In a significant development toward restoring peace in northwestern Nigeria, several notorious bandit leaders operating in Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State have voluntarily surrendered their arms and released multiple kidnapped victims.

The Nigerian Army stated this on its verified Facebook page.

The breakthrough occurred on Saturday, 14 June 2025, under the ongoing arms surrender and disengagement initiative spearheaded by the leadership of Operation Fasan Yamma in collaboration with community leaders, security agencies, and relevant stakeholders.

Prominent among the repentant bandit kingpins are Kamulu Buzaru, Manore, Nagwaggo, Lalbi, Alhaji Sani, Dogo Baidu, Dogo Nahalle, and Abdulkadir Black. These individuals, who had long terrorized communities in the region, publicly renounced banditry and pledged to embrace peaceful coexistence.

As a sign of their commitment, the group released 16 kidnapped persons, including seven women and nine children. According to security sources, the bandits also promised to release the remaining captives in their custody no later than Sunday, 15 June 2025.

The surrendered weapons—whose details were not disclosed—have been secured by military authorities. The freed hostages have since been handed over to the Dan Musa Local Government officials for medical evaluation and reintegration with their families.

Speaking on the development, a military spokesperson praised the efforts of Operation Fasan Yamma, noting that such outcomes highlight the effectiveness of dialogue-based peacebuilding when combined with sustained military pressure.

The security situation in Dan Musa LGA remains calm, with troops maintaining a robust presence and carrying out continuous surveillance to prevent any resurgence of criminal activity.

The Katsina State Government and traditional rulers have also welcomed the development, urging other armed groups still in the bush to follow suit and support the collective pursuit of peace and security across the region.

Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

As the momentum for the 2027 presidential election builds, several permutations have been ongoing within the opposition camp particularly around what viable political platform to adopt and who to field as a flagbearer capable of winning the forthcoming election.

For some observers, Atiku Abubakar currently appears to have the best chance of emerging as the candidate for the opposition taking various political factors into account. The camp’s indecision to present a unified voice thus far is, without a doubt, linked largely to the challenge of choosing acceptable candidates.

Amid these developments, and with speculation circulating on social media that Rotimi Amaechi could emerge as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in 2027, Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa filed the following report.

A public affairs analyst, Dr. Kabir Sa’ed Sufi, remarked that Amaechi’s fearless disposition especially during the 2014 formation of the APC makes him a strong contender for the vice-presidential slot. “Yes, I think if Obi declines and with Okowa automatically out of the equation, Amaechi could be a good VP candidate if Atiku or the opposition considers the South-East/South-South for the slot,” he stated.

The two political analysts Dr Kabir Said Sufi and Nasir Danjuma Yunusa

Dr. Sufi elaborated, “This is due to many reasons, including his consistency as a vocal politician. He has also become one of the few prominent voices of the opposition, particularly since losing the APC ticket to Tinubu.”

He further noted that Amaechi may be able to win over a segment of Buhari’s loyalists due to political alignments observed during the APC’s 2022 primary elections. “He may bring along a section of the Buhari camp to the ticket,” he added.

However, Dr. Kabir acknowledged that Amaechi may face difficulties in Rivers State, especially considering the recent reconciliation between Governor Fubara and former Governor Wike. “With Fubara now aligned with Wike, Rivers State might not be an easy ride for Amaechi,” he warned.

In contrast, seasoned political commentator and analyst, Scientist Nasir Danjuma Yunusa, offered a different view entirely.

“To start with, Atiku Abubakar should take a break from the race at least for now,” he said pointedly. When asked why, he replied, “It’s crystal clear he doesn’t command the affection of his people the way Buhari did. And that’s what he needs to unseat an incumbent government.”

He added, “Besides, this is not the time for the North. Many Nigerians, especially from the South, will likely view another northern candidacy as a selfish political move.”

Scientist Nasir also stressed that the current structure of the ruling APC in the North would make it difficult for Atiku or any other northern candidate to defeat Tinubu.

When asked for a viable alternative, he responded, “The opposition should present a southern candidate who is politically sound enough to withstand the ruling party. Then, all northern elites in the opposition camp must rally behind that candidate. That’s the only way victory can be contemplated.”

He went on to suggest that if a northerner like Atiku is to be fielded, then all southern politicians in the camp must unite behind him. “Given the current hardship experienced by Nigerians, if the opposition fields Atiku or another northern candidate, pairing him with Amaechi could be a strategic move assuming there’s no strong southern presidential aspirant in play.”

Mr. Nasir concluded by proposing potential combinations that could boost the opposition’s chances: “A ticket of Amaechi/Kwankwaso or Obi/Kwankwaso would be formidable heading into 2027. With either Amaechi or Obi as presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as running mate, the opposition could find a smoother path to Aso Rock.”

When asked whether Kwankwaso’s supporters the famed “red cap disciples” would support such a coalition, he said, “The truth is that Kwankwaso remains a local politician whose influence is strongest in Kano. While he has northern clout, it doesn’t match the national appeal of Obi or Amaechi.”

From the various perspectives offered by political analysts, one thing becomes clear: the 2027 general election may require nothing short of a political revolution for the opposition to triumph. And any follower of these opposition leaders must be prepared for just that.

The Inspector General of Police IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has ordered it’s monitory unit to produce Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa at the force headquarters over alleged criminal defamation as a result of Ganduje’s suspension.

You may recall that in 2024, the APC exco of Ganduje ward suspended the party’s national chairman from being a member over what they described as anti-party activities and lack of payment of the party dues.

This decision was alleged to be mastermineded by the Kano Governor’s spokesperson Mr. Sanusi Bature, who happened be from the same locality.

In a letter dated 23rd May, 2025 with file no. CR/3000/IGP-SEC/MU/ADM/14/ABJ/VOL 118/57, addressed to Secretary to the State Government, Kano state, the IGP demanded the release of Dawakin-Tofa to appear before one SP Mojirode B. Obisiji on Thursday 29th May, 2025.

According to invitation letter signed head, IGP Monitery Unit, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Akin Fakorede, addressed to SSG, “the police is investigating a case of Criminal Defamation of Characters, Intentional Insult, Impersonation and Conduct Likely to Cause Breach of Peace, reported to the IGP in which the above mentioned appointee attached to the office of the Executive Governor of Kano state as Chief Press Secretary featured prominently.

“In view of the above, you are requested to release the said Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa to report for an interview with the undersigned, through SP. Mojirode B. Obisiji on Thursday 29th May, 2025 by 1200hrs at the first floor Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja, to shed more light on the allegation raised”. DCP Akin Fakorede.

Recalled that the IGP, in December, 2024 issued similar order with the deployment of operatives of the IGP’s monitoring unit to arrest the Governor’s spokesperson and produce him to the force intelligence headquarters, Abuja.

It was gathered that the police is being intensifying the arrest of Dawakin-Tofa for allegedly involved in the suspension of National Chairman, of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje by Ganduje ward Exco in 2024.

The controversy erupted after Ganduje alleged a conspiracy spearheaded by Dawakin-Tofa, who hails from the same local government as Ganduje, and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)-led Kano State Government, where the APC chairman alleged Dawakin-Tofa was behind his suspension, a move he described as an attempt to cripple his political influence.

The animosity between Dawakin-Tofa and Ganduje dates back nine years to 2015 when Ganduje, as governor-elect, reportedly ordered Dawakin-Tofa’s arrest over his opposition during that year’s gubernatorial election.

Subsequently, a High Court granted a restraining order against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), DSS, and other security agencies from arresting Dawakin-Tofa, the spokesperson of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The interim injunction, granted on 12th December 2024, shields Dawakin-Tofa from “harassment, detention, and intimidation” by the IGP, DSS, and other security agencies.

The order was also extended to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 1, Commissioner of Police Kano, SP Mojirade Obisiji, DCP Akin Fakorede, Nigerian Civil Defence and Security Corps, and others.

According to suit No. K/M2500/2024, the order of the Court prohibits any action that could infringe upon Dawakin-Tofa’s fundamental rights to liberty, dignity, and freedom of movement.

The court also directed that all legal documents be served to the respondents, including the APC and senior police officers, through special bailiffs.

Later, the Kano State High Court dismissed Dawakin Tofa’s case against the APC Ag. National Chairman and the Inspector General of Police.

Dawakin Tofa’s lawyer Barr. HM Muhammad had already appealled the judgement at Kano division of the appeal court in May, 2025.

The Governor’s spokesperson was a key opposition figure from Ganduje’s home town who contributed immensely for Ganduje’s Abba to lose House of Reps seat for APC in 2023 elections.

Sanusi Bature is believed to be taking the fight too personal as a revenge to Ganduje as his first victim in 2015 when the latter ordered the arrest of the former.

“Dawakin Tofa was the first victim of Ganduje because in 2015, the police arrested him on the orders of Ganduje, a position that made him a stip opposition figure”

The battle between NNPP and APC in Kano ahead of 2027 is centred around the local politics at Ganduje’s hometown who is determined to place his son “Abba Ganduje” and the Kano emirate tussel between the 14th and 15th Emirs of Kano with both Abdullahi Ganduje and Sanusi Bature deeply involved trying to over power one another for the benefit of their respective camps of Gandujiyya and Kwankwasiyya.