Crime

The Kano State Police Command has arraigned an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ibrahim Isa Makwarari, before Magistrate Court No. 53, located in the Normansland area of Kano metropolis. The cleric is accused of alleged involvement in the illegal sale of government and community-owned lands, an offence the police described as a serious violation of land administration laws. Sheikh Makwarari was brought before the court on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in a proceeding presided over by Magistrate Mustapha Sa’ad Datti. During the court session, counsel to the defendant informed the court that the defence was not fully prepared to proceed, explaining that a similar case is currently pending before a higher court in the state. Read Also: 300-Year-Old Kano Farming Settlement Faces Extinction Over Sand Mining Emir of Kano Returns to Classroom as Law Student Kebbi Targets Foreign Investment Through 2026 Argungu Fishing Festival In his response, the prosecution counsel, Barrister Nura, told the court that the matter was first reported on November 18, 2025. He added that the police had earlier forwarded the case file to the Kano State Ministry of Justice for legal advice to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to prosecute the suspect or discontinue the case. After listening to submissions from both parties, Magistrate Datti adjourned the matter to Wednesday, January 21, 2026, when the charges are expected to be formally read to the defendant and his bail application considered.

The Kano State Police Command has arrested three principal suspects allegedly involved in the gruesome murder of a housewife and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters, Kano. This was conveyed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori. The statement explained that the arrests followed intelligence-led operations carried out on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun. According to the police, the suspects were apprehended during a sting operation conducted between the night of January 17 and the early hours of January 18, 2026. Those arrested were identified as Umar Auwalu, a 23-year-old resident of Sabuwar Gandu Quarters; Isyaku Yakubu, also known as Chebe, a 40-year-old from Sagagi Quarters; and Yakubu Abdulaziz, popularly called Wawo, a 21-year-old from Sabon Gida Sharada Quarters, all in Kano. Read Also: Seven Feared Dead in Gruesome Kano Household Attack Prominent Kano Business Leader, Bature Abdulaziz, Passes Away Police Nab 25-Year-Old Drug Suspect, Five Others in Kano Preliminary investigation revealed that Umar Auwalu, alleged to be the leader of the syndicate, is a nephew to the deceased housewife. He reportedly confessed to masterminding the attack and admitted that the same group had carried out other violent crimes in the recent past, including the killing and burning of two housewives in Tudun Yola Quarters, Kano. Items recovered from the suspects include clothes stained with blood, two mobile phones belonging to the deceased, a cutlass, a club locally known as gora, and a sum of money allegedly stolen from the crime scene, alongside other dangerous weapons. The police said investigation is ongoing to uncover further details and possible accomplices. The Kano State Police Command commended the officers involved in the operation and expressed appreciation to members of the public for their prayers, cooperation, and support, while reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of crime are brought to justice.

Sadiq Gentle, a Senior Special Reporter attached to the Kano State Ministry of History and Culture and working with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s media team, has died from injuries sustained during a recent attack by suspected hoodlums. Gentle passed away at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano, days after he was reportedly assaulted at his residence. Sources say the assailants inflicted deep machete wounds on him during the violent attack. Read Also: BUK Mourns Murdered Student, Assures Support for Justice His death has triggered an outpouring of grief from colleagues, associates, and members of the public, many of whom have described him as a dedicated journalist and public servant. As of the time of filing this report, authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the incident. However, there are growing calls from the media community and civil society for a thorough investigation and for those responsible to be brought to justice. (Nigerian Tracker)

The Management of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic death of Umar Abdullahi Hafizi, a 300-level student of the Department of Sociology, who was fatally stabbed by phone snatchers at his residence in Dorayi Quarters, Gwale Local Government Area, around 11:00 p.m. Although the incident occurred outside the university premises, the institution has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students. In a condolence message, the university extended heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Umar, describing his death as a painful loss to the entire university community. Read Also: Governor Yusuf Presents ₦5 Million Each and Plots of Land to Families of 22 Fallen Kano Athletes The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, speaking on behalf of the Management, assured that BUK is working closely with security agencies to ensure those responsible for the heinous act are apprehended and brought to justice. 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 laid to rest according to Islamic rites. The University has called on students to remain calm and vigilant, and urged members of the public to cooperate with security operatives by providing any useful information that could assist in the ongoing investigation. In a statement issued by the University’s Director of Public Affairs, Lamara Garba Azare, BUK prayed for the repose of the soul of Umar Abdullahi Hafizi and for the Almighty to grant his family the strength to bear the irreparable loss.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has received the report of the committee set up to investigate the involvement of the Commissioner for Transport, Ibrahim Namadi, in securing bail for a suspected drug trafficker, Sulaiman Aminu Danwawu. The committee, chaired by Barrister Aminu Hussain who also serves as the Governor’s Special Adviser on Justice and Constitutional Matters, submitted its findings on Monday to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim. Barrister Hussain disclosed that the committee interviewed all parties connected to the case, including the commissioner, who provided a written statement. Others questioned included Abubakar Umar Sharada, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Mobilisation, and Musa Ado Tsamiya, SSA on Drainages. Read Also: Kano APC Stakeholders Drum Support for Tinubu’s Second Term, Reaffirm Loyalty to Ganduje “We engaged with relevant security and legal institutions such as the Department of State Services (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to ensure the integrity and legal grounding of our report,” Hussain stated. He emphasized that the committee operated independently without any interference from the Governor. “We were given full freedom to conduct our assignment fairly and transparently,” he added. The committee also reviewed certified legal documents pertaining to the case. Receiving the report, the SSG commended the committee for its professionalism and timely delivery. “You have done your work diligently and within the timeframe. I assure you the report will be delivered to His Excellency immediately for prompt review,” he said. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, in a brief remark, assured that his administration would act swiftly on the committee’s recommendations.

Fresh revelations have emerged in the ongoing investigation into the controversial drug-related case involving the Kano State Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Ibrahim Ali Namadi. In a new development, three additional individuals, two of whom are political appointees to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf have been questioned by the investigative committee set up by the state government. Read Also: Kano Government to Convert Historic Kurmawa Prison into Heritage Museum Presenting the committee’s findings, Chairman Barr. Aminu Hussaini disclosed that, following extensive consultations with the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the committee invited Hon. Musa Ado Tsamiya, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Drainage, and Abubakar Umar Sharada, Senior Special Assistant on Political Mobilisation, for questioning. Also invited was Buhari Salisu, a notable figure whose name surfaced during the committee’s inquiry. While the report did not state the nature of their involvement, their invitations mark a significant turn in the inquiry. Barr. Hussaini noted that the committee completed its assignment with “utmost diligence and neutrality” but refrained from disclosing whether the transportation commissioner was found culpable. He stated that the report’s recommendations would guide the government in determining next steps. Receiving the report on behalf of the state government, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Faruq Ibrahim, assured the public that the findings would be thoroughly reviewed and acted upon. “We have confidence in the integrity of the committee members. You delivered your assignment within the time frame and without compromise. Rest assured, this report will be submitted to His Excellency without delay,” the SSG said. “We commend the committee for your transparency and dedication.” The probe followed mounting public concern after Commissioner Namadi stood as surety for Sulaiman Aminu Dan Wawu, a suspect in a drug-related case. Amid growing backlash, the Kano State Government constituted an eight-member panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the commissioner’s involvement. The outcome of the investigation is now expected to shape government action on the matter in the coming days.