Headlines
Controversy trails killing of Kano teenager
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Controversies have continued to trail the alleged killing of a young man by a police officer during protest in Kurna Quarters area of Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that the police however said the man lost his life as a result of groups of rival restive youths engaged in fighting.
It was gathered that residents of Kurna-Asabe in Fagge local group came out to express their displeasure over the sacking of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, the state governor when the incident occurred and a police officer allegedly shot him down while some other people sustained injury.
The acting National Chairman of the New Nigeria People Party ( NNPP), Hon. Abba Kawu Ali in a statement signed and made available on Wednesday to the press said that “the NNPP, hereby brings to the attention of Nigerians and the world at large that the Nigeria Police have shot dead a young man, Salisu Player, somewhere around Kurna in Dala local government of Kano”.
However, a statement signed by the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on Wednesday said the Police Command is following up on the unfortunate development that occurred in Kurna Quarters, Fagge LGA Kano on 28th November 2023 where groups of rival restive youths engaged in fighting and a Police Inspector who did not receive any command from the existing chain of Command fired a shot and unfortunately wounded two persons and one other person died while receiving treatment at the hospital.
He said that the State Police Commissioner, Usaini Gumel has ordered the arrest of an Inspector over unprofessional conduct leading to the alleged death of one person and injury of two others
He said that it is in the forgoing development that the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, directed the Area Commander Dala, ACP Nuhu Mohammed Digi to fish out the erring Police Inspector to constitute a board of inquiry into the cause of the incident of which the outcome will be communicated to the public.
‘’This action of the Police Inspector is quite regrettable. This is because, since the assumption of office of the CP, the Police have never entered into confrontation with the members of the public talk less of firing gunshots,’ SP Kiyawa said.
“It is a known fact that the Police Command is fully committed to the respect of rights and freedom of all people.
“Therefore, the Command is calling on members of the public to be rest assured that justice will be served in handling the situation which is quite strange when compared with the cordial relationship existing between the Police and the Public,’’ the statement further added.
‘’The Commissioner of Police while commiserating with the family of the deceased and praying for the departed soul, urged members of the public to maintain calmness as the Command is taking the incident with utmost seriousness and is committed to upholding the principle of justice and transparency.
‘’Please let us all recognize that this is a trying period for the Police Command alongside all the peace-loving people of the State as “hijackers” are all over the place to turn the protest political and instigate the escalation of violence which will not be in the interest of the State.’’
The acting national chairman of NNPP, Hon Abba Kawu Ali said that the party condemned the police brutality on the young man shot dead in Kano, calling for immediate investigation and respect for human rights.
According to him, “Salisu Player is one of the three people shot while the others are in critical condition. The incident occurred yesterday evening during a peaceful protest.
“The NNPP has always asked the citizens to do their protest in a peaceful manner and the protest around Kurna where Salisu Player was shot, though spontaneous, was not different.
“It would appear that men of the Nigeria Police are ill-trained for handling even peaceful protests as we regret the recorded death which is painful and unfortunate.
“We commiserate with friends and family of the deceased as we urge all the people of Kano to remain calm and restrained from acting outside the rule of law.”
KANO FOCUS further gathered the police inspector in question has been taken into custody for further investigation.
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.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
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