News

By Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi

The Kano State Government is set to begin engaging volunteer ad-hoc data collectors across the state’s 484 wards as part of efforts to establish a comprehensive multisectoral data bank and dashboard. The initiative, which is nearing 70 per centcompletion, has been approved by the Executive Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.

According to the State Statistician-General, Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, the volunteers, who must be residents of their respective wards, will be trained by the State Bureau of Statistics on the use of digital data collection tools. 

Dr Aliyu added that their responsibilities will include collecting demographic data such as births, deaths, maternal and child mortality rates from ward head registers and graveyards, as well as statistics on education, healthcare, security, and access to water and electricity.

Dr. Aliyu emphasised the importance of collaboration between volunteers, ward heads, and community stakeholders to collect accurate and timely data. He added that school teachers and health workers are strongly encouraged to apply once the application portal is made public.

“This is a collective responsibility and an opportunity for all of us who are committed to supporting our state,” he said. “Together, we shall make Kano great.”

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a consignment of cocaine ingeniously hidden inside 20 sets of religious books intended for export to Saudi Arabia.

The discovery was made on Tuesday, April 15, at a courier company in Lagos by the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) officers. During a routine search of outbound cargo, the officers uncovered 20 parcels of cocaine, weighing a total of 500 grams, carefully buried within the pages of the books.

The NDLEA described the concealment method as a “desperate and deceptive tactic,” aimed at evading detection. The books were among items listed for shipment to Saudi Arabia, raising concerns over the potential abuse of religious materials to traffic illicit substances.

This interception is part of a broader crackdown by the agency, which has recorded several major seizures across the country in recent days. However, the religious bookcase has drawn particular attention due to its audacious nature and the sensitive destination.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the Lagos command for its vigilance and professionalism. He emphasised the agency’s resolve to disrupt drug trafficking networks using any means, no matter how disguised.

Investigations into the identity of those behind the shipment are ongoing.

By Uzair Adam

The Borno State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of eight individuals over the alleged killing and secret burial of a newborn baby at a private hospital located in Kwatam along Baga Road in Maiduguri.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Nahun Daso, disclosed the development in an interview with the press on Saturday.

According to him, the incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. on April 18, 2025, after concerned residents alerted the police to a suspicious act at the hospital.

Daso said officers from the Ite Division responded immediately, secured the premises, and apprehended the suspects at the scene. 

Forensic experts were later deployed, and the baby’s remains were exhumed for examination.

He added that the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation to uncover the circumstances behind the act.

The police called on the public to continue supporting security efforts by sharing timely and credible information.

By Uzair Adam

The Presidency has refuted claims that Vice President Kashim Shettima was recently denied access to the Presidential Villa, describing the report as completely false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice-President), Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, condemned the report as “a deliberate and well-planned orchestration of falsehood.”

Nkwocha noted that the story was far removed from reality and could only gain traction among individuals unfamiliar with the operations of the Nigerian government.

He urged the public to disregard the misleading publication and called on the media to rely on credible sources while treating sensational claims with caution.

He decried what he described as a growing pattern of misinformation targeted at the Vice President and his office, all in an attempt to sow discord within the Presidency.

“The most recent of these fabricated stories claims that the Vice President was refused entry into the Villa by armed military units — a wild tale that reflects a combination of wishful thinking and misinformation,” Nkwocha stated.

He noted that nothing of such nature ever occurred and described the publication by obscure blogs as a desperate move to mislead the public and tarnish the image of both the President and the Vice President.

Nkwocha recalled that the Presidency had earlier this week also debunked another false report related to campaign posters of President Bola Tinubu, noting that such stories aim to cast doubt on the unity and legitimacy of the current administration.

He reaffirmed that Vice President Shettima remains focused on his duties and on supporting President Tinubu to fulfill the aspirations of Nigerians.

“Shettima does not have the luxury of time to entertain distractions born out of fiction and mischief,” he said.

Nkwocha praised Nigerians who continue to support the administration and are committed to combating the spread of fake news, reaffirming that no amount of misinformation can shake the democratic foundation upon which the current government stands.

By Uzair Adam 

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State has dismissed rumours suggesting that its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The state party chairman, Hashimu Dungurawa, made this known while reacting to growing speculation surrounding Kwankwaso’s alleged defection.

Dungurawa stressed that neither Kwankwaso nor the NNPP had any intention of joining the APC, which he described as a party that has failed Nigerians.

“Definitely, we (NNPP) don’t have that interest or intention. We see them (APC) as enemies of democracy. Look at where they’ve led the country today. People are only waiting for the day of the election to teach them a lesson,” Dungurawa stated.

He further noted the steady decline in the APC’s electoral support, saying, “In 2015, they had almost 20 million votes. In 2019, they got 16 million, and in 2023, it dropped to 8 million votes.”

This comes after the Chairman of the APC in Kano State, Abdullahi Abbas, welcomed the idea of Kwankwaso joining the APC but stated that it would be under certain conditions.

By Uzair Adam

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has addressed the growing speculations regarding the potential defection of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), to the APC.

During a press conference held at the party’s state headquarters in Kano on Friday, APC State Chairman Hon. Abdullahi Abbas acknowledged that the party, under its renewed hope agenda, is actively receiving defectors from various political parties.

However, Abbas expressed concern over what he described as strategic attempts by certain political actors, particularly those with controversial pasts, to seek refuge within the APC.

“We are fully aware that some individuals are desperate to join the APC because they have squandered their political goodwill and are looking to the APC for relevance,” Abbas stated.

He stated that joining the APC should not be seen as a means to evade accountability or to escape scrutiny from anti-corruption agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC.

“Joining the APC is not a shield from anti-corruption scrutiny or consequences,” Abbas asserted.

The party also called on prospective defectors who have previously made derogatory statements against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima to offer public apologies as a sign of remorse and respect for future relationships.

“We unequivocally call on all those prospective defectors who have earlier made derogatory statements against our leaders to offer a public apology,” Abbas said.

Furthermore, the APC Kano chapter reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice, and a transparent political process, urging prospective members to align with the party’s principles rather than use it as an escape route.

This development comes amid ongoing political realignments in Kano State, with both the APC and NNPP experiencing defections.

Notably, the APC has recently received former NNPP members, including ex-NNPP National Chairman Prof. Rufa’i Alkali and other chieftains, who cited the APC’s accommodating platform as a reason for their defection.

By Uzair Adam

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said his opposition to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 presidential ambition was driven by principle and not personal disappointment.

Wike clarified that his stance was not about being sidelined for the vice-presidential slot, as widely speculated, but rather rooted in his belief that power should have shifted to the South after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.

“I wanted power rotation. After eight years of Buhari, I couldn’t support power remaining in the North. It wasn’t about whether I was picked or not—it was about principle,” he said in a recent interview.

The former Rivers State Governor added that he never considered Atiku a viable option because, according to him, the former Vice President is not reliable.

“From day one, I told my delegates that Atiku doesn’t keep to his words,” Wike said, citing past experiences.

He recounted how in 2019, Atiku, alongside Bukola Saraki and Uche Secondus, assured him of nominating individuals for key ministerial positions, but later acted contrary to the agreement.

“I was told I would nominate the attorney general and minister of petroleum. After the election, I saw the legal team formed on TV, and the person I was supposed to nominate didn’t even know when it happened. That was when I laughed and called Saraki,” Wike explained.

He maintained that he never trusted Atiku’s promises and never expected to be selected as his running mate.

Wike’s remarks add another layer to the internal wrangling that plagued the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the lead-up to the 2023 elections.

By Uzair Adam

Professor Mainasara Yakubu Kurfi, a former Head of the Department of Mass Communication at Bayero University, Kano, and a current lecturer at the institution, has announced the passing of his father.

The Daily Reality reports that he shared the news via a post on his Facebook page, revealing that his father died on Thursday night.

Professor Kurfi added that the funeral prayer was scheduled for Friday morning in Kurfi town, Katsina State.

“Inna lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi raji’un. With a heavy heart, I share the news that my beloved father passed away on Thursday night,” the professor wrote, while also praying for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness upon his father’s soul.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested 24-year-old Shamsu Yakubu after a disturbing video showed him allegedly licking a goat’s genitals. The footage, which circulated widely on TikTok, sparked outrage among viewers and residents.

Yakubu reportedly asked someone to film the act in a bid to gain social media fame. “I did it to trend on social media and become famous,” he admitted in the video. 

However, under interrogation by Hisbah officials, he denied fully committing the act, saying, “I swear to Allah, I did not lick the goat’s genitals. I only put my mouth around the area.”

Hisbah officials were alerted after concerned residents, angered by the video, threatened to take matters into their own hands. A community leader intervened and reported the incident to the authorities.

Speaking on the arrest, Deputy Commander-General of the Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminuddeen Abubakar, expressed dismay over the act, calling it a violation of religious and moral values. “Sadly, a Muslim man will use his mouth to lick the genitalia of a goat, without regard to religious teachings,” he said.

Sheikh Aminuddeen revealed that both the suspect and the goat will undergo medical testing. “We will test both for possible diseases before prosecution,” he stated, adding that Yakubu would also face psychiatric and drug evaluations.

He warned others against seeking online popularity through indecent behaviour, saying, “Anybody caught bathing in dirt or charcoal under the guise of fame will be arrested and dealt with accordingly.”

The incident has reignited conversations around the influence of social media on youth behaviour, with some calling for stricter regulations and moral guidance to curb extreme acts done for clout.

By Anas Abbas

The Centre for Democratic Studies at Bayero University Kano held its 23rd Annual Symposium on Thursday morning, honouring the 42nd memorial anniversary of the esteemed Mallam Aminu Kano. 

The event, which took place at the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, was centred on the theme “The Politics of Tax Reforms in Nigeria: Expectations and Realities.”

Prominent figures from the political and academic spheres graced the symposium, including Professor Abubakar Adamu Rashed, who delivered the opening remarks, and Professor Badayi, who served as a co-discussant. Other notable attendees included Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by Comrade Aminu Abdulssalam, and Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila.

In his address, Professor Rashed underscored Mallam Aminu Kano’s legacy, describing him as “not just a politician from Kano, but a revolutionary figure for Nigeria and Africa.” He highlighted Mallam Aminu’s strong opposition to colonial taxation and his belief that the lumpen proletariat should be exempt from taxation.

The guest speaker, Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago, a distinguished professor of accounting at Bayero University, presented a thought-provoking paper titled “The Politics of Tax Reforms in Nigeria: Expectations and Realities.” He advocated for the acceptance of a proposed development levy included in the tax reforms bill, suggesting a uniform rate of 4% across the board.

Professor Dandago proposed allocating 50% of the development revenue to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), with 20% directed towards the National Economic Recovery Fund (NELFund). The remaining 30% would be distributed among various initiatives, including NITDA, NASENI, cybersecurity projects, and police trust funds.

He expressed concern over multinational companies’ inadequate contributions to the tax reforms outlined in the bill. Professor Dandago called for substantial enhancements in the bill’s content to ensure that the renewed tax system effectively delivers the intended benefits for Nigeria.

The symposium served as a vital platform for discussing pressing issues surrounding tax reforms in Nigeria, echoing Mallam Aminu Kano’s enduring legacy in advocating for social justice and equity.