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Terrorism, Banditry, Phone Snatching are committed under the influence of drugs – Prof Yusuf
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf has said that all the crimes perpetrated by bandits, Boko Haram, IPOB, and phone snatchers are carried out under the influence of drugs.
KANO FOCUS reports that Yusuf stated this at a one-day symposium, with a theme; Drug-Abuse and Moral Decadence, organized by Initiative for Community Action Against Drug Abuse in collaboration with Coalition of Northern Group CNG, held in Kano on Wednesday.
According to him, he joined Sheikh Ahmed Gumi to meet bandits at their enclaves in forests in eight states and observed that they are virtually all drug addicts.
Professor Usman noted that if not under the influence of drugs, no sensible person could perpetrate the kind of crime committed by the terrorists.
“I and Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, entered forests in eight states in this country. We decided to go there to meet our Fulani brothers in the forest and see the problem.
“When we went there, deep inside forests, we see young boys, mostly teenagers, about one thousand of them smoking weed. There were Quranic recitation sessions wherever we went. As soon as the recitation started, the boys would throw away the marijuana they were smoking.
“We also saw them administering Intravenous Pentax injection. Some of them had canular in in their legs for administering that Pentax injection.
“No sensible person could do what those boys were doing and it was all under the influence of drug,” he narrated.
Prof. Usman said it is high time for Nigerians to rise up and fight the menace of drug addiction, noting that “we should stop blaming one another. We have to rise up to fight it ourselves.”
He also called for the total ban on codeine syrup in the country, noting that the measure would reduce the menace of drug addiction.
In his remarks, former Kano state Commissioner of Health, Pharmacist Ahmad Ibrahim Yakasai, called for drug test on politicians and civil servants.
According to Yakasai, who was the National President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, the test should start right from the delegates that would elect candidates for elective positions in the country.
He noted that the drug test would be very important in electing credible leaders that would lead people, adding that if anybody found wanting during the test, he should be outrightly disqualified.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Political allies and loyalists of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Arc Aminu Dabo, have begun resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State following his withdrawal from the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that the supporters, operating under the political group Dabo Alheri Ne, reportedly include members across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.
Barely two days after Dabo announced his resignation from the APC, a prominent stakeholder of the group, Garba Zakiru Dambatta, said members had welcomed the decision and were showing solidarity by submitting their resignation letters to their respective ward party chairmen.
Dambatta, a former APC chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area, said the group’s members were disappointed with what they described as the prolonged marginalisation of Mr Dabo and his supporters within the party.
According to him, despite Mr Dabo’s contributions to the APC and efforts to strengthen the party and manage disagreements among its members, some key stakeholders had continued to sideline him and his loyalists in party activities.
Dambatta reaffirmed the group’s commitment to standing by Mr Dabo’s political decisions and supporting his future political journey.
He also urged the former NPA managing director not to succumb to political pressure or reverse his decision to leave the party.
“This step you have taken, we have the conviction that it is the beginning of a new chapter of goodness in your life,” Dambatta said.
Among the prominent members of the group identified as supporting Mr Dabo’s decision are Abba Rabee’u, a former Senior Special Assistant on Political Awareness; Almustapha Jilani Danmalam, a former Senior Special Assistant on Education; Jamilu Abdullahi Zangon-Mata, a former Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship; and Fahd A. Dabo, a former Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.
The individuals reportedly served during the second term of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The group also said several other party loyalists and supporters were backing Dabo following his resignation.
However, the statement did not provide the number of members who had formally resigned from the APC or indicate whether the party leadership had responded to the development.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Five players of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Club have been invited to the national camp of Nigeria’s Special Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
KANO FOCUS reports that invited players are Isah Yusuf, Abba Musa, Habu Friday, Emanuel Betel and Usman Ahmed. They are currently in Abuja with the national team as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
The Team Manager of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team, Jamilu Uba Adamu, disclosed this in an interview with Ashiru Rabiu Gidan Tudu, Information Officer of the Kano State Sports Commission.
Adamu described the invitation as recognition of the players’ dedication, discipline and outstanding performances.
He expressed confidence that the players would represent Kano State and Nigeria with honour at the championship.
According to him, the call-up also demonstrates Kano Pillars’ commitment to nurturing talented amputee footballers and contributing to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
The 2026 Amputee Football World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. A total of 24 countries, including seven African nations, are expected to participate.
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, congratulated the five players on their invitation, describing it as well deserved.
Babangida expressed confidence that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by the national team selectors.
He assured the players of the commission’s continued support and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to making Kano State and Nigeria proud on the international stage.
Ibrahim Khalil
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Aminu Dabo, has resigned as the party’s caucus chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area and withdrawn his membership of the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that Dabo, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), announced his resignation in a letter dated October 7, 2026, addressed to the APC chairman of Dambatta Gabas Ward.
In the letter, personally signed by him, Dabo said he took the decision after careful consideration of personal reasons and his future endeavours.
He confirmed his resignation during a telephone conversation from Abuja on Wednesday, saying he had formally submitted the letter to the appropriate party officials in Dambatta for necessary action.
“I remain grateful for the cordial relationship I enjoyed and appreciative of the experience gained during my time of service,” he said.
The former NPA managing director also thanked the party’s leadership for the opportunity and confidence reposed in him to contribute to its development and progress during his membership.
“I sincerely appreciate the support and opportunity I have received from the party leadership,” he added.
A statement issued by Abdullahi Othman, Media and Publicity Aide to Dabo Dabo, said the former NPA MD did not disclose further details about his reasons for leaving the APC in the resignation letter.
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