News
Court remands man over alleged cyberbullying of Mohbad’s widow
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A Magistrate Court in Ogba, Lagos State, has ordered the remand of a social media user, Oladimeji Hammed, popularly known as “Immunizer,” over allegations of cyberbullying and online harassment of Omowunmi Cynthia Aloba, the widow of late singer Mohbad.
KANO FOCUS reports that Hammed was arraigned on June 22, 2026, before the Samuel Ilori Magistrate Court on multiple charges bordering on cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and defamation following his arrest by law enforcement authorities.
According to court documents, the defendant is accused of publishing a series of online posts between February and March 2026 that allegedly ridiculed and incited public hostility against Aloba.
Although the court granted him bail, Hammed remains in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre due to stringent bail conditions. The court directed him to provide two sureties with bank balances of at least ₦700,000 each. One of the sureties must be a state civil servant, while the other must be a blood relative, both possessing valid tax records.
Prosecutors alleged that the defendant made several damaging claims on social media, including assertions that Aloba intended to leave the country before justice was served in her late husband’s case. He was also accused of publishing comments suggesting that she had failed to deny allegations of infidelity during court proceedings.
The prosecution further claimed that Hammed circulated information relating to alleged leaked private images and subsequently made derogatory remarks about the complainant on various social media platforms.
According to the prosecution, the online publications subjected Aloba to widespread abuse, harassment, and public hostility. The court was told that the situation allegedly escalated into a physical attack on the complainant on March 15, 2026.
The matter has been adjourned to a later date for further hearing.
Meanwhile, legal experts have described the case as one of the most significant tests of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024, particularly Section 24, which deals with cyberstalking, online harassment, and the intentional dissemination of harmful or false information through digital platforms.
Under the law, individuals found guilty of such offences may face fines of up to ₦7 million or imprisonment for up to three years. In cases involving threats, intimidation, or severe harassment, penalties may increase to as much as 10 years imprisonment and fines of up to ₦25 million.
The legislation also empowers courts to issue restraining and protective orders for victims of cyber harassment, providing additional safeguards against continued online abuse.
Observers say the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for the enforcement of Nigeria’s cybercrime laws and efforts to curb the growing menace of cyberbullying and online harassment.
Suspect returned to Kano to face investigation, prosecution
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested a suspected gang leader and sponsor, Ishaq Lawan Ibrahim, popularly known as Malam Keya, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
KANO FOCUS reports that the 27-year-old suspect, from Yelwa in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, is accused of sponsoring violent gang clashes that have claimed lives and heightened insecurity in parts of the state.
The task force disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspect was arrested following intelligence-led operations after allegedly fleeing Kano as security operations against gang violence intensified.
According to the statement, operatives tracked him to Port Harcourt and arrested him in an operation led by the task force’s Head of Operations, CSP Bashir Gwadabe. He has since been returned to Kano.
The task force alleged that Malam Keya played a leading role in orchestrating and financing hoodlums involved in violent attacks in Dala and other affected communities.
The areas reportedly affected by the gang violence include Jakara, Madigawa, Yalwa, Sanka, Kul Kul, Dogon Nama, Kukar Bulukiya, Dala, Shatsari and Dandalin Turawa.
Confirming the arrest, the task force chairman, Barr Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said the operation demonstrated the agency’s determination to pursue suspected sponsors of violence beyond Kano State.
“Let me assure you that those who bankroll violence should know that no distance, and no hiding place, will protect them. This arrest is only the beginning. We will not rest until peace is fully restored,” he said.
The task force said the suspect remained in custody for further investigation and would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.
It added that its operations would continue in accordance with the law, with all suspects entitled to due process.
The agency also pledged to sustain efforts to dismantle criminal gangs, identify their alleged sponsors and disrupt drug supply networks linked to criminal activities.
It urged residents, community and religious leaders, parents and youths to support security efforts by reporting suspicious persons and activities, monitoring their neighbourhoods and discouraging young people from being recruited into criminal gangs.
The task force described public cooperation as essential to restoring peace and security across the state.
It also acknowledged the support of the Kano and Rivers state police commands and other law enforcement agencies in the operation.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KASSTOWA) has strengthened security at Joda Waterworks to prevent vandalism, theft and unauthorised access to the facility.
KANO FOCUS reports that the agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, following an assessment visit to the waterworks by its interim managing director to evaluate the security situation.
According to the statement, additional security personnel have been deployed to protect the facility and ensure uninterrupted water supply.
The agency said the measure was part of efforts to safeguard critical water infrastructure and protect public assets from potential threats.
It added that the intervention aligned with the commitment of the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to protecting government facilities and ensuring the delivery of essential services, in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Water Resources.
KASSTOWA also emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration in strengthening infrastructure protection.
The agency called on community leaders, traditional institutions, youth organisations and residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities and cooperate with security personnel deployed to the facility.
It stressed that protecting water infrastructure was a shared responsibility requiring the cooperation of government agencies and host communities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Police Command has foiled an alleged kidnapping plot in Gezawa Local Government Area and arrested two 20-year-old suspects over threats to abduct a village head.
KANO FOCUS reports that the suspects, identified as Aliyu Naziru Garba and Bashir Alhasan, were arrested following intelligence-led operations by police operatives attached to the Gezawa Divisional Police Headquarters.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.
According to the statement, the incident was reported on October 26, 2026, at about 1:30 a.m. by the village head of Bangare, Mallam Idris, who told the police that he had received a threatening phone call from an unidentified person on October 24 at about 9:33 p.m.
The caller allegedly threatened to kidnap him.
Following the report, police operatives launched a follow-up operation, which led to the arrest of the two suspects.
“The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime,” the statement said, adding that investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court upon completion.
The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended officers of the Gezawa Division for their swift and professional response.
Bakori reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance on criminal activities and said the operation aligned with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which prioritises intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, professionalism and proactive crime prevention.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest police station.
The command also provided the following emergency contact numbers for reporting security concerns: 08032419754, 08123821575 and 09029292926.
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Kano water agency strengthens security at Joda waterworks
Kano Police foil kidnap plot, arrest two suspects in Gezawa
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