Author: Bala Muhammad

THE Police have filed cybercrime charges against Kano-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Adam Zubair Adam, popularly known as Baffa Hotoro, over alleged criminal defamation, criminal intimidation and related offences involving prominent Islamic scholars Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi and Sheikh Mannir Adam Koza. The six-count charge was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja and signed by prosecuting counsels M.K. Yahaya, R.N. Maigoro and A.I. Aminu of the Directorate of Legal Services, Police Force Headquarters, Abuja. According to court filings obtained by this newspaper, the charges are offences contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 as…

THE Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has disclosed that foreign nationals apprehended for illegal mining activities and suspected to be linked to terrorism have been handed over to the Office of the National Security Adviser for further investigation. News Point Nigeria reports that Alake made the revelation on Friday while fielding questions from Channels Television at an event in Abuja on claims by some US lawmakers linking illegal Chinese mining to terrorism funding in Nigeria. Though he did not specify the number of foreign nationals handed over to the office of the NSA, Alake further disclosed that over…

THE Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum has dismissed the purported suspension of its chairman, Bashir Dalhatu, describing the action as illegal, reckless and a violation of the forum’s constitution. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Sunday, the BoT accused what it described as a “tiny, disgruntled minority” within the forum of convening an illegitimate meeting on May 6, 2026, during which what it called unfounded allegations were levelled against Dalhatu. The trustees maintained that the National Executive Council of the forum lacked the constitutional authority to appoint, suspend or remove members of the Board…

THE Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has defended the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing them as “difficult but necessary” measures aimed at preventing economic collapse and repositioning the country for sustainable growth. News Point Nigeria reports that Dare spoke on Saturday at a Northern Stakeholders Town Hall engagement held in Kaduna and organised by supporters of President Tinubu under the umbrella of the Tinubu Door-to-Door Movement. The event drew participants from across the region, many of whom expressed support for the president’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general…

VICE President Kashim Shettima has said that Nigeria is now on the right track as the economic reforms of the Bola Tinubu administration are now yielding positive returns for the country. News Point Nigeria reports that the Shettima made the submission at the Nasarawa Economic Summit 2026, where he spoke as a special guest of honour. According to him, the bold economic reforms of Tinubu have resulted in improved investors’ trust in the country’s economy. He also listed some of the reforms implemented by the current administration, including the removal of the fuel subsidy. VP Shettima speaking at the Nasarawa…

THE Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday ordered the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to pay N100 million in damages to two officials of the Department of State Services over what the court described as a defamatory publication on X. News Point Nigeria reports that delivering judgment in suit number FCT/HC/CV/4547/24, Justice Yusuf Halilu held that the claimants, DSS officials Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, successfully established that SERAP’s publication on its official X handle was defamatory. SERAP had, in a series of posts published on September 9, 2024, alleged that operatives of the State…

SUSPECTED bandits have abducted eight persons in Garin Idi village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, with some of the victims reportedly related to the state’s deputy governor. Local sources told News Point Nigeria that the attackers, who arrived on eight motorcycles, stormed the village around 1:00am on Thursday, firing sporadically and forcing terrified residents to flee into nearby bushes and other safe locations. Residents said the armed men operated freely in the community for about two hours without any security response. “I have never heard gunshots as intense as what we experienced yesterday. Now, we only fear…

BANDITS have launched a deadly attack on Garin Faji village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing a father and his eight-year-old daughter during the raid. News Point Nigeria reports that no fewer than 17 persons were abducted, while about 50 cows were rustled during the attack. Local sources told Daily Trust that the assailants invaded the village in large numbers on foot, reportedly abandoning their motorcycles at a distance to avoid attracting attention through engine noise. A resident of the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the attackers began shooting sporadically…

THE Kano Alliance for Democracy and Development has praised Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his strong commitment to democracy and good governance. The group, whose motive is forging unity and cohesion inorder to advance development in Kano, a historic center of trade, politics, and scholarship. They say Kano is greater than any one person, and recent events prove this truth. “Kano is greater than any individual,” said Comrade Mahmud Aliyu, Coordinator of the Kano Alliance for Democracy and Development. “We appreciate how Gov Abba has proven to be a true democrat by selecting his deputy governor through an open and…

A KADUNA State High Court has provided detailed reasons for denying the bail application of former governor Nasir el-Rufai, following the release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of its ruling delivered on April 21. News Point Nigeria reports that the presiding judge, Darius Khobo, held that it was in the interest of justice for el-Rufai to remain in custody to ensure his availability for trial. El-Rufai had been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged conferment of benefit under false pretences and dishonest disposal of loan funds.…

TROOPS of the Nigerian Army have rescued 31 civilians abducted during an Easter church service in Ariko Village, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The rescue followed a distress call reporting that terrorists had invaded an ECWA Church in the community and abducted worshippers during the service. In a statement posted on its X handle on Sunday seen by News Point Nigeria, the Army said that upon receiving the information, troops swiftly mobilised to the scene and, with the support and guidance of members of the Ariko community, advanced in pursuit of the fleeing attackers. The Army said the…

THE Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Olatunji Disu, has directed officers captured in a viral stop-and-search video in Lagos to report to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja for disciplinary proceedings. The Force Media Officer, CSP Aliyu Giwa, disclosed this in a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, @aleeygiwa, sighted by News Point Nigeria on Sunday. According to him, the officers involved in the incident at Satellite Town area of Lagos, have been directed to appear on Wednesday to face disciplinary action. The move follows widespread public outrage over a viral video showing police officers allegedly harassing civilians…

A FRESH political development is unfolding in Kaduna State as former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Isa Mohammed Ashiru, has announced plans to formally join the African Democratic Congress (ADC). News Point Nigeria reports that Ashiru revealed that his official registration with the ADC will take place on Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Kudan Ward, located within Kudan Local Government Area of the state. In a statement shared via his social media platform, the former PDP flagbearer confirmed the timing and venue of the event, describing the move as a significant step in his political journey. “I,…

NO fewer than 800 Nigerian deportees have been received from the Republic of Niger at the Jibia-Magama border in Katsina State by security agencies. This was contained in an operational report made available to News Point Nigeria on Sunday. According to the report, the deportees, comprising men, women, and children, arrived at about 9:30 am in eight buses. It added that the returnees are currently undergoing profiling by officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, the police, and other intelligence agencies. The report stated that the exercise is aimed at ensuring proper documentation and security screening of the…

THE Police command in Jigawa has concluded arrangements for physical and credentials screening of applicants seeking recruitment from the state. The command’s spokesperson, SP Shiisu Lawan, disclosed this in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria in Dutse. Lawan said the screening would hold from March 9 to April 18 at the Police State Headquarters, Dutse. He advised applicants to visit the recruitment portal to check their status and print required documents for presentation at the screening venue. Applicants are expected to appear strictly on the date stated on their invitation slips. “The Jigawa State Police Command informs applicants that…

JUSTICE James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted Abba Kyari, a suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, of a 23-count charge bordering on the alleged non-declaration of assets filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). News Pont Nigeria reports that Kyari was charged alongside his two brothers, who were accused of swearing to false affidavits in an alleged attempt to conceal the origin of some properties. In his judgement, Justice Omotosho held that the NDLEA failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the allegations against the defendants, particularly regarding the alleged…

THE New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has disowned a former Governor of Kano State and ex-presidential candidate of the party, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over his comment that he took Governor Abba Yusuf to some Supreme Court judges in 2019. News Point Nigeria reports that the party insisted that Kwankwaso was not a member of the NNPP in 2019 when the alleged incident involving Supreme Court judges reportedly occurred. The clarification was made at the weekend by the national leadership of the party, which distanced itself from the allegations linked to Kwankwaso and urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to…

THE National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, says the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) is no match for the ruling party. Yilwatda spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday monitored by News Point Nigeria, downplaying the electoral value of some opposition coalition leaders like the ADC National Chairman and ex-Senate President, David Mark. He expressed confidence that the ruling party is a party to beat, citing some factors that have been attracting opposition governors into the APC fold. “We have never asked anybody, we have never appealed to any civil servant. Nobody has forced…

POPULAR Islamic cleric in Zaria, Kaduna State, Sheikh Usman Idris Kusfa, popularly known as “Rigi-Rigi,” has died at the age of 57. A senior disciple of the cleric, Nasiruddeen Umar, also known as Baharu, disclosed this to the News Point Nigeria on Monday in Zaria. Umar said that Sheikh Kusfa died in the early hours of Monday at a private hospital in Kaduna after battling an illness for a few months. He said the cleric is survived by four wives, 37 children, and many grandchildren. He added that Janazah (funeral prayer) would be held on Monday after the Asr prayer…

NASARAWA State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has said governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are not overly concerned about the ongoing impeachment process involving Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, describing it as a matter already before the courts. Sule made the remarks while appearing as a guest on Thursday’s edition of Politics Today, a current affairs programme aired on Channels Television, monitored by News Point Nigeria. Responding to questions on whether APC governors were worried that one of their colleagues might be impeached and whether any steps were being taken to avert such an outcome, the…