News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has renewed calls for stronger cooperation among security and regulatory agencies to tackle terrorism financing, money laundering, wildlife trafficking, and other transnational crimes.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, spoke on Wednesday during a study visit by participants of the Operational Level Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Regional Security Course Two from the National Defence College. The event took place at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

Adeniyi said crimes linked to international trade and border activities now pose major security and economic threats. He noted that the responsibilities of the Customs Service have expanded beyond revenue collection and border monitoring.

He identified offences such as undervaluation, overvaluation, wildlife trafficking, and the illegal export of African resources as key financial crimes that require coordinated action from relevant agencies.

The Customs boss also praised ongoing efforts to improve the capacity of officers within the Service. He acknowledged the participation of personnel from different formations across the country in programmes aimed at strengthening enforcement and intelligence operations.

Speaking on Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, Adeniyi described the development as a major achievement for the country’s financial system and international reputation.

He explained that Nigeria’s inclusion on the grey list previously created difficulties for citizens and businesses abroad, especially in relation to the use of Nigerian bank cards for international transactions.

Adeniyi also revealed that the NCS is working closely with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and airline operators to introduce automated currency declaration systems.

“For us to get ahead of these criminals, we must continue to work together and subject our individual mandates to broader national security objectives,” he said.

Earlier, the Team Lead and Course Director Coordinator of the Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency/Countering the Financing of Terrorism Unit at the National Defence College, Dr Adam Abdullahi, described terrorism financing as a major driver of insecurity across the world.

He said agencies such as the Department of State Services (DSS), the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Armed Forces, Customs, and other institutions must strengthen cooperation to improve results in the fight against terrorism.

“The lifeline of terrorism is financing, and tackling it cannot be done by one institution alone,” he said.

Also speaking during the programme, the officer heading the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Unit of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Mas’ud Salihu, said criminal groups continue to exploit global supply chains and international connections to move illicit goods and funds across borders.

Salihu stressed the importance of enforcing currency declaration policies and preventing the movement of prohibited items such as arms and drugs. He also called for stronger collaboration at both local and international levels to combat organised crime.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States military has confirmed fresh strikes on targets in southern Iran despite ongoing diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran in Qatar.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation targeted what it described as threats against American troops in the region. The strikes happened while senior Iranian officials were in Doha for negotiations aimed at securing a broader peace agreement.

CENTCOM described the operation as “self-defence strikes”.

“Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines,” Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesperson, said in a statement to Al Jazeera late on Monday.

“US Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire.”

The US military did not release additional details about the operation.

Iranian sources told Al Jazeera that members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had earlier targeted a vessel at sea before the US response. The sources also claimed that several IRGC personnel died in the attacks.

The latest military action comes even though a ceasefire between the United States and Iran has officially remained in effect since April 8.

Al Jazeera correspondent Alan Fisher, reporting from Washington, DC, said the incident could affect ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israel conflict involving Iran. He noted that President Donald Trump appeared eager to secure an agreement.

“There have been a number of skirmishes like this, particularly just after the start of the ceasefire. At the time, Trump said he didn’t consider these to be a breach of the ceasefire,” Fisher said.

“There is very limited information coming from the US side; we don’t know the extent of the operation,” he said.

“It’s hard to say whether this skirmish is unusual.”

Earlier on Monday, a senior Iranian delegation arrived in Doha to address obstacles delaying a permanent peace agreement. The delegation included Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Trump later said negotiations were “proceeding nicely”, although he stressed that Washington would only accept a major agreement.

“It will only be a Great Deal for all or, no Deal at all — Back to the Battlefront and shooting, but bigger and stronger than ever before — And nobody wants that!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The US president also linked the talks to efforts aimed at persuading more Muslim-majority countries to establish formal relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords.

“It may be possible that one or two have a reason for not doing so, and that will be accepted, but most should be ready, willing, and able to make this Settlement with Iran a far more Historic Event than it would, otherwise, be,” Trump wrote.

The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020 during Trump’s first term, led to diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco. Sudan also agreed to normalise relations with Israel, although the agreement has not yet received formal approval.

In another social media post, Trump said he expected Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile to either be handed over to the United States or “destroyed in place or, at another acceptable location, with the Atomic Energy Commission, or its equivalent, being witness to this process and event”.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged that progress had been made in discussions with Washington, but officials insisted that a final agreement was still some distance away.

“To say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion would be correct. However, to say that this means an agreement is on the verge of being signed is not something anyone can claim,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said.

Baghaei also told reporters in Tehran that the current discussions were focused on ending the conflict rather than Iran’s nuclear activities, which he said were not under discussion “at this stage”.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government has announced Wednesday, 27th and Thursday, 28th May, 2026 as public holidays to commemorate this year’s Eid ul Adha.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

The minister conveyed the Federal Government’s warm felicitations to Muslim faithful in Nigeria and across the Diaspora, noting that Eid ul Adha is a festival of deep spiritual significance rooted in the values of sacrifice, obedience to God, and compassion for fellow human beings.

According to the statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the declaration affirms the Federal Government’s profound respect for the faith and spiritual heritage of millions of Nigerian Muslims who join the global Islamic community in observing this sacred occasion.

The Federal Government urged all Nigerians to use the period for prayer and sober reflection, seeking divine guidance for the country as it continues its pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity for every citizen.

“In the spirit of brotherhood, shared humanity, and national unity, the Federal Government wishes all Muslims a peaceful, blessed, and joyous celebration,” the statement read.

The holidays are expected to allow Muslims across the country to join their counterparts worldwide in performing the symbolic sacrifices and prayers associated with the festival.

By Uzair Adam


A lecturer with the Faculty of Communication at Bayero University Kano (BUK), Dr. Musa Adamu Labaran, has died following a brief illness.

The Head of the Department of Information and Media Studies, Professor Nura Ibrahim, confirmed the development on Monday.

Professor Ibrahim said the academic died in the early hours of Monday and would be buried in his hometown of Makarfi, Kaduna State, at about 11:00 a.m. in accordance with Islamic rites.

He described the late lecturer as a committed academic who contributed significantly to the growth of the department and the intellectual development of students.

Dr. Labaran, who hailed from Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, is survived by two wives and children.

One of his wives, Dr. Ummee Muhammad Hassan, is also a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at Bayero University Kano.

Meanwhile, colleagues, students, and associates have continued to mourn his death, describing him as supportive, hardworking, and dedicated throughout his academic career.

By Uzair Adam

Saudi Arabian authorities have approved Hausa and Yoruba among 35 international languages selected for the live translation of the 2026 Arafah sermon during Hajj, a move aimed at widening global access to one of Islam’s most important annual sermons.

The initiative, coordinated by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, is part of ongoing efforts to utilise digital technology and media platforms to reach millions of Muslims worldwide in languages they understand.

The selected languages include English, French, Urdu, Indonesian, Turkish, Persian, Chinese, Russian, Hindi and Swahili, alongside Hausa and Yoruba, which are widely spoken in Nigeria and parts of West Africa.

Saudi authorities said the project was designed to ensure that the spiritual teachings, guidance and messages contained in the Arafah sermon are accessible to Muslims across different linguistic backgrounds without barriers.

Speaking on the initiative, Abdulrahman Al-Sudais described the translation programme as one of the major projects developed through years of experience in serving pilgrims and promoting Islamic teachings globally.

He noted that the live translations would help non-Arabic-speaking Muslims better understand the sermon’s messages of faith, morality, compassion and spirituality while also conveying Islam’s message of peace and coexistence to the wider international community.

The Arafah sermon, delivered annually at Mount Arafat during the Hajj pilgrimage, is regarded as one of the most significant sermons in Islam and attracts millions of listeners and viewers across the world each year.

Saudi authorities also urged participating countries to continue educating pilgrims on compliance with Hajj rules and regulations to ensure a safe and successful pilgrimage exercise.

Meanwhile, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said it was aligning its operations with evolving digital standards, noting that its information technology department was developing comprehensive technological systems to improve Hajj operations in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms.

Observers of Hajj affairs described the inclusion of Hausa and Yoruba among the official translation languages as a major recognition of Nigeria’s large Muslim population, noting that it would enable millions of speakers of both languages to follow the sermon more directly and benefit from its teachings.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Popular Kannywood actress Wasila Isma’il has passed away at the age of 46 after battling illness for a long period.

Her former husband, Al-Amin Chiroma, announced her death in a social media post on Sunday. According to him, the actress died at the FOMWAN Hospital in Kaduna.

Wasila, a Kaduna-born actress, earned recognition in the Hausa film industry through several movie roles. She became widely known after featuring in the 1999 movie Wasila, which Yakubu Lere directed alongside Ali Nuhu.

She started her acting career in 1998 when she appeared in the film Jinin Masoya.

In a previous interview, the late actress spoke about the decision to change the title of the movie Jamila to Wasila.

“I didn’t like the name Jamila because I feared it might tarnish my name, so I asked for it to be changed, and the director agreed,” she said.

Following the announcement of her death, many fans and colleagues shared tributes on social media. They described her as one of the notable figures in the Kannywood industry and praised her contribution to Hausa filmmaking.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Some passengers abducted along the Itobe-Ajegwu-Anyigba Road in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State have regained freedom after escaping from their captors inside a forest.

The incident occurred on Saturday after armed men reportedly attacked two commercial buses conveying passengers along the route.

One of the affected vehicles reportedly bore Ebonyi registration number NKE 737 XA.

Sources said the attackers also seized a motorcycle rider and took him away with the passengers to an unknown location.

A resident of the area, Ahiaba Michael, said local vigilantes, hunters and security personnel launched a search operation shortly after the attack. However, the gunmen escaped with the victims.

Security sources later disclosed that operatives arrested a suspect, identified as Monday Agi, about three hours after the incident.

According to the source, the suspect allegedly became stranded in the area due to pressure mounted by security operatives during the search.

The source said: “When interrogated, the suspect claimed to be on board of a trailer from Ekiti, but decided to alight around the scene of the incident to continue the journey by trekking to his destination.

“He said when he heard gunshot, he decided to flee into the bush with two herders whom he claimed he did not know.”

The source added that the suspect remains in police custody while security agencies continue efforts to track down the kidnappers.

Meanwhile, three victims identified as Micheal Adejo, Monday and Mariam Yakubu narrated how they escaped after their abductors slept off in the forest.

The victims said the gang consisted of about 10 armed men carrying AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns.

One of the escapees said: “The bus I boarded suddenly ran into their barricade. On stopping, they filed us out, wielding AK 47 rifles and pump Action guns . The second bus behind us was shot at and the driver rammed into cashew trees. All of us were taken to the bush thereafter.

“On our way, we were stopped, and asked to lay face down. In the process, they searched our pockets and evacuated everything in it , including, money, our cell phones and other valuables. We are many , all passengers from two Hummer buses.”

Another escapee, identified as Adaji, explained how they managed to flee from the forest.

“When I noticed that the hoodlums closer to my position started sleeping , I started crawling gradually. After a distance was covered, I got up ,and with luck I ran until I reach a village with these two others,” said Adaji.

Efforts to get a response from the spokesperson of the Kogi State Police Command, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, were unsuccessful as calls and text messages sent to her were not answered as of the time of filing this report.

By Ishaka Mohammed

The Arewa Business Support Fund (Arewa BSF) has announced its website accessibility ahead of the official launch of the investment initiative set for June 1, 2026.

The announcement was made through the official X handle of the Fund @ArewaBSF. Part of it reads, “We are excited to officially announce that the portal for Arewa Business Support Fund is now LIVE!”

Arewa BSF is a private-sector initiative aimed at supporting youth-led businesses in northern Nigeria, regardless of the ownersʼ origins.

THE DAILY REALITY earlier reported how Aliko Dangoteʼs son-in-law, Captain Jamil Abubakar, raised 100 million naira to support entrepreneurs in northern Nigeria.

This Paper also gathered that beneficiaries would enjoy free mentorship and consultancy in addition to interest-free business loans, which, when repaid, would be used to support more businesses. By implication, every financial contribution is a donation. At the time of filing this report, there are 12 financial contributors.

The website https://arewabusinessfund.com/ has more information for interested entrepreneurs and contributors.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has expressed strong confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will emerge victorious in the 2027 presidential election. He maintained that no opposition figure, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, poses any threat to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) retaining power.

Namadi made the remarks after participating in the APC presidential primary election at his polling unit in Kafin Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

He also restated his pledge to mobilise over one million votes for President Tinubu in the forthcoming general election. According to him, the target is achievable due to the level of support the APC currently enjoys across Jigawa State.

The governor pointed to the high voter turnout recorded during the party’s primary election as evidence of public confidence in both the President and the APC-led administration. He said the orderly and peaceful conduct of the exercise also reflected respect for democratic principles and internal party processes.

Namadi added that the outcome of the APC primary signals what may unfold in the 2027 elections, predicting a decisive win for the party across the country.

He further described Jigawa as a key stronghold of the APC, noting that the state is among those with a large number of registered voters nationwide. He maintained that party supporters remain fully prepared to meet the goal of delivering over one million votes for President Tinubu.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released a young man, Mr. Ya’u Mohammed from Gashua in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State, after findings showed that he had no link to any alleged wrongdoing.

The Service, under the leadership of Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, also provided him with ₦2 million. The financial support was aimed at helping him settle back into society and start a means of livelihood for himself and his family.

The development was made known by the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam (rtd), during a visit to the DSS State Command Headquarters in Damaturu. The young man was formally handed over to him before reuniting with his family.

General Abdulsalam said his visit to the Command was to verify the circumstances that led to the detention and subsequent release of Mr. Ya’u Mohammed. He explained that follow-up reviews and investigations conducted by the Service cleared the young man of any involvement in the allegation that led to his arrest.

The retired military officer described the outcome as unusual within his long years in public service. He noted that it was the first time he had witnessed a situation where an individual, after being cleared, was released and also supported financially for reintegration.

He added that the action reflected a clear commitment by the Director General of the DSS to justice, compassion, and rehabilitation. He further called on other security agencies to maintain respect for the rule of law and uphold human rights in order to build stronger public confidence.

After his release, Mr. Ya’u Mohammed expressed gratitude to God for what he described as a difficult but defining experience. He also thanked the DSS Director General for the support given to him and promised to use the ₦2 million responsibly to build a stable livelihood and support his family.

His father, Alhaji Muhammadu, was visibly emotional during the reunion with his son. He expressed appreciation to the DSS leadership, describing the intervention as compassionate and commendable.