KANO'S TURNING POINT:INSIDE THE BOLD PUSH FOR PEACE AND YOUTH REHABILTATION

 KANO'S TURNING POINT:INSIDE THE BOLD PUSH FOR PEACE AND YOUTH REHABILTATION

By Tijjani Sarki


Kano State is witnessing a bold and determined push toward peace and stability. Under the resolute leadership of His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the state has launched an unprecedented initiative aimed at restoring public safety and rehabilitating youth through the Kano State Peace and Youth Rehabilitation Taskforce.

In a state long plagued by youth violence, drug abuse, and rising insecurity, a bold new chapter is unfolding. Through a rare blend of force and compassion, Kano is charting a transformative course,one defined by strategic enforcement, community engagement, and youth rehabilitation.


A New Era of Resolve

Kano State is witnessing a seismic shift in its approach to public safety and youth empowerment. Under the decisive leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the government has launched a comprehensive initiative aimed at reclaiming the state’s future from the grip of insecurity.

At the center of this movement is the Kano State Peace and Youth Rehabilitation Taskforce, a 21-member committee inaugurated in February 2025. Chaired by Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, the state’s Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, the taskforce brings together a formidable coalition—government officials, security agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders—united by a singular mission: to restore peace and rebuild lives.


Operation Restoration: Strategic Enforcement in Action.

From the onset, the Taskforce demonstrated urgency and resolve. Following extensive stakeholder engagement, including the Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammadu Sunusi ii PhD, security chiefs, and religious leaders, a series of joint operations were rolled out across the eight metropolitan local government areas of Kano.Armed with intelligence and guided by collaborative planning  a series of sweeping operations were launched across Kano’s eight metropolitan local government areas.

In joint coordination with the Nigerian Police Force, DSS, NDLEA, Civil Defence Corps, Immigration, and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, notorious hotspots were targeted. Over 500 suspects have been arrested, and large volumes of illicit drugs seized. 

In one dramatic overnight raid, 75 hardened criminals were apprehended thwarting what authorities described as an imminent wave of violence.

A recent high-impact operation on April 12 in Rimin Kebe’s “Research Pit” Nassarawa local Government and kofar wambai in Kano municipal, a neighborhood long known as a breeding ground for crime saw the arrest of more than 80 suspects. Among them were eight individuals linked to recent unrest in Dan Agundi and Kofar Na’isa.

“One suspect’s father tried to shield him—we arrested both,” said Dr. Kofar Mata. “This is a message to all: there will be no bail, no leniency. The time for action is now.”

Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori hailed the operation as a “major win for Kano,” while NDLEA Commander Abubakar Idris Ahmad described the seizure of narcotics—including cannabis and codeine syrup—as a “major breakthrough” in the fight against drug abuse.

Local security volunteer leader Alhaji Shehu Muhammad Rabi’u, Commander of the Kano Vigilante Group, emphasized the broader impact: “The people of this area have lived in fear for too long. Today, they can breathe easier.”


Winning Hearts: The Power of Community

Yet, even as the Taskforce cracks down on criminal networks, it is equally focused on healing the wounds left behind. Community engagement lies at the heart of the mission.

Traditional rulers, ward heads, and religious clerics have become active participants. Sermons during Friday Jumu’ah and Ramadan Tafsir sessions now deliver urgent messages about the dangers of crime and substance abuse. Parents are being called upon to monitor their children and guide them away from destructive paths.

Through radio, television, and grassroots platforms, the committee’s sensitization campaign is gaining traction. In recognition of these efforts, NDLEA recently honored committee members as Anti-Drug Abuse Ambassadors—a symbolic but significant affirmation of their commitment to saving Kano’s youth.

As a mark of their dedication, NDLEA recognized members of the committee as Anti-Drug Abuse Ambassadors, an honor that underscores their ongoing commitment to saving Kano’s youth from addiction and violence.


Beyond Enforcement: A Vision for Empowerment

Governor Yusuf’s strategy goes beyond arrests. His administration understands that true change comes from opportunity, not just punishment.

The Taskforce has begun laying the groundwork for long-term solutions,vocational training, skills acquisition programs, educational support, counseling, and job creation initiatives. These interventions aim to transform former offenders into productive citizens and give at-risk youth a reason to hope.

“We must not only take youth off the streets—we must return them to society as empowered individuals,” said Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.

To complement this, the Commissioner of Police has proposed the creation of a special court to expedite prosecution of offenders and eliminate the cycle of impunity. “Justice delayed is security denied,” he noted.


 AShared Fight, A Shared Future

As the Taskforce presses forward, the government is calling on all residents to join the cause. Citizens are being urged to provide information, mentor young people, and support community policing efforts.

“This is not a fight for government alone,” emphasized Dr. Kofar Mata. “It’s a fight for every father, every mother, every teacher, every leader. We all have a role to play.”

In places like Rimin Kebe, long suffocated by fear, the change is already being felt. “For the first time in years, we slept peacefully,” said one resident. “The criminals are gone.”


Rising Together

Kano stands at a historic crossroads. The Peace and Youth Rehabilitation Taskforce has sparked more than a security campaign,it has ignited a movement.

With courage, collaboration, and commitment, Kano is rewriting its story. And if the people and their leaders continue to march in step, the state won’t just recover it will rise stronger, safer, and prouder than ever before.


Tijjani Sarki

Wrote from Zawaciki,Kano

20th April,2025

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