National

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The wife of slain Islamic scholar Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka has recounted how gunmen shot her husband dead outside their residence in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, as President Bola Tinubu ordered security agencies to track down the perpetrators.

Hajiya Fatima Masussuka said the attack occurred on Monday evening shortly after her husband left their home to attend a teaching session with his Almajirai, or Islamic pupils.

Speaking to journalists at their residence on Tuesday, Fatima explained that she had accompanied her husband outside before returning indoors after he realised he had forgotten his bag.

“Before I knew what was happening, I heard four gunshots. When I came out, I discovered that he had been shot,” she said.

Describing the deceased as a caring husband, Fatima disclosed that she was his second wife and that they had a daughter together.

Masussuka was killed alongside his friend, Adamu Abubakar, in the attack, which the Katsina State Police Command said was carried out by two armed men riding on a motorcycle.

According to the police, the incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 26, in front of the cleric’s residence in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area.

The victims were rushed to a nearby hospital but were pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

The police said tactical and operational teams had been deployed to the area, while an investigation was underway to identify and arrest the fleeing suspects.

Ansaru reportedly claims responsibility

Meanwhile, the Ansaru terrorist group has reportedly claimed responsibility for the killing in an audio message released on Tuesday.

According to reports, the group accused the cleric of being an infidel and claimed to have carried out the attack at about 8:30 p.m. However, it did not provide verifiable evidence to support its claim.

The Katsina State Police Command said it had not authenticated the reported claim.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, said security operatives were investigating the incident and would make further information public when the investigation was concluded.

“We heard of the rumour making the rounds, but we are yet to authenticate the claim. We are on the field, and once we conclude the investigation, we will make it public,” Sadiq said.

Ansaru, which is linked to al-Qaeda, broke away from Boko Haram in 2012 and has operated in parts of north-western Nigeria.

Tinubu, Radda condemn killing

President Tinubu condemned the killings, describing them as heinous acts that violated the sanctity of human life and the values of peace.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, their followers and the people of Katsina State.

Tinubu directed the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to track down and arrest those responsible for the attack.

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Radda, also mourned the cleric, describing him as an advocate of peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony.

In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, the governor called for a thorough investigation and urged security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.

He also appealed to residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information that could assist the investigation. He warned against actions capable of heightening tensions or undermining peace.

Cleric previously involved in preaching dispute

Masussuka, popularly known as the “Peace Ambassador,” had previously attracted the attention of the Katsina State Government over his preaching.

Authorities had received complaints alleging that some of his sermons departed from general principles of Islamic law. The cleric had also reportedly complained of insults and threats from members of Jama’atu Izalatil Bidia Wa’ikhamatus Sunna.

The dispute was referred to the Katsina Emirate Council, after which Governor Radda directed the cleric to appear before a committee of Islamic scholars to respond to the allegations.

The circumstances surrounding the dispute and whether it had any connection to the killing have not been established.

Kwankwaso expresses concern

Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso also condemned the killing, expressing concern over attacks on religious scholars and other innocent citizens.

Kwankwaso, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, said the continued loss of lives to insecurity was unacceptable and called for decisive action to protect citizens and restore peace.

He extended his condolences to the cleric’s family, students, associates and the wider Muslim community.

Dutsin-Ma and several other local government areas in Katsina State have experienced repeated attacks blamed on armed bandits, including kidnappings and killings targeting residents, vigilantes and security personnel.

The police investigation into the killing of Masussuka and Abubakar is ongoing.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government and organised labour are scheduled to resume negotiations on Tuesday amid growing tensions over petrol prices, workers’ welfare and demands for an early review of the national minimum wage.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are expected to decide their next course of action after the meeting, with the unions warning that nationwide industrial action remains an option if the government fails to make meaningful commitments.

The talks follow an inconclusive meeting on October 22, which ended without an agreement on several outstanding issues affecting workers.

NLC Assistant Secretary-General Chris Onyeka confirmed the planned meeting, saying labour expected the government to respond to demands already submitted rather than restart discussions without concrete proposals.

“We expect them to come with answers to our demands, so that the meeting will not be prolonged,” Onyeka said.

A source within organised labour also told The PUNCH that the government had requested additional time to prepare for the discussions, adding that the unions would determine their next steps after the meeting.

The Federal Ministry of Labour also confirmed that the meeting was scheduled to hold, subject to any changes.

Labour’s demands

The unions are seeking a reduction in petrol prices to levels prevailing when the current minimum wage was signed into law in 2024. They are also demanding tax relief for workers, immediate wage awards and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

Other outstanding issues include the implementation of agreements affecting health-sector employees and the resolution of allowances and other welfare concerns in the public service.

In a joint statement signed by NLC Acting General Secretary Benson Upah and TUC Secretary-General Nuhu Toro, the unions criticised the government delegation at the previous meeting for arriving without the authority to negotiate substantively.

The government subsequently requested an adjournment to allow relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to participate in the next session.

The NLC had issued a two-week ultimatum on October 8, which expired on October 22, before extending the deadline to October 27. It warned that its affiliates and state councils should prepare for possible nationwide action if the negotiations failed to produce meaningful results.

Disagreement over minimum wage review

A major point of contention is when negotiations should begin to replace the current ₦70,000 monthly minimum wage introduced in 2024.

The Federal Government maintains that the wage is due for review on June 1, 2027, citing the three-year review cycle provided for under the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, as amended in 2024.

In a letter dated October 12, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, reportedly described an early review as premature and potentially disruptive to industrial relations.

The NLC, however, insists that preparations should begin immediately. In a letter dated October 13, its president, Joe Ajaero, argued that the timetable under the original legislation remained relevant despite the 2024 amendment.

The union has called for the nomination of representatives and the inauguration of a tripartite committee comprising the government, organised labour and employers to begin the process.

The current minimum wage was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on July 29, 2024, raising the statutory minimum from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 following prolonged negotiations.

While the government has highlighted the increase, labour argues that rising living costs and the depreciation of the naira have significantly eroded workers’ purchasing power.

Petrol prices and other unresolved issues

Petrol prices remain central to the dispute, with labour arguing that higher fuel costs have increased transportation expenses and contributed to rising prices of food and other essential goods.

The unions are also demanding the implementation of tax relief measures agreed with the government in 2023 and immediate wage awards to cushion workers against economic hardship.

Other concerns include outstanding agreements involving the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals, as well as demands raised by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council over peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.

The outcome of Tuesday’s negotiations is expected to influence whether organised labour proceeds with industrial action or continues discussions with the government.

Pensioners demand outstanding benefits

Meanwhile, the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to pay eligible retirees three months of outstanding fuel-subsidy-removal palliatives, amounting to ₦75,000 per beneficiary.

The association made the demand in a communiqué issued after its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on October 22. The document was signed by its President-General, Benjamin Maisamari Amako, and General Secretary, Franklin Erinle.

The association also urged the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to clarify the implementation of pension harmonisation, which took effect in January 2026, and make the relevant government circular available to retirees.

It called for a stakeholders’ meeting to address complaints, improve communication and resolve outstanding pension cases.

The association further urged PTAD to ensure that the planned relaunch of its ‘I Am Alive’ verification platform would not disrupt payments to elderly, sick or physically incapacitated pensioners.

It called for clear guidelines, adequate assistance and safeguards to ensure eligible retirees were not excluded because of difficulties with verification.

On healthcare, the association appealed to PTAD and the National Health Insurance Authority to simplify enrolment in the Pensioner Health Insurance Scheme by providing assisted registration, accessible enrolment centres and support for retirees unable to travel because of age, illness or disability.

“No eligible pensioner should be denied access to the scheme because of difficulties with registration, verification or other administrative procedures,” the association said.

It also urged the government to maintain regular pension payments and ensure that retirees received their entitlements without interruption.

The association said transparent pension administration and accessible healthcare were essential to protecting retirees’ dignity and financial security amid rising living costs.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian over alleged illegal lithium processing operations at four plants in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

The commission disclosed this in a statement published on its official X account on Monday, October 26, 2026, saying the suspects were apprehended on Friday, October 23, following intelligence gathering and surveillance.

According to the EFCC, its operatives from the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 raided the four facilities and recovered several items believed to be connected to the operations.

The recovered items included bags of lithium rocks, 18 mobile phones and other mobile devices, four laptop computers, two decoders, a television remote control and a trailer truck.

The commission said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged in court after the conclusion of the process.

The arrests come amid growing concerns over illegal mineral extraction and processing in Nigeria, particularly involving valuable minerals such as lithium, which is used in batteries and other energy-storage technologies.

Nigeria has sought to attract investment into its solid minerals sector while tackling illegal mining and activities that deprive the government of revenue and undermine regulatory oversight.

In a related development, the EFCC recently arraigned two defendants, Marian Elia, 19, and Izuchukwu Uzoma, 21, over the alleged theft of ₦35.92 million belonging to a woman, Esther Ogbeifun, in Benin City, Edo State.

The commission alleged that the defendants faced a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cybercrime and stealing. It further alleged that Elia, who grew up in the victim’s home, used access to the woman’s phones and banking information to transfer money into an account belonging to Uzoma, her boyfriend.

The allegations in that case remain subject to court proceedings.

In another case involving alleged illegal laboratory operations, authorities in May uncovered a suspected methamphetamine production facility in a forest in Ogun State, with raids also conducted in Lagos. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency described the operation as the largest clandestine methamphetamine seizure in Nigeria’s history.

The latest arrests underline the continued efforts of law enforcement agencies to investigate suspected illegal industrial and commercial activities across the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A woman believed to be a supporter of Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has reportedly been assaulted and injured after criticising residents for failing to publicly demonstrate support for the governor during President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the state.

According to a report by SaharaReporters, the woman was attacked shortly after the President’s campaign-related visit to Kaduna, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) held a campaign rally.

In a video obtained by the online publication, the woman was seen speaking in Hausa and expressing disappointment that residents had not organised public displays of support for Governor Sani.

She questioned why Kaduna residents did not play songs in the governor’s honour, display his posters or turn out to celebrate him, as supporters of governors from other states reportedly do when their leaders visit.

“Honestly, the people of Kaduna are surprised, and this is not how things should be. It should not be that in the whole of Kaduna, nobody has come out to show support for their own governor. Nobody has come out to promote Governor Uba Sani in this city. Nobody has come out to demonstrate patriotism and show that they are proud to be citizens of Kaduna State,” she said.

The woman also lamented what she described as a lack of public enthusiasm for the governor compared with the support displayed for other state leaders.

“Nobody has come out to play songs in support of Governor Uba Sani in this city, while we watch people from other states playing songs in praise of their own governors. This should not be so. It should not be so,” she added.

She argued that residents should show appreciation for their leaders regardless of their political differences or opinions about their performance in office.

“Whatever your governor is doing, should you not show him support? We should demonstrate our support and appreciation for our leaders. It should not be that governors from other states come to this city, and their people turn out in large numbers to welcome them, play their songs and display their posters, while our own governor, Uba Sani, receives no such show of support,” she said.

Videos Show Woman With Injuries

SaharaReporters also reported that a separate video showed the woman crying and bleeding from injuries to her forehead and nose after the alleged assault.

In the footage, she was seen lying on the ground with visible injuries. Another video reportedly showed people helping her into a tricycle, while security operatives were seen at the scene.

The woman was reportedly rescued by friends who were present during the incident.

Witnesses alleged that police officers at the scene watched as the attack unfolded but failed to intervene effectively or arrest those responsible.

However, the circumstances surrounding the reported assault, the identities of those allegedly involved and whether any arrests have been made were not established in the report.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of citizens expressing political opinions and the responsibility of security personnel to protect people from violence, regardless of their political affiliations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Delta State Police Command has rescued a 23-year-old kidnapping victim and arrested eight suspects in separate operations across the state, recovering three firearms, 26 live cartridges and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

The operations were carried out between October 20 and 23, 2026, as part of efforts to tackle kidnapping, cultism and other criminal activities.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the developments in a statement on Saturday.

According to the police, operatives of the Owa-Oyibu Division, working alongside local volunteer groups, rescued a 23-year-old man who was abducted at Owa-Alero on October 19.

“On October 20, 2026, operatives of Owa-Oyibu Division, in collaboration with local volunteer groups, successfully rescued a 23-year-old man whom two suspected kidnappers abducted on October 19, 2026 at Owa-Alero,” the statement read in part.

“The victim was reportedly seized in front of his residence and dragged into a nearby bush,” it added.

The police explained that the rescue followed a report from the victim’s brother, which prompted operatives to launch an extensive search of nearby bushes. Efforts were still ongoing to arrest the suspected abductors who escaped.

Six Suspected Cultists Arrested In Abraka

In a separate operation on October 23, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit raided a hotel in Abraka suspected of serving as a hideout for drug-related activities.

Six suspected cultists were arrested during the operation, while a bag containing a firearm and substances suspected to be Indian hemp was recovered. Some individuals reportedly fled when they sighted the police.

The command said investigations were ongoing to determine the ownership and source of the firearm and identify other people connected to the incident.

Police Recover More Firearms In Ekuku-Agbor

The police also reported separate raids in Ekuku-Agbor community, Ika South Local Government Area, which led to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of additional firearms and ammunition.

On October 21, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Sector III, Ubuluku, searched the residence of a 62-year-old suspect, Richard Nmorsi, under a search warrant.

The operation led to the recovery of a locally fabricated single-barrel firearm, 24 live cartridges and substances suspected to be Indian hemp. The suspect was arrested, and the recovered items were taken into custody for investigation.

Two days later, the same unit searched the residence of a 56-year-old suspect, Amechi Osemeke, also in Ekuku-Agbor.

During the operation, officers recovered a functional double-barrel firearm and one live cartridge. Osemeke was arrested as investigations continued into his possession of the weapon.

Police Promise Sustained Crackdown

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel Erale, said the command would continue intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal networks, recover illegal weapons and protect communities.

“The command would sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks, recovering illegally possessed firearms and safeguarding communities across the state,” he said.

Eralе urged residents to remain alert and provide credible information to security agencies to support efforts to prevent crime.

He assured the public that the command would continue working to protect lives and property across Delta State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Minister of Works David Umahi has projected that the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will be completed within the next three years.

Umahi made the projection during an interview with Arise Television on Friday, saying the Federal Government was working towards delivering the major infrastructure project before the end of President Bola Tinubu’s current term in 2031.

Asked about the completion timeline, the minister said, “We have four years plus by God’s special grace. So we are looking at three years,” he said.

He expressed confidence in the administration’s ability to meet the target, citing his faith in Tinubu’s leadership.

“I am a child of God. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Okay, so I’m giving you the faith I have and the president that I know, that I believe that within the next three years plus, that the president will be able to complete that project,” he added.

However, Umahi did not provide a detailed construction schedule or specific completion dates for the highway’s individual sections.

The minister also defended the procurement process for the project, acknowledging that it was awarded without public bidding but insisting that the government followed a lawful procedure.

“There was no public bidding but there was direct procurement. It’s within the law. That’s all I’ve just said,” he stated.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the Federal Government’s flagship infrastructure projects. It is designed to connect coastal communities and improve transportation along Nigeria’s southern corridor.

The project has attracted public debate over procurement procedures, construction costs, funding priorities and the allocation of public resources, particularly amid concerns about the poor condition of several existing federal roads.

Defending his ministry’s broader infrastructure programme, Umahi said approximately 17,000 kilometres of federal roads were currently under construction or reconstruction, excluding major legacy projects.

“Out of about 35,000 kilometres of our federal roads, the one that is before me in the Ministry of Works, if you remove the few legacy projects we are constructing, we are presently constructing 17,000 kilometres of roads,” he said.

He added that the ministry had completed about 1,700 kilometres of roads since the Tinubu administration assumed office, alongside more than six kilometres of flyovers, bridges and underpasses.

Umahi also cited increasing congestion along the Lagos corridor as a reason for the coastal highway, warning that traffic could worsen significantly without intervention.

“In the next five years, unless something is done in the corridor VI to Lekki, it becomes, you know, a car park because of the conjecture. And that’s why we are building the seven taxi route,” he said.

On the controversy surrounding a proposed plan to engage 4,000 social media influencers to promote the administration’s projects, the minister said he would personally finance the initiative rather than use public funds.

“I am funding 4,000 influencers to advertise what the president is doing and it’s a catalyst for campaigning for him all over Nigeria,” he said.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has approved the acquisition of additional train coaches and surveillance equipment to improve railway services and address security threats, including banditry, kidnapping and vandalism.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Funso Adebiyi, disclosed this on Saturday while inspecting the Kano-Maradi railway project.

According to Adebiyi, the new coaches are expected to increase the capacity of railway services for both passengers and freight, while the surveillance equipment will help protect rail infrastructure and passengers.

He added that the ministry was training railway personnel to operate and maintain the coaches once they arrive.

Adebiyi made the disclosure during an inspection tour alongside the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Transportation and Mobility, Prince Adetokunbo Ademola Ade-John, and other government officials. The team also inspected bridge-beam casting work along the railway corridor.

The permanent secretary identified insecurity as a major challenge to railway operations, noting that attacks on rail infrastructure disrupt services, threaten lives and increase maintenance costs. He cited the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor as an example of the security risks facing the sector.

“I’m glad to inform you that Mr President has given the go-ahead for us to embark on the acquisition of surveillance security equipment all across the country, and we are working around the clock to ensure this,” he said.

The planned acquisitions form part of the government’s efforts to strengthen railway security and improve the reliability of rail transportation across the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, has urged residents of the North-Central region to support President Bola Tinubu and the governor in the 2027 general elections.

Kula made the appeal during an appearance on TVC News on Wednesday, arguing that Tinubu’s re-election would allow his administration to continue implementing its Renewed Hope Agenda.

He defended the Federal Government’s economic reforms, describing them as necessary for sustainable growth and long-term prosperity. He also argued that states across the North-Central region could benefit from the policies.

The governor’s spokesperson linked Benue’s development efforts to cooperation between the state and federal governments, saying Tinubu’s economic policies had supported investments in agriculture, education and healthcare under Alia’s administration.

According to Kula, the policies had also contributed to economic growth and increased federal allocations to state governments.

He cited efforts to revive industrial activities in Benue, including the reactivation of previously dormant facilities such as Benue Brewery, Bensono Orange Juice Company and Taraku Mills.

Kula also highlighted the activities of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), which he said had expanded into the production of bread, nails and steel to promote local manufacturing.

On infrastructure, he pointed to urban renewal projects and road construction across the state as part of the administration’s achievements.

He disclosed that the state government had begun plans to construct three township roads in each of Benue’s 23 local government areas.

Kula further said the welfare of civil servants and pensioners remained a priority for the Alia administration.

He called on voters in Benue and other North-Central states to support both Tinubu and Alia at the polls, arguing that their continued leadership would sustain development efforts in the state and the wider region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu is attracting support from politicians across party lines ahead of the 2027 general election.

Kwankwaso said the participation of politicians from different political parties in Tinubu’s re-election campaign demonstrated the president’s expanding political support base.

He made the remarks on Thursday while commenting on the inauguration of the campaign council for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“To me, the inauguration of the Campaign Council is like a congregation celebrating the re-election of President Tinubu back to office,” he said.

The APC chieftain cited the presence of politicians from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party as evidence that Tinubu was receiving support beyond his party.

He argued that the development was unusual in Nigeria’s political history, particularly given the disagreements that had previously divided some of the politicians now supporting the president.

“It has never happened in Nigeria’s political history that one man could attract nearly all opposition parties, not only opposition politicians, but people who have never agreed to sit together yet, because of Tinubu, they have accepted to come on board and pursue a common goal,” he said.

Kwankwaso also defended Tinubu’s economic policies, arguing that comments by Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and other political leaders reflected an understanding of the challenges facing Nigeria and the global economy.

He maintained that the 2027 election should be viewed beyond Tinubu’s political future, arguing that the president should be allowed to serve another term to consolidate his economic reforms.

His position comes amid continuing political debate over the administration’s economic policies and their effects on Nigerians ahead of the next general election.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Dr Tijjani Ahmad, an accountant and lecturer at Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, has criticised the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) assessment of the Nigerian economy, questioning the benefits of economic growth amid widespread poverty and food insecurity.

In a Facebook post, Ahmad argued that the IMF’s reported economic growth of 4.2 per cent and its claim that reforms had strengthened the economy’s resilience contrasted sharply with the hardship facing millions of Nigerians.

He cited figures in the report indicating that poverty affected about 63 per cent of the population, or roughly 140 million people, while 27 million Nigerians faced food insecurity.

“If growth leaves people poorer and hungrier, what exactly is growing?” Ahmad asked, describing the situation as one in which the government had become richer while citizens became poorer.

He, however, identified what he considered a deeper contradiction in the IMF’s position on Nigeria’s fuel subsidy policy, arguing that the debate should go beyond simply removing or restoring the subsidy.

According to him, Nigerians had experienced the consequences of both prolonged subsidy arrangements, which he described as corrupt, and the hardship associated with subsidy removal.

Ahmad maintained that the central issue was not necessarily whether the subsidy should be removed or restored, but how the government managed whichever policy it chose.

He proposed that if the government decided to maintain subsidy removal, it should ring-fence the reported N15.8 trillion in savings for investment in transport and healthcare, expand targeted assistance beyond the N25,000 support scheme, and ensure that domestic refineries operated effectively to help reduce fuel prices.

He also called for a reassessment of the country’s economic policy, urging the government to develop solutions suited to Nigeria’s circumstances rather than simply follow external prescriptions.

“We need to go back to the drawing board and redesign a Nigerian solution, not just take orders,” Ahmad said.