The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a woman, Ihensekhien Miracle Obehi, at the Port Harcourt International Airport of Rivers State while trying to smuggle 2.5kg of cocaine to Iran. She was caught on Sunday, 3 May, disguised in a hijab to avoid detection. According to NDLEA release on Sunday, Obehi had concealed three wraps of cocaine in her private part, two large parcels in her handbag, and swallowed 67 pellets of the drug. She claimed she was supposed to swallow 70 pellets but couldn’t ingest the last three and decided to hide them in her body. Read Also: NDLEA raids Lagos hotel, seizes ₦1.04bn drugs, busts trafficking rings She was placed under observation and later excreted all the swallowed pellets. In a separate case, NDLEA officers at Lagos airport arrested 22-year-old British national Campell Kaizra Kofi Johannes Slifer on May 9 with 37.6kg of Loud cannabis in two suitcases. Slifer, a repeat offender, confessed to being recruited in London to transport the drugs from Thailand to Nigeria. In Niger State, NDLEA intercepted a fuel truck and three other vehicles loaded with 3,047kg of cannabis along the Suleja-Kaduna road. Four suspects were arrested. More arrests followed across the country. In Lagos, NDLEA seized over 109,000 pills of tramadol and other drugs. In Kaduna, two suspects were caught with 52.5kg of skunk, and in Kwara, 45,400 tramadol pills were recovered. Bauchi officers seized 505kg of cannabis in a Toyota Tundra, while in Kano, 775 litres of codeine syrup were recovered during a raid. A 1.1kg consignment of Loud hidden in a pillow was also intercepted at a Lagos courier company. Meanwhile, NDLEA continued its drug abuse awareness campaign in schools and religious centers nationwide. NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s officers for their efforts in drug supply control and public education.
Billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote has committed N15 billion towards a five-year development initiative aimed at transforming the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH) in Wudil, Kano State, into a globally competitive institution. Speaking during the university’s fifth combined convocation ceremony on Saturday, Dangote, who serves as Chancellor of the state-owned university, outlined a comprehensive investment plan designed to elevate the institution’s academic infrastructure and global standing. READ ALSO: Dangote refinery reduces Petrol loading price to ₦865 per litre The proposed funding, to be delivered through the Dangote Foundation, will support the construction of additional student hostels and lecture halls, a state-of-the-art multipurpose ICT centre with full internet access. It’ll also support a mini solar power plant to provide stable electricity, a modern Senate building, and employment support for top-performing engineering graduates through NYSC and job placements. “Our goal is to position ADUSTECH among the top three universities in Nigeria. This five-year strategic plan will be implemented in collaboration with the university’s Governing Council, supported by a structured project management framework to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery,” Dangote stated. Vice Chancellor Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai disclosed that he assumed office with an inherited debt of N3 billion, of which the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Yusuf has already cleared over N2 billion. Yakasai also revealed that more than 30 out of the 40 academic programmes offered at ADUSTECH have now achieved full accreditation. READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery slashes petrol price to N835 per litre Governor Yusuf, present at the convocation, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the university’s growth. He announced that construction of internal road networks and drainage systems has been approved to enhance the institution’s infrastructure.
A newlywed woman, Saudat Jibrin Adam, has been arrested for allegedly killing her husband, Salisu Idris Ibrahim, just nine days after their wedding in the Farawa community of Kumbotso Local Government Area, Kano State. The tragic incident, which occurred late Monday night, has shocked residents of the area. According to eyewitnesses, Saudat allegedly asked her husband to close his eyes for a “surprise” before fatally slitting!ng his throat with a knife. A neighbour, Dini Mada, who was one of the first to arrive at the scene, disclosed that Salisu named his wife as the attacker before succumbing to his injuries at the hospital. READ ALSO: 120 Afghan couples marry in mass wedding ceremony “I asked him who did this to you, and he said, ‘Dini, it’s my wife. She stabbed me in the neck in the parlour. “She told him to close my eyes for a surprise, not knowing she had hidden a knife,” Dini recalled. He added that Salisu’s mother, whose home is attached to the couple’s residence, alerted him moments after hearing a disturbance. “She thought it was an external attack, but we found Salisu bleeding with his throat slit.” The suspect reportedly locked herself in a bedroom after the attack and was discovered by police during a search of the premises. “She was on the phone when police entered and arrested her. “We didn’t even know she was still in the house,” Dini added. Sources close to the deceased claimed that the couple had unresolved marital issues. Despite displaying affection during their courtship, the suspect allegedly refused to consummate the marriage and frequently declined to cook for her husband. “That night, Salisu bought gurasa and meat for dinner because she again refused to cook,” one friend said. Neighbours described the suspect as appearing “normal” and often accompanying her husband to visit family nearby, which made the attack even more shocking. READ ALSO: Bride poisons wedding guests in Jigawa, one killed, groom hospitalized Family members confirmed that Salisu was rushed to the hospital but later died from his injuries. His brother, Tanimu Idris, said he has been buried according to Islamic rites. As of the time of this report, the Kano State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement. Spokesperson SP Abdullahi Kiyawa said the command is investigating the matter. By Alade Adisa
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, paid a condolence visit to his Kano State counterpart, Abba Yusuf, on Monday following the tragic killing of 16 Kano-bound travellers in Uromi, Edo State. Arriving at the Kano Government House around noon, Okpebholo was warmly received by Yusuf and other top government officials. During the visit, he expressed deep sorrow over the incident, which saw members of a local vigilante group mistakenly attack the travellers, believing them to be criminals. The victims, identified as hunters travelling from Port Harcourt to Kano for Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, were ambushed in Esan North-East Local Government Area, sparking outrage across the country. Speaking at the meeting, Okpebholo condemned the killings, describing them as a heartbreaking tragedy. READ ALSO: Okpebholo orders full-scale investigation into killing of seven in Uromi He reassured the families of the deceased and the people of Kano that justice would be swiftly served. He further disclosed that 14 suspects had been arrested and transferred to Abuja for interrogation. Governor Yusuf, in his response, insisted that those responsible must be publicly identified and brought to justice. He emphasised Kano’s long-standing reputation as a peaceful state that welcomes people from all backgrounds. Thanking Okpebholo for his prompt visit, Yusuf called for the immediate prosecution of the perpetrators to prevent future occurrences. Both leaders also visited Toronkawa village in Bunkure Local Government Area, where they reiterated the need for unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians. Meanwhile, the attack has drawn widespread condemnation, with President Bola Tinubu directing security agencies to swiftly investigate and ensure the culprits face the full weight of the law. READ ALSO: Okpebholo orders full-scale investigation into killing of seven in Uromi “The President was deeply shocked by this senseless act of violence and has ordered security operatives to take immediate action in apprehending those responsible,” presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said on Friday.
A Kano State High Court has rescheduled the hearing of all pending preliminary objections in the bribery and misappropriation case involving APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Umar, and six others. The New Daily Prime earlier reported that the Kano State Government levelled an eight-count charge against the defendants, alleging bribery, mismanagement, and the diversion of public funds worth billions of naira. Others named in the case include Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited. READ ALSO: Tinubu returns from Saudi Arabia During Thursday’s proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Adeola Adedipe, informed the court of his readiness to move forward, stating that his team had filed a motion on notice to extend the deadline for regularizing their preliminary objections. Counsel representing Ganduje, his wife, and Umar, Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, also confirmed their readiness for defence. However, some defence lawyers requested additional time to complete their filings. Adekunle Taiye-Falola, representing the 3rd and 7th defendants, sought an extension to respond to further affidavits, while Sunusi Musa, representing the 5th defendant, filed a motion for extra time to submit legal arguments. Meanwhile, Abubakar Ahmed, counsel for the 6th defendant, indicated his preparedness to proceed, having already filed a preliminary objection. On the other hand, Ibrahim Aliyu-Nasarawa, representing the 8th defendant, requested more time to finalize his legal response. READ ALSO: Ganduje: Tinubu is fighting Nigeria’s problems with determination After reviewing the submissions, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu approved all requests for an extension and adjourned the case. Justice Adamu-Aliyu further adjourned the case, and it will now be heard on April 15, 2025. “The matter is adjourned to April 15, 2025, for the hearing of all pending preliminary objections,” she ruled.
The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, on Monday inaugurated the new Chairmen, Commissioners, and members of the Sharia, Zakkat, and Hubusi Commissions in a move aimed at further strengthening the state’s Islamic governance framework. The announcement was made public in a statement from the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi DawakinTofa, on Tuesday. During the inauguration, Governor Yusuf highlighted the influential role of Kano in the Islamic world, noting the state’s numerous renowned scholars, Islamiyya schools, and Islamic study centres. He reaffirmed the importance of these commissions in maintaining the state’s Islamic values and improving the well-being of its people. The governor emphasised that the appointees were chosen based on merit, competence, and trustworthiness, and expressed his confidence in their ability to carry out their duties with dedication, enthusiasm, and integrity. Yusuf outlined specific responsibilities for each commission. He tasked the Sharia Commission with fostering unity among Muslim faithful of all sects to promote peace, stability, and socio-economic development in Kano. In addition, the Zakkat and Hubusi Commissions were given the responsibility of developing effective strategies for collecting alms (Zakkat) from wealthy individuals, aiming to support the less privileged and reduce poverty to the minimum. Sharia Commission Appointments The newly appointed Sharia Commission is chaired by Sheikh Abbas Abubakar Daneji, with Malam Yahaya Gwani Hadi and Sheikh Ali Dan Abba serving as Permanent Commissioners I and II, respectively. Other members of the commission include Malam Abubakar Mai Ashafa, Malam Naziru Saminu Dorayi, Sheikh Mukhtar Mama, Sheikh Ibrahim Inuwa, Malam Adamu Ibrahim, Alhaji Abubakar Sharif Bala, Alhaji Yawale Suleiman Gulu, Malam Aliyu Umar, Alhaji Muhammad Kabir Na’bi, and Malam Nasiru Sheikh Aliyu Harazimi. Sheikh Dr. Sani Ashir will serve as the Secretary. Zakkat and Hubusi Commission Appointments The Zakkat and Hubusi Commission will be chaired by Barrister Habibu Dan Almajiri, with Sheikh Nafi’u Umar Harazami and Dr. Ali Quraish appointed as Permanent Commissioners I and II, respectively. Other members of the commission include Malam Yahaya Muhammad Kwana Hudu, Sheikh Hassan Sani Kafinga, Sheikh Arabi Tudun Nufawa, Malam Sani Sharif Umar, Professor Garba Muhammadu Tofa, Malam Adamu Muhammadu Andawo, Malam Surajo Usman, Sheikh Adamu Guda, Malam Inuwa Mustapha, Malam Nura Badamasi, Malam Abdullahi Sarkin Sharifai, and a representative from the Kano State Civil Service Commission. Governor Yusuf expressed his strong belief that the newly inaugurated officials would carry out their responsibilities diligently and contribute to the advancement of Islamic governance and social welfare in Kano. He also underscored the importance of their roles in tackling poverty and ensuring social justice across the state.
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has called on the Federal Government to reduce the cost of the 2025 Hajj, citing the ongoing economic challenges faced by Nigerians. The governor made the appeal during a ceremony hosted by the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board to distribute a N375 million refund to pilgrims who performed the 2023 Hajj. The refund was made by the Saudi Arabian government in response to outage during last year’s Hajj operations. At the event, Governor Yusuf praised both the Saudi government and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for their transparency and accountability. He also commended NAHCON for ensuring the prompt and efficient distribution of the funds. “The National Hajj Commission has shown remarkable prudence and efficiency in ensuring our pilgrims receive their refunds without delay,” Yusuf added. Governor Yusuf highlighted the achievements of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, which was recognized as the best in the country for its role in organizing the 2023 Hajj. “Our Pilgrims Welfare Board has made us proud, and I encourage them to continue their excellent work in future Hajj operations,” he said. READ ALSO: Bauchi, Katsina Governors revamp cabinets to boost governance, service delivery Reflecting on his recent trip to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj, Yusuf explained that part of his mission was to assess ways the state government could further support and enhance future Hajj operations. Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, who led the 2024 Kano Hajj Delegation, commended Governor Yusuf for his steadfast commitment to the welfare of pilgrims. Earlier, Laminu Rabiu Danbaffa, Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, confirmed the refund amount of N375 million, which was facilitated through NAHCON. He said the refund, which will be distributed directly to pilgrims who performed the 2023 Hajj, highlights the commitment of all involved parties to ensuring the welfare of our pilgrims,” Danbaffa said. Governor Yusuf assured attendees that Kano State would continue to prioritise the well-being of its pilgrims and improve future Hajj operations.
