News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, has revealed that he has been threatened and his security detail withdrawn without justification.

He made this known in a statement to journalists on Sunday night.

Gabam stated, “We must uphold justice, truth, and human rights in our democracy. Unfortunately, injustice continues to be meted out to some citizens, including myself, for exercising our constitutional rights. Despite following due process, my security detail was withdrawn without any valid reason.”

He described the move as an attempt to intimidate opposition members and silence government critics. Gabam noted that past opposition leaders, including the current president, were not subjected to such threats and intimidation.

He reiterated the need to ensure that every citizen’s rights and freedoms are respected without fear.

Gabam also stated the case of Raye, a young woman serving in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who is allegedly being intimidated. He called on the NYSC to address her case with fairness and truth, without threats.

He urged unity in building a society that respects the freedom of every citizen, regardless of their political views.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reinforced his administration’s dedication to fostering religious harmony and development during an Iftar gathering at the Government House on Saturday, which celebrated the 15th day of Ramadan. 

The event welcomed prominent members of the Council of Ulama and Imams, offering a platform to strengthen unity and recognize the vital role of religious leaders in promoting peace within the community. 

In a significant announcement, Governor Yusuf revealed plans to transform the Kofar Mata Eid Prayer Ground into an International Islamic Conference Centre. He explained that the venue, utilized only twice a year for Islamic gatherings, will be repurposed into a world-class facility to support ongoing religious activities, scholarly discussions, and community engagement. 

“The foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Centre is set to occur two weeks after Eid al-Fitr, after which it will be handed over to the Ulama for management,” the governor stated, outlining his vision for a lasting religious infrastructure in the state. 

Additionally, Governor Yusuf affirmed his commitment to renovating all Friday mosques across Kano State and ensuring they meet proper worship standards. He instructed the Commissioner for Religious Affairs to compile a list of mosques requiring urgent government intervention. 

In further developments, a new, larger Friday Mosque at the Government House is currently under construction. It aims to accommodate more worshippers and enhance spiritual activities in the region. 

Expressing gratitude for the ongoing support of religious leaders, Governor Yusuf urged them to continue promoting unity and peaceful coexistence among the populace, highlighting the importance of collaboration between government and religious institutions. 

During the gathering, Sheikh Muhammad Nasir Adam, Imam of Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Mosque, praised the governor’s vision, emphasizing Islam’s encouragement of charitable acts, such as feeding those who fast and nurturing places of worship. 

He reassured the governor of the Ulama’s steadfast support and prayers for the advancement of Kano State. Members of the Shari’a Commission, the Executive Council, and other distinguished figures attended the Iftar event. 

Governor Yusuf reiterated his administration’s strong ties with the Council of Ulama, assuring them that their contributions will continuously inform government policies to ensure lasting peace, stability, and religious harmony in Kano State. 

By Uzair Adam

Malam Nasir El-Rufai has admitted that he and other politicians supported President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election despite being aware of the controversy surrounding his academic records at Chicago State University.

In an interview with the BBC, the former Kaduna State governor explained that their backing was based on the belief that Tinubu would replicate his performance as Lagos State governor on a national scale.

“What pains me is that the government we supported, and had confidence in, is not delivering as expected. We knew about his Chicago issue, but we believed if he could do for Nigeria what he did in Lagos, it would be worth supporting him,” El-Rufai said.

After openly criticizing Tinubu’s administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), El-Rufai defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on March 10, 2025.

Since then, he has been making efforts to attract other politicians to join the party in a bid to challenge the APC in the 2027 elections.

As part of his political maneuvers, the former governor recently met with Pastor Tunde Bakare and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, a former ally of Tinubu.

He has also called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi to join the SDP.

Addressing speculation that he left the APC to contest for the presidency in 2027, El-Rufai said the decision is not his alone to make.

“It is not for me to decide; it is the party and the people who will determine that. Even when I contested for governor, it was people who met and convinced Muhammadu Buhari, and he called me to contest,” he said.

By Anwar Usman

Former Jigawa State Governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sule Lamido, has rejected a call by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, calling on opposition leaders to join the Social Democratic Party.

El-Rufai, who recently announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress to the SDP, made the call in an interview with BBC Hausa.

Though he did not mention Lamido by name, he urged key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, to join him in the SDP.

While responding in a separate BBC Hausa interview on Sunday, Lamido rejected the invitation as an insult, insisting that the PDP, which he helped build, laid the foundation for El-Rufai’s political career.

Lamido was quoted saying “The party we formed, the PDP, is the one that gave birth to El-Rufai.

“You’re not enough to make us leave the PDP,” Lamido said.

He added that, “He once said that there are no adults in Nigeria in politics, but now he is calling on us to join him in the SDP.”

The former governor also questioned the motives behind El-Rufai’s for defection from the APC to the SDP.

“He said he told President Buhari about his decision to leave the APC, but now he is saying that he is one of the adults in Nigerian politics,” Lamido stated.

Lamido further argued that the PDP had not done anything to warrant his defection, emphasizing his long-standing loyalty.

“If I was going to leave the PDP, I would have done so in 2014 when the APC was formed,” he said.

Lamido also challenged El-Rufai’s leadership style, noting that leadership is not about anger or selfish ambition.

Lamido advised El-Rufai to put patriotism first instead of showing anger towards others, saying, “What should be done is to put patriotism first, instead of showing anger towards someone”.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Joint Task Force Committee on Peace Restoration and Youth Rehabilitation has arrested 53 individuals suspected of involvement in thuggery and drug-related activities.

The committee’s chairman, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim-Kofarmata, who also serves as the Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Kano.

He explained that the arrests followed an intelligence-led clearance operation conducted between March 13 and 14 as part of efforts to curb crime and substance abuse in the state.

The operation targeted criminal hideouts and black spots across various locations, including Yakasai, Kofar Mata, Zango, Zage, Zanzado, Rimi Market, Shahuchi Park, Kano Line, Sharada, Ja’in, Dan Agundi, and surrounding areas.

During the raid, the task force recovered three parcels, 50 wraps, and other large quantities of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa, along with two bottles of codeine syrup, two tubes of rubber solution, and a gallon of a toxic substance known as “suck and die.”

Additionally, security operatives seized 105 pieces of suspected exol tablets, five cutlasses, two scissors, two clubs, and a collection of suspected charms.

A significant quantity of cannabis sativa was found at a known drug joint in Zanzado, where authorities also seized a delivery vehicle and five cattle believed to belong to a notorious drug dealer.

Ibrahim-Kofarmata stated that the suspects would face prosecution upon the completion of investigations, reaffirming the committee’s commitment to restoring peace and ensuring a drug-free environment in Kano.

He noted that the task force, comprising security agencies and government officials, remains dedicated to cleansing Kano’s streets and safeguarding the well-being of its residents.

By Uzair Adam

The Kogi State Police Command says its operatives from the Police Mobile Force, 70 Squadron, Kabba, have rescued passengers from an attempted abduction along the Kabba-Ayere Road.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP William Aya, told reporters in Lokoja on Saturday that the incident occurred on Friday.

He explained that upon receiving a distress call, reinforcement teams from Sharper Corner pindown were swiftly deployed to the scene.

The officers engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing them to flee into the bush and abandon their victims, who were subsequently rescued.

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, has ordered the deployment of additional tactical and operational assets to comb the surrounding bushes and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Dantawaye commended the officers for their swift response and reiterated the commitment of the command to ensuring the safety of residents and travelers in the state.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites, has called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and prosecute former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for alleged genocide and crimes against humanity targeting the movement’s members.

The petition, submitted through their lawyer Bala I. Dakum, was delivered to the office of the ICC Prosecutor and demands urgent action in the wake of years of violence directed at the Shiite community.

The petition references the 2015 Zaria massacre, in which over 1,000 members of the sect were killed by the Nigerian Army, as the starting point for a series of violent attacks on the movement.

IMN claims that El-Rufai has been responsible for a continued campaign of violence, which has led to the deaths of at least 55 more Shiites in Kaduna State alone, all while exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of worship, assembly, and expression.

The movement describes El-Rufai’s actions as part of a deliberate effort to exterminate Shiites, particularly in Kaduna State, where their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, is based.

The petition calls for an extension of the investigation to include other officials who may have aided El-Rufai in committing these alleged crimes, including past commissioners of police in the state and former Chief of Staff Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai.

IMN also expressed concern over potential future attacks, fearing that without ICC intervention, the incoming administration may enable El-Rufai’s violent actions against them to escalate.

They urge the ICC to use its authority to initiate a preliminary investigation under Article 15 of the Rome Statute, emphasizing the urgent need to prevent further violence and ensure justice for the victims of these alleged atrocities.

The petition also highlights the government’s failure to prosecute those involved in the Zaria massacre, with military officers involved in the killings reportedly being rewarded with ambassadorial positions instead of facing legal action.

IMN is calling for immediate action to hold El-Rufai accountable and prevent further escalation of violence against the Shiite community in Nigeria.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In a recent statement, footballer Paul Pogba shared his thoughts on the fleeting nature of friendships and the behavior of people in times of success.

Reflecting on his suspension, Pogba revealed that many of his old friends and former teammates had reached out to him after the suspension ended, asking which club he would join next.

Interestingly, these were the same people who had never contacted him during his suspension period.

Pogba noted, “When the suspension that was imposed on me ended, some friends and former teammates kept sending me messages, asking which club I would go to. These people never reached out to me during the entire period of my suspension. May God forgive them.”

He continued, drawing a broader lesson from his experience: “A wise person once said, ‘People will not join you in your struggles, but they will want to join you when your efforts lead to success.”‘

Pogba stated that in life, you may have to endure periods of hardship without the support of those around you.

However, when you achieve success or reach a certain level, people often reappear, eager to be a part of your accomplishments.

He cited several scenarios in which this happens, including when your fortunes fade, others acquire what you had, or when they surpass you in success.

He remarked that those who never showed up during your difficult times may still approach you for help when the tide turns in their favor.

“When someone has success in their life—whether in politics or another field—you will notice a sudden surge in the number of their followers and supporters. A person with fewer than 10,000 followers can see this number rise to over 30,000 in just two days after receiving political power in their area,” Pogba said.

He concluded with an important lesson: “You must learn to manage everyone and never make the mistake of cutting ties with anyone. People will often return when they need something from you, whether you’ve given them something or withheld it. One day, you may need their prayers in return.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Hundreds of staff members at major U.S.-funded media outlets, including Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Europe, were informed over the weekend that they would be barred from their offices and required to surrender press passes and equipment.

The move follows an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, which designated the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), VOA’s parent agency, as part of “unnecessary” federal bureaucracy.

USAGM, which employs approximately 3,500 people and has a budget of 886 million U.S. dollars for 2024, oversees several international broadcasters that are now facing significant cuts.

These include the shutdown of contracts with Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, as reported by local media outlets.

VOA Director Michael Abramowitz confirmed on social media that nearly the entire staff of 1,300 journalists, producers, and assistants had been placed on administrative leave.

The White House has stated that the move is aimed at ensuring taxpayers are no longer funding what they described as “radical propaganda.”

The decision is expected to face challenges in Congress, as the U.S. Constitution grants lawmakers, not the president, control over federal spending.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 34,470 litres of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) along border routes in Adamawa and Taraba states.

Acting on intelligence, operatives confiscated 1,149 jerrycans of PMS, along with a specially modified transport vehicle worth ₦4 million.

The total duty-paid value of the seized items stands at ₦37.78 million.During a press briefing in Jalingo, Taraba State, on Thursday, March 13, 2025, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, described the operation as a necessary response to the increasing complexity of transnational smuggling activities.

He stated, “Our intelligence-led operations have revealed that this corridor is a strategic transit point for cross-border petroleum diversion.

“The economic implications extend beyond revenue losses; it disrupts supply chains, fuels artificial scarcity, and undermines regional security.”

The Customs chief also warned against internal collusion, saying, “We have intelligence that some officers and members of border communities are aiding smugglers. We will dig deeper into this and ensure that those involved face the full wrath of the law.”

Reaffirming the agency’s determination to curb smuggling, the Comptroller of Customs for the Adamawa/Taraba Command, Garba Bashir, highlighted the dangers of illicit trade.

“Smuggling weakens legitimate trade, encourages revenue loss, increases crime, and endangers our citizens. The operatives of Operation Whirlwind, under the leadership of the Comptroller General, have intensified efforts to dismantle these smuggling networks,” he stated.

The Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Hussaini Ejibunu, emphasized the effectiveness of intelligence-driven enforcement, noting that the seizures were completed in just three hours.

“This is an intelligence-based operation, not one conducted at fixed checkpoints. The results you see today confirm that Taraba is being used as a conduit for smuggling,” he explained.

He urged residents to support the anti-smuggling campaign, adding, “There is no hiding place for criminals. Anyone caught will be prosecuted. We urge the public: if you see something, say something.”

To address the impact of smuggling-related fuel shortages, the Comptroller General of Customs has ordered that the confiscated petroleum products be sold to the public at a subsidized rate.