Nigeria

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A 28-year-old woman, Firdausi Musa, and her two children suffered severe burns after her co-wife, Maryam Muhammad, allegedly poured petrol on them and set them on fire in the Hotoro area of Kano metropolis.

The incident happened late on Monday night in the Mai Allo area of Hotoro quarters. Residents were thrown into shock following the attack, while the suspect is currently in police custody at the Mariri Police Division.

The victims include Firdausi Musa, her two children—Khadija Ya’u, 7, and Ismail Ya’u, 3—and their father, Malam Saminu. All are receiving medical attention at different health facilities in Kano. The children are being treated at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, while their mother is receiving care at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital. Their father also sustained burns while attempting to rescue them.

A younger brother to Firdausi, Buhari Musa Sa’ad, told newsmen that the family received a distress call around 3am informing them of the attack.

He said, “She is around 28 years old. The children who got burned are the ones she brought with her from her previous marriage. They are stepchildren to the husband, who works as a tricycle rider.”

A relative of the victim, Rukayya, said the co-wife had earlier issued threats before the incident occurred. She also said Firdausi directly named the attacker while receiving treatment.

“We were lying down here when she was brought in, and she told us herself that it was her co-wife who poured petrol on her and lit a match,” she said.

Rukayya further explained that Firdausi had earlier left the house due to repeated threats but later returned after intervention from her husband.

The Kano State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident at the time of filing this report.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

One of the officers attached to the Kano State anti-illicit drugs and phone-snatching task force has raised concerns over the alleged non-payment of salaries and allowances for several years.

The officer, who spoke emotionally in a video circulating online, lamented the condition faced by members of the outfit after completing their training.

According to the officer, many personnel have continued to work despite not receiving salaries or allowances from the government for years.

The officer also accused the government of neglecting members of the task force after their recruitment and training.

The operatives are known for supporting efforts against illicit drug activities and phone snatching in parts of Kano State.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State Government had not issued an official response to the allegations.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has called for stronger diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly through educational exchange programmes aimed directly at grassroots communities.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja while hosting the new Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, the Speaker recalled that diplomatic relations between both nations date back to 1961, describing the connection as “extremely, very historic.”

Speaker Abbas specifically requested that scholarship opportunities be channelled to Nigerians through their representatives in the National Assembly, noting that lawmakers maintain direct contact with constituents at the grassroots level.

“I also want to commend your country for supporting a lot of Nigerians on education in particular,” the Speaker said. “So many of our accomplished clerics and scholars in Nigeria can attribute their foundation and success educationally to the scholarships that Saudi Arabia has been giving to our students over the past 40 years.”

He drew a parallel with a recent collaboration with the Algerian Government, which has pioneered a model of engaging the Nigerian Parliament directly, rather than limiting cooperation to the Executive arm alone.

The Speaker recalled that during a visit to Algeria about six months ago, both nations agreed that scholarship slots offered to Nigeria would be shared between the Executive and Legislative branches.

“We are happy to inform you that through that particular understanding, over 200 scholarship slots are under the process of being given to the Nigerian Parliament to also support their (members’) people at the grassroots,” Abbas stated.

He expressed hope that in the coming months, a similar arrangement could be established with Saudi Arabia, ensuring that educational benefits reach Nigerians across all levels of society through their elected representatives.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Three pilgrims from Jigawa State taking part in the 2026 Hajj in Saudi Arabia have reportedly fallen victim to theft in separate incidents involving cash and personal belongings.

One of the affected pilgrims, an elderly Fulani man identified as Baba Katanga from Katanga village in Kiyawa Local Government Area, said he lost 400 US dollars after boarding a taxi from Masjidil Haram to Mahabbat Al Akhawin Hotel in Makkah.

The pilgrim alleged that the taxi driver stole the money while he was checking his Nusuk card during the journey.

“I was surprised when I later checked and discovered that my 400 dollars had disappeared. I became confused because that was the money I intended to use throughout my stay,” he said.

In another incident, a Fulani pilgrim from Jahun Local Government Area reportedly lost all his dollar notes to a suspected taxi driver. His identity was not made public.

A female pilgrim popularly called Hajiya also reportedly lost a handbag that contained two mobile phones and cash meant for her upkeep during the pilgrimage.

The incident happened at Miqat in Madinah, where pilgrims usually prepare for Umrah by performing ablution, wearing Ihram and making Niyyah before travelling to Makkah.

Sources said the woman left the bag unattended briefly before she discovered that it had disappeared.

The incidents have reportedly generated sympathy among other pilgrims from Jigawa State, with some of them contributing money to assist the victims while awaiting possible intervention from relevant authorities.

The Director-General of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ahmad Umar Labbo, expressed concern over the incidents and assured the affected pilgrims of support from the board.

He said the board had earlier warned pilgrims before their departure from Nigeria to remain alert and protect their money and valuables from criminals who target crowded places.

Labbo also advised pilgrims not to hand over their belongings to strangers or leave valuables unattended, especially around holy sites and transport locations.

He further prayed for the safety and protection of all pilgrims throughout the Hajj exercise.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned opposition parties against zoning their 2027 presidential ticket to the South, warning that such a decision could undermine their chances of unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olusola Sanni, Atiku described the push for a southern candidate as “self-defeating and intellectually dishonest.” He argued that political strategy and “hard electoral arithmetic” should guide the opposition, not “emotional talking points.”

“The first and most obvious question is this: how does a Southern opposition candidate realistically unseat a sitting Southern president?” the statement queried, noting that no incumbent president has ever lost to an opponent from the same region.

Atiku’s camp further pointed out that by 2027, the South would have spent approximately 18 years in power since the return of democracy in 1999, compared to about 10 years for the North. This, they argued, makes the zoning argument difficult to justify “under the guise of equity.”

The former vice president also accused some politicians of hypocrisy, recalling that they supported Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency in 2011 following the death of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, yet now defend zoning as a sacred principle.

However, Atiku maintained that the Southeast region deserves “a sustainable and credible pathway to national leadership,” not “symbolic tokenism.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Military forces operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have recorded multiple successes across five local government areas in Katsina State, neutralizing three terrorists, recovering stolen livestock, and dismantling a drug ring, authorities said on Sunday.

According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North West), troops of the 171 Battalion laid an ambush along the Matazu–Dutsin-Ma axis on Saturday, May 9, 2026, following intelligence that terrorists were fleeing recent military operations in Dikawa.

During the ensuing firefight, troops killed three terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, one motorcycle, three cutlasses, and assorted charms.

In a separate clearance operation across Matazu, Musawa, and Kankia LGAs, troops supported by the Katsina State Community Watch Corps cleared terrorist enclaves in Torcachi, Giginya, and Tashar Ganji villages. The terrorists abandoned their camps under sustained pressure, and troops recovered 175 rustled livestock. The animals are now in military custody awaiting handover to local authorities in Matazu LGA.

Additionally, troops from Forward Operating Base Malumfashi, working with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), raided Kauyan Dawo in Malumfashi LGA, arresting six suspected drug peddlers: Sani Rabiu (25), Umar Nasiru (22), Abulkubus Aminu (35), Abdullahi Halilu (27), Abubakar Rabiu (22), and Abubakar Dahiru (33).

Seized narcotics included 82.5 grams of suspected Cannabis Sativa, 15.7 grams of Exol-5, and 1.8 grams of D5. The suspects and drugs have been transferred to the NDLEA Malumfashi Area Command for prosecution.

The Theatre Command called on the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

By Ibrahim Happiness

‎Every year from April 24 to 30, the world marks World Immunisation Week, a global campaign coordinated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to highlight one of the most effective public health tools ever developed: vaccines. In 2026, the campaign comes with renewed urgency as countries work to close immunity gaps, restore routine vaccination disrupted in recent years, and protect millions of children and adults from preventable diseases.

‎‎This year’s theme, “For every generation, vaccines work,” underscores a simple but powerful reality: immunisation is not only for infants. Vaccines protect people throughout life, from newborn babies receiving their first doses, to adolescents, pregnant women, healthcare workers, and older adults needing booster or age-specific protection. It is a reminder that vaccines have served families for generations and remain central to a healthier future.

‎Globally, vaccines have transformed human survival. WHO estimates that immunisation has saved more than 150 million lives over the last 50 years, with most of those lives saved being those of infants. Vaccination has reduced deaths from diseases such as measles, polio, tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, while preventing lifelong disabilities and severe complications that once devastated communities. Public health experts note that vaccines are among the most cost-effective investments any nation can make because they prevent illness before it starts, reduce pressure on hospitals, and strengthen productivity.

‎Yet despite this progress, millions of children worldwide still miss out on essential vaccines each year. The reasons vary by country: poverty, insecurity, displacement, weak health systems, long travel times to clinics, shortages of trained health workers, and the spread of misinformation. When vaccination rates decline, diseases quickly return. Recent outbreaks of measles and other vaccine-preventable illnesses in several parts of the world have shown how fragile progress can be.

‎In Nigeria, World Immunisation Week is particularly significant. Africa’s most populous country has made progress in expanding routine immunisation through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), state governments, donor partners, and frontline health workers. Vaccines for children are provided free through public health facilities, and campaigns against polio, measles, yellow fever and meningitis have helped protect millions.

‎However, challenges remain substantial. Many rural and hard-to-reach communities still struggle with access to health centres. Insecurity in parts of the country continues to disrupt outreach services. Urban slums also face low coverage due to population movement and poor health infrastructure. In some communities, false claims about vaccine safety continue to create hesitation among parents.

‎Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, has repeatedly stressed in 2026 that strengthening primary healthcare and expanding routine immunisation are key pillars of the federal government’s health reform agenda. He has called for stronger state-level accountability, improved cold-chain systems, and deeper community engagement to ensure that no child is left behind. According to the minister, immunisation is not merely a health intervention but an investment in national development, because healthy children are more likely to learn, grow, and contribute productively to society.

‎The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Muyi Aina, has also emphasised the importance of reaching zero-dose children, those who have never received a single routine vaccine. He noted that Nigeria’s progress will depend on better data systems, mobile outreach teams, local partnerships, and trust-building with communities.

‎International partners have echoed similar concerns. UNICEF and World Health Organisation officials in Nigeria have warned that preventable diseases can spread rapidly when immunisation services are missed, especially among vulnerable children. They continue to urge governments and families to prioritise vaccination and routine health checks.

‎‎World Immunisation Week, therefore, is more than a symbolic observance. It is a timely reminder that progress in health must be protected. Vaccines only work when they reach people. A child in a remote village deserves the same protection as a child in a city hospital. A mother deserves accurate information, not fear-driven rumours. Health workers deserve the support and tools needed to save lives.

‎For Nigeria, the path forward is clear: sustained political commitment, increased domestic funding, stronger local healthcare systems, and public trust. Communities, religious leaders, schools, media organisations and civil society all have a role to play in promoting accurate information and encouraging uptake.

‎As the world marks World Immunisation Week 2026, the message remains straightforward and timeless: vaccines work, they save lives, and they must reach every generation.

‎Ibrahim Happiness is a 300-level Strategic Communication student at the University of Abuja and an intern with IMPR. She can be reached at: happinessibrahim11@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command says it has arrested a suspected armed robber in connection with an attack on a residence in Bara Village, Kirfi Local Government Area of the state.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib.

According to the statement, the incident occurred in the early hours of May 9, 2026, when a group of five armed men reportedly stormed the home of a resident identified as Ibrahim.

The police said the attackers, who allegedly carried sticks and cutlasses, assaulted the victim before taking away several valuables from the house.

Items reportedly stolen during the operation included a bow and arrow, five mobile phones, two solar panels and cash amounting to ₦422,000.

The statement noted that the victim later reported the matter to the Bara Police Out Station at about 6:00 a.m. on the same day.

Following the complaint, police operatives attached to the outpost and Kirfi Division launched an investigation that led to the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect, Naziru Alhaji Usman, from Tudun Sullubawa Hamlet through Bara Village in Kirfi LGA.

Police said officers recovered some exhibits believed to be connected to the robbery, including a bow and arrow, a cutlass and one solar panel.

“The suspect is currently in custody at the Out Station and is providing useful information to aid investigations,” the statement said.

The command added that efforts were ongoing to track down other suspects linked to the crime and recover the remaining stolen property.

It also stated that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Bauchi for further investigation before prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, praised the operatives for their swift response and restated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

He also appealed to residents to continue assisting security agencies with credible information, which he described as important in tackling crime across the state.

By Uzair Adam

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it cannot successfully conduct elections in Nigeria without the support of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), as it formally requested the deployment of more than 1.4 million corps members for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit to the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at the scheme’s headquarters in Abuja.

He emphasised the critical role corps members play in election operations, describing them as the backbone of the commission’s fieldwork.

According to him, their neutrality and dedication continue to inspire public trust at polling units across the country.

Amupitan disclosed that 707,384 corps members would be needed for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, with the same number required for the governorship and state assembly elections slated for February 6, 2027. This brings the total to 1,414,768 personnel.

He added that an extra 52,446 corps members would be deployed for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, as well as bye-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi, and Kano states.

The projected figures mark an increase from the 2023 general elections, where about 1.2 million ad hoc staff were engaged, with over 70 percent drawn from NYSC members and student volunteers.

In many states, corps members made up nearly 90 percent of registration area officers and presiding officers.

Reflecting on their performance, Amupitan noted that corps members not only facilitated voting but also upheld the integrity of the electoral process across thousands of polling units, even in challenging terrains.

He acknowledged the risks involved in election duties and assured that the commission is improving welfare and insurance packages to better protect and support them.

Looking ahead, the INEC chairman said the commission is preparing for off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti on June 20 and Osun on August 16, describing them as important tests for new innovations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In his response, NYSC Director-General Nafiu recalled that the partnership between both institutions dates back to a memorandum of understanding signed in 2011, which has been renewed over time.

He maintained that corps members remain dependable and adaptable, noting that the transition to a new generation of digitally skilled participants would further enhance election processes.

He assured that the NYSC would continue to provide full support for upcoming elections, including both the off-cycle polls and the 2027 general elections.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has announced that candidates who seek admission into colleges of education will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed the development on Monday during the admission policy meeting for the 2026 UTME held in Abuja.

Alausa explained that applicants with at least four credit passes in relevant subjects can now apply directly to colleges of education without taking the UTME.

He, however, stated that such candidates must still register with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for proper documentation and processing.

According to him, the applicants’ credentials will undergo screening, verification and certification before admission letters are issued through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), in line with existing regulations.

The minister also said the new policy will take effect from next year.

The move is expected to widen access to teacher education and encourage more students to enrol in colleges of education across the country.