Headlines
Why our agents carry sticks – KAROTA

Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Managing Director, Kano state Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA) Bappah Babba Dan’agundi says their agents are forced to carry sticks for self-defense.
Kano Focus reports that Mr Dan’agundi stated this while addressing journalists on Monday in Kano.
He said KAROTA had earlier banned its personnel from carrying sticks but they are forced by circumstances to resume the practice.
“Recently, hoodlums have been attacking and injuring our personnel.

“This makes it necessary to use sticks to defend themselves.
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Mr Dan’agundi displayed pictures of injured KAROTA agents to prove his point.
“As you can see these are more than 35 of our staff who have been injured severely.
“Several had their legs or hands fractured while some will remain crippled forever.” He said.
No tolerance for violence
Mr Dan’agundi however said KAROTA will not tolerate violence against citizens by its own agents.
He confirmed that a KAROTA agent is in police custody for beating and breaking the leg of an unarmed civilian.
The KAROTA MD said if found guilty the agent will be summarily dismissed.
He therefore debunked speculations that KAROTA withdrew its agents on Sunday due to the incident.
“We received a security report that some hoodlums planned to attack our personnel.
“The police therefore advised us not to come out for work.
“We all know that if the police do not help us our work will not go smoothly.
“We enjoy a good relationship with all security agencies including the police and would always resolve any problem with all sister agencies amicably”. Mr Dan’agundi said.
No right to punish violators
The KAROTA MD also acknowledged that the agency has no right to punish traffic law violators.
Mr Dan’agundi said KAROTA only provides offence slips stating which law has been violated.
“If the offender accepts the charges he’ll be asked to pay the fine but if he refuses we’ll take him to court.” He said.

Headlines
Abba Kabir Yusuf asks Fuel Marketers to reverse to old price

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf has urged petroleum marketers to reverse the prices of petroleum goods to its old rate in order to lessen the current hardship experienced by the general public.

KANO FOCUS reports that the appeal is contained in a statement issued by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the chief press secretary to the governor.
The governor said he is aware that the marketers still had old products in stock that were supposed to be sold at the previous pricing.
“To reduce the needless hardship on the state’s citizens, the marketers should exercise some restraint and quickly reopen all filling stations with available products in stock to sell at the former price.
“As a concerned Governor, I am disheartened to see our dear People of Kano suffering as a result of an unjustified fuel hike, and the situation must be stopped right away,” the governor said.
Kano, according to governor, is the commercial hub for the country’s northern region as well as certain countries in West Africa, and its bustling populace continues to enjoy favorable business conditions.
The Governor urged the good citizens of Kano state to maintain their composure and uphold the law because the government is always prepared to make sure that people are doing their affairs conveniently.

Headlines
Abba Kabir Yusuf appoints Rahila Mukhtar to head KSCHMA

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has announced the appointment of Rahila Mukhtar as executive secretary of the Kano State Healthcare Contributory Management Agency (KCHMA).
KANO FOCUS reports that this is contained in a statement by his chief press secretary Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Thursday.
Yusuf also approved the appointment of Garba Bichi as managing director of the Kano State Water Board, Hassan Danbaffa as managing director of the Kano State Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA), Ibrahim Yakubu as managing director of the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) and Abdulkadir Abdussalam as the accountant-general.
KANO FOCUS reports that the government said a date for their swearing-in would be announced soon to enable them to assume the new responsibilities.

Headlines
Police arrest ninety-six suspects in Kano over attempts to disrupt inauguration activities


Ninety- six suspects were arrested by the Nigeria Police in Kano following alleged attempts to disrupt peace in the state during Monday’s inauguration ceremony.
KANO FOCUS reports that State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, who disclosed this at a press conference held at the Command’s Bompai headquarters, Wednesday remarked that the arrest followed a series of crackdowns by his men.
He noted that the suspects, who were picked up differently across the state within the last one week included 56 suspected mobile phone robbers, 17 illicit drug related suspects, and 20 suspects who were arrested on account of attempts to commit violent crimes.
Items recovered from the suspects included five cartons of suspected Tramadol tablets, 83 sachets of suspected Diazepam and 371 pieces of rubber solution, including 12 parcels and 303 wraps of dried leaves.
Other recoveries from the suspects included 157 weapons, four locally made guns, one toy gun and 18 mobile phones as well as 34 ATMs .
He explained that preliminary investigations had led them to conclude that the suspects were saboteurs and sponsored criminals given that they were found with dangerous weapons and were also under the influence of drugs during their arrest
Usaini added that all the suspects would soon be charged to court even as he advised the members of the public to be law abiding.
He insisted that the Police would continue to match its words with actions until all the criminally minded persons in the state repented or decided to leave the state.
