Kaduna

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A 30-year-old person living with disability (PWD), Mahmud Sadis Buba, has successfully passed the screening organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the election for the House of Representatives seat in Kaduna State.

Buba, who is widely known as Abin Al-Ajabin Zazzau, is contesting to represent the Sabon Gari Federal Constituency.

The aspirant lives with dwarfism, a condition that affects physical growth and development.

He recently attracted attention on social media after a video from his APC screening exercise circulated online.

During the screening, Buba disclosed that he is the first child in a family of nine and possesses a senior secondary school certificate.

He explained that people from his constituency encouraged him to join the race and represent them at the national assembly.

“I am not doing this for myself. It is from the people. People called me to serve them, and I will serve,” he said.

Buba is seeking to unseat Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, who won the constituency seat in 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before later defecting to the APC.

Abdullahi is also contesting for another term under the ruling party.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has honoured his commitments to Kaduna State and the wider northern region.

The governor spoke on Thursday when he received a presidential delegation touring the North-West. He credited the administration with improving security and boosting infrastructure across the state.

Sani said these efforts have strengthened public support for the president. He expressed confidence that such support would translate into votes in the 2027 general elections.

He also claimed that the impact of the projects has weakened opposition parties in Kaduna, which he described as existing only in name.

“He has done a lot for us and I could remember when he visited Birnin Gwari, on the 12th of December, 2022, we went there with some of our friends here. It was a journey of about less than two hours. But it took us five hours.

“So there were two major problems we faced. Number one problem is security, because at that time, in 2022, you could travel from Kaduna to Birnin Gwari without military escort. But today, you can go there without police escort.

“Also, look at infrastructure. Today, he has fulfilled his promises. That is the reason why the good people of Kaduna will forever be grateful to President Tinubu.

“When you go to Birnin Gwari, you will see hundreds of vehicles passing to Lagos. It has improved the economic prosperity of our people who are farmers. It has improved the business of our people who are small business owners particularly those that are into farming, trading.

“All of them are making a lot of money because of what the president has done for us. Again, we are talking about the north.

“So for me, no president has supported northern Nigeria as much as President Tinubu would have done in less than three years now. And that is also why I cannot see any zone, not even the southwest, coming down to vote for him.”

The governor dismissed suggestions that Tinubu could lose the 2027 election. He said such opinions are largely driven by social media narratives.

Sani further argued that the president played an active role during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle, at a time he said some critics remained silent.

“Some of us were approached by then Head of State, Abdulsalam Abubakar, for a meeting, and he made it clear to all of us there will be only three recognised parties.

“But we didn’t threaten to burn down the country like the current opposition are doing. We went to the street; through the court that decision was rescinded.”

However, some northern leaders have disagreed with the governor’s position. They argue that the region has not received fair treatment under the current administration. They pointed to what they described as an imbalance in the distribution of projects between the North and the South.

At a citizens’ engagement forum organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna in June 2025, Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, criticised the administration’s approach to governance.

Dalhatu said, “Two years into President Tinubu’s four-year tenure, the feeling among the people of the North is, to put it mildly, completely mixed.

“To our surprise, those who did not support him, did not vote for him, and hardly wished him well have emerged from nowhere and are now attempting to drive a wedge between him and the North.”

The Northern Elders Forum also expressed dissatisfaction with the region’s earlier support for Tinubu. In an interview published by The Guardian in April 2025, the forum’s spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said the North would take a different approach ahead of future elections.

Suleiman said, “The North made a mistake in voting Bola Tinubu to the presidency in 2023, and it is unlikely that they will repeat the same error in the future.”

“They have learned from their past misstep and will strive to select a candidate who can unite the country and govern in the best interests of all Nigerians.

“Moving forward, the North will be more cautious in selecting a candidate for the presidency. They will prioritize someone who is seen as more inclusive, less controversial, and more aligned with the interests of all regions of the country.

“The mistake of supporting Tinubu in 2023 has taught them the importance of unity and consensus in selecting a candidate for the highest office in the land.” he added.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed fresh money laundering charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and seven others over an alleged ₦10.8 billion CCTV security project fraud.

The 11-count charge, filed on April 17, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, invokes the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to court documents, El-Rufai allegedly approved an ₦8.68 billion CCTV contract in December 2015 to a company the commission claims lacked the requisite competence. The ICPC further alleges that between 2017 and 2022, multiple large sums were received and transferred by individuals and firms linked to the project, including Singularity Network Security Limited and other unnamed entities.

Other defendants include Jimi Lawal, a former Kaduna State government official, senior executives of IHS Towers, and five companies. Bashir El-Rufai, one of the former governor’s sons, was named in the allegations but is not listed as a defendant.

This marks the third set of charges the ICPC has filed against El-Rufai since March. He is already facing separate corruption cases over a light rail contract and alleged illegal severance payments — all of which he has previously denied.

The State Security Service (SSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are also investigating or prosecuting the former governor over other allegations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

There was widespread panic on Tuesday along Jos Road near a primary health care centre in Kaduna State after a fire outbreak exposed a critical lapse in emergency response, as firefighters reportedly arrived at the scene without water in their truck.

An eyewitness who spoke to The Daily Reality said the incident occurred on 22nd April 2026 and quickly escalated into chaos as residents watched flames threaten nearby structures while awaiting an effective firefighting response.

According to the eyewitness, the most alarming aspect of the situation was that the fire service vehicle deployed to the scene had no water, a development that significantly delayed efforts to contain the blaze. The absence of water in the truck left responders momentarily unable to act decisively as the fire continued to spread.

In a desperate response, residents intervened, fetching water from various sources and pouring it into the fire service truck to enable firefighting efforts to commence.

The scene drew large crowds, with confusion and concern growing as locals worked alongside emergency personnel in a bid to prevent further destruction.

The cause of the fire and the extent of damage had not been confirmed at the time of filing this report.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have taken former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, into custody at the federal high court in Kaduna.

El-Rufai appeared in court on Wednesday after operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) brought him forward for a hearing on his bail request.

The DSS later assumed custody of the former governor after the court adjourned its ruling on the bail application until April 14.

The ICPC had earlier arraigned el-Rufai alongside Joel Adoga on March 24 over allegations related to fraud and money laundering. Both defendants denied the charges when they were presented before the court.

After the session, Oluwole Iyamu, counsel to el-Rufai, expressed optimism about the outcome of the pending decision.

“The bail application was argued and responded to, and the ruling has been fixed for April 14. We look forward to that day. We are hopeful,” he said.

“We have put our arguments before the court, and this is a court of justice. We await the decision of the court.”

Iyamu also addressed another case involving the DSS, which is scheduled for April 10 at the federal high court in Abuja. He stated that the legal team is prepared for the proceedings.

“That is a separate matter. As lawyers, we are ready. We have filed all necessary processes and will be in court. That is the DSS matter,” he said.

Earlier in February, the DSS filed a three-count charge against el-Rufai over allegations of unlawful interception of a telephone conversation. The case followed remarks he made during a television interview.

While speaking on ‘Prime Time’, a programme on Arise Television, el-Rufai alleged that “someone wiretapped” Nuhu Ribadu’s phone, which allowed him to hear instructions from the National Security Adviser directing security operatives to arrest him.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Bashir El-Rufai has announced that his father, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has been released from detention, a development that has again drawn attention to the former governor’s strained relationship with the current administration.

In a post shared on his verified X account, Bashir wrote, “Alhamdulillah,” before alleging that his father “is being released from his unlawful & illegal detention at the hands of one of the most corrupt agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria that is a lame excuse of a pathetic institution.”

He added, “Thank you all for all the support. Our family shall never forget these times. We have overcome, as the El-Rufai’s always do.”

Background to the Detention

Details surrounding the detention were around alleged tapping of NSA Ribadu’s phone calls, as no official statement has been issued by the agency allegedly involved. However, the incident comes amid a period of political tension involving the former governor.

Nasir El-Rufai, a key former figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and an early supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saw his relationship with the administration deteriorate after the 2023 general elections.

His ministerial nomination by President Tinubu was withheld by the Senate, which cited security concerns. The decision marked a turning point in his standing within the ruling party and sparked speculation of internal disagreements.

Fallout With the Tinubu Administration

Since then, El-Rufai has made several public comments that analysts interpret as critical of the government. He has spoken about governance challenges and internal party dynamics, fueling perceptions of a rift between him and key figures in the administration.

While he has directly declared opposition to President Tinubu, his absence from the current government and his occasional remarks have kept him at the center of political discussions.

Observers say the reported detention and subsequent release may further deepen debates about political alignments within and outside the APC, especially as the country approaches another electoral cycle.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Federal Government nor relevant authorities have provided clarification on the circumstances of the detention or confirmed the claims made by Bashir El-Rufai.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has announced the death of his mother.

In a statement released by the family on Friday, it was confirmed that she passed away on March 27, 2026. She is said to have died peacefully while surrounded by members of her family.

El-Rufai served as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 and remains one of Nigeria’s most prominent political figures.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in line with Islamic rites. May Allah grant her eternal rest and comfort the family during this difficult time

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Contrary to widespread speculation that he had been killed or had gone missing, Kaduna-based Islamic scholar Sheikh Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir, also known as Sheikh Khalifa Zaria, is alive and being held in protective custody by Nigerian security agencies, PR Nigeria reported.

The cleric, who disappeared earlier in 2026 after traveling to Abuja and having his bank account frozen, is currently being investigated by a joint team of the Nigerian Military and the Department of State Services (DSS). The investigation centers on a transfer of approximately ₦2 million from a military officer implicated as a key suspect in a foiled coup plot against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to intelligence sources quoted by the news platform, Sheikh Khalifa’s detention followed the discovery of the funds in his account.

“Sheikh Khalifa is alive and healthy in protective custody. His arrest followed the discovery of funds in his bank account transferred from one of the suspected military officers involved in the attempted coup,” a source disclosed.

However, sources close to the cleric’s family offered a different narrative, describing the transaction as a routine spiritual offering. They claimed the soldier obtained the Sheikh’s account number through a student and sent the money with a request for prayers and blessings , a common practice among religious followers in Northern Nigeria.

“There was no political discussion, no criminal intention, and nothing beyond a request for prayers,” a family source maintained.

Concerns over the wellbeing of Sheikh AbdulKadir have intensified in recent days amid mounting public speculation. A fundamental rights suit filed to demand his release was heard at the Federal High Court in Abuja on February 18 and March 13, 2026. The presiding judge has adjourned the matter to April 10, 2026, for final judgment.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar weighed in on Wednesday, calling for the cleric’s immediate release or prosecution. In a statement issued by the Atiku Media Office, he described the prolonged detention as a “grave violation” of fundamental rights and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic principles.

“The continued detention of Sheikh Khalifa without due process poses a significant threat to the rule of law and risks eroding the fundamental rights guaranteed to all citizens,” Atiku said.

He also raised concerns over the authorities’ silence regarding the cleric’s condition, adding that “Nigeria cannot continue to claim the status of a democracy while the rights of its citizens are routinely and brazenly violated.”

Despite the legal and public pressure, intelligence sources insisted that the cleric would remain in custody until the investigation is concluded. “He would soon be arraigned in court for prosecution after the completion of the investigation alongside others,” the official added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Several passengers were injured on Monday morning after a train travelling along the Kaduna–Abuja route was involved in a collision.

The incident happened while the train was on its way from Kaduna to Abuja. During the journey, it ran into another train on the same track. The impact forced the service to come to a sudden halt.

Witnesses said the force of the crash caused a sharp jolt inside the coaches. Some passengers were thrown against seats and metal parts within the compartments. A number of them suffered cuts and bruises.

One of the passengers, Sada Malumfashi, recounted his experience in a post shared shortly after he disembarked from the train.

“Just dropped from the Kaduna-Abuja train. We heard a loud bang and the train jolted to a stop flinging people across. Passengers got hit and most are bleeding and severely injured. Train delayed for some 30 minutes and resumed to Kubwa. No communication from @info_NRC on anythin,” he wrote.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed the incident in a statement. It said the collision occurred around 10:30 am near Asham. According to the agency, the accident involved a rear locomotive and a passenger coach. Early findings suggest that a coupling fault led to the crash.

The NRC stated that injured passengers were “quickly” attended to before they were moved to a nearby hospital for further treatment. It also confirmed that no lives were lost.

The corporation added that technical teams were sent to the scene. It said officials from the safety investigation bureau were also present to carry out a detailed probe in line with safety procedures.

Rail incidents have occurred on the route in the past. In August 2025, a train heading from Abuja to Kaduna derailed. Several coaches left the track after the train reportedly missed a point. Footage from the scene showed stranded passengers and bystanders along the railway line.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Hundreds of youths in Kaduna State took to the streets on Tuesday, calling on the government to prosecute former Governor Nasir El-Rufai over allegations of financial misappropriation during his tenure.

The protesters, who gathered at major junctions in the state capital, specifically demanded that the former governor be held accountable for the diversion of public funds. Among the allegations cited was the mismanagement of a ₦350 million loan obtained by his administration, which the protesters claim was unaccounted for.

The demonstration, organized by youth groups under the auspices of concerned citizens, also called on security agencies to disregard what they described as a counter-protest staged by a faction of youths allegedly sponsored to distract from the ongoing probe.

The protesters specifically named Bashir Saidu, Jafaru, and Hafiz Bayero as individuals sponsoring a separate, smaller protest aimed at diverting public attention from the investigation into El-Rufai’s administration.

The calls come amid growing pressure on the Kaduna State Government to ensure thorough investigation and possible prosecution of officials accused of financial crimes in the last administration.