Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Kano State Police Command has foiled an alleged kidnapping plot in Gezawa Local Government Area and arrested two 20-year-old suspects over threats to abduct a village head.

KANO FOCUS reports that the suspects, identified as Aliyu Naziru Garba and Bashir Alhasan, were arrested following intelligence-led operations by police operatives attached to the Gezawa Divisional Police Headquarters.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.

According to the statement, the incident was reported on October 26, 2026, at about 1:30 a.m. by the village head of Bangare, Mallam Idris, who told the police that he had received a threatening phone call from an unidentified person on October 24 at about 9:33 p.m.

The caller allegedly threatened to kidnap him.

Following the report, police operatives launched a follow-up operation, which led to the arrest of the two suspects.

“The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime,” the statement said, adding that investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court upon completion.

The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended officers of the Gezawa Division for their swift and professional response.

Bakori reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance on criminal activities and said the operation aligned with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which prioritises intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, professionalism and proactive crime prevention.

The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest police station.

The command also provided the following emergency contact numbers for reporting security concerns: 08032419754, 08123821575 and 09029292926.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Rumfa Old Boys Association, Class of 1984, has commenced a fully funded pilot programme aimed at improving learning outcomes among selected students of their alma mater through a structured three-year academic intervention.

The chapter’s chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Jibril, disclosed this in a statement sent to KANO FOCUS explaining that the programme would provide sustained academic support to students from Senior Secondary School One (SS1) to SS3.

According to him, the initiative, known as the Targeted Academic Grooming Programme, is designed to address learning challenges through evidence-based interventions adapted to the realities of the Nigerian education system.

Jibril said the programme had commenced with a review and validation of its work plan organised by the old students, with key stakeholders participating in the exercise.

Those present included representatives of the Rumfa Old Boys Association’s national chapter, the Kano State Ministry of Education, the Zonal Education Office, the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).

The three-year initiative seeks to improve students’ academic performance through targeted teaching, teacher development, counselling, parental engagement and improved learning facilities.

Under the programme, all SS1 students will be observed throughout the academic session, after which an initial cohort of 50 students will be selected based on academic performance, attitude to learning, teachers’ assessments and a structured aptitude assessment.

The programme’s planners envisage that about 40 students may ultimately complete the intervention, with parents’ or guardians’ commitment assessed before enrolment.

In the second year, the selected students will form a dedicated class taught by some of the school’s strongest teachers. They will also receive quality learning materials, counselling support and other interventions to address barriers to effective learning.

Parents will be engaged every term, while the Old Boys Association and the wider community will receive periodic updates on the programme’s progress.

The final year will focus on consolidating students’ academic foundations and preparing them for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The programme will include two full mock examinations, while support will be provided for examination registration for students from indigent backgrounds.

At the end of the three-year cycle, the association plans to produce a comprehensive impact report documenting the programme’s achievements and lessons.

The programme is designed as a holistic intervention rather than a conventional remedial class, with emphasis on addressing challenges affecting students, teachers, parents, the learning environment and education support systems.

Its expected outcomes include at least 90 per cent of participating students obtaining five credits in the WASSCE, including English Language and Mathematics.

Other targets include retraining and equipping six subject teachers, refurbishing a dedicated classroom and developing a documented model that could be replicated by the state government or other development partners.

To ensure accountability, the programme will be supervised by a steering committee comprising representatives of the Old Boys Association, the school principal, programme coordinator, a parent representative, a community or traditional institution representative, and an advisory representative of the State Ministry of Education.

The committee will meet quarterly to review monitoring and evaluation data, approve expenditure and address implementation challenges. It will also report to the association’s annual general meeting, while the association reserves the right to commission an independent audit.

The association said the initiative reflects its commitment to giving back to the institution that shaped its members and investing in the academic future of subsequent generations.

It expressed the hope that the programme would establish a sustainable model for improving learning outcomes, strengthening teaching capacity and supporting future students beyond the pilot phase.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has expressed sorrow over the death of Habiba Dauda Alabura, a staff member of Niger State Television (NSTV) and a member of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Niger State Chapter.

KANO FOCUS reports that the organisation, in a condolence message, described the late journalist as a dedicated professional whose work contributed to informing the public and amplifying community voices.

CS-SUNN noted that journalists play a vital role in keeping critical issues, including nutrition, healthcare and the wellbeing of women and children, on the public agenda.

It said Alabura’s commitment to journalism and service to the people of Niger State would not be forgotten.

The organisation extended its condolences to her family, the leadership and members of NAWOJ in Niger State, the management and staff of NSTV, as well as her friends, colleagues and associates in the media community.

CS-SUNN also prayed for God to grant the deceased eternal rest and give her family and loved ones the strength to bear the loss.