Kano

By Uzair Adam 

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ungogo Branch, has strongly condemned the killing of 16 northern travelers in Edo State, describing the act as a gross violation of human rights.  

In a statement issued on Monday, the chairman of the branch, Ahmad A. Gwadabe, expressed deep concern over the tragic incident, calling it “gruesome and unacceptable.”  

“We are appalled and deeply disturbed by the murder of innocent travelers who were simply passing through the state. This act goes against the principles of humanity and decency,” Gwadabe stated.  

He called on the Edo State Government and security agencies to swiftly investigate the matter and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. 

“We demand immediate and decisive action to hold those responsible accountable,” he added.  

The association also urged the government to provide compensation to the families of the victims and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.  

“As lawyers, we are committed to upholding the rule of law and promoting justice for all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or place of origin,” Gwadabe emphasized.  

The statement concluded with a call for calm, urging the affected families to remain law-abiding while seeking justice.

By Anwar Usman

The Kano State Police Command has dismissed a false social media reports claiming an attack on an 18-seater passenger bus in Kano.

This was revealed in a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, in Kano on Saturday.

Kiyawa said this report was entirely false and misleading.

“The police command reaffirms its commitment to maintaining law and order, ensuring the safety and security of all residents, and promoting harmony among diverse communities.

“An investigation is currently underway to uncover the source of this fake news, and those responsible will face consequences for their actions.

“The command urges the public to disregard this fake news and refrain from spreading unverified information that can cause harm, panic and unrest in society,” he stated.

By Uzair Adam

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Kano Sector Command has deployed 1,889 personnel for a special Eid-el-Fitr patrol operation aimed at ensuring smooth vehicular movement and safety on highways.

The Sector Commander, Ibrahim Abdullahi Matazu, stated that the operation, scheduled to run from March 27 to April 2, includes 1,348 regular marshals and 541 special marshals.

The Daily Reality reports that their duties will include traffic control, enforcement of road safety regulations, and providing immediate assistance to accident victims.

Matazu urged motorists to adhere to traffic rules, warning against reckless driving, underage driving, and car racing during the festive period.

“The FRSC Kano Sector Command wishes the good people of the state a peaceful and hitch-free Sallah celebration,” he said.

By Uzair Adam

Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this on Friday.

Details later…

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Prominent political analyst and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has condemned the brutal killing of 16 northerners who were reportedly burnt alive in Edo State while traveling for Sallah.

In a statement issued on March 28, 2025, Omokri described the attack as an act of “jungle justice” and called on the Edo State Government to take immediate action in ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.”

This incident has saddened my day and blighted the outlook for a happy Sallah. Under no circumstances was what happened defensible or permissible,” he said.

Omokri stressed that the swift prosecution of the perpetrators would send a strong message that all Nigerian lives matter, regardless of region or ethnicity.

He urged northerners to remain calm while the Edo State Government takes necessary steps, expressing confidence that the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would intervene if necessary.

“I urge Mutanen Arewa to please exercise restraint as we give room and time for the Edo State Government to do the needful,” he appealed.

He also challenged public figures who are vocal about attacks in northern Nigeria but remain silent when similar incidents occur elsewhere to speak up and demand justice.

“My condolences to the families of those affected by this injustice. And I especially commiserate with the government and people of whatever states they originated from,” Omokri stated.

The gruesome killings have sparked national outrage, with many calling for urgent measures to address rising tensions and ensure the safety of all citizens.

The Edo State Government is yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Gombe State Police Command has arrested 28-year-old Hannatu Ibrahim for allegedly stealing $35,000 (approximately N53.5 million) from her Syrian employer, Mohammed Jurdi, before setting his house on fire in the New GRA area of Gombe.

According to police spokesperson DSP Buhari Abdullahi, two other suspects—Ahmed Adamu, 20, and Abubakar Ibrahim, 28—were also apprehended in connection with the crime.

Ibrahim, who worked as a cook for Jurdi, was caught in possession of $7,100 of the stolen money when a police patrol team responded to a distress call on March 22, 2025.

The investigation revealed that Ibrahim had stolen the money from her employer and set his house ablaze. During questioning, Ibrahim disclosed that Adamu was the first person she contacted, and he had taken two $100 bills.

Police later found one of the $100 bills in Adamu’s wallet. Abubakar Ibrahim, a security guard employed by Jurdi, was arrested as well in relation to the theft.

Exhibits recovered include $7,100 from Ibrahim and $100 from Adamu.

The case is under investigation and will be taken to court once completed.

By Uzair Adam

The 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has announced the cancellation of all arrangements for the annual durbar celebration during the Eid-el-Fitr festival, citing security concerns.

In a short video released late Wednesday night, Bayero stated that the decision was made after consultations with respected Islamic clerics, elders, and his councilors, who advised him to prioritize peace in the state.

Earlier, The Daily Reality reported that Emir Bayero had informed security agencies about his intention to hold the durbar.

However, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had directed the 16th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, along with other emirs, to proceed with preparations for the event.

The situation heightened tensions in Kano, prompting security assurances from the police to protect lives and property during the Sallah celebrations.

“We had to call off the arrangement to conduct the durbar after respected Islamic clerics and elders prevailed on us and after consultation with my councilors,” Emir Bayero said.

“Durbar celebration is not a do-or-die affair for us. The peaceful coexistence of our people is far more important.”

He urged residents to use the festive period to visit family and friends while praying for continued peace in Kano and across Nigeria.

By Uzair Adam

Nigerian filmmaker Prince Daniel, popularly known as Aboki, has dismissed reports claiming he was rejected by Kannywood due to his religion and by Nollywood because of his regional background.

Aboki, the director of Mai Martaba, a film that has gained widespread recognition within and beyond Nigeria, described the reports as a misinterpretation of his remarks during a recent event in Los Angeles, California.

The epic Hausa film was among the entries at the just-concluded 97th Academy Awards, having been meritoriously selected by the Nigerian Official Selection Committee for the Best International Feature Film category.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Aboki clarified that he never granted any interview making such claims.

“My attention has been drawn to publications suggesting that Kannywood rejected me because of my religion and Nollywood because of my region. First and foremost, I never made such statements in any interview,” he said.

He explained that while speaking during a question-and-answer session at Nollywood in Hollywood earlier this month, he discussed the challenges encountered while producing Mai Martaba and the journey to the Oscars.

Among the challenges he highlighted were security concerns while filming in the Northwest and financial constraints, particularly as a new director working with emerging actors.

He noted that during this discussion, he mentioned how the industry at times seemed divided in its perception of him and his work.

“At some point, the Kannywood segment of the industry seemed to view us as Nollywood, while Nollywood also saw us as Kannywood, simply because I am from the North,” he said.

However, he emphasized that this was misinterpreted and reaffirmed his deep connection with Kannywood.

“For clarity, Kannywood has never rejected me on the basis of ethnicity or religion. In fact, it has been my greatest pillar of support as a filmmaker,” he stated.

He further expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he received from audiences during the film’s cinema release, as well as from industry professionals, both veterans and newcomers.

“I say with every sense of responsibility that I am a Nigerian filmmaker, though of northern extraction. I reside in Kano, where I practice my craft, springboarding from Kannywood. I have enjoyed immense support here, with no prejudice whatsoever,” he affirmed.

Aboki also reiterated his commitment to the growth of the industry and changing narratives about the North.

“I remain dedicated to working with my colleagues and the founding fathers of Kannywood to elevate our industry—telling our stories to the world and creating employment opportunities for our youth, far from the stereotypical portrayal of the North as a region of conflict and banditry,” he added.

By Uzair Adam

The Presidency has refuted allegations that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other political figures in Rivers State was a power grab, asserting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took action to prevent the state from plunging into chaos.

In a statement on Sunday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the intervention was necessary to restore stability, arguing that waiting for a complete breakdown of governance would have been reckless.

The political turmoil in Rivers State, fueled by a power struggle between Governor Fubara and State House of Assembly members loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, had paralyzed governance.

Despite Supreme Court rulings affirming constitutional authority, tensions persisted. Intelligence reports, according to the Presidency, indicated that militants in the creeks were prepared to attack critical oil infrastructure, threatening national economic security.

“Had President Tinubu failed to act, Rivers State could have descended into violence, with lawmakers and vital oil facilities at risk. Schools and hospitals would have shut down, investors would have fled, and the economic consequences would have been severe,” the statement read.

By March 18, the Presidency said, the crisis had escalated beyond political negotiations, making intervention unavoidable. Critics have described the suspension of Governor Fubara and others as undemocratic, but the Presidency insists it was a temporary measure to reset governance, not an attempt to seize power.

“This is not a power grab,” the statement noted.

“The intervention is temporary, aimed at stabilizing governance. The six-month suspension is designed to de-escalate tensions and restore order.”

The Presidency also accused some critics of hypocrisy, noting that many who condemned the President’s decision remained silent on Fubara’s alleged refusal to cooperate with the legislature.

“Democracy cannot function in lawlessness—anarchy is its enemy,” Onanuga stated.

Citing Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants the President the power to act in times of crisis, the statement referenced past emergency rule measures in Plateau and Borno States as precedents for Tinubu’s decision.

“The President swore an oath to safeguard national stability. Rivers State is a vital economic hub, and any political disruption in its oil sector has nationwide consequences,” it added.

With the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (Rtd.) as the Administrator of Rivers State, efforts are already underway to restore peace and governance. One of his first steps was engaging traditional leaders to find lasting solutions.

The Presidency assured Nigerians that the emergency measures would be lifted once normalcy returns, allowing elected officials to resume their duties.

Defending Tinubu’s decision, the statement quoted philosopher Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A recent analysis of how medical professionals are spread across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has uncovered some striking differences in the number of doctors available to meet the needs of the country’s growing population.

Leading the pack is Lagos, the nation’s bustling commercial center, boasting an impressive 7,385 doctors. Following closely is the FCT with 4,453 doctors, and then Rivers, which has 2,194 doctors.

Other notable states include Enugu with 2,070 doctors, Oyo with 1,996, and Edo with 1,777, all of which highlight the correlation between urbanization and the demand for healthcare services.

These areas tend to attract more healthcare workers, drawn by the opportunities in metropolitan settings.

However, the report also sheds light on a troubling disparity in healthcare professional availability across different states.

While southern and southwestern states generally enjoy a better doctor-to-population ratio, the northern and northeastern regions are facing a significant shortage of medical personnel.

Taraba, situated in northeastern Nigeria, has the fewest doctors, with only 201, which raises serious concerns about the challenges of providing adequate healthcare in that area.

Other states like Yobe (275 doctors), Adamawa (280 doctors), and Kebbi (273 doctors) further illustrate how the distribution of medical staff is heavily tilted towards more urbanized and economically prosperous regions.

Among the states with lower doctor counts, Zamfara (267 doctors), Jigawa (255 doctors), and Gombe (485 doctors) also highlight a significant gap in healthcare access.

This uneven distribution means that many areas in Nigeria, especially in the north and rural regions, are struggling to deliver quality healthcare services to their communities.

In contrast, southern states like Akwa Ibom (888 doctors) and Abia (829 doctors) show a more favorable situation, underscoring the ongoing challenges in achieving equitable healthcare access across the country.