Category: Daily Trust

A 43-year-old woman, Taiwo Akinosho, was docked in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting her three-year-old grandchild and inflicting multiple injuries on the minor.

The defendant, a cleaner, who resides in Ipaja area of Lagos, is charged with child battery.

She pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution counsel , ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji, told the court that the offence was committed in April 2026.

Ademigbuji said the victim, who lives with her grandmother, was accused of being a witch.

He alleged that the child was starved for days and subjected to repeated beatings.

According to him, the victim sustained several scars and bruises and is currently hospitalised.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Chief Magistrate Omolara Kushanu admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case until May 27 for mention.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has stated that Nigerians consumed 1,533,000,000 (billion) of Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS) in the month of April.

A spreadsheet released by the regulator on Tuesday said the figure showed an average of 51.1 million litres of the product was consumed daily.

It added that a total of 1,332,000,000 (billion) litres of PMS was supplied into the market during the month with Dangote Refinery supplying 1,221,000,000 (billion) litres of the product while independent marketers imported 111,000,000 (million) litres of the product.

The report said this represented an average of 40.7m litres daily by Dangote and 3.7m litres daily by importers.

It added that Dangote Refinery produced 53.6m litres of PMS daily but supplied 40.7m litres to the domestic markets and exported 17.1m litres daily.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday nabbed the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, over alleged money laundering offences.

It was learnt that the ECN DG was arrested after he failed to honour two different invitations extended to him regarding an ongoing investigation being carried out by the anti-graft agency.

An impeccable source, who craved anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, revealed that Abdullahi was arrested in Abuja and is currently in the custody of the commission.

Daily Trust reports that President Bola Tinubu had on October 24, 2023 appointed Abdullahi as Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria following the exit of his predecessor.

The highly-placed source explained that the alleged fraudulent activities involves funds estimated at N500bn, adding that a warrant of arrest was obtained before his arrest and he’s being kept in the custody lawfully.

‘Yes, we have arrested him (the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi), for alleged money laundering offences.

‘Operatives of the commission went after him after he didn’t honour invitation extended to him and is currently in our custody. The money is to the tune of about N500bn,’ the source told Daily Trust.

The spokesman of the agency, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for official comment or confirmation as at when filing this report. Calls to his mobile phone were unsuccessful.

The consensus arrangement being adopted in the All Progressives Congress (APC) is helping to reduce tension and prevent conflict ahead of the general elections, according to Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin.

Fielding questions from newsmen when he returned to Abuja from Kano, where he emerged as the consensus candidate of the ruling party for Kano North Senatorial District, Barau said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves credit for the arrangement.

He described the development as evidence of President Tinubu’s commitment to internal democracy and party cohesion.

‘The credit goes to Mr President, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leader of the APC, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.’

‘Consensus is based on the premise of encouraging party unity and creating a good atmosphere for the emergence of candidates so that by the time we go into the general elections, there will not be much problem,’ he said.

The Deputy Senate President said President Tinubu’s political experience at the grassroots level has played a key role in stabilising the party and ensuring smooth primaries.

‘This is the first time we are having a president who started as a grassroots politician and rose to become President of this country. He understands the dynamics of politics and has been guiding us to remain united at all times,’ he stated.

Barau also said governors and other party leaders were aligning with the President’s vision of reconciliation and unity within the APC.

He noted that many states were already embracing the consensus arrangement, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening the ruling party.

‘Mr President is doing a wonderful job in ensuring unity within the party. Even his lieutenants are also working hard in resolving issues among party members, especially the Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, who has been playing a key role in promoting understanding and harmony in our party,’ he said.

According to him, the peaceful conduct of the primaries would ultimately position the APC for electoral success in the forthcoming general elections.

‘It is going to be good for the party because it will remove issues before the general elections among party members. By the grace of God, it will produce the best result ever for the APC in all the elections next year ‘ he added.

A 28-year-old woman, Firdausi Musa, and her two young children sustained severe burns after her co-wife, Maryam Muhammad, allegedly doused them with petrol and set them ablaze in the Hotoro area of Kano metropolis.

The incident, which occurred late Monday night at Mai Allo area of Hotoro quarters, has thrown residents into shock, with the suspect currently in police custody at the Mariri Police Division.

The victims, identified as Khadija Ya’u, 7, and Ismail Ya’u, 3, are receiving treatment alongside their mother at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, and Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, respectively.

Their father, Malam Saminu, who reportedly sustained burns while trying to rescue them from the fire, is also undergoing treatment.

Speaking to Daily Trust, a younger brother to Firdausi, Buhari Musa Sa’ad, said the family received a distress call around 3am informing them that his sister, her husband and the two children had been set ablaze by her co-wife.

According to him, Firdausi had not spent up to two weeks in the matrimonial home before the incident happened.

‘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,’ he added.

A relative of the victim, Rukayya, also told Daily Trust that Firdausi had earlier complained of threats and intimidation from the co-wife before the attack.

‘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 disclosed that the victim had to leave the house earlier that day because of repeated threats, but later returned after intervention by her husband.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Kano State Police Command were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in a report released on Tuesday, said that 1,347 Nigerians died in the first quarter of 2026 from 2,720 road crashes.

It said the figure represented a decrease of 0.40% compared to the 2,731 crashes recorded in Q4 2025, and an increase of 2.64% relative to the 2,650 crashes recorded in the corresponding period of 2025 (Q1 2025).

‘Disaggregation by severity shows that serious crashes accounted for the highest proportion with 1,761 cases, followed by fatal crashes with 714 cases, while minor crashes recorded the least with 245 cases.’

Analysis based on fatalities by gender indicates that males accounted for the majority of deaths with a total of 1,076 males killed, representing 79.88% of total fatalities, while 271 females were killed, accounting for 20.12%.

‘During the period under review, 6,547 males were injured, accounting for 76.35% of the total injured persons, while 2,028 females were injured, representing 23.65%. The number of vehicles involved in road traffic crashes stood at 4,078 in Q1 2026, indicating an increase of 0.47% compared to the 4,059 vehicles recorded in Q4 2025,’ the report said.

In terms of zonal distribution, it stated that the North-Central recorded the highest number of crashes, with 752 cases, followed by the South-West with 699 cases, while the South-South recorded the fewest, with 137 cases.

‘With respect to casualties, the North-West zone recorded the highest number with 2,675 casualties, followed by the North-Central with 2,544 casualties, while the South-South recorded the least with 402 cases,’ it added.

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested four suspects who allegedly specialize in robbing churches, solar equipment shops and electronics stores.

The suspects, Ajeh Zephaniah (28), Anthony Okoro (32), Arinze Ezisi, and Chinonso Valentine, were arrested following investigations into armed robbery and burglary incidents in Warri and its environs.

Police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the suspects belong to a notorious gang that targets solar and electronic shops as well as churches.

He said the gang recently invaded a solar shop, tied up a sales representative, and carted away solar batteries, inverters, phones, and other items valued at about N15 million.

According to him, on April 26, 2026, the victim identified two of the suspects in the Osubi area of Asaba, leading to their arrest by police operatives.

Edafe added that the suspects confessed to the crimes and also named fleeing gang members, Elvis and Ochuko, as well as Arinze Ezisi and Chinonso Valentine, who allegedly served as receivers of stolen goods.

Items recovered from the suspects include solar batteries, inverters, charge controllers, solar panels, televisions, electrical wires, cameras, and church musical equipment.

He said the gang was also responsible for several church robberies in Warri and Osubi, where equipment worth about N8 million was stolen.

The unfolding crisis within the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has laid bare troubling fault lines that go beyond mere administrative disagreements. What is playing out is a contest that raises fundamental questions about leadership, accountability and, more importantly, commitment to the collective interest of Northern Nigeria.

From the various accounts in the public domain, the dispute has assumed multiple dimensions, ranging from allegations and counter-allegations involving the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Executive Committee (NEC), to sharp divisions over authority, finances and institutional control. While the personalities involved have dominated headlines, the deeper concern lies in what this crisis reveals about the direction of the forum itself.

It is increasingly evident that some actors within the forum have been perceived as aligning more closely with government interests than with the broader aspirations of the region they are meant to serve. Whether this perception is entirely accurate or not, it is damaging in itself. The ACF was conceived as a non-partisan platform to articulate and defend the interests of the North. Any suggestion that its leadership is drifting from this mandate undermines its credibility and weakens its moral authority.

More troubling, however, is the unmistakable role of ego and personal ambition in fuelling the crisis. Leadership disputes are not uncommon in organisations, but when they are driven by personal aggrandisement rather than principled differences, they become destructive. The current situation suggests that individual interests may be taking precedence over collective goals, a development that should concern all stakeholders in the region.

Although tensions within the forum have reportedly been simmering for years, the crisis appears to have escalated significantly following the ACF’s 25th anniversary in November 2025, during which nearly N4 billion was raised. What should have been a moment of celebration and renewed commitment to the region’s development has instead become a flashpoint for discord. At the heart of the matter are questions surrounding financial control, transparency and accountability, as well as the apparent overlap or dilution of roles between the BoT and the NEC.

These are not trivial issues. Financial accountability is the backbone of any credible institution, and clarity of roles is essential for effective governance. However, the manner in which these concerns are being handled, through public recriminations and institutional brinkmanship does little to inspire confidence. Rather, it paints a picture of an organisation struggling to manage its internal affairs.

This is not what the North expects from its leaders, or from a forum that was established to serve as a rallying point for the region. Those entrusted with leadership positions in the ACF must recognise that they are custodians of a legacy and a responsibility that transcends personal considerations. Their actions should reflect a commitment to unity, integrity and the advancement of the region’s interests.

Equally concerning is the timing of this crisis. With the country gradually inching towards another election cycle, the North faces significant political, economic and security challenges that require coherent and unified leadership. At such a critical juncture, the region can ill afford a fractured voice. The spectacle of internal discord within the ACF is not only unfortunate; it is embarrassing.

The onset of political activities ahead of the next general elections makes it even more imperative for Northern leaders to close ranks and provide clear direction. The region looks up to platforms like the ACF for guidance, consensus-building and advocacy. When such a platform is consumed by internal conflict, it leaves a vacuum that could be exploited by divisive interests.

Daily Trust wants to stress that this intervention is not about apportioning blame or determining who is right or wrong in the ongoing dispute. Rather, it is a call for reflection and restraint. Regardless of the merits of individual positions, the current trajectory is unsustainable and detrimental to the collective good.

It is, therefore, our considered position that the leaders of the ACF must refocus their energies on making lasting impacts in the North. Issues such as insecurity, poverty, education and economic development demand urgent attention. These are the concerns that should dominate the forum’s agenda, not internal power struggles.

There is also a need for institutional reform within the forum. Clear delineation of roles between the BoT and the NEC, robust financial oversight mechanisms and adherence to established procedures are essential to preventing future crises. Transparency and accountability must not only be practised but seen to be practised.

Above all, Northern leaders must resist the temptation to allow personal egos to derail a collective project that holds significant importance for the region. The founding goals and objectives of the ACF were rooted in the desire to promote unity, foster development and provide a strong, independent voice for the North. These ideals must not be sacrificed on the altar of personal ambition.

The current crisis should serve as a wake-up call. It is an opportunity for introspection and course correction. The ACF can still reclaim its position as a respected and influential platform, but this will require humility, dialogue and a genuine commitment to the common good.

The North, and indeed the nation, is watching.

Bandits on Monday evening attacked the Yankamaye community in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State, killing five people and injuring four others.

Residents said the attackers, numbering over 30, stormed the area around 6pm on motorcycles.

They reportedly crossed from neighbouring Rimaye community in Katsina State, shooting sporadically as they advanced.

The former vice chairman of Tsanyawa Local Government Council, Ado Haladu Yankamaye, confirmed to Daily Trust that the victims, all men, were buried Tuesday morning in accordance with Islamic rites.

‘All those killed were men, some with as many as 10 children. Only one of them was a youth who was not yet married. The attackers stormed the town on motorcycles, divided themselves into different corners, and shot sporadically.

‘It was God that saved us. Most of the victims were killed while trying to run away. They didn’t kidnap anyone. Security personnel are still moving into the town, but people remain apprehensive. Many did not sleep there last night due to fear,’ he said.

The former vice chairman added that this was the second time the bandits had attacked the area.

He recalled that during an earlier attack five months ago, they kidnapped four women and killed one person.

He lamented that the community did not get immediate security intervention because of its distance from the local government headquarters.

He called on the state government to provide adequate security to the area, noting that most of the bandits cross from neighbouring Katsina State.

Another resident, who preferred not to be named, told Daily Trust that the assailants rode on about 12 motorcycles, each carrying three men.

‘They crossed from Rimaye in Katsina and started shooting in the town before they were eventually overpowered. People have gradually started returning to their homes after fleeing yesterday,’ he said.

Yankamaye, a border community between Kano and Katsina, has suffered repeated bandit attacks, especially last year.

The Kano police public relations officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed the attack, adding that teams of Policemen and Joint Task Force (JTF) have been deployed to the area for the arrest of the culprits.

The attack is coming less than a week after bandits, also suspected to have crossed from Katsina, killed one and rustled over 300 cattle in Mainika village of Gwarzo, another Katsina neighbouring LGA in Kano State.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Yobe State has denied allegations that leaders of the Atiku Abubakar camp within the party have aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party described the allegation as false and misleading, accusing one Mr. Jawa of attempting to create confusion within the opposition party in the state.

In a statement signed by the Yobe State Chairman of the party, Umar Kalli Alhaji, the ADC said the publication credited to Jawa did not reflect the position of the party leadership.

The party leadership also questioned Jawa’s credibility and political loyalty, alleging that his past political activities had raised concerns among party members.

According to the statement, Jawa’s appointment as Special Assistant to Governor Mai Mala Buni while maintaining ties with the ADC created suspicion among stakeholders over what it described as ‘divided loyalty.’

The party further alleged that during his tenure as chairman of the MMRR Committee, stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, particularly over what it described as low membership registration across the state.

The statement also accused him of maintaining close ties with the ‘Obedient Movement,’ a development it claimed contributed to his rejection during the party’s last state congress where he contested for the position of state chairman.

‘The outcome of that congress reflected the collective will of party members who had lost confidence in his leadership ambitions,’ the statement said.

ADC maintained that the party in Yobe State remained united and committed to democratic opposition and credible leadership.

‘At no time has the leadership aligned with the APC as falsely alleged,’ the statement added.

The party urged members of the public and party supporters to disregard the publication, describing it as false, malicious and intended to create division within the party.