The Kano State Government says it is stepping up efforts to address the rising cases of phone snatching, street thuggery, and other security threats through collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
This was revealed at a one-day stakeholder meeting organized by the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs at the Ministry of Transport Conference Hall, Gwarzo Road, Kano.
The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, said the government has identified 718 political thugs under its Operation Safe Corridor, a programme aimed at engaging street youths and reintegrating them into society.
“We don’t just arrest or prosecute; we engage them, understand their motivations, and get them to key into peacebuilding processes,” Waiya said.
He noted the return of ‘Yan Daba’ gangs in parts of Kano and stressed that force alone would not solve the problem. “Addressing this issue requires more than enforcement—it demands inclusive engagement and proactive rehabilitation,” he said.
A statement signed by Sani Abba Yola, Director of Special Duties at the Ministry, said the government sees the involvement of CSOs as central to tackling insecurity at the roots.
“This collaboration is not for political ends but to find lasting, homegrown solutions to insecurity,” the statement quoted Waiya as saying.
The Commissioner also said the Commissioner for Internal Security and the Director General of Special Services have been assigned to supervise the programme. “Their involvement guarantees that this operation produces real results, not just media optics,” he said.
Waiya mentioned efforts by the current administration to set up the Kano Citizens’ Platform to allow for broader citizen input in governance, as well as plans to adapt the Freedom of Information Act for use at the state level.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Procurement, Monitoring and Evacuation, Comrade Nura Iro Ma’aji, said openness in government processes was necessary for long-term development.
On his part, Hassan Ibrahim Gama of the Patriotic Forum called for stronger cooperation between the government and citizens.
“Phone snatching is a serious problem, but it’s part of a bigger crisis linked to youth unemployment, drug abuse, and poor urban planning,” Gama said. “No society can progress without the active and informed participation of its civil population. Our involvement is crucial.”
The meeting ended with an understanding among government officials and CSO representatives to keep working together to improve security and address issues affecting youth in the state.
