Headlines
Police arrest 202 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, others
Nasiru Yusuf
Police in Kano said they have arrested 225 suspects accused of committing various offences between June 1 to July 16.
KANO FOCUS reports that the police spokesperson in Kano Abdullahi Kiyawa announced this in a statement issued on Sunday.
He said those apprehended include 21 armed robbery suspects, 7 kidnapping suspects, 23 drug dealers, 18 suspected fraudsters, 5 motor vehicles thieves, 11 cattle rustlers, and 140 notorious thugs (‘Yan Daba).
Kiyawa said on July 7 one Ado Shuaibu of Malaku village in Doguwa local government had called Yakubu Abdu of Shere village in same local government area demanding two million Naira or risked being kidnapped.
“On receipt of the report, the commissioner of police Kano state police command CP Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, fsi, raised and instructed team of policemen led by CSP Bala Shu’aibu, Divisional Police Officer, Doguwa Division to expatriate action.
“The team immediately swung into action and covert operation was conducted at the pickup point which eventually led to the arrest of one ado Shu’aibu, ‘m’, of 24 years old, of Maraku Village Doguwa LGA, Kano State.
“Suspect was shot on his right leg in his bid to flee, and was rushed to Doguwa General Hospital and treated. Exhibit recovered from him are; wooden carving design pistol, Tecno phone with SIM card he use in threatening the complainant, one machete, and a black polythene leather (to put ransom).
The police spokesperson added that on July 2, a team of policemen while on routine patrol in Falgore forest, Tudun Wada local government area, Kano state, arrested one Abdulrahman Usman, of Kurmi village, Soba local government area, Kaduna state, and five others who attacked a cluster of herdsmen settlement (ruga) in the forest.
“The herders repelled the attack and inflicted machete cuts on the suspect, and mopped up operation lead to his capture with a locally made pistol.
“Suspect was rushed to Doguwa General Hospital for medical treatment. During the course of preliminary investigation the complainant were traced as follows (1) Aliyu Abubakar (2) Shehu Abubakar and (3) Mamman Muhammad, all of Giwa LGA, Kaduna State, who reported that the hoodlums carted away with their three GSM Handsets, Cutlass and Money the sum of Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira cash (N350,000.00K).
“Based on the confession of the principal suspect, on the 03/07/2021 a search operation was organized, which led to the arrest of other fleeing syndicate members; (1) Bello Alhaji Hamza alias Tsoho, ‘m’, aged 22 years old, (2) Basiru Gille, ‘m’, aged 30 years old and (3) Isah Alhaji Mallam, ‘m’, aged 22 years old, all of Yammama village, Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State.
“Suspect confessed to the series of Kidnapping and armed robbery,” Kiyawa said.
Arrest of armed robbery suspects
The police spokesperson revealed that the command have arrested one Rabi’u Danjuma alias Rabiu Duty, Suleiman Idris alias Magu, Abel Patrick, Wisdom John and Stephen Sedani who stormed the resident of Sahaisu Abdullahi of Gunduwawa Village Gezawa local government area and robbed him his car, Honda Accord and plasma television.
Other armed robbery suspects arrested according to Kiyawa include Abdullahi Ibrahim of Gidan Kankara quarters Kano who conspired with one Bashir Bashir alias Sahabi and attacked females students of Federal College of Education (FCE) Kano Zainab Mukhtar and Fatima Abdullahi who robbed them three handsets valued at two hundred thousand Naira.
“Team of Policemen, while on intelligence patrol along Rijiyar Lemo area Kano, arrested one Khalifa Muhammad, Ahmed Muhammad and Halifa Ahmed all ‘m’ of Kurna Quarters in possession of Toy Gun (Tokarave), Military Camouflage Uniforms, mobile handsets, Money and other items.
“During the course of investigation, suspects confessed to have robbed one Hajiya Umma Musa ‘f’ of her money and also inflicted injury on her body. Investigation is in progress,” he said.
Rescue of kidnapped victims
Kiyawa added that police have on July 6 rescued Nura Auwalu of Makadi village, Garko local government who was kidnapped at his family house.
The police said they have also rescued one Bahijja Faisal of Sabuwar Unguwa, Rogo local government area who was kidnapped at her matrimonial home.
The kidnappers have also robbed Mrs Faisal’s husband the sum of one million eight hundred thousand Naira.
Arrest of phone snatching syndicate
The police added that they have arrested 37 suspected phone snatchers who attacked innocent motorist, cyclist and other road users with dangerous weapons at Kofar Dan’agundi robbing them of their handsets, money and other valuables items.
“On the 04/06/2021 at about 1900 hours, information was received that unknown hoodlums in possession of cutlasses, knives and other dangerous weapons were attacking innocent motorist, cyclist and other Road users at Kofar Dan’agundi robbing them of their handsets, money and other valuables items.
“On receipt of this information, the Commissioner of Police Kano State Command CP Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, fsi raised and instructed teams of Policemen led by SP Bashir Gwadabe to arrest the hoodlums.
“The team immediately rushed to the scene, swung into action and engages the hoodlums who are in large number, and they started brandishing cutlasses and knives in confrontation with the Police, but through police resilience they retreat abandoned their weapons, jumped into Bakar Lamba water pond at Kofar Dan’agundi where the pond was surrounded.
“Thirty seven (37) suspects were arrested as follows (1) Mohammed Ali ‘m’ 23 years of Dan’agundi Quarters Kano (2) Usman Rabiu ‘m’ aged 20 years of Yakasai Quarters Kano (3) Adamu Ahmed ‘m’ aged 25years of Gaida Quarters Kano (4) Aminu Tijjani ‘m’ aged 25 years of Sharada Quarters Kano (5) Nura Yusuf ‘m’ aged 21 years of Jaen Quarters Kano (6) Abdul’aziz Alhassan ‘m’ aged 18 years of Sabuwar Kofa Quarters (7) Salisu Yakubu ‘m’ aged 53 years of Kofar Nassarawa Quarters Kano (8) Mohammad Suleiman ‘m’ aged 20 years of Galadanchi Quarters (9) Naziru Mohammed ‘m’ aged 22 years of Kofar Nassarawa (10) Sadiq Sale ‘m’ aged 21 years of Unguwar Gini (11) Adam Isah ‘m’ aged 18 years of Kofar Nassarawa (12) Abubakar Salisu ‘m’ aged 18 years of Kofar Nassarawa Quarters Kano (13) Yusuf Nasiru ‘m’ aged 20 years of Dan’Agundi Quarters (14) Nasiru Dahiru ‘m’ 24 years of Kwalli Quarters (15) Zaidu Aminu ‘m’ 26 years of Yar Akwa Quarters Kano, (16) Baffa Ibrahim ‘m’ 17 years of Kankarofi Quarters Kano (17) Tahir Ibrhaim ‘m’ aged 20 years of Kofar Nassarawa Quarters (18) Mustapha Ismail ‘m’ aged 21 years of Dan’agundi Quarters (19) Zakari Ibrahim ‘m’ aged 19 years of Indabawa Quarters Kano (20) Lawal Sani ‘m’ aged 18 years of Sabuwar Gandu Quarters (21) Sani Gwadabe ‘m’ aged 18 years Indabawa Quarters Kano (22) Abdullahi Abdulrasheed ‘m’ aged 20 years of Indabawa Quarters Kano (23) Sadiq Adam ‘m’ aged 19 years of Indabawa Quarters (24) Abubakar Aminu ‘m’ aged 21 years of Indabawa Quarters (25) Usman Dahiru ‘m’ aged 17 years of Indabawa Quarters Kano (26) Idris Zubairu ‘m’ aged 20 years of Indabawa Quarters (27) Abdulrashid Yau ‘m’ aged 21 years of Indabawa Quarters (28) Abubakar Aliyu ‘m’ aged 19 years of Yakasai Quarters (29) Ahmed Mohammed ‘m’ aged 19 years of Indabawa Quarters (30) Abubakar Umar ‘m’ aged 19 years of Kawo Quarters (31) Abubakar Musa ‘m’ aged 22 years of Sabuwar Kofa Quarters Kano (32) Adamu Mohammed ‘m’ aged 20 years of Kwalli Quarters (33) Abdulsalam Mohammed ‘m’ aged 20 years of Indabawa Quarters Kano (34) Mohammad Sani ‘m’ aged 22 years of Alfindiki Quarters Kano (35) Kabiru Auwal ‘m’ aged 21 years of Dan’agundi Quarters Kano (36) Abdullahi Ado ‘m’ aged 20 years of Dan’agundi Quarters Kano (37) Aminu Muktar ‘m’ aged 18 years of Yakasai Quarters Kano.
“And the exhibits recovered in their possessions are; (1) Six(6) cutlasses (2) Seven(7) knives (3) Eleven(11) Parcels of Indian Hemp (4) One hundred and thirty(130) wraps of Indian Hemp, (5) and some quantity of hard drugs (Exol & Diazapharm).
“All suspects were charged to court for prosecution,” Mr Kiyawa said.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative
for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, Kano, Sunday commenced the assessment of 100 girls with cognitive and development disabilities in Government Grls Secondary School Zawaciki, Kumbotso local gernment area.
The move was to appropriately place the students identified into the pilot 35 inclusive education schools under AGILE Project.
Ibrahim said the Social Support Officer (SSO) in the AGILE Project Kano Malam Yakubu Muhammad, while addressing the students and their teachers, said the assessment was to provide school material support including uniforms, notebooks, stationery, backpacks, and any specialized learning aids tailored to individual needs.
He said at the end of the assessment AGILE Project will develop Individualized Support Plans (ISPs) outlining necessary accommodations, assistive devices and instructional strategies.
Also speaking the lead consultant Dr Samira Ali said they have so far identified students with cognitive and physical disabilities among the students assessed.
Some of the disabilities identified according to her include cerebral palsy, austism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, behavior maladjustment and speech defect.
Also commenting the principal of Government Girls Secondary School Panshekara who doubles as All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) Hauwa Hussain commended AGILE for this intervention which she said will go a long way in ensuring inclusive education.
The assessment was conducted under Environmental and Social Safeguard Unit of AGILE Project, Kano.
The AGILE Project is a World Bank-assisted initiative implemented through Federal and State Ministries of Education, aimed at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in Nigeria.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Executive Council, chaired by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a comprehensive package of developmental projects and interventions valued at over ₦69 billion, targeting critical sectors including infrastructure, education, healthcare, energy, and humanitarian support.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday.
During its 29th meeting held on Wednesday, July 9th 2025, the Council granted landmark approvals aimed at improving service delivery and raising the living standard of citizens.
Among the biggest investments is the expansion of Katsina Road, covering the stretch from Baban Gwari Roundabout to Mil Tara, which includes the construction of five reinforced concrete pedestrian bridges at a cost of ₦24.7 billion.
Additionally, the Council approved the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of RMK Flyover, IBB Road, Kofar Mazugal Junction, and Katsina Road with a budget of ₦7.8 billion, and the construction of 10 new concrete pedestrian bridges at strategic locations, valued at ₦3.8 billion.
In the education sector, approvals include the renovation of 13 closed boarding schools earlier shut down by the previous administration at ₦3 billion.
The Council also approved general renovation of dilapidated structures in Government Technical College Dambatta, Government Technical College Ungogo, Government Girls Secondary School Balan Tsanyawa, and Government Secondary School Guringawa, totaling over ₦1.2 billion.
Other approvals include the establishment of a new primary school in Gishiri-Wuya community, Warawa LGA, at ₦190 million, renovation of the French and Chinese Bilingual Colleges in Kwankwaso at ₦158 million and ₦349 million, respectively, the conduct of 2025 internal examinations (BECE/BEICE & SSQE/SAISQE) at ₦300 million, and the settlement of outstanding boarding school feeding liabilities for three weeks at ₦718 million.
The health sector interventions approved by the Council include counterpart funding of ₦180 million for the Free Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health programme, ₦240 million for the procurement of a brand-new Toyota Coaster bus for the School of Health Technology, Bebeji, ₦107 million for operational needs of the Kano Ultra-Modern Specialist Hospital (KUSH), and ₦344 million as counterpart funding for routine immunization for the second quarter of 2025.
The Governor, during the session, reiterated his administration’s resolve to turn Kano into a hub of modern infrastructure, inclusive development, and educational excellence.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project has increased the annual Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) from N20,000 to N60,000 per beneficiary as part of renewed efforts to enhance girls’ education in Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was revealed during a sensitization campaign on the CCT program held in Gwarmai town, Bebeji Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, the National CCT Coordinator of the AGILE project, Dr. Kubrah Muhammad, emphasised the importance of utilising the funds effectively to support and improve girls’ access to quality education.
Dr. Kubrah Muhammad,
Dr Muhammad urged parents, students, and other stakeholders to spread the message and ensure the sensitisation efforts are cascaded across communities for wider impact.
Also speaking, the Kano State AGILE CCT Component Lead, Malam Naziru Surajo, disclosed that a total of 45,850 students have so far been enrolled under the initiative in the state.
He noted that Bebeji LGA is one of the 19 participating local governments in Kano, with 4,984 girls currently benefiting from the program.
Malam Surajo highlighted that since the introduction of the CCT, girls’ school enrollment has seen significant improvement, rising by 31% overall, with 35% at the junior secondary level and 27% at the senior secondary level.
Malam Naziru Surajo
He further explained that the cash transfer comes with key conditions, including maintaining a minimum of 70% school attendance, which must be sustained for continued eligibility.
The District Head of Bebeji, who doubles as ‘Yan Dakan Kano, Alhaji Sarki Yusuf Bayero, emphasized the need for men to fulfill their responsibilities effectively, particularly in the context of supporting girls’ education.
He reiterated that the funds are meant for the students’ educational welfare, but should be managed wisely by parents.
Alhaji Sarki Yusuf Bayero (Yan Dakan Kano)
He cautioned that the CCT should not become a source of conflict within families, stressing that either parent can responsibly utilize the funds, provided they are used for the intended purpose of promoting education
“The most important thing is for parents to inculcate good moral values on their children to make them useful to society.”
Some parents of beneficiaries, Malam Abdu Gwarmai and Haulatu Musa, asked questions related to the CCT.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The AGILE Project is a World Bank-assisted initiative implemented through Federal and State Ministries of Education, aimed at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in Nigeria.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim ANIPR,
Communication Officer,
AGILE Project, Kano.
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