Kano State

By Murtala Uba Mohammed

Just last Saturday, September 6, 2025 (equivalent to 13th Rabi’ul Awwal, 1447 AH), the prestigious Usmanu Danfodiyo University, located in Sokoto—the historic seat of the Sokoto Caliphate—took the bold step of awarding an Honorary Doctorate Degree to Malam Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, a renowned erudite Muslim scholar. Indeed, there could be no better place in sub-Saharan Africa to honour such a distinguished scholar than the city that once served as the headquarters of the Muslim Caliphate and home of the revered Shehu Usmanu bn Fodio.

Malam Daurawa, the current Commander General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, was born some 56 years ago in the ancient city of Kano. His birthplace, Daurawa, lies just east of the Kano City Wall near Kofar Mazugal. He studied Islamic sciences under many teachers, including his father, Malam Ibrahim Maitafsiri, who was celebrated in his lifetime for his expertise in Qur’anic exegesis. Malam Daurawa’s depth of Islamic scholarship is remarkable. In addition, he pursued formal education up to the college level.

Through his teaching and preaching, Malam Daurawa has commanded great influence among Hausa-speaking Muslims across Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Chad, and Ghana. His reach also extends to countries with sizeable Muslim populations, such as Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Egypt. 

Right from his childhood, Malam Daurawa has been known as a person of truth, honesty, forthrightness, humility, and impeccable integrity. This was evident during his early involvement in the Islamic Tajdīd Islamy (JTI), known for challenging Ibrahim Zakzaky’s then-concealed Shi’ite identity. While JTI exposed the deception of Zakzaky’s movement, Daurawa eventually disagreed with some members due to his conviction that Islamic scholarship should embrace a wider horizon of jurisprudential schools and perspectives. His zeal for knowledge led him to step away from the group in pursuit of deep and extensive Islamic knowledge—a commitment that has contributed greatly to his current status as one of the leading voices in Islamic learning.

Even before the dawn of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic and the spread of private radio stations, Malam Daurawa has already established himself as a dedicated teacher of Islamic knowledge, nurturing countless study circles. My first encounter with him dated back to 1999, when he commenced lessons on Imam an-Nawawī’s Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn at our mosque, Sa’ad bin Abī Waqqās Masjid, in Zango, within the historic city of Kano. That experience left an indelible mark on me.

I vividly recall the year 2002, when, as a student at CAS Kano, I listened to him delivering a lecture on Islamic history and the Sokoto Caliphate. It was then that my admiration for him deepened. The ease with which he narrated history; so fluent and effortless, as if reading directly from an unseen manuscript,was nothing short of remarkable.

His scholarship reminds me of the words once spoken about Ibn Taymiyya by one of his contemporaries thus: “I saw Ahmad ibn Taymiyya as if he had a calabash filled with knowledge before him; he would give what he wished and withhold what he wished.” Truly, Malam Daurawa is a fountain of knowledge, a wellspring of wisdom that flows generously to all who care to listen. His presence is not merely that of a preacher but of a guide whose words illuminate minds and inspire hearts.

By 2003, Malam Aminu’s gift became even more evident, particularly through his teaching sessions in various study circles within Kano city. Among the most famous of these were Triumph Mosque in Fagge, where he taught Zād al-Ma‘ād by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, later adding al-Shifā’ bi Ta‘rīf Huqūq al-Musṭafā by Qādī ‘Iyād. He also taught at Kawu Iliya Mosque at the Brigade area. I cannot forget his short-lived teaching of Imam Mālik’s al-Muwatta at Abdurrahman bin ‘Auf Mosque in Kofar Wambai. Unfortunately, that circle of al-Muwatta was disrupted by hired miscreants who came and attacked disciples. Despite the commotion and fitnah stirred against him, Malam Aminu was willing to continue teaching. However, as we later learnt that the elder patron of the mosques, Alhaji Yusuf Abdullahi, advised that the lessons be suspended. Even so, Malam once introduced teaching of Sharh al-Sunnah by Imam al-Barbahārī at Sa’ad Mosque in Zango.

With the proliferation of private radio stations, especially from 2000s onwards, Malam Daurawa rose to greater prominence through his program Kundin Tarihi aired on Freedom Radio in Kano. The program quickly became immensely popular because it introduced a unique style of narrating the history of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his family and companions and Islam. With a distinct approach, Malam Daurawa presented history with clear references to its sources and explained the lessons to be drawn from it. He also responded to questions in an engaging and captivating manner. This style of teaching and narrativity of Islamic history won admiration across doctrinal—even from those who did not always identify with his Salafi creed. Before long, people across the city eagerly tuned in to his lectures. As a testimony to this impact, I recalled that the Bayero University-based double Professor, Abdalla Uba Adamu, on more than one occasion, mentioned that two scholars stood out to him: Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil and Malam Daurawa. He explained that Sheikh Khalil impressed him with his fatwa (legal verdict) and cordial relationship with the university community, while Malam Daurawa captivated him with his Kundin Tarihi program.

Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, made it clear that it was Malam Daurawa’s lifelong service and dedication to the community that earned him the honorary doctorate degree. Anyone familiar with the revival of the Hisbah Board under his leadership can readily attest to his commitment. At various times, when the institution became comatose, Malam Daurawa was always there to resuscitate it. He has served three separate terms as Commander General of the Hisbah: 2011–2015, 2015–2019, and from 2023 to date; the longest cumulative leadership in the board’s history. A clear sign of his competence is the way he successfully served under three different governors namely: Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Beyond the Hisbah, Malam Daurawa’s leadership qualities are reflected in his service as Imam of Friday mosques, most notably the Ansarussunnah Mosque in Fagge. During the month of Ramadan, for many years, he traveled to Gombe to conduct Qur’anic tafsir. He has also established schools where children learn Qur’anic memorization and Islamic studies. Those who know him affirm that wherever Malam Daurawa resides, he establishes circles of learning for children, women, and youth. Always innovative in his pedagogy and propagation, he once advanced the idea of translating Islamic teachings and recording them in Hausa, Fulfulde, and English in an attempt to extend Islamic propagation to the far and extreme ends of Nigeria and beyond. The blessings of his knowledge have touched not only the wider community but also his home and family.

Furthermore, Malam Daurawa is an accomplished author, with more than thirteen publications in different areas of Islamic studies. One of his works, Sa‘ādatul Muslim fī mattafaqa ‘alayhi Bukhārī wa Muslim, has become a widely used teaching text in Islamiyya schools. His concern with social reform also inspired him to author books such as Kimiyyar Aure (The Science of Marriage) and Sirrin Maza (The Secret of Men).

Anyone who reflects on the life of Malam Daurawa will recognize that he is a divine trust for the community; tireless, unyielding, and sincere in every responsibility he undertakes. Indeed, Usmanu Danfodiyo University has made a wise and deserving choice in honoring him. While I congratulate Malam Daurawa on this recognition, I also congratulate the University for seizing the opportunity to bestow honor where it is truly due. Malam Daurawa is not a man of wealth who dispenses riches, nor a man of political power who grants favors. What he possesses is his time and his knowledge, and the community has long been reaping the benefits of this priceless treasure. God willing, he stands among the very best of people—khayr al-nās man yanfa‘u al-nās (the best of people are those who benefit others). May Allah reward him abundantly, elevate Usmanu Danfodiyo University, and bless all centers of learning across our nation.

Dr. Murtala is a bilingual writer who holds a PhD in geography and teaches at Bayero University Kano

By Ibrahim Aisha

In the Chiranci ward of Kumbotso Local Government Area in Kano, the term “sore throat” has taken on a chilling significance. For Iya Yani, a mother of eight, it was the phrase that cost her daughter her life.

“She only said her throat was hurting,” Iya Yani recalled with tears. “Neighbours told me it was nothing, just harmattan. By the time I took her to the hospital, she could no longer breathe. She died before they could help her, and the doctor blamed my ignorance “.

Iya Yani’s heartbreaking loss is part of a broader tragedy unfolding far and wide in the Kumbotso Local Government Area, a tragedy that statistics and government reports can hardly mitigate. 

Diphtheria, a disease preventable by vaccine, continues to claim the lives of children in this community, some due to financial constraints, misleading rumours and even Ignorance.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease caused by the exotoxin-producing bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. While the disease can affect individuals of all age groups, Unimmunised children are particularly at risk. There is no World Health Organisation (WHO) region that is completely free of diphtheria globally.

The Facts Behind the Grief

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s (CDC) situation report from May 2025, Nigeria recorded 30 confirmed cases and three deaths in the first few months of the year. By July 2025, Premium Times reported that Kano State alone had logged 18,284 confirmed infections and 860 deaths, making it the most affected state in Nigeria. 

According to the World Health Organisation, from 9th May 2022 to 25 October 2023, 15,569 suspected diphtheria cases have been reported across Nigeria, 547 of whom have died. 

As of October 2023, the World Health Organisation disbursed US$1.3 million for the response to enhance key outbreak control measures, including disease surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, case investigation and treatment, training, as well as collaborating with communities to support the response efforts. 

With support from the WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund, Kano State carried out three phases of reactive routine immunisation campaigns in February, April, and August 2023, using the combination tetanus-diphtheria and pentavalent vaccines.

Almost 75,000 zero-dose children under the age of two received the first dose of the pentavalent vaccine, while around 670,000 eligible children (4‒14 years) were vaccinated with the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine in 18 high-burden local government areas in Kano state.

 Health Reporters revealed in July 2025 that Chiranci of Kumbotso local government is one of the wards with the highest number of “zero-dose” children – those who have never received a single vaccine. In such a setting, diphtheria spreads rapidly, and misinformation intensifies the situation. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Patients who were not vaccinated had more than double the likelihood of death compared to fully vaccinated individuals.

When rumours mislead and ignorance lies 

Many parents from different areas of Kumbotso Local Government Area admit they delayed immunisation due to prevalent rumours. 

When his seven-year-old brother, Jubrin, was diagnosed with diphtheria in July 2023, Aminu had never heard of the disease, the outbreak of which had claimed more than 500 lives in Nigeria.

Safiya Mohammed, a mother of two, residing in the Kumbotso Local Government Area, a hotspot for diphtheria in Kano State, ensured her children were vaccinated.

“I had never heard of diphtheria,” Safiya said. “I don’t want my children or those in the neighbourhood to fall sick or die from the disease. To protect my children, I also need to make sure the children they play with are protected.”

 Fatima Umar, a resident of Dan Maliki and a nursing mother, confessed, “I heard the injection would make my baby sick, so I waited. Then he fell ill. The hospital told us it was diphtheria. He died before I even understood what that word meant.”

Usman Sani, a husband and resident of Taku Mashi, shared a similar regret: “My wife complained of her throat and her not being able to swallow food properly. I thought it was just a sore throat”.He added that by the time his wife was taken to the hospital, it was already too late.

For Zainab Ibrahim, a mother at Chiranci Primary, the battle against diphtheria has been both long and personal. In early 2025, her daughter, Halima, nearly lost her life to the disease. “She could not breathe,” Zainab recalled. 

My daughter said she finds it difficult to yawn properly, and her throat hurts a lot when she swallows saliva. My neighbours kept saying I should use garlic to make tea for her. I started, but noticed there was no progress, as my daughter could not breathe one night. My husband was away, so I called him in the morning and told him I was going to the hospital. As soon as I arrived at the hospital, she was diagnosed and a file was opened for her. The doctor administered drugs and told us to return after two weeks for an operation.

Zainab further mentioned that her daughter survived. “But the scar on her neck serves as a constant reminder of how close I came to burying her.”

At a local Islamic school at Dorayi Chiranci primary, the head of the school, Malam Andullahi Abubakar Jabbi,informed that many of his students died during the outbreak of diphtheria. It started small, then it became alarming when 3 siblings died within the interval of not less than a week.

” Many students stopped coming, and parents phoned to know what was happening. We had to close down the school for some period of time to avoid the spread of the disease,” said Malam Abdullahi.

Bala Dahiru, a resident of Dorayi Yan Lalle, narrated that it was due to financial constraints that he almost lost his only daughter’s life to diphtheria.

What Kumbotso teaches Nigeria 

Diphtheria is preventable. The World Health Organisation affirms that vaccination offers nearly complete protection against the disease. Yet in many areas of Kumbotso, many mothers continue to rely on neighbours’ advice rather than the guidance of health officials. Health workers, such as Lawan Ibrahim Ahmad, the Primary Health Care Coordinator for Chiranchi Primary Health Care, have repeatedly stated that without a steady supply and consistent funding, “it is impossible to reach every child in every home.”

The tragedy of Kumbotso illustrates that diphtheria is not merely a medical issue; it reflects broken trust, inadequate systems, and misinformation that can kill as swiftly as the bacteria themselves.

A Call to Protect Children

The stories emerging serve as a dire warning. Unless vaccination coverage improves, more families will mourn children lost to a disease that the world already knows how to prevent.

Iya Yani’s daughter should not have died from what she thought was a mere sore throat. Halima should not bear the scar on her neck just to breathe. Fatima should not have lost her son to a disease that belongs in the past.

This grief mirrors our collective failure. Until we take action, every cough in this community will reverberate with fear: Could this be the next case of diphtheria?

By Ukasha  Kofarnassarawa 

Basic education in public schools in Kano State is approaching its graveyard, where it will be laid to rest sooner than expected. This is why a larger portion of the population manages to enrol their children in private schools. Only those who are economically gasping for breath can barely afford to send their kids to the rotten public school system. 

It has reached a stage where teachers and principals of public schools also send their children to private schools. Just as medical doctors who own private hospitals, many academics who earn a salary from the Ministry of Education also own private schools. The recent whistleblowing, led by Dan Bello, to expose the dysfunction of our public schools, is not surprising to those who have invested heavily in the state of our public schools. 

However, Dan Bello is only addressing one aspect of the problem, which is infrastructural decay. There are many other problems, including incompetent teachers, a lack of proper supervision, and the anti-intellectual behaviour of teachers who attend school at their convenience. You will hear a school teacher who is supposed to be in school from 7:30 am to 2 pm every working day say that he only comes to school twice a week. 

Whatever Dan Bello’s intention is in exposing the situation, I believe it’s for the betterment of the state, especially since the governor has started responding to the problem. 

We acknowledge how the previous administration abandoned public schools, sold their land to develop houses and build corner shops, and shut down many. However, this is not the time for blame games; it’s time to revive the state of our education. And that’s one of the reasons why the state indigenes voted them out and gave this administration the chance to govern.

As I extracted this from the Facebook page of the Director-General of the Kano Bureau of Statistics, he wrote: “The attached chart presents estimated statistics on the total number of public primary and secondary schools in Kano, excluding new ones currently under construction. There are approximately 9,136 public primary and secondary schools across the state. 

Based on assessments, if 70 per cent of these schools are dilapidated and require renovation, that would mean about 6,395 schools need repair. At a rate of 100 schools renovated per month, it would take approximately 64 months, or 5 years and 4 months, to fully address the problem. So, it is unrealistic to expect that all dilapidated schools can be fixed within such a short timeframe of two years.”

This chilled my blood and set me thinking about the quickest and most realistic way to revive our education. I arrived at the following conclusions:

Since it will take us approximately 5 years to address the infrastructural decay alone, how many years would it take us to address the human capital problem? To improve the situation, I propose the following:

1. The government should establish six mega schools (3 secondary schools and three primary schools) that are fully equipped. This can be developed within a one-year calendar (the NWU senate building was built in less than a year, so it’s feasible). Each school should accommodate at least 1,000 students and make it the standard, as Day Science, Dawakin Tofa, and Dawakin Kudu used to be. These schools have produced some of the best medical doctors, engineers, and teachers, who have made us proud, even on the international stage.

2. Employ well-trained teachers and develop a system that can measure their performance. Why do public school teachers who earn at least ₦70,000 (considering the minimum wage) fail to teach their students effectively, while those in private schools who earn ₦30,000 or less perform far better? It’s a supervisory issue. In private schools, teachers are monitored and appraised. Let’s inculcate this culture in the newly established schools.

3. There’s no such thing as free education in those schools! Let parents/guardians pay. At least the school can earn an income for maintenance. 

If this idea is fully implemented, by 2031, when we expect to have addressed the infrastructural decay as stated above, the state would have produced at least 5,000 high-quality graduates who can compete with their private counterparts.

Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi

Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. May Allah have mercy on Professor Hafizu Miko Yakasai. He was such a wonderful man that he never held any grudges against anyone. 

I met Prof. Hafizu as far back as 2003/2004, and by 2007/2008, he had supervised my B.A. project on Hausa translation. While writing the project, Malam pushed me so hard that it later transformed my life for the better.

Malam was hardworking, friendly, calm and always gentle. You can even say that Malam was the nicest of them all. Malam was always smiling, and he spoke to us as if he were talking to his friends or even his bosses. Malam always looked down when he spoke to you. So kind and loving. We will genuinely miss his charming smile, especially when he wants to make a point or respond to an interesting topic.

To have known Malam was to have known a rare and gentle light in this world. The always smiling gentleman. Today, that light feels dimmed, the smiles have left us, and our hearts are heavy with a grief that words can scarcely hold. Yet, even in this time of mourning, we are compelled to celebrate the extraordinary person he was —a teacher, a mentor, and one of the kindest souls to have graced our lives at Bayero University, Kano.

Prof. Hafizu was a teacher in the truest sense of the word. His classrooms were not just a place of learning, but a sanctuary of encouragement and support. He didn’t just teach Semantics; he taught us how to think, how to wonder and how to believe in ourselves even when we doubted our own capabilities.

The professor saw potential in the quietest student and brilliance in the most struggling mind. His greatest lessons were not found only in the textbooks, but in his unwavering patience, smiles and profound belief that every one of us had something unique and valuable to offer the world.

When Malam became the President of Nigeria’s Institute of Translators and Interpreters, he called me and asked me to participate in a high-level process of evaluating new intakes. I felt as if Malam was elevating me to a position for which I wasn’t qualified, but Malam sat by my side while I put the records in order and smoothed out the process, and together, we made it a success.

Wallahi Malam was a very great gentleman to the core. A peace-loving fellow. A man of charisma and calibre. I never saw him become angry. Perhaps he has a unique way of swallowing all the anger and reveals only soothing smiles.

There was a time when Malam invited us to a project that he had obtained from his good friend, Barrister Dasin. It was a project of translation. We really enjoyed ourselves and have our pockets filled up.

One day, we sat at the Centre for Research in Nigerian Languages, Translation & Folklore. All of a sudden, Malam asked Muhammad, ‘How can we translate…’ He then mentioned a particular word. I was amazed that this was my teacher, who had taught me for years, now asking me for something. This is to show you how simple and easy-going Malam was.

Besides teaching us, Malam took us as his own children, always drawing us nearer. He never acted like a boss; he was a guide who walked beside us, and with us, not ahead of us. He offered counsel without judgment, wisdom without arrogance, and a listening ear that made even our most minor problems feel important. He shaped not only our intellect but our character, leading always by the quiet example of his own integrity, compassion, and grace.

And yet, what we will carry with us most indelibly, what is etched into our memory with the warmth of a permanent sun, is his utmost kindness and smile. That ever-present, genuine, and kind smile. It was a beacon of welcome in the morning, a signal of understanding during a difficult lesson, and a silent celebration of our successes. In a world that can often be too serious and too harsh, his smiles were a constant reminder that joy is a choice, and kindness is a language everyone understands. It was the purest reflection of his beautiful spirit.

Thank you for everything. Your syllabus for a life well-lived is complete, and you earned an A+ in humanity, wisdom, dedication and kindness. We will miss you more than words can say, but we will never forget your lessons and your magnificent smiles.

Malam was an HOD many years ago; he was a Dean, a Professor, and a pioneer Provost of the College of Arts, and he died in active service. He came and worked in the university even in the last days of his life. Above all, he was a very kind gentleman, a devout servant of Allah.

The best part of Malam’s life was that not many people knew he was an A-grade student and teacher of the Qur’an. Coincidentally, the last events he attended in his academic life were on the glorious Qur’an. The Centre organised the last for Qur’anic Studies under the leadership of Sheikh Prof. Ahmad Murtala. May the almighty Allah raise you among the Qur’anic reciters on the Day of Judgement, amen.

Prof. Hafizu has done his part and left. It is now time to reflect on his life and build on the good legacies he left. I extend my condolences to his family, friends, students, Bayero University, Kano, and the entire academic community.

May Allah forgive your shortcomings, Malam. May Allah make Jannatul Firdaus your final home. You have done wonderfully, Malam, with endless gratitude and love. Insha’Allah, you will continue to smile in Jannah, sir. Ameen!

By Uzair Adam 

Two siblings from Rimin Gado Local Government Area of Kano have achieved an exceptional milestone after graduating with first-class degrees in Computer Science from different universities in the same year.

Sulaiman and Maryam Salisu, younger brothers and sisters of a prominent BBC journalist, Aisha Salisu Babangida, both achieved identical Cumulative Grade Point Averages (CGPA) of 4.51 in 2025. 

While Sulaiman studied at Al-Istiqama University in Sumaila, Kano, Maryam attended the Federal University of Dutsin-Ma in Katsina State.

Speaking with The Daily Reality on Wednesday, Sulaiman said his achievement was not just personal but a fulfilment of his late father’s dream.

He stated, “When I saw my final result, I was surprised. I was thrilled because I had fulfilled my father’s dream. He always told me I could do it and reminded me how important it was.”

He explained that his first semester result placed him in the first-class category, which brought joy to his father. But when his performance later dropped, his father sat him down and encouraged him to refocus. “That conversation changed everything,” he recalled.

Sulaiman also spoke about the sacrifices his parents made during his studies, narrating how his mother once sold her goat to send him money for food after he ran out of supplies.

“I only discovered what happened when I returned home during the semester break. I felt like crying when I realised the sacrifice. It motivated me to work harder because I knew my parents were giving their all for me,” he said.

As a member of the pioneer graduating set at Al-Istiqama University, Sulaiman said having no seniors to look up to pushed him to put in his best and even guide his peers.

Similarly, his sister, Maryam, graduated with the same CGPA of 4.51 from the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma. She described her success as a dream she had nurtured for years.

She stated, “I cannot describe the joy I feel. Completing my studies with such a result is something I had prayed and worked for. This achievement is not mine alone; it belongs to my family and to Nigeria as a whole.”

Maryam recalled that she nearly lost focus after the death of their father while she was about to begin her final year, but the support she received from her family, teachers, and friends helped her persevere.

She said her ambition is to pursue advanced studies in Computer Science, with a focus on software development and Artificial Intelligence. 

She stated, “I want to use the knowledge I have gained to bring positive change to society, especially in Nigeria and Africa. 

“I also hope to inspire women and young people to believe that with determination and faith, they can achieve their dreams,” she added.

Both Sulaiman and Maryam expressed gratitude to their family, teachers, and friends, praying for Allah’s reward for their late father and their mother, whose sacrifices they said played a vital role in their success.

By Abbas Datti

Our beloved Kano State has now become a nightmare of unprecedented violence, lawlessness and phone-snatching all courtesy of thugs’ criminal activities. Once-peaceful communities now live under the shadow of fear as ruthless and armed gangsters unleash a reign of terror daily. These assailants, wielding deadly local weapons, have maimed, killed, and left countless families in mourning.

The attacks often strike without notice. Some places have now become theatres of war in the dead of night, forcing residents, young and old, to flee into the darkness with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Homes must be locked in broad daylight for fear of being a victim of some happy, menacing marauders. 

The cruelty has engulfed so many metropolitan places of Kano State, with no concerted effort to stop the horrendous activities of those brutal thugs. We wonder when these horrible experiences will stop? Thugs have become a significant threat to the collective well-being of the people of Kano. 

In the chaos, the gang of thugs attack with no mercy. Men are butchered as they defend their families; they have no scruples to attack even women and children as they attempt to escape. Residents speak of the horror of seeing loved ones hacked with machetes, swords and other local dangerous weapons. They destroyed properties, smashed buildings and cars parked outside houses and buildings. 

As this wave of violence rages on, we call for urgent and decisive action from security agencies. Moreover, the Inspector General of Police is to dispatch a special intelligence unit to analyse the situation on the ground and subject it to a holistic review of the present strategy. 

The people of Kano demand not only the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators but also the establishment of permanent security posts in the most vulnerable areas. Although some security posts were built in some places for that purpose, they are yet to be fully operational, leaving residents with only the building structures. Without swift intervention, Kano risks slipping further into lawlessness, and the fragile threads of peace may be torn beyond repair.

This is not merely an attack on individuals; it is an assault on our shared humanity and our future. We ask for definite action before the fires of thugs consume us all. We ask for an end to this bloodbath that has been threatening the peace and stability of Kano and its people. 

Abbas Datti writes from Kano via comradeabbasdatti@gmail.com.

Mohammad Qaddam Sidq Isa (Daddy) 

The recent revelation that three Nigerians, recently detained by Saudi authorities on allegations of drug trafficking, had been framed by an international drug trafficking syndicate operating at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) further confirms the persistence of such nefarious activities, bringing to mind a similar scandal in 2019 that nearly cost an innocent woman her life in the Kingdom. 

The syndicate’s modus operandi begins by targeting unsuspecting travellers at MAKIA who appear to have little or no experience in international air travel protocols. 

Exploiting the fact that such travellers rarely turn up at the airport check-in counter with enough luggage to take up their full luggage allowance, if they are even aware of it, the syndicate members covertly tag and check in drug-containing luggage under the travellers’ names.

On arrival in Jeddah or Madinah, the syndicate’s Saudi-based Nigerian accomplices monitor the luggage processing. If the bags make it through undetected, they somehow manage to claim them, sometimes with, and other times without, the traveller’s knowledge or involvement.

However, if the bags are flagged, the accomplices vanish, leaving the unsuspecting travellers to be apprehended and subjected to the Kingdom’s strict judicial system, where drug trafficking can carry the ultimate punishment: public beheading.

Despite Nigerian authorities’ assurances since the 2019 scandal that all structural and operational loopholes exploited by the syndicate had been addressed, the latest incident demonstrates that these measures were insufficient. It also underscores the growing notoriety of the otherwise reputable MAKIA as a hub for international drug trafficking syndicates specialising in framing unsuspecting travellers. 

If organised crime of this sophistication can occur at the relatively less corruption-prone MAKIA, one can only imagine what might be happening at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos or Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. 

Only Allah knows how many innocent people, framed in this way and too unlucky for their ordeals to be publicised or their innocence to be proven, ended up publicly beheaded in Saudi Arabia. 

Although the Nigerian government has assured that it will leave no stone unturned to secure the exoneration of these innocent Nigerians currently facing drug trafficking charges in Saudi Arabia, it should not take the situation for granted. 

Meanwhile, it should also take decisive action to address this menace at MAKIA and other airports across the country. After all, the few individuals apprehended may represent only a fraction of the culprits, with many others likely still out there.

Mohammad Qaddam Sidq Isa (Daddy) wrote via mohammadsidq@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has refuted reports alleging the diversion of N6.5 billion from the state treasury, dismissing them as “false narratives orchestrated by the opposition to tarnish the image of the administration.”

The rebuttal follows a report by Daily Nigerian on August 22, 2025, which claimed that the Director-General of the Government House Protocol Directorate, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, was linked to an alleged diversion of public funds already before the High Court.

In a statement issued on Monday, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General of Media and Publicity at the Government House, maintained that all financial dealings of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) strictly adhere to budgetary guidelines and established financial regulations.

“Every cash outflow into MDAs is duly budgeted with clear codes in the state’s fiscal policy. No government official accesses public funds without a defined purpose,” Bature stated.

He noted that the Protocol Directorate is responsible for logistics, welfare, and official engagements of the governor and visiting dignitaries, explaining that about 95 per cent of its functions involve financial transactions conducted with government approval.

The statement stressed that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration would not allow the integrity of its officials to be undermined by political propaganda.

“The Yusuf administration remains committed to financial prudence, transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance for corruption. We will not allow our aides’ reputations to be destroyed by deliberate blackmail from unpatriotic elements,” it said.

The government reaffirmed confidence in Rogo’s credibility, describing the allegations as unfounded. It added that all officials, including the Director-General of Protocol, are open to scrutiny by anti-graft agencies when required.

It further accused political opponents of sponsoring the allegations as part of a smear campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.

“These claims are nothing but fiction designed by desperate politicians relying on propaganda to remain relevant,” the statement noted.

The government also pointed to alleged financial mismanagement under former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration, citing withdrawals of over N20 billion between February and May 2023. It referenced the dollar-video scandal as evidence of what it called “eight years marred by corruption.”

While pledging transparency, the government warned it may pursue legal action against those spreading misinformation.

“No propaganda, fabricated claims, or media trials will derail our determination to serve the people with honesty and accountability,” the statement added.

It concluded by noting that it would not comment further on the matter since it is already before a competent court.

By Kamal  Alkasim

When Kawu Sumaila decamped from NNPP to APC, it showed that the issue isn’t about party loyalty but about choosing the best leader. Blind loyalty can hinder good governance in Nigerian politics. What matters most is effective representation, not party allegiance. Let’s prioritise good leadership over partisan loyalty and choose the best candidate for the benefit of Kano South.

When choosing between Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a prominent figure in Kano politics known for influencing political dynamics, and Kawu Sumaila, the decision leans towards Kawu due to his genuine service to the people of Kano South. Regardless of the political party Kawu affiliates with—whether APC, PDP, or ADC—his actions demonstrate a commitment to his constituents. 

People recognise Kawu’s efforts and intentions, making party affiliations secondary to his impact. Let’s prioritise choosing the best candidate based on their service and dedication, rather than party loyalty.”

Kwankwaso’s impact will be remembered. Let’s choose leaders based on merit, not loyalty to individuals. In politics, those who deliver tangible benefits to the people should be preferred over those who seek dominance. 

After 16 years of Kabiru Gaya’s tenure, which saw the Kano senatorial district abandoned for personal interests, it’s time for a change. Kawu Sumaila has emerged as a rescuer for our region, and let’s give him the support he deserves.

Let’s choose a leader who creates jobs, empowers youth, provides scholarships, and advocates for our interests in the Nigerian Senate. Prioritise your senatorial district’s needs and be vigilant. A leader who brings in multi-million dollar projects, generates employment opportunities for youth, and develops feeder roads in our communities deserves our support. 

Both Kwankwaso and Kawu Sumaila have legacies that will be remembered, but let’s focus on the one who delivers tangible benefits to our region.

Kamal Alkasim wrote via kamalalkasim17@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, says it has arrested a 27-year-old man in possession of nine kilograms of Cannabis Sativa (Colorado) valued at more than N10 million.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Kano by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari.

He explained that the suspect, a resident of Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State, was arrested on August 6 along the Zaria–Kano Road by operatives of the Kiru Area Command while transporting 19 parcels of the substance from Lagos to Kano.

According to Muhammad-Maigatari, the suspect confessed to his involvement in the illicit trade and had been on the command’s watchlist before his arrest.

He noted that the seizure inflicted a major financial loss on the drug network, disrupting their supply chain and denying them revenue for further criminal activities.

“Removing this quantity from circulation also helps protect vulnerable communities from the social and economic harms associated with the trade in narcotics,” he said.

The spokesperson added that under the leadership of Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, the Kano Strategic Command will continue to strengthen patrols and intelligence-driven operations to curb drug trafficking in the state.