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.
Ibrahim Khalil
Residents of Tsakuwa community in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State have honoured 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the development of the town.
KANO FOCUS reports that the awards were presented during the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, held on Sunday at Central Primary School, Tsakuwa.
Among those honoured were the traditional ruler of the community, Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa; the Chairman of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa; and a retired headmaster of Central Primary School, Tsakuwa, Alhaji Mahmuda Shehu, who continues to offer voluntary teaching services to pupils in the community.
Also recognised was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, a Nupe businessman who settled in Tsakuwa and has become an integral part of the community. He was honoured for his significant contributions to the town’s development.
Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe receiving a certificate
Other award recipients included the Chairman of the Northwest Development Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji (Garkuwan Tsakuwa); the Commander of the Gombe State Hisbah Command, Malam Rabiu Idris; media practitioner Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim of Abubakar Rimi Television Corporation (ARTV); the founder of Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Malam Ibrahim Almustapha Sani; and Sulaiman Salisu Babah, among others.
Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan presenting a certificate to Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Speaking at the event, the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, commended the leadership of the association for its commitment to community development and urged members to sustain their efforts toward improving the welfare of residents.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, said the non-partisan organisation had prioritised interventions in education, security, and healthcare.
He appealed to members of the community to sustain their monthly financial contributions to enable the association to continue implementing development projects.
Earlier, a member of the association, Malam Abdullahi Wagadi, disclosed that the group generated ₦6.56 million through members’ monthly contributions over the past year.
According to him, the association spent ₦3.84 million on allowances for volunteer teachers and vigilantes, ₦564,000 on fencing the Eid prayer ground, and ₦1.255 million on the renovation of the community police outpost.
He further stated that ₦356,000 was spent on supporting Tsakuwa Model Primary School, ₦430,000 on scholarships for students, ₦700,000 on instructional materials, and ₦50,000 on health assistance for vulnerable residents.
Association Raises Over ₦2.1 Million at AGM
A major highlight of the AGM was the fundraising session, during which the association raised ₦2.143 million from philanthropists and community stakeholders.
Leading the donations was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, who contributed ₦500,000. He was followed by Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, who also donated ₦500,000, while Hon. Abdulmumin Tijjani, popularly known as Mai POS, donated ₦200,000.
Other donors included the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, who donated ₦100,000; the association’s chairman, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, ₦200,000; Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji Garkuwan Tsakuwa), ₦100,000; and Malam Rabiu Idris, who also contributed ₦100,000.
The event attracted community leaders, stakeholders, and residents who commended the association for its contributions to grassroots development and pledged continued support for its programmes.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Health journalists in Kano State have inaugurated a new professional body, the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), aimed at strengthening media reporting and advocacy on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Primary Health Care (PHC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the network was launched during an Alignment, Coordination, Monitoring and Implementation meeting of media coalitions on gender-responsive RMNCAH and PHC, organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in Kano.
During the inauguration, journalists unanimously elected Khadijah Aliyu of Radio Nigeria as Chairperson of the newly established network.
Other members of the executive committee include Mustapha Hodi Adamu of People Daily Newspaper as Vice Chairperson, Abdullahi Hassan of ARTV as Secretary, and Mustapha Salisu of Prime Times as Public Relations Officer.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Director of ISMPH, Mr. Solomon Dogo, said the establishment of KAHJON would help unify existing health reporting groups and improve media coverage of critical public health issues, including polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health, and primary healthcare services.
He congratulated the newly elected executives and expressed confidence that the network would enhance collaboration among media practitioners while strengthening health advocacy efforts in the state.
Dogo noted that similar health journalists’ networks are already operating in Lagos and Kaduna states, adding that development partners remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote public health advocacy.
Also speaking, ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano, Hajiya Sabuwa Yahaya, said the platform would improve coordination among journalists, enhance access to health information, and strengthen evidence-based reporting on health issues.
According to her, the network will also provide a stronger platform for advocacy and engagement with government institutions, development partners, and local communities.
The inauguration ceremony attracted goodwill messages from several development partners, including the Integrated Budget and Policy (IBP), LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Representatives of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency, and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency also attended the event.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which formally established the Kano Health Journalists Network and marked the beginning of a new chapter in health journalism and advocacy in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A House of Representatives aspirant for the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Mahmud Tijjani Kura, has withdrawn his candidature and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the development was disclosed on Saturday by a prominent APC chieftain, Alhaji Aliyu Lawan Dambatta, popularly known as Majidadin Dambatta.
According to Majidadin Dambatta, he led a delegation alongside the former aspirant to a meeting with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, during which Kura formally announced his decision to join the APC.
Majidadin Dambatta described the defection as a significant boost to the ruling party, noting that it would further strengthen the APC’s unity and political structure ahead of future elections.
He said the party remained committed to working collectively for the progress and development of Kano State and the country.
The APC stalwart welcomed Kura back into the party and expressed confidence that he would make meaningful contributions to its growth and the welfare of the people.
The defection is expected to add a new dimension to the political landscape in Kano State as parties continue to realign ahead of future electoral contests.
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