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Kano state government has described as fallacious a trending story on social media platforms on a purported plan to officially disallow women regardless of any faith from getting behind the wheel.

The state commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba who made the clarification in a statement issued on Thursday, said government had at no time contemplate on the matter.

He said the story, which could not be traced to any credible source, was nothing but the imaginary thinking of the authors.

“The trending story lacks any credibility and that is why it is wholly attributed to a source that cannot be substantiated,’’ it added.

Malam Garba pointed out that if at all there was such plan, the state government does not have to be involved in any secretive meeting to decide on a critical issue that has to do its teeming populace.

The commissioner stated further that even Saudi Arabia which for decades had laws that sanctioned women from driving has, after all, lifted the ban in 2018.

He said it was interesting that some of the scholars quoted to have supported the alleged ban have already dissociated themselves from the story.

MALAM MUHAMMAD GARBA

Hon. Commissioner for Information, Kano state

By Muhammad Sabiu

Nigerian Super Cop, DCP Abba Kyari, has ‘strongly’ refuted the allegations against him that he was involved in a scandal of bribe-taking from Hushpuppi, an infamous Nigerian fraudster currently standing trial in the United States for fraud.

Recall that in a report published on Thursday by Peoples Gazette, an online Nigerian newspaper, Mr Kyari was alleged to have received a bribe from the fraudster to have the latter’s rival arrested.

In the report, the US Justice Department was quoted to have revealed the alleged link between Hushpuppi and the famous police officer.

“Court documents outline a dispute among members of the conspiracy, which allegedly prompted Vincent to contact the victim and claim that Abbas and Juma were engaged in fraud. After this contact, Abbas [Hushpuppi] allegedly arranged to have Vincent jailed in Nigeria by Abba Alhaji Kyari, 46, of Nigeria.

“According to the affidavit, Kyari is a highly decorated deputy commissioner of the Nigeria Police Force who is alleged to have arranged for Vincent to be arrested and jailed at Abbas’ behest and then sent Abbas photographs of Vincent after his arrest. Kyari also allegedly sent Abbas bank account details for an account into which Abbas could deposit payment for Vincent’s arrest and imprisonment,” the department said in a statement.

However, hours after Peoples Gazette published the story, Mr Kyari took to his Facebook account to vehemently refute the allegations labelled against him.

READ MR. KYARI’S FULL STATEMENT

Friends: Abbas who we later came to know as Hushpuppi called our office about 2years ago that somebody in Nigeria Seriously threatened to kill his Family here in Nigeria and he sent the person’s Phone number and pleaded we take action before the Person attacks his family.

We traced and arrested the Suspect and after investigations we discovered there wasn’t an actual threat to anyone’s life And they are long time friends who have money issues between them hence we released the Suspect on bail to go and he was not taken to any jail.

Nobody demanded for a kobo from Abbas Hushpuppi. Our focus was to Save people’s lives that were purported to have been threatened.

Later, he saw some of my Native Clothes and Caps on my social media page and he said he likes them and he was connected to the person selling the clothes and he sent about N300k directly to the person’s account. The Native Clothes and Caps (5 sets) were brought to our office and He sent somebody to Collect them in our office.

Nobody demanded any money from Abbas Hushpuppi and nobody collected any money from him. We responded to a distress call he made on threat to his family and released the Suspect when we discovered there was no life threat from the Suspect. This is the true story. Vincent is alive, he can be contacted.

For those who are celebrating that this is an indictment on us and mentioning some fictitious Big Money, They will be disappointed once ALL distress Calls from ALL Nigerians provided they are life-threatening.

For Good Nigerians who appreciate our Service please don’t worry as our hands are clean and they should please not respond to those celebrating and creating many false Narratives without any Evidence. We are used to such types of people and false newsmakers and distributors.

Thank you all and GOD bless Nigeria.

The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim Elzakzaky and his wife, Malama Zeenat, who were discharged yesterday by a Kaduna High Court, have been flown out of Nigeria for medical attention.

More details later.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

A serving senator and former governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, and his wife have been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Reports have indicated that the ex-governor is being grilled at the EFFC’s headquarters in Abuja over allegations of corruption and breach of trust he is alleged to have enmeshed in during his tenure as the governor of Nasarawa State from 2011 to 2019.

When contacted by Premium Times online newspaper to comment on the development, Wilson Uwujaren, the anti-graft agency’s spokesperson, said he was not updated on the matter.

Also, Danjuma Joseph, the former governor’s spokesman, said he was not aware of the said arrest. He said, “His Excellency left Lafia (Nasarawa State capital) for Abuja this morning. I am not aware of such arrest.”

The EFFC has not released any details concerning the arrest of the ex-governor and his wife. Still, sources in the know of the matter have indicated that it is related to“suspicion of involvement in dirty money flow.”

By Muhammadu Sabiu

A suspected bandit operating in northwest Nigeria, Bello Galadima, has on Tuesday been apprehended by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Sokoto.

This was confirmed by Hamza Illela, spokesperson of the corps in the state.

Mr Illela was quoted as saying, “The corps at about 0600hrs yesterday, Tuesday, arrested a wanted notorious bandit following intelligence on his activities and movement from the members of Hamma Ali community.

“The command directed its intelligence team to liaise with the arms squad unit to track and arrest him.”

The suspected bandit was reported to have been arrested around the Aliyu Jodi area.

Sokoto State is one of the northwestern states badly hit by bandits and kidnappers despite the fact that security personnel are making efforts to curb the vices.

A Kaduna State High Court has released the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim Elzakzaky and his wife, Malama Zeenat, today.

More details later.

A Kaduna State High Court is expected to rule on the trial of the embattled leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim Elzakzaky and his wife, Malama Zeenat, today.

It will be recalled that El-Zakzaky and his wife are standing trial on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of the public peace, among others. Among the witnesses who testified against the IMN leader were two army officers, a retired director of State Security Service (SSS), police officers and a medical doctor.

Security around Kaduna metropolitan area has been intensified as men of the Kaduna State Police Command, and the Civil Defense Corps blocked all the roads leading to the court, diverting vehicles to alternative routes. According to top sources, the move is to avert any breakdown of law and order.

Following Sahara Reporters’ publication of Afenifere article wherein the famous migration of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Mecca to Medina was likened to that of Sunday Igboho, many Muslims on social media sever ties with the controversial online news medium.

Many Muslims describe the comparison as horrendous, awful and disrespectful. Sanusi Lafiagi, a lecturer of Islamic Studies at the Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, criticises the article, adding that Sunday Igboho is “NOTHING compared to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)”.

The Muslims hurt by the article’s publication register their anger by “unliking” and “unfollowing” Sahara Reporters social media handles. The Daily Reality has been following the development closely and can confirm that Sahara Reporters has already lost several thousand fans.

Although the media house has tendered an apology and deleted the report from their website and all other social media handles, thousands continue to protest. Online petitions are being signed, hashtags created, and protest-themed profile photos added.

The move to ban the Bearue De Change was announced by the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emifele. He added that the action was necessary and was taken due to the violation of the country’s monetary policies by the Bureau De Change operators in Nigeria.

Some experts commend the decision, saying it would bring sanity to the system, while others see it as another way to give others a chance and stop others.

But shortly after the ban was announced, the price of Dollar has already gone up, and many marketers are shocked at what may happen in the forex markets, which are primarily known as “Black Markets”.

Jaya settlements in Boko District, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State was raided by suspected bandits yesterday.

Reports have indicated that several people have been killed and many injured in yesterday’s attack.

A resident of the settlements, who goes by the name Aminu, told Daily Trust newspaper that animals, including cows and others, have been rustled by the attackers.“I saw three injured persons being ferried to a hospital in Boko community. They were shot on arms, legs and thighs,” he said.

“[A] few days ago, the armed men had attempted to attack one community there but were ambushed by vigilantes otherwise known as Yan Sakai, who had got the wind of attack by the armed criminals. The armed bandits retreated after several of them were killed.

“This apparently angered the bandits. They, therefore, reinforced and invaded the communities. Reports say they came on more than 100 motorcycles, and when they laid siege, it was drizzling, and people were taking shelter inside their houses.

“Several women and children had fled the communities, and some of them arrived at Boko community this evening, despite the incessant rainfall,” Mr Aminu told Daily Trust newspaper.

The state’s police command has not made any comment on the incident.

Zamfara State, alongside other northwestern states, is known to have been badly hit by killings and kidnappings virtually daily despite the efforts being made by security agents.