Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Kano State Police Command has dismantled an interstate car theft syndicate and recovered three suspected stolen vehicles in separate coordinated operations across the state.

KANO FOCUS reports that the development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command.

According to the statement, the operations were carried out in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on intelligence-led policing and proactive community partnership.

The police said operatives attached to the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS) arrested three suspects on May 16, 2026, in connection with a stolen Toyota Camry syndicate.

The suspects were identified as Abel Nanlir Nafa, 38, of Wuse Zone 4, Abuja; Stephen Wanneh, 47, of Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State; and Habiba Mohammad, 35, of Naibawa Gabas in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a black Toyota Camry 2015 model allegedly stolen in Enugu State was handed over to the first suspect for sale.

Police said the suspect admitted knowing that the vehicle was stolen, while the second suspect allegedly assisted in arranging the sale despite being aware of its status.

The third suspect reportedly confessed that she was contacted to facilitate the sale and later reached out to a receiver in the Niger Republic, who offered to buy the vehicle for N1.5 million.

The stolen Toyota Camry has since been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to identify the rightful owner and arrest other suspects currently at large.

In a separate operation, the Command recovered two additional suspected stolen vehicles during an investigation linked to a Toyota Corolla LE reportedly stolen from Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Mambolo Street, Zone 2, Wuse, Abuja.

The police said operatives conducted a tactical raid at the residence of the principal suspect, Haruna Ibrahim, located at Darmanawa Layout, Naibawa, in Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State.

Although the suspect escaped before the operation, police recovered a red Hyundai Sonata 2016 model without registration number and an ash-coloured Hyundai Elantra 2014 model bearing registration number KMC 523 TF.

The Command appealed to anyone who recognizes the recovered vehicles to contact the police with proof of ownership.

Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended the officers involved in the operations, describing the achievements as a reflection of the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing, inter-agency collaboration, and community partnership.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing useful information to security agencies to aid crime prevention and public safety across the state.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Kano remains safe and hostile to criminal activities.

Ibrahim Khalil

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, has arrested 38 suspects during a two-day operation targeting drug hotspots across Kano metropolis ahead of the Eid al-Kabir celebrations.

KANO FOCUS reports that the operation, carried out under the agency’s ongoing “Operation Sharar Mafaka,” was conducted under the leadership of the Commander of the Kano Strategic Command, CN DY Lawal.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari, the operation was intensified to prevent criminal elements from exploiting festive gatherings for illegal activities during the Sallah period.

The raids were conducted in several identified drug-prone areas, including Fagge, Filin Idi, Gyadi Gyadi, Hotoro, Tashar Rami, Audu Bako Secretariat, Hauren Gadagi, Kofar Mata, Sheka, and Farm Center.

The agency said various illicit substances and locally manufactured weapons were recovered during the operation.

Among the seized items were cannabis sativa, Exol-5, Diazepam, substances locally known as “Suck and Die,” rubber solution, and other locally made weapons.

Speaking on the operation, CN DY Lawal said the command had intensified enforcement activities ahead of the Sallah celebrations because criminal elements often use festive periods to expand their illegal operations.

“We have intensified enforcement ahead of the Sallah period because unscrupulous elements often exploit festive events to expand their criminal activities. We will continue to hit the joints until our streets are safe,” he said.

Lawal added that the command would sustain its operations to ensure peaceful Eid celebrations for residents of the state.

He noted that the operation was in line with the directive of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), to ensure safer communities across the country.

According to the statement, the suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue, adding that those found culpable would be prosecuted accordingly.

The command also called on residents and community institutions to support the fight against drug abuse and trafficking by reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Federal Ministry of Health has paid a courtesy and technical visit to the Kano State Ministry of Health to strengthen collaboration on the adaptation and domestication of the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines in Kano State as part of efforts to tackle the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria.

KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting, held in Kano, brought together senior officials of the Kano State Ministry of Health led by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf. Also in attendance were the Director of Public Health and Disease Control, Dr. Ibrahim Aliyu Gano, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, the Coordinator of the NCD Division, and other senior officials of the ministry.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Ministry of Health, Nabilusi Abubakar K/Na’isa, said the delegation from the Federal Ministry of Health, representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, was led by Mr. Femi Stephen alongside officials from the Food and Drug Services Department. Representatives of Resolve to Save Lives, including Mr. Batet Musa and Barrister Emem Udoh, also attended the meeting.

Discussions during the visit focused on integrating sodium reduction into existing state health programmes and systems in response to the rising cases of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases linked to excessive sodium consumption.

Officials explained that the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines aim to reduce sodium intake by 30 percent by the year 2030 through a phased and multisectoral approach.

The Federal Ministry described sodium reduction as one of the most cost-effective strategies for preventing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, emphasizing the role of states in driving implementation through primary healthcare systems, food safety programmes, school feeding initiatives, nutrition interventions, and public awareness campaigns.

Speaking during the meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, reaffirmed the Kano State Government’s commitment to supporting preventive healthcare initiatives and ensuring the successful domestication and implementation of the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines.

Also speaking, Dr. Ibrahim Aliyu Gano stated that sodium reduction aligns with the priorities of the Kano State health system, particularly in the areas of public health, disease prevention, food safety, nutrition, and health promotion. He noted that the initiative would strengthen ongoing interventions and improve public health outcomes through evidence-based implementation.

On behalf of the Federal Ministry, Mr. Femi Stephen stressed the importance of state-level leadership in achieving Nigeria’s sodium reduction targets, describing Kano State as well-positioned to serve as a model for implementation due to its institutional structures and capacity.

He assured the state government of the Federal Ministry’s technical and programmatic support toward the successful domestication of the guidelines.

In his remarks, Mr. Batet Musa of Resolve to Save Lives commended Kano State for its proactive commitment, while Barrister Emem Udoh highlighted the state’s achievements in health sector reforms, including the Kano Public Health Law and Kano Public Health Security Law, which provide a strong legal framework for implementing sodium reduction policies.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by all parties to strengthen collaboration, enhance public awareness, and promote healthier diets aimed at reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases in Kano State.