Connect with us

News

El-Rufai’s Shocking Revelations on Arise TV: Arrest Plot, Phone Tapping Claims and Fresh Political Bombshells

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, of ordering his arrest and orchestrating what he described as an attempt to detain him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday.

El-Rufai made the allegation on Friday during an interview on Prime Time on Arise Television, claiming that Ribadu personally directed security operatives to arrest him upon his arrival in Abuja.

The former governor was involved in a heated exchange with security officials at the airport shortly after landing in the country. According to his aide, operatives briefly restrained him and confiscated his international passport before escorting him out of the terminal, as supporters gathered outside chanted in solidarity.

El-Rufai alleged that a telephone conversation involving the NSA was intercepted and that he heard Ribadu instructing officers to detain him.

“The NSA’s call was tapped. They do that to our calls too, and we heard him saying they should arrest me,” he claimed.

He did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation, and as of the time of filing this report, Ribadu had not issued an official response. The NSA has, however, previously denied similar accusations.

Reacting shortly after the interview, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, questioned El-Rufai’s admission that the NSA’s phone conversation was tapped.

Advert

“El-Rufai admitted on national television that someone tapped the phone of the NSA for him to listen to his conversation. When Charles Aniagolu pointed out that this was illegal, he agreed. By the time he is invited to produce the person who illegally tapped the NSA’s phone, he would claim persecution,” Ajayi wrote on Facebook.

El-Rufai further alleged during the interview that Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, NSA Ribadu and the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had conspired against him.

“Let me tell you, Kaduna Governor Uba Sani, the NSA and the ICPC chairman have arranged that I get abducted unfailingly today,” he said.

The allegations come amid heightened political tension between El-Rufai and some figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), following his sustained criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Dadiyata’s Disappearance

During the interview, El-Rufai also addressed the unresolved disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, a social media commentator who was abducted from his Kaduna residence in 2019 and has not been seen since.

He denied any involvement and rejected suggestions that his administration played a role in the activist’s disappearance. According to him, Dadiyata was primarily a critic of political actors in Kano State rather than Kaduna.

“Dadiyata lived in Kaduna, but he was not a critic of Kaduna State. We barely knew he resided in Kaduna until his abduction was reported. He was a critic of the Kano government at the time,” he said, implying that attention should be directed toward political actors in Kano.

Dadiyata’s case remains unresolved despite repeated calls by civil society organisations for a comprehensive investigation.

Kwankwaso and U.S. Legislative Move

El-Rufai also commented on reports of a bill proposed by some United States lawmakers seeking sanctions against former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, over alleged links to terrorism.

He dismissed the move as politically motivated and rejected claims associating Kwankwaso with extremist activities.

El-Rufai argued that if scrutiny were to be applied to political actors over the introduction of Sharia law in northern Nigeria, attention should focus on Zamfara State, where it was first implemented under former governor Ahmad Sani Yerima.

Despite alleging political persecution, the former governor maintained that he remains willing to honour any lawful invitation from security agencies.

“I am ready to appear wherever I am invited, provided it is within the ambit of the law,” he said.

News

Governor Yusuf Sacks Sagagi as Kano Commissioner Of Commerce

Published

on

 

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has relieved Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi of his appointment as Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday.

According to the statement, the former Commissioner is directed to hand over the affairs of the ministry to the Director Commerce with immediate effect.

Advert

Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation for the services rendered by the former commissioner during his tenure.

He acknowledged Sagagi’s contributions to the development of the state, particularly in the areas of politics, religion, small and medium enterprises.

The Governor wished him success in his future endeavours as he reassured the public of his administration’s continued commitment to efficient service delivery and good governance in the state.

This decision is part of the ongoing strategic realighment of government structures for systematic growth and sustainable development.

 

Continue Reading

News

Terrorist Logistics Suppliers Apprehended in Borno

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, have apprehended 18 suspected logistics suppliers allegedly enroute Gubio, with plans to proceed to the Gudumbali axis, a known Boko Haram terrorists, BHTs, enclave.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, have apprehended 18 suspected logistics suppliers allegedly enroute Gubio, with plans to proceed to the Gudumbali axis, a known Boko Haram terrorists, BHTs, enclave.

This is contained in a daily operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday.

Advert

The military said the suspects were intercepted while travelling towards the location to deliver the goods to the terrorists.

According to the report, preliminary investigation revealed that all 18 suspects confessed to engaging in the supply of goods to the terrorist group.

“They admitted that they routinely purchase and convey items to the terrorists.

“Their justification was lack of employment, which points to a deeper socio-economic challenge in Maiduguri and its environs,” the army said.

The development, according to the reportt, validates recent remarks by the Chief of Defence Staff on the link between economic hardship and the sustenance of insurgency logistics networks.

“The arrest highlights the critical role of civilian collaborators in sustaining terrorist operations, particularly in remote areas such as Gubio and Gudumbali,” it added.

The army called for a comprehensive approach combining military operations with economic empowerment and job creation to address the root causes of insurgency in the region.

Continue Reading

News

Kano Gov’t  Offers Study Scholarship to SWAN Members

Published

on

 

By Abdulgafar Oladimeji

Kano state government has  facilitated and supported   members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN Kano chapter  to proceed to pursue professional certification courses  in sports journalism, our correspondent reports .

The Special  Adviser , youths and sports to Kano state governor, Sani Musa Danja, disclosed that the offer covers their tuition fees.

He said ,   the beneficiaries  have been identified and their enrolment process have been completed.

According to him,  through interactions with stakeholders , the decision was reached for  some sports writers, who  are faced with the challenge of acquiring the required professional qualification to practice their trade should be given support to fill the gap.

said, findings have revealed that , for Kano sports writers to compete favorably there exists the urgent need to empower members of the association  to acquire certain requisite qualification to enable them feature amongst the best in Nigeria and beyond.

Danja speaking, when he hosted SWAN members in his  office , located within the premises of Kano state Library Complex, along Ahmadu Bello Way said that  the state government, under Abba Kabir Yusuf ,  on discovering this major   challenge , acted swiftly to address the lapses, by offering  to sponsor 10 SWAN  members to pursue professional diploma in Sports Journalism at El Roi London University.

Advert

In his word  “ we give thanks to almighty Allah for his mercies, I want to thank our mentor and leader, his excellency governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf , who made this possible.

“his excellency takes the issue of empowering our people very seriously, the challenge facing our sports journalists is principally the issue of professional certification, some of our sports journalists have their degrees in other fields, but we are aware that, they also require to obtain certain  minimum qualification in journalism or other related fields to help them to excel .

“in line with the policy of the government of his excellency, we have moved in to make sure , these sons and daughter of Kano overcome  this hinderance that may hinder their professional progress.

“the sports media is the back bone of sports development and sports promotion, our government is focused and committed to  support and reshape the sports media to achieve the set out goal to empower Kano youths through sports.

“the mission  of his excellency through this gesture is   to empower our professional sports journalists and give them the required qualification to continue with their pursuit to upward steadily representation of  Kano state in that sector.

 

Danja hinted that,  Kano state government remains unrepentant  in its  upward investment drive to create a generation  of professionals that  would keep the state afloat on the terrain of quality and abundance human resources.

Reacting, chairman SWAN Kano chapter, comrade Zahradeen Saleh thanked the state government for the support.

He said, the scholarship offer is an major step towards uplifting the practice of sports journalism in the state.

He said the dividends of sports could only  accrue with the effective operations of the sporting press through the training and re-training of sports writers.

He admitted that, acquiring the requisite qualification to practice  sports journalism has been one of the major challenges confronting members of the association.

“ our members  who are the beneficiaries of this offer are  youths, on completion of the professional course, they will have stable professional growth and  would be better equipped to contribute their quota to the development of the state.” Zahradeen said .

 

 

Continue Reading

Trending