Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

President Bola Tinubu has sympathised with traders and residents of Kano State following the devastating fire outbreak at Singer Market over the weekend.

KANO FOCUS reports that the fire, which reportedly started on Saturday evening and raged into Sunday morning, caused extensive damage to the popular food market, leaving many traders counting heavy losses.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the incident as tragic and deeply concerning.

According to the statement, President Tinubu had earlier contacted the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to obtain a situation report on the extent of the damage and ongoing response efforts.

The President expressed particular concern that the latest fire occurred less than two weeks after another inferno destroyed dozens of shops and properties at the same market.

He consequently directed that a comprehensive investigation be carried out to determine the causes of the recurring fires, which have repeatedly left traders in distress.

President Tinubu assured the affected traders of the Federal Government’s concern and emphasised the need for preventive measures to avert future occurrences.

Ibrahim Khalil

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Kano State Chapter, has expressed deep sympathy to the Kano State Government and traders affected by the recent fire outbreak at Singer Market.

In a statement dated February 15, 2026, and signed by its Publicity Secretary II, Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim, ANIPR, the Forum described the incident as unfortunate and distressing.

The Chairman of the Kano State Chapter of ACF, Dr. Goni Faruk Umar, said the Forum was shocked by the tragic development, which led to the destruction of properties worth millions of naira.

He conveyed heartfelt condolences to traders who lost valuable goods and assets in the inferno, which occurred on February 2.

Dr. Umar commended the swift response of the Kano State Fire Service, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other first responders for their efforts in containing the fire and preventing further damage.

The Forum called on both the Kano State and Federal Governments to develop and implement strategic interventions aimed at preventing future occurrences of such devastating incidents.

ACF reaffirmed its solidarity with the affected traders and urged relevant authorities to strengthen safety standards and improve emergency preparedness across major markets in the state to avert similar tragedies.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

Former Kano State Governor and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has rejected allegations linking him to the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.

KANO FOCUS reports that Ganduje’s response followed recent remarks by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, suggesting a connection between the ex-Kano governor and the unresolved case.

In a statement signed by former Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Muhammad Garba, Ganduje described the allegation as reckless, unfounded, and an attempt to shift responsibility for an incident that occurred entirely within Kaduna State.

Garba stated that Dadiyata lived and operated in Kaduna, where he was widely known for directing his criticisms at the Kaduna State Government. He argued that there was no credible record indicating that the activist’s primary focus was the Kano State Government or Ganduje.

“Everyone in Kaduna knew the nature of the criticism he made and who it was directed at,” the statement read, noting that security responsibility in the state at the time rested with the Kaduna State Government and relevant federal security agencies operating there.

The statement called for careful scrutiny of El-Rufai’s remarks, stressing that such serious allegations must be supported by verifiable evidence rather than political rhetoric. It warned that dragging Ganduje into the matter without proof risks politicising a painful and unresolved episode and further confusing the public.

Garba contrasted the political climates in Kaduna and Kano State during the period in question, maintaining that Ganduje’s two-term administration in Kano was marked by tolerance for criticism, open media engagement, and acceptance of opposition voices.

“Unlike many political leaders who maintained strained relationships with the media, we allowed scrutiny, accommodated critical voices, and even learned from dissenting perspectives,” he said.

He added that there was no record of arrests, intimidation, or harassment of journalists or critics in Kano during Ganduje’s tenure.

The statement also referenced public discourse surrounding Dadiyata’s disappearance, noting that discussions over the years have largely centred on events within Kaduna State. It cited comments previously made by former Senator Shehu Sani, who reportedly said many individuals in the state were reluctant to speak publicly about the case. It also mentioned commentator Reno Omokri, who had earlier raised concerns about how the matter was handled.

Garba further expressed concern over El-Rufai’s claim that a police officer allegedly confessed to being sent from Kano to abduct Dadiyata. He questioned why such information, if credible, was not formally disclosed to investigative authorities or pursued transparently through appropriate security channels at the time.

“It is difficult to reconcile a claim of having no prior knowledge of the individual with simultaneously making detailed assertions about who was responsible,” he noted.

While reiterating sympathy for Dadiyata’s family, Ganduje urged that the focus should remain on uncovering the truth through lawful and transparent investigative processes.

“The family deserves closure,” the statement said. “What they do not deserve is for this tragic matter to become an instrument of political blame-shifting.”

The former governor called on anyone with credible information regarding the disappearance to present it to appropriate authorities, emphasising that accountability must rest on facts and due process, not speculation.