Kano

By Ramatu Garba, Kano The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has repatriated 497 Nigerian migrants from Niamey to Kano. The agency received the returnees at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Friday at about 12:40 p.m. Dr Nura Abdullahi, Head of Operations, NEMA Kano Office, said the exercise was a voluntary repartruation, and not a forced evacuation. “It is a voluntary repatriation of Nigerians from Niger Republic. The returnees were brought back by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said. Abdullahi said the operation was a tripartite arrangement involving the Nigerian Mission in Niger Republic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), to ensure the safe and dignified return of stranded Nigerians. Read Also: How three former ministers lost out in Northeast APC governorship primaries Aminu Bayero Moves to Hold Eid-el-Kabir Durbar in Kano Former APC National Chairman Ganduje Embarks on Hajj Pilgrimage He said the returnees comprised 174 males, 97 females, 137 boys and 89 girls from Kano, Jigawa, Borno, Kaduna among others. According to Abdullahi, the agency, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders caters for the returnees upon arrival. He said the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons provided drugs to the Nigerian Red Cross medical team for returnees with health challenges. Abdullahi attributed the migration of many of the returnees to the search for better economic opportunities abroad, adding that most of them were likely heading to Libya but returned after realising the journey was unsafe. The NEMA official said the agency provided meals, and after physical verification and profiling they would be transported back to their respective states. While advising Nigerians to eschew travelling to seek for greener pastures in other countries, Abdullahi said that, “no country is better than their country of origin.” One of the returnees, Sani Hamisu from Kano State, said he travelled to Libya in search of better opportunities after facing financial hardship. “I wanted to support my family as the first son and also get married, so I decided to travel to Libya,” he said. “In the desert, there was no water and no food, many died. Once your water finishes, nobody can help you even with a cup of water,” he said. He said that he had spent six years in Libya doing different menial jobs, and eventually returned home empty-handed. “IOM rescued us in the desert and took us back to Niger Republic before we were brought to Nigeria,” he said. Another returnee, Harira Muhammad, a mother of two from Borno, said she travelled to Libya eight months ago to support her sick husband. “My husband was knocked down by a car during a Boko Haram attack, and has had a leg fracture since then. “I travelled to Libya in search of greener pastures, but we were attacked by bandits who collected our money,” she said. She urged the government to support them with business grants to enable them to rebuild their lives and care for their families.

The 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has formally notified security agencies of plans to conduct the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir Durbar festivities from the Nasarawa Palace in Kano. The notification was conveyed in separate letters addressed to the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, and the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS). Copies of the letters, dated May 17, 2026, were made available to The Historica Nigeria on Saturday. The correspondence, signed by the private secretary to the Emir, Abdullahi Kwaru, stated that preparations had commenced for the annual Sallah celebrations scheduled to begin on May 27, 2026. Read Also: How three former ministers lost out in Northeast APC governorship primaries Former APC National Chairman Ganduje Embarks on Hajj Pilgrimage Intervention Brings Relief to Struggling Bauchi Nomadic School According to the letters, the decision to hold the Durbar followed meetings of members of the Kano Emirate Council. “The outcome of the meetings of Kano Emirate Council members indicated the observance of Durbar festivities as provided in the attached programme,” the letter stated. The emirate explained that the Durbar remains one of Kano’s major cultural and traditional events, during which the Emir rides through the city on horseback alongside district heads and other council members to greet residents and receive homage from subjects. “Durbar festivities are annual events that enable His Highness to go round the city with his council members on horseback with royal paraphernalia to see his people and his subjects also to greet him,” the letter added. The emirate assured security agencies that the three-day event would be conducted peacefully and appealed for their cooperation and support throughout the celebrations. “While anticipating your usual cooperation and support, please accept the assurance of His Highness’ esteemed regards,” the correspondence stated. The planned Durbar comes amid heightened public attention surrounding traditional Sallah celebrations in Kano, particularly following the ongoing emirship dispute involving Aminu Ado Bayero and Muhammadu Sanusi II.

The Director General of One Kano Agenda, Amb. Abbas Yakasai, has commended the establishment of the Forum of Retired Security Personnel and Senior Civil Servants in Kano State, describing the initiative as timely and strategic in supporting ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and property across the state. In a statement jointly signed by Amb. Abbas Yakasai and the Secretary-General of the group, Barr. Mukhtar Musa, the organization said the formation of the forum comes at a critical period when collective action, intelligence sharing, and community-based security solutions are increasingly needed to address emerging security challenges. The group noted that the coming together of experienced retired military officers, police personnel, Department of State Services (DSS) operatives, paramilitary officers, and seasoned civil servants would significantly strengthen Kano State’s security architecture. According to the statement, the wealth of experience, institutional knowledge, strategic understanding, and grassroots connections possessed by the retired officers and senior civil servants would greatly complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in maintaining peace, stability, and social harmony in Kano State. Read Also: Ex-Okada Rider-Turned Lawmaker Loses APC Ticket in Kaduna Meta Cuts 8,000 Jobs in Global Layoff Wave Why PCACC is Investigating Kano’s Former Head of Service “One Kano Agenda believes that Kano, being the commercial and cultural heartbeat of Northern Nigeria, requires sustained peace and stability, not only for its residents but also for the economic wellbeing of the region,” the statement read. The group further described the decision by the retired personnel to voluntarily contribute their expertise toward strengthening security coordination and community engagement as patriotic and highly commendable. While applauding the initiative, One Kano Agenda advised the forum to prioritize community engagement and grassroots sensitization in order to build public trust and encourage citizens’ participation in security matters. The organization also urged the forum to work closely with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, civil society organizations, and community associations in developing sustainable local security solutions. It further recommended that the forum should maintain a professional and non-partisan operational structure focused solely on the collective interest of Kano State and its people. The statement equally called for periodic security dialogues and stakeholder consultations aimed at assessing emerging threats and proposing practical policy recommendations to relevant government authorities. On youth-related concerns, One Kano Agenda emphasized the need for the forum to focus on youth empowerment, mentorship, and deradicalization programmes as part of efforts to address the root causes of insecurity. The group also stressed that collaboration with security agencies must operate strictly within the framework of the law, with full respect for human rights and civil liberties. One Kano Agenda reiterated its support for all genuine initiatives aimed at protecting the lives, dignity, and prosperity of the people of Kano State and called on citizens and stakeholders to support the forum in the collective interest of peace, development, and stability. The organization reiterated that securing Kano remains a shared responsibility, urging all well-meaning individuals to contribute positively toward sustaining peace in the state.

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has launched an investigation into the immediate past Head of Service in the state, Abdullahi Musa, over alleged deductions from workers’ salaries. Chairman of the commission, Barrister Sa’idu Yahaya, disclosed this during an interview with journalists in Kano following reports that the agency marked Musa’s residence in Kumbotso Local Government Area. According to Yahaya, the former Head of Service has been invited to appear before the commission within one week to respond to questions regarding the allegations. “The commission is investigating intelligence reports concerning alleged deductions of workers’ monies. He has been invited to answer questions relating to the matter,” Yahaya said. He further confirmed that the commission marked the residence as part of the ongoing investigation. Related: Kano Anti-Graft Agency Launches Probe into Ex-Head of Service Governor Yusuf Orders Probe into Abdullahi Musa Over Alleged ₦1.5bn Salary Deductions Photos: EFCC arrests ex-minister Mamman convicted for N33bn fraud Reports indicate that officials of the anti-graft agency inscribed a notice in red paint at the entrance of the former HoS’ residence located at Almukab City Housing Estate in Kumbotso Local Government Area. The inscription reportedly reads: “Under Investigation, PCACC Kano 18/05/2026.” The commission stated that investigations are ongoing to establish the facts surrounding the allegations and determine the next line of action if the claims are substantiated. Abdullahi Musa served as Kano State Head of Service until March 2026, when Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf removed him from office as part of efforts to reform and reposition the state civil service. Following his exit from office, allegations emerged over purported unauthorised deductions from civil servants’ salaries, prompting further scrutiny by relevant authorities.

Tension reportedly erupted in Rano following an attack on the Chairperson of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Sa’adatu Salisu, shortly after a political gathering attended by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. According to reports, the event was organised in support of the political ambition of Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, with several political stakeholders and supporters in attendance. Sources disclosed that Senator Kawu Sumaila had repeatedly cautioned supporters against attending the gathering with weapons or political thugs. However, allegations later emerged that some political figures arrived at the venue with armed supporters. Political sources told ‘The Historica Nigeria’ that concerns had already existed before the event over possible tension due to the expected presence of two rival political figures believed to have longstanding political differences. Read Also: Kano Anti-Graft Agency Launches Probe into Ex-Head of Service It was gathered that Sa’adatu Salisu initially considered staying away from the event to avoid possible confrontation but was later persuaded by political associates to join the governor’s delegation without her supporters. Sources said she eventually arrived alongside Governor Yusuf and participated in the event until its conclusion. However, trouble reportedly started as the gathering was ending when the ALGON chair allegedly attempted to leave the venue ahead of the governor’s convoy to avoid the crowd. Eyewitness accounts claimed that suspected political thugs attacked her convoy at that point before security operatives intervened and whisked her away in a vehicle. The attackers were alleged to have chased the vehicle, smashing its windows and damaging parts of the car during the incident. Sources described it as a serious security breach, noting that the attack could have resulted in fatal consequences if not for the swift intervention of security personnel. Efforts to obtain comments from Sa’adatu Salisu on the incident were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. The development has further heightened concerns over rising political violence in Kano State, where recent political gatherings have increasingly been associated with reports of clashes involving rival supporters and political thugs. Report says that Tudun Wada and Doguwa remain among the politically sensitive areas in Kano South due to longstanding rivalries between influential political blocs in the region. As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue any official statement regarding the incident.