The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed officers and men of the Kano State Police Command to intensify offensive operations against criminal elements across the state.
Disu said proactive policing remains the most effective strategy for tackling insecurity and safeguarding economic activities.
The directive was delivered through the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, DIG Suleiman Abdul, during a strategic lecture held at the Kano State Police Command Headquarters, Bompai, on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event titled, *“Asymmetric Threat Preemption, Urban Gang Management, and Securing Commercial Hubs,”* the IGP described Kano as a major commercial centre whose security is vital to economic activities in Northern Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
He commended the command for its recent operations against bandits, armed robbers and other criminal elements.
According to him, the command has recorded significant successes through arrests and the neutralisation of bandits and their kingpins.
“You have taken the battle straight to the criminals with bold actions, recording major successes through arrests and the neutralisation of bandits and their kingpins. It is far better to strike first and remain on the offensive than to be merely reactive,” he said.
The police leadership also unveiled a six-point security strategy aimed at strengthening internal security across the country.
The strategy focuses on intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, accountability and respect for human rights, community policing, inter-agency collaboration, operational specialisation and improved welfare for personnel.
The IGP urged officers to deploy modern crime-fighting tools, including digital forensics, crime data analytics and the Nigeria Police Force Incident and Crime Database, to identify criminal networks and dismantle organised gangs.
He further directed the command to sustain operations against violent youth gangs known as Yan’Daba, cybercriminals and other groups threatening public safety.
Disu stressed the importance of public trust, urging officers to maintain regular engagement with market associations, youth groups, traditional rulers and religious leaders to enhance intelligence gathering and crime prevention.
He warned that corruption, extortion, abuse of power and human rights violations would not be tolerated, noting that the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit was created to promote professionalism and accountability.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Bakori, said the command arrested and prosecuted 1,357 suspects between January and June 2026 for offences ranging from armed robbery and kidnapping to thuggery, drug-related crimes and vehicle theft.
Bakori attributed the achievements to intelligence-led investigations, proactive policing operations, the establishment of the Violent Crime Response Unit and the implementation of Operation Kukan Kura.
The police commissioner, however, identified emerging security challenges, including the infiltration of bandits through border communities in Tudun Wada and Kiru Local Government Areas, communal clashes in Makoda and Minjibir LGAs, as well as drug trafficking and gang-related activities within Kano metropolis.
He said the command had intensified border patrols, stakeholder engagements and clearance operations targeting criminal hideouts while strengthening collaboration with government authorities, traditional institutions and community leaders.
Bakori reaffirmed the commitment of the command to intelligence-driven and community-oriented policing to protect lives, property and businesses across the state.
