not due to a lack of infrastructure alone, but a combination of systemic neglect, poor planning and weak execution.

The state’s municipal water supply depends largely on two major treatment plants—Chalawa and Tamburawa. The Tamburawa Water Treatment Plant, built during the administration of former Governor Shekarau, was designed to produce 150 million litres of water per day. However, it has never reached that capacity.

Having worked at the plant as an intern in 2013, I saw its potential. Unfortunately, that potential has remained unrealised due to multiple challenges.

One of the major problems is the inadequate supply of raw water. The Kano River, which feeds the Tamburawa plant, has been affected by both climate variability and upstream water diversion. The Tiga Hydropower facility, for instance, significantly reduces the volume of water reaching the treatment plant.

Infrastructure decay is another critical issue. Key components of the water system—from intake pumps to filtration units—are either poorly maintained or no longer functional. Clarifiers, sedimentation tanks and filter beds have deteriorated over time, while high-lift pumps are frequently out of service.

Electricity supply further complicates the situation. Water treatment and distribution require stable power, yet the plants operate under erratic electricity conditions. This limits their ability to function effectively and consistently.

Perhaps the most fundamental flaw lies in the distribution system itself. The Tamburawa plant water supply model relies heavily on direct pumping from treatment plants to households. There are few, if any, functional elevated storage reservoirs to support gravity-based distribution. As a result, water flows only when pumps are running—an inefficient system that drives up energy costs and leaves many areas without water for long periods.

Regulatory lapses have also contributed to the problem. Damaged pipelines caused by construction activities are often left unrepaired, while leakages and illegal connections go unchecked. This further weakens an already fragile system.

In response to these challenges, many residents and commercial centres have turned to boreholes. While this offers temporary relief, it poses a long-term threat. Excessive groundwater extraction is already leading to declining water tables, dried wells and environmental stress.

The Kano State Government’s recent allocation of N21 billion for water infrastructure upgrades is a step in the right direction. However, funding alone will not solve the problem unless it is backed by sound planning and accountability.

There is an urgent need to invest in elevated water storage systems across the city. By pumping treated water into strategically located reservoirs, distribution can be sustained through gravity. This will reduce energy costs, improve efficiency and ensure a more reliable supply.

Equally important is the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure and the adoption of modern technologies. Power supply to water facilities must also be prioritised, possibly through dedicated or alternative energy sources.

Looking ahead, Kano must plan for its future. As the fastest-growing urban centres in northern Nigeria, these cities will see increasing demand for water. The state should begin developing new water treatment plants using available irrigation dams and other water sources.

Kano’s water crisis is no longer just an infrastructure issue—it is a public health and economic concern. Access to clean water should not be a privilege. It is a basic right.

The time has come to move beyond promises and take decisive action.

Engr. Kabir Bashir Shariff, PhD, can be contacted via kabir-bashir.shariff@unicaen.fr.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Coalition of Ulama and Islamic Organisations in Kano State has expressed concern over rising political tension in Kano State, warning that the increasing use of inflammatory language and politically motivated violence could threaten peace and stability in the state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the coalition condemned recent incidents linked to political activities and urged politicians and their supporters to avoid actions capable of inciting unrest.

The group said the growing trend of insults, intimidation, and provocation in the political space was disturbing and inconsistent with the values of peace and mutual respect long associated with Kano.

The coalition also cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be used as tools for violence by desperate politicians, urging them instead to uphold law and order. It called on political leaders to embrace issue-based engagement and conduct their activities responsibly in the interest of public peace.

The statement, signed by the coalition’s secretary, Saidu Ahmad Dukawa, prayed for continued peace and unity in Kano State and urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding.