Local

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The executive Governor of Bauchi state, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed (Kaura) has approved the appointment of Alhaji Haruna Yunusa Danyaya, the eldest son of the late Emir as the 17th Emir of Ningi with 1st class status.

This decision is in exercise of the powers conferred on him by cap.24 Item 3 (1) of the laws of Bauchi state of Nigeria ( Appointment of Emirs/ Chiefs and Deposition 1991) and the recommendations of the kingmakers.

The appointment was conveyed in a letter signed by the secretary to the Bauchi state government, Barrister Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim.

Bauchi state government expresses its confidence in the new Emir’s ability to continue the legacy of his late father in fostering unity, peace and development in the Ningi Emirate and Bauchi state as a whole.

Bauchi state government under the leadership of Governor Bala Muhammed remains committed to supporting the traditional institution in the state as they play a crucial role in maintaining peace and progress in our communities.

Governor Bala Muhammed prayed for the peaceful repose of the late Emir’s soul, also extend his warm felicitations and prayers for good health, long life and successful reign of the new Emir.

The new Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Haruna Yunusa Danyaya was born in Ningi in 1956 and he was the immediate past Chiroman Ningi. He is happly married with children.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has arrested several individuals, including an Education Secretary, a School Headmaster, and three others, for allegedly dismantling and illegally selling school furniture and metals from a primary school in the Kumbotso local government area.

The arrests were made on Saturday after the suspects were reportedly caught in the act on the premises of Gaidar Makada Special Primary School.

According to the Senior Special Reporter to the Kano State Governor on Anti-Corruption, Malam Sani Umar Sani, local residents noticed unusual activity at the school early in the morning.

Upon investigation, they discovered that furniture was being dismantled and the metals were being removed and prepared for sale.

One resident, who lives nearby, reported seeing a man with several young boys heading toward the school’s classrooms.

After being questioned by the school security guard, they were allowed inside. Shortly thereafter, loud noises were heard, prompting further inspection, which revealed the dismantling operation.

Malam AbdulGafar Sanusi Garba, Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC), and Malam Alkassim Muhammad, Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), were informed of the incident.

Both stated they were unaware of the activity and claimed they had been dismissed from their roles by the headmaster, Malam Yusuf, before completing their tenure, without notification to the local government education secretary.

The suspects, including a buyer of the dismantled metals, were detained following the incident.

It was reported that the furniture, valued at over two million naira, was sold for just N250,000.

The anti-graft agency has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident, with those arrested currently in custody.

A source within the commission suggested that this case might not be isolated, indicating a pattern of illegal dismantling and sale of school properties across the state.

In response, the agency is developing software to inventory school items and monitor any unauthorized alterations.

By Uzair Adam

At least 10 people have died and 40 others are currently hospitalized following a diphtheria outbreak in Kano State.

The state’s Commissioner of Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, disclosed this to journalists as reported by The Daily Reality on Sunday.

Dr. Labaran confirmed to journalists that the deaths occurred over the past week, adding that the state government has established diphtheria treatment centers in various local government areas to handle the outbreak.

“We have recorded 10 deaths from the diphtheria outbreak in the last week, and as of this morning, 40 patients are receiving treatment,” Dr. Labaran stated. He urged residents who encounter individuals showing symptoms of diphtheria to visit the newly established treatment centers instead of coming to facilities in the metropolitan area, to help prevent the spread of the disease.

He emphasized that treatment at these centers is free of charge.

Dr. Labaran also refuted figures circulating on social media, stating, “The only official number we have is 10 deaths.” The health authorities in Kano continue to monitor the situation closely as efforts to contain the outbreak are underway.

By Uzair Adam

A building collapse in the Makwarari area of Kano State has claimed the life of a 35-year-old mother and injured her two children.

The tragedy occurred on Friday following heavy rains that began on Thursday night and continued into the early hours of Friday morning.

The victim, identified as Balaraba Tijjani, was at home with her children, Abdulnasir and Abdallah, aged 11 and 13, when the incident happened.

According to her husband, Tijjani Magaji, the building’s collapse was due to the severe rainfall.

The Kano State Fire Service Spokesperson, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incident, noting that the structure was a one-storey residential building measuring 30 feet by 40 feet.

“We received an emergency call on Friday around 9:30 a.m. from one of our staff members, Ibrahim Isah, reporting the collapse,” Abdullahi said.

Emergency responders were promptly dispatched to the scene, where they managed to rescue the children alive.

They were taken to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in Kano for medical attention.

By Uzair Adam

A magistrate court in Kano has ordered the remand of Muktar Dahiru, a journalist with Radio Nigeria, Pyramid FM Kano, in prison.

He is accused of sharing media content on Facebook that is critical of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the reinstated emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Dahiru allegedly posted several controversial audio recordings, including an interview with an opposition politician who accused Governor Yusuf of corruption.

The politician challenged the governor to allow federal anti-corruption agencies to investigate a scandal involving Novomed Pharmaceutical, which is owned by a relative of former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

In another instance, Dahiru shared a broadcast by the governor’s political adviser, Anas Abba-Dala, which speculated on the nationality of Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and made other controversial claims.

Additionally, Dahiru shared content criticizing the emir and accusing former Governor Kwankwaso of financial misconduct.

The journalist was charged in secret at Magistrate Court 24 on Gyadi Gyadi Court Road for criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, and intentional insult, alleged to be in violation of sections 97, 391, and 115 of the Penal Code Law.

The magistrate, Ummah Kurawa, ordered Dahiru’s remand in a correctional facility until a bail hearing scheduled for September 3.

By Uzair Adam

Aviation worker Auwal Ahmed Dankode has returned $10,000 (approximately N16 million) that he found while cleaning an aircraft at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.

Dankode, who works for the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), discovered the money on an Egypt Air aircraft that landed around 1:30 pm on Wednesday.

He explained that he was performing a routine cleaning of the plane when he spotted the money in an envelope.

“In our training, we’re instructed to report any items found on aircraft to our supervisor,” Dankode told journalists.

“Since my supervisor wasn’t available at that time, I immediately reported the discovery to the airline company’s manager to help find the rightful owner.

“Shortly after, a man rushed to the aircraft, searching for his lost money. The manager asked him a series of questions to verify his claim, including the specific seat number where the envelope was found. Once his answers matched, the money was handed back to him.

Dankode expressed his joy at being able to return the lost money, saying, “I am very happy that God used me to make someone else happy.

“Returning what does not belong to me is nothing because that is the training we got from home. The owner, who spoke Arabic and did not understand Hausa, was so relieved and thankful that he hugged me many times.

“A native of Kode in Bunkure local government area, Kano State, Dankode is well-known for his honesty and strong sense of integrity.

By Uzair Adam

Residents of Chikaji, located in the Sabon-Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, are urgently seeking assistance from the government and charitable individuals following a devastating flood that swept through the area.

Several media reports indicated that the flood caused extensive damage, washing away cemeteries, homes, and properties.

Triggered by a seven-hour downpour from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, the flood has severely impacted the community.

The Village Head of Chikaji, Alhaji Auwal Sani-Dambaba, reported on Tuesday that over 200 houses were affected.

He also mentioned that the flood caused significant destruction to the LEA Primary School and desecrated a large section of the Ojo Cemetery.

Although no lives were lost, many graves were disturbed, and residents are now taking refuge in nearby neighborhoods.

To address the immediate needs of the cemetery, Malam Suleiman Liman, the Chief Imam of Chikaji Central Mosque, has called an emergency meeting with local philanthropists to discuss relief efforts.

Among the victims is Malam Ibrahim Ahmed, whose two-bedroom home was reduced to rubble.

He expressed gratitude that the flooding occurred during daylight, which allowed residents to take swift action, although he lost all his belongings while trying to protect his children.

Community leader Alhaji Gafai Katsina highlighted the difficult situation for many flood victims, noting that some families are now staying with less affected neighbors or have returned to their parents’ homes temporarily.

Reacting to the disaster, a statement from the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen, emphasized the need for swift government intervention and called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide immediate support to the affected residents.

The Speaker also urged residents to take precautionary measures and adhere to safety advice from authorities to minimize further risks associated with flooding.

By Uzair Adam

Bandits have reportedly abducted over 150 individuals and stolen more than 1,000 cattle from villages in Gobir Emirate, Sokoto State.

The Emir, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, also the District Head of Gatawa, was kidnapped on July 29 along with his son and six others on the Sokoto-Sabon Birni Road.

A distressing video showed the Emir pleading for ransom payment before his death, a situation that led to local protests and a curfew in Sabon Birni.

Our reporters gathered that the bandits’ recent activities have reignited concerns about their operations in the region.

In an interview with Daily Trust, Professor Bello Bada from Usmanu Danfodio University expressed frustration over the bandits’ apparent familiarity with local networks, questioning the effectiveness of local security measures.

He emphasized the need for a comprehensive solution to prevent further attacks.

Aminu Boza, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, reported that between Tsamaye and Sabon Birni, 192 people have been abducted, with over 20,000 hectares of land lost due to banditry.

He criticized the lack of security in affected areas and revealed ongoing efforts to increase military presence in the region.

The Sokoto State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmad Rufa’i, stated that no formal report had been received but would investigate the matter further.

By Uzair Adam 

The Kano State Police Command has apprehended 873 suspects implicated in armed robbery, kidnapping, and other offences in the wake of the recently concluded nationwide protests.

These individuals, arrested from various locations across the state, were presented to the media at the command’s headquarters in Kano on Monday. 

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Salma Dogo, highlighted the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order and safeguarding citizens’ rights to peaceful protest as key factors in these arrests.

Mr Dogo stated that 600 suspects were arrested during the protests for a range of offences in different parts of Kano State. 

Additionally, 150 individuals were detained for breaching the curfew, while six suspects were linked to orchestrating destruction and looting at the Kano State Printing Press.

Furthermore, the police arrested 76 individuals, including a foreign tailor, for displaying Russian flags and confiscated two AK-47 rifles along with other significant assets. 

Among those arrested were two suspected kidnappers, five suspected armed robbers, and eight suspected car thieves, with a Beretta pistol also being recovered.

The police commissioner also mentioned that the command successfully rescued 13 victims of human trafficking. 

He assured the public that the suspects would face legal proceedings once investigations are concluded.

Mr Dogo urged the public to assist by providing intelligence information to help apprehend criminals. 

He reaffirmed the command’s dedication to proactively collaborating with other security agencies to address security threats.

By Uzair Adam 

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Salman-Dogo Garba, stated that no deaths occurred during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano State, despite reports suggesting otherwise. 

At a press conference where suspects were paraded on Monday, Garba said, “Going by the records, so far, we are not aware of any casualties recorded.”

This claim contrasts with several media reports that assert at least five individuals were killed when hoodlums allegedly hijacked the protests.

Garba disclosed that the police arrested 873 suspects and successfully prosecuted 600 individuals for various offences, including “criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, riot, theft, mischief, and arson.” 

Additionally, 150 people were arrested for violating the curfew imposed by the Kano State Government, and six suspects are under investigation for the destruction and looting of the Kano Printing Press.

The Commissioner of Police also revealed that 76 suspects, including a foreigner, were arrested for flying Russian flags and are being investigated for sedition at Force Headquarters in Abuja. 

Other arrests include 41 suspects linked to major crimes like “armed robbery, kidnapping, and car theft,” and the police successfully recovered “two AK-47 Exhibit Rifles and other substantial properties looted by the hoodlums at Audu Baku Secretariat NCC Office, High Court Complexes, Kano Printing Press (KPP), Super Markets.”

The command also rescued 13 trafficking victims and recovered various items, including “two AK-47 Rifles and one Beretta Pistol, 47 live ammunition, eight motor vehicles, and four sacks containing Exol Tablets.” 

Additional items recovered include “two Bajaj Boxer Motorcycles, 22 cows, 15 sheep, and four donkeys.”

He added that despite the challenges posed by the protests, Garba reiterated that the Kano State Police Command remains “committed to maintaining law and order, preventing crime, and protecting the rights of citizens to peaceful protest.”