By Ayodele Oni
Kano state government has profiled 718 political thugs as part of measures to engage and rehabilitate vulnerable youths across the state as well as curb insecurity.
The state government has also announced its readiness to partner Civil Society Organizations, (CSOs) in a decisive move to address the rising wave of phone snatching, thuggery, and other security threats.
The State Government reaffirmed its commitment to tackling insecurity through strategic collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, disclosed this during a one-day stakeholder engagement in Kano.
The event brought together key government officials and civil society actors to deliberate on solutions to phone snatching, urban insecurity, and socio-economic challenges affecting the state.
In his presentation titled “Insecurity Around Phone Snatching and Theft: The Role of Civil Society,” Commissioner Waiya expressed concern over the alarming resurgence of street thuggery and the notorious ‘Yan Daba’ groups in Kano’s urban centres.
He emphasized that addressing this issue requires more than enforcement—it demands inclusive engagement and proactive rehabilitation.
“We don’t just arrest or prosecute; we engage them, understand their motivations, and get them to key into peacebuilding processes.”
He made reference to the Safe Corridor programme which aims to reintegrate repentant political thugs into the society as productive citizens.
He stressed that the government recognizes the indispensable role of civil society in driving meaningful change, and thus approved sustained engagement with relevant CSOs, particularly those focused on security, youth development, and community empowerment.
“This collaboration is not for political ends but to find lasting, homegrown solutions to insecurity,” he affirmed.
To ensure the programme achieves real impact, Waiya revealed that the Commissioner for Internal Security and the Director General of Special Services have been tasked with direct oversight.
“Their involvement guarantees that this operation produces real results, not just media optics,” he noted.
Waiya also highlighted complementary reforms under the Abba Kabir Yusuf administration, including the unveiling of the Kano Citizens’ Platform to deepen participatory governance, and the government efforts towards the domestication of the Freedom of Information Act to enhance transparency and accountability.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Procurement, Monitoring and Evacuation, Nura Iro Ma’aji, applauded the ongoing governance reforms, stating that the administration is committed to entrenching openness and responsible leadership at all levels.
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