In a dramatic turn of events in Kano, the families of the young couple who recently conducted a secret wedding without parental consent have now agreed to a new, formal ceremony in line with Islamic teachings.

The breakthrough came after Fatima’s father authorized the local commander of the Hisbah Board in Kano Municipal to act as her guardian (waliyyi) for the renewed marriage process.

This decision followed an initiative by residents of Yakasai — the community where the initial incident took place — who came together to raise the bride price of ₦150,000.

The funds were deposited into the official account of the Hisbah Board, which will now oversee and officiate the new marriage in accordance with Islamic rites.

Yusif Garba, a key figure in coordinating the bride price collection, said the community felt compelled to support the young couple, who had acted out of naivety. He emphasized the importance of guiding such youths rather than condemning them.

Confirming the development, Ustaz Hamidan Tanko Alasaka, the chief Hisbah commander for Kano Municipal, said preparations are now underway for the new wedding.

He affirmed that the bride price of ₦150,000 has been paid in full and that the wedding will be conducted soon, this time with full compliance with religious and cultural expectations.

OSUNDAILY NG had earlier report on how the Hisbah board dissolved the 22-year groom and 16-year-old bride after friends officiated their wedding without their parents’ consent.

The Amnesty International has strongly condemned the horrific killing of at least 15 people by Lakurawa insurgents during an attack on Kwalajiya village of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto state.
Dozens of people were severely injured, while unspecified number of people are still missing.

The humanitarian entity had on its Facebook page confirmed that the gunmen invaded the village on Wednesday during afternoon prayer and opened fire on worshippers.

“Some of the victims were killed while cultivating their farms. Apart from shooting in all directions, the gunmen also razed homes and looted shops and other properties.”

The violence has forced many farmers and their families to flee their homes.

The attack has already triggered massive displacement within and around Kwalajiya and beyond.

“Families that escaped are now sheltered at Sardaunan Tangaza Model Primary School.

“People of eastern part of Sokoto state have been living under the siege of gunmen over the last two years, with almost daily attacks and destruction by gunmen. Dozens of villages have been sacked in the region, with villages receiving ultimatum to pay bandits or face gruesome attack. Eastern part of Sokoto is Nigeria’s forgotten conflict”

Amnesty International accused Nigerian authorities of displaying gross incompetence and a total disregard for people’s lives.

“Not only has the government failed to take the steps needed to stop these attacks, government at both the state and federal level have consistently failed to protect these communities that often face attacks many times. It appears Nigerian government has left the people of eastern part of Sokoto at the mercy of gunmen, as security deteriorates daily, building up a humanitarian crisis,” it added.

“Spate of these killings is an evidence of failure of authorities to protect the people. Inability of authorities to bring attackers to justice is perpetuating impunity,” it said.

Amnesty International then called on Nigerian authorities to independently investigate all these attacks and ensure accountability by bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Tragedy struck Friday afternoon on the failed Calabar-Itu federal highway as 17 persons were crushed to death in a fatal crash involving a containerized trailer and a commercial bus.

Eyewitnesses told newsmen that the accident occurred when a 40-foot trailer veered off its lane, crushing a 16-seater bus travelling from Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, to Calabar.

The eyewitness, identified simply as Emmanuel, said the trailer landed directly on the bus, killing all 17 occupants, 16 passengers and the driver, on the spot.

“There were no survivors. The trailer completely smashed the bus. It was a horrific scene,” Emmanuel recounted.

He blamed the accident on the deplorable condition of the Calabar-Itu highway, which he said has been undergoing repairs for more than 15 years without any meaningful progress.

As of the time of filing this report, the corpses of the victims had been evacuated to an undisclosed mortuary by community youths and concerned individuals.

Efforts to reach officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the police in Calabar for comments were unsuccessful, as neither agency was willing to speak on the incident.