Former federal lawmaker Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada has publicly disassociated himself from a political group linked to Senator Barau Jibrin, which reportedly convened a meeting to endorse Kano State’s new Deputy Governor.

Sharada, who represented Kano Municipal in the House of Representatives between 2019 and 2023, issued the clarification on his verified Facebook page. In the statement, he emphasized that he has no affiliation with the group and no involvement in the planned gathering.

The Facebook post

“I would like to take this opportunity to distance myself from a gathering that is said to be organized on, Tuesday, by the Abba, Barau, and Sha’aban Sharada group. They plan to declare their position regarding the current situation of endorsing new Deputy Governor of Kano under the leadership of Hon. Iliyasu Koki, which has already been published in the media,” Sharada wrote.

He further stressed that he was unaware of the group’s formation and had no hand in organizing the meeting, adding that he did not even know its purpose.

The former lawmaker with prays for peace and well-being of Kano State:

“May Allah grant us health and peaceful living. Ameen, summa ameen.”

Sharada’s statement comes due to heightened political activity in Kano following the resignation of the former Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam , with various factions and interest groups positioning themselves on the matter.

His distancing showcases the fluid alliances and tensions within Kano’s political landscape, particularly among figures associated with Senator Barau Jibrin.

Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and representative of Bichi Federal Constituency, has donated ₦100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Naira) to the family of his late colleague, Hon. Barrister Muhammad Hassan.

The condolence visit, led by Hon. Bichi and members of the Appropriations Committee, was held in Abuja following the passing of Hon. Hassan last Friday night at the age of 62. The late lawmaker, who represented Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano State, succumbed after a prolonged illness. His death has drawn widespread mourning from fellow legislators, political associates, and constituents who hailed him as a dedicated public servant committed to the welfare of his people.

During the visit, prayers were offered for the repose of his soul, with colleagues asking Allah (SWT) to forgive his shortcomings, show him mercy, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus. The atmosphere was deeply emotional as lawmakers reflected on his contributions to governance and his enduring legacy.

Hon. Bichi’s donation of ₦100 million was described as a significant show of compassion, underscoring the bond among members of the House of Representatives and their commitment to supporting one another in times of grief. The gesture is expected to provide relief to the bereaved family as they navigate this difficult period.

The late Hon. Hassan is survived by three wives and 18 children, leaving behind a large family and a legacy of service. As condolences continue to pour in, prayers have been extended for strength and comfort to his family, colleagues, and the people of Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu is currently holding a security meeting with service chiefs, intelligence heads, and the Inspector-General of Police at the State House, Abuja.

The meeting, which began at about 2:00 pm on Monday, is the first item on the President’s agenda since his return to Abuja from Bayelsa State on Friday.

The emergency session comes amid heightened security concerns following the United States’ authorisation of non-emergency embassy staff to leave Abuja and a controversial military airstrike in Borno State that killed over 100 civilians.

Those in attendance at the ongoing meeting include the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Staff, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, is also attending the closed-door session at the Presidential Villa.

On April 8, 2026, the US State Department authorised the voluntary departure of non-emergency government employees and family members from the US Embassy in Abuja, citing a “deteriorating security situation.”

The decision placed 23 of Nigeria’s 36 states under a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” designation, the highest risk category, adding Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba to the list.

The US highlighted threats from Islamist insurgents in the Northeast, criminal gangs in the Northwest, and ongoing violence in parts of southern and southeastern Nigeria, including oil-producing regions.

The embassy said visa appointments in Abuja had been suspended, though the Lagos consulate continues to provide routine and emergency services.

The Federal Government said the travel alert was guided by US internal protocols and did not reflect the overall security situation across Nigeria.

“While we acknowledge isolated security challenges in some areas, there is no general breakdown of law and order, and the vast majority of the country remains stable,” Minister Mohammed Idris stated.

The security meeting also comes hours after a Nigerian Air Force strike targeting Boko Haram terrorists hit Jilli Market along the Borno-Yobe border on Saturday, April 11, 2026, killing over 100 civilians, including children, and injuring many others.

Amnesty International cited survivors as saying at least 100 people were killed in the airstrike, with some reports putting the death toll as high as 200.

The Air Force acknowledged conducting “precision mop-up airstrikes on identified terrorist locations” in the Jilli axis of Borno State but made no reference to hitting a civilian market.

However, the Presidency defended the operation.

Speaking with Bloomberg earlier on Monday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said, “The market was a legitimate military target because it has been turned into a logistics and trading hub by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.”

Amnesty International condemned the strike, calling for an independent investigation and describing it as evidence of “the Nigerian military’s shocking disregard for the lives of those it supposedly exists to protect.”

Military air raids have killed at least 500 civilians since 2017, according to multiple reports, with failures in intelligence gathering and coordination between ground forces and air assets cited as contributing factors.

Nigeria is battling multiple security threats across its six geopolitical zones, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgency in the Northeast, banditry and kidnapping in the Northwest and North-Central regions, and separatist violence in the Southeast.

Major attacks in 2026 include the February 3 massacre in Woro, Kwara State, where over 100 people were killed and 176 kidnapped, and multiple mass abductions across northern states.

Amnesty International reported that at least 1,100 people were abducted between January and April 2026, though the Police disputed the figure as unverified.