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Sokoto Pledges Loyalty To Prophet Mohamed, Shuts Mosque Where Cleric Was Stabbed

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The Sokoto State Government has ordered the closure of the Musa Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque in Mabera, Sokoto metropolis, following the recent attack and killing at the mosque.

 

The government also constituted a committee of Islamic scholars (Ulamas) to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident and advise it on appropriate measures to prevent a recurrence.

The mosque, described by the government as a crime scene, will remain closed until further notice, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Abubakar Bawa.

The development followed recent religious tensions in parts of Sokoto metropolis, including the reported stabbing of Islamic cleric, Malam Musa Lukuwa, shortly after he led the Jumu’at prayer at the mosque.

The government said the committee would examine the circumstances surrounding the tension and make recommendations in the interest of peace and stability in the state.

It also ordered a full investigation into the attack and subsequent killing at the mosque.

The state government further dissociated itself from any person, irrespective of status, who hides under the pretext of religion to undermine or disrespect Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his parents, household and companions.

It reaffirmed its “total obedience and respect” for the Prophet, his parents, household and companions, while urging residents to continue to show love and compassion to him.

The government appealed to residents to desist from making inciting statements capable of jeopardising the peaceful coexistence for which Sokoto is known.

It assured residents of its commitment to protecting the lives and property of every citizen in the state.

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Police Issue Alert Over Plan To Attack Worship Centres, NYSC Camps And Schools.

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The Nigerian Police Force High Command has placed formations nationwide on red alert over alleged planned terror attacks on worship centres, schools, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, orientation camps and other public places across the country.

 

According to report, the police also revealed that intelligence had shown the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.

The development followed fresh intelligence indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on places of worship, learning institutions, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable targets across the country.

The findings showed that following the intelligence report, the high command has issued an operational order to its formations nationwide on the need to put the criminal elements in check before they strike.

The operational order, according to report,was contained in a police wireless message dated September 13, 2026, with reference CB: 0900/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL38/68, issued from the Nigeria Police Force Department of Operations (NIGPOL DOPS), Abuja.

The message marked “Security General” and tagged “Treat as Very Important,” was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1–17, Mobile Police units, counter-terrorism and other specialised formations, as well as Commissioners of Police in all the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja.

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Tinubu Orders Release Of Funds To Regional Development Commissions

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President Bola Tinubu has directed the timely release of funds to the Regional Development Commissions, warning their boards and managements against corruption, waste and the execution of projects that do not directly benefit the people.

Tinubu gave the directive while declaring open the first North Central Stakeholders Development Summit organised by the North Central Development Commission in Abuja on Monday.

The President, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, said the Federal Government would continue to provide political and financial backing to the commissions to enable them execute projects capable of unlocking the economic and industrial potential of the country.

He, however, urged the commissions not to depend solely on government funding, advising them to explore alternative sources of financing, including public-private partnerships, donor funding and development financing.

“Government will continue to give the NCDC and other Regional Development Commissions the political and financial backing to embark on key projects that will unlock the economic and industrial potentials of the nation.

“I therefore direct the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to ensure that all funds accruable to the Commissions are released as and when due,” he said.

Tinubu said the creation of the Regional Development Commissions was part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to accelerate development across the country and address longstanding development gaps.

He stressed that the commissions were not established to replace, duplicate or usurp the functions of any tier of government.

“Rather, it is our way of looking at why development gaps still exist and trying to close them up for the benefit of our people,” he said.

According to him, the commissions are expected to focus on development priorities capable of unlocking the potential of their respective regions while providing interconnectivity for the country.

He listed roads, rail, air transportation, industrialisation, security, investment, human capital development, education and health among the sectors requiring attention.

The President urged the commissions to develop clear, concise, attainable and fundable programmes, warning against the execution of white elephant projects.

“The era of white elephant projects is over and there is no excuse for the Commissions to become another conduit for wasting public funds,” he said.

Tinubu also charged the Ministry of Regional Development to ensure that the commissions operated within the Regional Development Policy Document, while the legislature provides the necessary oversight.

He warned the boards and managements against corruption, marginalisation, politicisation and ethnicisation of government operations.

“Such actions will not be tolerated and government will not hesitate to sanction anyone found culpable,” the President said.

Speaking on the North Central region, Tinubu said the area had enormous potential in agriculture, food production and agro-processing, solid minerals development and processing, industrial development, peace and security.

He said the region had operated below its potential for too long, urging stakeholders to use the summit to chart a new development trajectory.

The President also acknowledged the security challenges confronting the North Central, saying the Federal Government had intensified surveillance and intelligence gathering, established more formations, deployed additional personnel, increased the prosecution of criminals and supported dialogue and reconciliation.

He urged the NCDC to complement the government’s efforts to stabilise the region, stressing that development could only take place in an atmosphere of peace and security.

Tinubu said the theme of the summit, “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region,” was appropriate, noting that it provided an opportunity for stakeholders to develop a consensus-driven plan for the region.

He urged participants to scrutinise the proposed development plan and ensure that it reflected the aspirations of the people and aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The President warned against allowing the summit to become another platform where ideas were discussed and reports produced without implementation.

“This Summit should not end up as one of those platforms where ideas are ventilated and reports generated only to be left dusting on the shelves. The NCDC should show a better example by following through to implementation,” he said.

Tinubu further urged the commissions to seek alternative funding sources, including public-private partnerships, donor funding and development financing, where permitted by their establishing laws and government guidelines.

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2027: No Vacancy In Aso Rock For The Next 4 Or 5 Years — Oba Of Lagos

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Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos, has declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term, saying there will be no vacancy in Aso Rock for the next four or five years.

 

Akiolu spoke when the presidential campaign council (PCC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by its director-general, Abdulaziz Yari, paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Lagos.

“For the next four or five years, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock,” the monarch said.

The Oba urged politicians to ensure that the 2027 general election is peaceful and conducted in a manner that benefits Nigerians.

He also advised members of the APC campaign council to be honest in their dealings and avoid actions capable of undermining peace and stability in the country.

Akiolu cautioned politicians against adopting the Machiavellian principle that “the end justifies the means” in pursuing electoral victory.

Speaking earlier, Yari said the delegation visited the monarch to seek his blessing, prayers and advice ahead of the council’s nationwide campaign activities.

He said the council had earlier visited the Sokoto caliphate before proceeding to Lagos.

Yari appealed for continued support for Tinubu, saying the council believes the president deserves another term to consolidate what he described as the gains of his administration.

He cited the administration’s efforts to address economic challenges, insecurity and infrastructure development as reasons for the council’s support.

Yari acknowledged the economic difficulties facing Nigerians but said some indicators showed improvement, particularly in the availability of funds and efforts to stabilise the economy.

On insecurity, the former governor of Zamfara said Tinubu had continued to provide support and equipment for the military and police.

He also recalled that Tinubu had supported the emergence of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari because of the security challenges facing the country at the time.

Yari said the council’s support for Tinubu is not merely political reciprocity but is based on its belief that the president should be allowed to continue implementing his plans for the country.

He added that members of the council from the north would work to secure the region’s support for Tinubu’s re-election.

Receiving the delegation, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, described the visit as significant, noting that the council had chosen to seek the Oba’s royal blessing immediately after its engagement in Sokoto.

Sanwo-Olu said the delegation comprised eminent Nigerians who had served in various capacities, including former governors, a former senate president, former speakers and serving governors.

He described Lagos as a key political centre and the country’s commercial and economic nerve centre, saying the visit demonstrated the importance the APC attached to the traditional institution.

The event was attended by APC leaders and stakeholders in Lagos, including local government chairmen, members of the National Assembly and state lawmakers.

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