Local

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 7 suspects over an alleged armed robbery attack on students of Sa’adu Zungur University, Itas-Gadau Campus, at an off-campus hostel in Gadau.

According to the police, the suspects allegedly attacked Rahama House, an off-campus hostel, at about 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The assailants reportedly injured 2 students with machetes before making away with 2 Android phones.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, said the suspects allegedly planned the attack before carrying it out.

Police operatives from the Gadau Division responded after receiving a distress call through the Safe Schools Initiative. Officers moved to the scene immediately, while the injured students were taken to the General Hospital in Azare for treatment.

The command said detectives later carried out a coordinated operation that resulted in the arrest of all 7 suspects. Officers also recovered the 2 stolen Android phones.

Following preliminary investigations, the suspects were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where further investigation and prosecution will continue.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the attack and pledged that everyone connected to the incident would face justice.

He also assured residents, especially students, that the command remains committed to protecting lives and property. The police further advised members of the public, particularly students living off campus, to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly to the nearest police station.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a 48-year-old Chadian woman who was allegedly transporting illicit drugs, alcoholic drinks and other prohibited items to terrorist groups operating in the Lake Chad Islands.

The arrest took place on Thursday during a search operation along the Maiduguri–Monguno road in Borno State, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Goni.

Goni said soldiers stopped a suspicious vehicle heading towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area, where they apprehended the suspect.

“The suspect, identified as Mrs Rachael Samuel (48), a Chadian national from Kelo in Chari-Baguirmi Province, Republic of Chad, was arrested while conveying the prohibited items,” the statement said.

He added that preliminary investigations suggested the items were meant for locations within the Lake Chad Islands, an area where terrorist groups are known to operate.

Security operatives recovered seven compressed bundles of suspected Cannabis sativa weighing about 30 kilogrammes, two 10-litre containers of hydromercuric chloride, popularly called “Suck and Die”, one carton containing 48 bottles of dry gin and 61 bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages. The military said the seized items have an estimated street value running into millions of naira.

Other items recovered include a mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, personal belongings and cash.

The military said the suspect remains in custody, while the recovered exhibits have been secured ahead of their transfer to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Goni said the operation reflects the determination of Operation Hadin Kai to block supply routes that sustain terrorist activities. He explained that intelligence reports have consistently indicated that terrorist groups depend on illicit drugs and intoxicants to stimulate fighters, reduce fear and support violent attacks.

“By intercepting the consignment before it reached its destination, the troops have disrupted another critical aspect of the terrorists’ support network,” the statement added.

“The Theatre Command commends the vigilance and professionalism of the troops and assures the public that operations against terrorists and their collaborators will continue relentlessly.

“The public is encouraged to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies in support of ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the North East.”

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has inaugurated a committee chaired by Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba to draft the blueprint for his 2027 governorship campaign, with the mandate of reviewing the implementation of the administration’s 2023 manifesto, My Commitment for Kano, and producing a new policy document, Blueprint 2.0, to guide a possible second term.

The Daily Reality reports that the announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Friday.

He said the committee would work under the close supervision of Governor Yusuf and his deputy, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, to develop a comprehensive policy framework for the administration’s next phase.

According to the statement, Dr. Magashi will serve as chairman of the committee, while the Executive Chairman of Strategic Governance and Policy Coordination, Dr. Yusuf Ya’u Gambo, will serve as secretary.

Other members of the committee are Dr. Ibrahim Musa, Special Adviser on Health Services and Personal Physician to the Governor; Mallam Haladu Muhammad, Technical Adviser on Education Reform; Muhammad Nazir Halliru, Director General of the Kano State Investment Promotion Agency (Kan-Invest); Nana Asma’u Jibrin, Director General of Research and Documentation; Dr. Bashir Abdu Muzakkar, Director General of the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA); Dr. Farouk Kurawa, Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA); Kabiru Sani Yakubu, Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO); Dr. Abdulhadi Zubairu Chula, Executive Chairman of Ajingi Local Government Council; Engr. Yesmin Mukhtar, Senior Special Assistant on Women Education; Dr. Halima Umar Sani of Bayero University; Dr. Kabiru Shehu; Barr. Musa Lawan Abdullahi; Dr. Nasiru Alasan Kabo; and Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso.

Dawakin Tofa said the committee had been tasked with reviewing the implementation of the 2023 blueprint, identifying areas that had yet to be fully executed and incorporating them into Blueprint 2.0.

“The committee is mandated to review the implementation of the 2023 blueprint, My Commitment for Kano, identify areas yet to be fully implemented and incorporate them into Blueprint 2.0,” he said.

He added that the committee would also articulate Governor Yusuf’s priorities and strategic vision for a second term spanning 2027 to 2031.

According to the statement, the committee is expected to engage stakeholders from both state and non-state sectors to generate innovative ideas and policy recommendations for a comprehensive and inclusive blueprint.

“The blueprint will consolidate the gains of the present administration and accelerate Kano State’s development through a people-driven policy framework,” Dawakin Tofa said.

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.