News

By Anwar Usman

No fewer than thirty people are feared dead as a canoe capsized in Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

An eye witness revealed that the incident happened Saturday evening when the canoe conveying passengers from Garbi village, Nguru local government of Yobe state to Adiyani village of Guri Local Government of Jigawa State mishaped He said sixteen people died, fourteen still missing while people were able to rescue ten.

When contacted, SP. Lawan Shiisu Adam, the police public relations officer in the state confirmed the incident saying, “On Saturday evening around 7pm there was a report of a capsized Canoe at Adiyani village of Guri Local. The incident happened when the canoe carrying about forty passengers capsized.

“Sixteen people were reported dead, ten rescued, while fourteen are still missing after a canoe capsized in Adiyani village, Guri LGA.”

He said that personel on rescue mission are still going on to find the missing bodies while investigating is ongoing on the cause of the incident.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Governor Alex Otti has signed the Senior Citizens Bill into law to improve the welfare of elderly residents in Abia State. The legislation forms part of a broader set of executive bills recently assented to by the governor.

The new law establishes a framework to support senior citizens aged 60 and above, granting them access to monthly stipends, free medical care, and other social welfare benefits. The initiative is designed to enhance the quality of life of older persons and provide sustained social protection.

The policy has been widely commended by stakeholders and civil society groups, who describe it as a progressive step toward inclusive governance and social responsibility. Government officials say implementation modalities are being developed to ensure the effective and transparent delivery of benefits.

Governor Otti’s action reflects his administration’s commitment to social reforms and the strengthening of welfare systems for vulnerable groups in the state.

By Uzair Adam

At least 23 suspected bandits were neutralised in a coordinated military operation after armed groups launched attacks on Shanono and Tsanyawa local government areas of Kano State between the night of January 1 and the early hours of January 2, 2026, according to the Nigerian Army.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Major Babatunde Zubairu, who said the operation involved joint task force troops on the ground and the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

According to the statement, troops successfully contained the attacks in Kano. They inflicted heavy casualties on the assailants before tracking the fleeing bandits to Karaduwa village in Matazu Local Government Area of neighbouring Katsina State. 

Acting on credible intelligence, the Air Component pursued the group as they attempted to regroup after escaping Kano.

The Army said intelligence reports revealed that the bandits were in the process of burying some of their members killed during the initial clashes when they were located at Dan Marke in Matazu LGA. 

Air Component Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA reportedly trailed their movement until several motorcycles converged after crossing a dry riverbed.

“A precision airstrike was immediately launched,” the statement said, noting that the operation was supported by aerial Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions. 

The strike, according to the Army, resulted in the neutralisation of at least 23 terrorists, while several others were believed to have sustained injuries. 

It also damaged the group’s weapons and other equipment.

Reacting to the operation’s outcome, the Commander of 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, commended both the air and ground troops for their exceptional courage. 

“Their bravery and resilience in the face of adversity are commendable,” he said.

The Army added that the security situation in Kano State remains calm, with troops sustaining robust patrols and close monitoring of flashpoints. 

It stated that troop morale and operational efficiency remain “very satisfactory.”

The Nigerian Army also appealed to the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information.

Such cooperation, it said, would further aid efforts to disrupt banditry and other terrorist activities.

Major Zubairu stressed that troops, working alongside other security agencies, remain committed to safeguarding lives and property nationwide and will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure national security.

By Aminu Babayo Shehu

Nigeria is facing one of its toughest internal security battles in decades. From the kidnapping of schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger states to the killing of senior military officers, including a Brigadier General, criminal groups continue to operate with increasing boldness. Bandits, kidnappers and terror cells now openly upload videos on platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp, displaying weapons, hostages and propaganda with little fear of consequences.

This is no longer an era where outdated tactics can secure the nation. Criminal groups are becoming more technologically aware, while the state still relies heavily on manual intelligence and slow-response systems. Countries facing similar threats have adopted advanced tools and strategies. Nigeria must follow the same path.

The United States and Israel use drones, satellite intelligence and geolocation trackers to disrupt hostile organisations long before they strike. Rwanda has established a modern drone command system to enhance surveillance and national security. India employs mobile tracing, SIM mapping and digital pattern analysis to dismantle kidnapping networks. These examples show that even in challenging environments, technology can expose criminal movements, reduce their operational freedom and strengthen national response.

Nigeria can apply the same approach effectively.

Real-time aerial surveillance remains one of the most critical gaps in Nigeria’s security architecture. High-altitude drones equipped with night-vision cameras and thermal sensors can monitor large forest areas where bandits hide. Such drones transmit live data to command centres, enabling tracking of movements and coordination of precision strikes. In many cases, soldiers need not be deployed on foot into ambush-prone areas; operations can be guided or executed remotely.

Mobile intelligence is another powerful asset. Every phone, even when switched off, leaves digital traces. With firm collaboration between telecom operators and security agencies, criminals can be located through cell-site analysis, call patterns and movement anomalies. India has successfully used these tools to reduce large-scale kidnapping syndicates.

Satellite imaging, when paired with artificial intelligence, can detect camps, vehicles, and human movement in remote areas. Modern software can analyse thousands of images within minutes and flag suspicious activity such as heat signatures, makeshift shelters, or recently cleared land. This drastically improves early detection and reduces operational delays.

State governments can also invest in early-warning technologies. Community CCTV networks, automated alarm systems and remote-sensor alerts can shorten response times. Local initiatives that once existed in a few states need consistent funding and national integration.

At the federal level, the Presidency should coordinate a national security technology blueprint. This would bring together drones, cyber-intelligence tools, biometric systems, satellite monitoring, and geospatial-analysis platforms into a single central command. Strategic partnerships with technologically advanced nations can reduce costs and strengthen capacity.

Nigeria’s security forces have courage and dedication, but courage alone cannot defeat modern criminals who rely on speed, shock and terrain mastery. Technology is the equaliser. It exposes hideouts, cuts communication lines and allows the state to strike before criminals mobilise.

The tools exist. They are affordable. They have worked in other nations. What Nigeria needs now is clear political will, long-term investment and an understanding that 21st-century threats demand 21st-century solutions.

If embraced, technology can save lives, disrupt kidnappers and terrorists, and restore the confidence of millions of Nigerians who deserve safety.

Aminu Babayo Shehu is a Software Engineer and Mobile Developer with experience building technology-driven solutions, including systems for logistics, telecommunications, e-commerce, and security-focused applications. He writes on technology, national development and digital transformation.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of the Nigerian Army in northeast Nigeria have recovered a major stockpile of heavy ammunition, security forces announced.

Acting on a tip, soldiers from Operation HADIN KAI, alongside police bomb disposal experts, responded to the Bulumkutu Railway area on Friday afternoon.

A search of a concealed drainage channel uncovered 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition warheads, including live rounds, and power banks.The discovery followed recent, sustained military activity and operations against suicide bombers in the region.

The military stated the find was a result of “actionable intelligence” aimed at restricting terrorist movements.

The site has been secured and efforts are underway to drain the channel for a further search. No casualties were reported during the operation, and the area remains calm under heightened security.

Authorities praised the public’s role in providing the initial tip, urging continued vigilance and reporting of suspicious activity to maintain security.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A U.S. military operation to apprehend Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro resulted in airstrikes across the country on Saturday, killing and injuring an undetermined number of Venezuelan civilians and military personnel.

The attacks have drawn international condemnation and plunged the nation deeper into crisis.

The strikes, which targeted locations including the capital Caracas, successfully led to the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They have been flown to New York to be held in a Manhattan prison. The mission has polarized U.S. politics, with Democrats roundly criticizing President Donald Trump’s decision.

Venezuela’s government declared a state of emergency, condemning the action as “imperialist aggression.” The European Union stated it is closely monitoring the volatile situation.

The airstrikes mark an escalation of prolonged U.S. pressure on Venezuela. In preceding months, U.S. operations against vessels allegedly linked to Venezuelan drug trafficking had already resulted in multiple deaths at sea.

The incident occurs against a backdrop of severe domestic violence in Venezuela, where state security forces have long been implicated in extrajudicial killings and crackdowns.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

Amid tensions in the Kwankwasiyya movement and Kano NNPP, fueled by speculation that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf might defect to APC, the ADC Youth Mandate, with ADC Waziran Waziri, urged Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso to join other national stakeholders under ADC to help rescue Nigeria from worsening socio-economic and security crises under the APC-led government.

The coalition pointed to worsening economic hardship, insecurity, and governance failures, expressing fears over the ruling party’s push toward a one-party state. They emphasised the need for a united front of progressive leaders to offer Nigerians a credible and people-oriented alternative.

Speaking on behalf of both groups, Engr. Ammar Hamisu Dandago, the Coordinator of ADC Youth Mandate, stressed the political value of Kwankwaso’s experience and mass grassroots appeal. He expressed confidence that Kwankwaso, in collaboration with other prominent figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai, could form a formidable force capable of unseating President Bola Tinubu.

The statement concluded with a renewed commitment to youth mobilisation, national unity, and support for genuine efforts to provide competent leadership and restore hope across the country.

By Anwar Usman

The governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, will officially join the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, on Monday, as provided by sources familiar with the development.

Reports have it that, the governor will be received by the Vice President Kashim Shettima and the national chairman of the party Yitwalda Nentawe in Abuja.

Additionally, the party leader in Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, has been recalled from a Dubai trip, just as the Kano state chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, was asked to cut short his lesser hajj trip to issue APC membership card to the governor at his Diso Ward of Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State during the week.

The Daily Reality reports hat President Bola Tinubu was initially reluctant to accept Mr Yusuf’s defection without his godfather, who commands cult following in Kano and some parts of the North, as said by a source familiar with the development.

The entire local government caucuses in the state had made aattempt to convince the governor to join the ruling APC by showing open alliance with the governor and calling on him to lead them into the APC.

Recall that, earlier this week members of the NNPP from some local government called on the governor to join the APC wich caused a backlash in the Kwankwasiyya camp, with some describing it as betrayal and many adherents calling out the governor and reiterating loyalty to Mr Kwankwaso.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

A New Year’s Day community gathering in Daneji took an unexpected philosophical turn when a sponsor’s closing remarks sparked deep reflection on knowledge stewardship and mortality, Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu has revealed.

The January 1st townhall meeting, organized to honor ten outstanding youth from the Kano neighborhood, became memorable not just for the celebrations but for a pointed challenge issued to the honorees, Professor Adamu recounted in a Facebook post that has drawn significant attention.

The young achievers, recognized for accomplishments spanning Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, Nursing Sciences, and Qur’anic studies, were urged by event sponsor Alhaji Ahmed Idris to “die empty”—a statement that initially puzzled attendees before its meaning was revealed.

Idris, a prominent community pillar, was invoking Todd Henry’s motivational concept that individuals should pour out their knowledge and talents during their lifetime rather than take untapped potential to the grave. “You enter your grave empty—all the knowledge has been left outside for other people to use,” Professor Adamu explained.

The academic noted that at least three of the honorees hold doctorates or specialized training in Artificial Intelligence, achieved before AI became a consumer phenomenon, while others excelled in diverse fields—showcasing what the community hopes will inspire younger residents.

Writing on his experience, Professor Adamu drew connections between Henry’s secular philosophy and Islamic teachings on amanah—the sacred trust of knowledge. “Discharging your knowledge—sharing it and imparting it on others—is therefore one of the highest acts of Islamic piety,” he wrote, adding that both the Qur’an and Hadith contain warnings against hoarding knowledge.

The professor described the event as a community response to concerns about youth engagement with “consumer communication technology” at the expense of career focus and future planning.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Mozambique President Daniel Francisco Chapo has pledged a special bonus of 500,000 meticais (approximately ₦11.3 million) to each player and staff member if the team defeats Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16.

The announcement was made in a presidential message on Thursday, where Chapo praised the Mambas for their historic qualification to the knockout stage. He commended the team’s courage, discipline, and determination, calling their group-stage performance a source of national pride.

Mozambique advanced to third place in Group F despite a final-match loss to Cameroon. They now face a formidable Super Eagles side, one of the tournament’s standout teams, in Monday’s clash at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco.

President Chapo’s financial incentive underscores the high stakes as Mozambique seeks an unprecedented quarter-final berth. The match is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time on January 5.