Bauchi

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Bauchi State for the 2027 general elections, has resigned from the party.

Kashim announced his decision in a resignation letter dated October 16, 2026, addressed to the NDC chairman in Bauchi Local Government Area.

In the letter, he described the decision as a personal choice and expressed appreciation to the party’s leadership and members for the opportunity to be associated with the organisation.

“I hereby formally tender my resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), effective from the date of this letter.

“This decision has been taken after careful consideration and is a matter of personal choice. I wish to express my appreciation to the party leadership and members for the opportunity to have been associated with the NDC.

“I respectfully request that my resignation be acknowledged and that the necessary records be updated accordingly. Please accept the assurances of my highest regards,” the statement read.

Kashim’s resignation comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, although the letter did not disclose his reasons for leaving the party or indicate his next political move.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with a clash between farmers and herders in Guda Village, Ningi Local Government Area, which left one farmer dead and several houses burnt.

The deceased, identified as 40-year-old Usman Jibrin, reportedly died while receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the incident.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the police, the incident occurred on September 23, 2026, after three farmers discovered cattle belonging to a herder grazing on and destroying their crops at Guda Hill.

The statement read, “On September 23, 2026, at about 07:40 hours, three farmers from Guda Village went to their farms on Guda Hill and found cattle belonging to a herder grazing on and destroying their crops.

“They chased the cattle to the herders’ settlement, where an argument ensued and degenerated into a fight. In the process, the three farmers sustained injuries. Sadly, in retaliation, some youths from Guda Village mobilised and set ablaze houses at the herders’ settlement.”

The police said operatives from the Ningi Division responded to the incident, restored calm and evacuated the injured to General Hospital, Ningi, for medical attention.

However, one of the injured farmers later died while receiving treatment.

The command said its operatives arrested four suspects on October 8 following intelligence-led efforts.

The statement added, “Through intelligence-led efforts, our operatives have, on October 8, 2026, arrested four suspects in connection with the offences of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt, mischief by fire and culpable homicide.”

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for a thorough and discreet investigation.

The police have not disclosed the identities of the suspects as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the clash and the subsequent burning of houses.

By Salmanu Isah

A retired Sharia Court judge in Bauchi State, Umar Baba Wali, 55, has been arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court 6 in Bauchi over allegations of judicial misconduct, abuse of office and involvement in a matrimonial dispute involving a woman he allegedly later married.

Wali, from Kesala in Misau Local Government Area, formerly presided over Sharia Court II in Azare.

The allegations centre on a matrimonial case brought before him by Rukayya Yakubu Gurama, the wife of Abdulkadir Idris. The retired judge is accused of allowing an alleged personal relationship with Gurama to influence proceedings in the case.

According to the allegations, Wali allegedly became personally involved with the woman while the matrimonial dispute was still before him, raising questions about judicial impartiality, conflict of interest and the possible misuse of judicial authority.

He is also accused of marrying Gurama without the dissolution of her existing marriage in accordance with the law, despite having presided over proceedings relating to the matrimonial dispute.

The prosecution alleges that the conduct amounted to a breach of judicial ethics and an abuse of the public trust attached to his former position.

Wali is facing charges under Sections 384, 125, 124 and 126 of the Bauchi State Penal Code Law, 2022.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded in custody. The court adjourned the case until Tuesday, October 13, 2026, for a ruling on his bail application.

The case has raised concerns about the importance of impartiality, integrity and the avoidance of conflicts of interest in judicial proceedings, particularly in sensitive matrimonial disputes.

The central issue is whether the accused used the authority of his former office to influence proceedings involving a woman with whom he allegedly later established a marital relationship.

The allegations have yet to be proved in court. Wali remains presumed innocent unless the prosecution establishes his guilt beyond reasonable doubt, in accordance with the law.

By Uzair Adam

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old housewife over the alleged killing of her co-wife during a domestic incident in Bauchi metropolis.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Bauchi.

According to Habib, the suspect, whose name was withheld, was arrested on September 27 following the alleged killing at Tafawa Balewa Housing Estate in the state capital.

He said the Police C-Division, Bauchi, received credible information at about 4:05 p.m. that a domestic incident had occurred between two wives living in the same household.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the 33-year-old suspect, who is the second wife, allegedly, acting under hallucinations, struck the first wife with a pestle on the forehead, and the victim fell unconscious,” Habib said.

He added that detectives attached to the division immediately mobilised to the scene after receiving the report.

Habib said the victim was rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, where a medical doctor certified her dead.

He said the victim’s remains had been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy, while the police recovered the pestle allegedly used in the incident.

The spokesperson said the suspect was being investigated for alleged culpable homicide.

He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, as directing that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation and prosecution.

The commissioner condoled with the family of the deceased and warned against domestic violence.

Aliyu also advised families to seek timely medical and psychosocial support for members experiencing mental health challenges.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government has initiated steps to resume exploration activities at the long-stalled Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi State, following an assessment visit by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to evaluate the project’s current status.

The RMAFC Chairman, Muhammad Bello, disclosed this on Monday during a verification exercise at the oil field, stating that the commission’s primary objective is to determine the necessary steps for the project’s remobilisation.

“This verification is crucial to assess the state of the project and advocate for its continuation,” Bello said. He noted that the commission is committed to ensuring that the oil field, which holds significant potential for boosting Nigeria’s revenue base, does not remain inactive.

The Kolmani Oil Field, discovered in 2019, was heralded as a major breakthrough for the region, with the potential to transform the economic landscape of the North-East. However, exploration activities stalled due to a combination of technical challenges and funding constraints.

The RMAFC’s intervention is seen as a critical move to re-energize the project, as the commission plays a key role in monitoring revenue-generating ventures. Officials on the verification team are expected to submit a comprehensive report that will guide the federal government’s strategy for restarting full-scale operations. The government has reiterated its commitment to diversifying the nation’s oil assets and unlocking the hydrocarbon potential in the inland basins.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two men suspected of having links to cattle theft and an alleged attempt to compromise an investigation in Alkaleri Local Government Area.

The suspects were identified as 26-year-old Abdullahi Adamu and 20-year-old Muktashir Idris, both residents of Jarmai Village in Dangi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The command’s spokesperson disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Sunday.

The statement said the development followed a report by two residents of Yalo Village, Alkaleri LGA, over the theft of 103 cattle by unidentified gunmen in July 2026.

According to the police, the complainants formally reported the matter at the Alkaleri Divisional Headquarters on August 6, 2026.

Police operatives later moved to Mararaban Liman Katagum, where the complainants reportedly identified three of the missing cattle.

The police said a traditional leader in the area helped the operatives to arrest the two suspects, who were taken to the police division on August 7.

During questioning, Idris allegedly told investigators that his master, identified as Alaba, sent him to sell the stolen cattle.

The command said efforts were in progress to apprehend Alaba.

The investigation also uncovered an alleged attempt to influence the case with N400,000.

The police said a brother of one of the complainants told investigators that Alaba had given him the money to compromise the case. The cash was subsequently recovered and kept as an exhibit.

According to the command, the man had earlier indicated that he would help the police secure Alaba’s arrest but did not fulfil the promise.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

The police said the suspects would be charged to court after the investigation is concluded.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have stopped an alleged cattle rustling operation and recovered six cows in the Bakal area of Bauchi metropolis.

The incident followed intelligence reportedly received by the police through the ‘A’ Divisional Police Headquarters, Township Bauchi, on June 23, 2026, at about 12:30 p.m. The information indicated that suspected cattle rustlers were moving six cows toward a riverbank in Bakal through the Goskaram area.

Following the report, police operatives, alongside members of a local vigilante group under the leadership of the Divisional Police Officer of ‘A’ Division, carried out a swift operation in the area.

The security team reportedly pursued the suspects, intercepted them and recovered the six cows. The animals have since been taken into police custody as efforts continue to identify and locate their rightful owners.

Authorities said the suspects escaped during the operation, while efforts are ongoing to track them down.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, ordered a discreet investigation into the incident and directed officers to intensify efforts to arrest those involved.

The police commissioner also praised the operatives for their quick response and commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

He further appealed to residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with useful information that could help tackle crime.

The command assured members of the public that it remains committed to protecting lives and property as well as maintaining security across Bauchi State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has begun an investigation into the suspected killing of a teenager in Kari Village, Darazo Local Government Area of the state, according to a police statement.

The statement was issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, on June 3, 2026.

Police authorities said the incident was reported to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Darazo on May 24, 2026, at about 4:15 p.m.

According to the command, the report alleged that Abdullahi Muhammad, a 17-year-old resident of Kari Village, drowned in the Kari River under circumstances linked to another resident of the community, Aisanu Nura, aged 18.

Findings from an initial investigation indicated that the suspect allegedly persuaded the deceased to accompany him to the river before he was drowned.

Police operatives from the Darazo Division responded to the report and arrested the suspect. Investigators have since commenced inquiries into the matter.

The command disclosed that the body of the victim had not been recovered as of the time of the statement, while efforts to locate it were still underway.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Bauchi for further investigation.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, mni, psc (+), directed investigators to conduct a thorough and professional probe into the incident.

He assured residents that the circumstances surrounding the case would be fully uncovered and that anyone found responsible would face prosecution in line with the law.

The police command also called on parents and guardians to pay closer attention to teenagers under their care and encouraged members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command says its newly created Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) has recorded a significant success in efforts to curb street violence in the state capital after apprehending eight suspected thugs linked to a clash between rival groups.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, on June 2, 2026.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on May 29, 2026, at about 8:10 p.m. when VCRU operatives on patrol in the Jahun area received information that rival groups from Sabuwar Kasuwa Railway and Sabuwar Titi had engaged in a violent confrontation near the Fadan Bayam area of Jahun.

Police said members of the groups allegedly blocked a major road and were armed with sticks and cutlasses during the clash.

Upon receiving the report, officers moved to the scene, dispersed the hoodlums with teargas and restored order in the area. During the operation, one suspect identified as Abdulaziz Hashim, 16, of Sabuwar Kasuwa Railway, was arrested with a cutlass.

The command stated that further investigations led to the identification and arrest of seven additional suspects on May 31, 2026. They were listed as Mohammed Abubakar, 21, of Sabuwar Kasuwa; Ibrahim Almustafa, 15, of Sabuwar Kasuwa; Ahmad Rufai, 14, of Unguwan Jaja; Umar Isiyaka, 16, of Sabuwar Kasuwa; Habir Umar, 18, of Sabuwar Kasuwa; Aliyu Babangida, 15, of Sabuwar Kasuwa; and Usman Aliyu of Unguwan Jaja.

Police said all the suspects were interrogated and subsequently charged to court, while efforts continue to track down other members of the group who escaped arrest.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, mni, psc (+), praised the VCRU operatives for what he described as their swift response and professionalism.

He also reaffirmed the command’s determination to dismantle criminal gangs and maintain security across Bauchi metropolis for law-abiding residents.

The police further urged parents and guardians to discourage their children and wards from participating in thuggery and other violent activities that could threaten public peace.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has launched an investigation into an armed robbery and kidnapping case linked to an incident that occurred along the Abuja–Kaduna highway, leading to the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of a stolen vehicle.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command.

According to the statement, the case was reported at the ‘A’ Division Police Station in Township, Bauchi, on May 27, 2026, at about 7:20 p.m., according to the police.

The complainant, a professional driver who resides in the Zanda area along Gwagwa Dede Road, Church Street, Abuja, told investigators that he was attacked and abducted by suspected criminals while carrying out a transport assignment.

Police said the driver explained that on May 21, 2026, at about 7:00 a.m., a man hired him to transport wedding guests from Kaduna State to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for an agreed fee of ₦400,000.

During the journey, the passenger reportedly asked the driver to take a different route through Kuyello Village in Kaduna State. Upon arrival in the area, armed men riding three motorcycles allegedly intercepted the vehicle.

According to the police, the passenger was later identified as Idris Mohammed, also known as Yellow, a resident of Badaromo Village in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Investigators said he allegedly instructed the driver to stop before the armed men attacked him.

The assailants reportedly beat the victim with rifle butts and held him captive for 24 hours.

Police said the driver eventually regained his freedom after paying a ransom of ₦3 million through a transfer to an OPay account.

The suspects were also accused of taking away the victim’s red Toyota Corolla with manual transmission, a Tecno Pop 10 mobile phone valued at ₦130,000, ₦15,000 in cash, and a wristwatch worth ₦10,000.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer of ‘A’ Division, Township, coordinated an intelligence-led operation that lasted three days. The operation led to the recovery of the stolen vehicle and the arrest of the principal suspect.

The command stated that the suspect had confessed to involvement in the crime and had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Bauchi for further investigation and prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, mni, psc (+), assured residents that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects who remain at large and recover the remaining stolen property.

He also advised members of the public to be vigilant when engaging commercial transport services and to promptly report suspicious movements to the nearest police station.