By Uzair Adam
A prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, has died.
A family source confirmed the scholar’s passing to journalists on Thursday morning.
More details to follow.
By Sabiu Abdullahi
Suspected bandits attacked Zalau, a village in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, late on Saturday, November 22, 2025. In the raid, they killed Alh. Muhammad Bakoshi, an Islamic cleric.
The attackers, whose numbers could not be confirmed, targeted the home of the late cleric, who served as the Discipline Officer of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) in Zalau.
According to reports, the cleric was killed, while his wife—who gave birth just two weeks ago—and their five-year-old daughter were abducted and taken to an unknown location.
A resident said the attackers arrived between 11 p.m. and midnight, firing shots into the air before heading straight to Bakoshi’s house.
He added that the incident has left the community gripped by fear and sorrow, as residents feel increasingly vulnerable to repeated bandit attacks.
The resident also expressed the community’s hopes, stating, “Bandits and kidnappers in Nigeria do not target only Christians. These criminals go after anyone they see as vulnerable, regardless of religion. Let’s focus on safety and unity, not divide ourselves by faith.”
Local residents are praying for the safe return of the victims and for strength for the bereaved family during this difficult time.
As of the filing of this report, the Bauchi State Police Command had not issued any official statement.
By Uzair Adam
The Senate has begun legislative proceedings on a petition alleging the inclusion of non-indigenes as Bauchi indigenes in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) basic military training recruitment.
During Tuesday’s plenary, Senator Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central, presented a petition written by Governor Bala Mohammed, expressing concern over what he described as a deliberate misrepresentation in the recruitment process.
“This is to bring to the attention of the Senate a matter of grave concern on the inclusion of non-indigenes as indigenes of Bauchi State in the Nigerian Air Force basic military training course,” Mohammed stated in the petition.
He added, “It is imperative, Mr. President, to note that the interests of Bauchi State have been so shortchanged, so marginalised.”
After the petition was read, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred it to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, as well as the Committee on Air Force, for a thorough investigation.
“The petition will be argued at the committee’s level,” Akpabio said, directing the committees to report back to the Senate within seven days.
By Uzair Adam
The Bauchi State Government has disbursed N95 million to families of vigilantes and civilians who were killed in recent bandit attacks in Alkaleri Local Government Area.
Governor Bala Mohammed made the announcement during a condolence visit to Duguri and Gwana communities, where the attacks occurred.
The victims include 13 vigilantes and 10 civilians who lost their lives in an ambush by bandits.
According to the governor, each family of the deceased vigilantes will receive N5 million, while families of the civilians will receive N3 million each.
He noted that a committee led by the Chairman of Alkaleri LGA has been set up to oversee the equitable distribution of the funds.
“We are doing this out of sympathy and appreciation for the sacrifices made by these heroes. This support is meant to offer some relief to their families,” Mohammed said.
He also revealed that over 60 of the attackers were killed in the confrontation with security forces and vigilantes, praising the courage of the local defenders despite the superior firepower of the bandits.
In response to the ongoing security challenges, the governor pledged to employ up to 2,100 youths into the vigilante corps before the end of the year, beginning with the most affected communities.
He said the recruits will be trained by security agencies and equipped with clear rules of engagement to avoid extrajudicial actions.
“To strengthen their operations, I’m releasing N10 million immediately, and the committee will add another N10 million to support their mobility, especially fuel for patrols,” he added.
Governor Mohammed also warned traditional leaders to be vigilant against informants within their communities, describing them as more dangerous than the bandits themselves.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, represented by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ahmed, said additional personnel and equipment have been deployed by the force headquarters to enhance security in the state.
By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
A fatal accident involving two DAF trucks claimed one life and left two others injured in the early hours of Sunday, April 13, 2025.
The crash occurred around 2:00 AM in Magama Gumau Town when a sand-laden truck rammed into a stationary broken-down truck.
The impact sparked a fire that engulfed both vehicles, killing 23-year-old Usman Magaji and injuring two others.
Police and emergency responders from the Toro Divisional Headquarters swiftly arrived, extinguishing the flames and rescuing the victims.
The injured were rushed to Toro General Hospital, where Magaji was pronounced dead.
The Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolari Aliyu, psc(+), mni, urged drivers to obey traffic regulations, stressing the need for proper warning signs when vehicles break down.
He also ordered a thorough investigation by the Central Motor Traffic Department (MTD).
Authorities continue to warn motorists against reckless driving to prevent further tragedies.
By Sabiu Abdullahi
A 50-year-old man, Umar Alh. Sule, has been arrested in Bauchi State, for allegedly raping his 17-year-old biological daughter.
This was made known by the Bauchi State Police Command in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil.
The incident was reported to have occurred in November 2024, when the victim’s mother was away visiting her parents in Burra village.
According to the police statement, the victim’s father took advantage of her mother’s absence to have sexual intercourse with her on multiple occasions, which resulted in a three-month pregnancy.
The victim testified the suspect’s statements and added that her father molested her many times.
The police were informed of the crime on April 3, 2025, and a team of detectives was assigned to investigate and arrest the accused.
During interrogation, Sule willingly admitted to his wrongdoing.
The case is currently under investigation, and the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the case be charged to court after the investigation is completed.
By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has condoled with the family of the late Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dr. Idris Abdulaziz Dutsen Tanshi, describing his death as a great loss to the state.
During a visit to the bereaved family, Governor Mohammed praised the late cleric as a courageous preacher dedicated to Islamic teachings, justice, and the rule of law.
He prayed for Allah’s mercy on the deceased and strength for the family.
In a goodwill gesture, the governor promised to restore the Games Village Eid Prayer Ground, a request long made by the late Sheikh.
He also expressed forgiveness for past disagreements.
Family representatives, Malam Yau and Alhaji Shehu Barau Ningi, thanked the governor for his visit and support, stressing the significance of the Eid ground to the Muslim community.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to renowned Islamic scholar, Dr Idris Abdulaziz Dutsen Tanshi, who died in the early hours of Friday at the age of 68.
In his condolence message, President Tinubu described the late cleric as a dedicated teacher of Islamic principles who shaped the lives of millions of young people and devout Muslims.
He acknowledged Dr Abdulaziz’s role in resisting the growth of violent extremism, particularly during the early stages of the Boko Haram crisis.
“The cleric contributed to moulding millions of youths and other Muslim faithful on the tenets of Islam,” he noted.
The President also praised the late scholar’s strong voice in calling for discipline and honesty within the society.
“The Muslim faithful would greatly miss the cleric’s trenchant voice, calling for moral rectitude and probity,” he added.
President Tinubu prayed for Dr Abdulaziz’s soul and urged his family and followers to take comfort in the scholar’s enduring legacy.
By Sabiu Abdullahi
Renowned Islamic scholar and preacher, Dr. Idris Abdulaziz Dutsen Tanshi, has passed away.
The respected cleric, known for his vast knowledge and strong influence in Islamic teachings, died on Friday, April 4, 2025, after battling an undisclosed illness.
The news of his death was confirmed by Sheikh Muhammad Kabir Haruna.
Dr. Abdulaziz was widely regarded for his contributions to Islamic scholarship, as well as his active engagement in business and agriculture.
Dr. Abdulaziz gained widespread recognition across Africa for his sermons and teachings, which resonated with millions of followers.
However, in recent years, he found himself entangled in legal challenges.
In February 2024, the Bauchi State Police Command declared him wanted for alleged contempt of court after he failed to appear for a trial involving charges of incitement and alleged blasphemy.
Following this, he went into exile but later returned to Bauchi in April 2024 after mediation efforts led by National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, resulted in reconciliation with the state government.
By Usman Abdullahi Koli
Have you ever walked into a mosque and sensed its walls whispering stories? Stories of faith, of community, of lives transformed? One quiet afternoon in Bauchi, as the sun cast long shadows across the courtyard of a newly renovated mosque, I found myself in the middle of such a conversation. But this was no ordinary dialogue.
The mosque itself began to speak, its voice a blend of gratitude and reverence, joined by the echoes of countless lives impacted by one man—Dr. Yakubu Adamu, the Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, affectionately known as Mai Masallaci.
The mosque’s voice was calm yet commanding, like the adhan that calls the faithful to prayer. “Sit,” it seemed to say, “and listen to the story of a man who saw me not as a crumbling structure but as a sanctuary of hope.
When Dr. Yakubu Adamu first approached me, I was in ruins—my walls cracked, my roof leaking, my courtyard silent. But he saw beyond my decay. He saw the souls who gathered within me, the prayers that rose from my floors, and the community that depended on me. With his hands, he rebuilt me. With his heart, he revived me. And with his faith, he reminded me of my purpose—to be a house of Allah, a home of unity and hope.”
I leaned in, captivated, as the mosque continued: “But he did not stop with me. He traveled across the state, seeking out my brothers—mosques that had been forgotten and abandoned. He gave them new life, not just as structures, but as symbols of faith and community. He understood that building a mosque is a bridge between this world and the hereafter.”
Then, another voice joined the conversation—a gentle, heartfelt murmur that seemed to come from the air around us. It was the voice of his philanthropic gestures, the countless acts of kindness that had touched thousands of lives.
“He is not just a builder of mosques,” the voice said. “He is a builder of lives. I have seen him provide food for the hungry, scholarships for the bright but needy, and medical care for the sick. I have watched him sit with the poor, listen to their struggles, and offer material support and hope. He does not see charity as an obligation; he sees it as a privilege, a way to draw closer to Allah.”
The mosque nodded in agreement, its dome catching the sunlight like a crown. “Yes,” it said. “He is a man who understands that true success lies in serving others. His humanitarian services are not just acts of kindness; they are acts of worship.”
As the conversation deepened, the voices grew more numerous, each adding a layer to the story of Dr. Yakubu Adamu. The students he had supported spoke of his belief in education as a tool for empowerment. The elderly he had cared for praised his compassion and respect for the aged. The farmers he had assisted shared stories of his commitment to economic development and self-sufficiency. And through it all, one theme emerged: Dr. Adamu is a man who lives for others, a man whose life is proof of the teachings of Islam.
Now glowing with pride, the mosque turned to me and said, “But perhaps what sets him apart is his humility. He does not seek recognition or praise. He works quietly, tirelessly, knowing that his true reward lies with Allah. He is a leader who leads by example, a servant who serves with love, and a believer who lives by faith.”
As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the mosque’s courtyard, I felt a profound awe. This was not just a story of a man; it was a story of a legacy—a legacy of faith, service, and humanity. Dr. Yakubu Adamu is not just a commissioner but a guardian of the people, a protector of the faith, and a pillar of hope.
The mosque, its voice now a whisper, offered a final thought: “Tell the world about him. Let them know that in a time when selflessness is rare, Dr. Yakubu Adamu stands as a reminder of what it means to live a life of purpose. Inform them that his work is not just for this world but for the hereafter. And convey that we, the mosques and the hearts he has touched, are forever grateful.”
As I left the mosque that evening, the call to Maghrib prayer echoed through the streets, reminding me of the divine connection that Dr. Yakubu Adamu has strengthened through his work. His story is not just one of bricks and mortar, food and medicine, or governance and development. It is a story of faith, love, and a man who has dedicated his life to improving this world and the hereafter. May Allah bless him, protect him, and grant him the highest place in Jannah. Ameen.
Usman Abdullahi Koli wrote via mernoukoli@gmail.com.
