Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission announced that it has traced and recovered several government-owned vehicles that were still in the possession of former officials, including commissioners who allegedly failed to return them after leaving office last month.
Recall that no fewer than five Commissioners resigned their positions following the defection of Governor Abba Yusuf to the ruling All Progressives Congress on Monday, 26th January 2026.
The Chairman of the state Anti-graft agency, Sa’idu Yahaya, confirmed the recovery of the vehicles in a telephone interview with the Punch on Thursday.
He explained that among the former commissioners whose vehicles were retrieved from them were the former Commissioner for Security, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Umar, retired; former Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso; former Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata; former Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Adams Aliyu Kibiya; and Nasiru Sani Garo, a former Commissioner for Special Projects.
According to him, the operation was carried out in Kano on Thursday morning, following earlier directives to the former officials ordering them to return the vehicles after their voluntary resignation from the office.
“The Office of the Secretary to the Kano State Government had earlier issued formal letters requesting the immediate return of the official vehicles to the state government.
“However, the affected former government officials did not comply with the directive, which prompted the agency to initiate a recovery process,” he said.
Yahaya, who led the recovery exercise, said the action was in line with the agency’s mandate to protect public property.
“Government assets are not personal property. Once an official leaves office, all government vehicles and assets in their custody must be returned immediately,” he said.
According to him, the commission had exhausted all administrative channels before moving to retrieve the vehicles.
“We gave ample time for voluntary compliance after the Secretary of the State Government’s office wrote to them. Unfortunately, the directive was ignored. We had no option but to enforce compliance in accordance with the law,” he said.
He explained that the commission’s action was not politically motivated but aimed strictly at ensuring accountability.
“This is not about witch-hunting anyone. It is about protecting the resources of the people of Kano State. We will not tolerate any form of misconduct or unlawful retention of government property.
He added that Public trust depends solely on transparency and accountability, stressing that the commission is determined to strengthen both, and will take appropriate action against anyone found mismanaging or unlawfully holding government property.
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