The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command delivered an address to commemorate the closing ceremony of the Maiden Edition of Community Policing Friendly Football Games.
Commissioner of Police, It is my singular honour and privilege to welcome you to the closing ceremony of this Maiden Edition of Community Policing Friendly Football Games that started on August 2, 2023, and is concluding today, August 30, 2023.
The event was organized by the Kano State Police Command in Conjunction with a renowned Non-Governmental Organization, Youth Society for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Social Vices (YOSPIS), with the overall aim of fostering Peace and Unity amongst the youths as well as bridging the misunderstanding gaps between the Police and the Public.
You will all recall that when I assumed duty on May 2 2023, as the 45th Commissioner of Police for Kano State, there was an increasing spate of security challenges, especially the menace of daylight and night Mobile Phone Armed Robbery within the eight Local Government Areas of the Kano Metropolis. At that time, there were daily reports of such cases, which in most cases resulted in fatalities and loss of valuable properties.
Having carefully studied the crime pattern, I started with robust community policing engagements with stakeholders such as the Military and other relevant Sister Security Agencies. The same was with the Judiciary, Traditional and Religious Institutions, Media practitioners, the Police Community Relation Committee (PCRC), Trade Unions, Market Unions, other non-state actors such as members of the Vigilante Groups of Nigeria (VGN), Hunters and relevant artisanal Associations, etc.
This police command strengthened the cordial working relationship with the Kano State Government. It continued adopting soft approaches, especially non-kinetic measures, towards addressing the menace of thuggery (Fadan Yan Daba), drug abuse (Kwaya) and related Social Vices.
They were following the employment of these crime escalation measures, which aligns with the directives of the Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on the adoption of Community Policing Strategy, a total of one hundred (100) violent behaviours youths commonly known as Yan Daba have changed their minds and repented. Interestingly, they all dropped their weapons and surrendered themselves to the Police Command.
They also promised that henceforth, they would never be involved in any criminal activities as they offered to work with the Police to realize and promote sustainable peace, economic growth and development in the State. Your Excellency, these categories of youths were accepted and profiled by the Police Command.
The command would forward their details to the State Government for the desired action. At this moment, however, one hundred (100) of them are presented for sighting by your Excellency.
Today, as we are together with these repentant youths and closely working together, we call on all societal sectors not to stigmatize them. Already, the Police Command, in conjunction with the Youth Society for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Social Vices (YOSPIS), jointly organized this Community Policing Friendly Football Games with some of them selected, and likewise, other relevant stakeholders, including the Tick-Tokers, Kannywood actors, NUJ, and YOSPIS in the 5-encounter football matches been played on each Wednesdays of the month of this August with the Final Edition been concluded today, Wednesday, August 30 2023.
This time, the state police command is proud to mention that DALA Hill, Bulukiya Makabarta, Filin Mahaha, Charanchi Mandawari, Gwale, Filin Dantata, Dorayi Karshen Waya and many other similar dens have been recaptured from their control.
These locations are now safe, and we have commenced discussions with the state government for the adoption of necessary measures, including dominating the places with government presence and implementing life-changing programs for the affected youths to prevent them from regrouping at the locations being used in the past and also a hideout for thuggery.
Therefore, there’s no longer a trace of ugly heads for inter and intra or ward-to-ward Fadan Daba has been embarked upon in the past by youthful exuberance or restiveness.
You will also recall that the Kano State Police Command had launched a search for three renowned criminals who are the kingpins behind terrorizing the State. One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) bounty was placed by the police command on each head.
The developing story is that one has since surrendered himself to the Police Command. Until this moment, the two are still on the run. Today, I have increased the bounty to five hundred thousand Naira (N500.000.00) per head for anyone or group of persons who can assist the Police Command with useful information that would lead to the arrest of these two remnants of notorious insecurity elements.
They are Abba Burakita of Dorayi Quarters and Hantar Daba of Kwanar Disu, all metropolis inhabitants.
Moreover, the unbeaten result in favour of the Police team (CP Boys) throughout the Novelty Foot Ball Match 5 encounter is a testimony that the Police in Kano State are agile, fit and ready to surmount all emerging crimes that can in any way pose security challenge in the State. For this reason, the Police Command is fully prepared and determined to play another novelty football encounter in a day to be decided soon with the Kano Pillars Football, FC.
By this declaration, our police team, popularly known as CP Boys, is daring and inviting the Kano Pillars team to come forward for the encounter.
Finally, I express my deepest appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf for his continued support to the Police Command and, most especially, finding time to attend this maiden event’s opening and closing ceremonies.
The same goes for our collaborator, the Youth Society for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Social Vices (YOSPIS), who have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of these Games.
I also appreciate all those who participated in the games, including the spectators, entertainers and the entire good people of Kano State, for their unrelenting support, understanding and cooperation. Largely, this police command will continue to look forward to meeting you in its subsequent interactions, particularly the ones in focus, including the near future Novelty Football Match with Kano Pillars FC.
