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Finding the ultimate peace: A tribute to Dr Habib Musa Fagge
Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Fagge
I can’t remember the last time I saw so many people, young and old, crying as a result of losing someone. Probably the nearest I can remember was during the demise of the famous Sheikh, Sheikh Ja’far Mahmud Adam, who was murdered while leading Subh prayer somewhere in 2007.
The death of Dr. Habib, an anaethesiologist and a medical consultant with Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano Nigeria, has been a great tragedy which directly touched thousands of people.
Dr. Habib was born around 47 years ago. Born from the family of Alhaji Musan Kwalle in Fagge, Kano, he had his early Islamic education in Fagge, partly in Saqafah Islamiyya and in other places.
He attended Kwakwaci Secondary School and later proceeded and obtained his medical degree from University of Maiduguri. He became a medical doctor who worked with honesty, dedication and for the sake of Allah, Almighty. His qualifications didn’t in any way go into his head or made him feel superior to others.
Throughout the days of his academic struggles, Malam Dr. Habib was truly a hard working servant of Allah who devoted his time, energy, and meagre resources for the sake of humanity.
Dr. Habib Musa was a philanthropist per excellence. He never needed to know you personally before he offered his helping hand. As a government worker, he went the extra mile to help and assist anyone who came his way, and to the best of his ability.
I am a living witness to how he had assisted one of our students, who sought for his assistance. I heard many people narrating how he had also assisted them, paid for their medication and transport fare back home. This is incredible.
Sheikh Bin Usman, on returning to Nigeria from a foreign trip, directly branched at Fagge, Dr. Habib’s family house, to pay his condolence and pray for the deceased. It was there that he narrated and showed a text message which showed Dr. Habib donating more than a hundred thousand naira, just two weeks before his final exit.
People have mentioned a lot of good about him. Thousands of mouths described him as “mutumin kirki” – a righteous person. The mention is too much and too high. As I told his brother, Sheikh Musa Musa that, even his (Dr. Habib’s) family, will never know half of what Dr. Habib did to help others during his lifetime. With all the pouring revelations, these cannot reveal half of what he has done to those in need.
He was a doctor for all! He cared and prescribed cures for his family, friends, friends of his families, friends of friends of his families, and to even those who were not known to him personally. He helped all those who went to him accordingly.
On the 28th of September, 2019, as the President of Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Dr. Habib and many other doctors like him, celebrated the day and made it a duty upon themselves to sensitize and make people aware of simple and quick methods of saving lives.
They tagged and gave a theme of “LifeSavers” for the event internationally. Dr. Habib sacrificed the day and chose our two mosques, at Rijiyar Zaki (Assalam Juma’at Mosque) and Dambare (Darul Hamd Juma’at Mosque) for his personal demonstrations.
Dr. Habib was very cool, cute and calm. A right honourable gentle man! You will never see him in the middle of anything! He always chose to be at a side, hardly to be noticed by anyone. He didn’t want to be known unless where necessary. Someone may easily [mis]perceive him as an introvert, not knowing that he can overtake a whole crowd when there is need.
A day after his death, it was said that Lassa fever killed him. This is up to the authorities to confirm, however, Dr. was known to have an ailment which repeatedly put him to bed, almost every year.
“If Lassa fever was the culprit in Dr Habeeb’s death, then it was indeed merciless and evil. It took away the wrong person at the wrong time.”
It didn’t know the right person to be taken. We have no worries whatever as to the cause of his death. We are worried that Dr. Habeeb is no longer in our midst with his charming smile and soothing frame.
After he was buried, people stayed around the grave for a very long time. They just stayed and stared. They didn’t want to leave. I was there wondering and praying for him to answer his questions right! He has truly done that insha Allah. Finally, one his brothers, Malam Adamu Sarki, too weak and crying, stood up and said, “jama’a mu tafi”, and there we left!
His life is a life worth of lessons to be emulated. It was a life of a man who struggled from grass to grace and from the soil to the stars! May we copy and do more than what he did.
May the almighty Allah forgive him. May the almighty Allah make him to be among the dwellers of Jannatul Firdaus. May the almighty Allah make us to have more people like him and more! May almighty Allah give his family, friends, colleagues, all and sundry the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, amen! Allah Ya sa mu riske ku da alheri, amin. Ina yi wa ‘yan’uwa da kowa da kowa ta’aziyya.
Hauwa Umar
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a device verification platform to strengthen regulatory compliance, protect consumers and curb the circulation of counterfeit, cloned and unauthorised communication devices in Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the commission said the NCC Device Checker Platform would enable consumers to verify the regulatory approval status of SIM-enabled devices before purchasing them, while helping ensure that devices connected to Nigerian telecommunications networks meet established technical standards.
The Kano Zonal Controller of the NCC, Engr. Maigana Gidado, disclosed this on Thursday during a media briefing at the commission’s zonal office in Kano.
Engr. Gidado said the initiative was part of the commission’s efforts to strengthen Type Approval compliance and improve the integrity of communication devices used on Nigerian networks.
According to him, the commission has made progress in implementing the initiative through the regularisation and licensing of device dealers, as well as sensitisation engagements with importers and other industry stakeholders.
He said the commission had streamlined its licensing and regularisation processes, enabling a significant number of device dealers in Kano State to obtain licences.
The NCC had also conducted stakeholder sensitisation engagements in Lagos and other parts of the country to improve awareness of Type Approval requirements and obligations under the Device Checker framework.
“These initiatives have strengthened accountability across the device supply chain and improved compliance with regulatory requirements,” he said.
Engr. Gidado added that the commission had developed a user-friendly Device Checker application that allows authorised stakeholders to scan device International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers and upload information directly to the platform.
He said the application was designed to simplify compliance procedures, improve efficiency and make the verification process more accessible to relevant industry participants.
The zonal controller urged consumers to verify the status of devices before purchasing them through the commission’s *Check Your Device* portal at [www.ncc.gov.ng/devicechecker](http://www.ncc.gov.ng/devicechecker) by entering the device’s IMEI number.
He also directed manufacturers, importers, distributors and dealers to consult the Type Approval and Device Verification Guide available at [www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceCheckerGuide](http://www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceCheckerGuide) to understand their responsibilities under the regulatory framework.
According to him, organisations seeking Equipment Type Approval can access the relevant application requirements and procedures through the Type Approval section of the commission’s website.
Engr. Gidado, however, clarified that the Device Checker Platform was not a surveillance tool and would not access users’ personal data, messages, photographs, contacts, financial information or other private content stored on their devices.
He explained that the platform’s purpose was limited to device identification and verification of regulatory compliance.
The NCC urged consumers to patronise reputable and licensed dealers and take advantage of its online resources to make informed purchasing decisions.
It also encouraged industry stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the commission’s Type Approval requirements and ensure full compliance.
Engr. Gidado said consumers requiring assistance or wishing to lodge complaints could contact the commission through its 315 toll-free consumer line.
He reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to consumer protection, fair competition and network integrity, adding that the commission would continue to promote a trusted communications ecosystem in Nigeria.
Suspect returned to Kano to face investigation, prosecution
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested a suspected gang leader and sponsor, Ishaq Lawan Ibrahim, popularly known as Malam Keya, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
KANO FOCUS reports that the 27-year-old suspect, from Yelwa in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, is accused of sponsoring violent gang clashes that have claimed lives and heightened insecurity in parts of the state.
The task force disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspect was arrested following intelligence-led operations after allegedly fleeing Kano as security operations against gang violence intensified.
According to the statement, operatives tracked him to Port Harcourt and arrested him in an operation led by the task force’s Head of Operations, CSP Bashir Gwadabe. He has since been returned to Kano.
The task force alleged that Malam Keya played a leading role in orchestrating and financing hoodlums involved in violent attacks in Dala and other affected communities.
The areas reportedly affected by the gang violence include Jakara, Madigawa, Yalwa, Sanka, Kul Kul, Dogon Nama, Kukar Bulukiya, Dala, Shatsari and Dandalin Turawa.
Confirming the arrest, the task force chairman, Barr Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said the operation demonstrated the agency’s determination to pursue suspected sponsors of violence beyond Kano State.
“Let me assure you that those who bankroll violence should know that no distance, and no hiding place, will protect them. This arrest is only the beginning. We will not rest until peace is fully restored,” he said.
The task force said the suspect remained in custody for further investigation and would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.
It added that its operations would continue in accordance with the law, with all suspects entitled to due process.
The agency also pledged to sustain efforts to dismantle criminal gangs, identify their alleged sponsors and disrupt drug supply networks linked to criminal activities.
It urged residents, community and religious leaders, parents and youths to support security efforts by reporting suspicious persons and activities, monitoring their neighbourhoods and discouraging young people from being recruited into criminal gangs.
The task force described public cooperation as essential to restoring peace and security across the state.
It also acknowledged the support of the Kano and Rivers state police commands and other law enforcement agencies in the operation.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Police Command has foiled an alleged kidnapping plot in Gezawa Local Government Area and arrested two 20-year-old suspects over threats to abduct a village head.
KANO FOCUS reports that the suspects, identified as Aliyu Naziru Garba and Bashir Alhasan, were arrested following intelligence-led operations by police operatives attached to the Gezawa Divisional Police Headquarters.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.
According to the statement, the incident was reported on October 26, 2026, at about 1:30 a.m. by the village head of Bangare, Mallam Idris, who told the police that he had received a threatening phone call from an unidentified person on October 24 at about 9:33 p.m.
The caller allegedly threatened to kidnap him.
Following the report, police operatives launched a follow-up operation, which led to the arrest of the two suspects.
“The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime,” the statement said, adding that investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court upon completion.
The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended officers of the Gezawa Division for their swift and professional response.
Bakori reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance on criminal activities and said the operation aligned with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which prioritises intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, professionalism and proactive crime prevention.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest police station.
The command also provided the following emergency contact numbers for reporting security concerns: 08032419754, 08123821575 and 09029292926.
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