Katsina State Police Force Command has ordered its officers to use any legal means, including use of weapons, to check activities of kaurayes in the state capital and its environs.

Kauraye is akin to Area boys in Lagos State, who commit acts of hooliganism, often under the influence of drugs.

The Command also ordered its personnel to use the same strategy to quickly address rising cases of phone snatching, especially in the metropolitan area of the state.

The Guardian learnt that the hoodlums have in recent times been snatching phones from residents, after attacking them with knives and other dangerous weapons.

During the Sallah break, scores of people were robbed of their phones and other belongings.

One of the victims and the state correspondent of the Punch newspaper lost his phone to three youths riding on a tricycle.

Spokesperson for the Command, Gambo Isah said police personnel have been ordered to go into homes where suspected phone snatchers had escaped into, with the view to arresting them.

Isah also stressed that personnel had been authorised to use firearms in cases where offenders were found to be using weapons to attack citizens, or the police officers on duty.

He said:  “Snatching phones through the use of weapons is armed robbery, Nigeria Police Force will not fold its arms and watch disgruntled elements taking advantage of our citizens and robbing them of their handsets.

“Any violent act will certainly attract the same. We will use all our available powers including the use of lethal weapons in protecting the good of the state.

“We will not relent in our efforts in securing the state. The men have been fully briefed to deal decisively with any armed robbery gang found terrorising the good people of the state.”