Headlines
Price gouging: PCACC shuts down Sahad Stores, summons Jifatu officials
Nazifi Dawud
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has closed down the Zoo Road branch of Sahad Stores and summoned officials of Jifatu Stores along Zaria Road in Kano city for allegedly charging excessive prices for basic commodities.
KANO FOCUS reports that the raid on the two super stores was conducted on Thursday by the PCACC team led by its chairman, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado.
Mr Magaji, revealed that the super markets were found violating a government directive to desist from selling basic food items such as sugar, pasta, flour and macaroni above approved prices.
The PCACC had a few days ago reached an agreement with traders at the Singa Market not to hoard or sell any essential commodities beyond approved market prices.
“This was based on the discovery that a bag of Sugar that was sold for N16,000 immediately with the lockdown over COVID-19 and the Ramadan fasting skyrocket to N28,000,” Mr Magaji said in a statement.
“This led to the state governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje directing the commission to go after traders hoarding food items and in one swoop at two warehouses 79,645 cartons of Spaghetti was discovered, 19, 500 bags of Flour, 37,000 cartons of Macaroni, with 5,120 bags of Sugar while the same products were not available at the markets,” he added.
However, on Thursday, the chairman said his team had discovered that both Sahad and Jifatu stores had been violating the price directive by charging customers excessive prices on basic food items.
Mr Magaji said “the exercise was carried out based on the complaints of residents over alleged hike in prices of essential commodities that led the governor to order a crackdown on the offenders.”
He explained that some of the major super stores raided were Jifatu store on Zaria Road and Sahad Store on Zoo road.
“However, after the raiding, the Chief Operating Officer of Jifatu Super Stores was directed to be at the Commission on Friday over non-compliance as a bag of Sugar was sold for N25,000 and Sahad Store was closed,” he said.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
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