Headlines
Democracy Under Siege: 333 Arrested as Police Seize Weapons, Ballot Materials in Kano
The Kano State Police Command has thwarted a major attempt to hijack Saturday’s by-elections in Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa constituencies, arresting 333 suspected political thugs and recovering dangerous weapons, ballot papers, and millions of naira in cash.
Addressing journalists in Kano on Monday, Commissioner of Police CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, said the elections were targeted by “unscrupulous individuals” who imported thugs from within and outside the state to disrupt the process.
Recovered items include:
One pump action rifle and five locally made guns
94 sticks, 16 swords, 18 cutlasses, 32 barandami weapons, and 18 knives
A bow with 23 arrows, seven catapults, and 45 stones
14 vehicles allegedly used to ferry thugs
Two ballot boxes and 163 thumb-printed ballot papers
₦4,048,000 cash suspected to be for vote-buying.
The CP disclosed that all the suspects have been arraigned before Magistrate Courts in Kano on various charges, including criminal conspiracy, disorderly conduct, possession of offensive weapons, intimidation, ballot box snatching, destruction of election materials, and improper use of vehicles.
“We are committed to ensuring that justice is served. Those who think they can hijack the ballot through violence or vote-buying will face the full weight of the law,” CP Bakori vowed.
He commended security agencies under the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) for their coordinated efforts in preventing violence from spreading and safeguarding voters, officials, and the public.
The police boss urged residents to remain law-abiding and patriotic, stressing that security is a collective responsibility. He also provided hotlines for emergencies or suspicious activities: 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926.
Headlines
Kano business community thanks FG for N5bn Singer market relief
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.

Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.

Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Headlines
Kano Govt inaugurates 23-member committee to disburse Singer market fire relief
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Headlines
Kano Govt announces March 1 for schools’ Ramadan break
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
