Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has accused some individuals in the country of exploiting Nigeria’s worsening security challenges for political advantage.
Yusuf made the allegation on Tuesday in Lagos at a national conference organised by the Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC), themed “Building a Fractured Nation.”
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Transportation, Haruna Isa Dederi, said Nigeria is currently battling “grave security challenges” that require collective responsibility between government and citizens.
He stressed that security must not be left to government alone, insisting that citizens also have a role to play in addressing the crisis.
“Regrettably, there are unpatriotic individuals who exploit these challenges for political gain, undermining collective efforts, especially those of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to combat the escalating threat of insecurity,” Yusuf said.
The governor noted that Kano, being the most populous state in the country, continues to face security concerns, including gang rivalry and phone snatching, prompting his administration to strengthen local security structures.
He disclosed that recent bandit incursions into Tsanyawa, Shanono, and Ghari Local Government Areas from neighbouring Katsina State had forced his government to take swift action.
“In response, my administration has taken swift and decisive action against this security threat,” he said.
“We continue to collaborate closely with security agencies, including the military, police, DSS, and all components of our national security framework, to prevent acts of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and related offences.”
Yusuf said his administration had also established and equipped a neighbourhood watch corps to complement security agencies and improve grassroots surveillance.
Despite the challenges, he maintained that Kano remains one of the most peaceful states in the country.
He, however, warned that Nigeria’s divisions are becoming more visible in daily life, driven by insecurity, economic hardship, and declining public trust in governance.
“The theme we are discussing today is tangible and relevant. A fractured nation is evident when a farmer in Rano hesitates to transport his goods to Onitsha due to fears regarding safety on the roads,” he said.
“It is reflected in the despair of a young graduate in Lagos who perceives Kano as inaccessible. It resonates in the pain we experience when justice is postponed, leading to a breakdown of trust between the citizenry and the state.”
The governor said his administration has anchored its governance approach on justice, inclusion, and shared prosperity.
He added that Kano has aligned its reforms with the Police Act 2020 and introduced measures aimed at strengthening justice delivery and protecting citizens’ rights.
According to him, the reforms include a police duty solicitors scheme designed to safeguard suspects’ rights, prevent arbitrary arrests in civil matters, ensure free bail where appropriate, and mandate notification of next of kin.
Yusuf called for stronger national cooperation, stressing that Nigeria’s progress depends on partnership rather than division.
He proposed a “bridge of trust initiative” to promote collaboration between northern and southern states through youth innovation hubs, student exchange programmes, and civil society dialogue platforms.
“Our message is that the construction of our nation cannot rely solely on Abuja, Lagos, or Kano. It will flourish when the North and South recognise each other as partners rather than adversaries,” he said.
He further stated that justice remains the foundation of peace, noting that fairness and inclusion are essential to rebuilding national trust.
Yusuf concluded that Nigeria is not beyond repair, but warned that urgent collective action is needed to restore cohesion.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the “Governor of the Year Award” to Yusuf by the NHRC leadership, a coalition of 130 civil society and community-based organisations across the country.
He expressed appreciation to the organisers, describing the recognition as an honour, and expressed hope that the conference would help drive positive change in the country.
