Kano

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Kano State Command, has arrested a 40-year-old man for allegedly attempting to smuggle suspected Indian hemp into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kurmawa, Kano.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Musbahu Kofar-Nassarawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Kano.

According to him, the incident occurred at about noon on Sunday when the suspect allegedly attempted to throw a substance suspected to be Indian hemp into the correctional facility.

He said officers of the Armed Squad Unit intercepted and apprehended the suspect following their vigilance and swift response.

The suspect, who reportedly resides in Janguza Quarters, Kano, was arrested under the supervision of the Commander of the Armed Squad Unit, CSC Usman M. Sale.

The Controller of Corrections in Kano State, Ahmed Yusuf-Lakpene, commended the officers for their vigilance, professionalism and commitment to maintaining security across custodial facilities.

Yusuf-Lakpene reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance policy towards the smuggling of prohibited items into correctional centres.

He also urged members of the public to desist from attempts to introduce illicit substances and other prohibited materials into custodial facilities.

The command said the suspect had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and necessary action.

Yusuf-Lakpene reaffirmed the command’s commitment to strengthening security measures across its custodial centres to ensure a safe environment for the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A fire outbreak has destroyed 75 permanent buildings and 35 temporary structures at Kofar Ruwa Timber Market in Kano State.

The incident occurred at about 7:39am on Saturday, according to the Kano State Fire Service.

The service’s Public Relations Officer, PFS Kabiru Isah Jafaru, disclosed this in a statement, saying firefighters were alerted by a timber dealer, identified as Alhaji Abba.

He said the service immediately mobilised personnel from several fire stations within the Kano metropolitan area to tackle the blaze.

“Several sections of Kofar Ruwa Timber Market were affected by the fire, destroying 75 permanent buildings and 35 temporary structures,” Jafaru stated.

He explained that the fire had already spread to several sections of the market before firefighters arrived but was eventually brought under control.

The intervention, he said, prevented the flames from spreading to other parts of the market.

Jafaru urged traders and business owners to remain vigilant and adopt necessary fire safety measures to prevent similar incidents, particularly during the harmattan season.

The Daily Reality

Directors: Ahmad A. Bifa & Auwal D. Yakasai 

‎Producer: Yakubu M. Yakub

‎Language: Hausa

‎Company: Tumbin Giwa TV

‎Premiere: 8/6/2026

‎Cast: Adam Garba, Isah Adam (Feroz Khan), Fatima Ibrahim, Maryam Booth, Maryam Yahaya, Ummusalama Inuwa, Radiya Jibril, Shatou Abdul, etc. Zarge is a Hausa word for ‘noose’, which refers to a loop of rope with a slipknot that tightens when pulled. Figuratively, the word denotes confusion or a difficult situation. The series Zarge lives up to its title, being a harrowing drama of compounding crises. 

The story revolves around Fatima (Fatima Ibrahim), a young village girl whose fate takes her away from her own family, only for her to become the saviour of another.

The series opens with Hajiya (Ummusalama Inuwa) plotting to abduct her pregnant in-law, Nafisa (Radiya Jibril), and have her unborn child killed. Meanwhile, Fatima and her friends return to their village after finishing boarding school, but their bus breaks down. As they wait for the driver to fix the vehicle, Fatima slips away and takes a forest shortcut, hoping to reach home sooner. 

Deep in the forest, Fatima finds Nafisa held captive by Hajiya’s henchmen. Nafisa attempts to escape, but her abductors chase her down. As she flees, she runs into Fatima, who has been hiding and watching. The ensuing struggle triggers Nafisa’s labour. Fatima helps her deliver the baby, and Nafisa, with her final breath, entrusts the newborn to her.

After an arduous journey, Fatima finally takes the infant home, only to face her parents’ disappointment. Assuming that Fatima has had the baby out of wedlock, they refuse to accept the situation. She therefore leaves home for the city, where she finds work as a housemaid. Ironically, she ends up in the very home of Nafisa’s in-laws, the people who wanted the baby dead. The drama continues…

Zarge is a gripping series that holds the audience in suspense, anticipating danger in almost every scene. Each episode ends with a perfect noose that you fear might tighten, especially as Fatima works in Hajiya’s house. What if she comes across Nafisa’s picture and reveals that the baby is her son? What if Hajiya discovers the truth and kills him?

However, Fatima appears to be a godsend to Nafisa’s family. Not only is she raising the surviving newborn, but she is also unknowingly saving his father, Umar (Adam Garba), without knowing who he is or his connection to the child. For instance, when Hajiya and her children plot to poison Umar, Fatima saves him by secretly replacing his poisoned food with another meal. 

The screenplay is tightly structured, with well-written character motivations that drive the plot. This makes the conflicts feel connected and engaging. The screenwriters and directors deserve commendation for bringing these elements together cohesively.

The series is also technically solid. The cinematography beautifully captures the natural forest landscapes, authentic village settings, and atmospheric night scenes. The sound design is carefully balanced, with Nazifi Asnanic’s evocative soundtrack heightening the emotional intensity.

The actors all deliver wonderful performances. Ummusalama Inuwa is effective as Hajiya, and the debutante Fatima Ibrahim is perfectly cast as the young village girl. She portrays her character’s innocence and inquisitiveness so convincingly that it is hard to imagine anyone else in the role. However, while Maryam Booth and Maryam Yahaya don’t get much scope, Adam Garba, Isah Adam (Feroz Khan), and Shatou Abdul deserve special mention.

In conclusion, Zarge is definitely one of the best series of the year. Its intriguing drama makes for an enjoyable watch. I highly recommend it.

Rating: 4/5

Reviewed by Habibu Maaruf Abdu.

By Uzair Adam

A Sharia court in Kano State has ordered Ahmad Salisu Sheka to sweep Murtala Mohammed Friday Mosque and attend all five daily obligatory prayers in congregation after convicting him of conspiracy and theft.

The Upper Sharia Court sitting at Hausawa, Kano, presided over by Dr Bello Musa Khalid, handed down the sentence after Sheka pleaded guilty to the charges.

The court established his guilt through his confession before ordering him to clean the mosque and participate in the five daily congregational prayers.

It also directed him to pay compensation before handing him over to a correctional facility official, Habib H. Habib, for the execution of the sentence.

Reports indicated that Sheka was arrested alongside a friend over the alleged theft of streetlights in the Sallare neighbourhood of Kano.

However, his alleged accomplice reportedly escaped from those who apprehended them.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa has advocated the use of mosques as centres for youth rehabilitation, scholarship programmes and other community development initiatives beyond congregational prayers.

Daurawa made the remarks during a sermon at the opening of a newly built mosque in Funtua, Katsina State, on Friday.

He said mosques could play a greater role in addressing social challenges, including drug addiction and other vices among young people, while also supporting educational opportunities and other initiatives that benefit the community.

He further suggested that mosques could contribute to political participation by sponsoring or endorsing candidates during elections.

The cleric’s remarks have highlighted the potential of mosques to serve as centres of worship and platforms for social welfare, education and community engagement.

However, questions remain about why many mosques have yet to adopt such initiatives, particularly when some struggle to adequately support the people responsible for their daily operations.

In a reflection on the issue, a social commentator, Dr. Muhsin Ibrahim, recounted speaking with the muezzin of a major mosque in Kano, who reportedly earns a monthly salary of ₦10,000, reduced to ₦9,500 after bank charges.

The muezzin also shares the money with his assistant, who lives near the mosque and calls worshippers to the Fajr prayer.

The mosque, located near an old, large market in Kano Municipal and surrounded by shops, reportedly struggles to provide adequate remuneration for its staff, raising concerns about its capacity to support wider community initiatives.

Dr. Muhsin argued that imams and muezzins also have families to support and bills to pay, including rent, yet their welfare is often neglected while they are expected to perform their duties consistently.

The reflection called for a reassessment of how mosques are managed, beginning with improved welfare for those who maintain them and extending to broader support for worshippers and community members.

It also stressed that constructing a mosque should not be the end of the effort, noting that maintaining the facility and ensuring it serves the needs of the community are equally important.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reconciled the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abubakar Kabir Bichi, following their differences over political matters.

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.

The reconciliation meeting, which took place in Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday, lasted for about two hours, according to the statement.

It said the meeting provided an opportunity for Barau and Bichi to discuss their differences and the need to work together for the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Governor Yusuf urged the two politicians and their supporters to put aside their grievances, saying unity was necessary for the success of the party.

He also appealed to members of the two camps to desist from making inflammatory statements and engaging in actions capable of deepening the disagreement.

“Henceforth, I do not expect any of your supporters to come out and abuse one another. We must put a stop to this unnecessary distraction,” the governor was quoted as saying.

Yusuf said political disagreements were part of democratic engagement but should not be allowed to affect the unity and progress of the APC.

He urged the party’s members in Kano to work together for the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the state government and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

The governor also expressed confidence that the reconciliation would strengthen the party ahead of the elections.

The Daily Reality recalls that the relationship between Barau and Bichi had come under strain in recent months, with supporters of the two politicians engaging in exchanges over political differences and allegiances ahead of the 2027 elections.

The disagreement had raised concerns among APC stakeholders in Kano over its possible effect on the party’s preparations for the elections.

The statement said the reconciliation received the endorsement of President Tinubu and had brought an end to the disagreement between the two politicians.

Yusuf also assured the President, the APC national leadership and other stakeholders that the party would work towards winning all elective positions in Kano in 2027.

Speaking separately after the meeting, Barau and Bichi appealed to their supporters to stop actions capable of worsening the crisis within the party.

The two leaders also thanked Governor Yusuf for intervening in the matter and facilitating the reconciliation.

The development is expected to ease tension among supporters of the two politicians as the APC begins preparations for the 2027 elections.

By Uzair Adam

The Village Head of Aujarawar Alkali in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, Alhaji Ahmad Yakubu Ahmad, has reportedly been killed by his abductors.

The Daily Reality recalls that Ahmad was abducted on September 17, 2026, after armed men reportedly invaded the community at night and took him away.

His remains were later discovered in a shallow grave in Danladin Gezawa, according to residents familiar with the incident.

Funeral prayers for the deceased were conducted at about 3pm on Wednesday before his burial.

Musa Garba, a resident of Gezawa, confirmed the incident in an interview with journalists.

Garba alleged that the kidnappers subjected the village head to severe torture, including cutting off one of his legs and tying his hands behind his back.

He said the assailants subsequently buried Ahmad’s remains in a shallow grave, where they were discovered several days later by villagers.

“I attended the funeral prayers today (Wednesday) at around 3pm. The assailants tortured the village head to death by cutting off one of his legs and tying his hands behind him. He was brutalised until he died,” Garba said.

He added that villagers later discovered the shallow grave and raised the alarm.

“The remains were identified by the deceased’s wife. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was later buried as the remains were already decomposing,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has allocated plots of land to more than 1,000 party marshals, volunteers and members of community-based support groups as part of efforts to empower young people and provide them with assets to build their future.

The Daily Reality reports that the land allocation ceremony took place on Saturday at the Government House, Kano, with beneficiaries, government officials, party supporters and other stakeholders in attendance.

Speaking at the event, the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, said the beneficiaries had contributed their time, energy and efforts to their communities and the development of the state, describing the allocation as an opportunity for them to build more secure futures.

The governor, who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouk, said the government’s decision to allocate the land was based on the belief that young people should be given opportunities to own assets and become economically productive.

“Today, we are giving you land because land can change the life of a person. It can become a home. It can become a business. It can become security for a family. And with time, it can become wealth that you leave for your children,” he said.

Governor Yusuf urged the beneficiaries to protect and develop their plots, stressing that the allocation should not be regarded merely as a piece of paper but as an opportunity to build something meaningful.

He cautioned them against selling the land, urging them to use it to establish homes, businesses or other productive ventures that could benefit their families.

“Do not waste this opportunity. Do not sell your future cheaply. Make something out of what the Government has given you,” the governor said.

The governor also urged youths in the state to channel their energy towards productive activities and shun violence and unnecessary conflicts.

He called on the beneficiaries to help promote government programmes in their communities, calm tensions and discourage young people from engaging in activities capable of undermining their future.

“Where there is misunderstanding, help people understand. Where there is tension, help calm it down. Where young people are being led in the wrong direction, call them back,” he said.

The governor said the land allocation was part of his administration’s broader development agenda, which includes investments in education, healthcare, roads, water supply, agriculture, power, housing, urban development and youth empowerment.

He said the government would continue to create opportunities for young people, noting that empowerment should go beyond providing temporary financial assistance.

“We want young people to have something to protect, something to develop and something they can proudly call their own,” Yusuf said.

He added that the ultimate objective was to ensure that the beneficiaries turned the allocations into homes, businesses and other productive assets that would contribute to the development of their communities.

Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar, said the exercise was part of the state government’s policy of using land as an instrument of empowerment, housing development and economic inclusion.

Umar said the administration had previously allocated land to various categories of beneficiaries, including political appointees, grassroots supporters, polling agents and youths drawn from the 44 local government areas of the state.

He described the latest allocation as a continuation of the government’s effort to give citizens tangible assets around which they could plan their future and improve the economic security of their families.

The commissioner said the economic impact of the allocations would extend beyond the beneficiaries because the development of the plots would create jobs for professionals, artisans and businesses involved in the construction sector.

“When land is allocated and development begins, an entire chain of economic activity follows. Surveyors are engaged. Architects and draftsmen get work. Masons, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, welders and labourers are employed,” he said.

He added that construction activities would also increase demand for building materials and transportation services while creating opportunities for businesses around the new layouts.

Umar said the government was committed to developing properly planned settlements with roads, drainage systems, schools, health facilities, markets, mosques, open spaces and other basic amenities.

According to him, the aim was to ensure that new settlements were properly planned and capable of supporting economic activities rather than becoming future challenges due to inadequate infrastructure.

The commissioner urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the land and avoid disposing of the allocations carelessly.

He said the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning would continue to support the administration’s efforts to expand land ownership, housing development and planned urban growth across Kano State.

Governor Yusuf said the success of the programme would ultimately be measured not by the number of plots allocated but by what the beneficiaries were able to achieve with them.

“When the history of this programme is written, I do not want people to remember only that we allocated more than one thousand plots. I want them to say that from these allocations came new homes, new businesses, stronger families and more peaceful communities,” he said.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State has emerged as the leading state in Nigeria based on the number of candidates who obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO).

The development was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, on behalf of the Kano State Government.

According to the statement, Kano recorded 74,413 candidates who secured at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, ahead of Lagos State, which placed second with 72,496 candidates, while Oyo came third with 55,543 candidates.

The result marks the second consecutive year Kano has recorded the highest number of candidates meeting the five-credit benchmark, including English Language and Mathematics, after achieving a similar feat in the 2025 NECO examination.

Reacting to the development, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf congratulated the students, teachers, parents and other stakeholders, describing the performance as an indication of the progress being recorded in the state’s education sector.

Governor Yusuf said the back-to-back performance demonstrated that the government’s sustained investment in education was producing measurable outcomes.

He assured residents that his administration would continue to prioritise education through increased funding, improved learning facilities, recruitment and training of teachers, scholarships and support for indigent students.

The governor said the state government spent more than N4.4 billion in 2026 to sponsor candidates for the Senior School Certificate Examination, particularly students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

According to him, the intervention was aimed at removing financial barriers that could prevent students from participating in the examinations and ensuring they sat for the examinations under improved conditions.

Yusuf said the latest NECO performance was part of the broader improvement being recorded by students in the state under his administration.

Education has continued to receive a significant share of Kano State’s budget under the current administration. In 2024, about 29.95 per cent of the state budget was allocated to the sector, while the allocation rose to N168.35 billion, representing 31 per cent, in the 2025 budget.

For 2026, the state allocated N405.35 billion to education out of a total budget of N1.478 trillion, representing about 30 per cent of the overall budget.

The governor said the government’s investment in education extends beyond examination sponsorship to include classroom renovation, recruitment of teachers, provision of learning materials and uniforms, scholarships and other interventions aimed at improving the quality of education.

The statement also highlighted several awards and recognitions received by Governor Yusuf for his administration’s education-related policies.

In 2024, Leadership Newspaper named him Governor of the Year for Education, while New Telegraph recognised him as its Education Development Governor of the Year. The Nigeria Union of Teachers also named him Teachers’ Friendly Governor of the Year in the same year.

In 2025, Blueprint Newspaper recognised Yusuf as Governor of the Year for Education at its national conference in Abuja, while ThisNigeria honoured him as its Courageous Governor of the Year.

The statement further said the administration received education-related recognition internationally in 2026, including an international literacy and learning award and an education spending award attributed to Universal Learning Solution and City University, Paris.

Other recognitions listed in the statement include the Vanguard Governor of the Year Award for Good Governance in 2024, the BusinessDay Governor of the Year Award in 2025 and the African Governor of the Year Award presented by African Leadership Magazine in Casablanca, Morocco.

Yusuf dedicated the latest NECO achievement to the students, teachers, parents and people of Kano State, assuring them that his administration would sustain its investment in the sector.

He said the ultimate objective was to build an education system capable of equipping young people in the state with the knowledge and skills needed for higher education, employment, innovation and leadership.

The governor also referenced the scale of the state’s education system, noting that Kano recorded more than five million schoolchildren in the latest annual school census.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Farmers and herders in Kano State have expressed concern over a possible resurgence of clashes as the 2026 harvest season approaches.

The warning was issued by the state chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Abdullahi Ali Maibiredi, who said the longstanding dispute between farmers and herders had continued to affect livelihoods and, in some cases, led to destruction of property and loss of lives.

Maibiredi said authorities had yet to provide a lasting solution to the conflict despite its effects on agricultural activities across the state.

“I personally lost about 85 per cent of my crops last year, yet I did not see the necessary action taken to address the problem,” Maibiredi said.

He appealed to the relevant authorities to take preventive measures before the situation worsens and to promote peaceful relations between farmers and herders.

“We are calling on the authorities concerned to intervene and address this problem before it gets worse, especially now that we are entering the harvest period,” he said.

The chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Kano State, retired Captain Abdullahi Bakoji, also acknowledged the concern and said the association had warned its members about the potential risks.

According to Bakoji, the anticipated return of transhumant herders from Niger to Kano before local farmers finish harvesting could create additional tension this year.

“In previous years, herders migrating to other areas, particularly from Niger, usually returned to Kano after the harvest. But this year, they are expected to return while harvesting is still ongoing,” Bakoji said.

He linked the expected early movement of the herders to water shortages in Niger and cautioned that their return could heighten the possibility of confrontations with farmers.

Bakoji said MACBAN had already communicated its concerns to the Kano and Jigawa state governments as well as security agencies.

“We have already sent reports and recommendations to the Kano and Jigawa state governments, as well as security agencies, so that preventive measures can be taken before the problem arises,” he said.

He also cited the closure and alleged illegal occupation of cattle routes, grazing areas and livestock resting points as some of the issues that have continued to fuel disagreements between farmers and herders.

“One of the roots of the problem is the way some cattle routes, grazing areas and livestock rest points have been closed or occupied illegally. We are therefore calling on the government to urgently look into the matter,” he said.

Bakoji further said MACBAN was prepared to work with relevant stakeholders towards resolving the issues and preventing further conflict.

Farmer-herder disputes have remained a longstanding issue in several parts of Nigeria, with some incidents resulting in deaths and the destruction of property.

In Kano State, however, the situation has reportedly recorded some improvement in recent years, although stakeholders remain concerned about possible tensions during the current harvest period.