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.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commissioned a Quick Response Squad of the Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, alongside operational equipment worth hundreds of millions of naira, as part of efforts to intensify the fight against drug abuse, thuggery and illicit trafficking.
KANO FOCUS reports that the commissioning took place on Thursday, marking another step in the state government’s efforts to tackle substance abuse through enforcement, rapid response, rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration of affected persons into society.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gov Yusuf expressed satisfaction with what he described as progress recorded in the fight against drug abuse across the state.
“I am the happiest man in Kano today as we continue to push drug abuse down to the barest minimum,” he said.
The governor said the newly established squad would strengthen the operational capacity of the task force by enabling it to respond promptly to reports, drug-related incidents and emerging threats associated with illicit trafficking.
He explained that the provision of operational equipment was part of his administration’s commitment to equipping relevant agencies with the necessary tools to address the drug menace.
Gov Yusuf, however, stressed that the campaign should go beyond arrest and prosecution, noting that rehabilitated persons must be given opportunities to acquire skills and engage in legitimate economic activities.
He said the government would sustain skills acquisition and apprenticeship programmes to keep rehabilitated persons meaningfully engaged and reduce the risk of relapse into drug use and other criminal activities.
The governor commended the chairman and members of the task force for their dedication and commitment, saying the achievements recorded within a relatively short period demonstrated the importance of collaboration among government agencies and other stakeholders.
Accompanied by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Jibril Ismaila Falgore, and other senior government officials, Gov Yusuf inspected the newly commissioned facility and the equipment procured for the task force.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Barr Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said the Quick Response Squad and the newly acquired equipment would enhance the agency’s capacity to respond effectively to drug-related challenges.
He reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to sustaining its operations against substance abuse and illicit trafficking, assuring the governor that it would not relent in carrying out its mandate.
Barr Rimin Gado expressed appreciation to the governor for providing political and operational support, which he said had strengthened the task force’s activities.
He noted that tackling drug abuse required collective responsibility, involving government institutions, security and regulatory agencies, traditional and religious leaders, parents, communities and educational institutions.
The chairman pledged that the task force would sustain its preventive, enforcement, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes while strengthening collaboration with relevant stakeholders to reduce substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
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