News

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arrested popular Kano TikTok influencer, Murja Ibrahim Kunya, for allegedly abusing and mutilating the Naira.

Kunya was apprehended on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano after evading an earlier administrative bail granted to her in January.

She was initially arrested for allegedly spraying Naira notes in violation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act but failed to appear in court for her scheduled arraignment.

Following weeks of surveillance, EFCC operatives successfully tracked and detained her. She is currently in custody at the Commission’s Kano Zonal Directorate, awaiting trial.

The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to upholding the integrity of Nigeria’s currency and warned against acts of abuse, including spraying and mutilation of Naira notes.

By Uzair Adam

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has urged Nigerians to prioritize the consumption of locally made products, emphasizing the role of indigenous manufacturing in driving economic growth.

Speaking at a Focus Group Meeting in Awka, Anambra State, NASENI officials and industry stakeholders discussed strategies to enhance the branding and promotion of Nigerian goods.

The agency reiterated its commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening local industries to boost patronage.

Dr. Oluwaseyi Akinyele Ogungbenro, NASENI’s Director of Research and Development, encouraged consumers to actively support Made-in-Nigeria products.

He also called on manufacturers to uphold high-quality standards, stressing that improving product quality is essential to gaining public trust.

“NASENI is dedicated to research and development that addresses national challenges, creates wealth, and supports job creation. While we encourage Nigerians to embrace locally made goods, manufacturers must ensure they meet top-quality standards. This collective effort is vital for revitalizing Nigeria’s economy,” he said.

During the discussion, the Anambra State Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu, highlighted ongoing efforts to improve power supply, a major challenge for local manufacturers.

He expressed optimism that Anambra State could lead in energy efficiency and industrial power supply.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, proposed a policy mandating public officials to use Made-in-Nigeria goods, arguing that such a measure would strengthen local industries and boost the economy.

Panelists from academia, government, and the private sector deliberated on key issues, including policy support, financing, and market access for locally manufactured goods.

The discussions noted the importance of collaboration between the government, private sector, and consumers to achieve sustainable industrial growth.

By Uzair Adam 

Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has dismissed an invitation from former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, urging opposition politicians to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).  

El-Rufai, who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP, made the appeal in an interview with BBC Hausa, inviting prominent figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola to join him in the party.  

Responding in a separate BBC Hausa interview on Sunday, March 16, 2025, Lamido described El-Rufai’s call as an insult, emphasizing that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was instrumental in shaping the former Kaduna governor’s political career.  

“The party we built, the PDP, is what gave birth to El-Rufai. He is not in a position to make us abandon it,” Lamido said.  

He also criticized El-Rufai’s leadership approach, questioning his sudden shift to the SDP after years in the APC.  

“Leadership requires patience, vision, and commitment to the peace and stability of the country. It should not be driven by anger or personal interests,” he added.  

Reaffirming his allegiance to the PDP, Lamido stated that he had no reason to leave the party, saying, “If I wanted to leave, I would have done so in 2014 when the APC was formed.”  

He advised El-Rufai to prioritize national interest over political grievances, stressing that the PDP remains focused on rebuilding its strength after losing the 2015 presidential election.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, has revealed that he has been threatened and his security detail withdrawn without justification.

He made this known in a statement to journalists on Sunday night.

Gabam stated, “We must uphold justice, truth, and human rights in our democracy. Unfortunately, injustice continues to be meted out to some citizens, including myself, for exercising our constitutional rights. Despite following due process, my security detail was withdrawn without any valid reason.”

He described the move as an attempt to intimidate opposition members and silence government critics. Gabam noted that past opposition leaders, including the current president, were not subjected to such threats and intimidation.

He reiterated the need to ensure that every citizen’s rights and freedoms are respected without fear.

Gabam also stated the case of Raye, a young woman serving in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who is allegedly being intimidated. He called on the NYSC to address her case with fairness and truth, without threats.

He urged unity in building a society that respects the freedom of every citizen, regardless of their political views.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reinforced his administration’s dedication to fostering religious harmony and development during an Iftar gathering at the Government House on Saturday, which celebrated the 15th day of Ramadan. 

The event welcomed prominent members of the Council of Ulama and Imams, offering a platform to strengthen unity and recognize the vital role of religious leaders in promoting peace within the community. 

In a significant announcement, Governor Yusuf revealed plans to transform the Kofar Mata Eid Prayer Ground into an International Islamic Conference Centre. He explained that the venue, utilized only twice a year for Islamic gatherings, will be repurposed into a world-class facility to support ongoing religious activities, scholarly discussions, and community engagement. 

“The foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Centre is set to occur two weeks after Eid al-Fitr, after which it will be handed over to the Ulama for management,” the governor stated, outlining his vision for a lasting religious infrastructure in the state. 

Additionally, Governor Yusuf affirmed his commitment to renovating all Friday mosques across Kano State and ensuring they meet proper worship standards. He instructed the Commissioner for Religious Affairs to compile a list of mosques requiring urgent government intervention. 

In further developments, a new, larger Friday Mosque at the Government House is currently under construction. It aims to accommodate more worshippers and enhance spiritual activities in the region. 

Expressing gratitude for the ongoing support of religious leaders, Governor Yusuf urged them to continue promoting unity and peaceful coexistence among the populace, highlighting the importance of collaboration between government and religious institutions. 

During the gathering, Sheikh Muhammad Nasir Adam, Imam of Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Mosque, praised the governor’s vision, emphasizing Islam’s encouragement of charitable acts, such as feeding those who fast and nurturing places of worship. 

He reassured the governor of the Ulama’s steadfast support and prayers for the advancement of Kano State. Members of the Shari’a Commission, the Executive Council, and other distinguished figures attended the Iftar event. 

Governor Yusuf reiterated his administration’s strong ties with the Council of Ulama, assuring them that their contributions will continuously inform government policies to ensure lasting peace, stability, and religious harmony in Kano State. 

By Uzair Adam

Malam Nasir El-Rufai has admitted that he and other politicians supported President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election despite being aware of the controversy surrounding his academic records at Chicago State University.

In an interview with the BBC, the former Kaduna State governor explained that their backing was based on the belief that Tinubu would replicate his performance as Lagos State governor on a national scale.

“What pains me is that the government we supported, and had confidence in, is not delivering as expected. We knew about his Chicago issue, but we believed if he could do for Nigeria what he did in Lagos, it would be worth supporting him,” El-Rufai said.

After openly criticizing Tinubu’s administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), El-Rufai defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on March 10, 2025.

Since then, he has been making efforts to attract other politicians to join the party in a bid to challenge the APC in the 2027 elections.

As part of his political maneuvers, the former governor recently met with Pastor Tunde Bakare and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, a former ally of Tinubu.

He has also called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi to join the SDP.

Addressing speculation that he left the APC to contest for the presidency in 2027, El-Rufai said the decision is not his alone to make.

“It is not for me to decide; it is the party and the people who will determine that. Even when I contested for governor, it was people who met and convinced Muhammadu Buhari, and he called me to contest,” he said.

By Anwar Usman

Former Jigawa State Governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sule Lamido, has rejected a call by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, calling on opposition leaders to join the Social Democratic Party.

El-Rufai, who recently announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress to the SDP, made the call in an interview with BBC Hausa.

Though he did not mention Lamido by name, he urged key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, to join him in the SDP.

While responding in a separate BBC Hausa interview on Sunday, Lamido rejected the invitation as an insult, insisting that the PDP, which he helped build, laid the foundation for El-Rufai’s political career.

Lamido was quoted saying “The party we formed, the PDP, is the one that gave birth to El-Rufai.

“You’re not enough to make us leave the PDP,” Lamido said.

He added that, “He once said that there are no adults in Nigeria in politics, but now he is calling on us to join him in the SDP.”

The former governor also questioned the motives behind El-Rufai’s for defection from the APC to the SDP.

“He said he told President Buhari about his decision to leave the APC, but now he is saying that he is one of the adults in Nigerian politics,” Lamido stated.

Lamido further argued that the PDP had not done anything to warrant his defection, emphasizing his long-standing loyalty.

“If I was going to leave the PDP, I would have done so in 2014 when the APC was formed,” he said.

Lamido also challenged El-Rufai’s leadership style, noting that leadership is not about anger or selfish ambition.

Lamido advised El-Rufai to put patriotism first instead of showing anger towards others, saying, “What should be done is to put patriotism first, instead of showing anger towards someone”.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Joint Task Force Committee on Peace Restoration and Youth Rehabilitation has arrested 53 individuals suspected of involvement in thuggery and drug-related activities.

The committee’s chairman, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim-Kofarmata, who also serves as the Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Kano.

He explained that the arrests followed an intelligence-led clearance operation conducted between March 13 and 14 as part of efforts to curb crime and substance abuse in the state.

The operation targeted criminal hideouts and black spots across various locations, including Yakasai, Kofar Mata, Zango, Zage, Zanzado, Rimi Market, Shahuchi Park, Kano Line, Sharada, Ja’in, Dan Agundi, and surrounding areas.

During the raid, the task force recovered three parcels, 50 wraps, and other large quantities of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa, along with two bottles of codeine syrup, two tubes of rubber solution, and a gallon of a toxic substance known as “suck and die.”

Additionally, security operatives seized 105 pieces of suspected exol tablets, five cutlasses, two scissors, two clubs, and a collection of suspected charms.

A significant quantity of cannabis sativa was found at a known drug joint in Zanzado, where authorities also seized a delivery vehicle and five cattle believed to belong to a notorious drug dealer.

Ibrahim-Kofarmata stated that the suspects would face prosecution upon the completion of investigations, reaffirming the committee’s commitment to restoring peace and ensuring a drug-free environment in Kano.

He noted that the task force, comprising security agencies and government officials, remains dedicated to cleansing Kano’s streets and safeguarding the well-being of its residents.

By Uzair Adam

The Kogi State Police Command says its operatives from the Police Mobile Force, 70 Squadron, Kabba, have rescued passengers from an attempted abduction along the Kabba-Ayere Road.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP William Aya, told reporters in Lokoja on Saturday that the incident occurred on Friday.

He explained that upon receiving a distress call, reinforcement teams from Sharper Corner pindown were swiftly deployed to the scene.

The officers engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing them to flee into the bush and abandon their victims, who were subsequently rescued.

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, has ordered the deployment of additional tactical and operational assets to comb the surrounding bushes and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Dantawaye commended the officers for their swift response and reiterated the commitment of the command to ensuring the safety of residents and travelers in the state.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites, has called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and prosecute former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for alleged genocide and crimes against humanity targeting the movement’s members.

The petition, submitted through their lawyer Bala I. Dakum, was delivered to the office of the ICC Prosecutor and demands urgent action in the wake of years of violence directed at the Shiite community.

The petition references the 2015 Zaria massacre, in which over 1,000 members of the sect were killed by the Nigerian Army, as the starting point for a series of violent attacks on the movement.

IMN claims that El-Rufai has been responsible for a continued campaign of violence, which has led to the deaths of at least 55 more Shiites in Kaduna State alone, all while exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of worship, assembly, and expression.

The movement describes El-Rufai’s actions as part of a deliberate effort to exterminate Shiites, particularly in Kaduna State, where their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, is based.

The petition calls for an extension of the investigation to include other officials who may have aided El-Rufai in committing these alleged crimes, including past commissioners of police in the state and former Chief of Staff Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai.

IMN also expressed concern over potential future attacks, fearing that without ICC intervention, the incoming administration may enable El-Rufai’s violent actions against them to escalate.

They urge the ICC to use its authority to initiate a preliminary investigation under Article 15 of the Rome Statute, emphasizing the urgent need to prevent further violence and ensure justice for the victims of these alleged atrocities.

The petition also highlights the government’s failure to prosecute those involved in the Zaria massacre, with military officers involved in the killings reportedly being rewarded with ambassadorial positions instead of facing legal action.

IMN is calling for immediate action to hold El-Rufai accountable and prevent further escalation of violence against the Shiite community in Nigeria.