From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Nearly a year after a devastating flood displaced residents of Mokwa in Niger State, the community has been struck again by disaster as a violent rainstorm destroyed homes and property between Sunday night and Monday morning.

The storm, which was accompanied by heavy rainfall, reportedly claimed the lives of two persons, while a woman and her five children sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

Eyewitnesses said the incident left hundreds of residents’ homeless, many of whom were yet to recover from the impact of last year’s flood.

 Several trees were uprooted, while vehicles and other valuables were damaged in the storm.

Residents attributed the severity of the disaster to widespread deforestation and unchecked land degradation in the area.

The Chairman of Mokwa Local Government Area, Alhaji Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview, describing the situation as “colossal” and calling for urgent intervention from the Niger State Government and relevant agencies.

Also confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Dr. Abdullahi Hussaini, said officials of the agency had been deployed to the affected community for on-the-spot assessment.

“Our men have been on ground since yesterday carrying out assessments,” Hussaini said, adding that while there were reports of two fatalities, the agency would only confirm the figure after a comprehensive evaluation.

He further disclosed that the Director-General of the agency and other top officials departed Minna early Tuesday to join field operatives in Mokwa as part of ongoing response efforts.

The latest incident has heightened concerns over environmental management and disaster preparedness in vulnerable communities across the state.

Sudan has accused neighbouring Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of orchestrating drone strikes on its main airport, describing the assault as “Direct aggression”.

The international airport, located in the capital, was hit on Monday, along with military installations in the Greater Khartoum area.

Recent drone strikes have shattered a period of relative calm in Khartoum, which came after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was pushed out by the Sudanese military last year.

Ethiopia has said accusations that it was involved in the airport attack are “Baseless”.

Sudan has recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia for “Consultations” over the attack, Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem said.

No-one was wounded in the attack, Sudan’s information minister told the Reuters news agency.

Sudan’s army said it had “conclusive evidence” that the drones were launched from Bahir Dar airport in Ethiopia.

Sudanese military officials first accused the RSF of air attacks launched from inside Ethiopian territory in March.

They said they had tracked a drone, identified as Emirati property, entering Sudanese airspace from Ethiopia and eventually shot it down.

A Sudanese army spokesman alleged that they have now connected another drone, launched from the same airport, to Monday’s attack.

The UAE has in the past forcefully rejected claims that it provides military support to the RSF.

The latest attacks came a week after the first direct international commercial flight in three years landed at the airport.

The authorities were forced to announce a 72-hour suspension of operations at the airport following the attacks.

The airport has been a major battleground in the war between the regular army and the RSF, which began in 2023.

In February, Reuters reported that Ethiopia was hosting a camp to train RSF fighters and had upgraded the nearby Asosa airport for drone operations.

It said the move was backed by Ethiopia’s close ally, the United Arab Emirates.

On Monday, witnesses confirmed that they heard blasts and saw smoke rising from an area near the airport.

The attack is reported to have also caused minor damage to an administrative building.

The information ministry said the airport would return to operations after routine safety procedures.

Sudan’s foreign minister alleged that the drones had taken off from Ethiopia, despite Ethiopia being a “brotherly state” to Sudan. He said the UAE and Ethiopia had chosen the “wrong path” and would regret it.

Ethiopia’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that Sudan and Ethiopia “share a historic and enduring bond of friendship” and had “refrained from publicising the grave violations of Ethiopia’s territorial integrity and national security committed by some belligerents in the Sudanese civil war”.

The ministry called for dialogue between the warring parties in Sudan.

Since the war in Sudan started, more than 150,000 people have died. Twelve million have fled their homes in what the UN has called the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

The three-year civil war has also led to a famine and claims of a genocide in the western Darfur region.

From Rabiu Sanusi, Kano

In a ceremony rich in symbolism and political significance the Governor of Abba Kabir Yusuf presided over the swearing-in of the new Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo at the Government House in Kano, marking what observers describe as a defining moment in the state’s evolving leadership structure.

The event which was held at the Ante Chamber of the Government House attracted a distinguished gathering of top government functionaries, influential party stakeholders, traditional rulers and a wide cross-section of well-wishers.

The large turnout underscored both the importance of the occasion and the heightened expectations placed on the new deputy governor as the administration seeks to consolidate its governance agenda.

The oath of office was administered by the Chief Judge of Kano State, Dije Abdu Aboki in a solemn ceremony that reaffirmed the constitutional underpinnings of leadership and public service.

The moment formally entrusted the new deputy governor with responsibilities central to the smooth running of government and the advancement of the state development priorities.

In his remarks, Governor Yusuf delivered a measured but firm address charging his deputy to uphold the Constitution and discharge his duties with integrity, discipline and an unwavering sense of accountability.

He emphasized that public office demands not only loyalty but also transparency and a deep commitment to the welfare of the people.

The governor further stressed that governance is a continuous process of service, sacrifice and responsiveness to public needs.

He reiterated his administration’s focus on delivering tangible dividends of democracy through improvements in critical sectors such as infrastructure, education and healthcare, urging the new deputy governor to align fully with these priorities to ensure effective policy implementation.

Highlighting the importance of unity, Governor Yusuf underscored that the success of his administration hinges on teamwork and collective responsibility.

 He called for sustained collaboration across all levels of government, noting that inclusive governance and mutual understanding among stakeholders remain essential ingredients for stability and long-term progress in Kano State.

In his acceptance remarks, Deputy Governor Murtala Sule Garo expressed deep appreciation to the governor and the people of Kano State for the confidence reposed in him, describing his appointment as both an honour and a call to greater service.

 He pledged unwavering loyalty to the administration and a firm commitment to advancing its developmental agenda.

Garo noted that the task ahead requires diligence, experience and a clear sense of purpose, assuring that he would deploy his expertise to support the governor in strengthening governance and improving service delivery.

He emphasized that effective leadership must translate policies into real benefits for citizens, particularly at the grassroots level.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to fostering peace, stability, and inclusive growth, stressing that sustainable development can only thrive in an atmosphere of unity and cooperation.

 The deputy governor pledged to remain accessible and responsive, while working closely with stakeholders to address emerging challenges and promote shared prosperity across the state.

Adding a broader political perspective, former Kano State Governor and ex-national chairman of the APC Abdullahi Umar Ganduje expressed confidence in the capacity of the new deputy governor to contribute meaningfully to the state development.

He described the development as a strategic reinforcement of leadership that would strengthen governance and institutional continuity.

Ganduje further observed that the expectations of the people are high, urging the new deputy governor to remain focused, resilient and committed to policies that will improve living standards and expand economic opportunities.

He stressed the need for consistency in governance and the importance of building on existing frameworks to achieve sustainable results.

He also called for unity among political actors, noting that cooperation and mutual respect within the leadership space are critical for maintaining peace and driving progress.

According to him, Kano State stands to gain significantly when leaders prioritize collective interest above partisan considerations.

The event, according to Government House correspondent Adamu Dabo, represents a significant milestone in Kano political trajectory, reinforcing the administration’s resolve to strengthen governance structures and accelerate development efforts.

As proceedings drew to a close, the atmosphere was marked by cautious optimism, with many stakeholders expressing hope that the new deputy governor tenure would usher in greater stability, enhanced coordination in governance and measurable progress in improving the lives of the people of Kano State.