Headlines
Phone Snatching: Kano police to prosecute blacksmiths
Aminu Abdullahi
The Kano State Police Command has warned blacksmiths to stop making lethal weapons or face prosecution.
The command’s spokesperson Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa told Kano Focus that the decision is to curtail the menace of phone snatching in the state.
Mr Kiyawa, a deputy superintendent of police said phone snatchers use knives, cutlasses and other weapons forged by blacksmith to attack their victims.
“We have convened a meeting with blacksmiths in May this year to stem the supply of weapons to phone snatchers.
“The command has also ordered Divisional Police Officers to arrest any blacksmith found making lethal weapons.” He said.
Mr Kiyawa added that henceforth arrested phone snatchers will be prosecuted together with their weapon suppliers.
“We are urging the blacksmiths to know that they also have a role to play in ensuring security in Kano State,” he added.
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Some blacksmiths who spoke to Kano Focus said they have since stopped producing the banned weapons.
Ashiru Muhammad, a blacksmith at Sharada Market said they are ready to comply with any order that will promote security in Kano state.
“I have been a blacksmith for 20 years and have no profession other than this.
“I have making tools for butchers, carpenters, and farmers and I’m ready to do anything that will clean the image of my profession.” He said.
Farouk Muhammad, who has 16 years’ experience said they will report anyone who orders for weapons to the police.
“With this business, I managed to obtain an NCE and take care of my family so I’ll not do anything that will cause trouble for me.” He said.
However, another blacksmith Yusuf Umar, who is in the business for 15 years, said most of the weapons used by phone snatchers are now produced in rural areas.
He therefore urged the police to widen their surveillance of blacksmith to all parts of the state.
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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