Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 51-year-old suspect and recovered a pistol, suspected cannabis, 120 lithium batteries and a vehicle believed to be stolen during the ongoing enforcement of Operation Clean Plates, a statewide campaign targeting vehicles without proper registration numbers.

KANO FOCUS reports that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Bompai, Kano.

Mr Bakori said the operation, launched on 6 July, is aimed at removing vehicles with covered, defaced or missing registration plates from roads across the state’s 44 local government areas.

According to him, such vehicles are frequently used by criminals to conceal their identities, commit crimes and evade law enforcement.

“This is not a mere traffic violation. It is a deliberate tactic employed by criminals to create anonymity, commit crime and evade detection. The Kano State Police Command will not allow our roads to be used as escape routes for criminality,” he said.

The police commissioner disclosed that officers had intercepted 23 vehicles found to be violating registration regulations since the commencement of the operation.

He said all the drivers had been charged to court and were being prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“There will be no sacred cows and no room for impunity,” he added.

Major arrest

Mr Bakori said one of the operation’s major breakthroughs occurred on 9 July when officers attached to the Panshekara Police Division intercepted a vehicle without a registration number within Kano metropolis.

He said the driver, identified as Mahi Ibrahim, allegedly refused to stop and attempted to flee before he was pursued and arrested by police operatives.

A search of the suspect and the vehicle, according to the commissioner, led to the recovery of a Beretta pistol, dried leaves suspected to be cannabis, a sharp knife, electric wires, 120 lithium batteries and a vehicle suspected to have been stolen.

The suspect has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

Mr Bakori said investigators were also working to trace the origin of the recovered firearm and other exhibits to determine whether they were linked to a wider criminal network.

He said the arrest underscored the rationale behind the operation, noting that unregistered vehicles were increasingly being used to transport firearms, narcotics and other prohibited items.

Police to intensify operation

The commissioner said *Operation Clean Plates* would continue across all 44 local government areas of Kano State.

He described the initiative as intelligence-led, technology-driven and community-focused, in line with the policing strategy of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Mr Bakori urged vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles were properly registered and fitted with standard registration plates that remained clearly visible at all times.

He also appealed to residents to cooperate with security personnel and provide credible information that could assist in combating crime.

The commissioner encouraged members of the public to report any misconduct by police officers through the Command’s Complaint Response Unit, assuring that professionalism and discipline remained priorities for the command.

He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to protecting lives and property, saying the command would sustain efforts to prevent criminals from exploiting anonymity to perpetrate crimes in Kano State.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has announced the nomination of his deputy, Murtala Sule Garo, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.

KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement was made during a strategic meeting with federal political appointees of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Kano Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, according to a statement issued on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

Mr Yusuf said the decision was informed by Mr Garo’s loyalty, commitment and contributions to the administration since assuming office as deputy governor.

The governor commended his deputy for what he described as competence, dedication and a strong sense of responsibility in the discharge of his duties.

“I have no regrets for choosing Garo as my deputy in the last few months, and he has proven to be the right choice so far. I want to confirm to you that I have every confidence in him,” Mr Yusuf said.

He also passed a vote of confidence in the deputy governor, describing him as a dependable partner whose contributions have strengthened the administration’s efforts to deliver development across Kano State.

The governor urged party leaders, political appointees and supporters to remain united as the administration consolidates on its achievements ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mr Garo, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, was appointed deputy governor following changes in the state’s political leadership and has since worked alongside Governor Yusuf in the administration.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Kano State Command, has recorded another milestone in its inmate rehabilitation programme, with 61 inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kurmawa, completing the memorisation and recitation of the Holy Qur’an.

KANO FOCUS reports that the Public Relations Officer of the command, Misbahu Lawan Kofar Nassarawa, disclosed this in a statement, saying the achievement underscores the Service’s commitment to inmate reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration in line with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019.

According to the statement, the graduating class comprised 55 male and six female inmates, many of whom had little or no prior knowledge of complete Qur’anic recitation before they were admitted to the custodial facility.

The command said the inmates attained full memorisation of the Holy Qur’an through structured religious instruction, discipline and dedication, describing the feat as evidence of the transformative impact of faith-based rehabilitation programmes.

To mark the occasion, the Nigerian Correctional Service, in collaboration with the Chokali Humanitarian Foundation, presented welfare packages to the graduates.

Each inmate received new clothing, mattresses, blankets and financial support to encourage personal development and facilitate successful reintegration into society after release.

The Controller of Corrections, Kano State Command, Ahmed Yusuf Lakpene, commended the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, for promoting educational, vocational and moral development programmes across custodial centres nationwide.

Mr Lakpene said such initiatives equip inmates with the knowledge, skills and values required to become responsible and productive citizens after serving their sentences.

The Officer-in-Charge of the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ibrahim Rambo, expressed appreciation to the Kano State Command and the Chokali Humanitarian Foundation for supporting the rehabilitation programme.

He described the Qur’an graduation ceremony as a demonstration of effective leadership, collaboration and the Service’s commitment to holistic inmate development.

Also speaking, Professor Aliyu Haruna praised the Correctional Service for its sustained efforts to transform inmates through meaningful rehabilitation programmes.

He said faith-based interventions play an important role in preparing inmates to return to society as responsible and law-abiding citizens.

Chairperson of the Kano State Prerogative of Mercy Committee, Hajiya Azumi Namadi Bebeji, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving inmate welfare.

She commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his continued support for inmates across custodial centres in Kano State.

The Chairman of the Organising Committee, CSC Mohammed Ali Kibiya, congratulated the 61 graduates and urged them to sustain the discipline, moral values and spiritual growth they acquired during the programme.

He also encouraged inmates to continue praying for peace, unity and progress in Nigeria.

The event featured special prayers led by the Custodial Chaplain, DSC Mohammed Alkanawy, and the Chief Imam, Imam Nasiru Abdu, who prayed for the inmates, the Nigerian Correctional Service and the nation.

Dan Ruwatan Kano, Alhaji Ibrahim Ado Bayero, presented certificates to the 61 graduates in recognition of their successful completion of the Qur’anic memorisation programme.

The Kano State Command reiterated its commitment to promoting public safety through education, vocational training, moral guidance and faith-based rehabilitation programmes designed to facilitate the successful reintegration of inmates into society.