News

By Uzair Adam Four individuals lost their lives in a tragic boat accident at Dundaye community in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Alhaji Aliyu Kafindangi, the head of the Sokoto Field Operation Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed the incident on Tuesday.

The mishap occurred on Sunday evening, involving 24 passengers.

A rescue team comprising NEMA, the Nigerian Red Cross, Fire Services, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and local divers managed to recover the dead bodies on Monday.Kafindangi stated that, “One body was recovered on Sunday, and three more were found yesterday, bringing the death toll to four.”

“Nineteen people were rescued, and one person is still missing. Search and rescue efforts continue,” he added.

The NEMA official expressed gratitude to the state and local governments and the community for their support in the ongoing rescue operations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kaduna State Security Council, led by Governor Uba Sani, has lifted the 6pm to 8am curfew in Kaduna and Zaria towns and their environs, effective immediately. 

According to Samuel Aruwan, Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, the council unanimously recommended the removal of the curfew after an extensive review of the security situation. 

“The removal of the curfew allows law-abiding citizens to move freely and engage in legitimate activities without restriction,” Aruwan said. 

However, the council warned that processions or gatherings must be verified with relevant agencies to maintain law and order, and security forces will continue to monitor potential threats to public peace. 

Governor Sani commended security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, and stakeholders for their roles in containing recent unrest, saying, “I assure them of my commitment to inclusive engagement for peace, unity, and development in Kaduna State.” 

The curfew was initially imposed following a breach of law and order in the aftermath of the #EndBadGovernance protests nationwide.

By Uzair Adam

The Buji Local Government Council of Jigawa has confirmed the death of a 30-year-old man and his two-year-old son in a building collapse in Madabe village.

The council’s Information Officer, Alhaji Ali Safiyanu, disclosed that the boy’s 25-year-old mother survived the incident and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

The Daily Reality learned that the incident occurred on Sunday night during a heavy downpour. Badaruddeen Tijjani, the spokesman of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in the state, confirmed the incident and mentioned that an investigation is underway.

The flood between Thursday and Sunday in some villages in the area displaced about 400 households and destroyed approximately 1,000 farms.

The State Management Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has distributed relief items to the displaced persons camped in a local school.

By Uzair Adam 

The Kano State Police Command has apprehended 873 suspects implicated in armed robbery, kidnapping, and other offences in the wake of the recently concluded nationwide protests.

These individuals, arrested from various locations across the state, were presented to the media at the command’s headquarters in Kano on Monday. 

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Salma Dogo, highlighted the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order and safeguarding citizens’ rights to peaceful protest as key factors in these arrests.

Mr Dogo stated that 600 suspects were arrested during the protests for a range of offences in different parts of Kano State. 

Additionally, 150 individuals were detained for breaching the curfew, while six suspects were linked to orchestrating destruction and looting at the Kano State Printing Press.

Furthermore, the police arrested 76 individuals, including a foreign tailor, for displaying Russian flags and confiscated two AK-47 rifles along with other significant assets. 

Among those arrested were two suspected kidnappers, five suspected armed robbers, and eight suspected car thieves, with a Beretta pistol also being recovered.

The police commissioner also mentioned that the command successfully rescued 13 victims of human trafficking. 

He assured the public that the suspects would face legal proceedings once investigations are concluded.

Mr Dogo urged the public to assist by providing intelligence information to help apprehend criminals. 

He reaffirmed the command’s dedication to proactively collaborating with other security agencies to address security threats.

By Uzair Adam 

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has initiated an investigation into a viral video showing a woman tearing up a Nigerian Standard Passport at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. 

According to NIS spokesperson Kenneth Udo, the individual involved has been identified and called in for further investigation. 

The video, widely shared on social media, shows a woman, identified as Mrs Igiebor, ripping her husband’s Nigerian passport shortly after their arrival at the Lagos Airport on Saturday, August 10, 2024. When confronted about her actions, Mrs. Igiebor responded, “Is it your passport?”

The NIS noted that the incident could be a violation of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015 (as amended), which prohibits the willful destruction of Nigerian travel documents. 

The act specifies penalties for such offences, and if the allegations are proven, the individual’s actions will breach these provisions. 

The corresponding penalties are detailed under Section 10(h) of the same Act, which includes a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine.

Kenneth Udo emphasised the Service’s dedication to enforcing the Immigration Act to protect national security and uphold the dignity and integrity of the nation’s legal instruments.

By Uzair Adam 

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Salman-Dogo Garba, stated that no deaths occurred during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano State, despite reports suggesting otherwise. 

At a press conference where suspects were paraded on Monday, Garba said, “Going by the records, so far, we are not aware of any casualties recorded.”

This claim contrasts with several media reports that assert at least five individuals were killed when hoodlums allegedly hijacked the protests.

Garba disclosed that the police arrested 873 suspects and successfully prosecuted 600 individuals for various offences, including “criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, riot, theft, mischief, and arson.” 

Additionally, 150 people were arrested for violating the curfew imposed by the Kano State Government, and six suspects are under investigation for the destruction and looting of the Kano Printing Press.

The Commissioner of Police also revealed that 76 suspects, including a foreigner, were arrested for flying Russian flags and are being investigated for sedition at Force Headquarters in Abuja. 

Other arrests include 41 suspects linked to major crimes like “armed robbery, kidnapping, and car theft,” and the police successfully recovered “two AK-47 Exhibit Rifles and other substantial properties looted by the hoodlums at Audu Baku Secretariat NCC Office, High Court Complexes, Kano Printing Press (KPP), Super Markets.”

The command also rescued 13 trafficking victims and recovered various items, including “two AK-47 Rifles and one Beretta Pistol, 47 live ammunition, eight motor vehicles, and four sacks containing Exol Tablets.” 

Additional items recovered include “two Bajaj Boxer Motorcycles, 22 cows, 15 sheep, and four donkeys.”

He added that despite the challenges posed by the protests, Garba reiterated that the Kano State Police Command remains “committed to maintaining law and order, preventing crime, and protecting the rights of citizens to peaceful protest.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

A commercial motor vehicle driver has returned a lost bag containing a substantial amount of money to the Kano State Police Command. 

The driver, Safiyanu Mohammed, ‘m’, 36 Years old resides at Rangaza Quarters, Ungogo LGA, Kano State, a driver indigene of Katsina State, found the bag on Friday, 9th August 2024, at Hadejia Road by Dakata Junction, and handed it over to the Police Command.

The bag was found to contain a large sum of money, but no unique identification or contact information of the owner. 

The Kano State Police Command is now calling on the rightful owner of the bag to come forward and claim their property.

To facilitate the return of the bag, the owner is required to provide proof of ownership and identification. 

The Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Dogo Garba, commended the commercial driver for his exemplary honesty and urge anyone with information about the owner’s identity to come forward.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has strongly condemned the burning of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Kontagora town by suspected hoodlums, describing the act as “mindless and cowardly.” 

In a statement, Governor Bago stated that the attack was not only a violation of the Christian community but also a threat to the state’s harmony and unity. 

The governor assured citizens that the government prioritizes their safety, security, and freedom of religion, saying, “We will not condone this act of violence.” 

Governor Bago has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice. 

He urged the people of Kontagora to remain calm and avoid reprisal attacks, noting the importance of preserving peace and unity in the state.

By Uzair Adam 

Three teenage girls tragically drowned in a pond in the Buji Local Government Area of Jigawa State on Saturday. 

The Spokesperson for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, ASC Badaruddeen Tijjani, confirmed the incident in a statement released in Dutse on Sunday.

The girls, identified as Fatima Sule (12), Nasiya Sale (12), and Huwaila Sa’adu (13), all from Tulla village, were reportedly cutting grass to feed their livestock near the pond when the accident occurred around 11 a.m.

According to the NSCDC, they received a distress call from the Tulla community shortly after 11 a.m. They quickly responded by sending officers, including divisional disaster management officers, to the scene for a rescue mission. 

Community members and NSCDC personnel worked together and were able to recover the bodies after approximately 30 minutes of searching.

The girls were taken to the nearest health centre, where they were pronounced dead. 

The investigation indicated that the spot where they were gathering grass was the same place where they drowned.

The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr. Muhammad Danjuma, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and urged parents to monitor their children closely, especially during times when ponds and rivers are swollen, to prevent such tragedies.

By Uzair Adam 

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kano State Council inaugurated its newly elected executives on August 10, 2024. 

Abdulrazak Bello Kaura, Secretary of NUJ Zone A, disclosed this information in a statement on Sunday, which The Daily Reality obtained.

Kaura emphasised that the event showcased unity and commitment, with notable dignitaries from various sectors in attendance. 

This turnout underscored the Union’s crucial role in promoting professional journalism in Nigeria.

The statement read, “The ceremony featured the Vice President of NUJ Zone A, Muhammad Tukur Umar, who represented the National President, Chief (Dr.) Chris Isiguzo. 

“In his keynote address, Tukur Umar emphasised the need for the new leaders to prioritise the welfare and unity of NUJ members. 

“He called for transparency, accountability, and inclusivity during their tenure to ensure effective and impactful leadership.”

Representing the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, was the Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Baba Dantiye. 

Dantiye congratulated the newly inaugurated executives in his remarks and pledged the government’s support. 

“He urged the leaders to seize this opportunity to make a significant impact on the growth and development of journalism in Kano State,” the statement continued.

Comrade Abdulrazak Bello Kaura, Zonal Secretary of NUJ Zone A administered the oath of office. 

The event was attended by a distinguished array of guests, including the Deputy National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the National President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, the Commissioner of Justice, and the National President of NAWOJ. 

“Their presence added to the significance and colour of the occasion,” the statement added.

Kaura concluded, “The inauguration of the NUJ Kano State Council Executives is seen as a pivotal moment for the Union, with expectations high for the new leadership to uphold the values of dedication and integrity while working towards the Union’s growth and the betterment of its members.”