Local

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, have killed a suspected kidnapper and apprehended two others in separate operations across Benue State.

The acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Sunday.

According to Zubairu, troops received credible intelligence on August 19, 2026, about a suspected bandit leader and his associates who were operating an illegal checkpoint along the Jortar-Atume axis.

He said the troops moved to the location and engaged the suspects in a gun battle.

The statement read, “On arrival, the troops made contact with the criminals, resulting in a firefight during which one suspected bandit, identified by the nickname ‘Cool Nigga’, was neutralised.

“The other members of the group fled in disarray, abandoning a motorcycle, which was recovered by the troops.”

Zubairu further disclosed that troops arrested two suspected kidnappers during another operation at Gou in Logo Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were identified as Terhile Iyo, 44, and Vershima Emmanuel, 32.

According to the military, the two men confessed to an alleged attempt to abduct a resident of Gou village, Mrs Balame Nyikwagh.

Items recovered from the suspects included a locally manufactured pistol, one cartridge, five TECNO torchlight phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, several SIM cards and charms.

Zubairu said the suspects remained in military custody while investigations continued.

Operation Whirl Stroke also reassured residents across its operational areas in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states of its commitment to protecting lives and property.

The force called on residents to continue to provide security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist efforts to combat criminal activities in the region.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Voice of Concerned Teachers (VCT) Forum has raised concerns over the conduct of elections into the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Kano State, alleging that no election was held in 42 of the state’s 44 local government areas.

In a press briefing, the forum’s chairman, Comrade Abbas Adamu, alleged that elections were conducted only in Nasarawa and Ungogo Local Government Areas.

“Apart from these two local governments, all the remaining 42 local governments’ NUT officials refused to consider any teacher as a contestant,” Malam Abbas Adamu alleged.

The forum further claimed that rather than conducting elections, NUT officials in the affected local government areas declared themselves winners unopposed.

The VCT Forum described the alleged development as a cause for concern, highlighted what it said were irregularities in the process, and called on the Kano State Government and other stakeholders to intervene.

The Daily Reality could not independently verify the allegations. Efforts to reach NUT officials for a response were also unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

NUT officials have not yet publicly responded to the allegations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Borno State Police Command has recovered an unexploded ordnance, identified as a hand grenade, from a drainage slab in Moduganari, Maiduguri.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.

Daso said the recovery followed a report received by the police at about 12:40pm on August 15, 2026, about a suspected explosive device found in the area.

According to the statement, operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Base 13, Maiduguri, were deployed to the location after the report.

The statement, titled, “Borno Police Command Recovers One UXO (Hand Grenade) in Maiduguri,” said the operatives safely removed the device from the drainage slab.

“Acting on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, psc, following a report received at about 1240hrs on 15 August 2026 regarding a suspected UXO found on a drainage slab in Moduganari area, operatives of the EOD-CBRN Base 13, Maiduguri, promptly mobilised to the scene and safely recovered the item,” it said.

The command said the recovered device had been secured for further examination. It added that an investigation had commenced to determine its origin and the circumstances that led to its discovery.

Daso said the Commissioner of Police appreciated residents who alerted the authorities after noticing the suspected explosive.

“The Commissioner of Police commends the vigilance of the members of the public who promptly alerted the Police and reiterates the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the State,” he added.

The police spokesperson also warned residents against touching, moving or tampering with objects suspected to be explosive devices.

“The Borno State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and urges continued cooperation and timely reporting of suspicious objects or activities,” the statement said.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Management of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has announced an immediate ban on the charging of privately owned electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles using the university’s electricity supply across all its campuses.

According to a special bulletin issued on Monday, the university said the widespread charging of private electric motorcycles has contributed significantly to rising electricity bills, placing a heavy financial burden on the institution.

The directive applies to staff, students, commercial motorcycle operators, and all other users of electric motorcycles. Management warned that anyone found violating the ban will face disciplinary action in line with the university’s rules and regulations.

The university has also directed Provosts, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and Heads of Units to monitor compliance and report violations. In addition, a monitoring team will conduct regular patrols across the campuses to ensure strict enforcement of the directive.

BUK urged all affected persons to comply with the new policy, describing it as part of the university’s efforts to reduce energy costs and promote the prudent use of its resources.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has urged beneficiaries of its land allocation programme not to sell their plots, saying the allocations are intended to provide long-term security and wealth for families rather than short-term financial gain.

The call was made on Sunday during the presentation of land allocation documents to polling agents in Kano under the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Governor Yusuf, in a speech delivered by the Commissioner for Public Procurement, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Nura Ma’aji Sumaila, said the land allocation programme was part of a broader policy to expand home ownership across the state.

He said the initiative would gradually be extended to more segments of society, including young people, women, civil servants, community leaders and other hardworking citizens, as part of efforts to reduce the housing deficit and improve family security.

The governor noted that beneficiaries had received plots in professionally planned government layouts equipped with road networks, drainage systems, schools, healthcare facilities, markets, places of worship, parks and other public infrastructure.

According to him, proper urban planning would make it easier for government to provide essential services while increasing the long-term value of the properties.

The Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar, urged beneficiaries not to dispose of their plots because of short-term financial needs.

“Please do not sell your land allocation because of short-term financial needs. Instead, develop it, build your home and create a lasting asset for your family,” Umar said.

He explained that the allocated plots were located within government-approved layouts designed to create organised, safe and sustainable communities where families could live, invest and prosper.

Umar contrasted the layouts with illegal land developments, popularly known as Awon Igiya, which he said had contributed to unplanned settlements, flooding, traffic congestion, insecurity, land disputes and slum conditions across parts of the state.

He said the government remained committed to ending illegal land development and restoring order to land administration across Kano State.

The Daily Reality recalls that the Kano State Government on Saturday commenced the distribution of land allocation documents to political appointees, including Senior Special Assistants, Senior Special Reporters, Special Assistants, Special Reporters and Personal Assistants. 

The government said the exercise, which concluded on Sunday with the presentation to polling agents, was expected to benefit about 2,500 beneficiaries as part of its broader effort to expand home ownership and reduce the state’s housing deficit.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Burra Community in Ningi Local Government Area has appealed to Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed to include the Ningi–Burra and Burra–Toro roads among the projects to be financed under the recently secured US$91.6 million ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) facility.

In an open letter, the community congratulated the governor on securing the fund for 24 strategic road and bridge projects, describing it as a major boost to infrastructure and economic development in Bauchi State.

The community said the two roads are vital economic corridors linking Burra with Ningi, Toro, and neighbouring parts of Kano and Plateau states. It noted that their poor condition has increased transport costs, restricted access to healthcare and education, delayed the movement of farm produce, and exposed commuters to security risks.

It urged the governor to prioritize the roads, saying their rehabilitation would improve the livelihoods of thousands of residents in the Burra Emirate and reinforce his administration’s commitment to inclusive development.

The community also called for transparency and public participation in implementing the EBID-funded projects to ensure value for money and public confidence.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has announced plans to increase the country’s annual cashew production from about 300,000 metric tonnes to 1 million metric tonnes within the next 10 years.

The association’s president, Ademola Adesokan, revealed the target during the inauguration of NCAN’s national and state executives at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) in Abuja.

Adesokan said the association also aims to process at least half of the projected 1 million metric tonnes within Nigeria. He explained that the initiative is supported by a well-defined implementation strategy.

According to him, the roadmap will promote industrialisation, expand non-oil exports, attract investment and create employment opportunities across the country’s cashew-producing states.

He stressed that state chapters would play a central role in achieving the targets because production activities take place at the grassroots.

> “Policy is written in Abuja, but cashew is grown, harvested, dried, aggregated, and stored in our states — in our farming communities, our warehouses, our local markets. The National Cashew Roadmap can only succeed if it has strong hands to carry it at the grassroots. That is why state chapters are not a formality. They are the engine room of this entire transformation.


“The quality of the nuts that reach our processors, the integrity of our storage systems, the efficiency of our aggregation networks — these do not happen in a ministry office. They happen because of the men and women in this room today, and the chapters you now lead.


“When a processor in Kogi or an exporter in Lagos can trust the quality of what comes through our supply chain, it is because a state chapter somewhere insisted on doing it right. That is industrial development at the grassroots — real, measurable, and yours to own,” he said.


The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the cashew sector. The ministry described the inauguration of the association’s executives as an important milestone in the implementation of the recently validated Nigeria Cashew Roadmap.

The Director of the ministry’s Industrial Development Department, Olumuyiwa Jayi-Ade, spoke through Assistant Director Popoola Abimbola. He said the inauguration signalled the beginning of the roadmap’s implementation phase after the completion of policy development.

He praised NCAN for its role in developing and validating the Nigeria Cashew Roadmap. He said the association had established a strong foundation for a sustainable and globally competitive cashew industry.

Jayi-Ade added that the ministry would work with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, NCAN and development partners to prepare implementation plans and institutional frameworks for the roadmap.

He also disclosed that the Nigerian Cashew Project Office (NCPO) would be established to coordinate reforms, strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and supervise the implementation of programmes across the cashew value chain.

By Dahiru Kasimu Adamu

University life is a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse activities, yet one of its defining features is its ability to accommodate people from different cultural backgrounds. Amid the pursuit of academic excellence, a powerful movement is taking root, ensuring that heritage is not lost but celebrated. 

Over the years, students’ associations representing various states and local governments have been at the forefront of transferring cultural heritage across institutions, turning campuses into living museums of tradition. A prime example of this cultural renaissance is the Argungu Emirates Students Association (ARESA), Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, chapter, which recently organised its annual ARESA Day. 

Academically, the event was a showcase of intellect, featuring debates, poetry recitals, and spelling competitions where students from different local governments participated in various categories. However, it was the cultural display that truly captivated the minds and hearts of hundreds of attendees, stealing the show with its vivid authenticity.

The highlight of the event was the recreation of the Argungu Emirate Council. In a meticulously staged setting, students assumed the roles of traditional rulers and dignitaries. Aminu Sani took on the prestigious role of Kunduɗan kabi, while Ahmed Sani served as Sarkin shanun Kabi. The court was complete with district heads, including the Sarkin Zabarmawa, Mai Arewa, and Sarkin Samari, who, along with other important figures such as Kunduɗa, paid homage to the Emir. Adding to the royal pageantry, Gimbiya was present, with Masa’uda Khadija Usman Abubakar and her entourage bringing the historical narratives to life.

The Argungu Emirate is a melting pot of the Hausa, Fulani, and Zabarmawa tribes; the event featured traditional dances from each group performed before the Emir. This spectacle served as a vibrant testament to the unity and peaceful coexistence that defines the Emirate.

According to the leadership of the ARESA UDUS chapter, the aim of this cultural immersion is to showcase Argungu Emirate’s rich history, cultural heritage, and strength, while fostering unity among students. The impact on the audience was palpable. Yusuf Garba, a student from Niger State, noted that the cultural display helped him “identify the structure of Argungu Emirate council, indicating the cultural heritage of the people.” Similarly, Ruadat Ibrahim from the south-west highlighted the traditional dances of the Hausa and Zabarma tribes as the aspect that “hijacked her mind.”

Witnesses of the event have since encouraged other student associations to emulate ARESA’s initiative in showcasing their culture. 

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Armed terrorists stormed the residence of Bungudu Local Government Chairman Honourable Nura Umar Abdullahi in the early hours of Saturday, abducting him and several family members after overwhelming his security detail, military authorities have confirmed.

Troops from Operation FANSAN YAMMA responded to distress calls and immediately engaged the assailants in a hot pursuit, sparking a fierce exchange of gunfire that forced the attackers to abandon five of the Chairman’s relatives, including his mother, wife, two children, and other family members, who were successfully rescued.

However, the terrorists managed to escape with Abdullahi into the surrounding bushes, according to Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North West).

The attack claimed the lives of two police officers and one local vigilante who were part of the Chairman’s security detail, all of whom “gallantly resisted the attackers,” Danja said. A civilian was also killed, while the Chairman’s elder brother, Alhaji Bello Umar, sustained injuries during the assault.

The Theatre Command has since activated a coordinated search and rescue operation involving troops, police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilantes. Security forces are currently conducting deliberate operations at suspected terrorist hideouts in a bid to secure the Chairman’s safe release.

“The Theatre Command has deployed all available resources in the ongoing operation and remains in close coordination with participating security agencies,” Danja said. “The Theatre Command assures the Government and people of Zamfara State that every lawful and operational measure is being taken to achieve a successful outcome.”

The military appealed to the public to remain calm and provide credible information that may assist ongoing efforts, while reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property.

Zamfara has been plagued by banditry and terrorist activities in recent years, with local government officials frequently targeted in kidnapping-for-ransom attacks. The abduction underscores the persistent security challenges facing the North-Western region despite intensified military operations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Gombe State Police Command has returned Toyota Highlander SUV to its rightful owner after recovering the vehicle almost five years after it was stolen in Rivers State.

The command handed the vehicle to Mrs Cecilia Duru of Port Harcourt on Friday after operatives of the State Intelligence Department concluded investigations that confirmed her ownership.

Police said the SUV was recovered on June 8, 2026, during a joint operation by the State Intelligence Department and the Federal Road Safety Corps at the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service Vehicle Licensing Office.

According to the command, officials intercepted the vehicle during a routine verification of vehicle records while it was undergoing re-registration.

Investigators established that the Toyota Highlander was stolen from Mrs Duru in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on September 17, 2021.

“The investigation established that the vehicle belongs to Mrs. Cecilia A. Duru of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Further findings revealed that after it was stolen, the vehicle was taken to the Republic of Niger in 2023.

“It later re-entered Nigeria through Illela, Sokoto State, in October 2025, before it was sold in Kaduna State and eventually brought to Gombe for re-registration, where it was intercepted,” the police stated.

The command said efforts to determine those responsible for the theft and the movement of the vehicle across several locations are still in progress.

“While efforts continue to unravel those behind the theft and illegal movement of the vehicle, the command is pleased to hand over the recovered Toyota Highlander to its rightful owner today, July 24, 2026,” the police said.

The police also reaffirmed their resolve to tackle vehicle theft and other forms of organised crime through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with relevant security agencies.

The command advised members of the public to verify the authenticity of vehicle documents before buying used vehicles. It also urged residents to report suspicious vehicle transactions to security agencies promptly.