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Demolition: Businessman threatens to sue Kano govt
A businessman in Kano state, Alhaji Ibrahim Mukhtar Muhammad, has threatened to sue the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority, KNUPDA, for demolishing his property worth N20 million.
KANO FOCUS reports that the said property, situated beside Alhamsad Tower, at Gandu Layout in Kano, was demolished by KNUPDA shortly after completion.
Demolished structure
However, at a press conference at the demolished site on Friday, Muhammad claimed to have followed due process in building the property, worth N20 million.
According to him, he obtained approval from KNUPDA to build the property, which was meant to be an eatery, but it was “arbitrarily” demolished without notice.
“What actually happened as i stand before you with a heavy heart, this is once a beautiful place we constructed, but as i look back you can see what happened as a result of the demolition exercise that was carried out by KNUPDA of Kano State. We were not given any notice prior to this demolition.
“We just woke up one morning, that was the Monday morning and found these rubbles,” he lamented.
According to Mohammed, he decided to develop the property to provide job opportunities for young people and provide security at the area known for crime activities.
Demolished structure
According to him, he went to KNUPDA to obtain all clearance and approvals, adding that the agency had also sent its representatives to supervise the project to ensure it is carried out based on its laws.
“My driving force for constructing this eatery is just to help our younger ones, our brothers, our children to get something, to get employment. I’m not here to make any money because of this thing.
“As you can see, as I can tell you from the stretch of almost 500 feet, I’m the owner of this property. So if there’s anybody that has a stake, I am the one that has a stake. This place that was constructed, it was once you cannot come after eight o’clock, you cannot pass this place.
“The place has become a dumping ground, people urinate, you need to do all sorts of things here. But by our coming, I said no, it has to be stopped. We applied for construction of temporary, which was on the process.
“But unfortunately, without any notice, we finished this building. The only thing that remains is to put furniture inside and to start business and they come and demolish this. Have you gotten approval for it? The government, unfortunately, this government, for the past six months or seven months, they will collect your money, but they will not give you approval.
“You can go and confirm from the KNUPDA, you see heaps of files. So what we know we did was they sent their representatives. They were even the ones telling us what to do.
“Cut here, demolish here before the final structure. This drawing was produced from the architectural department of KNUPDA. And prior before this demolition, when they told me that they are going to demolish this place, i called the MD and he said, okay, I should meet him on Monday, nine o’clock. Later he said, 11 o’clock. That was even after the demolition.
“That was when I know I’ve just been deceived because nothing has been done. And I went to him and I explained to him, this is the situation. He said I should come on Thursday.
“I went there on Thursday. Yesterday I came back from Abuja. I called him several times, no pick” he said.
The businessman said he will take next line of action after due consultation with his legal counsel.
When contacted for comment, the Managing Director of KNUPDA, Arc. Ibrahim Yakubu Adamu claimed that the demolished building was encroached to the main road by about 8 meters.
According to the MD, the agency had never issued approval to Muhammad to erect the demolished structure.
He said after studying the file, he found that though the adjacent land was owned by Muhammad, but the structure was not erected on his property and as such it is illegal.
“We served him first and second notice but no response. We have been following his building right from the beginning.
“We have every evidences to demolish his project. At KNUPDA, we never demolish properties without following due process.
“Let me tell you that by January, we are stopping demolishing. We have designated courts to start sending people to jail based on section 16 of the KNUPDA act .
We are treating his case from the development control unit. He applied for approvals and I agree he paid, you can pay for application and the payment doesn’t guarantee you approval.
“So, we have every evidences that his structure was illegal that is why we demolished it,” he said
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in separate operations targeting drug peddling and thuggery in Panshekara and Kunchi/Ghari Local Government Area.
KANO FOCUS reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to the statement, the operations, conducted on September 9, 2026, were part of the command’s intelligence-driven efforts to tackle drug abuse, thuggery and violent crimes across the state.
It said operatives of the Surveillance Team attached to Panshekara Police Division, acting on credible intelligence at about 2:30 p.m., intercepted eight suspects, including a 21-year-old man identified as Samson Yakubu of Samegu Quarters, at a suspected criminal hotspot.
A search of the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of 15 Pregabalin capsules, five Diazepam tablets, 10 Exol tablets and some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said the suspects were in custody and undergoing interrogation, while investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the suspected illicit drugs and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In a related operation conducted between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. the same day, operatives of the Kunchi/Ghari Division carried out a coordinated market patrol and raid at Matanfada Market.
The command said the area had been identified as a place where youths allegedly intimidate traders and residents during market sessions.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Abdullahi Isah of Dustin; Haruna Isah of Daqarawa Village; Habu Badamasi of Dan Taimu Village; Gambo Ya’u of Kura Village; and Abubakar Dahiru of Farau Village.
The police said investigation was ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices, while exhibits recovered during the operation had been taken into custody as evidence.
CP Bakori commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and swift response, assuring residents that the command would sustain its operations against drug abuse, thuggery and other violent crimes.
“In line with the IGP’s policing vision and our mandate to ensure a safe and secure Kano, we will continue to be proactive,” the commissioner said.
“We are sending a clear message to criminal elements that Kano State will not be a breeding ground for their activities.”
The command also appreciated members of the public, community leaders and vigilante groups for providing information that aided the operations.
It urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
The command said all suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The funeral prayer for the late Shehu Kabir Bayero, Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Dorayi, was held on Thursday evening at Kofar Kudu, Kano Emir’s Palace.
KANO FOCUS reports that the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Khamsus Salawati Mosque, Kofar Kudu, Malam Bello, and attended by hundreds of people from different parts of Kano State.
Among those who attended were the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk; representative of the Emir of Kano, Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Matawalle; Chief of Staff to the Kano State Government House, Dr Sani Wali; as well as district heads and members of the Muslim community.
Shehu Kabir Bayero died in a hospital in Egypt following a period of illness. He is survived by his wives, children and other relatives.
Until his death, the late Bayero served as Commissioner of Police in Gombe and Osun states before retiring from the Nigeria Police Force.
Following his retirement, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, appointed him as the Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Takai Local Government Area after the death of his father, the late Kabir Bayero, an elder brother of the former emir.
He later served as District Head of Gwarzo.
Due to his wealth of experience in security matters, the current Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, subsequently reassigned him as District Head of Dorayi, where he was expected to contribute to the sustenance of peace and security in the area.
The late district head was remembered for his service to the state and his experience in security and traditional administration.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has held a planning meeting on the implementation and effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting brought together relevant stakeholders from various ministries, agencies and development partners working in the education sector.
According to Malam Naziru Sirajo, deputy director EMIS and statistics in the Ministry of Education, the meeting was aimed at reviewing the current status of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano and developing a coordinated plan to strengthen its implementation, content utilisation, course completion, monitoring of learners’ progress and certification.
The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide Nigerian children and young people with access to curriculum-aligned educational content, including lessons, learning materials and assessments.
The platform is also designed to support learning continuity, including for learners facing limited or intermittent internet connectivity, while providing teachers and education stakeholders with digital resources to complement classroom instruction.
In Kano, the initiative is expected to strengthen awareness and utilisation of digital learning, while building the capacity of master trainers and technical teams to support schools, teachers and learners in using the platform effectively.
The effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport is expected to expand access to quality digital learning resources, promote independent learning, strengthen digital literacy and support improved learning outcomes and greater equity in access to educational opportunities.
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