From Rabiu Sanusi, Kano

The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, has commended the quality of projects being executed under the World Bank-supported Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme in Kano State.

It was contained in a statement issued by Director Public Enlightenment Musbahu Amin Yakasai.

The statement said Professor Suwaiba made the commendation during an inspection visit to some selected AGILE project sites in Kano, including WTC Kano and GGSS Dukawuya.

While expressing satisfaction with the standard of work at the sites visited, the Minister directed contractors handling some of the projects to make necessary corrections where appropriate to ensure the delivery of quality infrastructure.

She applauded President Bola Tinubu for supporting the AGILE initiative, describing the programme as a major step toward improving girl-child education and increasing access to quality learning opportunities for girls across the country.

The Minister also expressed happiness over the warm reception accorded to her during the visit.

The Kano State Commissioner for Education, Gwani Dr. Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, disclosed that the state government, under the AGILE project, would renovate about 300 schools across Kano State.

He further revealed that 49 new schools for girls would be constructed across the 484 wards of the state to strengthen access to education for girls.

The Commissioner commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for prioritizing the education sector and investing heavily in initiatives aimed at improving learning environments and educational outcomes in the state.

He also expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister for visiting Kano State to inspect the AGILE projects and for her continued support toward the advancement of education.

The AGILE project is a World Bank-supported initiative focused on improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls through enhanced infrastructure, access and empowerment programmes.

From Rabiu Sanusi, Kano

The Kano State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking following the arrest of a suspected drug dealer and the recovery of 879 parcels of suspected Cannabis Sativa in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect, identified as Umaru, popularly known as Jalo, was arrested on May 13, 2026, at about 6:00 p.

m. by operatives attached to the Dawakin Tofa Police Division acting on credible intelligence.

Police authorities disclosed that the suspect was caught while offloading 18 sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis Sativa into his residence at Yan Shado Village in Dawakin Tofa LGA.

According to the Command, a search conducted at the premises led to the recovery of the sacks which, upon examination, were found to contain a total of 879 parcels of the suspected illicit substance.

The operation was said to have been carried out following directives issued by the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, who instructed operational commanders across the state to intensify efforts toward identifying and arresting individuals involved in drug trafficking and related crimes.

The police further explained that the operation aligns with the intelligence-led and community-based policing strategy championed by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, aimed at dismantling criminal networks through collaboration with members of the public.

The suspect is currently in police custody undergoing investigation, while efforts are ongoing to uncover his suppliers, distribution channels, and other possible accomplices linked to the illicit trade.

Speaking on the development, Bakori reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance stance against drug trafficking and abuse, stressing that hard drugs remain one of the major causes of violent crimes, thuggery and social unrest in the state.

He assured residents that the Command would continue to sustain aggressive operations against criminal elements and warned those involved in the illicit drug business to desist or face the full wrath of the law.

The Commissioner also commended members of the public for supporting security agencies with credible information, noting that community cooperation remains vital in combating crime and ensuring public safety.

He further assured residents that the identities of informants would always remain confidential and encouraged citizens to continue reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, stated that the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

The Corps Commander of the Osun Amotekun Corps, Hon. Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, has reaffirmed the readiness of the corps to ensure maximum security before, during and after the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Osun State, while calling for a peaceful, transparent and violence-free electoral process.

Dr.

Omoyele made this assurance while receiving representatives of the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) at the headquarters of the Osun Amotekun Corps in Osogbo, during a strategic engagement focused on election security, intelligence gathering and public safety.

Speaking during the visit, the representative of KDI, Oluwafemi Adebayo, commended the leadership of the Osun Amotekun Corps for receiving the delegation and described the visit as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration with security agencies and grassroots security outfits ahead of the election.

According to him, KDI’s mission is to work closely with security stakeholders in intelligence gathering and election monitoring to ensure the safety of residents, electoral officials and observers expected in the state during the electoral exercise.

Adebayo explained that KDI, a non-governmental and non-profit organisation established in 2014, has been carrying out security intelligence tracking across Osun State over the past three months in preparation for the election.

He stated that the organisation visited the Corps Commander to benefit from his wealth of experience in the security sector and to gain deeper insight into the security architecture of the state, including areas considered security flashpoints.

He further disclosed that KDI was one of the organisations behind the “Vote No Fight” campaign during previous elections in Osun State and across Nigeria, adding that the group remains committed to promoting peaceful democratic participation and reducing electoral violence.

“We are going round the nook and crannies of the state to understand the situation on ground and ensure that residents, visitors and election observers are adequately protected during the election period,” he said.

Adebayo also applauded the Osun Amotekun Corps for what he described as its outstanding performance in maintaining peace and security across the state.

The Field Commander of the Corps, Dr. Capt. Olusoji Benedict Akanni, appreciated the KDI delegation for recognising the importance of community-based security outfits in maintaining peace and stability.

He noted that the Osun Amotekun Corps remains committed to the protection of lives and property, stressing that the intelligence and operations units of the corps are working tirelessly to ensure peace and rapid response to any form of security threat.

“There is no cause for alarm. Our intelligence network and operational structures are active and fully prepared to respond to any emergency or security breach in any part of the state,” Akanni stated.

In his remarks, the Corps Commander, High Chief Dr. Hon. Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, applauded KDI for finding the Osun Amotekun Corps worthy of collaboration in the collective fight against insecurity through intelligence sharing and strategic partnership.

Omoyele maintained that Osun State remains peaceful and secure, noting that the current stability being enjoyed in the state is a product of years of strategic security planning and collaboration among stakeholders.

Reflecting on his experience in security operations, he recalled his role during the period when incidents of kidnapping and armed robbery were rampant in parts of the state, including Ikirun, Iree and Iragbiji.

He explained that while serving as OC SARS at the time, strategic committees and security interventions were established to tackle criminal activities, leading to the restoration of peace in affected communities.

Speaking on electoral reforms, Dr. Omoyele advocated for the adoption of electronic voting in Nigeria, describing it as a modern solution capable of reducing electoral violence, vote manipulation and unnecessary exposure of voters to danger during elections.

According to him, electronic voting would enable citizens to cast their votes safely from their homes or designated locations without overcrowding polling units.

Using banking technology as an example, he noted that if Nigerians can conveniently use Automated Teller Machines (ATM) and carry out financial transactions electronically, then the country can also deploy technology-driven voting systems to ensure credible elections.

He stressed that a properly designed electronic voting application with strong security features would prevent double voting and significantly curb election-related criminal activities.

“Electronic voting will promote peaceful and transparent elections. With technology, people can vote safely from anywhere, just as it is done in some advanced countries,” he added.

The Corps Commander also called on the government to prioritise the welfare and safety of security personnel deployed for election duties.

He observed that many officers drafted from outside states often face accommodation challenges during elections, forcing some to sleep in poor conditions, which affects their alertness and effectiveness while on duty.

Omoyele therefore recommended the establishment of standard recreation and accommodation centres in states across the country to provide decent welfare facilities for security personnel, election observers and monitors during major electoral exercises.

He assured residents of Osun State that the Osun Amotekun Corps would continue to uphold its mandate of protecting lives and property and ensuring a peaceful atmosphere throughout the election period.

Present at the meeting were members of the management team of the Osun Amotekun Corps, including the Director of Administration and Supply, Dayo Adigun; Director of Finance and Account, Grace Omitade; and the Public Relations Officer, Yusuf Idowu Abass. Members of the KDI delegation present at the meeting included Umar Damassabe Muhammed, Bunmi Ewelade and Hussein Gabriel.