News

By Muhammad Abubakar

A recent surge in jihadist attacks in northeastern Nigeria has sparked concerns over a potential comeback of extremist groups in the region. Over the weekend, at least 48 individuals lost their lives in coordinated assaults across Adamawa and Borno states, marking one of the deadliest periods in recent months.

Security analysts attribute this uptick in violence to a reduction in infighting between Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The groups have reportedly adopted advanced tactics, including the use of armed drones and roadside explosives, indicating increased tactical support and funding from the Islamic State.

In Borno State, Governor Babagana Zulum has warned of militant regrouping in the Lake Chad and Sambisa Forest regions, noting a lack of strong military response. The Nigerian military has yet to comment on the situation.

The resurgence of these extremist groups poses a significant threat to the stability of northeastern Nigeria, a region that has endured over 15 years of insurgency.

Analysts caution that without a robust and coordinated response, the region may witness a return to the heightened levels of violence experienced in previous years.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Nigerian scholar Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu has officially announced the publication of his new book, Hausa Cinema of Northern Nigeria: Cultural Imperialism and Censorship, a landmark work that explores the development, politics, and aesthetics of Hausa-language film across West Africa.

Published by Bloomsbury, the book is the product of over twenty years of research spanning multiple countries and academic disciplines. Rather than focusing solely on the popular commercial industry known as “Kannywood,” Adamu takes a broader approach, examining Hausa cinema in its many forms—including diaspora productions, documentaries, art films, and digital series.

“This is not just about Kannywood,” Adamu explained. “It’s about Hausa cultural expression wherever it exists, rooted in Islamicate values and media flows across the Global South.”

Completed in 2010, the manuscript faced delays and was almost shelved. However, a 2023 conference presentation and a meal hosted by Dr. Muhsin Ibrahim, where Adamu jokingly called the large waina “one terabyte,” in Cologne, Germany, reignited interest, leading to its acceptance and revision. 

The final version, praised by scholars such as Graham Furniss and Brian Larkin, will be released in July 2025.

Though priced at $130, Adamu plans to publish a locally accessible companion book titled Kannywood: A Brief Introduction later this year in Kano. It will be tailored for readers interested in a concise, less theoretical overview.

With this announcement, Hausa cinema gains its most comprehensive and scholarly treatment, firmly placing it in the global conversation about media and culture.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgain

iA General Court Martial (GCM) in Enugu has sentenced Private Adamu Mohammed to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Hauwa Ali, while Private Abubakar Yusuf received a 10-year jail term for robbery.

The court, convened by the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, found Mohammed guilty under Section 106(a) of the Armed Forces Act.

Despite pleas for leniency, the panel upheld the death penalty, citing the need for justice.

Yusuf was convicted of robbing a mall in Enugu under Section 107(1)(b) of the same law. The court could not impose the maximum penalty due to a lack of unanimity, leading to a 10-year sentence instead. Both rulings await confirmation by higher authorities. The Army reaffirmed its commitment to discipline and justice, stating that misconduct by personnel would always be met with strict legal action.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kano State Government has announced that it will not pay April salaries to its workers until each employee is physically verified in an effort to curb fraudulent salary payments.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Faruq Ibrahim, disclosed this during a press briefing on the government’s measures to address irregularities in salary payments, including payments to ghost workers and deceased or retired staff.

The report revealed that at least 247 individuals have been receiving salaries illegally every month, amounting to over ₦28 million in wasted funds.

According to Alhaji Umar, these fraudulent payments stem from local government areas and some state agencies.

“Starting from the end of April, every worker must present themselves physically and complete the necessary documentation before receiving their April salary,” he stated.

He noted the difficulties workers may face but urged patience and cooperation to ensure the process is successful.

The SSG added that salary payments for April will begin this week, but each employee must undergo verification using their National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN).

He appealed to workers to understand the government’s position, adding that the new measures are not meant to punish employees but to correct systemic flaws and ensure transparency.

By Uzair AdamThe Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially launched the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for special needs candidates across the country.

The initiative is part of JAMB’s commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian student is excluded from pursuing higher education.

At a press briefing held at the BUK’s School of Continuing Education in Kano, Prof. Muhammad Yahuza Bello, Coordinator of the Kano Centre for the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), explained that over 500 special needs candidates are participating in the exams at 11 centers nationwide.

The Daily Reality gathered that the Kano Centre alone is set to host 92 candidates from across Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, and parts of Kaduna states.

Prof. Bello clarified that the examinations, while tailored to meet the needs of candidates with disabilities such as visual impairments, autism, Down syndrome, and albinism, are of the same standard as those for regular candidates.

“The goal is to ensure that these candidates are not disadvantaged when competing for university placements,” he said.For the first time this year, special needs candidates are writing Computer Studies as part of their UTME subjects, marking a significant step toward inclusivity.

“This is a major breakthrough, with candidates from Kano and Lagos leading the way,” Prof. Bello added.

JAMB’s commitment to inclusivity is further reflected in the special accommodations provided, including free accommodation, feeding, and transportation for the candidates.

Additionally, candidates who meet specific requirements, like uploading their O’ Level results with at least five credits, are eligible for a refund of their registration fees.

The initiative, which started in 2017, has steadily grown under the leadership of JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who emphasized that the examinations must maintain the same rigorous standards as those for regular candidates to ensure fairness and equal opportunity.

Prof. Bello also highlighted the support the Kano Centre receives from local institutions such as Bayero University and the Department of Special Education, which help to facilitate the smooth conduct of the examination process.

He added that the 2025 UTME for special needs candidates is yet another milestone in JAMB’s ongoing effort to promote an inclusive education system, ensuring that every Nigerian child, regardless of their condition, has a fair chance to succeed academically.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission has suspended two court registrars and issued formal warnings to two Upper Sharia Court judges for various acts of misconduct.

This was announced in a statement by the spokesperson of the Kano State Judiciary, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, on Sunday, April 27, 2025, according to SolaceBase.

The statement said the disciplinary measures were approved during the Commission’s 80th meeting held on April 22, 2025, based on the recommendations of the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee.

Principal Registrar II of the High Court of Justice, Ibrahim Adamu, was suspended without pay for six months and had his promotion delayed after being found guilty of verbally assaulting and attempting to physically attack his superior — actions that violated the Kano State Civil Service Rules 2004 and Judicial Service Commission Regulations. 

The statement noted that this was his second appearance before an investigative panel for violence-related misconduct.

In a related case, Maigida Lawan, a Principal Registrar of the Sharia Court of Appeal, was found guilty of demanding and receiving improper gratification under false pretences. 

Consequently, he was demoted from GL-13 to GL-12 and suspended without pay for six months.

Meanwhile, Upper Sharia Court Judge Alkali Mansur Ibrahim was issued a formal warning after evidence showed he used abusive language toward a litigant. 

Similarly, Upper Sharia Court Judge Alkali Nasiru Ahmad received a caution for ordering the detention of a judgment debtor in circumstances that suggested a conflict of interest and compromised judicial impartiality.

The Commission reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and misconduct, warning that any court staff found guilty of such practices would face compulsory retirement. 

It stressed that judicial officers must uphold fairness, integrity, and respect for all court users to maintain public trust in the judiciary.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The power struggle within the Kano Emirate has escalated as both Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and reinstated Emir Muhammad Sanusi II have appointed different individuals to the prestigious Galadiman Kano title.

Emir Aminu Ado Bayero approved Alhaji Sanusi Ado Bayero, eldest son of the late Emir Ado Bayero, for the position, with his installation set for May 2, 2025.

Meanwhile, Emir Sanusi II had earlier named Alhaji Munir Sanusi Bayero as Galadiman Kano on April 9, filling the vacancy left by the late Alhaji Abbas Sanusi.

The conflicting appointments highlight the ongoing feud between the rival emirs, stemming from Sanusi II’s controversial reinstatement.

The situation raises concerns over further division in the historic emirate.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In a biting and satirical letter that has quickly ignited debate across Nigeria’s political landscape, Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan has issued a mock apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him—without directly naming him—of promoting a culture of entitlement, favoritism, and personal gratification within the National Assembly.

The letter, which begins with exaggerated expressions of “theatrical regret,” ridicules what the senator describes as a system where “legislative success… is apparently not earned through merit, but through the ancient art of compliance — of the very personal kind.”

Her words appear to take aim at alleged improper advances and a patriarchal power structure within the Senate.

“I must apologize for prioritizing competence over capitulation, vision over vanity, and the people’s mandate over private dinners behind closed doors,” she wrote, drawing sharp applause from supporters online and condemnation from some quarters within the political class.

In her sarcastic reflection on the consequences of her so-called defiance, she writes of “egos so large they require their own postcodes,” and ends the letter with a searing line: “Please find it in your magnanimous heart — somewhere buried deep beneath layers of entitlement — to forgive this stubborn woman who mistakenly believed that her seat in the Senate was earned through elections, not erections.”

The statement, signed “Unafraid, Unbought, and Unbroken,” has been widely interpreted as a challenge to misogyny in Nigeria’s political system, with many calling it a rare act of public defiance against powerful male figures in government.

No official response has yet been issued by the office of Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the time of this report.

By Uzair Adam

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday advised opposition parties to accept responsibility for their internal crises rather than blame him for their inability to manage their affairs.

Tinubu said that political defections are neither new nor unique to Nigeria, citing examples from more advanced democracies where notable politicians have switched parties without controversy.

Speaking through his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu dismissed allegations that his administration is tilting towards authoritarianism, describing such claims as baseless and exaggerated.

He insisted that democracy in Nigeria remains vibrant and under no threat.

The President questioned why defections from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), such as that of former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), are celebrated, while defections to the APC are condemned.

In a statement titled, “Democracy strong and alive in Nigeria, ignore alarmists,” Tinubu said: “We have read the alarming claims of disgruntled opposition figures, some partisan human rights crusaders, and emergency defenders of democracy over recent defections of key members of opposition parties into the governing APC.”

He noted that recent political shifts, including Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno’s support for Tinubu, the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and former PDP vice presidential candidate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, had unsettled the opposition.

“While the opposition elements are understandably heartbroken over the failure of their grand coalition, it is disturbing they are resorting to false claims of promoting a one-party state against President Tinubu, who is working hard to reverse decades of economic mismanagement,” the statement said.

It added that accusations of bribery, blackmail, and weaponisation of state institutions are mere fabrications from politicians who have failed in their roles as opposition.

Tinubu stressed that he bears no responsibility for the internal disorganisation and incompetence within opposition ranks, saying it is not his job to manage or strengthen their parties.

He also criticised what he described as hypocrisy, saying those celebrating the formation of an anti-Tinubu coalition now cry foul when politicians defect to the ruling party.

The statement further reaffirmed Tinubu’s commitment to freedom of association, freedom of speech, and democratic principles, asserting that Nigerians freely migrating to the APC do so because they believe in the reforms being implemented.

It concluded that under President Tinubu, democracy remains strong, and Nigeria’s multiparty system will continue to thrive.

“President Tinubu is an avowed democrat whose political activism and democratic credentials in galvanising opposition to defeat a sitting president stand as proof of his commitment to multiparty democracy,” it said.

Nigerians were urged to support the administration in defending democracy and disregard alarmists promoting baseless narratives.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted over two million pills of tramadol and arrested multiple suspects in a sweeping operation across Kano, Jigawa, and the Seme border.

In Jigawa, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle along Kano-Ringim road, Gumel town, in the early hours of Wednesday, April 23.

Two suspects, Abba Ibrahim, 28, and Shuaibu Umar, 29, were arrested with 200,000 pills of tramadol and 217,500 capsules of pregabalin. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the main supplier, Jamilu Muhammad, 41, in Kano. 

An additional 1,584,000 tramadol pills were found hidden in a Nissan bus and his residence, bringing the total haul to 2,001,500 pills.

Meanwhile, at the Seme border in Lagos, three Ghanaian women — Haziza Zubairu, 42; Samirat Mustapha, 43; and Jamila Salifu, 26 — were apprehended on Sunday, April 20, while attempting to smuggle 4.8 kilograms of “Ghana Loud,” a potent cannabis strain, into Nigeria.

In other operations, NDLEA officers uncovered 46 wraps of cocaine concealed in body cream heading to Saudi Arabia, seized drugs destined for Canada, and arrested a 60-year-old woman with 5.6 kilograms of skunk in Kano.

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, praised the successful interdictions and the ongoing nationwide advocacy efforts under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.