Local

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The people of the Agadasawa community in Kano State were in profound mourning after a fire broke out and destroyed a house, killing a woman and her four children. 

The tragic incident, which has sparked sympathy from thousands of people across the state, was said to have occurred at midnight on Wednesday while the deceased were asleep. 

The deceased, Zainab, and her four children, Amatullahi, Amaturrahman, Safiyya, and Muhammad, were family members of a Kano businessman, Ado Muhammad Uba. 

A relative, Jazuli Jibril Aminu, reported that the tragic incident occurred when electricity was restored and the woman forgot to turn off the refrigerator she had plugged in, which caused the gas cylinder to explode. 

According to Aminu, Zainab frantically tried to save her children from the fire, but her efforts were sadly in vain. 

“Upon realising the fire outbreak, the mother, in her attempt to rescue her four children, couldn’t see the way. 

“So, being a mother, she decided to put all the children beneath her so that the fire could burn only her. 

“Sadly, all the clothes she was wearing burned in her body, and the children also got burned,” Aminu disclosed. 

Attempts to save the victims were in vain 

Aminu, who described the incident as a terrible tragedy, said the victims were rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialists Hospital. 

However, one of the children sadly passed away on the way to the hospital.

Two days later, two more children followed, leaving only their mother and one child. 

While receiving treatment, Zainab, the mother, also passed away on Friday, and the last child died the following day. 

My cousin is in a state of complete family loss 

“This family belongs to my cousin, who, Allah the WISEST, tested with a complete family loss. The husband, Baba Ado, had gone to work in another state when he tragically lost his entire family. 

“Baba Ado is now left with neither family nor wealth, for everything in the house has burned to ashes. Ya Rabb, Ya Rahman, and Ya Razzaq, come to the rescue of Baba Ado. This is a very serious test. Please, brothers and sisters, pray for them and Baba Ado.” 

Pray for me and my family—husband 

Ado Muhammad, the husband, found it difficult to speak in detail about the incident when he was contacted by the Daily Reality. 

Muhammad rather pleaded with people to include him in their prayers so that he could cope with the loss and to also pray for his family members. 

He said, “I take this as a test of faith. So, I ask my fellow Muslims to pray for me so that I can cope with this loss and pray for my family.”

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari 

A pastor of the Christ Apostolic Church, Abiodun Sunday, has been apprehended by the police in Ekiti State for the alleged murder of his wife.  

The Ekiti State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the murder of the pastor’s wife, Tosin Oluwadere, in Ido-Ile in Ekiti West LGA of Ekiti State on Thursday.  

The police spokesperson further disclosed that the suspect is in the custody of the police and that an investigation into the murder is ongoing. 

It was gathered that the suspect is both a pastor and a herbalist. 

A brother of the deceased, Mr. Samuel Ibironke, alleged that, “After killing my sister, he called my wife who is a health worker to come and assist him, only for my wife to get there and discover that he strangled my sister to death.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Sani Yakubu Noma, the Member of the House of Representatives for Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency in Kebbi State, has announced plans to give out 100 female orphans in marriage as part of his efforts to contribute to the welfare of orphans in his constituency.

 Addressing journalists in his hometown of Argungu, Noma revealed that the marriage ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Palace of the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad Mera, on Saturday. 

He explained that a committee has been established to oversee the event, and the selected individuals for marriage were chosen from the two local government areas he represents at the National Assembly. 

According to Noma, “Already, I have procured beds, mattresses, essential furniture, and other matrimonial commodities for the beneficiaries.” 

However, this initiative has sparked a wave of controversy, with varying opinions on the appropriateness of such a move. 

While the lawmaker frames it as a benevolent gesture toward orphans, critics argue that it raises ethical questions about the right to choose a life partner.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

There was a tragedy in Sharada, Kano, as 35-year-old Saleh Abdullahi was discovered lifeless in a room, having taken his own life by hanging yesterday.

The distressing scene unfolded when Saleh’s brother, Idris Hamisu, returned home from morning prayers. 

Hamisu recounted the tragic discovery to the Daily Trust: “I came back from morning prayers, my wife wanted to prepare food for our children and she was looking for matches to set fire but there was none. She remembered that Salisu was usually using it for local perfume. When she sent our child to collect the matches, the boy saw him hanging and he ran back shouting that Yaya Saleh was hung by someone. I then rushed to the room and saw it was true.” 

The victim left behind a note, the initial words of which read, “I am sorry,” yet the remaining contents remained indecipherable, leaving a veil of mystery over the motive behind this heartbreaking act. 

Idris Hamisu, grappling with the tragedy, shared insights into Saleh’s recent struggles: “We didn’t have any problem. All I know is that these recent days he had been worried, and as businessmen, we usually feel like that when the market is bad. 

‘’We are business people and we trade in furniture, but Saleh sometimes engaged in buying and selling old materials.  

“He showed signs of worry these days because he collected money from someone and bought materials worth N400,000 in Rijiyar Zaki from some people and they took him to the house where they kept the materials and told him to come back another day to take them. When he asked for their phone number, they said since he saw the house he could just come back anytime, and when he went back later he could not find the house. That was what caused the worry for him because the money was not his and the owner put pressure on him to pay back.” 

The frustration of being unable to locate the sellers intensified Saleh’s mounting stress, with lenders demanding repayment.

The Daily Reality has not been able to come across any statement from authorities in respect of the incident.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Mr Bassey Sardauna, a secondary school teacher at Government Model School, Jalingo, met a tragic end when he was fatally stabbed by a former student, who remains at large, on Thursday evening.

The incident was confirmed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Usman. 

According to Usman, the attack occurred in a tricycle following an earlier altercation between the teacher and his assailant, identified as James Williams.

The police are actively pursuing Williams, emphasizing their commitment to bringing him to justice. 

In a statement condemning the attack, Dr Augustina Godwin, the state Commissioner for Education, shed light on the events leading to the tragedy.

The confrontation began when the former student, accompanied by a friend, walked through a line of students awaiting inspection.

An argument ensued after the deceased teacher questioned the behavior. 

“The deceased asked why he walked through the students instead of passing behind them and while the former student made his way back to follow as the deceased teacher had directed, his friend asked why he should obey and do what the deceased said.

“From there commotion started and the deceased hit one of the two of them with a stick. The former student came to the school because he wanted one of his teachers to sign his Air Force application form, which his father made a call earlier asking for assistance for his son from one of the teachers.

“When the incident got to the knowledge of the school authority, they quickly called for the local vigilante in the area to keep watch over the school until closing time. The vigilante personnel left the school shortly before closing time. Some teachers decided to go with the deceased to take a tricycle the boys who were hiding attacked and stabbed him, leading to his death,” explained Commissioner Godwin. 

Governor Agbu Kefas, responding to the incident, has directed a thorough investigation and increased security surveillance to prevent such tragedies in the future.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Mr Emmanuel Bello, the Governor expressed profound sadness and called for swift justice for the grieving family and the school community.

By Muhamamad Suleiman Yobe

The Jigawa state chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has elected new officers to run its affairs for another three years.

Those elected are Aisha Iliyasu Surko of Radio Jigawa as chairperson,  Bishira Muhammad from Horizon FM Dutse as deputy chairperson, Salamatu Nuhu from FM Sawaba Hadejia as secretary, Maryam Ibrahim from NTA Dutse as deputy secretary and Aisha Muhammad Sani from Radion Jigawa  as Treasurer.

The election was conducted at Press Centre Dutse by the National Secretary of NAWOJ, Rabi Gwadabe.

In her acceptance speech, the newly elected chairperson, Aisha Iliyasu Surko, commended members for giving her the mandate and called on other contestants to come and contribute to the development of the Union.

Managing Directors of Radio Jigawa, Yusif Adamu Babura and JTV Abba Muhammad Tukur Gantsa, an elder of the Union Hajia Zainab Rabo Ringim and security agencies witnessed the election.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari 

The cult war at the University of Benin has resulted in the death of a student at the university.

Three other students of the institution were reported to have sustained different degrees of injuries as a result of the clash. 

However, as of the time of writing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident. 

“I am yet to be briefed of [sic] such an incident. When I get the brief, I will let you know but for now no information,” he said.  

The incident reportedly happened at the Anatomy Department of the University on Friday, when the enraged cultists stormed the department gate to kill their target.

The deceased was shot at close range, while others were shot while trying to escape. 

The cult clash has caused panic among students and members of the staff of the institution. 

The University of Benin is reputed for deadly cult attacks in the country. Many students of the institution believed this incident was the university living up to its reputation.

By Mansur Hassan, PhD

Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State, has recently shed light on the alleged misappropriation of funds by Nigerian governors, exposing lack of impactful policies.

Over the past eight years, Kano State witnessed a dearth of policies that benefit the less privileged directly. In contrast, the Kwankwasiyya administration, led by Abba Gida Gida, has swiftly demonstrated its prowess in governance within five months, particularly through transformative healthcare and educational ‘revolution’ spanning from primary to tertiary levels.

Under Kwankwasiyya’s leadership, there has been a significant focus on education, including sponsoring first-class graduates to foreign universities—an initiative emulated by other nations. The educational revolution initiated during the 1999-2003 and 2011-2015 periods has left an enduring mark, with numerous scholars benefiting from foreign scholarships.

However, the governors who presided over the state from 2015 to 2023 failed to implement any substantial policies for the state’s improvement. Criticism was leveled against the transformative programs introduced by H.E. Abba Kabir Yusuf, particularly after the mass wedding event known as “auren ‘yangata.” The sponsorship of 1001 first-class graduates further intensified opposition, with the former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, dismissing the program as useless.

This criticism seemingly stemmed from the program’s focus on underprivileged children, contrasting with Ganduje’s past sponsorship of his own children’s education abroad. The clash underscores a debate on priorities and equitable policies in Kano State.

Dr. Mansur Hassan is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano

By Muhammadu Sabiu

The Borno Police Command confirmed the arrest of two suspects, Adamu Ibrahim and Bukar Wadiya, in connection with the alleged murder of 24-year-old Fatima Alhaji-Bukar. 

Fatima is said to be a resident of Dikechiri, Bayan Gidan Dambe area in Maiduguri metropolis. 

The incident unfolded on October 18, 2023, when Adamu Alhaji Ibrahim, presenting himself as the victim’s husband, arrived at the Gwange Division seeking urgent police intervention.

Preliminary findings suggested a history of domestic disputes, primarily linked to accusations of marital infidelity. 

Upon investigation, the police discovered the victim’s lifeless body in her residence, surrounded by disturbing evidence, including a short pestle, a bag, rope, a blood-stained rug carpet, a knife, and a Honda vehicle.

Notably, there were no signs of forced entry, indicating that the perpetrator likely had access to the house and was later confirmed to be the husband. 

The suspects, Adamu Ibrahim and Bukar Wadiya, were promptly apprehended as prime suspects.

The Borno Police Command is diligently conducting an in-depth investigation, aiming to bring justice to the victim and her family in this tragic incident.

 By Ahmad Deedat Zakari 

A 23-year-old, Akaninyene Sunday Isaac, has been accused of the murder of his 55-year-old mother, Christiana Sunday Isaac. 

The incident happened at Oruk Uso Otoro village in Abak LGA of Akwa Ibom State. 

Confirming the incident, police spokesman in the state, SP Odiko Macdon, said the suspect, who was arrested on October 11, 2023, confessed to the crime and would soon be arraigned in court. 

According to family sources, food was the cause of the altercation between the mother and the child, resulting in the death of the former.

The deceased was said to have starved the young man for three days. 

Isaac usually requested money from his mother, who always granted his request, but on that fateful day, she denied him his request, saying there was no money. 

A relative explained that the mother’s refusal infuriated Isaac, who used a machete to attack her, which led to her death before she could get medical attention, adding that the corpse had been deposited in the mortuary.