The Nigerian Police Force arrested Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimigado, former chairman of the Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, at his law firm on Zaria Road in Kano on Friday.

Eyewitnesses described the arrest as dramatic, with police arriving in a truckload, fully armed and allegedly threatening to shoot anyone who intervened. Rimigado reportedly asked to see the arrest warrant or reasons for his detention, but the police declined.

A lawyer present at the scene, Ridwan Zakariyya, said police tried to seize his phone and threatened to shoot him. The police team has since left the Bompai Police Headquarters for an unknown destination.

Kano Police Command Spokesman CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa has requested time to verify the arrest details.

The Director of Finance and Administration of the Hadejia–Jama’are River Basin Authority, Hon. Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, has dismissed as futile the call by former Senator Kabiru Marafa for the removal of Dr. Bello Matawalle as Minister of Defence, insisting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fully satisfied with Matawalle’s performance.

Kwankwaso made the remark while addressing journalists at a press briefing in Abuja, describing Marafa’s demand as unfortunate, baseless and driven by personal bitterness, and stressing that it would not influence the President’s decision.

He said it was disturbing that a politician from the same state as the minister, Zamfara, would publicly attack Matawalle despite the minister’s commitment to national service.

“I was truly shocked when I heard the comments of former Senator Kabiru Marafa calling for the removal of the Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, even going as far as fabricating lies and false allegations against him. These statements are clearly driven by confusion and jealousy, and Mr. President will never accept them from enemies hiding behind criticism,” Kwankwaso said.

Hon. Kwankwaso further argued that Marafa lacks the moral standing to speak on security matters, citing a controversial traditional title allegedly linked to criminal elements within Marafa’s immediate circle.

“Besides jealousy and bitterness, Marafa has no justification to speak on security issues. A close relative of his senior brother was said to have been involved in helping to confer a traditional leadership title on the notorious bandit leader, Ado Aliero, in Yandoto. It was during Dr. Bello Matawalle’s tenure as governor that the title was subsequently suspended. So I ask: if he truly has a conscience, does he really have the right to speak on security?” he queried.

Kwankwaso also recalled past political comments credited to Marafa, in which the former senator reportedly vowed to defeat President Tinubu politically, questioning the sincerity of his present demand.

“Not long ago, Marafa openly said he would defeat Tinubu and cause him a one-million-vote loss. Now the same person who once wished the President’s failure is calling on the President to remove someone who is working for the success of his administration. That contradiction exposes the real motive behind these attacks,” he added.

He maintained that President Tinubu’s confidence in Dr. Matawalle remains firm, noting that no amount of pressure, manipulation or political jealousy would force the President to act against his judgment.

In his concluding remarks, Kwankwaso cautioned Northerners against what he described as a growing culture of destructive rivalry and bitterness, where individuals seek the downfall of others simply because they have lost political relevance.

He warned that those currently calling for Matawalle’s removal might be the same people who would later accuse the President of marginalising the North should he appoint someone else from outside the region.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in General Christopher Musa (retd.) as the new Minister of Defence.

Musa, a former Chief of Defence Staff, took the oath of office on Thursday at the State House, Abuja.

Nigerian Tracker News had reported that the Senate on Wednesday confirmed Musa as Minister of Defence following a rigorous five-hour screening.

During the session, the former CDS was grilled over recent security lapses, including the controversial withdrawal of troops from Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, shortly before schoolgirls were abducted on November 17.

He told lawmakers he would “immediately set up a full-scale investigation” into the troop withdrawal once he assumes duty.

Musa also vowed to probe the killing of Brigade Commander Brig-Gen. Musa Uba in Borno State, along with other attacks on senior military officers.

Musa’s nomination followed the resignation of former Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru, reportedly on health grounds.