News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Sector 7 under Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have dismantled a kidnappers’ hideout in Badurum Kasa Forest, located in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and rescued eight abducted persons.

This is contained in a statement released by the Nigerian Army today via their official Facebook handle.

The operation took place on January 28, 2026, after the troops received credible intelligence on the activities of the criminal group.

Acting swiftly, the soldiers moved into the forest in a coordinated mission alongside operatives of the Zango Kataf Police Area Command, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, Forest Guards, and local hunters.

According to military sources, the joint team advanced deep into the forest and made contact with the kidnappers at about 5:59 p.m. The criminals reportedly became overwhelmed by the firepower and tactical advance of the security forces. They abandoned their captives and escaped into nearby bushes.

As a result of the operation, eight victims were rescued without injuries and later reunited with their families. Those freed are Mrs Rashida Musa (19), Mrs Hafsat Nuhu (18), Mr Zakari Saleh (52), Miss Hasiya Yahaya (13), Mr Ahmed Yahaya (14), Mr Ibrahim Saiba (11), Miss Salma Yahaya (14), and Mr Sophan Idris (18).

The operation highlights the Nigerian Army’s continued cooperation with other security agencies and local support groups. It also reflects ongoing efforts to safeguard lives, secure key areas, and limit the activities of criminal groups within Kaduna State and beyond.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigerians resident in Norwich, United Kingdom, have commenced a fundraising drive to facilitate the return of the remains of Uchenna Okirie, popularly called “Common Man,” who was stabbed to death in his student residence in November 2025.

Okirie, a Nigerian citizen, was reportedly killed under circumstances that unsettled both residents of the area and members of the Nigerian community in the UK. A 27-year-old Congolese national, Benjamin Katabana, has been charged in connection with the incident.

To raise funds for his repatriation and burial in Nigeria, the Nigerian Community Norwich set up a GoFundMe campaign titled, “Rest in Peace, Uche: Help Us Return Him to His Family.”

As of Wednesday, the appeal had attracted £1,149 from 67 donors, out of a target of £7,000.

In the message accompanying the fundraiser, organisers paid tribute to Okirie, describing him as a kind-hearted and selfless individual who dedicated himself to helping others.

“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Uchenna Okirie, fondly known by many as ‘Common Man’… Uche was tragically stabbed to death in his home. He was a remarkable soul—steady, genuine, and deeply compassionate,” the statement read.


The community disclosed that Okirie earned a Master’s degree in Development Economics from the University of East Anglia during the 2021/2022 academic session. During his time at the institution, he also served as an international student ambassador.

He was said to be well known among students for assisting newcomers to the UK as they settled into their new environment.

“When friends arrived in the UK with nowhere to stay, he opened his home without hesitation… When someone needed help setting up a bank account, searching for a job, or navigating a new environment, Uche showed up,” the organisers stated.


They further noted that his calm nature, sincerity, and habit of placing others first earned him deep respect, adding that he would be remembered for his “unique smile, quiet generosity, and habit of placing others’ comfort above his own.”

According to the Nigerian Community Norwich, Okirie left behind friends, classmates, and colleagues who were deeply affected by his death. The group explained that the funds would cover the cost of transporting his body to Nigeria and support burial arrangements, as he had no immediate family members in the UK.

“This is our way of giving back to someone who gave so freely of himself. No contribution is too small, and every donation brings us closer to giving Uche the farewell he deserves,” the organisers added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Rap star Nicki Minaj has openly explained why she considers herself a steadfast supporter of United States President Donald Trump, a stance that has drawn both attention and controversy.

Minaj made the declaration on Wednesday during an event promoting “Trump Accounts,” a federal initiative intended to provide trust funds for children. During her remarks, she described her admiration for the American leader in strong terms.

“I will say that I am probably the president’s number one fan, and that’s not going to change,” the 43‑year‑old musician said. “And the hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more.”

Minaj also addressed the criticism aimed at the president, saying she would oppose what she interprets as mistreatment by his critics. “We’re not going to let them get away with bullying him and, you know, the smear campaigns. It’s not going to work, OK? He has a lot of force behind him, and God is protecting him. Amen,” she added.

Her remarks followed an appearance on stage with Trump, where she stepped forward to express her backing for the president’s policies and the new trust account programme.

Minaj’s support for Trump, which she reiterated despite public disagreement from fans and observers, has reignited debate about her political alignment and public image.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A major in the Nigerian Army has died following an attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a military patrol in Damasak, the headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area in Borno State.

Sources said that the officer, who commanded the Damasak military base, was leading a foot patrol of approximately 30 soldiers early on Friday when the team came under explosives and gunfire from the insurgents.

“From what I gathered the commander of the Damasak base led a foot patrol of 30 troops early on Friday. They came under explosives and gun attack from ISWAP, forcing them to disperse. Only eight soldiers returned to base while 22 are unaccounted for, including the commander, a major,” a source said.

Reports indicated that attempts to reach the major by phone were answered by an unknown individual, leading to speculation that he might have been captured. “Someone answers his phone each time his base tries to reach him, indicating he is in the hands of ISWAP,” the source added.

However, another security source disputed the claim of abduction, asserting that the officer was killed during the ambush.

The incident follows a similar attack last year when Brigadier General M. Uba was killed by ISWAP fighters after they ambushed a convoy of soldiers and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) operatives along Damboa Road in Borno while transporting military equipment.

This attack shows the ongoing threat posed by ISWAP in the region and the continuing risks faced by Nigerian military personnel in the northeast.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man, Ididiong James, over an alleged assault on his mother and the possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The command said the suspect was arrested after operatives attached to the Panshekara Division responded to a distress call on January 25 concerning his actions.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said officers who arrived at the residence discovered that the suspect was “mercilessly beating his mother at their residence in Panshekara Quarters, Kano.”

According to the statement, the suspect escaped when the police officers got to the scene. His mother later handed over an English Beretta pistol and eight rounds of ammunition to the officers. She told the police that she found the items inside her son’s bag and refused to return them to him, which allegedly triggered the attack.

“She also expressed concern over her son’s changed behaviour since his return from a New Year celebration,” the statement added.

The police spokesperson said the suspect was later apprehended and is now in custody, while investigations continue.

“The suspect was subsequently arrested and is currently in police custody. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, commends the mother for her courage and urges parents to be vigilant,” the statement said.

The police assured members of the public of their commitment to maintaining peace and safety across the state.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The first group of Gwoza community refugees has returned home from the Republic of Cameroon.

The Daily Reality gathered that the group, consisting of 300 individuals, arrived in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area, after spending nearly 11 years in a refugee camp in Cameroon.

The return was confirmed in a statement issued by the Borno State Governor’s spokesman, Dauda Iliya.

The statement explained that the repatriation program follows the visit by Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, to the refugee camp in Cameroon on December 8, 2025. During that visit, Governor Zulum pledged to facilitate their safe, orderly, and dignified return home.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Islamic Republic of Iran has executed a man named Hamidreza Sabet Esmaeilipour after a court found him guilty of espionage on behalf of Israel, according to Mizan, the media outlet of the Iranian judiciary.

Mizan reported on Wednesday that Esmaeilipour was hanged following his conviction for spying and intelligence cooperation with Israel’s intelligence agency, the Mossad.

Judicial authorities said Esmaeilipour was arrested on April 29, 2025. They accused him of transferring classified documents and sensitive materials to a “hostile intelligence service.”

The report stated that the execution took place after Iran’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence. Authorities also said all legal processes had been completed before the sentence was carried out.

Iran and Israel have remained engaged in a prolonged shadow conflict that has involved covert activities, assassinations, cyber operations and intelligence missions across the Middle East.

Tehran has repeatedly alleged that Israel has penetrated its security and military institutions, with particular focus on matters linked to Iran’s nuclear programme.

In recent years, Iranian authorities have executed several people accused of having ties to Israeli intelligence. These actions have attracted criticism from international human rights organisations, which have raised concerns about due process and Iran’s use of capital punishment.

Reports indicate that executions connected to alleged espionage for Israel have risen since last year. This followed a direct military confrontation in June, when Israeli and U.S. forces launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, a development that sharply intensified hostilities between the two rivals.

Iranian officials insist that such executions are essential for protecting national security. Critics, however, argue that espionage allegations often lack clarity and that court proceedings remain largely opaque.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In an administrative reshuffle aimed at enhancing governance, Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a series of new appointments and promotions for key officials.

The governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, confirmed the changes in a statement released on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026.

The newly appointed officials include Hon. Abdulkadir Balarabe Kankarofi, who moves from Senior Special Assistant-Protocol I to Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs. Hajia Aisha Tamburawa, formerly a Supervisory Councillor in Dawakin Kudu, is now Special Adviser on Positive Propaganda.

Several promotions were also announced within state agencies. Engr. Mukhtar Yusuf ascends from Deputy Managing Director to Managing Director of the Water Resources Engineering and Construction Agency (WRECA), with Zakari Usman Balan stepping into the vacated Deputy role.

Similarly, Engr. Abba Kankarofi is now Managing Director of the Kano Road and Maintenance Agency (KARMA), having previously served as its Deputy Managing Director.

Other notable appointments include Dr. Mukhtar Bello Maisudan, a senior lecturer at Bayero University Kano, as Executive Secretary of the State Scholarship Board, and Hon. Musayyib Kawu Ungoggo as Managing Director of the Kano Zoological Garden.

Governor Yusuf charged the appointees to justify their new roles through dedication, transparency, and a firm commitment to the people of Kano. He reiterated that the moves align with his administration’s focus on strengthening institutions and delivering people-oriented governance under the “Kano First Agenda.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Sani Ahmad Zangina, has vehemently denied reports circulating in some media outlets claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fell during his visit to Turkey.

Dr. Zangina clarified that the incident in Turkey was not a fall, but rather a deliberate crouch or stoop by the President to greet people in the traditional Turkish manner, which some have misinterpreted and twisted into false news.

He stated that President Tinubu is in excellent health and has no medical issues, emphasizing that the President continues to carry out his duties without any impediment.

“It is regrettable how some media outlets are deliberately spreading falsehood. We are putting them on notice that any newspaper that republishes the claim that President Tinubu fell, when he merely stooped to greet, will face immediate legal action,” said Dr. Zangina.

The APC chieftain added that such reports are capable of causing public alarm and confusion, calling on journalists to adhere to the ethics of truthful and responsible reporting.

He also urged Nigerians to disregard rumors and to always rely on credible sources before making judgments on any matter concerning the President.

Finally, Dr. Sani Ahmad Zangina stressed that the APC will not tolerate the spread of falsehoods about the President, assuring that the law will take its course against anyone found culpable.

By Anwar Usman

Nigeria has signed fresh security deal with Türkiye to help in its fight against insecurity.

The Daily Reality reports that nine fresh agreements were signed between Türkiye and Nigeria on Tuesday in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The agreements were signed following deliberations between the two countries and delegation-level meetings at the Presidential Palace in Türkiye’s capital, Ankara.

The two countries signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding MoU covering cooperation in diaspora policy, media and communication, higher education, halal accreditation, military cooperation, and cooperation with diplomatic academies. Both sides also adopted a joint declaration establishing the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

While pledging support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism President Erdogan said Ankara reviewed options for closer cooperation in military training and intelligence during talks with President Tinubu.

President Bola Tinubu is on an official visit to Türkiye from January 26 to 28, during which the two countries are expected to sign cooperation deals and hold meetings with business and defence industry leaders to deepen bilateral ties.

“We are ready to share Türkiye’s significant experience in counterterrorism,” Erdogan said, noting that terrorist groups, particularly in Africa’s Sahel region, pose a threat to the continent’s stability.

While addressing a joint press conference on Tuesday, following the talks in Ankara, Erdogan said deliberations also covered trade, energy, investment, education and the defence industry, reiterating both countries’ commitment to achieving a $5 billion bilateral trade volume.

The two sides signed a defence agreement called “Protocol on Military Cooperation”. Türkiye has become a primary alternative to Western and Eastern arms suppliers for Nigeria with the two countries signing a Defence Industry Cooperation (Oct 2021) which provided the legal framework for Nigeria to purchase Turkish military hardware, including Bayraktar TB2 drones, T129 ATAK helicopters, and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).

The latest part of the deal was Military Training & Intelligence Agreement (2026) – officially categorised as a Military Cooperation Protocol- allows for Turkish experts to train Nigerian Special Forces and share satellite intelligence for counter-terrorism operations against groups like Boko Haram.

It was gathered that the protocol focuses on three primary areas designed to address Nigeria’s internal security challenges. The Intelligence Sharing (Real-Time) aspect focuses on establishing a direct “intelligence bridge” between the Nigerian National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MİT). This focuses on tracking the movement of illicit arms and monitoring the digital activities of insurgent groups in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.