The Kano State Executive Council has approved the release of N18.8 billion for the execution of various projects across the state.

The decision was made during the 18th weekly council meeting, presided over by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Addressing journalists on the outcome of the meeting, the Commissioner of Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, said the approved projects would have a significant impact on the lives of Kano residents.

Among the key approvals was N244.9 million for the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) to cover electricity bills for June 2024 at four major water treatment plants: Challawa, Tamburawa, Kusalla, and Watari, as well as the State Water Board Headquarters.

Additionally, N141.6 million was allocated for the supply of 59,000 litres of diesel for the Ministry of Water Resources, and N297 million for the supply of 120,000 liters of diesel and 14,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

One of the major projects includes the supply and installation of anti-theft integrated solar-powered streetlights in Kano metropolis (Phase II), for which N6 billion was approved.

The council also approved N150 million to acquire and utilize land at Danfami, Challawa, formerly part of the Dala Inland Dry Port, for a housing scheme intended for public use.

Furthermore, N6.15 billion was set aside for the third disbursement of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) program in Kano State.

In other approvals, N117.5 million was earmarked for the procurement of two Toyota Hilux vehicles and one Toyota Hiace bus, while N1.72 billion was approved for the completion of a 5-kilometer dualized road in Wudil Local Government Area.

The council also approved N746.2 million for payment to foodstuff contractors servicing 39 boarding schools for an eight-week period. In addition, N8.1 million was allocated for the refurbishment of 12 Girl-Child initiative buses.

Other notable projects include N88.6 million for the construction of trade clusters at Shahuci, N2.5 billion for the reconstruction and redesign of Kofar Mata Eid-Ground (Filin Idi) and Islamic Arena, N108.9 million for proposed market stalls and sheds at Badawa layout in Nassarawa LGA, and N492.1 million for a new Executive Council Chamber at the Kano Government House.

The Osun State Police Command has arrested two mortuary attendants for selling human body parts to suspected ritualists.

The Acting Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Giwa-Alade Emmanuel, disclosed this during a press briefing at the police headquarters in Osogbo on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

The mortuary attendants, Johnson Daniel, 43, and Adetunji Okunade, 42, were arrested alongside the suspected ritualists, Olaniyan Azeez, Balogun Temitope Asimiyu, Oladapo Hammed, Kazeem Rasak, and Asaka Rauf, following a tip-off from a concerned citizen.

“The above-named suspects were arrested upon credible information from a good-spirited individual that one Johnson Daniel, a mortuary attendant at Ipetu-Ijesa, sells portions of human remains deposited at the mortuary to native doctors,” Emmanuel stated.

According to him, the investigation led to the discovery that Daniel, along with his accomplice, Adetunji, conspired to sell both human remains and water used in bathing corpses to local ritualists.

During a search of the suspects’ residences, items were recovered, including suspected human bone fragments at the homes of Asaka Rauf and Oladapo Hammed.

A female undergarment and a notebook containing ritual instructions were also found at the residence of Balogun Temitope Asimiyu.

Emmanuel stated that all the suspects have been charged in court.

“The said suspects use these remains gotten from the mortuary attendant (Johnson Daniel) for different ritual purposes. Daniel also confessed that he conspired with one other mortuary attendant named Adetunji Okunade ‘m’ to sell remnants of water used in bathing corpses to interested native doctors.

“In the course of the investigation, a search was conducted at the residences of these suspects which led to the recovery of a fragment of substances suspected to be human skull at Asaka Rauf ‘m’ and Oladapo Hammed ‘m’ residences while a female pant and a notebook containing instructions on ritual practices were recovered from Balogun Temitope Asimiyu’s residence.”

Similarly, the police also paraded five additional suspects—Taiwo Adekunle, Adebayo Opeyemi, Hasan Ibrahim, Oba Wasiu, and Olajide Oladapo, for alleged armed robbery.

Items recovered during the arrest include a Ford Jeep, a Hunter motorcycle, an empty shell cartridge, an iPhone, and a magnet.

Emmanuel assured the public that investigations into both cases are ongoing.

Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have arrested a suspected car thief and recovered a Toyota Highlander vehicle stolen in Tafa Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, said the suspect claimed that the vehicle was given to him by one Baba Gadas and to be taken to Mubarak in Kaduna for disposal.

“On 04/09/2024 at about 0400hrs, distress was received that some hoodlums invaded a residence at Tudun-Wada area via Sabon-Wuse, Tafa and stole a Toyota Highlander vehicle with Reg. No. ABJ 775 AT and other valuables,” the statement read.

“Immediately the report was received, all security posts along Kaduna road were alerted, and fortunately the said vehicle was intercepted at Customs point along Kaduna road with one *Halilu Shuaibu* 28yrs of Gwarinpa area of Abuja.

“The suspect claimed that the vehicle was given to him by one Baba Gadas of Zuba and to be taken to one Mubarak in Kaduna for disposal.

“Meanwhile, the suspect has been transferred to SCID Minna with the said vehicle for further investigation and diligent prosecution.”