From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
All heads of security formations in Kano met at the office of Kano state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, Wednesday afternoon, for an extraordinary emergency meeting centred on ways of guaranteeing security of expatriates in the ancient commercial city, in the wake of tales of kidnapping of foreigners resident in neighbouring states.
Our Correspondent gathered that the meeting was basically informed by recent security situation in the country, which has no doubt, triggered apprehension from expatriates resident in the state.
According to security sources who spoke to The AUTHORITY, “for the fact that Kano state has the highest number of foreign Nationals resident in the northern part of the country, there was need to take proactive measures to ensure and guarantee their safety.
“As you are aware, many of the expatriates in Kano establish and build their businesses here. They engage in industrials works, merchandise, construction work and big time businesses that contribute immensely to the economic growth of the state.
“So, in as much as we work tirelessly to ensure security of lives and property of Nigerians, there is need to give special attention to the security and safety of these expatriates; because many of them are willing to come to Kano for investment. So, we really have to work round the clock to encourage them and assure them if their safety.”
Another security Chief who confided in The AUTHORITY, cited recent cases of kidnapping of expatriates in some state, particularly, the abduction of a Chinese national by gun men in Niger state.
“You see, that very incident triggered apprehension among expatriates resident in the state. This is why we are meeting and we have assured them that we will do everything possible to guarantee their safety and protect their investments.”
Briefing journalists shortly after the meeting, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dikko, assured that there was no tension in the state, saying that the emergency meeting was part of precautionary measures being taking by security agencies in the state to ensure adequate protection of lives and property of residents.
According to him, already security chiefs in the state have held a meeting with the leader of the Chinese nationals in Kano, “and we have promised him that everything thing is under control. There is no need to panic as adequate measures have been taking to guarantee security of expatriates in the state.”
He further stated that, “I am happy that you are here. This afternoon, we had an emergency meeting involving all the heads of security agencies in Kano.
“Virtually all the heads of security agencies in the state attended the meeting. We appreciated all security agencies efforts in maintaining peace and order during the Sallah celebrations, as well as during the wedding ceremony of the son of the Minister of Justice.
“We reviewed the security situation in the state currently and observed that everywhere is calm. But that is not to say that we are relaxing. We have also prepared ourselves for any eventuality during the May 29 anniversary. It is not as if we are expecting any security breach, but we have decided to get prepared and take proactive measures to ensure that Kano remains safe and secured.”
The police boss further stated that, “here in Kano, we have over 5000 expatriates. We have more of Chinese people who are here in Kano for business and construction work. More expatriates are coming into the state. So, we are making arrangements to ensure their security.
“We have held meetings with the leader of Chinese people here in Kano and assured them if their security and safety.”
The Commissioner of Police, however, advised expatriates resident in Kano to remain security conscious and report any suspicious movement to security agencies.
The Police Chief also urged expatriates to stop unnecessary visitation, especially to unsecure and suspicious places.
“The expatriates, on arrival in the state, must register their presence with their association and must have proper immigration permit.
“The expatriates should always give maximum cooperation to the security agencies whenever the need arise in the cause of investigations,” he added.
The police boss, however, urged other expatriates to emulate the Chinese expatriates by forming a formidable association that will cater for the welfare of their members.
CP Dikko also spoke on the might of the police in Kano forestall eventual attack on their formations, as being recorded mostly in the southern part of the country, saying that, “here in Kano, we have made serious arrangements with sister-security agencies to make sure that we fortify and protect our formations.”
On the influx of illegal miners and herdsmen into the state, the police boss assured that there is no cause for alarm as measures have been taking to identify and flush out illegal migrants form the state.
“This morning (Wednesday morning), I had meetings with the leaders of Fulani in Kaduna, Jigawa and Katsina states. We agreed that any of the herders or miners who are coming into Kano must come with a letter of identity endorsed by their leaders.
“If we see you and you don’t have such identification, we send you back to where you are coming from. We are on alert and anybody coming into Kano unauthorized must be turned back.”
On the menace of hoodlums and miscreants popularly known as Yandaba in the state, CP Dikko said he has already given a standing order to arrest anybody carrying weapon on the street.
He added that, “even those selling such dangerous weapons to them will be arrested.
“We have decided to expand our anti-daba squad. We have only one office for them, but we have decided to open three more offices.
“We had about 50 officers and men, but right now, we are increasing the number. We are also involving the mobile police men to enable us add more manpower to the anti-daba squad.”
Among security chiefs who attended the emergency security meeting include the state Director of the Department of State Service (DSS); the Commander, 3 Mechanized Brigade, Nigeria Army (Bukavo Barracks); the state Commandant, Immigration; the state Commandant, Nigeria Air Force; the state Commander, Civil Defence; Road Safety; Prisons, among others.
