News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Lawal Adamu Usman, popularly known as Mr. La, the senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, has reportedly survived an alleged assassination attempt.

Usman, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a prominent opposition figure, confirmed the incident via his verified Facebook account late Wednesday night.

The senator, elected to the Senate in 2023, did not provide detailed information about the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack.

In his statement, Senator Usman said, “I just escaped an assassination attempt by some thugs in Kaduna Central.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala A. Mohammed, has advised the President not to display arrogance and instead listen to the people’s opinions about the negative effects of tax policies.

The governor noted that if the proposed tax laws are passed, they could pose a threat to the development of local governments and states.

Mohammed criticized Tinubu’s stance on the tax laws, calling them “undemocratic.”

He stated that even military rulers would listen to the people and address their problems.

He also condemned Tinubu’s tax policies before the National Assembly, and stated that they were designed to favor one region over another.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The arrest of a former Kaduna Commissioner of Finance and Local Governments, Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu by the Police over alleged money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds has been confirmed.

A security source confirmed to The Nation a petition received by the Police accused Sa’idu of laundering N3.96 billion and misappropriating N244 million during his tenure in the Kaduna State government between 2015 and 2023.

The allegations include the sale of $45 million in state-owned foreign currency at an undervalued exchange rate of N410 per dollar instead of the parallel market rate of N498 per dollar, causing a loss of over N3.96 billion to the government.

The source said this transaction breaches Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.Sa’idu is also accused of failing to account for proceeds from the sale of government houses in Marafa Estate, Kaduna, amounting to approximately N244 million.

This constitutes a breach of trust under Section 300 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

Reports indicate the Kaduna Assembly previously investigated Sa’idu’s financial dealings and forwarded its findings to anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

As part of the investigation, Sa’idu’s international passport has been seized.Critics have attempted to frame the arrest as politically motivated, claiming it was orchestrated through Operation Fushin Kada, a unit established to combat banditry.

However, the police have dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the arrest is based on credible allegations of financial crimes.

Sa’idu, who served in various capacities in Kaduna State, including as Chief of Staff and Commissioner of Finance, remains in detention as investigations continue.

By Anwar Usman

Kano state Governor, Abba Yusuf of has extended warm and heartfelt New Year greetings to the people of the state within and outside the state including those in the diaspora.

He expressed optimism that 2025 would be a brighter and more prosperous year.This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Tofa on Wednesday.

In his message, the governor appreciated the resilience and patience of Kano residents in navigating the challenges of 2024 and reassured them of his unwavering commitment to delivering meaningful progress and development in 2025.

The governor, in the statement was quoted saying “Happy New Year to the good people of Kano State. May 2025 bring us peace, prosperity, and more unity”.

While pledging to work tirelessly to improve the lives of every citizen of the state, Yusuf said his administration had made significant efforts to ensure the timely approval of the 2025 budget, describing it as a critical step toward accelerating development across the state.

With the budget now in place, the governor expressed confidence that Kano would witness remarkable improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture in the year ahead.

He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to empowering youth and women through skills acquisition initiatives and increased access to credit for small and medium-sized businesses.

The governor called on the people of Kano to remain united and supportive of the government’s vision for progress.

By Uzair Adam 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed optimism about brighter prospects for Nigerians in 2025 in his New Year message. 

He highlighted economic improvements, such as reduced fuel prices, strengthened foreign reserves, and increased foreign investments, and attributed them to his administration’s efforts.  

Tinubu acknowledged challenges like high food and drug costs and pledged to tackle inflation, aiming to lower it from 34.6% to 15%. 

He announced plans to expand credit access by establishing a National Credit Guarantee Company to begin operations by mid-2025 to boost economic growth and support underserved groups.  

The president called for unity, urging Nigerians to avoid divisive tendencies and remain focused on building a prosperous nation. 

He reaffirmed his commitment to reforms, emphasising his goal of achieving a one trillion-dollar economy.

By Anwar Usman

The Nigeria Police Force, Federal Capital Territory Command, recovered a total of ₦409,992,000 from criminals during various operations in 2024.

A breakdown of the recovered sum, according to the command’s scorecard made available to journalists on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, revealed that ₦36,850,000 was recovered from kidnapping suspects; ₦68,552,000 from armed robbery suspects; ₦19,590,000 from burglary cases and ₦285,000,000 from fraud cases.

Also, in 2024, Adeh stated that 1,426 cases were reported, leading to the apprehension of 1,077 suspects.

According to the scorecard, fraud cases were the most reported, with 385 cases and 422 suspects arrested. This was followed by armed robbery, with 268 cases and 132 suspects arrested.

One-chance robbery ranked third, with 263 cases leading to 71 arrests. Car theft came next, with 127 cases and 64 suspects arrested. Kidnapping took the top five position with 104 cases, resulting in the arrest of 216 suspects.

“For cybercrime, 32 cases were reported, and 15 suspects were arrested. For homicide, 68 cases were reported, leading to 78 arrests. Burglary saw 73 cases, with 20 suspects arrested, while cultism recorded 38 cases, leading to 59 arrests,” the scorecard stated.

The report also indicated that 376 firearms, including 13 AK-47 magazines and 187 rounds of live ammunition, were recovered.

The report further revealed that “Seventy-three vehicles were recovered from car theft cases, 24 from one-chance robbery cases, and two from cultism cases. The above statistics show a 15.1% reduction in crime incidents within the FCT, recorded between 2023 and 2024. Additionally, 68 kidnapping victims and 19 one-chance robbery victims were rescued”.

While highlighting the command’s readiness for 2025, Adeh explained that efforts would focus on enhancing community policing and conducting targeted operations.

“Building on the successes of 2024, the Command will intensify: Community policing engagements—intelligence-led policing strategies. Targeted clearance operations and public enlightenment initiatives were used to address the evolving security demands of the FCT.

“With a significant reduction in crime rates and a stable, peaceful atmosphere in the FCT, the Command is committed to sustaining the momentum in fighting against criminal activities,” she said.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Bashir Saidu, the chief of staff to Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, was arrested by Operation Fushin Kada, formerly Operation Yaki, on Tuesday.

Mr Saidu, a top political ally of Mr El-Rufai, was rounded up by the operatives of the anti-banditry police outfit in the Rigachikun area, allegedly on the orders of the state government.

Sources said the operatives earlier laid ambush near Mr Saidu’s residence at Coronation Crescent, Kaduna, before pinning him down at Rigachikun.

A source familiar with the development said he was first taken to the Operation Fushin Kada office at Constitution Road, where they took his statement and later arraigned him at a magistrate’s court in Rigasa.

“I wonder why Operation Yaki [Operation Fushin Kada] will involve itself in a clear case of political witch-hunt and repression against loyalists of former Governor El-Rufai.

“The operatives have abandoned their job of protecting the citizens against bandits and kidnappers to harass innocent citizens. It is strange that Operation Yaki is now preparing FIR and filing charges against perceived opponents of the governor.

“Despite giving a satisfactory statement, denying involvement in money laundering and sale of 12 government houses, the operatives nevertheless took Bashir Saidu to court,” said the source.

After hearing the arguments of the prosecution and defence counsel, Magistrate Muhammad Lawal Musa rejected the bail application and ordered the former chief of staff remanded at Kaduna Central Prison.

The case was adjourned to January 21, 2025.

Sources familiar with Kaduna politics said politicians loyal to Mr El-Rufai are currently facing charges either in the state or at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, EFCC or ICPC.

A spokesman for Governor Uba Sani, Ibraheem Musa, could not be reached when filing this report.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), an organisation focused on investigating global corruption and crime, has announced the list of the top individuals involved in corruption for the year 2024. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ranks third on this list.

OCCRP conducted this selection by gathering votes from people around the world to identify those who have significantly promoted corruption, dishonesty, and increasing poverty in their countries.

In this year’s list, President Tinubu secured the third position, following the former president of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. The president of Kenya, William Ruto, received the most votes. 

However, the prestigious “Person of the Year” award was given to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is said to have fled to Russia after years of plundering his country’s wealth.

By Uzair Adam  

Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved a two-year service extension for the Head of Civil Service, select Permanent Secretaries, and senior civil servants, effective December 31, 2024.  

This decision, formalised through an Executive Order signed by the Governor, is rooted in the Doctrine of Necessity and aligns with Section 5(2) and Section 208 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).  

A statement from Aliyu Yusuf, Director of Public Enlightenment, Office of the Head of Civil Service, highlighted the beneficiaries of the extension. 

They include Alhaji Abdullahi Musa as the Head of Civil Service and Permanent Secretaries Umar Muhammad Jalo, Bilkisu Shehu Maimota, Mu’azatu Isa Dutse, Abdulmuminu Musa, and Tijjani Muhammad Sharif. Bashir Idris Diso, the Clerk to the State House of Assembly, was also listed.  

The extension applies to civil servants who were due for retirement by December 31, 2024, under the Civil Service Rules and Kano State Pension Trustees Fund Law. 

According to the Executive Order, these individuals have demonstrated exceptional competence, dedication, and responsibility in their roles, making their retention critical to ensuring efficient service delivery.  

Senior civil servants granted the same extension include Comrades Kabiru Ado Minjibir, Marwan Mustapha, Tajuddeen Bashir Baba, Hashim A. Sule, and Kabiru Inuwa. Additionally, critical healthcare professionals, including Amina Idris (Psychiatric Nurse), Ahmad Lawan (Peri-Operative Nurse), Hussaini Nuhu (Pediatric Nurse), Salisu H. Nadosun (Peri-Operative Nurse), and Larai Ahmadu (Critical Care Nurse), also benefited from the extension.  

The statement emphasised the importance of these personnel in maintaining the functionality of the state’s civil service and directed the beneficiaries to continue their duties according to the Civil Service Rules.

By Uzair Adam

The Military High Command has labeled the notorious bandit and terrorist leader, Bello Turji, as a “dead man walking.”

Turji, infamous for his criminal activities in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger states, remains one of the most wanted terrorist figures in North-western Nigeria.

Speaking during a briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, reviewed the military’s 2024 efforts in counter-terrorism and banditry.

“Terrorists exist to perpetuate war, but they must be eliminated for peace to thrive. Our troops have maintained relentless pressure on terrorist enclaves, strongholds, and hideouts to hasten their defeat,” Buba said.

He disclosed that thousands of terrorists, including commanders and foot soldiers, were neutralized during the year.

“Bello Turji is a prime example. He is merely a dead man walking, and his end is inevitable, just like the others we have eliminated,” he added.

Buba went on to stated the military’s success against several high-profile terrorist leaders in 2024.

Among those neutralized were Halilu Sububu, Dutse Mainasara Idda, Mohammed Amadu, and Alhaji Baldu, alongside many others.

He further revealed that the sustained intensity of military operations had compelled numerous terrorists, including their families, to surrender.

The military, Buba assured, would continue to employ overwhelming force to defend the country and ensure lasting peace for Nigerians.