Kano

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Kano State Police Command has arrested suspected fraudsters who specialize in generating false bank alerts.

The command recovered 22 POS machines, 52 ATM cards, eight jerricans of diesel, and six mobile phones.

According to the command’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, “The suspects had purchased diesel worth N300,000 at Chula Filling Station using fraudulent payment methods, resulting in the owners receiving fake money transfer alerts.”

Kiyawa stated that the suspects confessed to their crimes and admitted to defrauding fuel attendants at various filling stations and businesses in Kano State.

The police commissioner, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, had directed detectives to be on alert to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.

The suspects, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, 38, Aliyu Tukur, 27, and Auwal Ibrahim, 20, were arrested following a distress call from the manager of Chula Filling Station.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has launched a discreet investigation into an alleged scam involving some individuals in the streets hawkers empowerment scheme of the state government.

The scheme, which was inaugurated last Wednesday, aimed to empower 465 street hawkers with N50,000 each.

However, viral videos showed some youths impersonating beneficiaries and collecting the money.

The commission’s chairman, Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, confirmed the investigation and assured that culprits would be brought to book.

He also appealed to the public for information to enhance the investigation, promising confidentiality.

The commission is also investigating other empowerment schemes and activities of the past and present administrations, including the suspended managing director of Abubakar Rimi Television, who is facing allegations of misappropriation of funds.

This investigation demonstrates the commission’s commitment to preventing fraud and ensuring that empowerment schemes reach their intended beneficiaries.

By Uzair Adam Imam

In Kano State, three community groups have emerged winners of the Rising Awareness Driving Action (RADA) pitch competition, each receiving a grant of N100,000 to implement advocacy programs in their respective communities.

The competition, organized by Blue Sapphire Hub, a leading non-governmental organization, was supported by the MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

The competition followed a 12-week radio program that aimed to raise citizens’ awareness about the roles and responsibilities of political office holders, from councilors to the president.

The program, aired on Arewa Radio every Sunday, included a question-and-answer session, allowing listeners to participate and ask questions.

The radio program was followed by a two-month training session for over 100 participants who applied.

The three winning groups will use the grants to advocate for community development and health, with a focus on inclusive political activities for people with hearing impairments.

Babangida Zama, leader of the first-place group, expressed gratitude to the organizers and pledged to use the grant to advocate for inclusive political activities for people with hearing impairments.

Abdullahi Mustapha Rabi’u, leader of the second-place group, expressed his gratitude to Allah and stated that the grant serves as a motivation to kickstart impactful projects in their community.

Engineer Sulaiman Bala Sani, the Executive Supervisor of the Hub, stated that the program aimed to educate citizens about their rights and the responsibilities of political office holders, and to advocate for good policies that benefit the community.

Abubakar Ibrahim Machika, the Community Coordinator of the Hub, emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting that most people are unaware of their rights and the roles and responsibilities of their leaders, making this move crucial for society.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raided two popular nightclubs in Akure, Ondo State, arresting over 50 customers, including a groom-to-be, during a Bachelor’s Eve celebration.

The operation, which took place in the early hours of Saturday, also resulted in the seizure of vehicles, laptops, phones, and other items.

The raid occurred at two major nightclubs in the Alagbaka area of Akure, where the EFCC operatives stormed the lounges and event centers, shooting sporadically into the air.

Eyewitnesses reported that the operatives entered the nightclubs, tear-gassing people, beating them up, and arresting them without regard to their identity, even injuring two soldiers in the process.

The groom-to-be was among those arrested, along with his friends, while celebrating his Bachelor’s Eve.

The EFCC operatives allegedly removed CCTV cameras from the scenes and confiscated scores of vehicles, laptops, sophisticated phones, and other items.

The arrested individuals were allegedly profiled as internet fraudsters.

The incident has raised concerns about the EFCC’s methods and the treatment of suspects.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The ongoing strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) has stalled the hearing on the Kano emirate tussle at the Federal High Court in Kano.

The court had previously granted an order restraining the implementation of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, which dissolved the five Kano Emirates and reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano.

According to the court order, “parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante the passage and assent of the bill pending the hearing of the Fundamental Rights application.”

The hearing was scheduled for June 3, 2024, but due to the strike, the matter has been postponed until further notice.

The suit involves the Kano State Government, Kano State House of Assembly, the Speaker of Kano State, Attorney General of Kano State, Commissioner of Police of Kano State, Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Department of State Security (DSS).

As a result of the strike, the court was unable to hold the hearing as expected, and a new date has not been announced.

By uzair Adam Imam

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST) Wudil has called off its two-week warning strike, which was launched to protest the state government’s handling of several issues.

ASUU had complained about the government’s reluctance to address issues related to university autonomy, staff welfare, and funding, despite efforts by the union and other stakeholders to resolve the matter.

However, following interventions by the Kano State House of Assembly, the House Committee on Higher Education, and the Governor of Kano State, the union has agreed to suspend the strike to allow for further dialogue and implementation of agreed-upon resolutions.

In a statement, ASUU-KUST Chairperson Dr. Aliyu Yusuf Ahmad said they appreciated the prompt intervention by the Kano State Government and relevant stakeholders.

He stated, “We appreciate the prompt intervention of the Governor and other stakeholders, which has created an opportunity for constructive engagement and resolution of the outstanding issues.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The devastating bombing of a mosque in Gadan village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, has claimed 21 lives, with four more victims succumbing to their injuries.

The attack, which occurred on May 15, has left a community in mourning and shock. 

A total of 25 worshippers were injured in the bombing, with one person dying on the spot.

Twenty others have since passed away at the Muhammed Specialists Hospital, Kano, where they were receiving treatment.

Only four survivors remain in the hospital. 

Alhaji Bature AbdulAziz, Chairman of Friends of the Hospital, confirmed the latest fatalities during a visit to the hospital.

“We have lost 21 precious lives, and we are left with only four patients in the hospital,” he said. 

AbdulAziz praised the hospital’s management for their dedication to treating the victims and expressed gratitude to various individuals and organizations for their support.

These include the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Kano State Government, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. 

The Kano Business Community has also donated N80,000 to each of the victims and N20,000 to other patients in the hospital. 

Governor Abba Yusuf has vowed to prosecute the suspect, who has been charged with culpable homicide and grievous harm, to the fullest extent of the law.

If convicted and sentenced to death, the governor has pledged to sign the death warrant. 

According to the police, the suspect, a 38-year-old man, carried out the attack due to a family dispute over inheritance.

He aimed to draw attention to his grievances by targeting the mosque during dawn prayers.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Engausa Global Tech Hub is hosting a Startup Friday programme on May 31, 2024.

The theme of the programme is “Unlocking Potentials: Mentoring for Success in Skills Acquisition and Career Development”.

This event is for parents and students of the programme’s March-May 2024 class.

The programme will be held at the Conference Hall of the Technology Incubation Centre on Guda Abdullahi Road in Kano, Nigeria.

The event starts at 10:00 a.m..

Engausa Global Tech Hub is a Kano-based centre that teaches young people digital skills in the Hausa language.

The centre’s mission is to bridge the gap in technical knowledge and empower young people with the skills they need to succeed in the digital economy.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged for tranquility amidst the ongoing leadership crisis involving Kano’s traditional institutions.

The Islamic body made this call in a press release issued today, May 29, 2024.

It also appealed to Islamic scholars and Kano residents to refrain from rhetoric that could exacerbate tensions.

Acknowledging what is going on, the council said there are “contradictory statements emanating from some quarters of the Ulama in Kano concerning the current traditional leadership crisis in the state.”

It added by imploring Islamic scholars, revered as “custodians of Islamic learning, values and guidance”, to exercise caution and refrain from pronouncements that could heighten tensions and divide the Muslim community.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A sudden outbreak of gunfire at the mini palace of the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, in Nasarawa GRA, sent residents fleeing in fear on Monday night. 

The palace, located just 300 meters from the Kano Government House, has been under surveillance by a combined security team due to heightened tensions in the area. 

Eyewitnesses reported hearing heavy gunfire coming from the direction of the palace, sparking concerns about an attack. Some commuters diverted their routes, fearing for their safety. 

While the source of the gunfire remains unclear, it is believed to be related to a court order issued earlier on Monday, directing the deposed Emir to vacate the palace. 

The Kano State High Court also ordered Mr. Ado-Bayero and four other deposed emirs to stop parading themselves as emirs, pending the hearing and determination of a motion filed by the Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, and the Kano State House of Assembly. 

The incident has raised tensions in the already volatile region, with residents calling for calm and restraint.

The Kano State Police Commissioner, Muhammad Gumel, and the command’s spokesperson, Haruna Kiyawa, could not be reached for comment.