Headlines
How Kano vigilante operatives ‘beat man to death’ over generator fuel
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Five vigilante operatives have been arrested by the Kano State Police Command for allegedly beating a young man to death after accusing him of trying to steal generator fuel.
Kano Focus reports that the incident happened in the early hours of Monday in Sharada Ja’en area of Gwale local government of Kano state.
It was learnt that the deceased, Mustapha Shehu Gwarzo and four of his friends, were chased by the vigilante members, who reportedly saw them in front of a generator set, with gallons and rubber pipes at midnight.
While his friends managed to escape, it was learnt that Mr Mustapha was not so lucky as the angry vigilante operatives caught up with him and allegedly beat him to coma.
Father of the deceased, Malam Shehu Gwarzo told Kano Focus that his son later died at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.
Mr Gwarzo however said his son was not a thief, but a watchman for the generator, who was killed by the vigilante operatives on his duty post.
“I received a call on Monday morning that my son was admitted in hospital after he was beaten by vigilante members, so I quickly rushed to the hospital and found him in coma,” he said.
He explained that when the incident was reported to a police station in Sharada area, the police invited the vigilante members and asked them to write a statement explaining how Mr Mustapha was beaten.
But Mr Gwarzo added that instead of narrating the correct version of the incident, the vigilante members allegedly changed the story by claiming that they handed over the victim to Civil Defense officials after arresting him.
“The vigilante commandant of the area had earlier admitted to me that what his men did to my son was wrong and asked me for forgiveness but to my surprise, when the matter reached the police criminal investigation department (CID),they changed the story and claimed that my son was beaten by Civil Defense officers, ” he said.
The spokesperson for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) in Kano, ASC Ibrahim Idris Abdullahi, however denied the allegations.
Mr Abdullahi told Kano Focus that when the vigilante members approached civil defense officers and tried to hand over Mr Mustapha, the officers rejected the victim, after noticing that he had been severely beaten.
“Instead, our men told the vigilante operatives to take the victim to the hospital. It was not true that civil defense officers beat the deceased,” he said.
However, the Vigilante Commandant in Kano, Muhammad Kabir Alhaji told our correspondent that his men were on patrol when they saw five men standing close to a generator “trying to steal its fuel”.
Mr Alhaji added that when his men confronted the alleged fuel thieves, they tried to escape and one of them (referring to Mr Mustapha) fell into a gutter and got injured.
“Our men while on duty saw five people beside the generator with gallons and pipes trying to steal fuel from the generator, and my men tried to arrest them but they ran away” he said.
“As our members chased them, one of the suspects fell into a gutter and got injured. He was then taken to hospital where he later died,” Mr Alhaji added.
Spokesperson of the Kano Police Command, Abdullah Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed the arrest of the five vigilante members.
Mr Kiyawa, a deputy superintendent of police, said the Commissioner of Police Ahmad Iliyasu has ordered an investigation into the matter, adding that whoever is found wanting would be prosecuted.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has approved the establishment of a Technical Committee to tackle the persistent issue of poor employment representation of Kano State indigenes in federal government agencies, as well as private and voluntary institutions operating within the state.
KANO FOCUS the committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim, at his office in Kano. Speaking at the inauguration, the SSG expressed deep concern over what he described as the continued marginalisation of Kano indigenes in employment opportunities, despite Kano being the most populous state in the country.
He noted that Kano has not received its fair share of jobs, even in federal and private institutions located within the state, stressing that the high rate of unemployment among youths in Kano—believed to be higher than in any other state—demands urgent and decisive government intervention.
“This is the right time to reclaim what truly belongs to us,” Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim declared, adding that the present moment offers an opportunity for meaningful and sustainable action.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Press Secretary in the Office of the SSG, Musa Tanko Muhammad, explained that the committee was carefully constituted with experienced individuals drawn from various sectors of public service.
He announced Dr. Danyaro Ali Yakasai, Special Adviser to the Governor on Policy and Social Development, as Chairman of the committee, with Dr. Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, Special Adviser on Human Resource, serving as Co-Chairman.
Other members of the committee include Salisu Mustapha, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Civil Service; Ibrahim Muhammad Kabara, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties; Hon. Ali Yahuza Gano, Special Adviser on Metropolitan Affairs; Alhaji Salisu A. Kabo, Director General, Youth Empowerment; and Hon. Ado Muhammad Wudil, Executive Secretary, Guidance and Counselling Board. The committee’s activities will be coordinated by Salisu Musa Aliyu, Principal Assistant Secretary in the REPA Directorate of the SSG’s Office.
The committee is mandated to review employment practices in federal, private, and voluntary institutions operating in Kano State, determine the level of employment of Kano indigenes, engage relevant organisations on recruitment guidelines, and collaborate with the Federal Character Commission to ensure fairness and compliance with existing regulations. Its ultimate objective is to develop practical and lasting solutions that will improve employment opportunities for Kano State indigenes.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Dr. Danyaro Ali Yakasai, expressed gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the confidence reposed in the team. He assured that members would work diligently to justify the trust and appealed to the people of Kano State for prayers and cooperation.
The committee is expected to submit its report within four weeks.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his long-time political ally, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on his 76th birthday, marked on December 25.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Dr. Ganduje as an astute politician and accomplished administrator who has devoted over five decades to public service in Nigeria.
The President recalled that Dr. Ganduje served the nation in several key capacities, including as a senior administrator in the Federal Capital Territory before returning to Kano State to serve as Commissioner for Works during the military era. He later became a two-term Deputy Governor of Kano State and subsequently served two consecutive terms as Governor of the state.
Dr. Ganduje, who also served as National Chairman of the APC, is currently the Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
President Tinubu praised Ganduje’s enduring friendship and political collaboration, noting his significant contributions to the growth and stability of the ruling party.
“I will forever appreciate Ganduje’s friendship and close collaboration at different times, as well as his services to the APC,” the President said.
He prayed Almighty Allah to grant the former Kano State governor good health and long life to enable him to continue serving Nigeria and humanity.
Dr. Ganduje’s 76th birthday has drawn goodwill messages from political leaders and associates across the country, celebrating his long years of service and contributions to national development.
Headlines
NAHCON Secures ₦19 Billion Cost Reduction for 2026 Hajj, Pilgrims to Save Over ₦200,000 Each
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a ₦19 billion cost reduction for the 2026 Hajj, following a successful negotiation with Saudi service providers and Nigeria’s State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano on the outcome of his recent official visit to Saudi Arabia. He explained that the deal translates to a direct saving of more than ₦200,000 per pilgrim. Nigeria has been allocated 66,910 Hajj slots for the 2026 pilgrimage.
During the visit, NAHCON signed key service contracts with Mashariq Dhahabiyya for Masha’ir operations and Daleel Al-Ma’aleem for transportation. It also secured better accommodation and feeding arrangements in the Markaziyya area of Madinah at competitive rates.
Professor Sale further announced the official fares for the 2026 Hajj as follows:
Maiduguri/Yola: ₦8.12 million
Other northern states: ₦8.24 million
Southern states: ₦8.56 million
He stressed that State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards must remit 50 percent of the fares by October 8, 2025, while full payments from intending pilgrims are due by December 31, 2025.
“The deadlines are critical to enable early bookings and smooth operations,” he said, reaffirming NAHCON’s commitment to delivering a hitch-free Hajj exercise in 2026.
The NAHCON boss also appealed to the media for sustained support in sensitizing the public, noting that effective collaboration will ensure that the commission achieves its goals for Nigerians
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