Ibrahim Khalil

The Federal Government has approved the construction of a ₦1 trillion Kano Metropolitan Rail Service in a move aimed at transforming urban transportation, boosting economic activities and easing traffic congestion across the state capital.

KANO FOCUS reports that the approval was disclosed by Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, while addressing the state contingent that participated in the 2025 National Qur’anic Recitation Competition held in Borno State.

The development was contained in a statement signed on Wednesday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

According to the statement, Governor Yusuf explained that his administration’s decision to realign with the Federal Government under the All Progressives Congress (APC) was informed by the need to attract critical development projects to Kano State.

He said the proposed Kano Metropolitan Rail Service would provide a modern, efficient and affordable mass transit system capable of connecting key districts within the metropolis, improving mobility for residents and stimulating trade and investment.

The Governor described the rail project as a landmark intervention that would significantly improve the quality of life of the people and reposition Kano as a major transportation hub in Northern Nigeria.

He assured that the Kano State Government would work closely with relevant federal agencies to ensure smooth implementation of the project, transparency in execution and maximum benefits for the people of the state.

Governor Yusuf also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for approving the project and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to complement federal efforts through supportive policies and infrastructure development.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Kano State Government has dismissed reports suggesting that recent political defections have weakened the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, describing such claims as misleading and deliberately designed to distort facts.

KANO FOCUS reports that Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, stated this in a press statement issued on Thursday, saying that commissioners heading critical and strategic ministries of government remain firmly loyal to the governor.

According to Waiya, governance is driven by structure, policy, and institutional control rather than propaganda or political speculation. He stressed that the ministries responsible for policy formulation, implementation, and service delivery are fully intact and functioning under the leadership of Governor Yusuf.

He listed the key ministries to include Education, Health, Works, Finance and Economic Planning, Planning and Budget, Information and Internal Affairs, Justice, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Agriculture, Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Transport, Power and Renewable Energy, Housing Development, Rural and Community Development, as well as Procurement and Monitoring.

“These ministries represent the true levers of governance where decisions are made and implemented,” the commissioner said, adding that control of these institutions signifies stability and continuity in government.

Waiya noted that the administration has not lost control of governance processes, insisting that policies are being formulated and implemented, projects are ongoing, the bureaucracy remains aligned, and the cabinet continues to function effectively as the highest policy-making body of the state.

He cautioned critics against confusing political drama with authority, saying that while political movements may attract media attention, governance responds only to legality, structure, and institutional control.

The commissioner further maintained that the Yusuf administration remains focused and undistracted by political developments, stressing that the governor continues to govern effectively and strategically.

He urged detractors to accept the reality on ground and engage in constructive public discourse rather than spreading misinformation capable of misleading the public.

Nura Abdullah

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man, Ididiong James, for allegedly assaulting his mother and being in unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition in Kano.

KANO FOCUS reports that the arrest followed a distress call received by police officers attached to the Panshekara Division on January 25, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m. According to the police, the officers rushed to a residence in Panshekara Quarters, Kano, where the suspect was reported to have been violently attacking his mother.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the suspect fled the scene upon the arrival of the police. However, his mother handed over an English Beretta pistol along with eight rounds of ammunition, which she allegedly discovered in her son’s bag.

The woman reportedly told the police that she refused to return the firearm to her son after discovering it, a development that allegedly triggered the violent assault. She also expressed concern over what she described as a noticeable change in her son’s behaviour since his return from a New Year celebration.

The suspect was later apprehended and is currently in police custody as investigations continue.

Commending the woman’s action, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, praised her courage and sense of responsibility. He also called on parents and guardians to be more vigilant about the activities and associations of their children.

“The action of this mother is highly commendable, and we appreciate her bravery in standing up against violent behaviour,” the commissioner said, while urging members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.

The Kano State Police Command further appealed to residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with the police by reporting suspicious movements or criminal activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575, and 09029292926.