Headlines
Kano Emirate, Maja Sirdi disagree over sack
By Mukhtar Yahay Usman
Officials of the Kano Emirate Council and Maja Sirdin Sarkin Kano, Alhaji Auwalu Idi have disagreed after the latter claimed to have been sacked by the former following his celebration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s victory at the election petition tribunal.
Media reports on Sunday have claimed that the Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II had ordered the sack of Mr Idi, for welcoming Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to Kano, following his victory at the election petition tribunal.
According to the report, Emir Sanusi was alleged to have asked Mr Idi to vacate his residence, located within the palace premises, which he has been occupying for more than 30 years.
Quoting sources, the news story further claimed that the monarch was angry with Maja Sirdi over his action, which he saw as an expression of “disloyalty”.
The report further asserted that Emir Sanusi had “warned against attending any government function which the Emir did not approve of.”
However, while Maja Sirdi insists that he has been removed from office and also asked to vacate his residence at Kofar Kwaru, the Chief of Staff to Emir Sanusi, Munir Sanusi has denied Mr Idi’s claim, saying the emirate only retrieved the keys to the royal stables from Maja Sirdi.
Speaking to Kano Focus, Mr Idi said he had been ordered by Shamakin Kano, Wada Jalo, on behalf of the emirate, to hand over the keys to the royal stables and to vacate his residence.
He said he was punished after he expressed support to Mr Ganduje, during a rally to celebrate the tribunal ruling affirming the victory of the governor.
“I attended the governor’s rally and even distributed water bottles to his supporters to show our happiness with Ganduje’s victory. I even decorated the governor with a robe at the event. But officials of the emirate council were not happy with my action and decided to punish me,” he said.
“After the rally, I was summoned by Shamaki, who asked me to go into the royal stables to count all the royal items inside them. After taking the inventory and finding everything intact, he demanded the keys to the stables and ordered me to vacate my residence immediately. I am now searching for a house before moving out,” he added.
But, Munir Sunusi, chief of staff to the Emir, denied the sacking of Maja Sirdi from his position.
He however, confirmed that the keys to the royal stables were retrieved from Maja Sirdi, after some saddles were stolen.
“I don’t know anything about claims of sacking Maja Sirdi. But we have retrieved keys from him after some of the Emir’s saddles were stolen. In fact, the Emir has nothing to do with this issue because Shamaki is the supervisor of Maja Sirdi and other courtiers.
“Shamaki took action because he had been receiving complaints about missing royal accessories for sometime. That is why he asked Maja Sirdi to handover his keys pending investigation. So, it does not make sense for anyone to claim that we sacked anybody just because he celebrated a governor,” he said.
“Nobody asked Maja Sirdi to leave his residence. He is still living in his house and still retains his position,” Mr Sunusi, who is also the Dan Majen Kano added.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in separate operations targeting drug peddling and thuggery in Panshekara and Kunchi/Ghari Local Government Area.
KANO FOCUS reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to the statement, the operations, conducted on September 9, 2026, were part of the command’s intelligence-driven efforts to tackle drug abuse, thuggery and violent crimes across the state.
It said operatives of the Surveillance Team attached to Panshekara Police Division, acting on credible intelligence at about 2:30 p.m., intercepted eight suspects, including a 21-year-old man identified as Samson Yakubu of Samegu Quarters, at a suspected criminal hotspot.
A search of the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of 15 Pregabalin capsules, five Diazepam tablets, 10 Exol tablets and some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said the suspects were in custody and undergoing interrogation, while investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the suspected illicit drugs and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In a related operation conducted between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. the same day, operatives of the Kunchi/Ghari Division carried out a coordinated market patrol and raid at Matanfada Market.
The command said the area had been identified as a place where youths allegedly intimidate traders and residents during market sessions.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Abdullahi Isah of Dustin; Haruna Isah of Daqarawa Village; Habu Badamasi of Dan Taimu Village; Gambo Ya’u of Kura Village; and Abubakar Dahiru of Farau Village.
The police said investigation was ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices, while exhibits recovered during the operation had been taken into custody as evidence.
CP Bakori commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and swift response, assuring residents that the command would sustain its operations against drug abuse, thuggery and other violent crimes.
“In line with the IGP’s policing vision and our mandate to ensure a safe and secure Kano, we will continue to be proactive,” the commissioner said.
“We are sending a clear message to criminal elements that Kano State will not be a breeding ground for their activities.”
The command also appreciated members of the public, community leaders and vigilante groups for providing information that aided the operations.
It urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
The command said all suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The funeral prayer for the late Shehu Kabir Bayero, Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Dorayi, was held on Thursday evening at Kofar Kudu, Kano Emir’s Palace.
KANO FOCUS reports that the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Khamsus Salawati Mosque, Kofar Kudu, Malam Bello, and attended by hundreds of people from different parts of Kano State.
Among those who attended were the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk; representative of the Emir of Kano, Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Matawalle; Chief of Staff to the Kano State Government House, Dr Sani Wali; as well as district heads and members of the Muslim community.
Shehu Kabir Bayero died in a hospital in Egypt following a period of illness. He is survived by his wives, children and other relatives.
Until his death, the late Bayero served as Commissioner of Police in Gombe and Osun states before retiring from the Nigeria Police Force.
Following his retirement, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, appointed him as the Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Takai Local Government Area after the death of his father, the late Kabir Bayero, an elder brother of the former emir.
He later served as District Head of Gwarzo.
Due to his wealth of experience in security matters, the current Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, subsequently reassigned him as District Head of Dorayi, where he was expected to contribute to the sustenance of peace and security in the area.
The late district head was remembered for his service to the state and his experience in security and traditional administration.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has held a planning meeting on the implementation and effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting brought together relevant stakeholders from various ministries, agencies and development partners working in the education sector.
According to Malam Naziru Sirajo, deputy director EMIS and statistics in the Ministry of Education, the meeting was aimed at reviewing the current status of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano and developing a coordinated plan to strengthen its implementation, content utilisation, course completion, monitoring of learners’ progress and certification.
The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide Nigerian children and young people with access to curriculum-aligned educational content, including lessons, learning materials and assessments.
The platform is also designed to support learning continuity, including for learners facing limited or intermittent internet connectivity, while providing teachers and education stakeholders with digital resources to complement classroom instruction.
In Kano, the initiative is expected to strengthen awareness and utilisation of digital learning, while building the capacity of master trainers and technical teams to support schools, teachers and learners in using the platform effectively.
The effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport is expected to expand access to quality digital learning resources, promote independent learning, strengthen digital literacy and support improved learning outcomes and greater equity in access to educational opportunities.
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