News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

One of the officers attached to the Kano State anti-illicit drugs and phone-snatching task force has raised concerns over the alleged non-payment of salaries and allowances for several years.

The officer, who spoke emotionally in a video circulating online, lamented the condition faced by members of the outfit after completing their training.

According to the officer, many personnel have continued to work despite not receiving salaries or allowances from the government for years.

The officer also accused the government of neglecting members of the task force after their recruitment and training.

The operatives are known for supporting efforts against illicit drug activities and phone snatching in parts of Kano State.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State Government had not issued an official response to the allegations.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has called for stronger diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly through educational exchange programmes aimed directly at grassroots communities.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja while hosting the new Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, the Speaker recalled that diplomatic relations between both nations date back to 1961, describing the connection as “extremely, very historic.”

Speaker Abbas specifically requested that scholarship opportunities be channelled to Nigerians through their representatives in the National Assembly, noting that lawmakers maintain direct contact with constituents at the grassroots level.

“I also want to commend your country for supporting a lot of Nigerians on education in particular,” the Speaker said. “So many of our accomplished clerics and scholars in Nigeria can attribute their foundation and success educationally to the scholarships that Saudi Arabia has been giving to our students over the past 40 years.”

He drew a parallel with a recent collaboration with the Algerian Government, which has pioneered a model of engaging the Nigerian Parliament directly, rather than limiting cooperation to the Executive arm alone.

The Speaker recalled that during a visit to Algeria about six months ago, both nations agreed that scholarship slots offered to Nigeria would be shared between the Executive and Legislative branches.

“We are happy to inform you that through that particular understanding, over 200 scholarship slots are under the process of being given to the Nigerian Parliament to also support their (members’) people at the grassroots,” Abbas stated.

He expressed hope that in the coming months, a similar arrangement could be established with Saudi Arabia, ensuring that educational benefits reach Nigerians across all levels of society through their elected representatives.

By Uzair Adam

The Borno State Government has addressed growing concerns about the likelihood of rehabilitated former insurgents returning to violence, insisting that its deradicalisation and reintegration programme includes firm safeguards to prevent recidivism.

A key element of the process, according to the state, is an oath sworn on the Quran at the final stage of rehabilitation, which authorities believe carries strong moral and spiritual consequences for participants.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, disclosed this during an interview on News Central Television on Monday.

She explained that the oath-taking marks the conclusion of the Borno model and is intended to reinforce commitment to peaceful living.

She said once beneficiaries complete the programme, they are required to swear with the Quran, stressing that those who take such an oath understand the weight of the obligation.

Gambo also responded to fears that some of the ex-fighters could return to insurgent camps, noting that such individuals would face severe consequences within the ranks of the groups they once belonged to.

According to her, individuals who surrender and embrace state authority are often treated as outsiders by insurgents, making reintegration into such groups difficult and dangerous.

She, however, identified inadequate funding as a major challenge affecting the programme’s effectiveness, noting that the increasing number of participants places pressure on available resources needed for feeding, clothing, and providing education.

Public scrutiny of the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration initiative, known as Operation Safe Corridor, intensified following the recent graduation and planned reintegration of 744 former insurgents.

Of the total number, 597 beneficiaries are from Borno State, while others are from Adamawa, Yobe, Kano and other parts of the country.

The development has generated mixed reactions among stakeholders, with many questioning the programme’s transparency, accountability and consideration for victims of insurgency.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, acknowledged that reintegration can be beneficial but cautioned that it must not come at the expense of victims.

He noted that reintegrating individuals accused of violent acts without addressing the suffering of victims could create the impression that perpetrators are being prioritised.

Similarly, the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, called for greater transparency in the process.

He stressed that the government needs to provide clear information about the identities of those being reintegrated, their roles in insurgency, and the extent of their involvement, to build public trust in the programme.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved Nigeria’s bid to host the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony alongside the 48th CAF General Assembly.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, following a meeting between President Tinubu and CAF President Patrice Motsepe on the sidelines of the Africa Forward event currently underway in Nairobi, Kenya.

According to the statement, the 48th CAF General Assembly will take place in October of this year, with the participation of football governing body presidents from 54 African nations and top football officials from across the continent.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Nigerian entertainment industry is in deep mourning following the news that beloved Nollywood actor and model, Alexx Ekubo, has passed away at the age of 40.

Reports emerged late Tuesday, May 12, indicating that the star died at a private medical facility in Lagos. While his family has yet to release an official statement regarding the cause of death, sources close to the actor suggest he had been quietly battling a long-term illness.

Ekubo’s passing comes after a prolonged and mysterious absence from the spotlight. Once a fixture of the Lagos social scene and a prolific presence on social media, the actor had not been seen publicly or posted online since late 2024, leading to months of mounting concern from his global fanbase.

Rising to fame as the first runner-up in the 2010 Mr. Nigeria contest, Ekubo transitioned into a powerhouse acting career. Known for his wit and charm, he became a household name through blockbuster hits like Weekend Getaway, Lagos Cougars, and Sugar Rush. Over his decade-long career, he earned numerous accolades, including the Best Supporting Actor trophy at the 2013 Best of Nollywood Awards.

Beyond the screen, Ekubo was a trained lawyer and a traditional chief, holding the title of Ikuku of Amumara Town.

Tributes have already begun pouring in from colleagues and fans, who remember him not just as a talented performer, but as a vibrant “breath of fresh air” in the African film industry.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Three pilgrims from Jigawa State taking part in the 2026 Hajj in Saudi Arabia have reportedly fallen victim to theft in separate incidents involving cash and personal belongings.

One of the affected pilgrims, an elderly Fulani man identified as Baba Katanga from Katanga village in Kiyawa Local Government Area, said he lost 400 US dollars after boarding a taxi from Masjidil Haram to Mahabbat Al Akhawin Hotel in Makkah.

The pilgrim alleged that the taxi driver stole the money while he was checking his Nusuk card during the journey.

“I was surprised when I later checked and discovered that my 400 dollars had disappeared. I became confused because that was the money I intended to use throughout my stay,” he said.

In another incident, a Fulani pilgrim from Jahun Local Government Area reportedly lost all his dollar notes to a suspected taxi driver. His identity was not made public.

A female pilgrim popularly called Hajiya also reportedly lost a handbag that contained two mobile phones and cash meant for her upkeep during the pilgrimage.

The incident happened at Miqat in Madinah, where pilgrims usually prepare for Umrah by performing ablution, wearing Ihram and making Niyyah before travelling to Makkah.

Sources said the woman left the bag unattended briefly before she discovered that it had disappeared.

The incidents have reportedly generated sympathy among other pilgrims from Jigawa State, with some of them contributing money to assist the victims while awaiting possible intervention from relevant authorities.

The Director-General of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ahmad Umar Labbo, expressed concern over the incidents and assured the affected pilgrims of support from the board.

He said the board had earlier warned pilgrims before their departure from Nigeria to remain alert and protect their money and valuables from criminals who target crowded places.

Labbo also advised pilgrims not to hand over their belongings to strangers or leave valuables unattended, especially around holy sites and transport locations.

He further prayed for the safety and protection of all pilgrims throughout the Hajj exercise.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the death of former House of Representatives member, Hon. Abba Anas Adamu, who reportedly died while in the custody of bandits after his abduction along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

Reports indicated that the former lawmaker was kidnapped on May 3, 2026, and died nine days later despite efforts by his family to secure his freedom.

Reacting to the incident, Atiku described the development as another sign of the growing security challenges facing the country under the current administration.

“His death is yet another grim reminder of the worsening collapse of security under the Tinubu administration,” he said.

The former vice-president spoke through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

According to Atiku, the death of a former federal lawmaker in the hands of kidnappers reflects what he described as the government’s inability to fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.

“Let us be brutally honest: Nigeria is under siege, and the Tinubu administration appears either overwhelmed, indifferent, or dangerously incompetent in the face of this national emergency.

“When a former member of the National Assembly can be abducted on one of the country’s most strategic highways and die in captivity, what hope remains for the ordinary Nigerian who lacks visibility, influence, or protection?

“This is no longer about isolated incidents. It is now a horrifying pattern. Nigerians are being kidnapped from highways, farms, communities, and even their homes, while the government continues to issue sterile statements and recycled assurances that bear no resemblance to the lived reality of our people.

“Under this administration, insecurity has evolved from a crisis into a cruel national routine. Citizens now travel with prayers instead of protection. Families sleep with one eye open. Businesses are shutting down, farmers are abandoning their land, and entire communities are being surrendered to criminals.

“A government that cannot secure its highways cannot claim to govern. A government that watches citizens get hunted like prey has failed the most elementary test of leadership.

“It is particularly tragic that the Abuja-Kaduna corridor and surrounding routes have remained notorious theatres of terror despite repeated promises, security budgets running into trillions, and endless propaganda about progress.

“Nigerians deserve answers. What exactly is the security strategy of this administration? Where is the urgency? Where is the accountability? How many more deaths must be recorded before this government realises that press releases do not defeat bandits?

“No amount of political spin can deodorise this failure. A nation where former lawmakers die in captivity while criminals operate with audacity is a nation in distress.

“At this point, what Nigerians need is not another hollow condolence message. They need decisive leadership, coherent action, and measurable results.”

Atiku also sympathised with the family of the deceased, the people of Jigawa State and Nigerians affected by insecurity across the country.

He urged the Federal Government to address the worsening security situation with urgency and take stronger measures to protect citizens.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A fire outbreak has destroyed several shops and goods worth millions of naira at the popular Mandate Market in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday and caused panic among traders and residents in the busy market.

Residents and traders reportedly tried to control the fire before firefighters arrived at the scene.

Eyewitnesses said many shops were affected, while traders lost large quantities of goods to the inferno.

The Babalola of Mandate Market, Alhaji Murtala Tambaruku, said the destruction left many traders devastated.

“Several properties were destroyed running into several millions of naira. Some of the traders fainted and we are talking about those selling rice, vegetable oil, drinks, drugs and gadgets. One of the rice sellers just got over five million naira supply yesterday and everything is gone.

“The walls and the shops were completely razed without the affected traders salvaging anything”, he said.

The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the incident and said it received a distress call around 4:44am before firefighters were deployed to the market.

According to the agency, the affected section belongs to a market that contains more than 200 shops, while 24 shops were destroyed by the fire.

The Fire Service blamed the scale of the destruction on the late reporting of the incident, stating that the fire had already spread before emergency officials arrived.

“Nevertheless, the gallant firefighters of the Kwara State Fire Service displayed exceptional courage and professionalism in combating the inferno and successfully averted further destruction across the market,” the agency’s spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, said.

Adekunle disclosed that preliminary findings showed that the fire started as a result of a power surge.

“The fire was said to have started from a shop dealing in phone accessories and phone charging services before spreading to adjoining shops where foodstuffs and other goods were stored,” he said.

He added that the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, later visited the market to assess the level of damage and sympathise with the affected traders.

“During the visit, he met with leaders of the market associations and reassured them of the agency’s support.

“He also urged traders and market operators to prioritise fire safety measures, including the installation of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, fire alarms and electrical protection devices,” he noted.

Adekunle also said the agency reminded market leaders about its yearly fire safety awareness campaigns across markets in the state and urged traders to follow safety guidelines to avoid future incidents.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned opposition parties against zoning their 2027 presidential ticket to the South, warning that such a decision could undermine their chances of unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olusola Sanni, Atiku described the push for a southern candidate as “self-defeating and intellectually dishonest.” He argued that political strategy and “hard electoral arithmetic” should guide the opposition, not “emotional talking points.”

“The first and most obvious question is this: how does a Southern opposition candidate realistically unseat a sitting Southern president?” the statement queried, noting that no incumbent president has ever lost to an opponent from the same region.

Atiku’s camp further pointed out that by 2027, the South would have spent approximately 18 years in power since the return of democracy in 1999, compared to about 10 years for the North. This, they argued, makes the zoning argument difficult to justify “under the guise of equity.”

The former vice president also accused some politicians of hypocrisy, recalling that they supported Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency in 2011 following the death of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, yet now defend zoning as a sacred principle.

However, Atiku maintained that the Southeast region deserves “a sustainable and credible pathway to national leadership,” not “symbolic tokenism.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Military forces operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have recorded multiple successes across five local government areas in Katsina State, neutralizing three terrorists, recovering stolen livestock, and dismantling a drug ring, authorities said on Sunday.

According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North West), troops of the 171 Battalion laid an ambush along the Matazu–Dutsin-Ma axis on Saturday, May 9, 2026, following intelligence that terrorists were fleeing recent military operations in Dikawa.

During the ensuing firefight, troops killed three terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, one motorcycle, three cutlasses, and assorted charms.

In a separate clearance operation across Matazu, Musawa, and Kankia LGAs, troops supported by the Katsina State Community Watch Corps cleared terrorist enclaves in Torcachi, Giginya, and Tashar Ganji villages. The terrorists abandoned their camps under sustained pressure, and troops recovered 175 rustled livestock. The animals are now in military custody awaiting handover to local authorities in Matazu LGA.

Additionally, troops from Forward Operating Base Malumfashi, working with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), raided Kauyan Dawo in Malumfashi LGA, arresting six suspected drug peddlers: Sani Rabiu (25), Umar Nasiru (22), Abulkubus Aminu (35), Abdullahi Halilu (27), Abubakar Rabiu (22), and Abubakar Dahiru (33).

Seized narcotics included 82.5 grams of suspected Cannabis Sativa, 15.7 grams of Exol-5, and 1.8 grams of D5. The suspects and drugs have been transferred to the NDLEA Malumfashi Area Command for prosecution.

The Theatre Command called on the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.