Local

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Kano State Hisbah Board has concluded arrangements to commence enforcement against female passengers who sit beside male tricycle drivers in Kano State, in a move it says is aimed at promoting morality in society.

In a statement issued by its Director of Public Enlightenment, Auwalu Ado Sheshe, the Board said the operation would be carried out in collaboration with associations of tricycle riders and owners across the state.

The directive specifically targets situations where women ride in close proximity to drivers who are not their maharams while using commercial tricycles, popularly known as Adaidaita Sahu. The Board described the measure as part of efforts to sanitize the transport sector and prevent actions that could attract the displeasure of Allah (SWT).

It called on all tricycle operators to comply with the new regulation to avoid sanctions, warning that enforcement would begin imminently.

Female passengers were also urged to adhere to the directive, which the Board said is intended to safeguard their dignity and that of their families.

The Hisbah Board reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a morally upright society guided by Islamic teachings, stressing that it is fully prepared to enforce the measure across the state.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Security operatives in Adamawa State have arrested three suspects, including a son accused of taking part in the abduction of his own father in Malabu community, Fufore Local Government Area.

The arrest was confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Adamawa State Command, Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje. He said the development followed the kidnapping of Alhaji Ahmadu on January 30, 2026.

Nguroje explained that the action of the operatives was “in compliance with the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, to intensify operations against criminal elements.”

He stated that police personnel, in collaboration with members of the Miyetti Allah local security outfit, stormed a hideout believed to be used by kidnappers in Jera village, Malabu District of Fufore LGA.

During the raid, three men were taken into custody. The suspects were identified as Lawali Haruna, 45; Yahaya Ibrahim, 25; and Da’u Alhaji Ahmadu, 28. All are residents of Jera community.

Police authorities described the incident as “more worrisome,” after confirming that one of those arrested is the biological son of the victim.

“All the three suspects confessed to their involvement in the crime,” the statement added.

The command disclosed that efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted victim safely and track down other members of the kidnapping gang. The suspects remain in detention while investigation continues.

The Commissioner of Police praised the joint effort between the police and local security groups. He assured residents of sustained operations to protect lives and property across the state. He also called on the public to assist law enforcement agencies with “timely and credible information” as the investigation progresses.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A police officer serving in the Borno State Police Command has returned N2.6 million that was accidentally credited to his bank account.

Mohammad Alhaji Muhammad was praised for his honesty and integrity after voluntarily returning the funds. Nahum Daso, the state police spokesperson, shared a post by Bello Jafar on Facebook commending the officer.

“I would like to formally express my appreciation for Mohammad Alhaji Muhammad, a loyal customer of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and a police officer of exceptional integrity,” Daso wrote.

Jafar also highlighted the significance of Mohammad’s action, stating: “His conduct reflects the true values expected of a police officer and serves as an example worthy of recognition and commendation. Acts like this strengthen public trust and highlight the importance of integrity in both professional and personal life.”

Daso told TheCable that the accidental transfer occurred around 6 p.m. on Thursday. “The officer saw the money and was surprised because he was not expecting that money. So he reached out to his account manager who asked him to go to the bank. When he got to the bank he was asked to fill a form for the reversal,” he said.

“The bank officials expressed surprise because what they usually experience in such cases is that the recipients will use the money for their own personal gain. What the officer did shows integrity.”

Mohammad’s action has been widely lauded as a rare display of honesty and responsibility, reinforcing public confidence in the police and in the values of ethical conduct.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Worshippers who were abducted from churches in Kurmin Wali community, along the Kufana axis of Kajuru Local Government Area in Kaduna State, have regained their freedom after spending weeks in captivity.

The incident occurred on January 18, 2026. Gunmen invaded the community during church service and took away many worshippers into a nearby forest.

Reports indicated that no fewer than 177 persons were kidnapped in the attack. The development triggered outrage and anxiety among residents and across the state.

Sources said the victims were released late Wednesday night. Heavy-duty vehicles were sighted moving in and out of a forest close to Maro town between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., raising suspicion that the captives were being transported out of the area.

According to a report, community leaders disclosed that the abducted worshippers were brought out of the forest in the early hours of Friday. However, details surrounding their freedom remain uncertain. It is not clear who secured their release or if any ransom was paid.

The village head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, confirmed the development. He said the victims, made up of children, women, and men, are now in government custody.

A security source also verified that the abducted persons had been freed.

The victims were subsequently moved to the Government House in Kaduna, where they are expected to undergo debriefing.

As of the time this report was filed, the Kaduna State Government had not released any official statement on the incident.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Anambra State Police Command has taken into custody a 29-year-old woman, Mrs. Edeh Osinachi, over the alleged physical abuse of a 17-year-old domestic worker in Awka, the state capital.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday. He said officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Education handed the suspect over to the police on February 4, 2026.

Ikenga explained that the transfer of Osinachi to the police formed part of measures aimed at protecting the welfare and safety of students and pupils across the state.

Police said the victim worked as a domestic help under the supervision of the suspect.

According to the statement, the case came to light after school authorities observed serious injuries on the girl’s body during a teaching session. The discovery raised concern among staff members, which prompted further inquiries.

Subsequent findings revealed that the injuries were allegedly inflicted at home.

Ikenga said the teenager accused the suspect of attacking her after alleging that she used a mobile phone without permission. She claimed the suspect became angry and subjected her to severe punishment.

“She alleged that Osinachi, enraged by her action, punished her by pressing a heated electric iron against parts of her body, inflicting serious injuries.”

“During interrogation by the Police, the suspect reportedly confessed to the act,” the statement read.

The Police Command praised the alertness and swift response of the school authorities. It noted that their intervention prevented further harm to the victim.

Ikenga assured the public that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and that the suspect would face prosecution in accordance with the law.

He also urged parents and guardians to accept only responsibilities they can properly manage.

While investigations continue, the police warned that negligence can expose children to abuse when they are placed in the care of others.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

One person has been confirmed dead while several others sustained injuries after a violent clash disrupted a wedding event in Tulmi, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.

Details of the incident emerged in a post shared on X on Tuesday by security analyst Zangozola Makama. According to the post, the violence broke out on Sunday at about 10:30 p.m. during a send-off ceremony organised in honour of a wedding by Godiya Mai Rai.

Makama stated that the fight involved a group of men from Garin Ardo Usman village and two other individuals at the venue.

“A group of men from Garin Ardo Usman village, including Wada Hussaini, Ganji Alhaji Idi, Yaya Hussaini, Mohammed Maikudi, Bello Alhaji Idi, and one Tijjani, reportedly clashed with Abubakar Usman, 35, and Bello Adamu, 19,” Makama wrote.

The confrontation resulted in the death of Abubakar Usman, while Bello Adamu and Wada Hussaini sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Sources said the injured victims were taken to Cottage Hospital Tulmi for medical attention. The body of the deceased was also deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.

Police authorities confirmed that the suspects escaped from the scene after the incident. They added that efforts are underway to track down and arrest those involved.

An investigation has also commenced to determine the circumstances that led to the deadly clash.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a suspected notorious thug, Auwalu Ali, popularly known as Auwalu Dan Baba, during a security operation in Kano metropolis.

The arrest followed what the police described as an intelligence-led operation carried out in the Dorayi area of the city. Officers from the Dorayi Police Division apprehended the 26-year-old suspect on January 31, 2026.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the command said Auwalu was a known figure in criminal activities across parts of the state. The police described him as someone who “has a history of coordinating and organising thuggery groups to attack and rob innocent citizens.”

The command also disclosed a separate incident that occurred in Sharada Quarters, where officers responded to a distress call involving a suspected armed robber. According to the police, the suspect was beaten to death by an angry mob after an attack that left a woman critically injured.

“The victim was rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, where a police officer selflessly donated blood, saving her life,” the statement said.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, praised the officers involved for their conduct. He commended their “sacrifice and professionalism,” with particular emphasis on the act of blood donation. The police chief also expressed appreciation to residents for their “continued support and cooperation.”

The command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police stations, as part of efforts to strengthen security across the state.

By The Daily Reality

A family in Benue State has accused a military convoy of killing a farmer, Mr Aondover Tseshom David, along the Katsina-Ala Road, an incident they described as reckless homicide and an abuse of power, SaharaReporters, a Nigerian online newspaper, reported.

The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, January 22, 2026, in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. The deceased was said to have been hit by a military convoy while attending to his daily activities aimed at supporting his family.

Relatives alleged that after the incident, security operatives dumped the farmer’s corpse at a police station. The body reportedly remained there until family members were contacted and compelled to arrange its retrieval.

The deceased’s first child, Miss Aondover Msendoo, demanded justice and described the incident as devastating and inhumane.

“My name is Aondover Msendoo. I am a 300-level Nursing student at Bayero University, Kano, and the first child of six,” she said.

“On Thursday, January 22, 2026, my life and that of my entire family were irrevocably shattered. My beloved father, Mr. Aondover Tseshom David, a poor, hardworking farmer from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, was brutally run down and killed by a military convoy along the Katsina-Ala Road.”

She said the family’s pain was worsened by how her father’s remains were treated after his death.

“The horror did not end with his death. His lifeless body was carelessly dumped at a police station as if he were trash, and left there until we, his traumatised family, could gather the strength and money to retrieve him. This act of profound indignity added immeasurable pain to our already unbearable loss,” she said.

Miss Msendoo said her father was the sole provider for the family and struggled daily to cater for his wife and six children.

“My father was the only provider for our family. His life was one of struggle, sacrifice and resilience. Just last July, we endured the agony of his kidnapping from his farm. We sold what little we had and borrowed money to pay a large ransom for his release,” she said.

She added that after his release, he returned to farming in an effort to rebuild their lives before his death.

“He survived criminals and kidnappers, only to be killed not by bandits, but by those sworn to protect the lives of Nigerians,” she said.

According to her, the family now faces severe hardship. She said her mother is overwhelmed, while relatives have mounted pressure for a quick burial due to increasing mortuary bills.

“We are now destitute. My mother is broken and under intense pressure from extended family members to bury my father immediately because of escalating mortuary costs. My five siblings are very young, and their future is now uncertain,” she said.

“As a student, I am struggling to see how I can continue my education while carrying this burden and at the same time fighting for justice for my father.”

Miss Msendoo rejected suggestions that the incident was accidental.

“We are convinced this was not an accident. It was an act of reckless homicide and a gross abuse of power, followed by the degrading treatment of my father’s remains. This speaks to a culture of impunity that has become common in our country,” she said.

She expressed concern that the case could be ignored without public attention and legal action.

“We fear that without the powerful voice of Nigerians and strong legal advocacy, this crime will be ignored and my father will become just another anonymous statistic,” she said.

The grieving daughter appealed to human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), to intervene and assist the family.

“Therefore, I humbly and desperately appeal for help. Please help us secure justice for my father. Help us hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure that no other family goes through this twin trauma of loss and indignity,” she said.

“We need guidance, legal expertise and strong advocacy to navigate this fight against a formidable system.”

Despite their circumstances, she said the family still believed in justice.

“We are poor, but we are not without hope. We believe in the rule of law and in champions who make it work for people like us,” she said.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army and the Benue State Police Command had not released any official statement on the incident.

By Zayyad Mohammed 

As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, the political temperature across the Northeast is steadily rising. Of the six states in the region, the All Progressives Congress (APC) currently governs four, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe,while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) controls Adamawa and Bauchi. For the APC, reclaiming Bauchi is not merely a state contest; it is a strategic necessity in consolidating dominance in the Northeast.

Political analysts often remind us that all politics is local. Nowhere is this truer than in Bauchi State, where history, identity, and grassroots connection frequently outweigh elite credentials and federal influence. As the race for 2027 gathers momentum, the central question is not just whether the APC can win Bauchi, but who within the party has the capacity to deliver that victory.

Within the Bauchi APC, the contest is shaping up as a high-stakes battleground involving heavyweight figures: Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Senator Shehu Buba Umar of Bauchi South; and former NAPIMS Managing Director, Alhaji Bala Wunti. Each brings distinct strengths, yet Bauchi’s political history suggests that not all strengths translate into electoral success.

Bauchi’s politics is unique, even by Nigerian standards. Since 1999, power has changed hands regularly after eight years, as seen in the transitions from Adamu Mu’azu to Isa Yuguda, and later to Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. This swinging pattern reflects a politically conscious electorate shaped by the enduring NEPU legacy, the sensitive Katagum–Bauchi balance, and an unwavering demand for grassroots leadership.

While Professor Ali Pate boasts international exposure and technocratic depth, his political challenge lies at home. Among many Bauchi voters, he is perceived as distant from local political struggles, earning the nickname “Wakilin Turawa”, a subtle but powerful reflection of weak grassroots resonance. Similarly, Alhaji Bala Wunti is widely regarded as competent and capable, yet Bauchi APC’s recent history with political newcomers raises red flags. In 2023, Air Vice Marshal Saddique Abubakar emerged suddenly to clinch the party ticket, only to suffer a resounding defeat at the polls. A similar pattern played out in 2015 when M.A. Abubakar rode the Buhari wave to victory but failed to secure a second term in 2019.

Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, though a seasoned political actor, faces another challenge which is common in Bauchi politics: perceived aloofness from the grassroots. In a state where political success depends on daily engagement with local realities, distance; real or imagined, can be costly.

Against this backdrop, Senator Shehu Buba Umar stands out as a politically grounded contender. Several critical factors tilt the scale in his favour. Notably, all Bauchi governors since 1999 have emerged from Bauchi South, aligning squarely with Senator Buba’s constituency. The enduring Katagum–Bauchi political factor further strengthens his position, as does his deep-rooted grassroots network across the state.

More importantly, Senator Buba is widely viewed as the only aspirant within the APC with the political reach and local acceptance required to confront and defeat an incumbent party. His long-standing engagement with party structures, traditional institutions, and grassroots actors has earned him the quiet support of many political stakeholders. In Bauchi, where elections are often won long before polling day through alliances and local trust, this advantage cannot be overstated.

It is therefore unsurprising that many observers believe the APC leadership, at state, national, and presidential levels, may ultimately rally around Senator Buba Shehu Umar. In a highly competitive state like Bauchi, emotion must give way to strategy, and strategy demands choosing a candidate who aligns with the state’s political realities.

For the APC, winning Bauchi in 2027 is part of a broader objective: securing all six Northeast states in both the gubernatorial and presidential elections. Achieving this requires a deliberate, state-by-state approach that prioritizes grassroots candidates and addresses genuine local agitations. In Bauchi, the choice of governorship candidate will not only determine the fate of the state election but could significantly influence the party’s presidential performance.

As history has repeatedly shown, Bauchi does not reward political experiments. It rewards familiarity, structure, and  grassroots connection. In that equation, Senator Shehu Buba Umar appears not just as a contender, but as the APC’s most viable pathway to victory in 2027.

Zayyad Mohammed writes from Abuja, 08036070980, zaymohd@yahoo.com

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kano State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation following the gruesome murder of a woman and her six children at their home in the Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters on Friday.

According to a police press release, a distress call was received at about 12:10 pm on January 17, 2025, reporting that unknown hoodlums had broken into the residence of Haruna Bashir and attacked his household.

The victims, identified as 35-year-old Fatima Abubakar and her six children, were assaulted with dangerous weapons, sustaining fatal injuries.

Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, immediately deployed a team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Lawal Isah Mani, to the scene.

The bodies were evacuated to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, where medical personnel confirmed their deaths.

The Police Commissioner has instructed a team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), led by ACP Wada Jarma, to conduct a thorough investigation to apprehend the perpetrators.

The command has expressed its condolences to the bereaved family, the Dorayi Chiranchi community, and the people of Kano State.