Headlines
Police arrest 4 suspected kidnappers including a woman terrorising Zamfara, Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
Police in Kano have on Wednesday paraded four suspected kidnappers including a 23 year widow Maryam Muhammad, of Butsa Village, Gusau, local government area of Zamfara State.
Parading the suspects, police spokesperson in Kano Abdullahi Haruna said the accused were arrested on Friday at a rented apartment located at Jaba Quarters, Ungogo local government area where they held hostage Mohammed Sanusi and demanded ten million Naira ransom from his parents.
He explained that the police have successfully rescued the victim unhurt after a fierce gun duel with the kidnappers.
Mr Kiyawa recalled that on January 12 one Sunusi Ado of Galadanchi Quarters, Gwale local government area of Kano state reported that his 29 year old son, Mohammed Sanusi, was kidnapped and a ransom of ten million Naira was demanded.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Habu A. Sani, psc, raised and instructed a team of Operation Puff Adder, led by DSP Shehu Dahiru, to arrest the culprits.
“The Team swiftly swung into action, and following credible intelligence, on 15 January, 2021, that is 3 days after the report, raided a rented apartment located at Jaba Quarters, Ungogo LGA of Kano State where the victim was held hostage.
“The gallant team cordoned the area, engaged the occupants of the house in a fierce gun duel, successfully rescues the victim unhurt and arrested the suspects,” Mr Haruna said.
Other aspects arrested beside Ms Muhammad are Sani Ibrahim and Shamsuddeen Suleiman all of Butsa Village, Gusau local government area Zamfara State and Ishaq Khalil, of Rijiyar Lemo Quarters, Fagge local government Kano State.
All the suspects according to police spokesperson confessed involving in series of kidnappings in Kano and Zamfara states.
Mr Haruna added that the police have recovered one AK-47 rifle, one Magazine loaded with 30 rounds of Live Ammunition and an unregistered motorcycle.
According to police spokesperson investigation revealed that Maryam’s husband, Sani Ismail of of Niger state, was a Notorious cattle rustler, killed in Zamfara state while carting away rustled cows.
Mr Kiyawa told journalists that after the death of Ms Muhammad’s husband, her brother, Hamza Dogo, also a notorious kidnapper relocated her to Kano where she rented apartments in Unguwa Uku, Panshekara and Maidile Quarters.
According to police findings Ms Muhammad later moved to Jaba Quarters and rented another apartment for six hundred thousand Naira per annum, which she turned into a kidnappers den.
How they trapped the victim
Ms Muhammad revealed that on January 12, around 8 pm, she contacted the victim via his mobile phone and told him to bring her a new Samsung handset for her to buy at sixty five thousand Naira.
Maryam Muhammad
She disclosed the victim drove his Toyota Vibe Motor Vehicle to the apartment. They opened the gate of the house, and as soon as he entered, the four of them attacked him, tied him up, took his Motor Vehicle to Zamfara State and contacted his family for ten million Naira Ransom.
Ms Muhammad disclosed that though, they demanded ransom, their plan was to kill him after collecting the ransom, because the victim knows the apartment and recognizes them.
She recalled that, on October 2, last year, they have kidnapped one Shafiu Umar, of Naibawa Quarters, Kumbotso local government area of Kano state, and held him hostage in Zamfara State.
She also confessed that they collected a ransom of ten million Naira, a brand new motorcycle and Toyota Corolla LE worth two million, five hundred thousand Naira.
The police said they have recovered the Toyota Vibe Motor Vehicle from one Ishaq Yusuf of Gidan Dawa Quarters, Gusau, Zamfara state on Monday January 19.
Mr Kiyawa told journalists that the Kano state Commissioner of Police Habu Sani has ordered for discrete investigation for the Police to arrest accomplices of the syndicate and recover their operational weapons.
He advised Kano residents to be extra careful in renting apartments to strangers.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Kano State Commissioner of Finance and renowned academic, Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor’s reaction was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.
Governor Yusuf described the late Prof. Dandago as a dedicated public servant and accomplished scholar whose contributions to education and governance left lasting footprints in Kano State.
He noted that the former finance commissioner served the state with integrity and commitment and was widely respected for his professionalism, humility and passion for knowledge.
According to the governor, Kano State has lost a valuable son whose experience and wisdom greatly enriched both public service and the academic community.
Governor Yusuf extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the academic community and the people of Kano State over what he described as an irreparable loss.
He prayed that Almighty Allah forgives the shortcomings of the late Prof. Dandago, grants him Aljannatul Firdaus and gives his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National President of the Government Arabic Teachers College Gwale Old Students Association (GATCOSA), Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago, is dead.
KANO FOCUS reports that Prof. Dandago, a renowned Professor of Accountancy at Bayero University Kano, died on Wednesday evening. His passing has thrown the academic community and associates into mourning.
In a message shared on GATCOSA’s WhatsApp platform, a Director at the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education, Alhaji Nura Dandago, announced that the funeral prayer for the late professor would be held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. at his residence in Rijiyar Zaki Quarters, Kano.
Until his death, Prof. Dandago served as the National President of GATCOSA and was widely respected for his contributions to education and public service. He previously served as Commissioner for Finance in Kano State during the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Just last Saturday, the late academic presented a paper on economic challenges in Northern Nigeria at a Ramadan Lecture organised by the Islamic Forum of Nigeria, where he spoke passionately about strategies for economic reform and regional development.
Colleagues and admirers described Prof. Dandago as a dedicated scholar and public servant who was deeply committed to building a prosperous and self-reliant nation. His death marks the end of a distinguished career in academia and public service.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The basketball team of Bayero University Kano (BUK) has emerged champions of the Northwest 3×3 Basketball Championship hosted by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the victorious team presented the championship trophy to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Musa, following their impressive performance at the tournament, which featured six universities from across Northern Nigeria.
BUK went unbeaten throughout the competition, winning all six matches and sealing the title with a thrilling 20–18 victory over the host institution, ABU Zaria, in the final.
In the group stage, BUK recorded a 10–0 win against Northwest University, Kano, and defeated the Air Force Institute of Technology 33–20. The team also edged the Federal University of Education, Kano, 11–9, before securing another dominant 10–0 victory over the Federal University of Transportation, Daura. They capped their remarkable run with the narrow 20–18 triumph in the final.
The victory marks BUK’s second championship title in the history of the competition, reinforcing the university’s growing reputation in collegiate sports.
Receiving the team, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated the athletes for bringing pride to the institution and urged them to sustain and surpass their current achievements. He reaffirmed the management’s commitment to strengthening sports development in the university and pledged continued institutional and individual support for the players’ sporting careers.
The presentation ceremony concluded with the formal handover of the trophy and cash rewards to the athletes in recognition of their discipline, teamwork and excellence.
Gov. Yusuf mourns former Kano finance commissioner, Prof. Dandago
Abba Care: A Lifeline of Compassion in Kano State
GATCOSA President, Prof. Kabiru Isa Dandago is dead
BUK clinches Northwest 3×3 basketball title at ABU Zaria
Kano rolls out emergency medical services, deploys 20 Ambulances
Lami Maccido, first person to appear on screens of NTA Kano, CTV 67, dies at 72
Kano begins Ramadan food distribution as Gov. Yusuf constitutes feeding committee
Kano Police announce movement restrictions ahead of assembly by-elections
K-SAFE appeals to Kano Executive Council to pass revised education bill
