The city of Kano, a time bomb ticking, and the question hangs heavy: who will be held accountable?

By Hadiza Nasir Ahmad

I returned home on Wednesday, the Keke carrying me through a gathering I’d never witnessed before. A crowd, a sea of faces, and a growing unease. I asked the Keke man what was happening, and his words chilled me: “Fadan Daba,” he said, “hold tight.” He drove faster, a desperate attempt to outrun the chaos.

He spoke of the Daba’s demands – phones, money, or death. I realized then, that the experience of the Keke man was the only reason I wasn’t a victim.

My heart aches at the memory of those young men, their hands wielding weapons I’d never seen, the fear in the eyes of women and children as they ran for their lives. These boys, consumed by the desire to steal, snatch, or kill if resisted.

Returning home, I turned to social media, where the stories of Yan Daba filled my screen. Kano, it seemed, was under siege, and yet, silence. Each day, a new tragedy.

Questions flooded my mind. The police, some said, ignored the Kano state government, answering only to the federal government. Some even claimed the police would only obey court orders.
I believe the Federal Government is trying on the issue of Security
There are things that are within the powers of the State Government such as issues of Daba

But this isn’t a legal battle; it’s a matter of life and death. The Kano state government, the protectors of its people, must not shy away or play politics.

The situation grows dire. Lives are lost, yet I see no condemnation from the government, no words of comfort or action.

I believe the police are doing their best. I urge the Kano state government to stop the political games. I see those who support the government, even those with positions, posting negatively about the police.This will demoralize the police

There must be cooperation, a synergy between the police and the Kano state government. The governor, the chief security officer, bears responsibility.

During the last administration, fingers were pointed at Ganduje for the activities, even though he tried his best to quell the Daba, but he was not appreciated by them. Now, the situation has tripled.
There was a reason while Kano was not engulfed in Banditry activities despite the neighboring state suffering the credit should be given to Ganduje.
There was a time I went to Doguwa local government in Kano state we passed through Falgore forest it was cleared and I asked they told me we should appreciate Ganduje because CCTV cameras were installed that anyone coming to Kano he would see the person from his office

I remember the rise of Boko Haram, the attacks, and the partnership between the Kano state government and the Federal government. They worked together, and Boko Haram failed in Kano.

If Kano state Government continues down this path, playing politics and ignoring the crisis, we will give birth to a new gang that will be difficult to defeat.

There was a time when the government met with repentant thugs, but nothing came of it.

We cannot wait until the flames consume us all before we act.
Kano State Government are responsible and they should act before it’s too late

Hadiza Nasir Ahmad
Legal Practitioner from Kano