News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

No fewer than 10 people sustained injuries after a violent clash between residents of Chirif Magaji and Chirif Dikko communities in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State over a disputed piece of farmland.

Reports indicated that both communities have been locked in a disagreement over the ownership and use of the land for almost three years. The dispute escalated on Tuesday and resulted in violence.

A security source told journalists that the conflict centred on which of the two communities had the right to cultivate the farmland. The source explained that authorities had previously stepped in and brokered an agreement that allowed both sides to use the land.

“Earlier today, we received a distress call reporting a violent confrontation between the communities. Security personnel were immediately deployed to restore order,” the source said.

According to the source, the trouble began when members of one community moved to clear the farmland. They were allegedly attacked by rivals armed with Dane guns and machetes.

“The attackers opened fire, injuring six people. Upon learning of the incident, members of the affected community mobilised and launched a reprisal attack, during which four people from the opposing community were injured,” the source added.

All those injured were taken to medical facilities for treatment. The source dismissed claims circulating on social media that bandits were responsible for the incident, stressing that the violence stemmed from the prolonged land dispute.

As of the time of filing this report, no fatalities had been recorded.

Sources said some victims suffered gunshot injuries, while others sustained machete wounds. Several of the injured are receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Rabah. Those with more serious injuries have been transferred to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital for further care.

Confirming the incident, Chairman of Rabah Local Government Area, Yusuf Muhammad Rabah, said security efforts had helped restore calm in the affected communities.

“It is true that the incident occurred, but we have been able to calm the situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he had not yet received an official briefing on the matter.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Armed men have killed a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, Mr. Ayo Olukotun, and kidnapped his daughter alongside several other residents during an attack on Odo-Ere, the headquarters of Yagba West Local Government Area in Kogi State.

The incident reportedly occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Monday when the assailants invaded the community and fired gunshots, which caused fear among residents and forced many to flee their homes.

Residents said the attackers later targeted the residence of the NSCDC officer. They allegedly shot Olukotun before taking his daughter and several other victims into a nearby forest.

A source within the community said the officer was taken to a hospital after the attack. However, medical personnel confirmed him dead upon arrival.

Reacting to the incident, Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area and Chairman of the Kogi State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Tosin Olokun, described the killing as a painful loss to the victim’s family, the Odo-Ere community and the entire local government area.

“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident. On behalf of the government and people of Yagba West, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Ayo Olukotun, the people of Odo-Ere and all those affected by this attack,” he added.

The attack has heightened concerns over security in the area as residents await efforts by security agencies to secure the release of those abducted and bring those responsible to justice.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged that the United States will take action after Iran allegedly brought down an American Apache helicopter during a patrol operation over the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump disclosed the development on Tuesday through a post on his Truth Social platform. He said military officials informed him that the incident took place overnight and involved what he described as a “highly sophisticated Apache Helicopter.”

The president stated that both pilots aboard the aircraft survived and did not suffer any injuries.

Trump wrote: “I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz.

“There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The reported incident is expected to heighten tensions between the United States and Iran. It comes amid ongoing concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

Neither the U.S. military nor Iranian authorities had immediately provided additional details on the incident at the time of this report.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A popular Kaduna-based musician and social media influencer, Mycah Dangata, widely known by his catchphrase “Take Over Kaduna,” has been reportedly arrested by security operatives in Kaduna State.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the entertainer, whose real name is Zamani Musa, was picked up on Tuesday.

As of this report, authorities have not issued any official statement explaining the reason for his detention.

The arrest has sparked reactions from his supporters and followers, many of whom are calling on relevant agencies to provide clarity and transparency regarding the incident.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate release of N10 billion for emergency preparedness against a possible Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, following the resurgence of the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

The President also established a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats, to be chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The fund will strengthen the operational readiness of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and support critical national public health emergency response activities, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

The decision followed a stakeholder meeting convened by the Chief of Staff to review Nigeria’s preparedness and develop strategies against the possible importation of Ebola. The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Lagos State Government, among others.

President Tinubu directed all states hosting international airports and border corridors, as well as relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), to submit their plans, funding requirements, and intervention needs for coordinated implementation.

The Presidential Task Force’s membership will draw from MDAs and state representatives. It is mandated to put in place several measures, including intensified passenger screening at all international airports, enhanced temperature checks, and crowd-control protocols.

Other measures include enhanced monitoring of passengers arriving through high-risk airline routes. Air Uganda, Rwanda Air, Air Tanzania, Air Angola, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines — and immediate activation of referral and isolation centres at Lagos and Abuja international airports, with other airports to follow.

The Task Force will also enforce a mandatory QR code-based pre-arrival health declaration system for passengers originating from or transiting through designated high-risk countries. Disinfection of departure halls, cargoes, baggage areas, and airport facilities will also be carried out as precautionary environmental measures.

The President mandated the advisory group to consult with security, diplomatic, and aviation bodies to regulate flights from affected and high-risk countries. The Task Force is further directed to designate specific airports or terminals for high-risk flights to enable controlled screening and isolation procedures, and to consider adjusting flight timings to minimise interaction between high-risk passengers and others.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir 

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has called on the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive action to address the country’s worsening security crisis, warning that citizens are increasingly being left at the mercy of terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Council expressed outrage over the rising wave of killings, abductions, and violent attacks across the country, citing recent mass kidnappings in Borno, Oyo, Niger, and Zamfara states, as well as the abduction of a retired army general and his wife in Katsina State.

The Council said the growing insecurity has exposed the vulnerability of communities and highlighted what it described as the failure of government efforts to protect lives and property.

“Nigerians are tired of speeches, promises, condolences, committees, and official rhetoric not backed by action or results,” the statement said, adding that repeated assurances from authorities have done little to improve the situation on the ground. 

The SCSN also called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of funds allocated to the security sector, noting that trillions of naira have been spent on defence and security operations over the years despite the persistent deterioration in security.

While commending members of the armed forces and other security agencies for their sacrifices and commitment, the Council insisted that government leaders must be held accountable for delivering results.

It urged authorities to adopt more robust measures, including improved intelligence gathering, technology-driven security operations, stronger border controls, and enhanced community participation in tackling criminal networks.

“The nation demands action. The time for excuses has passed,” the Council said. “The time for demonstration of decisive and competent leadership is now.” 

The statement was signed by the Secretary General of the Council, Nafi’u Baba Ahmad, and issued on June 7, 2026. 

By Uzair Adam

Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has alleged that Islamophobia is influencing political developments in Nigeria’s South-West, following criticism surrounding his recent visit to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Gumi made the allegation amid the controversy over the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, where reports had claimed that the kidnappers demanded the implementation of Shari’ah law as part of the conditions for the release of the victims.

The claim was strongly rejected by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), which described it as false and aimed at tarnishing the image of Islam.

The group argued that enemies of Islam deliberately introduced the allegation into negotiations to create a negative narrative.

The position was later supported by Mrs. Rachael Alamu, the abducted principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

In a video message, Alamu denied reports that the kidnappers requested the establishment of Shari’ah law in exchange for the release of the pupils.

Reacting in a post on his verified Facebook page, Gumi said he attended the event in Ibadan as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama and not at the invitation of any individual or Muslim group from the South-West.

“I quite understand now how Islamophobia is shaping politics in the South-West and why I was unnecessarily dragged into their dirty local politics,” he wrote.

The cleric explained that his visit was purely in his capacity as a representative of the coalition and questioned efforts to politicise his presence in the state.

“I was in Ibadan not by the invitation of any South-West Muslim individual or group but as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama,” he stated.

Gumi also questioned why his visit had generated controversy, asking whether anyone could prevent him from travelling to any part of Nigeria.

“Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria? It’s strange how some people think,” he said.

He further alleged that the reactions to his visit were part of a broader effort by both local and foreign interests to deepen divisions within the country.

“I believe the whole saga is tele-guided by both foreign and local interests to promote a narrative and polarise the country,” Gumi added.

By Anwar Usman

The football federation of Iran on Tuesday said the United States has revoked its allocation of tickets for its World Cup group games, accusing the co-host of obstructing the attendance of Iranian supporters under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row.

The US has presented a number of bureaucratic hurdles for Iran at the global football spectacle, including refusing to issue visas for some of its support staff, as the two countries remain at war after the US and Israel attacked the country in late February.

The federation in a statement revealed that “With less than three days remaining until the start of the 2026 World Cup… the United States has once again acted to obstruct the presence of Iranian supporters at the stadiums hosting the national team’s three group stage matches”.

The Iranian football said FIFA regulations mandated that it should be given eight percent of tickets for each match, which are given to participating federations for distribution to their supporters through official channels.

According to the statement, Iran had already begun ticket sales for group stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt all to be held in the US, after receiving its quota, with some fans having already made necessary arrangements.

“However, in an unexpected move, the allocation granted to the Iranian Football Federation has been withdrawn, and under the current circumstances, the federation is unable to provide even a single ticket to supporters of the national team,” it said.

The federation described the move as “contrary to the spirit governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries”.

The federation further called on FIFA and tournament organisers “to uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness, and established regulations, to provide the necessary conditions for Iranian supporters”.

Neither FIFA nor US organisers have publicly commented on the Iranian accusation.

AFP reports that, rising tensions also prompted Iran to announce that it was moving its World Cup training base to the Mexican border city of Tijuana rather than Tuscon, Arizona, as originally planned.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) has broken ranks with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that President Bola Tinubu faces a stiff re-election battle in 2027 against opposition heavyweights Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Ndume rejected the air of overconfidence around the presidency, insisting that Tinubu’s inner circle is shielding him from reality.

“I’m not that worried, but at the same time, I don’t take opponents for granted,” Ndume said. “That is the mistake many of us are making, especially those that are around Mr. President, having problems with telling him the fact—the truth.”

His remarks came after the show’s host warned that “the storm is coming,” naming Atiku, Obi, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as potential threats, and suggesting the APC could be “packing from the Villa” after the next election.

Ndume said he had already faced backlash from unexpected quarters over previous comments about “reciprocating what the President did to us.”

“Many people that I didn’t expect… shouted at me, saying ‘Why did you say that?’” he said. “But the President is my president, he is in my party, we are going to struggle it out together.”

While noting that neither Obi nor Atiku is a new contender — “Obi did it—tried it before. Atiku tried it before” — Ndume conceded the scale of the challenge ahead.

“It can be like the WWE… they get prepared and they want to take this thing,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough fight, yeah, I agree with that.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu commended Nigerian military personnel and security forces for their sacrifices in the ongoing fight against terrorism, describing them as a “shield” protecting millions of citizens from violent extremists.

In a statement titled Terrorism in the Land, the President praised troops operating in forests, roads, forward bases, air zones, creeks, and other difficult terrains across the country. He acknowledged the emotional and physical toll of the campaign, including long absences from families and the ultimate sacrifice paid by fallen heroes.

“You carry the burden of national protection so that millions of Nigerians can sleep, work, worship, farm, trade, and raise their children in hope,” Tinubu said. “This fight has not been easy. It has come with pain, pressure, and sacrifice. But your courage has remained firm.”

The President extended his gratitude not only to the Armed Forces but also to the police, Department of State Services (DSS), Civil Defence, intelligence agencies, and local security formations. He also recognized the families of service members, saying, “Nigeria remembers that sacrifice, too.”

Tinubu called on citizens to support security efforts by providing timely and useful information, urging: “When you see something, say something. When you know something, report it.”

He rejected any notion that Nigeria would surrender to fear, insisting that terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and violent extremists would not define the nation’s identity. “Their violence is not our identity. Their hatred does not represent Nigerians of any faith, creed, or community,” he said.

The President concluded with a prayer for the protection of troops, reaffirming that the fight against terror remains a national duty.