Open Letter to the Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, on the Security Challenges in the State

The people of Kano State are currently living in fear and confusion due to the growing insecurity and the lack of effective protection of lives and properties.

We, the people of Kano State — from all 44 local government areas, villages, towns, men and women, young and old — especially those residing in local governments bordering other northern states, are deeply troubled and anxious, living in constant fear and uncertainty.

We can no longer travel to visit our relatives, friends, or even our farms in rural areas because of the rising threats from bandits and kidnappers who demand ransom from innocent citizens along major routes.

Therefore, we deem it necessary to make a passionate appeal to the authorities, particularly to His Excellency, the Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, to strengthen the Vigilante Corps in order to enhance the security of lives and properties across Kano State.

The vigilante members are familiar with everyone in their respective communities and neighborhoods across Kano’s rural and urban areas.

Your Excellency, we strongly believe that if the vigilante personnel are empowered with modern security equipment, mobility support, and adequate motivation, they will be able to curb this persistent insecurity, especially in the local government areas bordering other states.

We acknowledge your concern over the insecurity affecting Kano State, but it is crucial that you provide the vigilante groups with adequate working tools — including vehicles, motorcycles, modern communication devices, and other essential equipment — to enable them to perform effectively.

Recently, we are aware that your administration provided the Nigerian Army with ten Hilux vehicles and sixty motorcycles to improve security in high-risk areas. However, kidnappings and abductions have continued unabated, suggesting that more needs to be done.

Your Excellency, we are convinced that vigilante officers know the residents of every community — both rural and urban. They can easily identify strangers, their purposes, and where they come from.

Honorable Governor, the vigilante officers are the people whose presence reassures the community. They conduct regular patrols, and residents know and trust them for the vital support they provide to both the public and the formal security agencies, including the police.

Recently, we learned that the Member of the House of Representatives representing Nassarawa Federal Constituency under the NNPP, Hon. Hassan Hussaini, presented a motion advocating for the empowerment of vigilante groups with equipment to help combat insecurity in Kano. We commend him for this significant contribution.

Also, this week, we learned that Your Excellency, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, visited Tsanyawa and Shanono Local Government Areas to sympathize with communities affected by recent security incidents.

Furthermore, we commend Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the Member representing Tudun Wada/Doguwa Federal Constituency under the opposition APC, for speaking boldly in the National Assembly about the deteriorating security situation in Kano and calling for the empowerment of vigilante groups.

Similarly, the Member representing Tsanyawa/Ghari Federal Constituency, Hon. Engr. Sani Bala, recently expressed concern over the impact of insecurity on his constituents and provided them with financial and food support to ease their suffering.

We also learned that the Kano State Government plans to procure drones to strengthen security operations in the state.

Your Excellency, we earnestly appeal to you, for the sake of God and His Messenger (peace be upon him), to help restore peace and security to Kano State by providing adequate equipment and logistical support to the vigilante personnel.

Although you have recently launched the recruitment of internal security operatives, we are yet to see them begin active operations.

Among the Kano vigilante members are many who have distinguished themselves in combating kidnappers, protecting forests, and supporting other security efforts across the state.

In conclusion, we hope you will take this message seriously and act swiftly to address the worsening security situation in Kano State.

May Allah bless Your Excellency, protect the people of Kano, and grant lasting peace to our dear state.