The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the growing insecurity in the state by partnering with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to curb youth-related crimes such as phone snatching, drug abuse, and political thuggery.
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During a one-day stakeholders’ engagement held at Mambayya House, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, unveiled a new initiative tagged Safe Corridor. According to Waiya, the programme is designed to address the root causes of insecurity and youth restiveness through dialogue, collaboration, and targeted interventions.
“The government believes that lasting solutions can only be achieved through inclusive dialogue and collaboration. That is why we have convened this important engagement with civil society actors who remain closest to the grassroots and understand the real pulse of our communities,” Waiya stated.
The meeting, which brought together over 75 civil society groups, explored major contributors to insecurity in Kano, including family instability, poor parental guidance, youth unemployment, and drug addiction. Other factors identified were weakened cultural and religious values, ineffective community surveillance, and gaps in law enforcement.
Participants proposed several community-based solutions, including reorienting families on values and responsibilities, strengthening rehabilitation centers, and launching toll-free lines for anonymous crime reporting. Additional suggestions included intensified security operations, public education through media and local influencers, and collaboration with religious institutions to promote ethical conduct.
Alhaji Inuwa Idris Yakasai, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, noted that the rising trend of youth-driven street crimes is not only undermining public confidence but also affecting school attendance and economic activities.
“These acts are gradually eroding public confidence, discouraging mobility, affecting school attendance, and ultimately threatening the socioeconomic future of our state,” Yakasai warned.
He emphasized the importance of a united front in combating the issues, stressing that the meeting was not to apportion blame, but to find community-driven solutions to restore peace and order.
