Nigeria

By Lawan Bukar Maigana 

The growing hunger among media organisations and young people to publish exclusive news has created a climate where speed is valued more than truth and its consequences. Many rush to break stories without verifying details, flooding the digital space with noise and carelessness.

This reckless chase is more dangerous than it appears. Insurgents and criminal groups quietly monitor social media ecosystems. They sit behind screens, study posts, and gather intelligence that was never meant for them. A single careless update becomes an open door for those who wish to harm the nation.

The tragedy of Brigadier General Mohammed Uba stands as a painful reminder of how information can be weaponised. His initial capture, his escape, and the later recapture that ended with his execution reveal how ruthless these criminal networks have become. While many sympathised with his ordeal, few understood how online chatter influenced the events.

These groups constantly scan conversations, comments, and reactions. They interpret patterns and extract clues from citizens who treat every issue as content. The story of General Uba should teach the country a life-saving lesson. Silence is sometimes safer than speed. Enemies are listening and active online, and every careless post strengthens their hand.

They learned from social media chatter that he was still in the bush after escaping. Thoughtless updates provided them with clues. They mobilised fighters, tracked him again, recaptured him, and executed him. This is the heavy cost of posting without restraint.

Security matters require silence more than spectacle. Media organisations must recognise that operational secrecy protects lives. Sensational updates during crises do not inform, but they endanger. The right to know cannot outweigh the need to safeguard ongoing operations. 

This protection is not just for soldiers but also for citizens. Insurgents study community movements, market patterns, celebrations, and tragedies. Careless information helps them identify the weakest points. 

If anyone must share information during sensitive times, the only safe place to do so is with the authorities. Security spokespeople exist to process information responsibly. They verify claims, filter sensitive information, and ensure that outsiders cannot track anything that could compromise national security.

Despite these realities, many still chase virality with reckless boldness. A recent incident exposed this trend when a fabricated story circulated about a young lady in  Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, who allegedly took her life because she was forced into marriage. Influencers shared it widely without verifying a single detail from her family or the authorities.

The emotional weight of the story carried it across timelines. People blamed parents, culture, and religion. The story was false, yet the damage was already done. The truth moved more slowly than the lie. Later, those who invented the news were arrested, and they confessed that they had shared the information without any verification after a whole LGA had been demonised.

This incident reflects a troubling social habit. People now prefer drama to accuracy. They prefer emotional reactions to factual clarity. They prefer virality to responsibility, at the expense of people’s lives, especially among northern netizens. 

This culture feeds insecurity and weakens the nation’s sense of truth. When false alarms dominate the digital space, real warnings become harder to identify. When emotion overshadows fact, society becomes vulnerable.

Young people must understand that social media is no longer a playground; it is a battlefield for attention and a monitoring ground for criminals, organisations, and individuals with exclusive access who read everything posted online.

Editors and influencers must rise above the chaos and set a standard. They must insist on verification before publication and accuracy before speed. Their platforms should become places where truth is valued and rumours are filtered out. If they uphold responsible reporting, their followers will learn to do the same.

They must also use their influence to educate the public. People should understand that clicks are not worth the life of a soldier or a citizen, and shares are not worth the shame of an innocent family. Only through responsible reporting can society rebuild trust, strengthen security, and protect the dignity of those whose stories are too important to be mistreated or used to strengthen news agencies’ visibility.

Lawan Bukar Maigana wrote via lawanbukarmaigana@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

Security experts have long warned that Nigeria’s porous borders are a major threat to national stability. This concern was echoed again when Dr Bulama Bukarti, a security researcher, lamented how almost anything can be smuggled into the country due to ineffective border control.

In reaction to Bukarti’s remarks, Dr Aliyu Yakubu Yusuf of Bayero University, Kano, shared a firsthand account that underscores the depth of the problem.

Dr Yusuf narrated that on a trip from Damagaran in the Niger Republic to Kano earlier this week, he sat in the front seat of a commercial bus and witnessed what he described as “a chain of extortion masquerading as security.”

According to him, as the bus approached the Babban Mutum border on the way to Ɓaɓura, he observed “so many annoying checkpoints,” sometimes only a few meters apart. Police officers, soldiers, immigration officials, road safety personnel, and customs operatives were all stationed along the route. Yet, none conducted any meaningful inspection.

“Each time we reached a checkpoint, the driver would simply pull out a one-thousand-naira note and hand it to an officer, then we would move on,” he said. Some officers even addressed the driver by name, apparently familiar with him as a regular traveller.

Dr Yusuf said the driver disclosed that there are 35 checkpoints between Damagaran and Kano, and at each one, he must part with between ₦500 and ₦2000, depending on the officials present. He estimated that drivers spend at least ₦30,000 during a single trip.

“Throughout the four-hour journey, not a single officer asked the driver to open his boot,” he added, expressing disbelief that such laxity exists despite Nigeria’s ongoing fight against insecurity.

His account reinforces concerns that many checkpoints serve as avenues for bribe collection rather than effective security screening—leaving the country vulnerable while motorists bear the financial burden.

“We are jokers, wallahi,” Dr. Yusuf concluded.

By Uzair Adam

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has inaugurated the reconstituted Kano Council of Emirs, led by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, alongside the Emirs of Gaya, Karaye, and Rano as council members.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, in Kano on Monday.

The inauguration follows the signing of the Kano Emirates Council Law (Repeal Bill) 2024 into law by Governor Yusuf.

The law abolished the five emirate councils established by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, effectively restoring a unified structure under the Kano Emirate.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said the reconstituted Council was aimed at enabling the traditional institution to function more effectively in promoting peace, stability, and development across the state.

“The traditional institution is a pillar of history, a guardian of people’s values, a custodian of heritage, and an engine of social stability.

“It remains an indispensable partner in governance. The inauguration of the Council of Emirs today reaffirms our administration’s commitment to preserving Kano’s cultural legacy, strengthening good governance, and deepening the partnership between the Government and the Emirates,” Governor Yusuf said.

He added, “This Council is envisioned to serve as a central forum where our Royal Fathers can meet, deliberate, and offer far-reaching counsel on matters affecting the well-being of our people.

”Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo expressed optimism that the Council, once operational, would play a crucial role in the overall development of Kano State.

Earlier, Professor Tijjani Muhammad Naniya, Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, gave a detailed presentation on the history of the Kano Emirate and its relations with the Rano, Gaya, and Karaye Emirates.

Prof. Naniya highlighted that Governor Yusuf had restored a historical legacy spanning over 700 years, in which the Kano Emirs operated in unity, with the Emir of Kano as head.

Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, speaking on behalf of the other member Emirs, described the revival and inauguration of the Council as timely and consistent with historical tradition.

He commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his unprecedented achievements in the state and assured the Emirates’ commitment to contributing their best toward Kano’s progress.

By Uzair Adam

Tension heightened on Monday in Dangoro community of Kumbotso Local Government Area, Kano State, after officials from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning moved onto disputed farmlands to commence work despite an unresolved petition before Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The landowners, who said they had written a letter to the governor appealing for immediate intervention, rushed to the site and pleaded with the officials to halt the operation until the government responds.

Their appeal, however, was turned down as the officials insisted they were acting strictly on orders.

What followed was a prolonged exchange that prompted the officials to request that the discussion be moved to the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Kumbotso to avoid misunderstanding and ensure security.

At the DSS office, the landowners narrated how they attempted to draw the governor’s attention last Friday when they saw him coming out from Government House.

They carried placards as he passed, but he did not stop because he was in a hurry. Instead, they were attended to by the Chief of Staff, Dr. Suleiman Wali Sani, who said he was not aware of the ongoing exercise.

According to them, an aide to the Chief of Staff advised that they should call on Wednesday for the governor’s response, assuring them that their letter would be delivered directly for his attention.

Dangoro community has for years faced disputes over land ownership, with residents accusing government agencies of trying to take over farmlands without proper consultation.

The latest tensions arose after the state announced plans to relocate the Yan Lemo Fruit Market and Yankaba Vegetables Market to the area, raising fears among landowners that their lands could be seized.

Residents say they have made repeated appeals to the government to protect their properties and prevent displacement, but past efforts have yielded limited results.

Speaking after the meeting, one of the landowners, Abubakar Mustapha, said the arrival of the ministry officials caused panic among residents, prompting them to quickly intervene and appeal for a temporary suspension until the governor speaks on the matter.

He added that many of the affected plots belong to orphans and vulnerable families.He said they do not seek confrontation with the government and remain confident that Governor Yusuf, known for fairness, will not allow injustice.

Another landowner, Murtala Rayyanu, warned that this would be the fifth time such an incident is happening in the community, stressing that repeated takeover of their lands threatens to wipe out the history and existence of the people of Dangoro.

He explained that several families acquired their lands through debts and years of savings, and losing them again would be devastating.

Also speaking, Usman Idris said residents believe Governor Yusuf may not be fully aware of the ongoing activity and called for his urgent intervention to calm rising tension in the area.

Meanwhile, one of the officials from the Ministry and Deputy Surveyor General, Ibrahim Mu’azu, declined comments, stating that they were not authorised to speak on the development.

Residents now await the governor’s response amid deepening fear over the future of their lands and homes.

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ungogo Branch, has congratulated Mr. H. H. Sulaiman on his appointment as the Acting Chief Registrar of the High Court of Justice, Kano State, describing the development as a well-deserved recognition of excellence.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Chairman of the branch, Ahmad Abubakar Gwadabe, on Monday.

He said the association is pleased to celebrate Mr. Sulaiman, whose appointment reflects “unwavering dedication and administrative competence in the justice sector.”

According to the statement, Mr. Sulaiman has built a reputation for professionalism through years of service at the Kano State Ministry of Justice, where he last held the position of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Gwadabe explained that the new Acting Chief Registrar is widely respected for his integrity, discipline, and commitment to duty.

“He has consistently demonstrated hard work and exceptional leadership qualities, which have earned him admiration within and beyond the judiciary,” Gwadabe was quoted as saying.

The association expressed confidence that Mr. Sulaiman’s experience will further strengthen the efficiency and progress of the state’s judicial system.

It also extended its best wishes to him, praying for success as he assumes his new responsibilities.

By Uzair Adam

The Bayero University Kano (BUK) Squash Club has hosted the first-ever Kano Squash Championship, bringing together top clubs from across the state to promote sportsmanship and revive the sport.

Abdulhamid Yahya, Chairman of the Audit Committee of BUK Squash Club and one of the event organizers, said the championship was designed to unite all major squash clubs in Kano.

He stated that, “In the spirit of one Kano, we brought together BUK Squash Club, Kano Squash Club—formerly Officers’ Mess—and Adobe Aero Squash Club for the first Kano Squash Championship.“

The tournament featured active, veteran, and super veteran categories, and while prizes were awarded, the main focus was on promoting sportsmanship and community engagement,” he added.

The Daily Reality reports that winners also emerged in the veteran and super veteran divisions.

Yahya emphasized that the championship aimed to grow love for the game and strengthen the squash community in Kano.

He highlighted challenges facing the sport, including low popularity, limited facilities, and lack of sponsorship.

He further added that, “Squash is not as popular as football, and even internationally, access can be costly and difficult.

“We need more tournaments, equipment, and community engagement to encourage participation,” he added.

Representing university management, Deputy Registrar and Head of Digital Media, Nura Garba, who spoke on behalf of Registrar Dr. Haruna Aliyu, called on stakeholders to develop squash from the grassroots.

He stated that, “Many young people today don’t even know what squash is. If we promote it from primary, secondary, and university levels, graduates will carry the game into society. Grassroots development is key to reviving the sport.”

Engr. Ado Haruna, Head of Mechatronics Engineering at BUK and an active club member, stressed the role of squash in promoting peace and social cohesion.

He said that, “Sports brings people together. Through sportsmanship, youths learn discipline, respect, and how to be their brothers’ keepers. This can strengthen peace in society.”

Haruna also cited sponsorship as the biggest challenge.

“This year’s tournament was largely funded by a colleague and a few supporters. “It would be good if industries in Kano take more active roles in sports development,” he further added.

He added that while government support is appreciated, the private sector must also contribute.

The inaugural Kano Squash Championship marks a renewed effort by BUK and partnering clubs to develop squash, nurture talent, and expand the sport’s reach across Kano State.

By Anas Abbas

The Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena, has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Alongside him, 15 other PDP lawmakers.The 15 lawmakers announced the defection in a submitted letters of defection, according to a statement by the Speaker.

The defectors include high-ranking figures such as Deputy Speaker Hamman Adama Abdullai (Bali 2), Majority Leader Jethro Yakubu, Wukari 1.

However, and othe representatives from key constituencies: Tafarki Eneme (Kurmi), Akila Nuhu (Lau), Musa Chul (Gassol 1), Josiah Yaro (Wukari 2), Tanko Yusuf (Takum 1), Veronica Alhassan (Bali 1), Anas Shuaibu (Karim Lamido 2), Nelson Len (Nguroje), Umar Adamu (Jalingo 1), Joseph Kassong (Yorro), John Lamba (Takum 2), Happy Shonruba (Ardo-Kola), and Zakari Sanusi (Ibi).

Bonzena noted that the decision was not personal but driven by what they believe is in the collective interest of Taraba State.

“Our people should not misinterpret this decision … It is for the interest of the state,” he said.

With the mass defection, the Speaker announced that all 24 members of the House of Assembly are now APC members, effectively eliminating the minority party presence in the chamber.

Welcoming them, former Speaker Peter Diah, now with the APC, described the move as a hopeful new beginning for Taraba.

Bonzena, for his part, expressed his optimism that the shift would mark a fresh era for the state, aligning with the vision of President Bola Tinubu.

By Oladoja M.O

In the grand, often tumultuous, theatre of African politics, a deeply entrenched and insidious narrative persists: the Messiah-Villain Binary. This simplistic, yet devastating, framework casts political leaders not as fallible public servants, but as either divine saviours or malevolent destroyers. It’s a binary that suffocates nuance, stifles accountability, and, in a continent desperate for democratic maturity, acts as a corrosive cancer on the body politic. We must call this what it is: a dangerous delusion that has shackled Africa’s progress for far too long.

This orientation, a relic of post-colonial strongman politics, reduces the complex art of governance to a moral melodrama. Citizens, conditioned to see their leaders as larger-than-life figures, become spectators in a perpetual battle between good and evil. When a new leader emerges, they are instantly elevated to the status of a messiah, the one chosen to slay the dragons of poverty, corruption, and instability. Any opposition is, by default, cast as the villain, a saboteur working against the people’s will. This is not just a rhetorical device; it’s a profound psychological trap that prevents a healthy, critical relationship between the electorate and those they elect.

Look no further than the story of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. In the euphoric dawn of independence in 1980, Mugabe was the indisputable messiah. He had led the liberation struggle, promised the people a new land, and was seen as the architect of a new, prosperous Zimbabwe. But as his rule solidified, dissent grew. His staunchest supporters did not see his brutal suppression of the Gukurahundi massacres and his increasingly authoritarian tendencies as the actions of a flawed leader, but rather as the necessary evils required to defeat the ‘villains’—the opposition, foreign agents, and internal critics. This narrative allowed him to dismantle democratic institutions and cling to power for nearly four decades, all while his country’s economy imploded. The messiah had morphed into a tyrant, but the binary, with its pre-assigned roles, kept many from seeing the reality until it was too late.

A similar pattern can be seen in Rwanda, albeit with a different trajectory. Following the 1994 genocide, Paul Kagame was hailed as the man who pulled his nation from the brink of total annihilation. He is undeniably a messiah figure for many Rwandans, credited with bringing stability, order, and remarkable economic growth. Yet, this messianic status has made it incredibly difficult for a genuine political opposition to emerge. Critics, journalists, and political rivals who question his iron grip on power are often swiftly silenced, accused of undermining national unity or of being sympathisers of the genocidal past. 

The messiah’s narrative, while perhaps initially justified, has become a tool to legitimize the suppression of democratic pluralism. The ‘villain’ is no longer the genocidal regime, but anyone who dares to challenge the man who defeated it. This is a profound danger: when a leader’s infallibility is tied to a nation’s salvation, dissent becomes tantamount to treason.

The messiah-villain binary is a disease that festers in the heart of African electoral politics. It’s visible in the fervent, almost religious, rallies where supporters see their candidate not as a political leader with a manifesto, but as an oracle. The 2017 Kenyan election and the subsequent crisis offered a stark illustration. Both Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga were cast as messianic figures by their respective supporters. For Odinga’s base, he was the long-awaited liberator, the man who would finally lead them to a promised land of social justice. For Kenyatta’s supporters, he represented stability and continuity, the man protecting the country from the ‘villainous’ forces of instability. This emotional fervour, fueled by tribal and regional loyalties, led to a deeply polarised society where compromise became impossible. The result was not just political gridlock, but a cycle of violence and deep-seated animosity that continues to haunt the nation. The election wasn’t a contest of ideas; it was a crusade.

This issue is not just a problem of the past; it remains alive and well today. In Nigeria, the perennial politics of ‘saviour’ and ‘enemy’ plague the electoral landscape. From the military regimes to the current democratic dispensation, every election is framed as a life-or-death struggle against forces of darkness. A new candidate emerges, promising to sweep away the corruption of the past, and is instantly elevated to a messianic pedestal. Yet, once in power, the same old patterns of patronage and unaccountability emerge. The people, having invested their faith in a person rather than in institutions and processes, are left disillusioned, only to repeat the cycle with the next messiah figure. This prevents the building of strong, independent institutions, a free press, an impartial judiciary, and a non-partisan civil service, because the entire political system revolves around the individual, not the rules.

The messiah-villain binary is a trap, a narrative cul-de-sac from which genuine democratic progress cannot escape. It’s a cancer because it preys on hope, exploiting the legitimate frustrations of the populace for political gain. It turns citizens into blind followers and opponents into sworn enemies. This dangerous orientation must be dismantled. We must stop looking for messiahs. There are no magical saviours.

There are only men and women who are fallible, flawed, and accountable to the people they serve. We must demand a politics of substance, not spectacle. We must judge our leaders not by the promises they make on the campaign trail, but by their respect for democratic institutions, their commitment to the rule of law, and their willingness to be held to account.

The true liberation of Africa as a continent and Nigeria as a nation will not come from a single hero, but from a critical and engaged citizenry that understands that the power to govern belongs to them and that no politician, no matter how charismatic, is a god. It is time to retire the messiah, to dismantle the villain, and to embrace the hard, unglamorous work of building a true and lasting democracy.

Oladoja M.O writes from Abuja and can be reached at: mayokunmark@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

There was a lot of panic in communities of the Zuru Emirate of Kebbi State after armed bandits attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.

The assault claimed the life of the Vice Principal and resulted in the abduction of an unspecified number of students.The Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, was said to have confronted the attackers in an attempt to protect the students.

Residents described his death as a heavy blow to the school and the entire community.

A local resident, Murjanatu Hassan Gishiri, confirmed the attack and said the gunmen moved into the school without any obstruction.

She said the community was plunged into fear as the bandits unleashed violence on the premises.

“It is a heartbreaking tragedy that has thrown the entire region into deep fear and mourning,” she lamented.

The number of students taken away has not been officially disclosed.

Families have expressed deep concern as they await updates from authorities.

Security agencies have yet to release an official statement on the incident.

Meanwhile, residents are urging the federal and state governments to intervene quickly to rescue the abducted students and strengthen security in schools across the region.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Department of State Services (DSS) has announced the arrest of Musa Abubakar, believed to be a major supplier of arms to criminal groups in Plateau State and northern Nigeria. The operation was based on intelligence reports leading to his detention on November 12, 2025.

A DSS source confirmed that Abubakar admitted to producing and distributing high-calibre weapons and ammunition used in violent attacks across Plateau and neighbouring regions.

The arrest followed a targeted raid on his weapons manufacturing facility in Mista Ali, Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State. Authorities reportedly found Abubakar with IED components, chemicals, and manufacturing equipment, all seized by DSS operatives.

This development comes days after the recapture of Abdulazeez Obadaki, alias Bomboy, a prison escapee linked to the Owo and Deeper Life Church attacks. DSS headlined recent successes in counterterrorism efforts, including the detention of nine high-profile suspects involved in incidents in Plateau and Benue states.

Among those detained is Timna Manjol, 46, who pleaded guilty to firearms charges related to the attacks, according to court documents. Manjol is affiliated with First Baptist Church in Mangu, Plateau.

Security analysts view these arrests as part of the DSS’s ongoing crackdown on violent extremism in the region.