News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In an unprecedented move, Moroccan authorities have ordered the closure of livestock markets nationwide ahead of Eid al-Adha following a royal directive from King Mohammed VI.

The decision aims to mitigate the impact of severe drought and economic strain, which have drastically reduced livestock numbers and left many families unable to afford traditional sacrifices.

Local officials have been instructed to enforce the ban on all public and seasonal animal markets, with some provinces also suspending municipal slaughterhouses and restricting sales of sacrificial tools.

The measures seek to preserve Morocco’s dwindling herds and ease financial burdens on households grappling with rising meat prices.

In a gesture of solidarity, King Mohammed VI announced he would perform the Eid sacrifice on behalf of all citizens, echoing a tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The move has drawn widespread praise, with many Moroccans viewing it as a compassionate response to the country’s challenges.

While the restrictions may disrupt customary celebrations, they highlight Morocco’s emphasis on unity and shared resilience during hardship.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared his intention to lead the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in the 2027 general elections. He made the statement on Monday during a media interaction in Abuja, dismissing claims that he was undermining the PDP while serving in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.  

“I am still in PDP. I worked hard for the party,” Wike said. “No one can question my membership because nobody has contributed more than I. I will lead the PDP campaign in Rivers in 2027.”  

Wike, a former Rivers State governor, has faced criticism from PDP members for his role in the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government. However, he defended his actions, stating that he takes pride in making tough decisions, even if they upset powerful figures.  

“I step on the toes of big men, and it makes me happy,” he said. “If you don’t do the right thing, too bad. I don’t care.”  

On the political crisis in Rivers State, Wike denied any personal rift with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and stated that he would have opposed a state of emergency if consulted by the president.  

“I don’t have any crisis with Fubara,” he said. “If Mr. President had asked me, I wouldn’t have agreed to a state of emergency.”  

Wike’s remarks come amid growing tensions within the PDP, with his loyalty remaining a contentious issue among party members.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Matthew Miller, former spokesperson for the U.S. State Department under President Joe Biden, has said Israel has “without doubt” committed war crimes in Gaza.

In a recent interview, Miller pointed to the targeting of civilian infrastructure, the high civilian death toll, and the ongoing blockade as clear violations of international law. His remarks mark a significant departure from the official U.S. position, which has largely avoided directly accusing Israel of war crimes.

Miller’s comments come as independent investigations into alleged violations by Israeli forces continue. He also criticized the Biden administration’s support for Israel, warning it risks enabling serious breaches of humanitarian law.

By Muhammad Abubakar

NDLEA operatives have seized illicit opioids worth ₦9.3 billion during a joint inspection at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State.

Between May 28 and 30, seven flagged containers were searched, yielding 825,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup and trodol (valued at ₦5.77 billion), and 5.1 million tapentadol tablets (valued at ₦3.57 billion).

In Kano, NDLEA officers intercepted two men—Abubakar Hussein, 42, and Sahabi Adamu, 53—on May 30 with $900,000 in suspected counterfeit currency along the Kano-Maiduguri road.

Meanwhile, NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) continued with sensitisation programs across secondary schools in Katsina, Enugu, Anambra, Kano, and Cross River.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised officers for reducing the drug supply and promoting public awareness nationwide.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate exploiting hajj pilgrims as cocaine couriers to Saudi Arabia.

Two intending pilgrims, Ibrahim Umar Mustapha and Muhammad Siraj Shifado, were arrested on Monday, May 26, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport during screening for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah. They were found to have ingested 90 wraps of cocaine between them, weighing a total of 1.04 kilograms.

Following intelligence gathered from their arrest, NDLEA operatives apprehended three alleged sponsors of the operation: Abubakar Muhammad, Abdulhakeem Muhammed Tijjani, and Muhammad Aji Shugaba, on May 27 and 28 in Kano.

In a related operation, a 60-year-old businessman, Chinedu Leonard Okigbo, was arrested on May 28 at the same airport while boarding a Qatar Airways flight to Iran. He excreted 65 wraps of cocaine, weighing 1.41kg.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s Kano command for its swift action and called for continued vigilance during the hajj season.

“This bust shows how far traffickers are willing to go. We will not let religious pilgrimage be used as a cover for criminal activity,” Marwa stated.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has declared Monday a public holiday to sympathise with the families of the 22 Kano athletes who died in a tragic accident while on their way from Ogun State.

The governor gave the directive while still away on a pilgrimage for the 2025 Hajj.

“He directed that Monday, 2nd June 2025, be declared as a public holiday for the good people of Kano to pray and sympathise with the families of the victims.”

In a late-night statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor expressed his profound sadness over the loss and assured that all necessary support would be provided to the grieving families.

“It is with a deeply saddened heart that I received the tragic news of the unfortunate incident which claimed the lives of 22 innocent citizens and left several others injured,” the Governor was quoted as saying.

“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We mourn with you and share in your grief,” he added

The state also called on Imams and all Muslims within and outside Kano to pray for the departed souls and for their respective families to bear the loss.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In a bold and unflinching statement, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has voiced the frustrations of many Nigerians amid the worsening economic crisis.

“We are all hungry. If you’re not feeling the hunger, I certainly am… If you want us to get rid of the man in charge, we can certainly do that,” Amaechi declared during a public event.

His remarks have sparked intense debate, with some viewing them as a direct challenge to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which has faced mounting criticism over inflation, insecurity, and economic hardship.

A former APC presidential aspirant and ex-Rivers State governor, Amaechi’s comments suggest growing discontent within the ruling party.

By Anwar Usman

At least 20 athletes from Kano were reportedly dead following a ghastly car accident at Dakatsalle Bridge in the Kura Local Government area of Kano State.

The athletes were said to be returning from from the just concluded National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Umar Fagge, who confirmed the incident, said many other athletes sustained various injuries following the fatal accident on Saturday.

He stated that the bus carrying 30 athletes fell from the bridge, leading to the death of the 20 athletes.

He further stated that “As I am talking to you now, we have counted 19 dead bodies”.

Similarly, Ado Salisu, a former Vice President of SWAN, said victims were still being taken to Kura General Hospital.

Abdullahi Labaran, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kano Sector Command, also confirmed the accident.

He however said that he could not confirm the number of deaths and injured persons.

“We just received the report of the accident, so, I cannot confirm the exact number of casualties at the moment,” he added.

By Uzair Adam

Seventeen members of a household were swept away by the devastating flood that engulfed the Kpege area of Mokwa in Niger State on Wednesday night, pushing the death toll to 115.

One of the victims, Anas Usman, recounted the tragic events: “I lost 17 members of my household in the flood disaster that occurred on Thursday morning after a heavy downpour on Wednesday night.

“We were preparing to go to the farm in the morning when our house was suddenly submerged by the flood. We didn’t even know where it came from.

“The flood caused our house to collapse, taking with it children, women, and men from our family,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Mr. Yakubu Garba, visited the affected community to assess the situation.

Acting on the directive of Governor Umaru Bago, Garba confirmed that more than 115 bodies had been recovered, with search and rescue efforts still underway.

“I have been briefed by officials from NEMA and NSEMA, who have been on the ground since the incident began, conducting search and rescue operations.

“I was told that over 100 people lost their lives, and some have yet to be buried as efforts continue,” he said.

Addressing victims at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Garba urged patience and assured them that the state government is working to provide relief materials.

He added that the government had already received relief supplies from NEMA and handed them over to the council chairman for distribution to the victims.

Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director-General of NEMA, said the agency had provided essential supplies—including rice, blankets, and mats—which have been handed over to the state government through the deputy governor.

She also noted that NEMA was coordinating with the Red Cross and the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) to support the affected community.

In a statement issued yesterday, Umar confirmed that “based on an on-site assessment conducted Friday, 30th May 2025, no fewer than 115 bodies have so far been recovered as search and rescue operations continue.

Injured persons evacuated to various health centres in Mokwa have been treated and discharged, while some received immediate first aid at the scene.”

The epicentres of the disaster were identified as the Unguwan Hausawa and Tiffin Maza neighbourhoods within Mokwa township.

The Federal Government has expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and all those affected by this tragic event. President Bola Tinubu has been fully briefed on the situation and has directed all relevant emergency and security agencies to intensify the search and rescue operations. The immediate priority of the Federal Government is to save lives and provide urgent relief to survivors.”

He commended the courage and dedication of first responders and volunteers, who risked their lives in the ongoing rescue efforts.

Idris also urged residents in the affected areas to cooperate fully with emergency officials and adhere to all evacuation directives issued.

“The Federal Government extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. In this moment of grief, the nation stands united with them in solidarity,” he said.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced a remote Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration for Nigerians living abroad, but at a cost of $50 (N80,000).

The new Non-Resident BVN (NRBVN) platform, launched in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), allows diaspora Nigerians to register without visiting Nigeria.

While BVN registration is free for Nigerians at home, those abroad must pay the fee to access the service.

Applicants must provide documents such as a Nigerian passport, proof of foreign residency, and a utility bill. The process includes identity verification and a liveness test.

The move aims to boost financial inclusion and remittances, with the CBN targeting $1 billion in monthly diaspora inflows.

However, reactions are mixed—some see the fee as reasonable compared to travel costs, while others call it an unfair revenue tactic.

The NRBVN platform also offers access to investment accounts and financial services, with repatriation options for diaspora investors.investor.