Kano

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Kano State Hisbah Board has concluded arrangements to commence enforcement against female passengers who sit beside male tricycle drivers in Kano State, in a move it says is aimed at promoting morality in society.

In a statement issued by its Director of Public Enlightenment, Auwalu Ado Sheshe, the Board said the operation would be carried out in collaboration with associations of tricycle riders and owners across the state.

The directive specifically targets situations where women ride in close proximity to drivers who are not their maharams while using commercial tricycles, popularly known as Adaidaita Sahu. The Board described the measure as part of efforts to sanitize the transport sector and prevent actions that could attract the displeasure of Allah (SWT).

It called on all tricycle operators to comply with the new regulation to avoid sanctions, warning that enforcement would begin imminently.

Female passengers were also urged to adhere to the directive, which the Board said is intended to safeguard their dignity and that of their families.

The Hisbah Board reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a morally upright society guided by Islamic teachings, stressing that it is fully prepared to enforce the measure across the state.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

The ATM Gwarzo Organization has expressed appreciation to well-wishers across the Kano North Senatorial Zone for the growing goodwill and support surrounding the 2027 senatorial contest involving His Excellency, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the organization said His Excellency is deeply humbled by the confidence and encouragement shown by stakeholders, elders, youths, and various community groups across the zone, describing the gestures as a call to greater responsibility and selfless service to the people.

The statement urged supporters to remain positive, calm, and united, noting that consultations are already being planned to engage widely with stakeholders across the senatorial district and Kano State at large.

According to the organization, His Excellency has committed all his affairs to Allah (SWT) and seeks divine guidance in his continued efforts to serve the people. The group added that further updates would be communicated in due course.

The statement was signed by Mansur Umar Man’ash, Special Adviser on Digital Media, for the ATM Gwarzo Organization, and dated February 8, 2026.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has rolled out a Smart Transport Solution aimed at enhancing security and improving efficiency within the state’s transport system through the use of modern tracking technology.

The Daily Reality reports that the programme was unveiled on Saturday at the Afficient Event Centre, where top government officials, transport stakeholders and security agencies gathered for the flag-off.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Transport, Barrister Haruna Isa Dederi, said the initiative, although new to Kano, is a globally tested system already deployed in major cities around the world.

“This is a system which is new in Kano, but not new in the world and not new in major cities,” Dederi said, explaining that the technology enables authorities to monitor transport activities in real time using cameras and satellite-based tracking.

He noted that the system would capture the movement of commuters and vehicles entering the state from designated points, with relevant data transmitted to appropriate authorities for monitoring and response.

According to the commissioner, security agencies including the police, the Ministry of Transportation and the Cabinet Office will have access to dedicated dashboards to track activities across the transport network.

“Everybody will be monitoring what is happening,” he said, adding that the initiative was informed by the growing influx of people into Kano due to its relative peace and economic opportunities.

Dederi stressed that while Kano remains one of the most peaceful states in northern Nigeria, there is a need to adopt modern technology to sustain security.

“That is why we just have to employ a lot of technological innovation, which will help us ensure absolute security in Kano,” he said, while commending the cooperation of security agencies in the state.

On the scope of the programme, the commissioner explained that the tracking system would initially cover all commercial vehicles, including tricycles, taxis, buses, trailers and tankers, with plans to eventually extend it to private vehicle owners.

“For the start, we are focusing on all commercial vehicles,” he said. “Eventually, it will come down to everyone.”

He added that the initiative is in line with the state’s comprehensive transport policy, which provides a legal framework for public-private partnerships and encourages investment in road and rail infrastructure.

“The government cannot go it alone. Partnership through public-private collaboration is the global trend, and Kano will benefit from it,” Dederi said.

Also speaking, the Head of Operations of As&Aj Company, Dr. Aminu Umar Maigari, explained that the firm is the technical partner responsible for deploying and managing the tracking technology used for the Smart Transport Solution.

He said the system was introduced to address security challenges in the transport sector and protect both commuters and their property, noting that As&Aj Company is providing the software platform and tracking devices required for effective monitoring.

Maigari described the initiative as part of Kano State’s efforts to embrace information technology in governance, adding that it would improve transparency and accountability in transportation operations.

He explained that the application required to access the system is free to download and use, with operators only expected to complete a Know Your Customer (KYC) process and install the tracker.

“The good thing about it is that it’s free. You don’t need to pay anything to download and use the application,” he said, adding that the combined cost of the KYC and tracker is N28,000, with a 10 per cent government subsidy for the first one million subscribers.

He noted that the flag-off ceremony was intended to create awareness among transport unions and local government stakeholders, adding that full deployment of the system would commence the following Monday.

In a show of support, the Chairman of the Vehicle Owners and Transporters of Nigeria (VOTOR), Comrade Nazifi Gidan Kudi, commended the initiative, describing it as timely and necessary.

He said the Smart Transport Solution would help check excesses among commercial vehicle operators, address unsafe driving and riding practices, and enhance security across the state.

The Daily Reality gathered that the Smart Transport Solution is expected to mark a significant step in Kano State’s drive to modernise its transport sector and strengthen public safety through technology-driven governance.

By Anas Abbas

The Singer Market Development Association (SIMDA) has reported a major fire outbreak at Singer Market, which began at about 3:00 a.m. and is still ongoing as of the time of this report. The incident has caused panic among traders and residents in the area.

In a statement shared by the chairman of the association, Barrister Muhammad Zakari called on members of the public and the business community to offer prayers for divine intervention as efforts continue to contain the fire. The association described the situation as serious and distressing.

The chairman urged everyone to remember the affected traders in their prayers, asking Allah to protect lives and minimize losses resulting from the inferno. He emphasized the importance of unity and support during this difficult moment for the market community.

The statement concluded with prayers for Allah’s mercy and protection, asking Him to bring the fire under control and restore calm to the market. “May Allah save us from this calamity,” the chairman prayed

Updates on how the fire started and the level of damage recorded will be communicated in due course.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A suspected phone thief sustained severe injuries after a mob attack in the Dorayi area of Kano State.

Sources said the incident occurred after the suspect was accused of attempting to steal a mobile phone belonging to a woman. The accusation led to a confrontation, which later escalated into violence.

Witnesses disclosed that the woman sustained injuries during the incident and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

Residents in the area stated that the youths subdued the suspect before the arrival of security operatives. They later poured petrol on him and set him on fire.

A tricycle rider, Abba Tilda, told newsmen: “When I got to the scene, the woman was being put on a ride to get her to the hospital.

“They poured petrol on the suspect and lit the match. He was still moving when the security agents took him. The road has been completely blocked.”

The suspect was later taken into custody for further investigation.

Dorayi has recorded similar violence in recent weeks. A woman, Fatima Abubakar, and her six children were murdered in the same area a few weeks ago.

As of the time this report was filed, the Kano State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

By Uzair Adam

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested seven suspected bandits and recovered five firearms with live ammunition in separate intelligence-driven operations across the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Kaduna, saying the arrests followed credible intelligence on the activities of armed suspects.

According to Hassan, the first operation was carried out on January 28 at about 5:45 p.m. after security operatives received information that some individuals were in possession of prohibited firearms.

He explained that detectives attached to the Anti–Car Theft Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department promptly acted on the intelligence, leading to the arrest of five suspects.

He said the operation resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 rifle with two fully loaded magazines, two Beretta pistols with one fully loaded magazine, as well as a locally fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with seven rounds of live ammunition.

The suspects, he added, are currently in custody while investigations continue to track other criminal networks linked to them.

In a related operation on January 29, Hassan said the Divisional Police Officer of Zaria City Division led a team of 47 Police Mobile Force operatives on stop-and-search duties following intelligence reports on the movement of armed bandits.

“The operation led to the arrest of two suspects, Adamu Lawal and Abdulhadi Lawal, both from Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, with a locally fabricated firearm recovered from them,” he said.

Hassan noted that the suspects are cooperating with investigators and providing information that could lead to further arrests.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commended the officers for their professionalism and swift response, while reaffirming the command’s zero tolerance for banditry and other forms of criminality in Kaduna State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man, Ididiong James, over an alleged assault on his mother and the possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The command said the suspect was arrested after operatives attached to the Panshekara Division responded to a distress call on January 25 concerning his actions.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said officers who arrived at the residence discovered that the suspect was “mercilessly beating his mother at their residence in Panshekara Quarters, Kano.”

According to the statement, the suspect escaped when the police officers got to the scene. His mother later handed over an English Beretta pistol and eight rounds of ammunition to the officers. She told the police that she found the items inside her son’s bag and refused to return them to him, which allegedly triggered the attack.

“She also expressed concern over her son’s changed behaviour since his return from a New Year celebration,” the statement added.

The police spokesperson said the suspect was later apprehended and is now in custody, while investigations continue.

“The suspect was subsequently arrested and is currently in police custody. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, commends the mother for her courage and urges parents to be vigilant,” the statement said.

The police assured members of the public of their commitment to maintaining peace and safety across the state.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, has announced that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf will enjoy full backing of the party ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Kano State.

Ganduje made the declaration while formally receiving Yusuf back into the APC. He stated that all other aspirants interested in the governorship seat had agreed to step aside in favour of the governor.

According to him, “I can categorically tell you that you are going to wins 2027 with a landslide because all those contesting for the same seat have agreed to allow you alone go for it.”

He described Yusuf’s return as a historic moment for the party. “To us, leaders of the APC, this is a memorable occasion we are all waiting for. I strongly welcomed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf back to his home,” Ganduje said.

The former party chairman recalled the governor’s earlier exit from the APC and expressed appreciation over his return. He said, “We were in APC together with you, it was formed with you, but later on because of some political differences, political redirection, you left the party to NNPP. But now we are thankful that you are back to our party and your home.”

Ganduje also praised Yusuf’s leadership style and governance approach. “You as our brother, the Governor of Kano State, you are a progressive politician from your utterances, your policies and the implementation of those policies,” he added.

He stressed that within the APC structure, Governor Yusuf now occupies the position of party leader in Kano State. Ganduje noted that the declaration was meant to end speculation and internal disagreements over the party’s leadership in the state.

He further spoke on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as a leader who does not discriminate. Ganduje said the president treats Nigerians equally, without regard to religion or ethnicity, and expressed confidence that Yusuf would secure victory in the 2027 election.

In his remarks, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, praised Governor Yusuf for his decision to return to the APC. He maintained that the move was firm and irreversible.

The development has continued to draw attention within political circles as preparations gradually begin ahead of the 2027 polls.

By  Ibrahiym A. El-Caleel

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso should be competing on the national stage with contemporaries such as Senator Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and other Class of 1999 political actors. By pedigree, experience, and longevity, Kwankwaso has clearly outgrown Kano politics, and he does not need to prove it again in 2027. However, he appears stuck in state-level politics. 

Kwankwaso is at odds with the two successive Kano governors after him, both of whom are his protégés: Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and the incumbent, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf. He says they have “betrayed” him. There was a show of electoral force at his residence in Kano this afternoon. A large number of people trooped into his Miller Road residence in what he later called a “solidarity visit”.  

These developments indicate that Senator Kwankwaso is once again positioning himself for state-level dominance rather than advancing a national ambition in 2027. Ideally, Kwankwaso should defeat Governor Abba through a candidate he anoints for #KanoDecides2027. But a deeper question remains: should the 2027 ambition of a politician of Kwankwaso’s stature be focused on unseating a “betraying” godson at the state level, when Kwankwaso’s contemporaries have either honourably retired from politics or are positioning themselves for the presidency? 

Who exactly would Kwankwaso replace Abba with, and what assurance does he have that a newly installed godson would not eventually “betray” him, just as Ganduje and Abba did? At this point, there is little reason to believe the outcome would be different. The current godsons around him are likely to use his influence to rise and then assert their independence once in office. There is no clear indication that they would be more submissive than their two elder political siblings, Ganduje and Abba. How do you keep doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting a different result? 

There is also a genuine political risk. What if Abba Yusuf, like Ganduje before him, survives the onslaught and secures a second term? This is not an endorsement of electoral malpractice, but a recognition of Nigeria’s political realities. Kano’s 2019 gubernatorial election demonstrated how powerful interests can intervene decisively; Dr Ganduje ultimately retained office despite glaring indications that he lost at the polls.

If a similar outcome were to occur in 2027 and Governor Yusuf were to proceed to a second tenure, would that not constitute a second public humiliation for the godfather? What explanation would suffice then? That yet another protégé has matured enough to build political alliances strong enough to neutralise Kwankwaso’s influence? At that point, the narrative shifts decisively: from betrayed mentor to diminishing power broker.

On the other hand, if Senator Kwankwaso succeeds in unseating Governor Yusuf and installing another loyalist, what exactly would he be celebrating at the end of the day? That Kwankwasiyya has simply replaced Kwankwasiyya? That a godfather has prevailed over his own godson? Such victories may satisfy the logic of control, but they do little to expand political influence, strengthen institutions, or advance democratic culture. At best, they amount to an internal power rotation within the same political family, offering no clear gain to the broader society.

Ultimately, this debate goes beyond personalities. Do we really need a political model anchored on godfathers, covenants, and lifelong loyalty to patrons? Has Buhari’s repeated endorsement of anointed candidates meaningfully improved governance or political culture in the North? Has Tinubu’s entrenched godfatherism in the South West translated into measurable social or institutional progress? Until we seriously examine the long-term costs of political baptism, loyalty tests, and patronage politics, it remains difficult to argue that godfatherism is the most viable model for a modern democratic society.

 Ibrahiym A. El-Caleel wrote via caleel2009@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has resigned his membership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), attributing his decision to worsening internal disputes and a resolve to protect the overall interest of the people of Kano State.

The development was disclosed in a press statement dated January 23, 2026, and signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

According to the statement, Governor Yusuf conveyed his decision in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Diso-Chiranchi Ward of the NNPP in Gwale Local Government Area, with the resignation taking effect from Friday, January 23, 2026.

In the letter, the governor stated, “I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party, with effect from Friday, 23rd, January 2026.”

Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to the party for the opportunity and support it offered him throughout his time as a member.

“I remain sincerely appreciative of the opportunity given to me by the party, its leadership, and members across Kano State to be part of its political journey since 2022, as well as the support, goodwill, and cooperation extended to me during my time in the party.”

He explained that persistent leadership disputes and legal battles had continued to destabilize the party at the national level.

“In recent times, the party has been confronted with persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements and ongoing legal processes, many of which are presently before the courts for judicial determination.”

The governor noted that the situation had led to serious divisions and weakened unity within the party.

“The growing disenfranchisement among party members has created deep divisions within the party structure, resulting in cracks that appear increasingly irreconcilable and have generated uncertainty at both state and national levels.”Governor Yusuf said his resignation followed careful consideration and was based strictly on public interest.“

After careful reflection, and without prejudice to the party’s capacity to resolve its internal challenges, I have come to the conclusion that my resignation is in the best interest of the people of Kano State.”

He added that the move was made without animosity and with a continued commitment to peace and development.

“This decision is taken in good faith, without any ill will, and with a continued commitment to peace, unity, and the progress of Kano State.”

The statement disclosed that the governor’s resignation was accompanied by that of 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and 44 local government chairmen across the state.

The NNPP acknowledged receipt of the resignation letter through the party’s Secretary in Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Hon. Kabiru Zubairu, who praised the governor’s achievements in governance.

“I wish to concur with His Excellency on the lingering crisis in our party, though we are trying our best to contain it, but we have no option than to accept the resignation of a one and most performing Governor of the NNPP.”