By Abba Anwar
With the deteriorating security condition across parts of the North, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf needs to tighten belt and secure the state for better. While effort within the space of the state is critical, working hand in hand with neighboring states is equally important.
Though it is encouraging from the part of the state government, when Governor Yusuf, in his love for peace to reign and his special interest in community policing, as he initiated Kano State Security Neighborhood Watch, it would strengthen such commendable effort when he copies from the script of the former Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON.
During Ganduje, peace was reigning, as the then governor gave priority to some specific security models. The security condition was not abruptly spotted, everything you witnessed then was systematically designed to produce result.
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Under Ganduje, there was a system that necessitated non-rivalry relationship between our security agencies. All the security agencies, saw themselves as partners, not rivals. With the cross carpeting of Governor Yusuf to All Progressives Congress (APC), I know the “soured relationship” between the state and the Police, is gone automatically.
When the former Governor was in power, I can still remember, how the Governor was monitoring major nooks and crannies of the state from the comfort of his Executive table. Many at times, I witnessed how Falgore forest was being monitored from the screen in his office. That was modern security networking.
I became convinced that the present Governor, is also concerned about the security of our land, when some pockets of bandits were tamed, around border towns in recent time. It was part of the effort of the state government that, along that line, necessitated the establishment of Kano State Security Neighborhood Watch.
It was established through the Kano State Security Neighborhood Watch Law, 2025. It purposefully aims to enhance security and crime prevention at the grassroots level. Serving a complementing role to the work of law enforcement agencies. It begins with two thousand (2,000) members as Neighborhood Watch Corps. They were all trained and deployed to various locations of the state’s 44 local governments.
I can still remember vividly clear that, during Ganduje era, Kano became the most peaceful state in the country. In fact the state was playing the role of Peace and Conflict Resolution Centre, amongst all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
When the amalgamation of Northern Youth Groups gave an ultimatum for all Igbos to leave the 19 Northern states, it was in Kano, with Ganduje as the Chief Negotiator, that brought together Igbo leaders across the North and the leadership of the Youth groups and found an embracing solution. To what could escalate to become a national tragedy.
I want see Kano playing similar role under Yusuf. The fact that he has the feeling in his spirit, means a lot in bringing back the glorious past. As he is popularly called “Balaraben Gwamna mai tausayi” I know he can deliver well in that area. I can see him making positive steps forward.
As tribal tension was drastically reduced under Ganduje administration, religious crisis was also at its lowest ebb. All those feats were not achieved just like. They were not accidental, but rather carefully and selectively design to produce result. A result – oriented strategy was employed. With the then Governor spearheading all moves.
The way I see and understand Governor Yusuf, is, he is the kind of a leader, who believes networking is necessary in administration. That’s why he doesn’t give a damn in promoting good governance and serving his people. Especially, as he joins the new party.
I also eavesdrop that, the Governor is making some moves to work hand in hand with the neighboring states towards peaceful North. As many security information are not for public consumption, let me put a stop here. But I heard it from reliable sources that, our Governor is making right steps in the right direction. Our other Northern Governors should please take a leaf. While we are appealing for federal presence.
Our dear Governor, Engineer Yusuf, may I kindly get your attention Sir? Let me respectfully inform you that, amongst all the officials in Ganduje administration, around the Executive space, one man, who played the most critical and crucial role in securing the state, to that glory, was the then Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Murtala Sule Garo.
It was under Garo, as the Commissioner, that Security Summits were organized across our Emirates. That was done not to only incorporate our traditional institutions, but to also strengthen community policing. That initiative worked very well in securing our boarder communities and the state at large.
Garo, in my own understanding, is not only an experienced politician, who knows grassroot inclusion to the fullest, he also understands, to appreciable level, techniques of community policing in practice. We saw that under the tutelage of Ganduje. Meaning, with Ganduje as his close monitor and reviewer. Mentor – mentee relationship.
Outside Executive setting under Ganduje administration, the one and only politician I can vouch for then, was His Excellency, Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR. Whose intervention in securing Kano, was visibly visible. From then to now.
DSP Barau’s intervention in state security, from that time to date, has always been, tremendous, ambitious and obvious which is widely recognized.
The Distinguished Senator, distributed hundreds of motorcycles to Police personnel, starting from his constituency, Kano North and subsequently across the entire state. He built blocks and other infrastructures in some carefully selected Police stations and zonal offices.
At the state Command level, Senator Jibrin, donated operational vehicles to the Command, at Bompai headquarters. Few months after that, he made another donation of operational vehicles and one thousand (1,000) motorcycles for distribution across the state Divisional offices. The presentation of the donation took place at a grand ceremony at Bompai headquarters also.
So I feel delighted whenever I see Garo and Jibrin close to this administration of Engineer Yusuf. I particularly enjoy this, because I see it more like amplifying the newly coined adage, Kano First.
Anwar writes from Kano
Saturday, 28th February, 2026
