The Kano State Fire Service has rescued a man who was trapped beneath a collapsed wall during a demolition exercise in Kano, preventing what authorities described as a potentially fatal incident.

The victim was pulled out alive following a swift emergency response by firefighters, who were alerted shortly after the wall gave way.

According to the Kano State Fire Service, rescue personnel were immediately deployed to the scene after receiving a distress call about the collapse.

On arrival, emergency responders commenced a carefully coordinated rescue operation, successfully extricating the trapped man from the debris.

The victim sustained injuries and was handed over to medical personnel for treatment. Authorities did not immediately disclose the extent of his injuries or his current condition.

Following the incident, the Kano State Fire Service urged contractors, property owners and residents to strictly observe safety guidelines during demolition and construction activities.

The agency stressed the importance of engaging qualified professionals, securing demolition sites and ensuring that emergency measures are in place before such operations begin.

It also advised members of the public to keep a safe distance from active demolition sites to reduce the risk of injury.

Officials are expected to determine the circumstances that led to the wall’s collapse and whether established safety procedures were followed during the demolition exercise.

The findings could help prevent similar incidents in the future.

Wall collapses during demolition and construction remain a significant safety concern in many Nigerian cities.

Experts say strict compliance with building regulations, proper planning and adherence to occupational safety standards are essential to protecting workers and the public.

The Federal Government has charged three men over the recent abduction of pupils and teachers of a school in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as authorities intensify efforts to prosecute individuals linked to kidnapping and organised criminal activities.

The suspects, Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (also known as Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (also known as Abu Itisar), were brought before the court over allegations connected to the kidnap incident involving students and staff members of the affected school.

The charges form part of the government’s wider crackdown on kidnapping networks and other security threats across the country.

According to the Federal Government, the accused persons were allegedly involved in the abduction of children and teachers from a school located in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The incident had generated public concern and renewed calls for stronger protection of schools and communities, particularly as kidnapping for ransom continues to pose a major security challenge in parts of Nigeria.

The prosecution is expected to present evidence before the court as the case progresses, while the defendants will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations against them.

The arraignment comes amid increased efforts by security agencies to dismantle kidnapping networks, identify criminal collaborators and bring suspected perpetrators before the courts.

Authorities have repeatedly stated that kidnapping remains a serious threat to national security and have pledged to ensure that those responsible face legal consequences.

Security experts have, however, continued to call for a combination of stronger intelligence gathering, improved community policing, better surveillance systems and faster judicial processes to address the persistent challenge.

The abduction of students and teachers has remained one of the most sensitive security issues in Nigeria, with previous incidents across different parts of the country prompting nationwide debates over the safety of learning environments.

Education stakeholders have urged governments at all levels to strengthen security arrangements around schools, especially in vulnerable areas, while ensuring that children can access education without fear.

The suspects remain entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

As the legal proceedings continue, attention will be on the evidence presented by prosecutors and the response of the defendants as the court determines the next steps in the case.

The prosecution of alleged kidnapping suspects is a critical part of Nigeria’s response to rising insecurity.

Beyond individual cases, successful investigations and convictions could help disrupt criminal networks and strengthen public confidence in the country’s security and justice systems.

Asia Ahmad El-Rufai, lawyer and wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has appealed to the international community to intervene over what she described as the prolonged detention of her husband, alleging that he is being subjected to political persecution and denied his fundamental rights.

In a statement, Asia El-Rufai argued that her husband’s continued detention amounts to “punishment before trial,” warning that the situation raises broader concerns about the rule of law, due process and the protection of democratic institutions in Nigeria.

The former governor’s wife called on the international community, diplomatic missions, human rights organisations and democratic partners to closely monitor the case, insisting that justice must not only be done but also be seen to be done.

According to her, the continued detention of her husband before the conclusion of judicial proceedings undermines confidence in Nigeria’s legal system and could set what she described as a dangerous precedent for political participation and democratic governance.

She maintained that the matter extends beyond an individual case and touches on the broader principles of constitutional rights, fair hearing and judicial independence.

Asia El-Rufai alleged that the legal actions against the former governor are politically motivated, describing the prosecution as an attempt to silence a prominent opposition figure.

She argued that the continued detention of her husband despite ongoing legal proceedings amounts to punishment before conviction, contrary to the principles of justice and the presumption of innocence guaranteed under the Constitution.

Her remarks come amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general election, with several opposition figures accusing the government of using state institutions to target political opponents.

As of the time of publication, the Federal Government and the relevant prosecuting authorities had not publicly responded to the latest allegations made by Asia El-Rufai.

The circumstances surrounding Nasir El-Rufai’s detention remain the subject of ongoing legal proceedings, and no court has delivered a final judgment on the allegations against him.

Under Nigerian law, every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The case has continued to generate debate among political observers, legal practitioners and civil society organisations.

While supporters of the former governor argue that his rights should be fully protected throughout the judicial process, others insist that all public officials, regardless of political status, should be held accountable where credible allegations exist.

Legal analysts have emphasised that public confidence in the justice system depends on adherence to due process, transparency and the timely determination of criminal cases.

The detention of a high-profile political figure inevitably attracts national and international attention. Beyond the immediate legal questions, the case has reignited discussions about judicial independence, the rights of accused persons, political accountability and the role of democratic institutions in safeguarding the rule of law.

As legal proceedings continue, attention is expected to remain focused on how the courts handle the matter and whether the competing claims of political persecution and lawful prosecution are tested through due judicial process.