Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on his 70th birthday, saying their political differences will not diminish his affection for the former minister.

KANO FOCUS reports that Tinubu described Kwankwaso as a friend and influential progressive politician, acknowledging his contributions to Kano State and Nigeria over decades of public service.

The President conveyed his message in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, to mark Kwankwaso’s 70th birthday.

Tinubu recalled that his relationship with Kwankwaso dated back to 1992, when both served in the National Assembly, with Kwankwaso in the House of Representatives and Tinubu in the Senate.

He also recalled that they became governors of their respective states in 1999 as members of the group popularly known as the Class of ’99 Governors.

According to the President, the group played important roles in laying the foundation for Nigeria’s current democratic system.

Tinubu noted that their political paths diverged over the years before they came together in 2013 to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Since then, history and service have kept us intertwined,” he said.

The President acknowledged Kwankwaso’s record as a two-term governor of Kano State, former Minister of Defence, former senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District and former presidential candidate.

He also referred to Kwankwaso’s current role as a presidential running mate, noting that the former governor remained an influential figure in the country’s political landscape.

Tinubu said their membership of different political parties and participation on competing platforms in the January 2027 election would not affect their longstanding relationship.

“As the former governor marks this milestone, I wish him good health, personal fulfilment, and many more years of engagement in the nation’s democratic process,” the President said.

The congratulatory message highlighted the longstanding political association between the two leaders, which has continued despite differences in their political affiliations.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has congratulated former governor of the state and former Minister of Defence, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on his 70th birthday.

KANO FOCUS reports that, in a congratulatory message issued on Wednesday, by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director-General of Media and Publicity at the Kano State Government House, the governor described the milestone as an opportunity to celebrate Kwankwaso’s life, leadership and contributions to the development of Kano State and Nigeria.

Yusuf acknowledged the former governor’s role in the political development of Kano, noting that his years in public service had contributed to governance, infrastructure development and the expansion of democratic participation in the state.

The governor also prayed to Almighty Allah to grant Kwankwaso good health, long life and renewed strength to continue contributing to the development of Kano State and the country.

He wished the former minister more years of peace and happiness as he celebrates his 70th birthday.

Nura Abdullahi

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a suspected bandit and recovered an AK-47 rifle with 18 rounds of live ammunition during a follow-up operation in Falgore Forest, Doguwa Local Government Area.

KANO FOCUS reports that the development followed an earlier operation in which police operatives neutralised two suspected bandits, recovered ₦10 million ransom and rescued a kidnapped victim, Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu, in the area.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the latest operation was conducted at about 6:30 a.m. on Sunday by operatives attached to Doguwa Division in collaboration with local hunters known as Yan Bula.

The operation involved an intensive search of Falgore Forest and its environs to apprehend fleeing suspects and recover weapons allegedly used in criminal activities.

The police identified the arrested suspect as Ibrahim Rabiu, a resident of Yardoka Village in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to the statement, the rescued victim identified Rabiu as one of the people who allegedly guarded him at night during his captivity, brought him food and beat him repeatedly.

The suspect has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the command’s Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and efforts to apprehend his accomplice, who remains at large.

The police said investigations were also ongoing to recover additional exhibits linked to the kidnapping.

The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended the Yan Bula hunters for their courage and continued collaboration with security operatives under Operation Kukan Kura.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to combating banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, while urging residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.

The police said cooperation between security operatives and local communities remained vital to improving security in Falgore Forest and neighbouring communities.