Sokoto

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Army has strongly denied social media reports claiming an armed attack on the residence of Bishop Matthew Kukah and the Sokoto Catholic Cathedral, calling the allegations entirely false.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the 8 Division Nigerian Army and Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA said the viral Facebook post was misleading and baseless.

“There was no such attack in Sokoto State,” said Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the division. He confirmed that Bishop Kukah is currently carrying out his Easter duties without any disruption, and that security around both the Bishop and the cathedral remains intact.

The Army reiterated its commitment, alongside other security agencies, to protecting all residents in Sokoto State and its area of responsibility. “Robust security measures are in place to guarantee a peaceful and secure Easter celebration,” Osoba added.

Authorities have urged the public to disregard the false reports and refrain from spreading unverified information.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least 150 suspected bandits reportedly drowned after a boat carrying them capsized in Sabon Gida, Sokoto State.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, revealed the incident in a post on X. He said the tragedy occurred on Saturday evening when the vessel, loaded with a large number of armed men, overturned while crossing a water body in the area.

According to Makama, the bandits were traveling in large numbers when the boat suddenly capsized, throwing everyone on board into the water.

“Preliminary information suggests that many of them could not swim, leading to heavy casualties,” he said.

He added that early reports indicate that none of the occupants survived the incident.

As of the time of this report, security agencies have not issued an official statement confirming the event.

The incident has caused alarm in the area as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

By Uzair Adam

A Sokoto-based cleric, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, on Thursday led Eid al-Fitr prayers in his community, diverging from the officially announced date by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.

The Daily Reality recalled that the Sultan had declared that the Shawwal moon was not sighted anywhere in Nigeria, directing Muslims to continue fasting and observe Eid on Friday.

Contrary to this position, Lukuwa gathered his followers at his Mabera mosque, where he conducted the Eid prayer in the morning.

Explaining his stance, the cleric said his decision was based on credible reports indicating that the crescent moon had been sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic.

According to him, confirmations from contacts across the border provided sufficient grounds to mark the end of Ramadan.

He noted that proximity should play a role in validating such reports, arguing that it would be inconsistent to accept moon sightings from distant Nigerian cities while dismissing those from a nearby country.

Lukuwa clarified that his action should not be interpreted as a rejection of the Sultan’s authority, emphasizing that he generally aligns with official directives.

However, he maintained that religious obligations require adherence to verified moon sightings, even when they conflict with central announcements.

He also alluded to earlier traditions in Nigeria, when prominent scholars like the late Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi were actively involved in moon sighting declarations before the process became unified under the Sultanate.

Residents familiar with the situation said the cleric had alerted his followers late Wednesday night about the reported sighting, instructing them to prepare for Eid prayers the next day.

This is not the first time Lukuwa has taken a different position on the timing of Eid, reflecting ongoing differences in interpretation regarding moon sighting within parts of the Muslim community.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested suspected informants and financiers linked to bandit activities during a security operation in parts of the state, with several rustled cattle recovered.

Details of the arrests were made public in a post shared on X on Tuesday by security analyst Zagazola Makama. According to the post, the operation took place in the early hours of Monday at about 1:00 a.m. in Sarma Village, Tangaza Local Government Area.

Makama said operatives of the Sokoto State Police Command, in collaboration with members of the community guard, carried out the intelligence-led raid, which led to the arrest of two suspects identified as Nura Dan Haruna, 20, and Buhari Salah, 18.

The suspects were found with seven cows suspected to have been stolen, as well as a motorcycle without a registration number.

Makama reported that preliminary findings showed the suspects were acting on instructions from two other individuals who remain at large.

“The suspects confessed they were sent by two individuals, Abdullahi Gulum and Dan Iko, who are currently on the run, to deliver the cows to Hamza Ibrahim, 56, of the Kara area in Illela,” Makama wrote.

He added that police later arrested Hamza Ibrahim in connection with the case.

“Hamza was later arrested by the police,” Makama wrote.

Further inquiries by the police also uncovered that Hamza Ibrahim admitted to selling two of the cows last month to Abubakar Muhammad, 31, from Gwadabawa Local Government Area. Police confirmed that Abubakar Muhammad has also been arrested.

Authorities said investigations into the case are continuing, while efforts have been stepped up to track down and arrest the remaining suspects linked to the alleged bandit network.

By Dahiru Kasimu Adamu

Every morning at Shantan Old Garage along Western Bypass, hundreds of young men armed with shovels and hoes descend into metre-deep pits, searching for buried treasure. But they are not hunting for gold or ancient artefacts, they are digging for scrap iron.

The abandoned garage, once a bustling hub for roadside mechanics, has become an unlikely source of livelihood for youth aged 15 to 40. As traditional labour opportunities have dwindled, these young scavengers have discovered that the ground beneath the old garage contains valuable iron scraps left behind when the site was operational.

“We thank Allah for this opportunity,” said Modi Sanusi, a scavenger in his late twenties. “Just this morning, scavenging materials worth over N125,000 were sold, all from this ground.”

The work is gruelling and dangerous, but profitable. Scavengers can earn between N20,000 and N40,000 daily, depending on their finds—a significant sum in an economy where formal employment remains scarce. Among those who have embraced this unconventional livelihood are former Tsangaya pupils who once begged for food.

Seventeen-year-old Kabiru explained how the earnings have transformed his life: “We earn income, buy food, give some to our parents, and save.”

The phenomenon is not confined to Shantan. Reports indicate that scrap metal collection has become one of Nigeria’s “millennium jobs,” with thousands of youth now reportedly earning substantial incomes from the trade.

But the work comes at a cost. Sharp objects buried in the soil cause frequent injuries, and landslides have resulted in fractures. Muhammad, another scavenger, recalled sustaining a leg fracture when earth collapsed on him. “After I recovered, I came back in the field as I can’t leave this work,” he said.

Health experts have raised alarm about additional risks. Buried iron from old vehicles could be contaminated with lead or other toxic chemicals. Open wounds from injuries risk infection, particularly given the lack of basic first aid facilities at the site.

Despite these hazards, the scavengers remain undeterred. Observers say the phenomenon highlights both the resilience of Nigerian youth and the urgent need for job creation and safety regulations. Advocates call for government intervention through new strategies and laws to regulate the business, as well as leadership within scavenging communities to organise safety campaigns.

For now, the digging continues at Shantan Old Garage. As unemployment persists and metal prices remain attractive, more youth are likely to join the ranks of those turning Sokoto’s buried past into their economic future—one shovelful at a time.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Frustrated by persistent and deadly bandit attacks, residents of the Kebbe Local Government Area in Sokoto State have issued a desperate appeal to the Federal Government, urging President Bola Tinubu to grant them permission to bear arms for self-defence.

The appeal was made during a press conference held at the press centre in Sokoto, where community leaders voiced their profound frustration with the government’s perceived failure to protect them.

Led by their community head, Alhaji Adamu Kebbe, the residents accused both state and local government authorities of abandonment, leaving them in a state of perpetual fear and vulnerability.

“We cannot sleep with both eyes closed. Our towns have been nearly wiped out, yet the government is not doing enough to protect us,” Alhaji Kebbe stated.

He emphasized that the people can no longer endure the relentless killings, kidnappings, and destruction of property.

The community’s request highlights a growing trend of citizen militancy in the face of escalating insecurity. Security analysts have warned that such calls for self-armament are a clear indicator of eroding public confidence in the state’s ability to provide security, necessitating urgent federal intervention.

“If the government cannot protect us, it should allow us to protect ourselves,” one villager was quoted as saying, capturing the sentiment of many.

In their appeal, the Kebbe community also requested direct financial support from the Federal Government to the local councils to enable them to take immediate emergency measures to protect civilians.

Sokoto State, particularly regions like Isa, Sabon Birni, and Kebbe, has been one of the epicentres of bandit violence in recent years. While the state government has acknowledged the severe threat, residents insist that the measures taken so far are insufficient to guarantee their safety.

Community leaders at the conference reported that at least 17 villages have been completely deserted due to the frequent attacks, displacing thousands and crippling agriculture and daily life.

This is not the first such plea from the state. Earlier, youths in the Shagari local government area had also threatened to take up arms, citing exhaustion from the relentless attacks and kidnappings that have plagued their region.

In response to the latest appeal, the Sokoto State government has assured the public that it is doing everything within its power to end the security crisis in Kebbe and surrounding areas.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A well-known cleric, Musa Yusuf, popularly called Asadus-Sunnah, has revealed that terrorist leader Bello Turji has freed 32 people who were held hostage and promised to halt his group’s assaults on local farmers.

This followed a series of meetings between Turji and Islamic scholars in Zamfara State.Speaking during a religious event in Kaduna on Monday, Yusuf said the peace discussions were initiated in July and took place in the Fakai forest in Shinkafi Local Government Area.

He explained that the clerics met with Turji and other key fighters including Dan Bakkolo, Black, Kanawa, and Malam Ila.

All the parties reportedly agreed to the peace terms.

According to him, “We met Mr Turji, Dan Bakkolo, Black, Kanawa, and Malam Ila. The speculation that Dan Bakkolo was killed is not true. These people are the ones terrorising the axis, and they all agreed to the peace proposals, one of which is for them to surrender some of their arms to show commitment to the peace process.”

Yusuf said the bandits released the arms in three separate batches and gave residents of Shinkafi access to farmland across the river leading to Turji’s camp.

He added, “We agreed that the Fulanis must be allowed to go to town without being stereotyped or killed by the vigilante.”

As part of the agreement, Turji released 32 hostages.

Yusuf presented a video that showed the harsh conditions the victims endured before reaching the terrorist leader’s hideout.

He said the captives, which included women and children, spent nearly four months in captivity.

One woman reportedly gave birth during her time in the camp, while another was bitten by a snake.

Yusuf stated that the Shinkafi axis has since experienced relative calm.

Farmers are now working on their lands without fear of abduction.

He mentioned that while the talks had brought some relief to the area, negotiations were ongoing to convince Turji to commit fully to the peace plan.

However, the clerics chose not to demand a complete surrender of arms so as not to expose Turji to attacks from rival armed groups who are not part of the current discussions.

The cleric also cautioned religious figures who have been attacking Turji on social media. He warned that such actions could worsen the situation.

Yusuf acknowledged that the peace initiative would not completely end the insecurity in Zamfara, but pointed out that communities within Turji’s area of control are now enjoying some stability.

He praised President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, and Senator Shehu Buba for supporting non-military approaches to resolving the region’s security crisis.

In a video released last October, Turji had insisted that true peace would remain out of reach in Zamfara until government forces and vigilantes stopped targeting Fulani communities.

“This is why we are calling on all of you to come and collaborate with us for peace to reign and stop the bloodbath in Zamfara. Guns and airstrikes will not stop us because we are not afraid of death,” he said.

He also dismissed the political back-and-forth between Governor Lawal and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, saying neither was truly concerned about the people’s welfare.

By Anwar Usman

Troops of the Joint Task Force under Operation Fansan Yamma have eliminated three notorious kingpins in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The operation, which took place on Friday, was a carefully executed ambush between Mallamawa and Mazau villages in the Tsamaye/Mai Lalle District.

According to military authorities, the terrorists, identified as Kachalla Nagomma, Gurmu, and Ali Yar Daribiyar, were intercepted while attempting to extort ransom and levies from locals in the area.

Three AK-47 rifles with magazines and a motorcycle were recovered from the scene during the operation.

The success of the mission has been met with widespread jubilation in the affected communities of Mai Lalle, Tsamaye, Rimaye, and nearby areas in Sabon Birni and Goronyo LGAs.

Residents of the communities, terrorised by the activities of the neutralised criminals and their foot soldiers, expressed happiness and renewed confidence in the security efforts.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA, a security task force aimed at restoring peace and stability across Nigeria’s North West and parts of the North Central region, reiterated its commitment to intensifying counter-terrorism efforts in collaboration with local communities.

The Media Information Officer of OPFY, Captain David Adewusi, in a statement issued on Saturday called on the public to continue sharing genuine information that’ll help the ongoing military operations.

He further stated that “the Joint Task Force remains resolute in its mission to eradicate terrorism and restore lasting peace to all affected areas”.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Over 20 people were killed in a terrorist attack on Kwalajiya Village, Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State, in the early hours of Tuesday, leaving the community devastated.

Eyewitnesses described heavily armed assailants storming the village, firing indiscriminately and setting homes ablaze. Many victims, including women and children, are feared dead, with several residents still unaccounted for following the violence.

The village head reportedly fled to Sokoto city for safety, narrowly escaping the attack. His current condition is unknown.

Sokoto State Police Command spokesman, Ahmed Rufae, confirmed the incident but cited ongoing investigations as the reason for withholding further details.

While the motive remains officially unconfirmed, unverified local sources suggest the attack may be linked to the village head’s refusal to permit intermarriage with individuals associated with the Lakurawa terrorist group.

The assault has heightened existing concerns about persistent insecurity in Sokoto State and the expanding influence of armed groups in rural areas.

Residents are urgently appealing to state and federal authorities to enhance protection for vulnerable communities and ensure the perpetrators face justice.

Kwalajiya now mourns its dead amidst profound grief and uncertainty.

By Anwar Usman

Sokoto State government has revealed its commitment to peace and security and expressed readiness to engage in dialogue with armed groups who are ready to surrender their weapons and embrace reconciliation.

This was revealed in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Security, Col Ahmed Usman (rtd).

The government, in a statement, noted that “many historical conflicts have not ended solely through the use of force, but through meaningful dialogue, reaffirming that the state is open to negotiating with bandits who demonstrate a genuine commitment to surrender and reintegrate peacefully into society.”

It also appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the service chiefs, security personnel, for their unwavering efforts in protecting the region.

“Their sacrifices are deeply appreciated. May Allah bless the souls of our fallen heroes and grant comfort to their families,” the statement read.

While commending the federal government over the proposed deployment of forest guards across the region, the Sokoto State Government stressed the importance of integrity and community trust in the recruitment process.

The government, however, reaffirmed its unwavering support for all initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace in the state.