The Historica Nigeria

News

Kano, News, Weekend Digest with The Historica Nigeria

Police Yet to Release Dan’uwa Rano After Petition by Kano Government Official

The popular broadcast journalist, Ibrahim Ishaq, widely known as Dan’uwa Rano, remains in police custody following his arrest on Saturday in Kano metropolis by officers from the Zone 1 Police Command, an arrest reportedly carried out without the presentation of a valid warrant. The detention followed a petition filed by Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, Director-General of Protocol to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who accused the journalist of defamation over reports aired on Dan’uwa Rano TV, an online platform. Sources close to the investigation told reporters that the police have insisted Dan’uwa Rano must produce “Malam Imalu,” a fictional character featured in one of his YouTube programmes titled Letter from Imalu, before any consideration for his release. Related: Kano CSOs Protest, Demand Accountability Over Alleged N6.5bn Fraud Court and investigation documents earlier reviewed and published by Daily Nigerian revealed that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have linked Abdullahi Rogo to the alleged diversion of more than ₦6.5 billion in public funds. The funds were reportedly channelled through companies such as H&M Nigeria Limited, A.Y. Maikifi Petroleum, and Ammas Oil and Gas Limited, using fictitious contracts and currency conversions through bureau de change operators. According to the reports, ₦1.1 billion has already been recovered, while a Federal High Court in Kano ordered the forfeiture of ₦142.2 million linked to Rogo to the ICPC. Read Also: Military Refutes Coup Allegation, Reassures Nigerians of Stability Before his detention, Dan’uwa Rano told journalists that the police accused him of operating without a valid license from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and running an unregistered media company. He described his arrest as an attempt to intimidate the press and suppress free expression in Kano State. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the journalist’s arrest was carried out without due legal procedure, as no warrant was presented at the time of his apprehension. He was taken directly to Zone 1 Police Headquarters for questioning and has since remained in custody under what sources describe as “administrative orders.” Reports indicate that Dan’uwa Rano may remain in detention until at least Monday, when he is expected to be arraigned before a magistrate court in Kano. ‘The Historica Nigeria’s’ repeated attempts to reach Zone 1 Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Bashir, have been unsuccessful, with calls going unreturned as of the latest update.

Kano, News

Police Grill Journalist Dan’uwa Rano Over Petition by Kano Official Rogo

The Nigeria Police, Zone One Headquarters, Kano, have questioned popular broadcast journalist Ibrahim Ishaq, popularly known as Dan’uwa Rano, over allegations of defamation and operating an online television channel without approval from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). Report says that the interrogation followed a petition by the Director-General of Protocol at the Kano State Government House, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, who accused the journalist of defaming him through reports aired on Danuwa Rano TV, an online media platform. The journalist was invited to the Zone One Police Headquarters in Kano on Saturday, where he was grilled over the allegations. Read Also: Northwest University Kano Appoints Professor Aisha Garba Habib as Acting Vice Chancellor The development comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Rogo, who is reportedly under investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged financial irregularities involving contracts worth about ₦6.5 billion. According to an earlier report by Daily Nigerian, the ICPC had recovered over ₦1.1 billion from Rogo as part of its probe into alleged misappropriation of public funds. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is also said to be investigating related transactions linked to fictitious contracts and fund diversions through corporate and personal accounts. However, the Kano State Government has denied the corruption allegations, describing them as politically motivated. In a statement signed by the Governor’s spokesman, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the government said the reports were “a work of fiction aimed at tarnishing the image of government officials.” Meanwhile, journalists and civil society organizations in Kano have condemned the police interrogation of Dan’uwa Rano, describing it as an attempt to intimidate the media and silence critical voices in the state. As of the time of filing this report, neither the police nor the NBC had released an official statement regarding the interrogation or the alleged licensing violations.

National, News

Military Refutes Coup Allegation, Reassures Nigerians of Stability

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Saturday dismissed as “false and malicious” an online report suggesting that the cancellation of activities marking the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary was linked to an alleged attempted military coup. Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, said in a statement from Abuja that the claim was “intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.” According to him, the decision to cancel the Independence Day parade was purely administrative and based on the President’s foreign engagements and the military’s operational priorities. Read Also: Tinubu Returns to Abuja After Attending Aqaba Process Summit in Rome “The decision regarding the cancellation of the 65th Independence Anniversary parade was to allow Mr. President attend a strategic bilateral meeting outside the country and for members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to sustain the momentum in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and banditry,” the statement read. Addressing reports about the arrest of sixteen officers mentioned in the publication, Gusau clarified that the matter was a routine disciplinary process within the military. “The ongoing investigation involving the sixteen officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism is maintained within the ranks,” he explained, adding that “an investigative panel has been duly constituted, and its findings will be made public.” Gusau urged Nigerians to ignore what he described as “falsehoods being circulated by the purveyors of misinformation and enemies of our nation.” “The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains firmly loyal to the Constitution and the Federal Government under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the statement said. He further called on citizens to continue supporting security agencies, emphasizing that “the Federal Government, the legislature, and the judiciary are working closely for the safety, development, and well-being of the nation. Democracy is forever.”

Abuja, National, News

Tinubu Returns to Abuja After Attending Aqaba Process Summit in Rome

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Abuja after participating in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government-level Meeting held in Rome, Italy. The Aqaba Process, launched in 2015 by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, is a global counter-terrorism initiative co-chaired by Jordan and Italy. The Rome session focused on strengthening international and regional cooperation to combat terrorism and violent extremism, with special attention to the security situation in West Africa. According to a statement issued on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the high-level meeting took place on Wednesday, October 15, at the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome. Read Also: Trump’s Adviser Dismisses Allegations of Christian Genocide in Nigeria World leaders present included King Abdullah II of Jordan, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the Presidents of Nigeria, Chad, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Also in attendance were Azouz Nasri, President of Algeria’s Upper House, and delegations from Côte d’Ivoire, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Senegal, and Uzbekistan, as well as special envoys and security experts. The meeting was held behind closed doors. On the sidelines of the event, President Tinubu held bilateral meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Massad Boulos, Senior Adviser to former U.S. President Donald Trump on Arab and African Affairs. He also met with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, where discussions centered on promoting religious harmony in Nigeria and addressing misinformation portraying the country as intolerant of religious diversity. Since its inception in 2015, the Aqaba Process has held 33 sessions across various levels — from Heads of State summits to technical expert meetings — focusing on prevention, coordination, and closing operational gaps in global counter-terrorism efforts.

Lagos, News

FAAN Confirms Saturday Traffic Restriction Around Lagos Airport

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced that there will be a partial restriction of movement around the access road connecting Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Saturday. In a travel advisory issued on Friday, FAAN explained that the restriction will commence early in the morning, with security personnel deployed along the affected routes to manage traffic and ensure public safety. The authority emphasized that flight operations at both terminals will continue as scheduled, assuring passengers that the exercise will not disrupt airport activities. Read Also: Trump’s Adviser Dismisses Allegations of Christian Genocide in Nigeria “During this period, security personnel would be deployed along access roads to direct traffic and ensure safety. This does not in any way disrupt airport operations, as scheduled flights would operate normally. The access roads would be completely opened immediately after the exercise,” the agency stated. FAAN also advised passengers and other airport users to plan their movement ahead of time, as minor traffic delays could occur within the airport vicinity. The agency expressed regret over any inconvenience the temporary restriction may cause and appealed for the public’s understanding and cooperation.

International, National, News

Trump’s Adviser Dismisses Allegations of Christian Genocide in Nigeria

Senior Adviser to former US President Donald Trump on Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, has dismissed allegations of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, describing them as misleading and unfounded. Boulos made the remarks in Abuja on Friday during a visit to President Bola Tinubu at the State House. His comments come amid growing calls from some US lawmakers urging the White House to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” (CPC) over alleged persecution of Christians. Addressing journalists after the meeting, Boulos said terrorism in Nigeria affects all groups regardless of religion or ethnicity. Read Also: A Quiet War on Our Soil: How Aid, Chemicals, and Banditry Are Strangling Northern Nigeria’s Ginger Heartland “Those who know the terrain well know that terrorism has no colour, no religion, and no tribe,” he said. “People of all religions and tribes are dying as a result of terrorist acts. It is very unfortunate.” He added that extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISIS have killed more Muslims than Christians, stressing that victims of terrorism come from diverse backgrounds. “This is not specifically targeted at one group or the other. However, any loss of life is one too many, and we should work together in partnership to put an end to this,” Boulos said. The US envoy acknowledged that Nigeria’s Middle Belt region has experienced deadly clashes between farmers and herders, with many victims being Christians, but noted that it would be inaccurate to describe the situation as religious genocide. “While the clashes are regrettable, they are not acts targeted at any specific religious group,” he stated. Boulos commended Nigeria’s diverse composition, describing the country as a “melting pot” of ethnic and religious identities with an almost even split between Muslims and Christians. “This has never been a serious religious issue and should not be,” he added. He also lauded recent efforts by the Tinubu administration to address insecurity, saying the United States welcomed the steps taken so far and would continue to collaborate with Nigeria in promoting peace and stability.

Education, Gombe, News

Gombe Government Disburses ₦726 Million Scholarships to 12,101 Female Students

The Gombe State Government has launched the disbursement of ₦726 million in scholarships to 12,101 female students across junior and senior secondary schools in the state, under the 2024/2025 academic session. The initiative, implemented through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) — a World Bank–assisted project — aims to boost girls’ access to education, improve learning conditions, and enhance school infrastructure across Gombe State. Speaking during the flag-off ceremony on Friday, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, described the initiative as a milestone in Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to inclusive and quality education. Read Also: Gombe to Partner with Chinese Firm on Teacher Exchange, Vocational Training “Experience has shown that when you care for the girl child, you are also caring for the family, the community, and the nation,” Jatau stated. “This investment in our girls is an investment in the future of Gombe State.” According to him, the state government also disbursed School Improvement Grants (SIG) to 537 public secondary schools across the 11 local government areas to improve infrastructure, safety, and learning standards. The grants were categorized based on school population, with each school receiving between ₦23.1 million and ₦92.4 million. Dr. Jatau commended the World Bank, the AGILE State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), and the Ministry of Education for their efforts in ensuring the success of the project. He urged School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper maintenance of facilities. In her remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Aishatu Umar Maigari, described the programme as a landmark in Governor Yahaya’s educational reforms. She said the initiative reflects the government’s vision of inclusion, equity, and sustainability in the education sector. “Through Your Excellency’s leadership, Gombe has domesticated and successfully implemented the AGILE project to reach thousands of girls while revitalising community participation in school governance,” Maigari said. She also congratulated the scholarship beneficiaries, urging them to remain focused and make the most of the opportunity. The AGILE Project Coordinator, Dr. Amina Haruna Abdul, explained that the scholarship programme was designed to remove financial barriers that prevent girls from completing their secondary education. She said each beneficiary would receive ₦50,000 per academic session, starting with ₦40,000 for school materials and uniforms, and subsequent payments of ₦10,000 for other learning expenses. “This financial support may not cover all costs, but it will significantly ease the burden on parents who are eager to educate their daughters despite economic hardship,” Dr. Abdul stated. According to her, the scheme covers all 11 local government areas, with the first batch of beneficiaries already validated and paid, while the second batch awaits confirmation. The AGILE project, she added, is not only a response to economic hardship but also a long-term strategy to increase school enrollment, improve retention rates, and ensure more girls complete secondary education in Gombe State.

Kano, News

Kano APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas Weds Safiya in a Private Ceremony

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, has tied the knot with Safiya Tofa in a quiet wedding ceremony that took place earlier this week. Report says that the wedding fatiha was conducted discreetly and attended by a small circle of family members and close associates, with no official public announcement made beforehand. PSC Appoints DIG, Elevates Kankarofi to CP, 481 Other Senior Officers The private ceremony, observers say, reflects the Chairman’s preference for modest celebrations despite his political prominence in Kano State.

Kano, News

TISNI, MAAUN Empower Nigerian Youths Through Innovation Challenge

The Tech Innovation and Solution Network Initiative (TISNI), in partnership with Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), has organized a student innovation competition designed to promote creativity, problem-solving, and technological advancement among Nigerian youths. Held at the university campus, the event attracted young innovators from various disciplines who showcased cutting-edge projects addressing real-world challenges. The competition was part of a broader initiative to inspire and nurture innovation-driven solutions for sustainable development. In his remarks, the Founder and President of MAAUN, Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, commended the participants for their creativity and resilience, describing their projects as “a reflection of the limitless potential of Nigerian youth.” He reaffirmed MAAUN’s commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and practical learning to prepare students for global competitiveness. Read Also: PSC Appoints DIG, Elevates Kankarofi to CP, 481 Other Senior Officers Professor Gwarzo also announced additional cash donations to support the winners, beyond the official prizes awarded by TISNI. The first-place winner received ₦500,000 and an extra ₦1 million donation; the second-place winner received ₦300,000 plus ₦500,000; the third-place winner got ₦150,000 plus ₦300,000; while the fourth-place winner received ₦50,000 and an additional ₦200,000. Representing the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Bauran Kano, Alhaji Abbas Dalhatu, reaffirmed the emirate’s support for initiatives that empower young people. He emphasized that such programmes were vital to promoting self-reliance, economic inclusion, and national progress. One of the conveners, Farouk Alkali, encouraged Nigerian youths to embrace technology, innovation, and skill acquisition as tools for self-development and nation-building. He stressed that initiatives like TISNI and MAAUN’s collaboration were essential to equipping the next generation with practical and entrepreneurial skills. The competition concluded with commendations from participants, stakeholders, and invited guests, who lauded the TISNI–MAAUN partnership as a model for youth empowerment and innovation-led growth in Nigeria.

Kano, National, News

PSC Appoints DIG, Elevates Kankarofi to CP, 481 Other Senior Officers

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of Dankwara Mohammed as Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) to represent the North East geopolitical zone. In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, the Head of Press and Public Relations of the PSC, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, said Mohammed was promoted from his previous rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) to replace Mr. Sahabu Yahaya, who had since retired from service. The commission also approved the promotion of Mr. Abibo Reuben from the rank of Commissioner of Police (CP) to Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG). Read Also: FCTA Elevates 49 Deputy Directors After First-Ever CBT Promotion Exam Similarly, 11 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) were promoted to the rank of CP. They include Naziru Kankarofi, Nendel Gomwalk, Tijani Fatai, Wilson Akpan, Morkwap Dongshal, Abdullateef Yusuf, Cletus Nwadiogbu, Ahmed Bello, Abdulraheem Nurudeen, Patrick Daaor, and Umar Hadejia. In addition, 15 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) were elevated to the rank of DCP. The new DCPs are David Ojo, Umaru Bichi, Bala Jarumai, Makanjuola Abiodun, Shafii Abdulkarim, Mohammed Ajose, Mukter Bello, Mada Adamu, Omololu Vaughan, Linus Ogbodo, Emmanuel Ogbuanya, Tijani Gotom, Shehu Ibrahim, Dr. Onwuegbuzie Awele, and Hamza Ali. Furthermore, 44 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) were promoted to ACP, while 412 Superintendents of Police (SPs) were elevated to CSP. The decisions were part of the highlights of the 2nd plenary meeting of the commission, presided over by its chairman, Mr. Hashimu Argungu. Mr. Ani said the PSC Chairman congratulated all the newly promoted officers and urged them to rededicate themselves to diligent and selfless service to the nation.

Scroll to Top