From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, in charge of Zone 2, Ahmed Iliyasu, at the weekend, credited his success story as Kano state Commissioner of Police to his exploits in intelligence-led policing, community policing, use of new technologies and respect to human rights.
Iliyasu who is the immediate-past Commissioner of Police in Kano state, stated this during a colourful send-forth party organized in his honour by the management, men and officers of Kano state Police Command.
The Police boss who was recently promoted to the rank of AIG and redeployed to man Zone 2 was also hosted to a dinner by the Citizens Forum in collaboration with the Kano State Government and Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), at Meena Events Centre, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano.
The elaborate Send Forth Dinner attracted many security agencies and politicians with different political party affiliation.
He described Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as one of the pillars of modern community policing.
Iliyasu who urged other state Governors to copy Ganduje in modern policing strategy, also rate Ganduje as a foremost peace ambasaador.
He said he was impressed by the undoubdting and unrelenting commitment of Ganduje in the security of Kano state and the genuine application of modern strategies in terms of intelligence gathering and use of Information Technology (IT).
Also, another police boss, AIG Rabi’u Yusuf who was a former Commissioner of Police in Kano corroborated AIG Iliyasu’s viewpoint.
AIG Iliyasu stated that, “in the face of recent and lingering security challenges being faced across some states in the federation, including states that are neighbours of Kano, Governor Ganduje finds it extremely important and necessary to come up with an effective and efficient security architecture that fruited into the peace the state is enjoying today. His is superb. Other states need to copy from Kano state.
“Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has the concern for national security in his heart. This, I can say anywhere without fear of mincing words. The security architecture he created is superb. That is why Kano is most peaceful state in the country.
“Your unprecedented effort in the security of your people is encouraging and superb also. People of Kano state recognize the importance of national security. I therefore feel honoured to be associated with the people of Kano state.
“With the new security structures in place by Governor Ganduje, the security of policing is becoming closer to the people, with their good cooperation.”
Also speaking, AIG Yusuf, noted that, “Ganduje is the most peaceful Governor in the country. You can all believe with me if I briefed you about the good work this gentleman did to the Nigeria Police Force. And I am sure he will continue doing that.
“During my stay in Kano Command as Commissioner of Police and after, His Excellency governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje constructed and helped in the rehabilitation of many Police Divisional stations. Not only that, he also constructed Zonal offices, among many other feats he achieved.”
In his remarks Ganduje said, “Kano state has a solid foundation for the security architecture in the state. I am favourably citing the promoted AIGs for being the foundation upon which our strength in the security system depends. These gentlemen are indeed the foundation of our security architecture.”
“We have a well coordinated and well blended security networking in the state security system. I want assure all that there is good synergy among all our security agencies. Ours is to create enabling environment. We liaise with all the security agencies in the state. We meet frequently with all the security agencies. We exchange ideas. Then we employ the services of Information Technology (IT).”
He revealed that the State Command and Control Centre in the state, was mooted out during the time of AIG Rabi’u when he was the Commissioner of Police in the state, adding that, “with this Centre, we are able to communicate with all security agencies in the state and beyond.
“The popular Falgore forest that was known for all criminalities, has now become Army Training ground. I requested from the President that we were ready to give the forest for Military training. Of which he graciously accepted.
“As I speak to you now, we have put some structures there and the issue of armed robbery, cattle rustling and other forms of criminality are history. With our Control Centre cited at the Police Headquarters here in Kano, Falgore forest can be zoomed from there.”
He further stated that he introduced the RUGA settlement at Dan Soshiya forest to squarely address the issue of farmers/herders clashes, cattle rustling among others, disclosing that, “in order to tackle security very well, we give preference to community policing. That is why we are organising a Summit for community policing very soon.”
He added that, all the feats achieved in the security of the state, was not by accident, but by design, planning and committed resources.
In his remarks the Emir of Bichi, Aminu Ado Bayero, commended the State Government for being serious about the security of the state, while calling on people to always cooperate with the security agencies in taming all types of crime and criminality in the state and the country, at large.
However, while addressing men and officers at Kano state Police Command headquarters, AIG Iliyasu, described the state Commissioner of Police, Habu A. Sani as a professional crime buster who has worked with him in different capacities and proved his onions.
He said his greatest joy was that CP Habu was building on the good legacies he left behind.
According to him, “I can say that O can rely on CP Habu because we have worked together and we are still working together as brothers.
“I can not talk about the successes we recorded in Kano without mentioning the Command’s Management Team, the Area Commanders, the DPOs, and indeed, all the officers and men of the Command.
“They were and still remain my friends. I came into Kano when the state was very volatile. The state was coming out from an inconclusive election, there were other challenges, but you helped me to summount
them all.
“I appreciate you for giving me the energy to put up the security architecture that is working today.”
CP Habu in his brief remarks described the occasion as historic, adding that, “going by the performance and track record of AIG Iliyasu, we were not surprised when he was promoted and asked to man Zone 2 which I can describe as a mini-Nigeria.
“I make bold to say that officers and men of this Command realize and appreciate his hood works here. This is why without even notifying him, they organized this surprising that Send-Forth ceremony just to appreciate AIG Iliyasu.”
Kano state Police Command also presented a gigantic and beautiful gift to AIG Iliyasu.
According to the chairman Organizing Committee, ACP Aminu Gusau, “we are presenting this small token to you just to say thank you for all the good things you did for the welfare of men and officers of the Command and development of Kano state Police Command.
“No matter how small it is, take it from us; and always keep it by your side in remembrance of men and officers of this Command who worked with you, and who will still work with you in future.”
