Kano

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has congratulated residents of the state on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

Governor Yusuf described Eid-el-Fitr as a period for gratitude, reflection and renewed commitment to the values of faith, unity and compassion demonstrated throughout Ramadan.

He urged residents to celebrate the Sallah festivities peacefully and responsibly, cautioning against any actions that could disrupt the peace and stability of the state.

The governor stressed the need to sustain tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among the people, regardless of their differences.

He also called on parents and guardians to guide their children to be law-abiding and to conduct themselves properly during the celebrations.

Governor Yusuf further encouraged residents to show kindness and support to the less privileged, in line with Islamic teachings, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

He also assured that adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free celebration across Kano State.

By Uzair Adam

Twenty-eight Islamic and social organisations in Kano State have received food items and cash support from the state government to assist thousands of residents during the Ramadan period.

The Daily Reality reports that the items were presented to representatives of the organisations during the “Kano First End of Ramadan Support” programme held at the Government House in Kano on Monday.

The initiative, organised by the Kano State Government, is aimed at enabling the groups to support their members and other vulnerable persons observing the Ramadan fast.

Officials said the intervention is expected to reach more than 6,000 beneficiaries across the state, drawn largely from vulnerable groups including women, youth and other less-privileged members of society.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented at the event by the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Tijjani Auwal, said the intervention reflects the administration’s commitment to supporting residents, particularly during the holy month.

“The Ramadan period is a time of compassion, charity and reflection. This support is part of our government’s effort to ease the burden on families and ensure that more people benefit during the fasting period,” Auwal said.

He further noted that the state government has established about 160 Ramadan feeding centres across Kano, where around 1,000 people benefit daily from prepared meals to break their fast.

He said the initiative is expected to reach about 1.5 million beneficiaries throughout the Ramadan period.

He urged the beneficiary organisations to continue praying for peace, unity and sustained development in Kano State and the country at large.

Speaking during the programme, the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Alhaji Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar, said the initiative was designed to strengthen collaboration between the government and religious as well as community-based organisations.

“This support is meant to complement the efforts of religious and social groups that are already working to assist the less privileged in our communities,” he said.

He explained that each beneficiary would receive one bag of rice, one carton of noodles and a cash support of N20,000 during the distribution exercise.

According to him, the programme is being conducted over two days, with about 3,480 beneficiaries receiving support on the first day, while an additional 2,600 people were expected to benefit on the second day, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 6,080.

Umar added that the initiative involves the distribution of over 21,000 bags of rice and more than 21,000 cartons of noodles, alongside cash assistance, as part of efforts to cushion the impact of economic hardship on vulnerable residents.

Some of the organisations that benefited from the intervention include the Kano State Council of Imams, Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah, Jama’atul Nasril Islam, the Kano State Hisbah Board and the Zakkat and Hubsi Commission.

Others are the Council of Qur’anic and Islamiyya Schools, Fityanul Islam First Aid Group, the Nigerian Association of the Blind (Kano chapter), the Association of the Deaf, as well as groups representing widows, divorcees and orphans.

The Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the state government for the gesture.

“This intervention has come at the right time. It will go a long way in supporting many families during the Ramadan fast,” Daurawa said.

Meanwhile, the distribution exercise continued on Tuesday with additional community groups receiving the support under the programme.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Political Adviser, Alhaji Hamza Buhari, commended the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning for initiating the intervention aimed at supporting vulnerable residents and community organisations.

He said the programme would help ease economic hardship for many families and strengthen solidarity among residents during the Ramadan period.

Officials said the intervention involved the distribution of food items and cash support valued at over N42 million.

Among the groups that benefited on the second day were APC Media Forum, APC Marshals, APC Youth and Women groups, Kano First Movement, Abba Door-to-Door supporters and the Kannywood association.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Fire Service says a fire outbreak caused by an electric spark destroyed parts of three residential buildings and an electrical transformer site in Gaida area near Fatima Bread in Kumbotso Local Government Area.

The agency’s Public Relations Officer, Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, noting that the fire service received a distress call at about 11:05 a.m. on Tuesday from a resident, Aminu Bello, reporting the incident.

Abdullahi said firefighters from the agency’s headquarters, as well as Sharada and Rijiyar Zaki fire stations, were immediately deployed to the scene to contain the blaze.

According to him, when the firefighters arrived, they discovered that an open space measuring about 50 by 50 feet, which serves as an electrical transformer site, had already been engulfed by fire.

He explained that the fire later spread to old wooden ceilings and three nearby residential buildings. The first building, a ground-floor structure measuring about 30 by 25 feet and used as a dwelling house with one room, a parlour and a toilet, was fully ablaze.

The statement further noted that the second building, a one-storey house measuring about 30 by 30 feet and consisting of a bedroom, kitchen and toilet, had its upper floor severely affected by the fire.

A third ground-floor building of about 30 by 30 feet, containing two rooms and a toilet, was also caught up in the blaze.

The fire service said preliminary findings showed that the incident was caused by an electric spark.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Sani Anas, urged residents to take preventive measures against fire outbreaks.

He advised the public to avoid open flames in residential areas and to ensure the proper handling and maintenance of electrical appliances.

By Uzair Adam

An eight-year-old girl, Siyama Idris, has died after falling on an exposed iron rod at an ongoing road and drainage construction site in Tudun Wada quarters of Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano.

An eyewitness, Abdulrashid Yusuf, said the incident occurred on Saturday near Tudun Wada Primary School, where reconstruction and expansion of the road, including drainage construction, is currently ongoing.

Yusuf explained that the girl had been sent to a nearby provision shop to buy something for iftar when the tragedy happened.

According to him, residents usually cross the drainage through a makeshift wooden plank bridge because there is no proper pedestrian passage at the construction site.

“The girl was sent to buy something at a shop for iftar,” Yusuf said, noting that people in the area normally rely on a wooden plank, locally called gadar katako, to cross the drainage.

He said while attempting to cross close to the construction area, the girl slipped and fell onto an exposed iron rod used in the drainage structure.

“The iron rod was not covered. When she fell, it penetrated her stomach,” he said, adding that the child died at the scene before she could be rushed to a hospital.

Residents blamed the incident on poor safety measures at the construction site, questioning why dangerous materials such as exposed iron rods were left uncovered in an area frequently used by pedestrians, including schoolchildren.

They warned that open drainage edges and uncovered construction materials pose serious risks to residents and called on authorities to enforce stricter safety precautions at project sites.

The incident comes days after another accident on Friday when a teenage boy, believed to be about 15 years old, fell into a drainage along Badawa Road off Lamido Crescent shortly after Juma’at prayers.

The boy reportedly sustained injuries and had to break his fast while receiving treatment.

Residents have urged the authorities and contractors handling road and drainage projects in Kano to provide safer crossings and cover exposed metals to prevent similar incidents in the future.

By Ahmad Zubair Chedi, PhD

It is with deep sorrow yet immense gratitude that I pay tribute to my late lecturer, mentor, and Academic guide, Prof. Kabiru Isah Dandago, whose remarkable contributions have greatly shaped my academic and professional journey.

I had the rare privilege of being taught by Prof. Dandago at both my undergraduate and postgraduate levels, where he imparted to me invaluable knowledge and Academic discipline.

During my studies, he taught me several key courses that formed the foundation of my understanding of the accounting profession, including Cost Accounting, Management Accounting, Advanced Financial Accounting, Auditing and Investigation, Public Finance, Accounting Theory, and Seminar in Accounting. Through these courses, he not only delivered knowledge but also instilled analytical thinking, research curiosity, and professional integrity.

Prof. Dandago’s mentorship went far beyond the classroom. He played a pivotal role in my Academic development at critical stages of my postgraduate journey. Prof. Kabiru Isah Dandago was instrumental in facilitating my admission to both the MSc and PhD programmes, opening doors that enabled me to advance in my academic pursuits. His support and mentorship were key pillars in my Academic progress.

He served as the Panel Chairman during my MSc Accounting Internal Defence, where his constructive insights and scholarly guidance strengthened my research work. Furthermore, he was my PhD. Internal Supervisor, guiding me with patience, wisdom, and encouragement throughout the demanding process of Doctoral research.

One of the most defining moments of my Academic career came when he encouraged me to write my first journal article. His belief in my potential motivated me to take the bold step into Academic publishing. Not only did he inspire me to write, but he also supported and guided me in presenting my research paper at an International Conference, an experience that significantly broadened my Academic exposure and confidence.

Prof. Dandago was more than a lecturer; he was a mentor who nurtured scholars, a teacher who inspired excellence, and a leader who dedicated his life to advancing knowledge and the success of his students. His influence on my Academic journey is profound and will remain with me forever.

Though he has departed from this world, the knowledge he shared, the guidance he gave, and the inspiration he instilled will continue to live on in the lives of those he mentored. His legacy is written not only in books and research but also in the many scholars he helped shape.

May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, reward his lifelong dedication to knowledge and mentorship, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus. Ameen.

Rest in peace, Prof. Kabiru Isah Dandago. Your impact will never be forgotten.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member high-level committee to supervise the disbursement of N8 billion in financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the Singer Market fire disaster.

The Daily Reality reports that the inferno, which razed sections of the market on two separate occasions, caused massive economic losses, with traders losing goods and business capital estimated at billions of naira.

Inaugurating the committee on Tuesday in Kano, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Faruq, said the panel was constituted to ensure transparent and equitable distribution of the intervention funds.

Faruq, who was represented by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Maude, SAN, noted that members were drawn from critical sectors to guarantee credibility and accountability in carrying out the assignment.

According to him, the committee, chaired by the SSG, is tasked with promoting fairness, transparency and accountability in ensuring that only genuine victims benefit from the support.

The committee comprises commissioners, representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders and representatives of the affected traders.

Faruq said the panel would assess the extent of the damage, evaluate material and capital losses suffered by traders and develop a workable framework for the disbursement of the funds.

He added that the committee would also review existing safety gaps within the market and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence of such fire incidents.

Part of its terms of reference, he explained, includes ensuring timely distribution of the assistance and sustained engagement with stakeholders and the media to build public confidence in the process.

The Chairman of the Kano Traders Association, Alhaji Sabi’u Bako, commended the governor for what he described as a prompt and structured response to the tragedy.

He also appreciated the Federal Government for sending a delegation to sympathise with the victims, assuring that the committee would discharge its duties with fairness and sincerity.

Bako said although the actual number of affected traders and the total value of losses were yet to be determined, only verified victims would benefit from the intervention.

The disaster drew the attention of President Bola Tinubu, who approved N5 billion as palliative support for the traders. Similarly, the Progressives Governors Forum contributed N3 billion to aid recovery efforts.

Earlier, victims of the Singer Market fire received N200 million in cash support from Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf and the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, to cushion the impact of the disaster.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Kano indigene and university lecturer based in Cologne, Germany, Muhsin Ibrahim, has raised concerns over alleged job offer racketeering in Kano State, claiming the practice remains widespread despite a change in administration.

In a series of Facebook posts, Ibrahim alleged that the sale of job placements in government ministries and institutions became common toward the end of the administration of former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and has continued under the current government led by Abba Kabir Yusuf.

He stated, “Job offer racketeering was prevalent in Kano towards the end of Governor Ganduje’s administration, in late 2022 and early 2023. I wrote extensively about it here. I thought Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, with his purported principles, would stop it. I was wrong.”

The lecturer explained that recent discussions with contacts in Kano revealed that the alleged practice is not only ongoing but expanding. He described a situation where employment opportunities are treated like commodities and sold openly.

“For two days, I happened to speak with family and friends about this illicit business in Kano. It is not only happening but also booming and carried out in broad daylight. Like merchandise, job offers at different ministries and institutions are priced and sold in the market,” he said.

Ibrahim also claimed that some individuals have fallen victim to fraud while attempting to secure such opportunities, describing the situation as “double jeopardy.”

“To make matters worse, several people have been scammed. I call this double jeopardy. You are duped while engaging in immoral, unethical practices. You have no one and nowhere to report your case to,” he added.

He acknowledged the challenges faced by job seekers, especially those who have spent years pursuing education without securing employment. However, he blamed those involved in selling job offers and criticised authorities for failing to curb the trend.

“I can understand why some people feel pushed into buy job offers. It is depressing to be without a job after investing so much money, time and energy in obtaining qualifications. So, I largely blame the sellers but also the government for doing almost nothing to stop this,” he stated.

The lecturer urged those involved to desist from the practice and called for adherence to due process in recruitment.

“Please stop selling job offers. Follow proper hiring procedures and standard practices. Do not abet corruption in Nigeria or anywhere else. Change begins with you and me.”

In a follow-up post, Ibrahim disclosed that a government official in Kano forwarded his earlier message to Governor Yusuf, who has reportedly pledged to respond to the issue.

“A Kano government official forwarded my previous post about job offer racketeering in the state to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. The Governor has promised to take appropriate action. May Allah (SWT) grant him the wisdom and the will to do so, amin.”

In the ever-shifting landscape of Nigerian politics, few moves have sparked as much outrage and disillusionment as Abba’s recent defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This decision, announced amid fanfare at the Sani Abacha Stadium in February 2026, is not merely a political realignment but a stark revelation of ideological convergence—one centered on the plunder of public resources. Abba’s embrace of the APC, under the guise of seeking federal support for Kano’s development, mirrors the very looting ethos that defined Abdullahi Ganduje’s tenure as governor. It is no coincidence; the two share a disturbing similarity in their approach to corruption and the mismanagement of Kano’s treasury, turning the state’s wealth into personal fiefdoms while ordinary citizens suffer.

Ganduje’s legacy in Kano is synonymous with brazen corruption, epitomized by the infamous “Gandollar” scandal. In 2018, video footage surfaced showing Ganduje allegedly stuffing bundles of U.S. dollars—amounting to about $5 million—into his pockets, bribes extracted from contractors for state projects. This was no isolated incident; contractors revealed that Ganduje routinely demanded 15 to 25 percent kickbacks on every contract awarded during his administration from 2015 to 2023. The scandal led to investigations by the Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), which uncovered evidence of theft, abuse of office, and familial involvement in graft. Yet, even as charges piled up, including a $413,000 bribery case, Ganduje evaded full accountability, with court rulings limiting state probes and documents mysteriously vanishing during protests in 2024.

More damning is Ganduje’s role in the multi-billion naira Dala Inland Dry Port scandal. As governor, he awarded a N4 billion infrastructure contract for the port, which was meant to include a 20 percent equity stake for Kano State. Instead, he secretly transferred this stake to private entities, making his own children co-owners and denying the state its rightful share. This act of self-enrichment not only siphoned public funds but also exemplified a pattern of mismanaging state assets for personal gain. A key witness in the case was arrested at the airport in a suspicious twist, further fueling suspicions of cover-ups. Ganduje’s administration left Kano’s treasury depleted, with allegations of embezzlement running into billions, all while infrastructure crumbled and public services faltered.

It was precisely this rampant corruption and mismanagement of the public treasury that led to the overthrow of Ganduje and his allies in the 2023 elections. The people of Kano, long burdened by empty promises and drained coffers, had awakened to the realities of governance. They followed every misstep— from the kickback schemes to the vanishing funds—and channeled their frustration into the ballot boxes. The Kwankwasiya movement, with its red cap revolution, swept in on a wave of accountability, electing leaders who pledged to restore integrity. This seismic shift proved that when citizens are vigilant, no looting ideology can withstand the power of an informed electorate.

Now, turn to Abba, whose defection to the APC in January 2026—alongside 22 state assembly members and nine federal lawmakers—has exposed a parallel track record of corruption. Despite campaigning on a platform of zero tolerance for graft, Abba’s administration has been mired in scandals that echo Ganduje’s playbook. In August 2025, a N6.5 billion fraud scheme came to light, involving Abba’s Director-General of Protocol, Abdullahi Rogo, who allegedly diverted state funds through front companies, bureau de change operators, and personal accounts. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched probes, revealing how these funds were siphoned from the treasury under the noses of top officials.

The scandal widened when Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, then Accountant General and now Commissioner for Community and Rural Development, admitted to authorizing a N1.17 billion payment that formed the basis of the larger fraud. Investigators described it as a sophisticated money laundering operation, diverting resources meant for Kano’s development into private pockets. Civil society organizations, numbering about 20, demanded accountability, accusing Abba’s government of hypocrisy after it had vowed to prosecute Ganduje-era crimes. Even former Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, lambasted the administration for corruption “tenfold” that of Ganduje’s, citing evidence of mismanagement that could collapse the government before 2027.

These parallels are undeniable: Both leaders have been accused of using state contracts and equity deals to enrich allies and family, with billions vanishing through opaque channels. Ganduje’s dollar-stuffed pockets find a modern echo in Abba’s alleged BDC diversions, both representing a looting ideology that prioritizes personal gain over public welfare. Abba’s defection, justified as a bid for “federal backing and development,” is nothing more than a safe harbor in a party that has shielded Ganduje from full prosecution. It’s a union that undermines the anti-corruption promises Abba once made, aligning him with the very forces that bled Kano dry.

But history teaches us that the people of Kano will not stand idle. Just as they rose in 2023 to dismantle Ganduje’s corrupt empire, they are even more awakened today. Citizens are closely monitoring every government action, from budget allocations to contract awards, and they will not hesitate to enforce change through the ballot boxes come 2027. This defection is a desperate grasp at power, but it will only fuel the resolve of those who demand transparency.

Kano deserves better than this cycle of betrayal. The Kwankwasiya movement, with its unwavering commitment to transparency, education, and equitable development, stands as the true alternative. Founded on principles of integrity under Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, it has consistently exposed and fought such graft, from Ganduje’s era to now. As Abba cozies up to the APC, let this be a wake-up call for Kano’s people to rally behind a movement that puts the treasury in service of the masses, not the elite. The fight against looting ideologies must continue—stronger, unyielding, and rooted in the red cap revolution that truly represents hope for our state.

Dr Umar Musa Kallah is a writer and community advocate and can be reached via kallahsrm@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State has criticised the arrest of one of its members, Aiha K. Nass, by security operatives in the state.

The party made its position known through its State Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Karaye, who spoke at the party’s headquarters. He described the arrest as unacceptable and warned against actions that could undermine democratic principles.

In a statement, the party urged security agencies to remain neutral and avoid actions that may suggest bias in a democratic system.

Karaye called for the immediate release of the detained member. He stressed that every citizen is entitled to freedom of speech and association under the law.

He also appealed to the Kano State Government to uphold democratic values. According to him, democracy forms the basis of the government’s legitimacy.

The party further advised its supporters to remain peaceful as efforts continue to address the issue.

“Finally, the party calls on all to remain calm, law-abiding, and adhere to the rules of the game,” the statement added.

By Uzair Adam

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have thwarted attempts by suspected traffickers to smuggle consignments of cocaine and opioids concealed in a fake pregnancy and inside the body through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and the Seme land border in Lagos en route to Europe and other destinations.

A 35-year-old Kano-based businesswoman, Rabi Muhammad, was intercepted on Monday, February 16, 2026, at the Seme border while attempting to cross into Cotonou, Benin Republic.

NDLEA officers grew suspicious of her protruding stomach during checks at the departure point.

A thorough search later revealed that the pregnancy was staged. Officers discovered she had strapped a pink-coloured calabash to her stomach to simulate a baby bump and conceal 3,200 capsules of tramadol, which she allegedly intended to sell in Cotonou.

On the same day in Kano, NDLEA operatives at the screening point of the departure hall of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport intercepted a 41-year-old Ivorian national, Michael Gohouri, also known as Anunwa Onyinye Michael.

He was apprehended during the outward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 bound for Milan via Addis Ababa.

A body scan confirmed he had ingested illicit substances. In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the suspect was placed under observation, during which he expelled 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms.

Investigations revealed that Gohouri had arrived in Lagos from Milan on January 17, 2026, and had travelled between Lagos and Enugu for three weeks before heading to Kano, where he reportedly ingested the cocaine in a hotel room.

He was allegedly promised 5,000 Euros upon successful delivery of the drugs in Milan.

The suspect, who claimed to have both Ivorian and Nigerian parentage, reportedly applied for asylum in Italy in 2013 and obtained a resident permit valid until May 25, 2026.

He was also found to possess a Nigerian National Identification Number bearing the name Anunwa Onyinye Michael.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives arrested the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trans Fortress Global Resources, Kolapo Oladapo Raji, who had been on the agency’s watchlist since 2025 following intelligence reports.

The 57-year-old suspect was apprehended at his residence in Safe Court Apartment, Ikate, Lekki, Lagos, on Thursday, February 12, 2026, shortly after returning from the United Kingdom.

A search of his home reportedly led to the recovery of four large bags containing parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 89.20 kilograms. A 2024 Toyota Hilux was also recovered at the point of arrest.

According to the agency, Raji admitted financing drug consignments for an overseas associate and said substantial profits encouraged him to establish an independent drug distribution network.

In other operations across the country, NDLEA operatives arrested suspects in Lagos, Rivers, Kogi, Ondo, Bauchi, Delta and Edo states, seizing large quantities of skunk and codeine-based syrup.

At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, a joint examination by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies uncovered 170,900 bottles of codeine-based syrup concealed in a container following processed intelligence.

Along the Okene/Lokoja highway in Kogi State, operatives recovered 7,300 pills of tramadol hidden inside two sound systems during a routine patrol.

A follow-up operation in Abuja led to the arrest of two suspects linked to the consignment.

Further raids in Ondo forests led to the seizure of hundreds of kilograms of skunk and the arrest of multiple suspects, while in Bauchi and Edo states, large quantities of cannabis were confiscated and illicit farms destroyed.

The NDLEA said the operations underscore its intensified efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks across the country.