Local

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Security forces in Katsina State, Northern Nigeria, have announced the killing of 30 bandits following a counter-operation in Faskari Local Government Area.

The action came in response to attacks launched by the terrorists on three villages within the state on Tuesday.

The bandits had targeted the villages of Kadisau, Raudama, and Sabon Layi.

This prompted a coordinated response involving ground troops from the police and army, supported by the Nigerian Air Force.

The joint operation successfully neutralized 30 terrorists.

However, the engagement resulted in the loss of five security personnel and one civilian.Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, confirmed the success.

He stated that security forces, acting on prior intelligence about the bandits’ planned attack, deployed personnel from Dandume and the Nigerian Air Force to intercept the assailants.

“After a prolonged gunfight involving ground and air assets,” Mu’azu said, “the bandits’ attempted attack was successfully repelled.”

Katsina State is located in Nigeria’s troubled North-West region, which has endured persistent bandit attacks leading to significant loss of lives and property.

By Anwar Usman

The Kano State government has ordered a temporary stoppage of the importation of metal scraps and waste materials from the Northeastern states, especially those ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency.

The order is contained in a press statement by Muhammad Dahir Idris, the Director of Public Relations and Enlightenment of the ministry, which was made available to journalists.

According to the statement, the commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services, AVM Ibrahim Umaru (Rtd), gave the directive on Wednesday during a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Scraps and Waste Dealers, Employers of Nigeria.

Umaru said the order was due to the recent bomb explosion at the warehouse of such scrap materials along the Western Bypass Road and the Kofar Ruwa, which resulted in the loss of lives and properties.

He urged members of the association to take preventive measures aimed at preventing such occurrences and ensure that explosives are not present in scrap materials before they are imported into the state.

“As Kano State will continue to protect your interest and your business, you should come up with a written policy and plans that will boost your business,” the commissioner urged the association.

On his part, the Regional President of the association, Aminu Hassan, informed the commissioner that his association had already ceased purchasing scrap and waste materials from states affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

He assured Umaru that they would continue to be law-abiding business partners, just as he emphasised the need for the Kano State government to support them in improving their businesses.

The president further outlined some challenges bedevilling the association, including the inflow of underage children as scavengers, even as he readily disassociated the group from any form of involvement in the use of children as scavengers in the business.

However, he blamed the parents or guardians of such children and wards for their poor moral upbringing.

Hassan assured the commissioner that his association would not relent in its efforts to prevent the future occurrence of such incidents.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

A Kano State High Court has handed down a combined sentence of 120 years to six members of a notorious child abduction and trafficking syndicate found guilty of abducting and selling children under the age of 10.

The convicts, who operated between Kano and Onitsha, Anambra State, were charged with multiple counts of child abduction, trafficking, and conspiracy. According to court records, the group abducted several young children from various parts of Kano and trafficked them across state lines to Onitsha, where the children were sold.

Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, who presided over the case, found all six guilty as charged and sentenced them to various prison terms without the option of a fine.

Justice Yusuf described the crimes as “heinous and inhuman,” noting that the syndicate’s actions had caused “unimaginable trauma to innocent families.”

She sentenced Mercy Paul to 55 years imprisonment, Ebere Ogbono to 41 years, Emmanuel Igwe to 9 years, Loius Duru to 6 years, Monica Oracha to 5 years, and Chinelo Ifedigwe to 9.

The verdict follows years of investigation and cooperation between security agencies in Kano and Anambra. Parents of the abducted children expressed relief at the ruling, calling it a step toward justice.

Authorities say efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining missing children and dismantle the broader trafficking network.

By Uzair Adam 

The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, witnessed a mammoth gathering on Thursday as thousands of supporters lined the streets to welcome him back from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he had gone for the Hajj pilgrimage.

The Daily Reality gathered that what is ordinarily a 30-minute drive from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport to the Kano State Government House took several hours due to the massive turnout of well-wishers who accompanied the governor’s convoy amid chants, music, and the waving of red caps — the symbol of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

Commending the solidarity and support shown to the governor, the AKY Go Again Movement, in a statement on Sunday, expressed deep appreciation to the people of Kano, political and non-political groups, and government officials for their overwhelming participation in the reception rally.

The statement, signed by Hon. Ramadan Yusuf on behalf of the group, described the turnout as a clear demonstration of loyalty and love for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and a reaffirmation of the strength of the Kwankwasiyya Movement under the visionary leadership of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

“We organised this grand reception to show appreciation for the impactful and transformative leadership of Governor Yusuf, and to publicly declare our unwavering support for his continuity in office beyond 2027,” the statement read in part.

The group said Governor Yusuf’s people-first leadership style, dedication to restoring dignity in governance, and delivery of key developmental projects have set Kano on a path of progress and prosperity.

It added that the AKY Go Again Movement will continue to serve as a strategic platform to mobilise grassroots support, highlight the administration’s achievements, and promote the ideals of progressive leadership espoused by the Kwankwasiyya philosophy.

The statement listed key members steering the movement, including Alhaji Tijjani Hussain Gandu (SSA Mawallafa), Hon. Sadeeq Kote (Chairman), Hon. Abdullahi Sarki Fulani (SSA, Kano State Censorship Board), Hon. Abubakar Muhammad Inuwa (SSA on Reformatory Institutes), Hon. Sulaiman Mukhtar Bichi, Hon. Ramadan Yusuf (SSA on Media Monitoring and Innovation), Hon. Aminu Yanmedi, Hon. Yakubu Kubaraci, and Hon. Shamsu Kura.

The movement prayed for Allah’s continued guidance and protection for Governor Yusuf as he continues to serve the people of Kano State.

By Fatima Ishaq Muhammad

Kano, known for its deep Islamic practices and royal traditions, witnessed a historic and uneasy moment during the 2025 Eid-el-Kabir celebrations as two rival Emirs led separate congregational prayers in different parts of the city.

This development demonstrated the woeful crisis over the leadership of the Kano traditional Emirate, which, indeed, remained one of the most powerful traditional institutes in northern Nigeria.

Moreover, on one side was Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, reinstated in May 2024 by the Kano State Government after being dethroned in 2020. Aminu Ado Bayero was installed as Emir on the other side after Sanusi’s removal. He still maintains that he remains the rightful occupant of the royal seat.

During the Eid celebrations, Emir Sanusi II led prayers at the Kofar Mata Eid Ground, traditionally recognized as the seat of the Emir’s religious leadership.

Meanwhile, Emir Aminu Bayero held his prayers at a different location, with loyalists gathered around him. For the first time in recent memory, Kano experienced two major Eid congregations, each holding up to a divided royal allegiance within the ancient city.

This unprecedented situation did not happen in isolation, but it resulted from the recurring tussle over the Kano Emirate, rooted in politics and personal rivalries.

Sanusi II’s removal in 2020 by the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje was widely termed as punishment for his massive outspoken criticism of the government.

His reinstatement by the current government of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has been challenged in court by Bayero’s supporters, creating legal and political uncertainty over who the legitimate Emir of Kano is.

The split Eid prayers skyrocketed across Kano and beyond, symbolizing the Emirate’s division and disunity of authority.

What should have been a day of religious unity became a visible sign of division in the state’s leadership. Thankfully, no major disturbances were reported, though tensions remain high.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, the traditional Durbar festival, which usually follows the Eid prayers, was banned by the police for security reasons.

The ban disappointed many residents, as the Durbar is integral to Kano’s cultural identity and economic life.

As the legal battles escalate, many residents and observers fear that the division within Kano’s traditional leadership could escalate unless a clear resolution is provided by the courts or through dialogue among key stakeholders.

For now, Kano remains a city with two Emirs, two congregations, and a divided loyalty, awaiting clarity on the future of one of northern Nigeria’s most important royal institutions.

Fatima Ishaq Muhammad via fatimaishaq021@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam 

The Gaya Emirate Council in Kano State has withdrawn the traditional title of Wazirin Gaya from Alhaji Usman Alhaji, a former Secretary to the State Government during the administration of ex-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The Daily Reality gathered that, although the council did not give detailed reasons, the decision may be linked to Alhaji’s recent public criticism of the Abba Kabir Yusuf-led government over alleged excessive borrowing, claims the government has since refuted.

In an official letter addressed to the former titleholder, the Secretary of the Gaya Emirate Council, Alhaji Bello Halilu, stated that the title was withdrawn due to “certain unavoidable circumstances,” adding that the decision takes immediate effect.

“The Council deeply appreciates the contributions and commitment of Alhaji Usman Alhaji during his period of service as Wazirin Gaya,” the letter read in part.

It further acknowledged his support for the traditional institution and his role in promoting the Emirate’s cultural heritage, stressing the council’s resolve to uphold the sanctity and integrity of traditional titles.

The public was urged to take note of the development.

Alhaji, who also serves as the National President of APC Patriotic Volunteers, had recently challenged the Kano State government to account for a $6.6 million external loan allegedly obtained between June and December 2023, according to figures from the Debt Management Office (DMO).

He also accused the administration of mismanaging N5 billion in ecological funds and rated the government’s performance poorly over the past two years.

By Uzair Adam 

Former Chairman of Wudil Local Government Council, Abubakar Abdullahi Likita, on Monday slumped and died during the funeral prayer of his close associate, former Dala Local Government Chairman, Mahmoud Sani Madakin Gini, in Kano.

Likita collapsed while the Janazah prayer was ongoing, causing panic among mourners. Efforts to revive him failed, and he was confirmed dead shortly afterwards.

A close associate, Abubakar Musa, told journalists that Likita’s funeral prayer will take place on Tuesday at 10:00 AM at his residence in Bompai, Kano.

It was gathered that Likita was in the same vehicle with the 2023 Kano State governorship candidate, Dr. Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, on their way to the funeral.

It was earlier reported that Madakin Gini died in a car crash along the Kaduna-Abuja highway on Monday.

The deaths of the two prominent political figures have thrown Kano’s political scene into mourning, especially among those who served under the Shekarau-led administration.

By Uzair Adam 

The Kano State Government has refuted claims that it secured a new external loan of $6.6 million under the current New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) administration.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director General of the State Public Debt Management Office, Hamisu Sadi Ali, described the allegation as false and politically driven.

The claim was made by a group known as the APC Patriotic Volunteers, which alleged that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s government had taken a fresh loan within two years of assuming office—an allegation earlier reported by the Daily Nigerian on June 11, 2025.

Sadi Ali dismissed the report, insisting that the present administration had not contracted any new domestic or external loans since coming into power.

“Since the inception of the NNPP-led administration till today, the Kano State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has not taken a single fresh loan,” he said.

He clarified that the government is still servicing loans inherited from the previous All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, which he described as a “wasted” eight-year period under former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The debt office boss also criticised Usman Alhaji, the leader of the APC group and former Secretary to the State Government, questioning his understanding of the 2021 law that established the State Public Debt Management Office—a law signed during the APC administration.

“If he claims ignorance of the law, we must remind him of Section 4(b), which empowers the State Debt Management Office to borrow on behalf of the government—under strict procedures and documentation,” Sadi Ali said.

He challenged the group to provide verifiable evidence from the Federal Debt Management Office in Abuja to back their claims.

“They should provide the name of the creditor, the subsidiary loan agreement, the purpose of the loan, the amortisation schedule, and whether it is a multilateral or bilateral loan,” he added.

Sadi Ali emphasised that the public can now differentiate between facts and political propaganda, adding that Governor Yusuf remains committed to fulfilling his mandate without being distracted by baseless accusations.

By Anas Abbas, Anwar Usman and Uzair Adam

There is growing outrage among the students of Northwest University, Kano, following a significant increase in school fees for the 2025/2026 academic session.

The Daily Reality gathered that the increase is nearly 100 percent, causing many students to question whether they will be able to continue their studies given the worsening economic situation in the country.

In an exclusive interview with our reporters, the students, many of whom pay their own fees, have made passionate pleas to the school authorities to reconsider the hike.

They warn that if the situation remains unchanged, higher education will be accessible only to the children of the elites in the country.

The Daily Reality recalls that the previous reduction in fees by 50 percent, initiated by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, had made the university one of the most accessible institutions in the state.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s inflation rate as of January 2025 is 24.48 percent. Though it has dropped from the December 2024 figure of 34.80 percent, Nigerians continue to struggle with the high cost of everyday necessities.

The fee hike is untimely

Most of the students who spoke to The Daily Reality expressed deep concern, describing the increase as ill-timed, especially in light of the economic hardship in Nigeria.

They lamented that they were not prepared for the hike and had no plans to cope with it, leading to troubling thoughts about their future and the possibility of continuing their studies.

One student, Ibrahim Muhammad (not his real name), shared his worries with The Daily Reality, stating, “The registration fee is beyond imagination.”

He added that the school authorities did not inform them in advance, and they were shocked to see the Remita platform reflecting the sudden increase—an amount they find unbearable.

Muhammad, who came to Kano from a neighbouring state, highlighted the importance of the earlier fee reduction, saying, “I chose this university because of the 50% reduction. We urge Governor Abba to consider our plight and take action.”

The burden is too heavy

Another student, Isma’il Shu’aibu (also not his real name), voiced his frustration: “Last session, I paid 18,000 naira, but now I’m being asked to pay 57,000 naira.”

Shu’aibu further added that, “This is far too much, and many students will struggle to afford it.”

A Growing Crisis

The students noted that the increase would only worsen an already challenging situation, urging the school authorities to reconsider their decision.

Shu’aibu added that even the previous fee of 18,000 naira was a struggle for many students, pushing some to consider dropping out.

“Many students are appealing through the media for help to pay their registration fees,” he lamented.

“As I speak to you, I am paying for my own education. I don’t have 57,000 naira, and I don’t know where to find it,” Shu’aibu concluded.

Many students who feared to speak with journalists expressed dissatisfaction about the hike. They shared a common concern about how the new fees might force them to abandon their studies.

They expressed, “We have no idea how we will manage to pay this new fee. It’s simply too much for us, especially with how hard it is to survive these days.”

Increase a blessing in disguise – Authority

Despite bitter complaints from students, the school authorities argue that the increase is, in fact, a blessing in disguise for them.

Speaking to The Daily Reality, the university registrar, Malam Isyaku Adamu, confirmed the hike and explained that it would help students participate in the National Education Loan Fund (Nelfund), noting that many of their students had not been taking advantage of the programme.

He stated, “The Nelfund is the national cake. If Musa and Isa refuse to eat, Jon and Jack will eat. So this is to also encourage our students to participate and benefit from the Federal Government’s programme.”

He added that the increase was also meant to help the university meet certain critical needs. Adamu emphasized that Northwest University is still among the most affordable institutions in Nigeria, based on the university’s own research.

“If you look at what the students pay in a year, even after maintaining laboratories, the library, health services, electricity, water, and environmental sanitation, the money is still very cheap,” he said.

He concluded that the fees are not even sufficient to cover all expenses, reiterating that even primary and secondary school pupils pay more than what Northwest University students pay per year.

By Anwar Usman

Government Secondary School Kwakwaci, Kano, has a rich history of academic excellence spanning decades. Over the years, the school has produced thousands of graduates who have gone on to achieve greater things.

The Daily Reality reliably gathered that despite these notable achievements, the school is now facing significant challenges.

Many fear that Kwakwaci will be among the schools in Kano State that may cease to exist due to severe environmental and managerial problems that have plagued the institution.

These unresolved issues threaten to ultimately force the school to close its doors.

Part of the problems bedevilling the school include dilapidated classrooms, abandoned laboratories, and other infrastructural decay, further exacerbated by rampant theft of school facilities by hooligans living in the vicinity.

Neglect despite huge education allocations

The Daily Reality also gathered that this menace persists despite the state’s declaration of an emergency in the education sector and the allocation of massive funds to improve education in the state.

This persistent neglect raises uncomfortable questions about the priorities of the Kano State Government, which allocated a staggering ₦95 billion to the education sector in its 2024 budget and an additional ₦168,350,802,346.19 (representing 31.00% of the budget) in 2025, making education one of the most heavily funded sectors in the state.

Current state of the school

The once-proud institution has no gate to protect its infrastructure, giving people of all kinds unrestricted access to the premises.

A staffer of the school, who spoke under the condition of anonymity during an interview with our reporter, lamented how the school has been grappling with issues that threaten its very existence.

“At night or after school hours, people enter the school and steal whatever they want due to the absence of security personnel at the gate,” he said.

He added that, “That’s what makes it easy for people to engage in criminal activities like smoking, drug abuse, and other illegal acts.”

He further noted, “The school is located very close to a market, and people have taken advantage of that proximity to carry out illegal activities.”

Other schools suffering a similar fate

Kwakwaci is not the only school in this dire situation. Several other schools are either on the verge of collapse or desperately need renovation to continue operating.

Schools like Mai Kwatashi, GSS Tudun Bojuwa and many others in the rural communities have suffered from over a decade of neglect.

In the case of GSS Tudun Bojuwa, the school has no gate, students sit on the floor, and the classrooms lack doors and windows, among other distressing conditions.

It is evident that while the state government’s declaration of an emergency in education is a vital step, these persistent problems continue to undermine teaching and learning.

Response from the principal

When contacted, the principal of Government Secondary School Kwakwaci said he was not fully aware of the situation.

“The only thing I know is that the school has no junior secondary students because they are under the supervision of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and they don’t send junior secondary students here anymore,” he said.

He attributed the lack of students to the high cost of living. “Most of the students come from areas like Kurna, Rijiyar Lemo, and Bachirawa.

“Many parents cannot afford the transport fare for their children, and that’s why the school has no junior classes.”

He added, “We only have SS2 and SS3 classes, and we have already appealed to stakeholders to reconsider the situation and send fresh students for junior secondary education.”

Government response

TDR also contacted the Kano State Ministry of Education through its Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdullahi, who referred us to the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Secondary Schools Management Board (KSSMB) for a comprehensive report on the condition of the school.

However, the Executive Secretary’s phone could not be reached.

Efforts to contact the PRO of the KSSMB also proved futile as there was no response to the calls and messages we sent to him at the time of compiling this report.

Many people believe that it is high time the government took decisive action to address the plight of these schools, especially Kwakwaci.

They also believe that that would help not only in revitalising education but also in curbing illegal activities by individuals who exploit the school’s deteriorating facilities.