Kano

By Nuraddeen Nasir

In recent weeks, Kano State’s political atmosphere has been unsettled by a series of corruption allegations targeting senior government officials. From the resignation of the former Commissioner of Transportation, Honourable Ibrahim Namadi Dala, over a bail scandal to the latest accusations linking another top official to the diversion of public funds, the narrative has been one of scandal after scandal, amplified across select media platforms.

While accountability remains a cornerstone of good governance, it is important to ask a deeper question: Are these allegations isolated incidents, or do they point to a calculated effort to discredit the present administration?

A closer look reveals a pattern. Each controversy is picked up, amplified, and sensationalized in ways that extend beyond normal journalistic inquiry. The timing and intensity suggest more than coincidence; it hints at a broader political strategy designed to erode public trust in the governor’s leadership.

By targeting appointees one after another, the opposition may be seeking to create a perception that the administration is engulfed in corruption, regardless of the facts.

The real danger lies not only in the allegations themselves, but in how the administration reacts to them. Governor ABBA KABIR YUSUF has earned a reputation for his swift responses to public concerns. While such responsiveness is commendable, it can also be exploited. Reactionary decisions, especially dismissals or quick condemnations, may serve short-term public applause but risk long-term instability. They can embolden political opponents, who thrive on portraying the government as fragile and divided.

What is needed now is a balance: firm commitment to accountability, but guided by due process rather than media pressure. Investigations into any such incidents must be thorough, transparent, and credible, not dictated by headlines or political intrigue. At the same time, the administration must recognize that governance is not only about policies, but also about narratives. A robust communication strategy is essential, one that highlights achievements, places allegations in context, and exposes the political motives behind orchestrated attacks.

Kano State stands at a critical juncture. The battle is not merely about individual scandals; it is about the credibility of an administration that came to power on the promise of people-centered governance. If unchecked, the systematic discrediting of its officials could weaken the governor’s mandate and distract from his developmental agenda.

The lesson is clear: while corruption must never be condoned, neither should conspiracy be ignored. Seeing the bigger picture is essential. This is more than a string of scandals; it may well be a subtle political war aimed at shaping perceptions ahead of 2027.

Nuraddeen Nasir is a Doctoral candidate from Bayero University, Kano
MD, Data in-use Nigeria LTD

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 288 people suspected of attempting to trigger violence during the ongoing by-election for the Shanono/Bagwai State Constituency in Kano.

The disclosure was made by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, through his verified Facebook account.

He explained that the suspects were arrested with dangerous weapons and are currently under investigation.

According to him, the arrests formed part of a wider operation to forestall any breakdown of law and order throughout the election.

By Musa Abdurrazak

A 25-year-old lady was allegedly found murdered today in the morning at Kabuga Janbulo along Gwarzo Road in the Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State.

Eyewitnesses expressed their shock and trauma over the disturbing incident. Shu’aibu Bala, whose shop is located nearest to the scene, recounted, “It was around 6 AM when I was opening my shop that I spotted the dead body on the ground by the roadside.”

Another witness, Khalifa, described the scene as “the biggest calamity” he has ever encountered, noting, “The woman was brutally slaughtered, and her dignity has been violated.” He further speculated that the victim may have been killed at a distance and later dumped by the roadside, as he mentioned that police officers arrived shortly after the discovery.

In an effort to gather more information, the Daily Reality (TDR) reached out to Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, via call and message. However, TDR could not get any response at the time of this report.

This tragic incident adds to a growing concern in the community, as reports of unidentified bodies being discovered have become alarmingly frequent, instilling fear and uncertainty among residents.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Rano Local Government Council, Alhaji Muhammad Naziru Ya’u, for three months over alleged misconduct.

The decision followed Tuesday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Alhaji Jibril Isma’il Falgore, after the House Committee on Public Petition presented its investigative report.

According to the committee’s chairman and Majority Leader, Alhaji Lawan Hussaini Dala, the probe was triggered by a petition signed by nine of the ten councillors in Rano.

The petition accused the chairman of financial recklessness, sale of shops, and diversion of fertilizer meant for the council, among other allegations.

Although the chairman denied the claims, the lawmakers, citing Section 128 of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 55 (1–6) of the Kano State Local Government Law 2006, recommended his suspension to allow for further investigation.

The House also directed the immediate submission of Rano LGA’s 2025 financial statement and ordered that the vice chairman take over in an acting capacity during the suspension period.

After deliberations, the recommendations were unanimously adopted, placing the council under temporary legislative oversight.

By Uzair Adam

A 300-level student of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Umar Abdullahi Hafizi, has been confirmed dead after he was fatally stabbed by suspected phone snatchers at his residence in Dorayi Quarters, Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State.

The incident, which occurred around 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, has sparked widespread grief within the university community, prompting an official response from the institution’s management.

In a statement signed by Lamara Garba, Director of Public Affairs, and released on Wednesday, the university described the loss as devastating.

“The Management of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has expressed deep sadness over the tragic death of Umar Abdullahi Hafizi,” the statement said, adding that the student’s death was “a painful loss to the University community.”

While confirming that the killing happened outside the university premises, the statement reiterated the institution’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, speaking on behalf of the management, assured the university community that efforts are underway to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“BUK is working closely with security agencies to ensure that those responsible for this heinous act are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

As part of its immediate response, the university facilitated the transportation of the deceased’s body to his hometown in Zaria, Kaduna State, where he was buried according to Islamic rites.

The management also appealed for calm, urging students to be vigilant and the public to assist security operatives with any helpful information.

“The Management calls on students to remain calm and vigilant and urge members of the public to cooperate with security operatives by providing any useful information that could assist in the ongoing investigation,” the statement added.

BUK concluded the statement with prayers for the deceased, “Bayero University Kano prays for the repose of the soul of Umar Abdullahi Hafizi and for the Almighty to grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

By Uzair Adam

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command, has apprehended two suspects over alleged drug dealing and house burglary.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s spokesman, Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi, in Kano.

According to him, the first suspect, a 42-year-old man, was arrested at Salanta in Gwale Local Government Area with over 106 parcels of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa.

The arrest followed credible intelligence reports.He explained that the suspect was allegedly caught red-handed while selling and distributing the illicit substance within the community.

In another operation, the corps apprehended a 22-year-old man accused of burgling homes and carting away valuables worth hundreds of thousands of naira at Gurungawa in Kumbotso Local Government Area.

“The suspect, who had been on the security watch-list for some time, was apprehended during a coordinated patrol aimed at curbing theft and other criminal activities in the area,” Idris-Abdullahi said.

He noted that both suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The spokesman called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to help rid the community of criminal elements.

By Fatima Ishaq Muhammad 

Kano, the city of ancient walls, now bears a heavy burden of the haunting presence of women and children who line its streets, begging for survival. From Sabon Gari to Kofar Ruwa, from traffic lights to mosque entrances, their stretched palms have become a renowned yet disturbing sight, painting a picture of poverty, moral negligence, and broken systems.

What was first considered a social crack has now widened into a full-blown crisis. Most of these street beggars are displaced women, widows, divorcees, and children.

Some as young as four roam the streets daily in search of food, coins, or sympathy. For the women, it’s often the last resort after being abandoned or driven from rural homes. For the children, it’s a stolen childhood, spent in sun-scorched rags rather than classrooms.

The roots of this problem run deep, encompassing widespread poverty, displacement from conflicts in the Northeast, the collapse of social welfare structures, and the controversial Almajiri system, all of which contribute to the cycle. 

While religious and cultural values once nurtured compassion and communal responsibility, they have been distorted over time to excuse neglect and indifference.

Government efforts, while numerous in announcements, remain largely cosmetic. Street begging has been “banned” multiple times in Kano State, but the bans vanish as quickly as they are declared. 

Relocation schemes and rehabilitation centres are often poorly managed or underfunded, leading many beggars to eventually return to the streets, as it is the only place they know.

Even worse, some of these children are exploited, trafficked, or “hired” to pose as beggars in a growing underground network. Women, too, face harassment, sexual violence, and daily humiliation. 

The streets that should offer opportunity are now a stage for public suffering, and this suffering is becoming normalised.

The situation is more than a humanitarian concern; it is a social and security time bomb. The longer these vulnerable groups remain on the streets, the more likely they are to fall into crime, radicalisation, or permanent poverty. And as the city’s population grows, so does the danger of institutional failure.

But all hope is not lost. With the right political will, inclusive policies, and collaboration between government, religious institutions, and civil society, change is possible.

 Empowering women with skills and microloans, integrating Almajiri children into formal education, investing in social welfare, and offering proper shelter to displaced families are realistic solutions not just dreams.

Kano must reclaim its dignity. The crying voices on its streets are not just those of beggars; they are those of citizens, future leaders, mothers, and children with untapped potential. Ignoring them is no longer an option. As the city grows, so should its compassion and responsibility.

Until we act, the story of Kano will not be written in its history books or palaces, but on the tired faces of women and children who call its streets home.

Fatima Ishaq Muhammad wrote via fatimaishaq021@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to suspend the operations of AREWA24 television station in Kano over allegations of misrepresenting Hausa culture and traditions in its film content.

The group also commended the Kano State Film Censorship Board for banning over 20 Hausa films aired on AREWA24 and other stations.

Speaking at a two-day event organized by the Sardauna Memorial Foundation in Kaduna, Alhaji Danjuma Hassan, a member of ACF from Kano, praised the censorship board for its action.

He urged Governor Yusuf to shut down AREWA24’s illegal operations on the premises of Kano’s state-owned television station, ARTV.

Hassan further called on President Tinubu to impose a nationwide ban on AREWA24 for broadcasting without a valid license from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

He accused the station of violating NBC regulations, advertising laws (ARCON), tax laws, and Nigeria’s local content policies, which he claimed harm the interests of Kano residents, Northwestern Nigerians, and the nation at large.

He alleged that the station, owned by an American Jew, has profited over $200 million from advertisements in Kano while disregarding Nigerian laws and policies meant to protect local investors and Hausa cultural values.

The Kano State Film Censorship Board recently banned 22 Hausa films, including popular titles like Labarina and Dadin Kowa, citing violations of broadcasting regulations.

The board’s chairman, Abba El-Mustapha, stated that the producers failed to submit their films for mandatory review before public release.

Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, the board’s spokesperson, confirmed the suspension, warning that legal action would follow if the directive was ignored.

He urged NBC and other media regulators to support the board’s efforts in enforcing censorship laws to promote ethical film production in Kannywood.

The banned films include: Dakin Amarya, Mashahuri, Gidan Sarauta, Wasiyya, Tawakkaltu, Mijina, Wani Zamani, Mallaka, Kudin Ruwa, Boka Ko Malam, Wa Yasan Gobe, Rana Dubu, Manyan Mata, Fatake, Gwarwashi, Jamilun Jiddan, Shahadar Nabila, Tabarma, Kishiyata, and Rigar Aro.

The board reaffirmed its commitment to upholding cultural values in Hausa film production and urged broadcasters to comply with censorship guidelines to ensure industry growth.

This move is part of the Kano State government’s broader efforts to sanitize and restructure the Kannywood film industry, promoting discipline and cultural integrity in media content.

The banned films, widely viewed on television and social media, have sparked public debate on the role of censorship in regulating entertainment content.

The board insists on strict adherence to cultural and ethical standards in Hausa filmmaking.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating malaria as it officially flagged off the 2025 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) Campaign and Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) distribution in Madobi Local Government Area.

The event, held at Burji Primary Health Centre on Monday, was attended by key government officials, including the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who represented the Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Governor Yusuf, in his address delivered by the Deputy Governor, said the administration remains dedicated to protecting the health and wellbeing of Kano residents, stressing that malaria elimination is a top priority in its health agenda.

This development was disclosed in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Ministry of Health, Nabilusi Abubakar, on Tuesday.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery, particularly at the grassroots level.

He noted that several primary health care centres have been renovated under the current administration, with free medical services now available to residents.

Dr. Labaran further stated that the Ministry of Health is committed to closely monitoring healthcare facilities to ensure effective service delivery. He assured that more health centres would benefit from similar interventions in the coming months.

The campaign is aimed at protecting thousands of children and vulnerable groups from malaria, especially during the peak transmission season.

This includes administering preventive medications and distributing insecticide-treated nets across the state.

The programme is part of broader reforms in the health sector, targeting improved outcomes through preventive care and increased access to essential services.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has launched Nigeria’s first Triple Elimination Programme aimed at preventing the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis from mothers to their babies.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing in Kano to commemorate the 2025 World Hepatitis Day with the theme “Hepatitis: Let’s Break it Down.”

Dr. Yusuf said the state government has released N95 million for the procurement of test kits and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) for pregnant women who test positive for Hepatitis B.

He added that another N135 million is awaiting approval for the purchase of additional materials to support the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT).

“This makes Kano the first state to commence and own the process of Triple Elimination of HIV, Hepatitis, and Syphilis for pregnant women,” he said.

He explained that the pilot programme, titled “HepFree Mothers, Healthy Babies” (HepFree Uwadajariri), was launched in February 2025 to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B through early screening and treatment.

The effort is aligned with the global Triple Elimination goal targeting HIV, Hepatitis, and Syphilis among pregnant women attending antenatal care.

According to Dr. Yusuf, preliminary data shows that Kano State reflects the national trend, with an estimated burden of over 1.2 million people living with Hepatitis B and a prevalence rate of over 6% based on retrospective and current facility data.

He stressed that the infection, though preventable and treatable, often goes undetected, leading to avoidable deaths from liver complications.

The pilot programme is currently implemented in six major facilities: Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Muhammad Wase Teaching Hospital, General Hospital Gaya, General Hospital Bichi, and General Hospital Wudil.

In these hospitals, all eligible pregnant women are screened for Hepatitis B free of charge. Those who test positive are placed on TDF treatment starting from 32 weeks of pregnancy until delivery.

Additionally, immunization officers are posted in labour wards to administer the first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine to newborns at birth, also free of charge.

Dr. Yusuf said this effort is part of the state’s strategy to prevent mother-to-child transmission, which accounts for about 70 to 80 percent of all Hepatitis B infections.

He also noted that blood transfusion services across both public and private health facilities in Kano are aligned with screening protocols to ensure safety.

The commissioner reaffirmed Kano State’s commitment to advance the HepFree Mothers, Healthy Babies initiative, integrate hepatitis services into existing maternal and child health platforms, strengthen commodity and data systems, and advocate for increased domestic funding to sustain the gains made.

He called on development partners, the private sector, and the media to support the programme through advocacy, funding, and public sensitisation.