Kaduna

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A woman believed to be a supporter of Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has reportedly been assaulted and injured after criticising residents for failing to publicly demonstrate support for the governor during President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the state.

According to a report by SaharaReporters, the woman was attacked shortly after the President’s campaign-related visit to Kaduna, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) held a campaign rally.

In a video obtained by the online publication, the woman was seen speaking in Hausa and expressing disappointment that residents had not organised public displays of support for Governor Sani.

She questioned why Kaduna residents did not play songs in the governor’s honour, display his posters or turn out to celebrate him, as supporters of governors from other states reportedly do when their leaders visit.

“Honestly, the people of Kaduna are surprised, and this is not how things should be. It should not be that in the whole of Kaduna, nobody has come out to show support for their own governor. Nobody has come out to promote Governor Uba Sani in this city. Nobody has come out to demonstrate patriotism and show that they are proud to be citizens of Kaduna State,” she said.

The woman also lamented what she described as a lack of public enthusiasm for the governor compared with the support displayed for other state leaders.

“Nobody has come out to play songs in support of Governor Uba Sani in this city, while we watch people from other states playing songs in praise of their own governors. This should not be so. It should not be so,” she added.

She argued that residents should show appreciation for their leaders regardless of their political differences or opinions about their performance in office.

“Whatever your governor is doing, should you not show him support? We should demonstrate our support and appreciation for our leaders. It should not be that governors from other states come to this city, and their people turn out in large numbers to welcome them, play their songs and display their posters, while our own governor, Uba Sani, receives no such show of support,” she said.

Videos Show Woman With Injuries

SaharaReporters also reported that a separate video showed the woman crying and bleeding from injuries to her forehead and nose after the alleged assault.

In the footage, she was seen lying on the ground with visible injuries. Another video reportedly showed people helping her into a tricycle, while security operatives were seen at the scene.

The woman was reportedly rescued by friends who were present during the incident.

Witnesses alleged that police officers at the scene watched as the attack unfolded but failed to intervene effectively or arrest those responsible.

However, the circumstances surrounding the reported assault, the identities of those allegedly involved and whether any arrests have been made were not established in the report.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of citizens expressing political opinions and the responsibility of security personnel to protect people from violence, regardless of their political affiliations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 12 suspects, including eight alleged kidnappers and four suspected informants, during security operations in Millennium City and Maraban Rido.

The command also announced the deployment of three additional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) provided by the Kaduna State Government to strengthen operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities in the affected communities.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. He said the operations involved clearance exercises, targeted raids and patrols conducted in collaboration with other security agencies.

The eight suspected kidnappers were identified as Dauda Murna, Usman Abdullahi, Abubakar Sulaiman, Saleh Abdullahi, Usman Muhammed, Mathias Moses, Makama John and Tafarki Audu.

The four alleged informants were identified as Shuaibu Sabiu, Audu Makama, Simon Moses and Amadu Mathew.

According to the police, preliminary investigations suggested that some suspects had allegedly supplied criminal groups with information about security operations.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that two of the suspects allegedly confessed to leaking information about police operations to criminal elements, thereby undermining security efforts and endangering the lives of security personnel and residents,” the statement said.

The command did not identify the two suspects who allegedly confessed or provide further details about the recovered firearms.

Police said investigations were ongoing to establish the extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement, identify other accomplices and bring those connected to the crimes to justice.

In a related development, the command said the state government had released three additional APCs to improve security operations in Millennium City and neighbouring communities.

The vehicles are expected to support surveillance, strengthen police response and facilitate operations against suspected criminal hideouts.

The statement added, “The command assures the residents that clearance operations of criminal hideouts will be sustained to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt their activities, and facilitate the rescue of kidnapped victims.”

The police also disclosed that a government delegation led by the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Malam Sani Kila, met traditional rulers, residents and other stakeholders in the affected communities on October 10 to discuss the security situation.

During the meeting, Kila called for greater cooperation between residents, community leaders, government officials and security agencies.

“He reiterated that security is a collective responsibility and urged residents, community leaders, landlords, and youth groups to promptly report individuals suspected of aiding or abetting criminal activities and to continue supporting security agencies in their efforts to maintain peace and public safety,” the statement said.

The command noted that the forested areas surrounding Millennium City presented geographical challenges for security operations and urged residents to provide credible information to help identify suspected collaborators of criminal gangs.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu, directed the immediate deployment of additional tactical personnel, operational vehicles and other security resources to the affected communities.

The statement said the deployment was intended to “intensify surveillance, improve response times, and prevent further criminal activities.”

Rabiu urged residents to remain calm, report suspicious movements to the nearest police station and cooperate with security agencies.

The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across Kaduna State, adding that operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities would continue.

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.”