The Arbiter

How I Returned from the Gate of the Other World (3)

By Hassan Gimba

I want to believe Allah (SWT) brought me back to read my scorecard. He does that whenever He wants. All the more reason to forgive those who transgressed against you and seek forgiveness from those you have hurt. Importantly, Dr Imdad of Al Shifa Hospital told me that one should continue doing the good things they have been doing for humanity.

And this was why He answered the prayers of the multitude of people who interceded with Him on my behalf. People, some I knew, many I never knew from Adam. There were prayers in the National Mosque in Abuja; in many mosques, including the central mosque in Potiskum, and in several local governments in Yobe.

There were special prayers by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria in Potiskum and several other centres. Nigerian brothers in Qum and Karbala also contributed their quota. And these prayers were not only on Fridays but also at every given opportunity.

Individuals also contracted others to pray for me; even their children, from as early as when they were able to talk, prayed for me. The prayers of some kids were recorded and sent to Makkah, where they were replayed in my ear when I was sojourning between this world and the other.

My siblings, in addition to many other forms of prayer, shared and read portions of the Holy Qur’an amongst themselves and with our children. They did not leave out the youngest, who could read the holy book. The same with my in-laws in Maiduguri.

A person may be forgiven if they thought Facebook and other social media apps were created for them because the people praying for them took them over. It is heartwarming that many, many people — family, friends, associates, those known and unknown to me — were all praying for me. I was surprised to hear that some Christian associates, pastors and a church in Ghana had put me in their prayers, too.

On my birthday, April 9, social media was filled with messages of goodwill, “get well soon” wishes and prayers for more health and a long life. Many people I did not even expect were so prominent in their prayers for me. Exemplary examples, out of many, were distinguished Senator Musa Mustapha (Coolers) and Professor Abubakar Bukar Kagu, the Matawalli of Machina. The senator’s message was long and heart-touching.

In Makkah, too, prayers for me were many and earnest. Many of those who knew me and went for Umrah prayed for me. Even the Makkah dwellers we encountered, such as our landlord Ali Bukar, his family, and numerous others, did not lag behind. My two wives, Dr Aminat Zakari and Hajiya Falmata Baba Adam, together with my son Abubakar Sadik, were always performing Umrah and, most times, circumambulating the al-Ka’bah al-Musharrafah (simply Ka’aba). On all occasions, they were praying for me. But the prayers were not limited to this.

I was in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Al Shifa, and visits were twice a day — 11 am and 9 pm — for 30 minutes each. One night, my wife, Dr Aminat, visited. I was then between this world and the other one and so did not even know she came because I was not aware of my physical environment. She watched me, cried, and left, but she did not go far; she sat outside the hospital crying and praying for me.

According to her, Dr Tamer, the chief medical officer there, came down to go home. He saw her and stopped. Then she realised it was around 1:30 am. He asked her, “You are still around?” She answered him in the affirmative. It was not visiting time then, yet he asked her, “Do you want to see him?” and she said, “Yes.” He broke the rule and brought her in to see me, forgoing his need to go home and rest.

When they came to me, she was just watching me and shedding tears. To her surprise, he, too, started tearing up. Then he showed his humility and belief in Allah’s powers and will. He told her, “Please pray for him and pray for us (the medical team) … we are also praying for him.” He would tell my family not to worry when they asked for the hospital bills. “Let us take care of him first,” he would say.

I used to think Arabs were racists, but the doctors and nurses at Al Shifa have cleansed me of that thought. Here was I, a poor Black man from Nigeria who could not profit them in any way, yet they gave their all to restore my health.

Doctor Tamer is like a father figure wherever he is. He always electrifies the hospital whenever he arrives. He went out of his way to get me a visa, get insurance to underwrite my hospital bills and secure an airline well-equipped to bring me home.

Dr Nazee, who was directly in charge of me, was a bubbly chap who also, like Dr Tamer, took my case personally.

Dr Imdad, the only non-Egyptian among them, is a Pakistani with a melodious voice. He presents the impression of being the life of the party. Kind-hearted, he comes close to a patient, propping him up psychologically. I recall him telling me to eat food. “You may not like it,” he told me. “Just eat.” And that was how I found myself eating the spiceless, bland Arabian food served to me.

Dr Hassan and Dr Ahmed Alsaid are two other great doctors there.

I could not get the name of the hospital’s chief executive officer, who used to come to the hospital now and then. One day, he stood by the door and blew kisses towards me. He, too, knew about Gimba the Fighter.

Hey, do you want to know about a nurse at Al Shifa Hospital whose wonderful-great-grandparents might have fought side by side with the Prophet at the Battle of Badr or who was born around that time?

Hassan Gimba is the publisher and CEO of Neptune Prime.

Zulum Pushes Consensus Option Ahead of APC Primaries in Borno

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has urged aspirants contesting for elective positions under the All Progressives Congress in Borno State to embrace consensus as the preferred option for selecting candidates ahead of the party’s primaries.

The governor made the appeal on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Maiduguri, where party leaders and aspirants gathered to deliberate on preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The APC primaries are expected to begin on Friday, May 15, with House of Representatives contests, while the presidential primary is scheduled for May 23 in Abuja.

Mr Zulum said consensus remains the best strategy for preserving unity within the party and positioning it strongly for future elections.

He commended party stakeholders for their continued support and loyalty to the APC administration in the state.

“As we prepare for the primaries, I want to remind all aspirants that consensus remains the most viable option for our party in Borno State,” the governor said.

He, however, noted that the party would resort to direct primaries if consensus arrangements fail.

The governor also assured party members that democratic principles would be respected throughout the process, stressing that no candidate would be imposed on any constituency.

According to him, consultations among stakeholders should continue to ensure acceptable candidates emerge across the state.

Mr Zulum urged aspirants to remain committed to the party regardless of the outcome of the primaries, adding that those who fail to secure tickets could still benefit from future political opportunities.

He further disclosed that aspirants who voluntarily withdraw from contests may be considered for appointments and other opportunities at both state and federal levels.

To coordinate consultations across the state, the governor inaugurated zonal consultative committees for the three senatorial districts.

The deputy governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, will head the Southern Zone committee, while the APC deputy national chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, will oversee the Central Zone. Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno was appointed to coordinate the Northern Zone consultations.

During the meeting, Mr Zulum also formally presented Engr Mustapha Gubio as the party’s consensus governorship candidate, fulfilling an earlier commitment made during a stakeholders’ meeting held in April.

Speaking at the gathering, Mr Dalori and the APC State Chairman, Bello Ayuba, backed the consensus arrangement, saying it would strengthen party cohesion and improve the APC’s chances in the 2027 elections.

Yobe Police Arrest Four Suspected Drug Dealers, Recover Tramadol, Other Illicit Substances

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

The Yobe State Police Command has arrested four suspected drug dealers during a raid on a notorious criminal hideout in the Kolere community, Fune Local Government Area of the state.

The operation also recovered dozens of tramadol capsules and other illicit substances as part of intensified efforts to tackle crime and drug-related activities across the state.

The spokesperson of the command, Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed the information in a statement issued on Thursday in Damaturu.

According to him, the police have continued to record progress in ongoing operations targeting criminal gangs and drug peddlers operating within communities in the state.

He explained that operatives attached to the Area Command in Potiskum carried out a coordinated raid on May 6, 2026, at about 3:00 p.m. The raid took place at Borno Kichi market in Kolere village, which is allegedly being used as a hideout by criminal elements involved in drug trafficking and other unlawful activities.

The police spokesperson identified the suspects as Nafizu Adamu, 25; Babale Idi, 25; Shuaibu Mohammed, 35; and Shuaibu Musa, 22.

He said the suspects were arrested while in possession of several prohibited substances, including tramadol capsules, assorted hard drug tablets, Indian hemp, and a rubber solution commonly known as “Sholi”.

According to the statement, all four suspects are residents of Kolere Village in Fune Local Government Area.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, commended the operatives for the successful operation and urged officers across the state to sustain the ongoing crackdown against criminal syndicates and drug-related crimes.

The police commissioner also warned individuals involved in unlawful activities to desist or face the full weight of the law.

He added that investigations are ongoing and that authorities would charge the suspects in court upon completion of the investigation.