Headlines
Kano elites betrayed my husband – Maryam Abacha
Maude Rabiu Gwadabe
Kano elites have betrayed late Nigerian military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, according to his widow Mrs Maryam Abacha.
She disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Kano Focus marking the 22nd memorial of late Abacha’s death.
Mrs Abacha said even though majority of Kano people still love the late Head of State, Kano elites have abandoned his family after his death on June 08, 1998.
“I hope Kano people will realize that Sani was their son.
“And this man was born in Kano in Sabon Gari and later he came to Fagge and grew up but his name is Abacha – a Kanuri name from Borno.
“He has marks, Kanuri marks on his face but he chose to be a Kano man.
“And he worked for Kano and he planted Kano people but there are people that he helped a lot but they are not even greeting me now for no reason.
“They just hate us! But why? This is a very bad attitude.
“It is Haram and Allah is watching us.” She said.
On “Abacha loot”
Mrs Abacha also defended her late husband against continuing allegations of looting Nigeria’s treasury.
“So how come this man was not a thief until he died?”
“What is this amount of money after 22 years you say oh we have found this amount of money and we’re bringing it back?”
“It’s a shame! It’s a shame to tell lies on a dead man! It’s a shame to tell lies on your leader!” she lamented.
The former first lady said General Abacha was a four-star General who had reached the pinnacle of his military career before becoming Head of state.
She said the five years Abacha spent ruling Nigeria shouldn’t overshadow all the contributions he gave right from the Civil War up to his stint as Minister of Defence.
Mrs Abacha added that the truth will eventually triumph regarding her husband’s true legacy.
“If he has done wrong God knows, if other people are putting the wrong on him it’s a matter of time.
“They will kneel down like America is kneeling down now. And everybody – a liar or a bastard – anybody that is evil will kneel down just like this Corona has come to shut this world.” She said.
Advice to Nigerians
Mrs Abacha advised Nigerians to value, respect, and love their leaders like other countries do.
Going down memory lane, Mrs Abacha said when her husband died some countries offered to erect his statues in Kano and the FCT but she rejected the offer on religious grounds.
“But unfortunately in our country no matter how hard you work and no matter how well you take care of people, it’s just a matter of ‘you are not a good person’.
“I want the youth not to only know who Abacha was or Maryam is, but I want them to know whoever it is God has risen to the pinnacle of the nation must have something good, must be hardworking, there must be something that is of value about that person whoever he is.” Mrs Abacha said.
She therefore called on Nigerians to learn to love, respect, tolerate, and value each other.
She explained that Nigerians should teach their children to accept and understand the different cultures and religions of the country.
“But the way we live in Nigeria, is what is causing all our problems – Oh you are a Fulani, this is Igbo, this is Yoruba – This will not take us anywhere.
“We should all come together as human beings not as Fulani or Hausa, or Igbo or Yoruba or Arab.”
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the Kano State Police Command to take over the investigation of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II following the violent incident that marred the Sallah celebration on March 30, 2025.
This directive replaces an earlier move by the Force Headquarters, which had invited the Emir to Abuja for questioning. That invitation has now been withdrawn, as the IGP opts for a more localized and less politically sensitive approach.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP’s decision followed consultations with key stakeholders who advised that handling the matter within Kano would help avoid escalating tensions or creating political interpretations of police action.
Tensions erupted on Sallah Day when Emir Sanusi, after attending Eid prayers barefooted, mounted a horse and led a procession through the streets — a move seen as defying a prior agreement by the two rival emirs to suspend all Durbar activities to preserve peace.
The procession allegedly involved local vigilantes and triggered clashes with youths in the area, resulting in the death of one Usman Sagiru and injuries to several others.
According to police, intelligence had earlier warned of potential conflict if the disputed emirs — Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and Alhaji Sanusi — went ahead with separate Durbar festivals.
As a preventive measure, senior officers were deployed to broker peace, leading to an agreement that no horse-riding or processions would take place.
Despite this, Emir Sanusi’s actions sparked violence, prompting police investigations and arrests.
The Force maintains that it will pursue justice with professionalism and neutrality.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has invited the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, for questioning in connection with a violent incident that occurred during the Eid-el-Fitr Sallah celebration.
KANO FOCUS recall that operatives of the Kano Police Command arrested one Usman Sagiru in connection with the alleged killing of a vigilante member, Surajo Rabiu, in an attack on the entourage of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Another vigilante member, Aminu Suleman, sustained injuries and was rushed to the Murtala Mohammed Specialists Hospital, Kano, for medical treatment.
The Kano police command spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna, said the incident occurred while the local guards were protecting the entourage of Emir Sanusi II on their way from the Kofar Mata Eid prayer ground after observing the two rakat eid-el-fitr prayers.
In a letter addressed to Sanusi, the IG asked the Kano monarch to appear at the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja on Tuesday, April 8, to answer some questions regarding the incident that occurred during the Sallah celebration within his domain.
The letter was signed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Olajide Ibitoye, on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department.
The letter reads, “I have the directives of the Inspector General of Police, through the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID) to invite you for an investigative meeting with regards to an incident that occurred during the Sallah celebration within your domain.
“In view of the above, you are hereby invited to Force Intelligence Department, opposite Police Force Headquarters Area 11. Abuja by 1000hrs of Tuesday, the 8th of April, 2025. Your availability is highly sought for a purposeful investigation.”
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed grief over the passing of Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, the Galadiman Kano and senior Kano Emirate official.
KANO FOCUS reports that Abbas Sanusi died at 92 after a protracted illness. Many children and grandchildren survive him.
Among his children is Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, the Kano State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Special Adviser to the President Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga President Tinubu described the deceased as a strong pillar of the traditional institution, its survival and development.
The President said the services of the late Sanusi, a titleholder since 1959, would be appreciated far beyond Kano Emirate and Kano State.
President Tinubu condoled with the government and people of Kano State, the Kano Emirate Council and the family of the late chief for the irreparable loss.
The President prayed to Allah to admit the Galadima in Jannatul Firdaus and comfort the family.
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