A man, Sani Muhammad Minister, has dragged his in-law, Mansir Sharada, before the court presided over by Judge Garba Hamas Malafa of Upper Sharia Court at Post Office Road, Kano Municipal, over his wife’s failure to return from Saudi Arabia for one year after their marriage.

Barrister Bashir Garba Labbo, counsel to the complainant, told the court that his client met a woman, Naja’atu, and they discussed marriage.

He said, “The complainant was later referred to Mansir Sharada, who allegedly acted as the woman’s guardian (wali) and paid him N500,000 as part of the marriage arrangements.”

The lawyer explained that a wedding date was fixed before the marriage was solemnised. He added that the complainant paid an additional N150,000 as dowry.
The counsel alleged that shortly after the wedding, the bride travelled to Saudi Arabia and had yet to return after spending one year there.

Police in Katsina State have taken 14 suspects into custody following an attack on a convoy of All Progressives Congress, APC, supporters travelling to Funtua for a campaign flag-off.

The incident occurred at about 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, along the Yashi–Funtua road in Malumfashi Local Government Area, leaving several vehicles damaged and a female passenger injured.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, disclosed the arrests in a statement on Thursday, explaining that the attackers also targeted commercial vehicles using the road.

According to the police, the suspects allegedly gathered along the route with knives and stones before attacking the convoy and other vehicles. Several windscreens were smashed during the incident, while a woman travelling in a commercial vehicle sustained injuries.

The arrested suspects were identified as Sagir Musa Maikudi, 35, popularly known as Yarkwanatuwa; Abubakar Aliyu, 21; Fahat Aminu, 25; Mubarak Kabir, 27; Shamsu Aliyu, 29; Buhari Adamu, 20; Imrana Dalha, 20; Suleiman Sani, 20; Ismail Nasir, 22; Abdulganiyu Babangida, 23; Abbas Tukur, 22; Gaddafi Sani, 25; and Abdulkadir Muktar, 18. A 17-year-old was also arrested.

The police said some individuals allegedly involved in the attack escaped before officers could apprehend them. However, their identities had been established, and efforts were underway to track them down.

The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, denounced the violence and cautioned political groups and their supporters against resorting to intimidation or attacks as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

The police in Akwa Ibom have arrested two Ekpo masquerade participants over allegations of extorting money from passers-by and assaulting members of the public in Ikot Ekpene.

In a statement on Thursday, Timfom John, police spokesperson in the state, said the suspects were arrested along the Ukana/Abak highway during an operational show of force.

John said the suspects were allegedly found with masquerade costumes and attire, machetes, spears and arrows.

“The suspects, identified as Ine Isong, aged 29, of Ukana Ikot Esoh Village, and Emmanuel Ekpenyong, aged 20, of Ikono Local Government Area, were allegedly found in possession of Ekpo masquerade costumes and attire, machetes, spears and arrows,” the statement reads.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the suspects and other persons allegedly involved in the activities had been terrorising residents and extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public.

Reports further indicate that some innocent persons, particularly women, were assaulted in the process.”
John said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify other persons who may be connected to the alleged offences.

He quoted Baba Azare, the state commissioner of police, as warning that the police would not tolerate the use of cultural practices or masquerade activities as a cover for criminality, intimidation, extortion or violence against members of the public.

“While respecting lawful cultural traditions, the command remains resolute in ensuring that no individual or group takes the law into their own hands or threatens the peace and security of residents.”