Nigeria

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 Hassan Saidu Jakusko

Security is a sensitive and important matter that requires wisdom, caution, and a strong sense of responsibility. While every citizen has a role to play in maintaining peace and security, security operations should be left to trained and authorized security personnel who understand the laws, procedures, and responsibilities involved. Everyone must therefore exercise caution when discussing security issues, particularly when such discussions involve allegations against the government or security agencies.

It is important for the public to understand that careless statements about security matters, especially those made without credible evidence or complete information, can create unnecessary fear, confusion, and misunderstanding. In an era where information spreads rapidly through social media, people must be careful not to present rumours, assumptions, or personal opinions as established facts.

This brings attention to discussions surrounding individuals such as KY Tebo and their comments on security-related matters. When concerns or allegations are raised against the government or security agencies, it is important that such claims be supported by verifiable evidence and presented responsibly. Security-related discussions should be guided by facts and constructive engagement rather than speculation, personal attacks, or language capable of unnecessarily increasing public anxiety.

We must also make it clear that criticism is not a crime. Every citizen has the right to express an opinion, question decisions, and demand accountability where necessary. However, the right to freedom of expression comes with a responsibility to communicate respectfully and avoid spreading unverified information. Criticism should contribute to understanding and accountability, not become an avenue for insults, hostility, or the deliberate misrepresentation of sensitive issues.

Security matters require cooperation, credible information, and meaningful dialogue. They should not be reduced to arguments, accusations, or exchanges of insults on social media. Where there are genuine concerns about the conduct of security personnel or the actions of government institutions, the appropriate channels should be used to ensure that such matters receive proper investigation and that the truth is established.

Similarly, Nigerians living abroad should recognize that their comments can influence public opinion and affect perceptions of peace and stability back home. Living outside the country does not remove the responsibility to verify information before sharing it. Everyone, regardless of location or personal opinion, should consider the possible consequences of their statements, especially when discussing matters that concern public safety and national security.

Social media users must also understand that not every report circulating online is accurate. Before sharing information, it is essential to examine its source, confirm its authenticity, and distinguish between verified facts and unsubstantiated claims. Responsible communication can help prevent unnecessary panic, protect public confidence, and encourage a more informed discussion of security challenges.

We therefore call on all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, to demonstrate patriotism, mutual respect, and a commitment to peaceful coexistence. Differences in opinion are normal in any democratic society, but they should never be used as an excuse for insults, hatred, or the spread of misleading information. We can disagree without being disrespectful, ask questions without making reckless accusations, and demand accountability without undermining the importance of lawful security operations.

In conclusion, security is everyone’s responsibility, but security operations require professionalism, training, and lawful authority. Citizens should support peace and stability by providing credible information, cooperating with the appropriate authorities, and engaging in responsible discussions. Let us avoid rumours, verify information before sharing it, respect the law, and handle security-related concerns with wisdom and maturity. After all, peace remains the foundation of national unity, development, and progress, and its protection requires the collective effort of everyone.

Hassan Saidu Jakusko Writes from Yobe State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to launch his campaign for re-election in the 2027 general elections in Kaduna on October 24, according to Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.

Yari announced the date on Friday after briefing Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on preparations for the campaign.

He said the President had requested an update on the council’s readiness and discussions on the proposed schedule of campaign visits across the country.

Yari said the campaign council’s inaugural meeting would hold on October 14 at the State House Banquet Hall, ahead of the Kaduna rally.

He announced, “By God’s grace, his team, I, and Mr President himself, we have agreed on how it’s going to be done.

“We have put forward a proposal. The inaugural meeting [of the campaign council] is going to be done on the 14th of this month. That’s next Wednesday at the State House banquet hall, and by God’s grace, on the 24th of October, we’re going to do our flag-off campaign in Kaduna, inshallah.

“Then we outlined our state visits to each and every place where we will go, and the President has approved them. So we are going to hit the ground running by the 24th of October, inshallah.”

According to Yari, Port Harcourt in Rivers State and Maiduguri in Borno State will be among the campaign’s next destinations after Kaduna.

He said the full itinerary would be made public following the council’s inauguration.

“We have the timetable, and we are going to make it available after the inauguration. But this has all been understood and approved by the team of Mr President and I,” he said.

Defending Tinubu’s prospects against opposition challengers, Yari argued that the President’s political influence and past support for other politicians would work in his favour.

“We are talking of the President of the country, and this President, who, by God’s grace, Almighty God used him to support Atiku some time back, and at the same time to support Peter Obi.

“So if Allah uses me to support you, there is no way Allah will use you to bring me down,” he said.

Yari also maintained that a presidential candidate needed substantial support in both northern and southern Nigeria to win the election.

He questioned whether opposition candidates had enough political control across the two regions to defeat the incumbent.

“Can the ADC candidate today in the southern part of the country beat his chest and say he has control of one state in the South? And I don’t think Peter Obi, who used to be my colleague, can beat his chest. Can he say he has control of one state in northern Nigeria?

“So this calculation shows us that even if you have control of 80 per cent of the South, if you don’t have anything in the North, you cannot make it.

“If you have 80 per cent of control of the North, if you don’t have any state in the South, you can’t make it, and that’s what it is.”

Citing former President Muhammadu Buhari’s previous election campaigns, Yari argued that Tinubu had a broader geographical base of support.

He claimed that Buhari had enjoyed significant backing in the North but struggled to secure sufficient support in the South, while Tinubu had support across both regions.

“This is calculation, it is not rocket science,” he affirmed.

Yari also defended the administration’s economic record, arguing that the government had made progress since taking office.

He said Tinubu “has turned around the situation that he met on ground, and the economy is moving.

“So I think we have done enough that we can tell our opponents about what we did. We are not promising. We are doing it, and we are going to continue.”

Tinubu appointed Yari to lead the APC Presidential Campaign Council on August 22, 2026, with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma serving as secretary. Tinubu chairs the council, while Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda serve as vice chairmen.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027. According to the timetable cited in the report, campaigns are permitted from August 19, 2026, until January 15, 2027.

The presidential contest is expected to feature candidates from several political parties, including Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, whose running mate is former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has assured Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum that security agencies will take necessary measures to rescue children abducted from Mussa community in Askira-Uba Local Government Area.

Zulum disclosed this on Friday after meeting the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where they discussed the security situation in Borno State.

The governor said he brought the recent abductions in Askira-Uba and other communities to Tinubu’s attention during the meeting.

According to him, the President assured him that the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services and the Office of the National Security Adviser would take steps to secure the children’s release.

Gunmen reportedly abducted between 42 and 44 children from a primary and junior secondary school, as well as nearby homes, in Mussa on May 15, 2026.

The children have remained in captivity for nearly five months, leaving their families to continue appealing for urgent action to secure their freedom.

Despite the incident, Zulum said the security situation in Borno had improved over the past six months to one year.

He also stated that more than two million people had returned to their ancestral communities across the state over the past seven years.

The governor, however, identified Kareto, an area between Damasak and Gubio, as one of the locations requiring additional security measures.

The latest assurance comes amid continuing concerns over the safety of residents and the need to secure the release of the abducted children.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with a clash between farmers and herders in Guda Village, Ningi Local Government Area, which left one farmer dead and several houses burnt.

The deceased, identified as 40-year-old Usman Jibrin, reportedly died while receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the incident.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the police, the incident occurred on September 23, 2026, after three farmers discovered cattle belonging to a herder grazing on and destroying their crops at Guda Hill.

The statement read, “On September 23, 2026, at about 07:40 hours, three farmers from Guda Village went to their farms on Guda Hill and found cattle belonging to a herder grazing on and destroying their crops.

“They chased the cattle to the herders’ settlement, where an argument ensued and degenerated into a fight. In the process, the three farmers sustained injuries. Sadly, in retaliation, some youths from Guda Village mobilised and set ablaze houses at the herders’ settlement.”

The police said operatives from the Ningi Division responded to the incident, restored calm and evacuated the injured to General Hospital, Ningi, for medical attention.

However, one of the injured farmers later died while receiving treatment.

The command said its operatives arrested four suspects on October 8 following intelligence-led efforts.

The statement added, “Through intelligence-led efforts, our operatives have, on October 8, 2026, arrested four suspects in connection with the offences of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt, mischief by fire and culpable homicide.”

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for a thorough and discreet investigation.

The police have not disclosed the identities of the suspects as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the clash and the subsequent burning of houses.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A youth political support group in Cross River State, the Evidence Group, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu for a second term ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was announced on Friday during the unveiling of the group in Ogoja Local Government Area, where its Ogoja working committee was also inaugurated.

The group said it planned to mobilise grassroots support for Tinubu, Otu and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the state.

Speaking at the event, the group’s Director-General, Eyoma Bassey, said its mobilisation drive would cover campuses, villages, wards and polling units.

“The group is a youth based support group that rallies support for Mr President, our Governor and the APC candidates. With this initiative, we are going to different campuses, villages, wards and polling units to mobilize people to vote for the APC.”

Bassey directed the newly inaugurated committee to begin mobilisation at ward and polling-unit levels. He added that the group’s structures would require approval from its central leadership before they could be publicly announced.

He said the organisation would also promote the achievements of the Tinubu and Otu administrations as part of its campaign for their re-election.

“This gathering demonstrates the readiness of Cross River youths to mobilise support for the APC-led administration at both the state and federal levels. Therefore, we will remain proactive in selling the achievements of both President Tinubu and Governor Otu administrations to the people”, the DG said.

The group’s Ogoja Coordinator, Jude Fingha, said the chapter was prepared to work towards the APC’s victory in the 2027 elections.

He disclosed that the group had adopted the slogan “5 over 5” as part of its drive to secure electoral victories for the party’s candidates at different levels in the state.

Fingha described the initiative as an effort to mobilise support for the current administrations and urged young people to participate peacefully in politics without resorting to violence or intolerance.

“The entire purpose is to galvanise support once again and bring back the governor and others who are in line back to office by 2027,” he said.

The group’s Director of Women Mobilisation, Precious Bessong, called on women to take an active role in encouraging their families and communities to support the APC.

Bessong argued that empowering women benefits families and the wider society, urging them to promote continuity in government.

The endorsement forms part of early political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, as parties and support groups begin efforts to build grassroots backing for their preferred candidates.

By Salmanu Isah

A retired Sharia Court judge in Bauchi State, Umar Baba Wali, 55, has been arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court 6 in Bauchi over allegations of judicial misconduct, abuse of office and involvement in a matrimonial dispute involving a woman he allegedly later married.

Wali, from Kesala in Misau Local Government Area, formerly presided over Sharia Court II in Azare.

The allegations centre on a matrimonial case brought before him by Rukayya Yakubu Gurama, the wife of Abdulkadir Idris. The retired judge is accused of allowing an alleged personal relationship with Gurama to influence proceedings in the case.

According to the allegations, Wali allegedly became personally involved with the woman while the matrimonial dispute was still before him, raising questions about judicial impartiality, conflict of interest and the possible misuse of judicial authority.

He is also accused of marrying Gurama without the dissolution of her existing marriage in accordance with the law, despite having presided over proceedings relating to the matrimonial dispute.

The prosecution alleges that the conduct amounted to a breach of judicial ethics and an abuse of the public trust attached to his former position.

Wali is facing charges under Sections 384, 125, 124 and 126 of the Bauchi State Penal Code Law, 2022.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded in custody. The court adjourned the case until Tuesday, October 13, 2026, for a ruling on his bail application.

The case has raised concerns about the importance of impartiality, integrity and the avoidance of conflicts of interest in judicial proceedings, particularly in sensitive matrimonial disputes.

The central issue is whether the accused used the authority of his former office to influence proceedings involving a woman with whom he allegedly later established a marital relationship.

The allegations have yet to be proved in court. Wali remains presumed innocent unless the prosecution establishes his guilt beyond reasonable doubt, in accordance with the law.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, arguing that the country’s economy is on a stronger footing nearly three years into the administration.

Idris spoke on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference on the state of the economy and the government’s next phase of economic policies.

He said measures introduced by the administration, including the removal of the petrol subsidy, were necessary to tackle longstanding economic challenges and improve the country’s financial position.

“Three years into the Renewed Hope Agenda, results are increasingly evident. The economy is on stronger footing, stability is creating greater room for investment and enterprise,” Idris said.

The minister said the government was moving beyond its initial reform phase towards a new period focused on economic growth, investment, job creation and improved living standards.

He described the next stage of the administration’s economic programme as “From Reform to Prosperity,” a phrase he said reflected the government’s renewed focus on translating its policies into better outcomes for Nigerians.

According to Idris, the administration intends to prioritise employment opportunities, support businesses, strengthen enterprise and improve household incomes.

The minister’s remarks come amid continued public debate over the impact of the government’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and its implications for the cost of living.

While the government maintains that the measures are intended to strengthen the economy and create conditions for investment, the minister’s comments represent the administration’s assessment of its economic performance and future priorities.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man, Adewale Ogoemi Arojah, over allegations that he impersonated a popular cleric on Facebook and defrauded victims of more than N18 million by offering fake prophecies and spiritual services.

The suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Ilaro Divisional Police Headquarters following a complaint by Muyiwa Akogun, a cleric popularly known on Facebook as “Prophet Dr Muyiwa Akogun.”

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

According to Babaseyi, Akogun reported the matter to the police on October 3, 2026, after members of the public alerted him to fraudulent activities allegedly carried out through a duplicate Facebook account bearing his identity.

The complaint prompted the Divisional Police Officer in Ilaro to deploy intelligence and detective operatives to investigate the case and locate the suspect.

Babaseyi said, “Upon receipt of the complaint, the Divisional Police Officer, Ilaro Division, immediately detailed intelligence and detective operatives to track down the perpetrator.

“Through sustained technological monitoring and intelligence-led analysis, the suspect was tracked to a nearby village in Ajegunle, via the Ilaro-Ibogun axis, where he was successfully apprehended.

“During a rigorous interrogation, the suspect confessed to impersonating the real Prophet Akogun on Facebook. He admitted to using the cleric’s identity to deliver fake prophecies and offer prayer services to vulnerable individuals, thereby defrauding victims residing both within Nigeria and in the diaspora.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect systematically targeted victims seeking spiritual assistance on the said prophet’s Facebook page, gained their trust and swindled them of funds amounting to over N18m.”

The police spokesperson said the suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

The investigation is expected to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud, identify possible accomplices and clarify the circumstances surrounding the transactions.

Babaseyi said the arrest reflected the command’s determination to tackle online fraud, identity theft and other forms of cybercrime in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the Ilaro operatives for their vigilance and swift response. He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting residents against digital and physical threats.

The police urged members of the public to verify social media accounts before sending money or sharing personal information, particularly when dealing with religious leaders and other public figures.

Residents were also advised to report suspected cybercrime, impersonation and other suspicious activities through the Gateway Shield toll-free line, 0800 000 9111, or the numbers 09164859299 and 09154293464.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi has urged voters in Edo State to reject President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, describing those who vote for him as “mad.”

Amaechi made the remarks during an ADC stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Edo State, where he also accused Tinubu of prioritising financial interests over the welfare and economic needs of Nigerians.

“Only mad people will vote for Tinubu. If Edo people vote for President Tinubu, that means Edo people are mad. If you’re not mad, Tinubu should not win here,” Amaechi said.

The former Minister of Transportation also questioned the Federal Government’s decision to support the construction of another seaport in Ogun State, alleging that the project was motivated by the financial benefits it could generate rather than the state’s economic needs.

“So, Tinubu just hates you. No, I’m not joking. If Tinubu does not hate you, why is he building another seaport?” he asked.

“In Ogun, what are the goods we are producing? What goods are we producing to have as many as that number of seaports?

“It is not because he likes Ogun people. It is the money he will make out of the construction.”

Amaechi called on ADC supporters and other Nigerians opposed to Tinubu’s re-election bid to return to their communities and participate actively in the electoral process.

He cautioned that opposing the president would not be enough if voters failed to protect their votes during the elections.

“If you want Tinubu to go, please go home. Go home. Go home,” he said.

He also raised concerns about the conduct of election officials, arguing that voters should remain vigilant during the collation and announcement of results.

“Because all the returning officers are human beings. They are Nigerians. Those who take bribes and return fake results and suffer for four years,” Amaechi said.

His comments come as political parties and opposition figures intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the ADC among the platforms seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Amaechi served as Rivers State governor from 2007 to 2015 before becoming Minister of Transportation. He is now a prominent figure in the ADC-led opposition coalition.

The coming elections are expected to feature debates over economic conditions, insecurity, unemployment, public spending and electoral integrity as parties seek to mobilise support across the country.