Governor Abba Yusuf pledges to rehabilitate, empower 100 repentant criminals
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State on Wednesday promised to rehabilitate and empower 100 repentant criminals presented to him by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Usaini Gumel.
Gumel presented the 100 repentant criminals to the Governor at the Sani Abacha Stadium during the closing ceremony of the maiden Community Policing Friendly Football Games.
The event was organized by the Kano State Police Command in conjunction with the Youth Society for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Social Vices (YOSPIS).
Yusuf, who was represented by the Director-General, Special Services, Government House, retired AVM Ibrahim Umar, commended the police commissioner for initiating such an innovation of crime-fighting.
“On the 100 repentant thugs presented to me by the State Commissioner of Police, they have all been accepted by the State Government and they are going to be profiled and we will get them gainfully engaged with a full package of life-changing programmes to be sponsored by the State Government,” he said.
The governor said when he assumed office, there were security challenges, and that in his inaugural speech he pledged to tackle hem in and ensure that street lights that had not been in use for about eight years which culminated into the increase in crimes, especially mobile phone armed robbery during night hours at junctions and roundabouts within Kano metropolis, were restored.
“Today, whoever is in the State is witnessing a new dawn with a new face of Kano State as there is holistic reduction of street crimes. This is as a result of the restoration of these street lights that the State Government adequately put in place across the length and breadth of the metropolis.
“I must also appreciate the commitment of the Police and other security personnel for taking the bull by the horn in ensuring that people sleep with their two eyes closed.
“We will continue to remain committed to ensuring that the good people of the State operate their businesses and go about their daily activities without fear of being attacked by criminals,” he said.
In his remarks,Gumel said the event was organized to foster peace and unity in the state, recalling that when he assumed duty, there were rampant cases of armed robbery, phone snatching and other violent crimes in the state.
According to him, creating synergy among stakeholders such as the judiciary, the media, traditional rulers, NGOs, religious leaders, Kannywood, sister security agencies, among others, helped the police to curb criminal activities in the state.
The commissioner who presented the 100 repentant criminals to the Governor for rehabilitation and empowerment, urged the society not to stigmatize them as they had undertaken never to go back to crime.
