News
Emirship Tussle: Kano Lawmaker, Abdul-Majid Umar Escapes Lynching By Mob At Public Event
A Kano State House of Assembly member, Abdul-Majid Umar has been attacked by a mob during a peace prayer event at Isyaka Rabiu’s residence in Goron Dutse area of the state.
The event, which was meant to promote peace and stability, was attended by the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero on Saturday.
Umar, who represents Gwale local government under the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), was seated next to the deposed Emir during the event.
After leaving the venue, Umar faced intense hostility from those who accused him of supporting a bill responsible for Bayero’s removal from the throne.
The confrontation escalated into violence.
Umar described his experience to BBC HAUSA, stating that after the deposed Emir arrived, his supporters began verbally attacking him and his colleagues.
They blamed Umar for the repeal of the Emirate Council Law 2019, which led to Bayero’s dethronement.
According to Umar, the deposed Emir intervened to protect him from palace guards who attempted to assault him. Bayero physically pushed one guard away and reprimanded another, which helped mitigate the immediate threat.
Despite Bayero’s efforts, Umar felt increasingly unsafe as the only government official present. He decided to leave the event but was subsequently attacked by individuals armed with dangerous weapons. Umar managed to escape by jumping into a police vehicle.
Two of Umar’s supporters were injured during the attack. Umar’s swift departure in the police vehicle was crucial in avoiding further harm.
Khalid Adamu, a media aide to the deposed Emir, denied that the attackers were part of Bayero’s entourage. Adamu asserted that while Bayero had many supporters at the event, none were armed.
The violent incident is part of ongoing strife in Kano following the repeal of the State Emirate Council Law 2019. This law, enacted under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, created four new emirates and significantly changed the traditional emirate structure.
Tensions in Kano have heightened since the repeal, with the deposed Emir Bayero remaining at the Nasarawa Mini Palace, while the reinstated Emir Mohammad Sanusi II occupies the main palace.
The conflict continues to affect the region’s stability.
The First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday, refuted reports that she will be leading a seven-day national prayer for Nigeria.
This followed a report last week that Mrs Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Mrs Nuhu Ribadu, will spearhead a national prayer session to tackle the country’s numerous challenges.
The reports quoted the Director-General of the National Prayer Forum, Segun Afolorunikan, announcing the event in Abuja.
Afolorunikan had said the initiative, coordinated with Christian and Muslim religious leaders, intends to seek divine intervention for the country’s socio-economic and security issues, under the theme ‘Seeking the Intervention of God in Nigeria’s Affairs.’
“Christians will meet at the National Ecumenical Centre for a week of intense prayer, with prayer warriors from various denominations focusing their efforts on the nation’s adversities,” said the convener.
However, the First Lady has denied knowing any such arrangement saying a call for prayer must be done “willingly, conscientiously and correctly.”
Mrs Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Busola Kukoyi, conveyed this in a statement she signed Saturday titled ‘First Lady of Nigeria Oluremi Tinubu, CON refutes organising national prayer.’
It read, “This is to clarify and inform the general public that the First Lady of Nigeria is not organising a national prayer.
“The news making rounds in some conventional and social media platforms is unfounded and misleading.
“Consequently, anyone who might have come across the purported news of the joint National Prayer for Nigeria should disregard it as false.”
Kukoyi said the First Lady, a Christian and strong advocate of prayer and praying for Nigeria, believes that prayer is an act that must be done willingly, conscientiously and correctly.
“She also believes that praying for Nigeria is the responsibility of every Nigerian, irrespective of religious belief, political affiliation, tribe or tongue.
“Members of the public are advised to verify the authenticity of any news or event involving the First Lady of Nigeria or her office through official channels,” the statement concluded.
A building of 25 shops has been gutted by fire in the early hours of Saturday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
According to the state fire service, the incident occurred at Adeta roundabout at about 02.39 hours.
A statement in Ilorin on Saturday by the spokesman of the service, Hassan Adekunle, said the firefighters, upon arrival, found a block of about 25 shops engulfed in flames.
“Thanks to the swift action and bravery of the Kwara State fire service officers, only three shops suffered damage, including a soft drinks and alcohol shop.
“Preliminary investigations indicated that the fire was caused by a power surge,” the statement disclosed.
The Director of the State Fire Service, Prince John Falade Olumuyiwa, expressed sympathy for the affected shop owners, offering prayers for the restoration of their losses.
He also urged the public to prioritize safety and ensure all electrical appliances are unplugged when not in use.
The newly emerged terror group known as Lakurawa, is reportedly offering as much as one million naira to young men in exchange for their allegiance.
This was made known on Saturday by Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert, in a post on his X handle.
Makama disclosed that an impeccable source informed him that Lakurawa, allegedly composed of individuals from Mali, Chad, Libya, Niger, and Burkina Faso, was actively recruiting local youths in Sokoto through substantial financial incentives.
He stated that according to witnesses’ accounts, the financial lure is part of an aggressive recruitment campaign aimed at attracting followers to their cause.
The security expert said that Lakurawa, unlike traditional criminal gangs, reportedly adhere to extremist ideologies linked to the Khawarij sect, similar to the beliefs of Boko Haram.
Makama added: “Local sources suggest that they employ a combination of financial incentives and ideological influence to gain support among vulnerable communities.
“Beyond the recruitment, the Lakurawa reportedly confront and expel bandits and confiscate their cattle in areas under their control.
Watch video below:
https://twitter.com/ZagazOlaMakama/status/1855319733282758848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
First Lady denies leading national prayer
25 Shops destroyed as fire guts building in Ilorin
New terror group Lakurawa offers N1m incentives to recruit Sokoto youths + Video
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