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Tag: Kano State

  • Tension in Kano as police imposes 24 hours curfew

    Tension in Kano as police imposes 24 hours curfew

    Tension as a 24-hour curfew has been declared in Kano State following the judgement of the election petitions tribunal that sacked the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.

    The tribunal declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nasir Gawuna winner of the March 18 election.

    To douse tension, the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Usaini Gumel said a combined team of security operatives have been deployed across the city to enforce the curfew.

    The statement reads: ’’In view of the Constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force alongside the relevant Internal Security and Law Enforcement Agencies to preserve law and order in the State, the Kano State Police Command have mapped out strategies on that direction and call on the good people of the State to give the necessary confidence and supports.’’

    ‘’Going forward, Kano State residents are called upon to note that combined Security Forces have already been dispatched to the nooks and crannies including the entry and exits of the State to ensure enforcement and strict compliance of the Twenty-Four Hours (24hrs) Curfew order as communicated by the State Government via letter with Reference No: K/SEC/H/435/T.1/153 dated 20th September, 2023 taking effect from 6 pm of Wednesday, 20th September to 6 pm of Thursday, 21st September 2023. Violators will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law,’’ the statement said.

    ‘’Finally, I wish to appreciate all the peace-loving People of the State and urge them to remain law abiding as it’s in the best interest of all that we come together to maintain law and order in the State.’’

     

  • BREAKING: Tribunal sacks NNPP’s Kabir Yusuf, declares APC’s Gawuna winner of Kano

    BREAKING: Tribunal sacks NNPP’s Kabir Yusuf, declares APC’s Gawuna winner of Kano

    The Kano State Election Petition Tribunal has nullified the election of Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

    The tribunal declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nasir Gawuna winner of the March 18 election.

    The three-man panel ordered the withdrawal of the certificate of return which INEC presented to Governor Yusuf and directed a certificate of return to be issued to Gawuna.

    The court deducted 165,663 votes from Gov Yusuf total as invalid votes, stating that the ballot papers (165,663) were not stamped or signed and therefore declared invalid.

     

    Details later

     

     

  • Kano guber: Tension as Tribunal sets to deliver judgement today

    Kano guber: Tension as Tribunal sets to deliver judgement today

    There is palpable tension in Kano State as the State Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal is set to deliver judgement on Wednesday, September 20 (today).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports security in the metropolis of Kano has been beefed up and a public warning has been issued to advise residents of the State who have no business in the Bompai vicinity of the election tribunal to steer clear.

    It was gathered that there has been a combined effort of the military and police operatives in the state in order to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

    The tribunal had fixed Wednesday, September 20, as the day to deliver its judgement on the petition filed by the All Progressive Congress (APC), challenging the election of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

    The tribunal on Monday announced the date for the judgement in a hearing notice sent to the two parties.

    While Kano remains calm and peaceful, supporters of APC and NNPP are eagerly anticipating the tribunal’s judgement.

    Supporters of the ruling NNPP have engaged in a week-long prayer session seeking God’s intervention on the verdict.

    The state government recently sacked two appointed officials, following alleged “unguided” statements against the judges of the tribunal.

    To preempt the breakdown of order, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usuani Gumel, had invited leaders of the two political parties on a peace parley and appealed to them on the need to accept the tribunal’s verdict in good faith and allow peace to reign in the state.

  • Father kills baby girl allegedly over preference for male child

    Father kills baby girl allegedly over preference for male child

    A 28-year-old man, Misbahu Salisu, has allegedly poisoned his day-old baby girl to death, because he preferred a male child.

    The man who lives in Doka Baici, Tofa Local Government Area, was arrested by the Kano State Hisbah Board on Friday.

    His arrest was announced by the board in a statement issued in Kano by the Deputy Commander General, Operations, Dr Mujahid Aminudeen.

    Aminudeen said that the suspect had informed officials of the board that he gave the baby a local insect killer, Otapiapia.

    “Salisu also drugged the mother of the baby, Sa’ade, with a cup of tea which contained sleeping tablets before carrying out the criminal act.

    “The suspect confessed to the crime, saying he preferred a male child but his wife gave birth to a female, which prompted him to end the baby’s life”, the official said in the statement.

    He said that the suspect had been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

  • Gov. Yusuf appoints 57 additional aides

    Gov. Yusuf appoints 57 additional aides

    Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has approved the appointment of an additional 57 Senior Special Assistants.

    This is contained in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Malam Bature Dawakin Tofa, in Kano on Friday.

    Recall the Governor had earlier appointed 15 Special Assistants, thus bringing the total number to 72.

    Only six women were among the 57 newly appointed aides announced by the governor.

    They include Hassana Abubakar, Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters; Hajiya Mariya Sani-Karaye and Hajiya Sa’adatu Salisu-Yusha’u, Women Mobilisation; Hadiza Aminu, New Media; Zainab Ibrahim D, Primary Education; and Rabi Hotoro, Women Affairs.

    Dawakin Tofa said all the appointments take immediate effect.

  • Economic crunch: Commercial sex workers lament low patronage in Kano

    Economic crunch: Commercial sex workers lament low patronage in Kano

    The economic crunch occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy has grossly affected commercial sex workers in Kano State as they groan as a result of low patronage by their customers.

    They expressed their pains during interview in Sabon Gari area of Fagge Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.

    The sex workers in the ancient commercial city, who hitherto smile home with their pockets full, now resort to lobby customers to do “business” with them at very ridiculous low charges.

    Ms Mercy Benjamin said that before now, a round of “short time” service could be settled with N5,000 within a time frame of one hour, but the biting effects of fuel subsidy removal had forced customers to disappear.

    Benjamin said one round of sex now go for as low as between N500 and N700 for the same services.

    “Things are not really going on well with this business for now because of the present economic challenges we are facing,” she said.

    Another sex worker ,who identified herself as Jennifer, said that it is no longer
    business as usual for them, saying “my brother, business is no longer moving as it used to be.

    “Things have become so hard that if you see more than three customers in one day, you will thank God. Customers are hard to come by, and when they come, the offer is nothing to write home about.

    “In this very particular room, I pay N5,000 every day; and I must confess to you that I am owing the management three days debt now because of low patronage.

    “Before fuel subsidy removal, we were enjoying high patronage with good prices. These days, I used to attend to seven to 10 customers everyday with good prices ranging between N5,000 and N10,000 for short time services.

    “This is apart from other incentives like good food, drinks, chicken, Isi-ewu and other goodies that customers provide on their own volition.
    “Unlike now when customers hardly come to hang out in the evening, we used to have customers on day-break ready to offer well above N20,000 and also take care of your accommodation, food and drinks. This is really hardtimes for us,” she said.

    Jennifer further stated that most of her colleagues who could not pay for their rooms have returned home with regrets of penury.

    “Some of them left without their property as the hotel management seized their cloths and electronics because of the money they are owing. We that are still here are surviving through the grace of God,” she explained.

    Narrating her latest experience as a result of the cash crunch, Ms Helen Ediga at Onitsha Road, said she ready to quit the business if given alternative source of livelihood.

    Ediga, who only agreed to talk after being offered a token of N1,500 and a bottle of Maltina to cover her time, said:
    “Sir, I am not happy being into this kind of business. It is hardship that led me into it. I am a single mother with three children. I am the only one that take care of them.

    “My man left us in Kano and relocated to Abuja where he is currently staying with another woman.

    “I come out every evening to hassle so that I can put food on the table for my three children and possibly train them.

    “Since the fuel subsidy removal, we have been suffering. In most cases, I will spend the whole day without anyone asking me ‘how are you’.

    “It has been a very bitter experience. If I have other means of livelihood, I will definitely quit this business!”, Ediga said.

    It was also gathered that the sex hawkers who usually stand along Enugu Road, Aba Road, Onitsha Road and Abbedie Street, among other hotspots within Sabon Gari, are worse hit by the situation as most of them complain of staying throughout the day, scouting for customers without success.

    Findings further revealed that night clubs, fun centres and beer drinking joints now record very low patronage as residents hardly come out in the evening for relaxation or to have “good time” due to the cash crunch.

     

  • Election Tribunal: Tension mounts in Kano as Police ban protest

    Election Tribunal: Tension mounts in Kano as Police ban protest

    The Police Command in Kano State has banned protest by political parties and their supporters sequel to mounting tension over alleged financial inducement of the Kano Election Petition Tribunal.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Usuani Gumel, announced the ban at a news conference in Kano.
    while addressing newsmen at the command headquarters on Monday in Kano.

    It will be recalled that the Chairman, State and House of Representatives Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kano, Justice Flora Azinge raised alarm over alleged attempt to obstruct the cause of justice with financial inducement.

    Justice Azinge, who did not disclosed the identity of the individual trying to bribe the panel, alleged that some senior lawyers arguing their petitions before the court of unwholesome moves to corrupt the system.

    The Commissioner, therefore, warned supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), to desist from all forms of protests without clearance from the police.

    He said: “In consideration of the confirmatory intelligence products at the disposal of this Police Command, all forms of street protests are hereby banned across all parts of the state.

    “Members of the public should therefore note that it has come to our knowledge that both the APC and the NNPP members are currently mobilising rented crowd in the guise of Civil Society Coalition, and without clearance from the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and without prior approval from the security agencies in the state.

    “Both organisers as well as the umbrella body should note that any attempt to disrespect NLC and the security agencies in the state by playing around the fragile security situation, which the combined security agencies have been managing, is not only uncivil, criminal but also an offense against National Security.

    “Checks have so far been conducted by this Police Command and It’s revealing that some members of both two political parties who are influencing the members of the Civil Society to embark on this decision is merely as a result of their apprehensions and to pre-empt the judgement of the election tribunal”.

    The Commissioner warned that the command would arrest and prosecute defaulters.

    “The Police Command is ever grateful with the enormous support and cooperation it has been enjoying from the good people of the State for the peace, security, stability and the overall interest of all residents,” he said.

  • Police arrest 3 more suspects for breach of peace in Kano

    Police arrest 3 more suspects for breach of peace in Kano

    The Police Command in Kano State said it arrested three persons who allegedly chanted provocative slogans against the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, causing breach of peace in the state.

    The command had earlier arrested six suspects in connection with the incident.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Usaini Gumel, disclosed the latest arrest in a statement on Saturday in Kano.

    He said that investigation, supported by the use of technical equipment, so far led to the arrest of  additional three suspects.

    He listed the suspects as Abdulrazak Usman Sarki, 36, of Disu Quarters, Gwale LGA; Fatihu Muktar Faruk, 35, of Emir’s Palace Kano and Usman Baba Attah, 25, of Kabara Quarters, Kano Municipal LGA.

    Gumel explained that the suspects constituted public nuisance during the inauguration of Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital at Kofar Kudu in Municipal Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that the suspects disturbed the peaceful gathering by chanting provocative slogans against the Emir who  attended the ceremony.

    According to him, the suspects chanted slogans such as “New governor, new emir”, insisting that Gov. Abba Yusuf should remove Bayero and install a new one since there is a new government in power.

    The  commissioner warned that henceforth, members of the public should always bear in mind that traditional institutions are respected and sacred.

    “Whoever tries or is attempting to sponsor in any way its ridiculing will be arrested, investigated and made to face the wrath of the law no matter how highly placed,” he said.

    He said that the command would not relent in its commitment at ensuring security, safety, peace and stability for the people of the state.

    “The police command wishes to appreciate the good people of Kano State for their continuous support and cooperation.”

    He urged all to keep reporting suspicious movement of persons or items to the nearest police station for prompt security action.

  • NDLEA arrests 10 suspected drug dealers in Kano

    NDLEA arrests 10 suspected drug dealers in Kano

    The Kano Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 10 suspected drug dealers operating in different parts of the state in July alone.

    This was made known by the Kano State NDLEA Public Relations Officer, Mr Sadiq Maigatari, on Wednesday in the state.

    Maitagari said the suspects include Abubakar Yunusa 33, James Temitope 42, Sani Muhammad 23, Aminu Sani 23 and Emeka Williams 31.

    Other suspects are Inusa Alhassan, 31, Muhammad Abubakar 35, Hussaini Hamza 45, Sani Dahiru 30 and Muhammad Ibrahim 30.

    He added that  some of the suspects were arrested with weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa while others were arrested with 2,000 ampules of pentazocine injection as well as 48 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 4.8 kg.

    Continuing, he said the operations that led to the interception of the illicit drugs and arrest of the suspected dealers had significantly curbed the distribution of the substances in the state and removed substantial quantities from circulation.

    “The potential harm that this quantity of illicit substances could have caused is inestimable.

    “This will undoubtedly disrupt drug markets, and protect the community from potential harm caused by the illicit substances,” he said.

    Maitagari called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to NDLEA toward ensuring a drug-free Kano for future generations.

  • Sacked Kano Rep heads for Appeal Court

    Sacked Kano Rep heads for Appeal Court

    Rep. Mukthar Umar-Zakari (NNPP-Kano) has vowed to challenge the judgement of the Election Petition Tribunal which nullified his election over alleged certificate forgery.

    Umar-Zakari, who represented Tarauni Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The tribunal had nullified his election and declared Hafizu Kawu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Feb. 26 poll.

    The three-man panel of the tribunal, led by Justice I.P. Chima, ruled that he was not qualified to contest for the election having forged his primary school certificate.

    But Umar-Zakari denied submitting forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for election, saying that the discrepancies in his credentials were due to a change of name, which was made legally.

    “For the avoidance of doubt and putting records straight, I was born Muktar Umar, was enroled in Hausawa Primary School, and graduated as Muktar Umar.

    “So as it is in all my academic qualifications from primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, which are available for verification.

    “However, in my desire to link my two names to the family, I added Zakari to my name and turned Mukthar Umar-Zakari after meeting all the legal and constitutional procedures regarding the change of names.

    “These are: swearing an affidavit; newspaper publication; gazetted the name as required and obtained; deed poll,” he said.

    Umar-Zakari said that the change of name was done long before the 2023 general election.

    “Having obtained all the documents as contained above, I  have without any fear to exercise my right to include Zakari in the name I have sent to Independent National Electoral Commission and fill Form CF001 for contesting the House of Representatives elections.

    “I have the backing of the law and with legal documents obtained in the competent court.

    “Meanwhile, in spite of all these, the court accused me of forgery; this judgement in effect, is a journey to deny me the right to a fair hearing, forgery of what? Is still the question many commentators are still asking,” he said

    While pledging his respect for the rule of law, Umar-Zakari said he would challenge the tribunal verdict at the Appeal Court.

    “As law abiding citizens who believe and respect  the principles of justice and rule of law, I will continue to pursue justice and fair play to reclaim the mandate given to me by the  good people of Tarauni Federal Constituency at the Appeal Court.

    “I do hope the Appeal Court will use the discretion bestowed on them by the constitution of the Federation of Nigeria to review the judgement passed by the honourable justice of the tribunal in the interest of peace, stability, rule of law, and constitutional democracy,” he added.