Law & Crime
Outgoing Niger State Council Chairman Accuses Governor Bago Of Illegally Withholding LG Funds, Blocking Duties
BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA
The outgoing chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State, Isyaku Akilu Kuta, has accused Governor Umar Bago of denying him his core responsibilities as council chairman and said that if he curses the governor “it will catch up with him.”
Kuta made the remarks during a farewell reception held in Kuta, the headquarters of Shiroro local government, to thank residents for their support.
He said his performance as chairman was severely limited due to the lack of autonomy, which prevented him from securing appointments or executing meaningful development projects.
Explaining how this affected service delivery, he said the governor’s actions directly hindered his efforts to meet the expectations of the people.
“But because of wickedness and cheating from our leader as a council chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area for years, I couldn’t even secure a single pensionable appointment for my people. And people are saying I should be patient and forgiven,” Kuta said.
He said his performance as chairman was severely limited due to the lack of autonomy, which prevented him from securing appointments or executing meaningful development projects.
Explaining how this affected service delivery, he said the governor’s actions directly hindered his efforts to meet the expectations of the people.
“But because of wickedness and cheating from our leader as a council chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area for years, I couldn’t even secure a single pensionable appointment for my people. And people are saying I should be patient and forgiven,” Kuta said.
He noted that he had achieved more in previous political roles, recalling his track record as a ward councillor.
“I can remember when I was ward councillor I secured appointments for 37 people,” he stated.
Reflecting on his tenure, Kuta acknowledged that he fell far short of his goals due to obstacles beyond his control.
“My goals as a council chairman out of 100 percent, I couldn’t achieve even 30 percent,” he added.
He further expressed frustration that even his personal and administrative needs could not be met under the constraints imposed on his office.
“And it is normal as a human being I should have needs I should achieve. But my needs were not actualised,” Kuta said.
The outgoing chairman also criticised the governor for blocking access to resources that he said were essential for effective leadership.
“Chairmanship is a responsibility assigned to me by the people and I must be given a way to deliver my responsibilities diligently. And a leader is there in the state sitting on my responsibilities denying me resources to deliver. This is very painful,” he said.
Kuta highlighted insecurity and job creation as the central priorities he had hoped to address during his tenure.
“My first goal as a chairman of Shiroro was the issue of persistent insecurity, but insecurity is a work of God. Secondly is to make sure I create a job for people not to stay hungry,” he explained.
He also raised concerns over unemployment and the increasing number of retirees in the area.
“In three years, over 3,000 graduates were produced in Shiroro but no job for them and more than 600 civil servants retire every year,” Kuta said.
SaharaReporters gathered that Governor Bago allocated only N10 million monthly to council chairmen, in addition to five million naira monthly as security votes.
The governor has also taken over the payment of council civil servants, with the state now paying the salaries of both state and council employees.
Meanwhile, the swearing-in of newly elected 25 council chairmen is scheduled to take place today, December 12, 2025.
The local government elections held on November 1, resulted in all 25 councils being won by candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kuta concluded his address with a strong denunciation of the injustices he said he experienced during his tenure.
“God punished whoever said I should forgive. You cheated the insiders (council chairmen) and you as well cheated the outsiders too,” he said.
Meanwhile, in July 2024, the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruled that local governments across the country must have full financial and administrative autonomy.
The court specified that state governments cannot withhold or control federal allocations meant for councils, ensuring that local governments have direct access to funds to carry out their statutory responsibilities.
Despite the ruling, Niger’s councils have continued to operate under limited budgets. Sources said the lack of funds affects day-to-day administration, including payment of casual staff, security operations, and basic overhead costs.
Law & Crime
Nigeria Police Force Resumes Tinted Glass Permit Enforcement January 2026-Force Spokesman
By Our Correspondent
The Nigeria Police Force informs the general public of the planned resumption of the enforcement of Tinted Glass Permit policy pending the final determination of the matter currently before the court.
This decision according to a release issued to newsmen by the Force Spokesman CSP Benjamin Hundeyin followed a careful review of emerging security concerns and the need to ensure the safety of all citizens.
According to him, It is important to clarify that at no point did the court restrain the Nigeria Police Force from enforcing the provisions of the law regarding the use of tinted glass on vehicles.
Nonetheless, in the spirit of responsibility, transparency, and public convenience, the Force suspended enforcement to allow motorists ample opportunity to regularise their documentation and complete the registration process without pressure.
Recent trends, however, reveal a disturbing rise in criminal activities perpetrated with the aid of vehicles fitted with unauthorised tinted glass. Some individuals and organised criminal groups have exploited this gap to conceal their identities and facilitate crimes ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping and other violent crimes.
In view of this, the Nigeria Police Force has found it both necessary and urgent to resume full enforcement as a proactive measure to safeguard our communities. Consequently, enforcement of Tinted Glass Permit will resume on 2nd January, 2026.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, assures the public that the renewed enforcement will be carried out with utmost professionalism, respect for the rights of citizens, and in accordance with extant laws. He adds that the Force remains committed to promoting public safety and upholding the rule of law while working collaboratively with all stakeholders to keep Nigeria secure.
Meanwhile, motorists who require the Tinted Glass Permit are encouraged to apply through the approved channels and ensure that their vehicles comply with legal procedures.
End
Law & Crime
Lakwaya Attack: Senator Barau Hails Rapid Security Response, Seeks End To Bandit Incursions
By George Mgbeleke
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has commended security operatives for rescuing three of the five persons kidnapped in Zurin Mahauta village in Lakwaya town, Gwarzo LGA of Kano State, by bandits on Sunday night.
Bandits suspected to be from neighbouring states stormed the village last night and abducted five persons.
Senator Barau, in a statement by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, urged the security operatives to go after the criminal and rescue the remaining two.
” Last night’s invasion of Zurin Mahauta village in Lakwaya town in Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State by marauding bandits is condemnable, and these criminals must be dealt with forthwith. The good news, however, is that the security operatives have rescued three out of the five persons kidnapped. I urge our gallant officers to go after the criminals to rescue the remaining two persons,” he said.
In an online publication around 3 p.m. on Monday, Daily Trust quoted Captain Babatunde Zubairu, an Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, as saying, “three persons have so far been rescued.”
Senator Barau, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, said the incursion into villages in Kano must stop.
” This unfortunate incursion must be the last in the series of attacks on our peace-loving people. For weeks, there have been no attacks in our area until last night.
” In this regard, I appeal to our gallant security operatives to redouble their efforts in fortifying the areas and remain vigilant in tackling these marauding criminal elements.
” The security of our people’s lives and properties is paramount. I will continue to support our security agencies with logistics to enhance their performance,” he said.
Law & Crime
Niger state NDLEA arrests youths, criminals indulge in hard drugs, dangerous weapons in Minna
By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA,Niger State command, has revealed that the urban patrol introduced by the Command in Minna metropolis and environs has recorded landmark successes, leading to the arrest of many youths engaged in drugs, miscreants as well as criminals with dangerous weapons.
Niger State Commander of NDLEA,Commander Shehu Gwadabawa gave the hint while speaking with Journalists in his office, in Minna, Monday 15th December,2025.
Commander Gwadabawa, explained that the urban patrol was aimed to curtail the youths’ restiveness who engaged in phone snatching and attack on the innocent people within the metropolis.
Commander Shehu also elaborated that aside from urban patrol,the agency has also carried out regular raids on some black spots and arrested youths engaged in drugs.
According to him “.We introduced the patrol so that the restive youths would have second thoughts before they move around, adding that, they know,they can be intercepted ,of course,the urban patrol has curtailed their movement drastically”.He noted.
“We do stop and search within the city center in Minna in order to ensure that movement of illegal drugs from one point to another is curtail”.He emphasized.
The NDLEA Commander had earlier revealed that from January to November,2025,the state command had seized over 3 tones of cannabis and had arrested 6 persons,and 4 vehicles, adding that,they were all charged to court and each was jailed for 10 years.
“Within the period under review,we have made a huge recovery of (244) bags of cannabis weighing over 3,000 kilograms in Suleja,so we are recording successes”.He asserted
NDLEA boss had warned drug dealers to re-think,if they don’t want to be arrested,they should leave the business,or relocate and leave Niger.
In Gwadabawa’s words”.We will definitely get you and when we get you, you will be prosecuted,he also urged parents to watch their children closely as well as disassociate them with bad friends”.
He however advised community leaders and other stakeholders to feel free and come ward to report issues of drugs in their immediate communities, assuring that the agency is ready to partner with any one with useful and genuine information that will assist the agency perform its functions ultimately.
Commander Shehu Gwadabawa, applauded governor Muhammad Umaru Bago for granting expressed approval for the construction of the agency parameter fence, saying that the command has been operating without a fence for over Two decades.
He also appreciated the governor for the gesture of an Helix van,and appealed for more vehicles so as to enable the command Police the state adequately.
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