Headlines
Triumph newspaper appoints acting editor
Nasiru Yusuf
The management of the Kano state owned Triumph newspaper has approved the appointment of Muhammad Hamisu Abdullahi as Acting Editor.
A statement issued to Kano Focus on Friday said the appointment followed the death of the former editor, Musa Ahmad Tijjani on Saturday April 25, 2020 after a brief illness.
Born in 1968, Mr Abdullahi attended Bayero University Kano, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications in 1995.
He did his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) between 1995 and 1996 at St. Joseph Comprehensive Secondary School, Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.
He taught various subjects including English Language, Home Economics, and Social Studies and later became the Principal of the college, till he successfully finished the one-year mandatory service in 1996.
A Seasoned Journalist
After returning home in 1996, he joined the Triumph Publishing Company Limited, Kano as a freelancer in the Editorial Department.
A year later, in 1997, he was employed as a sub-editor before becoming business columnist/editor, and took charge of reporting, writing and editing stories of events from the business world.
Between 2000 and 2001, he was on the Political Desk as a sub-editor, where he edited stories and other articles appearing in the political pages.
He was posted to features section as a sub-editor again between 2001 and 2003.
In 2003, he became the features editor.
Within the period of 2004 and 2005, he was taken to News Desk as Assistant News Editor.
Between 2005 and 2007, he was reposted to features section as editor.
From the year 2007 to 2012, he was taken to Sunday section to be the Assistant Editor of Sunday Triumph (a broad sheet).
He was appointed as Assistant Editor The Triumph (Daily) in 2012 to assist in the editing of some specific pages in the paper to include news and features.
Broadcast Experience
After the closure of Triumph Publishing Company in 2012, he was redeployed to Abubakar Rimi Television on October 31 of that year as Chief Information Officer, where he was posted to the Department of News and Current Affairs.
Between 2012 and 2015, he picked up part time lecturing at the Department of Arts and Humanities, Kano State Polytechnic, where he taught various courses on Mass Communication and supervised a number of students’ research projects.
In 2015, he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Director, News and Current Affairs of the Abubakar Rimi Television, a position he held up to the year 2017.
He served as Duty Editor on some days and producer/presenter of ‘Waiwayen Taskar Labaran Mako‘, a news analysis and reviews of major stories published by various media organisations.
Back to the Triumph
After reopening of Triumph Publishing Company Limited by the Ganduje administration, he was redeployed to the company on October 27, 2017 as Deputy Director/Deputy Editor of The Triumph, a position he held until his appointment as acting editor of the paper, following the demise of the former editor, Musa Ahmad Tijjani.
He attended many conferences, workshops and seminars within and outside the country, to include ‘Conference on Afro-Arab Solidarity,’ Khartoum, Republic of The Sudan, November 2010 – organised by International University of Africa, Khartoum, held at Burj El-Fateh Hotel, Khartoum.
Another is ‘Analogue to Digital Migration Workshop for Northern Broadcast Media’ May 31 to June 2, 2016 – organised by Moving Image Limited, Kano and supported by Pinnacle Communications Limited held at Manpower Development Centre, Dutse, Jigawa State.
He was also part of ‘Ogun-Kano Learning Exchange on Better Business Environment,’ November 12 to 14, 2018 organized by Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture in collaboration with Kano State Government and supported by Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (PERL-DFID).
He also attended ‘Agricultural Seeds Media Dialogue,’ May 31, 2018- organised again by the PERL-DFID in collaboration with National Agricultural Seeds Council held at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.
He was the recipient of many awards including Best Sub-Editor Merit Award by NUJ Triumph Chapel in 2002 and Best Writer of the Year 2003 by NUJ Kano State Council.
He was a member, Editorial Board (Triumph) 2001 to 2004; member, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) 1997 to date; and member, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), 2018 to date.
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.
Election-Era Extravagance: Why Nigeria Must Reject the Latest Debt Plan
NCC introduces device checker to curb counterfeit phones, protect consumers
Kano Task Force Arrests Suspected Gang Sponsor ‘Malam Keya’ in Rivers
Kano water agency strengthens security at Joda waterworks
Kano Police foil kidnap plot, arrest two suspects in Gezawa
Kano must make government procurement work for made-in-Kano
Indonesian scholar proposes waqf model to reform almajiri education in Nigeria
Nigeria’s Data Demand Surges 47% as Stakeholders Seek Fresh Investment in Digital Infrastructure
Kano Settles N32bn Pension, Gratuity Liabilities, Says Gov Yusuf
