In a bold step to tackle the rising menace of phone snatching, drug abuse, political thuggery, and other criminal activities across Kano State, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has reiterated the commitment of the Kano State Government to building strong partnerships with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as critical allies in restoring security and social order.
This was conveyed in a statement signed by the Director Special Duties, Sani Abba Yola, on behalf of the Ministry. The Commissioner spoke during a one-day Stakeholders’ Engagement with CSOs held at the Mambayya House, noting that the meeting came at a time when Kano is grappling with increased reports of violent crimes, especially phone snatching and street thuggery perpetrated by youth under the influence of drugs and frustration.
“These acts are gradually eroding public confidence, discouraging mobility, affecting school attendance, and ultimately threatening the socioeconomic future of our state,” the statement added. “We are not here to point accusing fingers, but to collectively chart a proactive and community-driven way forward.”
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Waiya disclosed that the government has designed a strategic initiative known as the “Safe Corridor,” aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity and youth restiveness in the state.
“The government believes that lasting solutions can only be achieved through inclusive dialogue and collaboration. That is why we have convened this important engagement with civil society actors who remain closest to the grassroots and understand the real pulse of our communities,” the Commissioner said.
During the interactive session, participants drawn from over 75 Civil Society Organizations identified key root causes behind the growing wave of insecurity. These include family instability, declining parental responsibility, widespread lack of youth empowerment, and the scourge of drug addiction. They also cited religious and cultural decline, weakened community vigilance structures, and gaps in law enforcement as critical challenges requiring urgent, holistic action.
As part of the way forward, participants recommended a range of people-centered interventions. These include parental and family reorientation, revitalization of rehabilitation centers for victims of substance abuse, and the creation of toll-free hotlines for anonymous reporting of criminal hideouts. Other proposals centered on intelligence-led security operations, public sensitization through drama, community media, and influencers, as well as stronger collaboration with religious institutions to reinforce moral and ethical values.
