From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman on Wednesday, appealed to governors across the country to copy from the security initiative and strategy put in place by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, which has gained Kano the status of the most peaceful state in the country, despite its peculiarities as the most populous state and the commercial nerve centre of the North.
IGP Usman who paid a courtesy visit to Ganduje shortly after lecture/interactive session with officers and men at the Bompai Headquarters of Kano state police Command, also admired the roles being played by the Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) in controlling traffic flow and saving lives across the busy roads of Kano.
According to him, “I have already seen that Kano state is going e-policing and this is very commendable. your Excellency, I am here to say thank you very much. The people of Kano should be proud of you.
“Your community policing strategy has added value to the discharge of our responsibilities. It has also added 744 personnel to our manpower in the state.
“Here in Kano, I have seen community policing in action. I have seen community participation in action, I have also seen the government in action.
“I listened to the welcome address by the Commissioner of Police, and I have come here to appreciate what you (Governor Ganduje) have been doing for the police.
Investment in security does not give dividends in Naira and Kobo. If you spend N100 million today, you will still spend N100 million tomorrow on security.”
While speaking at the state police Command, IGP Usman who acknowledged the fact that the 7, 041 officers and men of the Command are not enough for Kano considering the population strength of the state,, urged the Command’s management team to make judicious use of the available manpower, instruments and logistics available to them, arguing that even if another 7,000 police men are deployed to Kano, it may still not be enough to govern the state.
He, however, pointed out that, “Kano state police Command is one of the most strategic commands in Nigeria because of its status in commercial activities.
“I a happy to hear that Kano is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. I am happy to hear that there is synergy between the police and sister security agencies.
“I am also happy to hear that the state government is doing a lot to support the police. I am also very happy to hear about the numerous achievements the Command has recorded so far.”
He further stated that, “I know you have some challenges, but don’t allow the challenges to bring you down. There must be challenges. Challenges are welcome, but they are summountable.
“Let us commit ourselves to policing job. Let us act professionally. Let us change our attitude towards work so that we will achieve what we want.
“Officers and men should make sacrifices. Improve yourself. Attend courses and lectures. I have directed DPOs to embark on constant lecturing, training and re-training of officers.
Keep yourself abreast with modern policing techniques, engage in democracy policing and always ensure the protection of human rights.”
In his remarks at Government House during th courtesy call, Governor Ganduje congratulated the IGP to have emerged the number one police man in the country.
He added that, “since you assumed duty, we have seen new strategy in tackling security situation; we have also seen new zeal. You are welcome to Kano. Immediate you arrived Kano, we know that security has met security.
“As I have been saying, we have full cooperation, full synergy involving the police, DSS, Army, Civil Defence, Customs, NDLEA, Air Force, KAROTA and other security agencies.
“We have expanded security formations in the area of sharing ideas and intelligence among security agencies.
“We have five levels of community policing which are all working together to yield desired results. We have the village committee, the Ward committee, the Local Government Committee, the Zonal committee and the state committee.
“Since crime in Nigeria has gone to the next level, our strategies in fighting crime has also gone to the next level. We have the optic fibre, we have the tracker vehicle. We also built security dormitories at all entry points in Kano. We have the joint taskforce working 24 hours.
Ganduje added that security challenges in recent times have shifted to Kano forests, adding that the state government has also taken urgent steps with the establishment of RUGA and military training base in those forests, which could have been potential haven for bandits.
In his welcome address, Kano state Commissioner of Police, Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko told the IGP that in fighting crime and criminal activities in the state, “we intensify community engagements, incorporate visibility and intelligence-led policing, clearance operations in Falgore and Dansoshiya Forests, adherence to the ethics of the Force, Rapid respond to distress calls and synergy with sister security agencies.”
He further stated that, “the Command makes use of an open-door approach for an unhindered and timely flow of information from the public. We worked harmoniously with our Community Policing Stakeholders including; the Government, Traditional Rulers, Religions Leaders, the Media, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Civil Liberty Organizations (CLOs), Youth Organizations, Students Unions, etc, with the intention of ensuring Public Safety and good orderliness in the State. These led to the serene and peaceful atmosphere in Kano State.”
He also enumerated the achievements of the Command to include the arrest of two Boko Haram suspects, 88 armed robbery suspects, 49 kidnapping suspects, 36 suspected fraudsters, 35 drug dealers, 29 motor vehicles and 17 tricycles thieves.
He listed others arrested to include 469 thugs (‘Yan Daba), eight phone snatchers, while the police rescued six kidnapped victims, two victims of solitary confinement.
He said the Command also recovered 23 rifles including one AK-49 Rifle, two AK-47, five pistols and 15 locally made guns, 26 motor vehicles, 19 tricycles, 15 motorcycles, 317 knives, 998 packets of Tramadol valued at N28,500,000.00, 14 cartons of fake drugs valued N2,400,000.00k, 13 bags, 217 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp valued N12,119,000.00, 57 cartons of expired Diclofenac Tabs, 243 mobile phones, 718 SIM Cards, two Solar Panels, one iPhone S.H Valued N450,000.00.
Among top police officers who accompanied the IGP to Kano include DIG David Oyebanji Folawiyo in charge of Information, Communication Technology (ICT); AIG Sadiq A. Bello in charge of Zone 1; AIG Habu A. Sani in charge of Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB); CP (Dr.) Olubunmi Ayolabi Ogunsanwo, Force Medical Officer; CP Frank Mbah, Force Public Relations Officer.
