News

By Muhammad Abubakar

Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel has died at the age of 30, a day after suffering a serious injury following a collision with a goalkeeper during a Spanish second-division match.

De Miguel, a striker for CD Tenerife, was involved in the incident during Monday’s match against FC Andorra at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López.

The forward was chasing a long ball when Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono rushed out of his goal to intercept it. Owono’s knee struck De Miguel during the challenge, leaving the Tenerife player motionless on the pitch.

Medical personnel immediately attended to him before he was taken to hospital by ambulance. He reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest following the collision.

The match, which was tied at 2-2, was abandoned during stoppage time, while Owono received a straight red card for the challenge.

Tenerife confirmed De Miguel’s death in a statement on Tuesday, saying he passed away at 8:00 a.m. local time.

The club expressed deep sorrow over his death and extended its condolences to his family, friends, teammates and supporters.

Born in Madrid, De Miguel began his professional career with Leganés B in 2015 before playing for several Spanish clubs. He joined Tenerife in 2025 and helped the club secure promotion to the second division.

His death has prompted tributes from across the Spanish football community, including FC Andorra and several other clubs.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Vice President Kashim Shettima has acknowledged the economic hardship facing Nigerians as a result of the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms but appealed to citizens to re-elect President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Shettima made the appeal on Sunday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally held at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Cross River State.

While defending the administration’s economic policies, the Vice President argued that although the reforms had imposed difficulties on citizens, their benefits were beginning to emerge and Nigerians should allow more time for the policies to deliver their expected results.

He compared Tinubu’s leadership approach with that of Singapore’s former Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, noting that difficult decisions were sometimes necessary to achieve long-term national development.

Shettima urged Nigerians to assess the administration’s performance in the context of the economic situation it inherited when it assumed office in 2023.

He also called on Cross River residents to support the re-election of Tinubu, Governor Bassey Otu, Deputy Governor Peter Odey and APC candidates contesting legislative positions in 2027.

Speaking at the rally, Governor Otu highlighted several federal infrastructure projects expected to benefit the state, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport and the proposed Gulf of Guinea Commission Secretariat in Calabar.

According to him, the projects could improve transportation, attract investments and create employment opportunities for residents.

Otu also cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as one of the Federal Government’s initiatives aimed at reducing the financial burden of tertiary education on families.

He urged residents to support the APC in the forthcoming general elections.

The rally was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, members of the National Assembly, APC governors, party officials and other political stakeholders.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The National Assembly has proposed creating 74 additional seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives, alongside three reserved seats for women in each state House of Assembly, as part of efforts to improve female representation in Nigeria’s political system.

The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this on Monday during the 2026 Law Week organised by the Ekiti State chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

The event, held under the theme, “Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children,” brought together lawmakers, legal practitioners and other stakeholders.

Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District and serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the proposal was part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

Under the proposed arrangement, 37 additional seats would be created in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives, with each state and the Federal Capital Territory entitled to one additional seat in both chambers.

The proposed seats would be reserved for women without affecting the existing constituencies or displacing elected representatives.

Bamidele further disclosed that the proposal included three additional seats exclusively reserved for women in each state House of Assembly.

He said the arrangement was designed to operate for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, after which it would undergo a comprehensive review.

According to him, the temporary arrangement would provide women with greater opportunities to participate in legislative decision-making while encouraging a more inclusive political culture.

He explained that the National Assembly had begun the constitutional review process early to allow extensive consultations and consensus-building rather than rushing the exercise.

The Senate Leader stressed that the proposal was not a partisan political initiative but an effort to address the longstanding exclusion of women from political representation.

He, however, noted that the support of state Houses of Assembly was constitutionally required for the proposed amendment to become law.

Bamidele also called for stronger legal and institutional measures to protect women, children and persons with disabilities, particularly in accessing healthcare, education, social protection and justice.

He said victims of domestic violence and child abuse should have access to legal assistance, medical care and psychosocial support, while perpetrators must be held accountable in accordance with the law.

The lawmaker urged greater cooperation among the legislature, executive, judiciary, security agencies, religious and traditional institutions, civil society organisations and the private sector to strengthen the protection of vulnerable groups.

He also encouraged FIDA to continue engaging the National Assembly by identifying gaps in existing laws and proposing reforms that would improve the welfare and rights of women and children.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, called for stronger legal frameworks to address emerging forms of abuse, particularly those facilitated by technology and economic vulnerabilities.

She identified cyberstalking, online harassment, deepfake images, impersonation and the exploitation of children through digital platforms as growing concerns requiring coordinated action.

The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, described Bamidele as well-positioned to address the issues and promote legislative reforms.

Earlier, the FIDA Ekiti State Chairperson, Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of women and children, urging stronger laws and institutions to ensure justice remains accessible and effective.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Five police officers are feared dead following an ambush by suspected bandits on a police convoy travelling from Sokoto State to Zamfara State for a special duty assignment.

The attack reportedly occurred on Sunday, November 1, when armed men opened fire on the convoy, which was made up of three vehicles.

A police officer who was part of the team but survived the attack confirmed the incident, explaining that the gunmen targeted the vehicle at the rear of the convoy.

Speaking to PUNCH on condition of anonymity, the officer said five of his colleagues were killed in the attack.

“We were travelling in three vehicles when they suddenly opened fire on the third vehicle behind us. Five of our members were killed in the process,” he said.

The officer disclosed that the personnel were travelling to Zamfara State for a special assignment when they were ambushed.

Videos circulating on social media reportedly showed the bodies of some officers inside a vehicle, with their hands and legs allegedly tied with ropes. Their belongings were also seen scattered around the scene, while bloodstains were visible inside the vehicle.

Efforts to obtain an official comment from the Police Zone 10 spokesperson, ASP Abdallah Faruku, were unsuccessful, as his telephone number could not be reached at the time of filing the report.

As of the time of publication, the police had not issued an official statement confirming the reported deaths.

The Daily Reality

By Uzair Adam

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and Balarabe Sa’idu Gani for appointment as commissioners.

The two nominees’ names have been forwarded to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Speaker of the House, Jibril Isma’il Falgore, announced the nominations during plenary on Monday after reading a letter from the governor requesting the lawmakers’ consideration.

Falgore said the screening exercise would take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10am.

He explained that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Bature currently serves as the Director General of Media and Publicity at the Kano Government House and the official spokesperson to Governor Yusuf.

He has been among the key officials responsible for communicating the administration’s policies, activities and programmes to the public.

If confirmed, his appointment would mark a transition from his current position as the governor’s media aide to a cabinet role in the state government.

The latest nominations came barely a week after the House of Assembly screened and confirmed six commissioner nominees submitted by the governor.

Those confirmed included former commissioner, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, and former Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi.

With the latest nominations, the number of commissioner nominees recently forwarded by Governor Yusuf has risen to eight as his administration continues to constitute its cabinet.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on the 20th anniversary of his coronation.

The governor described the milestone as an opportunity to recognise the Sultan’s contributions to religious leadership, national unity, peace and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Yusuf acknowledged the Sultan’s efforts in promoting Islamic values, strengthening interfaith relations and encouraging dialogue among people of different backgrounds.

He noted that the Sultan’s leadership had continued to provide guidance to the Muslim Ummah while contributing to efforts to promote peace, unity and stability across the country.

Yusuf also prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the Sultan good health, wisdom and strength to continue serving Islam, the Muslim community and the nation.

The governor further wished the monarch many more years of fruitful leadership, expressing hope that his reign would continue to bring blessings, peace and prosperity to Nigeria.

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Kano State Command, has arrested a 40-year-old man for allegedly attempting to smuggle suspected Indian hemp into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kurmawa, Kano.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Musbahu Kofar-Nassarawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Kano.

According to him, the incident occurred at about noon on Sunday when the suspect allegedly attempted to throw a substance suspected to be Indian hemp into the correctional facility.

He said officers of the Armed Squad Unit intercepted and apprehended the suspect following their vigilance and swift response.

The suspect, who reportedly resides in Janguza Quarters, Kano, was arrested under the supervision of the Commander of the Armed Squad Unit, CSC Usman M. Sale.

The Controller of Corrections in Kano State, Ahmed Yusuf-Lakpene, commended the officers for their vigilance, professionalism and commitment to maintaining security across custodial facilities.

Yusuf-Lakpene reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance policy towards the smuggling of prohibited items into correctional centres.

He also urged members of the public to desist from attempts to introduce illicit substances and other prohibited materials into custodial facilities.

The command said the suspect had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and necessary action.

Yusuf-Lakpene reaffirmed the command’s commitment to strengthening security measures across its custodial centres to ensure a safe environment for the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.

By Muhammad Abubakar 

Prominent conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson sparked intense global reaction after publishing a lengthy essay alleging that the U.S. administration is facing pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider a nuclear strike against an underground Iranian target.

In a detailed piece released over the weekend, Carlson claimed U.S. officials are weighing an attack on Pickax Mountain—a reinforced facility in central Iran where Israeli intelligence allegedly contends uranium enrichment operations have resumed. Carlson argued that conventional U.S. bunker-busting munitions cannot penetrate the 300 feet of solid granite shielding the complex, leaving a nuclear option as the primary military alternative.

According to Carlson, the push for military action is tied to Israeli domestic politics. He asserted that Prime Minister Netanyahu faces political jeopardy following recent Israeli elections and requires ongoing U.S. military backing to preserve his coalition. The essay named several high-ranking U.S. defense and diplomatic figures, claiming some key officials favor resuming major combat operations over diplomatic efforts.

Carlson issued stark warnings regarding the potential economic and ecological fallout of such an attack. Pointing to severe disruptions in global energy markets and recent damage to commercial oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, he claimed a surface-burst nuclear strike in central Iran could trigger widespread fallout, threatening Persian Gulf water supplies for up to 100 million people. He further argued that an American nuclear strike would dismantle global non-proliferation norms, risking escalations in other active conflict zones including Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula.

Despite the dire forecast, Carlson noted that decision-makers within the administration remain divided. He wrote that key advisers, including Vice President JD Vance and diplomatic envoy Steve Witkoff, are urging caution and advocating for a negotiated diplomatic settlement with Tehran. Carlson indicated that a final determination regarding military or diplomatic action could come as early as Nov. 7.

U.S. officials have not confirmed the specific military scenarios detailed in Carlson’s essay. Administration representatives reiterated that Washington maintains a range of options regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities but declined to comment on confidential operational planning. Tehran has repeatedly denied carrying out covert enrichment activity at the Pickax Mountain site.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Senior Pastor of Victory Life Bible Church International, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, has criticised Nigeria’s societal and political culture, saying the celebration of questionable wealth is discouraging creativity, innovation and meaningful contributions to national development.

Achudume argued that the perception of politics as a means of acquiring personal wealth, rather than serving the public, was undermining the country’s ability to nurture talented individuals and develop innovative businesses.

He made the remarks during a thanksgiving service organised to mark the 50th anniversary of the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abeokuta.

According to a statement issued by the church’s media office on Sunday, the cleric expressed concern that people who accumulated wealth through questionable political means were often celebrated rather than held accountable.

He said Nigeria needed individuals who would deploy their talents, ideas and creativity to address societal challenges, establish businesses and inspire others instead of relying on political positions for personal enrichment.

Achudume also expressed concern over what he described as the declining standard of societal values, particularly the promotion of indecent dressing and nudity under the guise of entertainment and fashion.

“They celebrate emptiness and call it showbiz. They celebrate nakedness and call it fashion,” he said.

The pastor further criticised the growing obsession with social media popularity, observing that some people now measure their relevance by the number of followers they have online.

He urged Nigerians to make responsible choices, resist negative societal influences and pursue lives defined by purpose and positive contributions to society.

On religious matters, Achudume encouraged Christians to establish a strong relationship with God before encountering difficult circumstances, noting that challenges were inevitable in business, marriage, careers and other aspects of life.

He advised believers to remain steadfast in their faith during difficult periods rather than abandon their convictions or turn to questionable spiritual alternatives in search of solutions.

Speaking at the event, the Ogun State NUJ Chairman, Wale Olanrewaju, commended the cleric for his longstanding support for journalism and contributions to society.

Olanrewaju described Achudume as a social crusader who had consistently used his voice to challenge government actions and draw attention to issues requiring urgent intervention.

He added that the cleric’s relationship with journalists and willingness to support the profession had earned him the respect of media practitioners.

In recognition of his contributions to journalism and society, Achudume was presented with the Ogun NUJ Golden Jubilee Ambassador Award during the thanksgiving service held as part of activities marking the council’s 50th anniversary.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Suspected bandits have killed a 47-year-old security guard and abducted a married woman during successive attacks on Ribah community in Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the attacks, saying joint security operatives comprising police officers, military personnel and local vigilantes repelled the assailants.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, said the attackers first attempted to block Rambo Junction along the Ribah–Dirin Daji Road at about 7:25pm on Friday but were confronted by security operatives.

According to him, the gunmen later regrouped and returned to the community, firing sporadically from different directions.

During the exchange of gunfire, a security guard identified as Hassan Boder was fatally struck by a bullet. He was reportedly attached to a newly constructed filling station along the Ribah–Kanya Road.

Usman said security operatives responded promptly after receiving a distress call and successfully forced the attackers to retreat.

He added that security operations had been intensified in the area, with patrols ongoing and efforts being made to track down and arrest those responsible.

However, reports from the community indicated that the attackers, who reportedly arrived on more than 10 motorcycles, abducted a married woman during the incident.

Troops Rescue 11 Kidnap Victims

In a separate development, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 11 kidnapped persons in two operations conducted in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The rescues took place on October 30 and 31, 2026, following military operations against suspected bandits and terrorists in the area.

The spokesperson for the 8 Division, Sokoto, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Osoba said the first operation followed a distress call reporting that armed bandits had blocked a road leading to Ribah town and attempted to invade the community.

He explained that troops deployed to the area discovered that some residents had been abducted, while motorcycles were abandoned at the scene.

The soldiers pursued the attackers and engaged them in a gun battle, forcing them to flee and abandon seven kidnapped victims.

The rescued persons were identified as Sa’adu Bala, Dantani Yahyi, Nura Musa, Nasiru Muhammad, Abdulakeem Abubakar, Abdulahi Maikudi and Zaki Gom.

The military said they had been reunited with their families.

In another operation around Wasagu, troops conducting routine patrols came under attack by suspected terrorists but repelled the assailants.

According to Osoba, the attackers fled, abandoning four people they had earlier kidnapped from their farms in Wasagu village.

The rescued victims were identified as Lawali Ali, Samaila Shuaibu, Kasimu Shuaibu and Aliyu Bala. They were subsequently handed over to the community head.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against bandits and other criminal groups, assuring residents that efforts would continue to protect lives and property across the area.

The Daily Reality