Kano Government, CSOs Unite to Tackle Phone Snatching and Youth Criminality

In a decisive move to address the rising wave of phone snatching, thuggery, and other security threats, the Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling insecurity through strategic collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). As part of this effort, 718 political thugs have been successfully profiled under the government’s Operation Safe Corridor initiative, an innovative programme aimed at engaging and rehabilitating vulnerable youths across the state.

The disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, during a one-day stakeholder engagement held at the Ministry of Transport Conference Hall, Gwarzo Road, Kano. The event brought together key government officials and civil society actors to deliberate on solutions to phone snatching, urban insecurity, and socio-economic challenges affecting the state.

In his presentation titled “Insecurity Around Phone Snatching and Theft: The Role of Civil Society,” Commissioner Waiya expressed concern over the alarming resurgence of street thuggery and the notorious ‘Yan Daba’ groups in Kano’s urban centres. He emphasized that addressing this issue requires more than enforcement—it demands inclusive engagement and proactive rehabilitation.

“We don’t just arrest or prosecute; we engage them, understand their motivations, and get them to key into peacebuilding processes,” Waiya said, referring to the Safe Corridor programme which aims to reintegrate repentant political thugs into the society as productive citizens.

He stressed that the government recognizes the indispensable role of civil society in driving meaningful change, and thus approved sustained engagement with relevant CSOs, particularly those focused on security, youth development, and community empowerment. “This collaboration is not for political ends but to find lasting, homegrown solutions to insecurity,” he affirmed.

To ensure the programme achieves real impact, Waiya revealed that the Commissioner for Internal Security and the Director General of Special Services have been tasked with direct oversight. “Their involvement guarantees that this operation produces real results, not just media optics,” he noted.

Comrade Waiya also highlighted complementary reforms under the Abba Kabir Yusuf administration, including the unveiling of the Kano Citizens’ Platform to deepen participatory governance, and the government efforts towards the domestication of the Freedom of Information Act to enhance transparency and accountability.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Procurement, Monitoring and Evacuation, Comrade Nura Iro Ma’aji, applauded the ongoing governance reforms, stating that the administration is committed to entrenching openness and responsible leadership at all levels.

Adding his voice, Hassan Ibrahim Gama of the Patriotic Forum, a Kano-based civil society group—called for broader synergy between government and the people. He stressed that while phone snatching is a serious problem, it is part of a larger crisis fueled by youth unemployment, drug abuse, and poor urban planning. “No society can progress without the active and informed participation of its civil population. Our involvement is crucial,” he said.

The engagement ended on a high note, with a collective commitment from both government and civil society stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, empower communities, and rehabilitate vulnerable youth in a bid to secure a safer and more prosperous Kano.