Headlines
Kano traders protest stalls demolition
Muktar Yahya Usman
Roadside traders along Abubakar Rimi Market Sabon Gari Kano set up bonfires Monday morning to protest the demolishing of their stalls by the Kano state government.
Kano Focus reports that a Kano state government committee on clearing illegal structures on walkways had demolished stalls along the Market walls in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday respectively.
The committee headed by Baffa Babba Dan Agundi Managing Director, Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) has representatives from DSS, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) and Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB), among others.
One of the protesters Rabi’u Abdulhamid told Kano Focus that KAROTA operatives on Friday demolished their roadside tables and stalls which forced them to move back to the market pavement.
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“We thought they didn’t want us to trade on the road so we moved to the pavement and erected our stalls.
“However, KAROTA operatives returned under the leadership of Bappa Danagundi and demolished our stalls again.
“The most annoying thing is that they packed away all our belongings.” He lamented.
Another protester Saminu Abubakar wondered how their stalls could be called illegal when they had been paying taxes to the authorities.
“We pay tax every year through the market authority, and if you fail to pay, the market authority will seize your stall and stop you from doing business.
“We have paid this year’s rent and these are the receipts, but they just gave us less than 24 hours’ notice before demolishing our stalls.” He said.
Another protester, Abdulmuminu Salihu urged the government to refund the taxes and rent they had paid.
“We pay N20,000 to N30,000 per year and we have already paid for this year.
“So we have to protest to protect ourselves from the tyranny of KAROTA.”
However, Managing Director Abubakar Rimi Market Muhammad Uba Zubairu denied the claim that roadside traders pay rent to the market authority.
“We are not collecting any money from the roadside traders – neither rent nor taxes.
“They pay N25,000 to the shop owners that allow them to squat in front of their shops.
“The government charges N10,500 rent per shop but the shop owners charge N25,000 per roadside stall.
“However, that is a personal arrangement between them without anything going to the government.” Mr Zubairu said.
In a related development, KAROTA spokesperson Abubakar Nabilusi Kofar Na’isa stated that the Committee had given the roadside traders six months’ notice to vacate the premises or face demolition.
Mr Kofar Na’isa stated on Monday afternoon that successive Kano state administrations had offered to relocate the traders to Bompai, Bachirawa, and Rijiyar Zaki in the metropolis but they refused the offer.
He therefore warned the traders from “causing public disturbances” as KAROTA and security agencies will not tolerate that.
He however urged those whose property was carted away by the KAROTA operatives to report to the Sabon Gari Market police division.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
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