The Kwankwasiyya Movement has declared that the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) is effectively dead following the resignation of its national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on March 29, 2026.

Spokesman for the Movement, Habibu Mohammed, made this statement on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television.

Mohammad, stated that the NNPP was synonymous with Kwankwaso, and his departure leaves the party without a platform in Kano and across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He was reacting to the recent defection of Kwankwaso from the NNPP into the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

“Everybody knows that the NNPP is synonymous with Kwankwaso and him leaving the NNPP automatically means that the NNPP is actually dead in Kano, and maybe beyond Kano, which might be seen to be dead across the nation.

“Just like what Kwankwaso meant for the NNPP in Kano, he will now be seen to be the ADC in Kano State, and it will be an interesting scenario.

“So many people believe in Kwankwaso and his principles. There will be a lot of influx into the ADC.

“And I believe from the recent happening, it is going to be a very interesting scenario in Kano, because there are several others that are actually going to come along, and this is the result of the fact that so many people believe that Kwankwaso is a man with principle, and he’s the man that doesn’t actually meander. He goes straight to the point.

“He’s somebody who is ready to actually say it as it is, and for both parties to understand.

“So there are so many politicians that knew very well that they can align with him, even if they have different opinions, but the fact that he can lead, he can provide direction, he can protect his own and he will be able to actually turn things around, so many other people are coming,” Mohammed said.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Tijani Fatai, has ordered the immediate and complete withdrawal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) from all traffic control and enforcement duties across the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, stated that the directive was part of efforts to streamline traffic management operations and ensure professionalism and accountability.

Adebisi noted that the withdrawal only affects traffic-related responsibilities, adding that all other duties and operational mandates of the task force remain in force.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, has directed the immediate and complete withdrawal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) from traffic control and traffic contravention enforcement across the state.

“This directive is part of ongoing efforts to streamline traffic management operations and ensure professionalism, accountability, and clarity in the discharge of duties. It is important to note that while the unit has been withdrawn from traffic-related responsibilities, all other assigned duties and operational mandates of the unit remain fully in force.”

The police also clarified that the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit is not the only task force operating in the state.

Residents and motorists were therefore advised to verify the identity of personnel and agencies before making allegations, particularly on issues relating to traffic enforcement.

The command reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property while ensuring that all operations in the state are carried out in line with the law.

It also urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and cooperate with legitimate security agencies.

The directive comes amid recent backlash against the task force operatives following allegations of extortion.

The controversy followed a viral video posted by ObjectvMedia, in which officials of the task force were accused of unlawful arrest and extorting money from motorists.

According to the video, a taskforce operative allegedly seized control of a driver’s vehicle, repositioned it on a one-way street to create false evidence of a traffic offence, and subsequently demanded payment.

The driver, in the footage seen by PUNCH Online, denied driving on the one-way route where the vehicle was captured.

A male voice in the video further alleged that the man was detained and later sent to prison despite contacting the task force chairman, Adetayo Akerele, who had reportedly promised to intervene.

The police authorities had since commenced an investigation into the incident.

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has been returned to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

His return follows a brief temporary release granted on March 27, 2026, on compassionate grounds to allow him to attend the burial of his mother, Hajiya Umma, in Abuja.

The court adjourned hearing of the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor till today.

His counsel, Ubong Akpan (SAN), who declined detailed comments on the proceedings, confirmed the development shortly after yesterday’s court session.

“I’m sorry, I can’t talk now, we are in the middle of work. I have to go and file responses. The hearing of the bail application has been adjourned till tomorrow,” Akpan said.

The former governor was subsequently taken away from the court premises ICPC operatives in a white Hilux vehicle.

He had returned to the Federal High Court amid tight security for the hearing of his bail application in an ongoing corruption trial.

The heavy security presence mirrored the situation during his arraignment last week, when he was first brought before the court.

El-Rufai had been arraigned before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.

The court had fixed March 31, 2026, for the hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.

However, on March 27, 2026, the ICPC released him on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt.

El-Rufai was earlier arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo on separate charges.

At the State High Court, he was docked alongside one Amadu Sule on allegations ranging from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage.

The charges, also instituted by the ICPC, are distinct from those before the Federal High Court.

After the State High Court proceedings, the commission moved El-Rufai to the Federal High Court, located within the same premises.