No fewer than 40 special detective from the Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Egbedokun monitoring team have intensify search for arrest of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa.

The IGP men who were deployed from Abuja to arrest Dawakin-Tofa on the instruction of acting Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje were said to have been lodged at Tahir guest palace in the last two weeks to execute the mandate.

Ganduje had petitioned the IGP over the controversy surrounding his suspension from his Ganduje ward in Dawakin-Tofa local government of the state, accusing the Governor’s Spokesperson who is from his constituency of orchestrating the political downfalls.

Family sources told journalists on Tuesday that the team of detective in plain clothes were noticed mounted surveillance around residence of Dawakin-Tofa on Monday as part of ground move to carry out their assignment.

One of the members of the family who want to remain anonymous because of security reasons lamented that the secret police ransacked the residence for more than 5 times, scaring members of Dawakin-Tofa’s family including the wife and children as well as creating apprehension in the neighborhood.

The IGP special force have mounted dragnet for Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa’s arrest in the last two weeks despite an order of the court restraining the IGP, DSS, CP Kano and other security agencies from arresting and or harrasing the Governor’s spokesperson.

Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu of Kano state high court on Thursday granted an exparte application, preventing further manhunt of Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa pending the hearing and determination of substantive matter on his fundamental rights slated for 22nd January, 2025.

The animosity between Dawakin-Tofa and Ganduje dated nine years ago, specifically in 2015, when Ganduje, as governor-elect, reportedly ordered Dawakin-Tofa’s arrest over his opposition during the gubernatorial election.

In the latest harassment, Ganduje was said to have petitioned the IGP , accusing Dawakin-Tofa of the brain behind his suspension by the APC Ganduje ward executives few months ago.

Consequently, a team of 40 police officers from the IGP Monitoring Unit was reportedly mobilized to Kano with the sole aim of apprehending the governor’s spokesperson.

Efforts to reach the National Police Spokesperson (FPPRO) were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages to his phone went unanswered.

Daily post

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbas, on Monday met with six regional caucus leaders and their secretaries to intensified lobby for the passage of controversial Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

The bills have generated widespread controversy, especially in the Northern part of the country over some contentious clauses believed to be inimical to the development of the region.

The regional caucus leaders are Sada Soli, North West; Mukhtar Betara, North East; Ahmed Wase, North Central; Fredrick Agbedi, South South; James Faleke, South West and; Igariwey Iduma, South East.

At least three members of the House of Representatives confirmed the meeting  on Monday, saying the speaker wanted the controversial bills to be passed for the second reading on Tuesday.

“They want the regional caucus leaders to convince their members to allow the bills to be read on Tuesday. Once the bills are read and passed for second reading, that is the end of the game because they will achieve their aim at the committee level,” said a lawmaker who preferred anonymity.

And the irony is that the chairman of the Finance Committee that will handle the bills is James Faleke, a hardline supporter of President Tinubu and one of the top promoters of the bill at the House.”

The sources further said the speaker is under pressure from the presidency to ensure passage of the bills within a week to enable President Bola Tinubu present the 2025 budget.

“Right now the presidency is at crossroads as the budget is tied to tax increase. This is the reason the presidency is desperate about the passage of the bills before the end of the year,” said another lawmaker.

It was gathered that the speaker is scheduled to meet with Northern governors tonight at the Bauchi Governors’ Lodge, Asokoro Abuja.

Mr Abbas’ spokesman, Musa Krishi, did not reply to inquiry on the matter.

Daily Nigerian

UK-Based Nigerian Scholarship Beneficiary Launches Foundation In Sokoto

A Sokoto state born and now living in the United Kingdom, Anas Muhammad Sani has launched a foundation focusing on Female Child Education tagged “Catch Them Young”; Sponsorship and scholarship.

Anas who says the initiative was because of his decision to give back to the society after he was given 100% scholarship for his Masters degree in the UK by House of Representatives member representing Kebbe/Tambuwal, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki.

“Two years ago, the legislator representing my constituency, Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki [Santurakin Sokoto] sponsored me 100% to study my MSc at the prestigious University of Westminster in the Central London. That was a historic patriotic move that was unprecedented in the region I come from.

Since then, my primary objective has been to find a way to give back to the community that has been electing the selfless leader who shaped my life career to represent them in the Federal House of Representatives.”

At the launching of the foundation, the Anas Dukura Foundation considered 10 girls from the community’s primary school for the “catch them young” sponsorship; they all got new set of uniforms, exercise and text books, and monthly allowance to take care of their other needs to avoid their parents from sending them for hawking.

“In our community right now no single girl in primary 5 and 6 and we have very few in the other classes this is why we picked those in primary 4 and 3, we will provide everything for their studies.
The foundation is also giving scholarship to 9 higher institution students from the community where six will be giving 50% tuition fee with 30,000 scholarship every year.

“All students of tertiary institutions from my community, Dukura [in Kebbe local government of Sokoto state], would be getting a reasonable financial grant annually starting this year.
Students of institutions (not covered by government’s sponsorship) especially nursing and other health—related courses would be assisted with at least 50% tuition.

Aside the western Education the foundation aimed at establishing a weekly special Quranic classes for kids aged 10 years and below under the tutelage of a sponsored professional instructor.