Kaduna

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Twelve people have died in a road crash along the Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kaduna State, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed.

The crash, which occurred at Doka Village in Southern Kaduna, involved two Volkswagen Golf cars. Two other occupants sustained serious injuries in the incident.

The FRSC Sector Commander in Kaduna, Mr Andrew Paul Longkam, said 14 people were travelling in the two vehicles when the crash occurred.

According to him, the victims comprised eight males and six females. All eight males and four of the females died, while the remaining two females survived with injuries.

The vehicles involved were a blue Volkswagen Golf with registration number APP 394 FN and a red Volkswagen Golf bearing registration number ACN 205 HK.

Longkam identified a tyre burst as the possible cause of the crash. He also said none of the occupants, including the two drivers, was wearing a seat belt or using any protective device when the accident occurred.

The two injured victims were evacuated to Rapha Hospital for medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at Idon General Hospital pending contact with their relatives.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kaduna State Government says it has regained control of more than 500,000 hectares of land previously occupied by bandits across the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, disclosed this on Sunday at a gala night hosted by his ministry for members of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

The journalists were in Kaduna for their 2026 Retreat, which focused on “2027 General Elections: Navigating Legal, Security and Ethical Challenges in the Media.”

Maiyaki said the recovery of the affected areas had improved the security situation and allowed farmers who were previously prevented from accessing their farms to return to agricultural activities.

He said, “I’m happy to tell you that the present administration under the able leadership of Governor Uba Sani has, within the past three years, recovered over 500,000 hectares of land from bandits.

“As you know, without security you cannot achieve anything. Before now, farmers in such areas were unable to go to their farms due to the activities of the bandits.”

According to the commissioner, insecurity had previously disrupted movement between Kaduna and Abuja, with some travellers avoiding the route because of attacks by bandits.

“I’m happy to say that that has now become a thing of the past because the security situation in Kaduna State has greatly improved,” the commissioner said.

Maiyaki maintained that security remained central to the state government’s development agenda, describing it as a foundation for economic and social progress.

He also highlighted the government’s interventions in agriculture, saying 500 trucks of fertiliser were distributed free of charge to more than 150,000 farmers during the 2026 farming season.

“In 2024, the government distributed 400 trucks of fertiliser to farmers free of charge. Similarly, 500 trucks of the commodity were distributed in 2025 in addition to the 500 trucks distributed to over 150,000 farmers in 2026,” he said.

On education, Maiyaki said the number of out-of-school children in the state had dropped from 550,000 to 187,000.

He added that the state government purchased 100 compressed natural gas buses in July 2025 to provide cheaper transportation for students and civil servants.

“From July 2025, no fewer than 3.5 million people have been transported with the vehicles, and nothing less than N3.8m has been saved for people.

“Even the Nigeria Labour Congress has confirmed that workers have saved 40 per cent of their income since the introduction of the CNG buses,” he added.

The Chairman of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel, Murtala Adewale, commended the Kaduna State Government for hosting the gala night.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested three suspected members of a terrorist network during separate operations across Kaduna State.

Those arrested include an alleged terrorist kingpin, a suspected ammunition courier and a suspected logistics supplier.

The operations took place on Wednesday in Kubau, Igabi and Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas as part of efforts to disrupt terrorist groups and their supply networks.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post on X on Thursday night.

According to Makama, troops conducted a raid on Dabar Dabo in Kubau Local Government Area, which was identified as a hideout used by terrorists.

The operation led to the arrest of the suspected kingpin and two other members of his group.

“The suspects were taken into military custody for further investigation and intelligence gathering,” Makama wrote.

In a separate operation in Igabi Local Government Area, troops intercepted a 50-year-old woman suspected of transporting ammunition.

Security personnel reportedly recovered 300 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a bag in her possession.

Makama said preliminary investigations indicated that the woman had travelled from Zamfara State to Lafia, where she allegedly received the ammunition before proceeding to Birnin Gwari to deliver it to suspected terrorist elements in the area.

Later on Wednesday, troops, with support from a community vigilante group, arrested another suspected logistics supplier in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.

“A search of the suspect led to the recovery of four communication devices believed to be linked to terrorist activities,” Makama wrote.

Makama said the suspects and items recovered during the operations remained in military custody as investigations continued.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The family of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), demanding either credible evidence for a murder allegation or a public retraction and apology.

The dispute stems from a live appearance by General Musa on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 3, 2026, during which he allegedly claimed that Mr. El-Rufai actively orchestrated killings in Southern Kaduna while serving as governor.

In a press statement signed by Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai on behalf of the family, the former governor’s relatives described the allegation as “grave” and “unsubstantiated,” noting that no evidence was presented to back the claim.

“While General Musa (Rtd.) is entitled to hold and express his personal opinions, the El-Rufai family is equally entitled to demand that such serious allegations be substantiated with credible evidence,” the statement read.

The family has given the Defence Minister until September 14, 2026, to either produce proof of his allegation or retract it publicly through the same media platform.

“In the absence of such evidence, we call on him to publicly retract the allegation through the same medium on which it was made,” the statement added.

The El-Rufai family warned that failure to comply would leave them with “no option but to pursue all appropriate legal remedies available under the law.”

Mr. El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and current Opposition Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has faced various political and regional security criticisms during his tenure, but this marks the first time a sitting cabinet member has made such a direct personal accusation against him on national television.

As of press time, the Defence Ministry had not issued an official response to the ultimatum.

Ministan Tsaro, Christopher Musa, ya zargi tsohon Gwamnan Jihar Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, da shirya kisan wasu daga cikin mutanen Kudancin Kaduna a lokacin da yake kan mulki.

Musa ya bayyana hakan ne yayin wata hira da gidan talabijin na Channels a shirin Politics Today ranar Alhamis.

Ministan ya ce gwamnatin El-Rufai ta haifar da rarrabuwar kawuna a Kaduna, inda mazauna Kudancin Kaduna suka samu matsala wajen rayuwa a arewacin jihar, haka kuma wasu daga arewacin jihar suka koma kudanci.

Ya ce gwamnatin Gwamna Uba Sani ta yi kokari wajen dawo da haɗin kai da amincewa tsakanin al’ummar jihar.

“Mun san yadda lamarin yake lokacin El-Rufai; abin ya kasance mai guba,” in ji Musa.»

Ya ƙara da cewa, “El-Rufai ya aikata munanan abubuwa da dama a Jihar Kaduna. Ya raba jihar gida biyu. Ta yadda idan kai ɗan kudu ne, ba za ka iya zuwa arewa ka zauna ba. Waɗanda suke daga arewa kuma suna komawa kudu.”

Musa ya ce ko da yake har yanzu ba a kai ga samun cikakken haɗin kai ba, gwamnatin Uba Sani tana yin ƙoƙari wajen haɗa kan al’ummar jihar.

Da yake magana kan yadda mutanen Kudancin Kaduna ke kallon tsohon gwamnan, ministan ya ce har yanzu mutane na fama da radadin kisan da aka samu a yankin a lokacin mulkinsa.

Ya zargi El-Rufai da gangan ya shirya kashe mutanen yankin.

“To, ban san ko rashin farin ciki shi ne kalmar da ta dace ba. Ina ganin idan akwai wani abu da ya fi rashin farin ciki, ba za mu taɓa farin ciki da mutumin da ya shirya kashe mutanenmu da gangan ba,” in ji shi.»

Musa ya kuma yi zargin cewa El-Rufai ya taɓa bayyana a jawabansa cewa ya biya ‘yan bindiga, yana mai cewa tsohon gwamnan bai ɓoye irin waɗannan matakan ba.

Ya ce mutanen Kudancin Kaduna har yanzu suna cikin raɗaɗin tunanin kisan da aka yi a yankin, duk da cewa yanayin tsaro ya samu sauƙi a yanzu.

Ministan ya kuma zargi tsohon gwamnan da tauye wa wasu mazauna Kaduna damar samun abubuwa daban-daban a lokacin mulkinsa, ciki har da mutanen daga yankin da El-Rufai ya fito.

A ƙarshe, Musa ya yi kira ga ‘yan Najeriya da su ƙi goyon bayan ‘yan siyasar da ke amfani da addini, ƙabila ko wasu bambance-bambance wajen raba al’umma.

“Ya kamata mu samu ‘yan siyasar da suke son haɗa kan Najeriya. A wurina, duk mutumin da yake amfani da addini, ƙabila, akida ko wani abu wajen raba jihar, ba zai taɓa zama aboki ba; ba zai taɓa zama mutumin da za mu ɗaga wa kai ba,” in ji Musa.»

Ya ƙara da cewa, “Bai kamata irin waɗannan mutane su kasance cikin gwamnati ba. Duk wanda yake amfani da addini ko ƙabila ko wani abu wajen raba Najeriya, makiyin ƙasa ne.”

By Anwar Usman

Kaduna State Police Command, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Vigilance Service, has distroyed two suspected bandit camps in Makarfi Local Government Area of the state.

The operation, which took place during the weekend, followed credible intelligence provided by members of the local community on the activities of suspected bandits operating around Durum and Danguzuri general areas, extending to the boundary with Kano State.

A statement issued by DSP Mansir Hassan, the Kaduna Police Command’s Public Relations Officer said the joint security team engaged the bandits during a clearance operation which led to the destruction of their enclaves.

According to the statement, two enclaves identified as camps allegedly used by the bandits to hold abducted victims were destroyed at Rugar Mijin Goggo and Unguwar Maryamu, Danguzuri.

The Command said the operation was part of its sustained efforts to deny criminal elements freedom of movement and ensure the safety of residents and property across the state.

It added that joint security patrols were still ongoing in the area, noting that normalcy had been restored and the general area remained calm.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commended the communities for providing intelligence that facilitated the operation, as well as the security personnel for their gallantry.

He reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain its offensive against banditry and other forms of criminality in Kaduna State.

The police also urged the residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing security operations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A political disagreement involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Governor Uba Sani has escalated into a public dispute between two of El-Rufai’s sons.

The latest development followed a series of social media posts by Bashir El-Rufai, in which he launched strong criticisms against his elder brother, Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency.

Bashir accused Bello of hypocrisy and abandoning the family over his political relationship with Sani. He also made allegations of substance abuse against his brother.

In one of the posts, Bashir wrote: “I have a useless excuse for a brother, with his bony-ass face coated with an unknown white substance around his nostrils every night. That is your Member of the House of Representatives, representing a whole constituency, but he prefers alcohol and cocaine.”

Bashir also responded to an alleged comment by Bello in which he was reportedly told to kill himself.

“Wawa (Fool). Telling me to kill myself. The idiot should first slaughter his daughter, then I will believe he is real and serious,” he wrote.

He further alleged that Bello had remained politically close to Governor Sani until their relationship deteriorated, after which he returned to the family’s political camp.

“He was stuck with Uba Sani until he realised he was being dumped, then suddenly remembered family loyalty and moved to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Where was he before then?” Bashir said.

Bashir also accused his brother of pursuing personal political interests rather than standing with the family during its disagreements with the governor.

“He is purely serving his own interests. When people like us were countering the ‘towel governor,’ the bastard was nowhere to be found—hiding, eating, and wiping his mouth. This is the same idiot who asked me to pipe down on my criticisms,” he added.

The dispute between the El-Rufai brothers is linked to the worsening relationship between their father and Governor Sani.

Sani and Nasir El-Rufai were previously political allies, but their relationship deteriorated after Sani accused the administration he inherited of leaving behind substantial financial obligations.

The governor had said the state inherited debts of $587 million, N85 billion and 115 contractual liabilities. According to him, the financial burden affected the government’s capacity to meet salary obligations and execute development projects.

Bashir has since become a vocal critic of the Sani administration on social media, with repeated accusations of poor governance.

Bello, on the other hand, had initially maintained a different position. He reportedly stayed away from Bashir’s public attacks on Sani and continued to express support for the governor, whom he described as a political mentor.

Bashir’s latest outburst has now placed the differing political positions of the two brothers at the centre of public attention, with his comments accusing Bello of prioritising political interests and only returning to the family after his relationship with Sani became strained.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A Prominent human rights advocate and founder of Human Rights Radio and Television, Dr. Ahmad Isah, has intervened in a legal dispute against a Kaduna-based social media personality, urging the withdrawal of a defamation and abusive language case filed on his behalf.

Dr. Isah, widely known as the “Ordinary President” of the Brekete Family, made the appeal on Monday following a viral video in which the social media influencer, Adamu Maryam Adam Maryam, allegedly made defamatory and abusive remarks against him. The remarks prompted legal proceedings initiated by a third party acting on the broadcaster’s behalf.

In his public address on the matter, Dr. Isah clarified that he did not personally instigate the legal action, noting that it was pursued by individuals who felt compelled to defend his reputation. However, he has now called on them to discontinue the case, citing his personal regard for Ms. Adam Maryam, whom he described as “one of his daughters.”

His appeal comes in the wake of three separate public apologies issued by Adam Maryam over her comments. The radio host emphasized his belief in reconciliation and forgiveness, stating that he holds no grudges against the young social media personality.

“The case was not filed by me, but by those who felt hurt on my behalf. I am now appealing to them to withdraw it because I see Adamu as my child,” Dr. Isah said. “She has apologized publicly three times, and as a father, I believe in giving people a second chance.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Sector 7 of the Nigerian Army have intercepted suspected arms traffickers and recovered seven illegal firearms during an operation in Kaduna State.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post on Monday. He said the operation took place at the Samaru checkpoint in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.

According to him, the troops carried out a targeted stop-and-search operation at about 9:40 a.m. after receiving intelligence that illegal weapons were being transported from Jos in Plateau State to Niger State.

Makama said security personnel were informed that suspected arms traffickers were conveying the weapons in an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

He added that the troops identified the vehicle based on the intelligence, tracked its movement and intercepted it at the Samaru checkpoint.

The operation led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of seven illegal firearms, which were allegedly destined for bandits.

Security authorities have yet to release the identities of the suspects or provide further details about the ongoing investigation.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Kaduna-based mechanic, Aliyu Muhammed, has accused police officers of handing his wife, Ummulkhairi Muhammed, over to an angry mob that allegedly lynched and burnt her to death after accusations of child trafficking.

Muhammed, 42, said the incident happened in Mararaban Jos area of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State after his wife was accused by some women of attempting to traffic children.

Speaking about the incident, he explained that his wife left home on the day of the attack for an Islamiya school in a neighbouring community while he travelled to Kaduna town for work.

According to him, he later received a call from his wife’s phone around 11:21 a.m., but a man answered and informed him that she had been accused of attempted child trafficking.

“He told me that some women had accused her of attempting to traffic children but added that it was only an allegation that had not been confirmed,” Muhammed said.

He said the caller asked him to contact someone who could quickly reach the location where his wife was being held. Muhammed said he immediately contacted a friend, Suleiman, who later informed him that a large crowd had gathered at the scene.

The mechanic said his friend contacted the Divisional Police Officer and requested security officers to move his wife safely to a police station.

Muhammed explained that he informed family members and rushed back to Mararaban Jos with his elder brother after receiving the distress call.

He said while approaching the area, he noticed smoke rising from a distance before receiving another call from his second wife.

“Shortly afterwards, my second wife, who was crying, called me and told me they had killed her,” he said.

According to him, residents stopped him from rushing to the scene because they feared the mob might attack him as well if they discovered he was the victim’s husband.

He said he later saw his wife’s burnt body on the road after the Commissioner of Police arrived at the scene.

Muhammed alleged that his wife had earlier been rescued and taken to a police station before officers allegedly released her to the mob.

“My elder sister was with my wife at the police station after she was rescued. While they were inside the station, the Divisional Police Officer came in and asked where the suspect was. My sister replied that my wife was not a criminal,” he said.

He further alleged that the DPO dragged his wife out of the station despite pleas from family members.

“The DPO held my wife’s hand and started dragging her towards the station gate. My sister asked where he was taking her and pleaded with him not to take her outside because the mob would kill her,” he stated.

“She tried to pull my wife back into the station, but another police officer allegedly struck her hand, allowing the DPO to drag her outside. Once my wife was pushed outside by the DPO, the mob descended on her, beat her, placed her motorcycle on top of her, and set both her and the motorcycle ablaze.”

The grieving husband said the tragedy has left his family devastated, especially their four children who lost their mother.

“Since that incident, I have not been myself. I have been sick. I hardly sleep because I keep thinking about what happened and crying over the tragedy that has befallen my family,” he said.

He added that he was unable to speak with the Commissioner of Police at the scene because of the emotional trauma.

“Neither the Commissioner of Police nor the DPO spoke to me. The police only provided two vehicles to convey my wife’s body for burial,” he added.

Muhammed also claimed that some suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident, although he had not received official confirmation from the authorities.

“I heard that about 22 people are in custody, but I have not been officially informed or shown those who were arrested,” he said.

The mechanic demanded a full investigation into the role played by the DPO and questioned why his wife was allegedly released to the mob after she had already been rescued.

“I want the DPO to be thoroughly investigated. Even if my wife had been guilty of the allegation against her, does the law permit a police officer to drag her outside and allow a mob to kill her?” he asked.

He also urged the public to avoid jungle justice and allow security agencies and courts to handle criminal allegations through due process.

“The public should learn that when someone is accused of an offence, people have no right to take the law into their own hands,” he said.

Muhammed said he wants his late wife to be remembered for her care for her children and peaceful relationship with members of the community.

“I also want the Mararaban Jos Bridge to be renamed in her honour. That would preserve her memory and serve as a reminder to future generations of what happened to her when she was only 35 years old,” he added.