By Umar Idris Shuaibu, Kano
Abba Kabir Yusuf has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the Department of State Services for what he described as sustained efforts toward improving security across the Northwest and the country at large.
The governor gave the commendation on Thursday while declaring open the Northwest State Directors of Security Services Zonal Conference held in Kano. The conference brought together delegates from Katsina, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states to deliberate on regional security challenges and strengthen inter-agency collaboration.
Governor Yusuf described the gathering as a critical platform for security stakeholders to exchange operational experiences and develop coordinated responses to emerging threats confronting the region. He noted that Kano, as the most populous and cosmopolitan state in the Northwest, places high priority on security and peaceful coexistence.
“Kano has always placed the highest priority on security. Challenges faced by our sister states inevitably affect us because criminal activities cannot be confined by borders,” the governor stated.
He cited the recent abduction of the Secretary of Kibiya Local Government Area, Alhaji Hamza Musa Durba, as one of the growing security concerns in the region, revealing that intelligence-led operations by security agencies led to the rescue of the victim and arrest of suspects on March 26, 2026.
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The governor praised the DSS and other intelligence agencies for what he described as professionalism and swift response in tackling insecurity, while also acknowledging the support of the Federal Government under President Tinubu in strengthening efforts to protect lives and property.
According to him, the Kano State Government has continued to invest in security infrastructure and logistics support for security agencies operating in the state, including the provision of operational equipment to the DSS.
Governor Yusuf further noted that despite the numerous security challenges facing the Northwest including banditry, farmers-herders clashes, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and activities of street miscreants, Kano has remained relatively peaceful due to effective collaboration among security agencies.
“I must commend the Kano State Command of the DSS for its proactive role in containing these threats and for working closely with sister security agencies to safeguard our people,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Kano State Director of the DSS, Hussaini Abubakar, said the conference was organised to address security issues peculiar to the Northwest and improve synergy among security agencies.
He identified banditry, illegal mining, sabotage of national assets, cyber-related crimes, and divisive campaigns as major threats confronting the region, stressing that the DSS has continued tactical operations aimed at neutralising such challenges.
Also speaking, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Bakori, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police Lawal Mani, disclosed that Kano recently recorded infiltration attempts by bandits operating along the Kano-Kaduna-Katsina border corridors. He, however, attributed the relative peace in the state to strong cooperation between the police, DSS, and other security agencies.
In a goodwill message, the Director of Special Services, Kano State Government, retired Major General Muhammad Sani, described the conference as timely, noting that the Northwest continues to grapple with banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes, and urban crime worsened by poverty, unemployment, and climate-related pressures.
“True security is more than the absence of violence. It is the presence of order, trust and justice,” he said, urging security agencies to deepen intelligence sharing, proactive operations, and collaboration with local communities.
The conference is expected to generate practical strategies aimed at strengthening peace, stability, and socio-economic development across the Northwest region and Nigeria as a whole.