Headlines
Police rescue over 300 workers detained for 3 months in rice mill
Nasiru Yusuf
The police in Kano have rescued over 300 workers who were forced to spend three months in a rice mill at Challawa Industrial area.
Kano Focus reports that the workers were threatened with losing their jobs at the Indian-owned ‘Popular Farm’ if they go out during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The Anti-Daba unit of Kano police command stormed the factory on Monday after obtaining court injunction where they arrested four managers and freed the detained workers.
According to the workers they were denied permission to go outside the factory premises for fear of being infected by COVID-19.
One of the freed workers told journalists that he had been in the factory since March 23 without going outside.
Another worker, Haruna Salihu said he had been in the factory since March 28 without meeting his family.
“Our families are seriously disturbed as they don’t know our real condition.
“My wife and my kids used to come to the factory gate but I wasn’t allowed to meet them.
“We were tricked into staying in the factory for five days, which were extended to seven days, then two weeks, then one month until we spent over three months.
“We are sleeping in a very poor environment and I am appealing to authorities to allow me to go back to my family.” Mr Salihu said.
Also a truck driver who brought paddy rice from Kebbi state narrated how he was kept in the factory for three days without going out.
“Even if you attempted to go out, the security will not allow you.
“I couldn’t go out to give my boy money for food.
“Someone sent me N10,000 but I couldn’t go to bank to withdraw it as I had been detained in the factory pending when the rice would be offloaded.” He said.
The police spokesman in Kano Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa said they have arrested four management staff of the factory, and investigation is ongoing to verify the allegations against them.
The manager of the rice mill who identified himself as Abdulkareem regretted the incident, saying he was not aware of the workers’ terrible condition.
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.
Kano business community thanks FG for N5bn Singer market relief
Kano Govt inaugurates 23-member committee to disburse Singer market fire relief
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