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183 Kano civil society groups dissociate from call for Emir Sanusi’s dethronement
Nazifi Dawud
A coalition of 183 civil society and community based organizations under the aegis of the Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF) have dissociated from an alleged demand by some unidentified groups for the deposition of Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II, by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Kano Focus reports that Mr Ganduje, through his chief press secretary Abba Anwar had on Thursday confirmed receiving a letter from purported “civil society groups” calling on him to dethrone the Emir for alleged disloyalty to the government.
“Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has received a letter from a coalition of 35 civil society groups urging him to, in the interest of protecting the sanctity of the rule of law, and the mandate given to him by Kano electorate, as a matter of urgency, start the process of dethroning the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II,” the statement reads.
Mr Anwar said the letter was signed by one Ibrahim Ali, who reportedly spoke on behalf of the unnamed 35 civil society groups.
“The letter was signed by Comrade Ibrahim Ali, chairman of the coalition, which continues that, ‘Soon afterward, the same law which repeals all the existing Emirate Councils Laws, and consolidates it in the Kano State Emirate Council Law 2019, was again been challenged first by the purportedly five king makers from one of the emirates established by the said law,” he had said in a statement.
However, on Friday, the KCSF in a statement signed by Ibrahim Wayya Rano, its spokesperson dissociated itself from the call for the emir’s deposition, calling for the arrest of Mr Ali, the signatory to the letter sent to Mr Ganduje.
“It is disheartening that, some politically motivated and faceless individuals, would claim to be acting on behalf of a coalition of civil society organizations in Kano, who were alleged to have called on the Governor for the dethronement of the Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
“Should these apparition group genuinely represent the civil Society organizations, their energy must have centered onpromoting peace and unity, promotion of good governance, socio-economic development, promoting the welfare and wellbeing of the good people of Kano, and ensure a peaceful co existence of our dear state, but not the other way round.
“It is on this note, we want to categorically lay bare and detach ‘Kano Civil Society Forum’ from the position of this unregistered, faceless and quarks Civil Society organizations, who proved from the content of their statement, to be unskilled, anti peace and politically sloppy,” the group said.
Read the full KCSF statement below:
KANO CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM (KCSF)
Open letter to the Executive Governor of Kano State and Security
Agencies
20th Dec. 2019
His Excellency,
The Executive Governor of Kano State
Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR.
Government House,
Kano.
RE-DETHRONE SANUSI NOW, KANO CIVIL SOCETY ORGANIZATIONS TELLS GANDUJE:
KANO CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM (KCSF) DISSOCIATES ITSELF FROM THE ABOVE CAPTIONED STATEMENT EMINATING FROM SOME FACELESS AND FAKE ORGANIZATIONS – AND CALL ON THE KANO STATE GOVERNOR DR. ABDULLAHI UMAR GANDUJE TO DISREGARD IT.
Our attention has been drawn to the above subject matter in the daily post of 18th December, 2019 and has also been mischievously circulated on both conventional and social media.
Your Excellency sir, let us for the record briefly introduce the Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF) to you, once again. The Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF), is the key umbrella body of over 183 different Civil Society and Community based Organizations operating in Kano State, associating under a common platform with the aim of achieving human rights protection and promotion, promotion of democracy, good governance, policy change, health, peace, justice, Security and sustainable development in Kano State and Nigeria at large. Kano Civil Society
Forum (KCSF) is a registered forum with all relevant bodies including, Corporate Affairs Commission.
The forum has also for long been recognized and associating with all security agencies in the State.
It is disheartening that, some politically motivated and faceless individuals, would claim to be acting on behalf of a coalition of civil society organizations in Kano, who were alleged to have calledon the Governor for the dethronement of the Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II. Should these apparition group genuinely represent the civil Society organizations, their energy must have centered onpromoting peace and unity, promotion of good governance, socio-economic development, promoting the welfare and wellbeing of the good people of Kano, and ensure a peaceful co existence of our dear state, but not the other way round.
It is on this note, we want to categorically lay bare and detach ‘Kano Civil Society Forum’ from the position of this unregistered, faceless and quarks Civil Society organizations, who proved from the content of their statement, to be unskilled, anti peace and politically sloppy.
It is our collective and unapologetic position that, the two exalted personalities in the State, which are the Executive Governor of Kano State Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and the Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi, are two important leaders we hold in high esteem and equally respect. It is our un-repentant belief that, should the two leaders work in unity and harmony, and placing the interest of the Kano People above all other interest, Kano would surely remain peaceful, prosperous and developed.
Consequently, in the spirit of increasing development challenges of the state,it is a common knowledge in the public domain that, Kano is one of the most hit State with the menace of Almajiris, increasing rate of poverty, mortality rate, malnutrition, drug abuse,unemployment and educationally backward. Many development indices and practical statistics have placed Kano state high, and which is in dire need of down to business governance through multi-talented leadership skills to practically salvage the State from sinking.
This is a hard nosed demand that requires total dedication, commitment, focus, steadfastness, as well as total avoidance of any distraction.
Consequently every bit of energy is required to accomplish the tasking mandate of the Kano People within the stipulated and constitutional tenure of an elected leader, thus Your Excellency, such lowly distraction sponsored by some anti Kano people and anti peace, in the name of fake coalition of civil society organizations, should not be entertained by a responsible Government like yours.
It is on this note, we wish to emphatically draw the attention of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, that:
1. The faceless individuals who claimed to be a coalition of civil society organizations in Kano, are neither part of us nor share any of their opinion or position on the call to dethrone the Emir of Kano, Mallam Muahammdu Sanusi II.
2. The statement alleged to be signed by one Ibrahim Ali, who claims acting as the Chairman, Coalition for Civil Society Organizations is not known to us and therefore does not represent our forum.
3. The call by this so called coalition of the civil society organizations is evil, destructive, selfish, anti Kano people, and Anti Peace.
4. His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, shall apply acumen and his vast skills of life experience and a sense of maturity to find an amicable way to resolve the lingering emirate creation bits and pieces in Kano, to end the altercation between the Governor and the Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi,
5. We also make a clarion call to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to do everything possible within his powers as a KANO LEADER, to end the lingering stage show on the Emirate Council creation and reconcile with the Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II, to cut short the drama of some gluttonous and egotistical people who take advantage of the situation and cash on it, for personal gains. Kano deserves a purposeful leadership devoid of any distraction, and the unity of our state should take the centre stage in the priority development scale.
We therefore urge the DSS and other security agencies to fish out one Ibrahim Ali, the signatory to the letter addressed to the Governor and investigate the Civil Society coalitions, he claimed to represent, for misguiding and impersonation. Ideally, civil society organizations are meant to be non-governmental organizations that should be pre-occupied on the promotion of peace, unity, justice and economic development.
We also urge His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Gunduje, to channel his active energy towards promoting good governance, socio-economic development of the state and building peace and unity which are the dividends of democracy that all citizens are yearning for at this present time.
We call on those sowing seed of discord to desist from it, it is destructive and have never helped any state or nation to develop and grow.
We urge His Excellency to shun away from people who are hell bent to create rift and misconstruction between the Governor and his fellow brother Mallam Muhammad Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano.
We pray to God for continuous protection and prosperity of our dear State.
Long live Kano State!
Long live Nigeria!!
Ibrahim Waiya M. K. Adam Rano
President PRO
Hauwa Umar
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a device verification platform to strengthen regulatory compliance, protect consumers and curb the circulation of counterfeit, cloned and unauthorised communication devices in Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the commission said the NCC Device Checker Platform would enable consumers to verify the regulatory approval status of SIM-enabled devices before purchasing them, while helping ensure that devices connected to Nigerian telecommunications networks meet established technical standards.
The Kano Zonal Controller of the NCC, Engr. Maigana Gidado, disclosed this on Thursday during a media briefing at the commission’s zonal office in Kano.
Engr. Gidado said the initiative was part of the commission’s efforts to strengthen Type Approval compliance and improve the integrity of communication devices used on Nigerian networks.
According to him, the commission has made progress in implementing the initiative through the regularisation and licensing of device dealers, as well as sensitisation engagements with importers and other industry stakeholders.
He said the commission had streamlined its licensing and regularisation processes, enabling a significant number of device dealers in Kano State to obtain licences.
The NCC had also conducted stakeholder sensitisation engagements in Lagos and other parts of the country to improve awareness of Type Approval requirements and obligations under the Device Checker framework.
“These initiatives have strengthened accountability across the device supply chain and improved compliance with regulatory requirements,” he said.
Engr. Gidado added that the commission had developed a user-friendly Device Checker application that allows authorised stakeholders to scan device International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers and upload information directly to the platform.
He said the application was designed to simplify compliance procedures, improve efficiency and make the verification process more accessible to relevant industry participants.
The zonal controller urged consumers to verify the status of devices before purchasing them through the commission’s *Check Your Device* portal at [www.ncc.gov.ng/devicechecker](http://www.ncc.gov.ng/devicechecker) by entering the device’s IMEI number.
He also directed manufacturers, importers, distributors and dealers to consult the Type Approval and Device Verification Guide available at [www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceCheckerGuide](http://www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceCheckerGuide) to understand their responsibilities under the regulatory framework.
According to him, organisations seeking Equipment Type Approval can access the relevant application requirements and procedures through the Type Approval section of the commission’s website.
Engr. Gidado, however, clarified that the Device Checker Platform was not a surveillance tool and would not access users’ personal data, messages, photographs, contacts, financial information or other private content stored on their devices.
He explained that the platform’s purpose was limited to device identification and verification of regulatory compliance.
The NCC urged consumers to patronise reputable and licensed dealers and take advantage of its online resources to make informed purchasing decisions.
It also encouraged industry stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the commission’s Type Approval requirements and ensure full compliance.
Engr. Gidado said consumers requiring assistance or wishing to lodge complaints could contact the commission through its 315 toll-free consumer line.
He reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to consumer protection, fair competition and network integrity, adding that the commission would continue to promote a trusted communications ecosystem in Nigeria.
Suspect returned to Kano to face investigation, prosecution
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested a suspected gang leader and sponsor, Ishaq Lawan Ibrahim, popularly known as Malam Keya, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
KANO FOCUS reports that the 27-year-old suspect, from Yelwa in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, is accused of sponsoring violent gang clashes that have claimed lives and heightened insecurity in parts of the state.
The task force disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspect was arrested following intelligence-led operations after allegedly fleeing Kano as security operations against gang violence intensified.
According to the statement, operatives tracked him to Port Harcourt and arrested him in an operation led by the task force’s Head of Operations, CSP Bashir Gwadabe. He has since been returned to Kano.
The task force alleged that Malam Keya played a leading role in orchestrating and financing hoodlums involved in violent attacks in Dala and other affected communities.
The areas reportedly affected by the gang violence include Jakara, Madigawa, Yalwa, Sanka, Kul Kul, Dogon Nama, Kukar Bulukiya, Dala, Shatsari and Dandalin Turawa.
Confirming the arrest, the task force chairman, Barr Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said the operation demonstrated the agency’s determination to pursue suspected sponsors of violence beyond Kano State.
“Let me assure you that those who bankroll violence should know that no distance, and no hiding place, will protect them. This arrest is only the beginning. We will not rest until peace is fully restored,” he said.
The task force said the suspect remained in custody for further investigation and would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.
It added that its operations would continue in accordance with the law, with all suspects entitled to due process.
The agency also pledged to sustain efforts to dismantle criminal gangs, identify their alleged sponsors and disrupt drug supply networks linked to criminal activities.
It urged residents, community and religious leaders, parents and youths to support security efforts by reporting suspicious persons and activities, monitoring their neighbourhoods and discouraging young people from being recruited into criminal gangs.
The task force described public cooperation as essential to restoring peace and security across the state.
It also acknowledged the support of the Kano and Rivers state police commands and other law enforcement agencies in the operation.
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.
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