Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has launched the pioneer batch of Neighbourhood Watch, a community security architecture to fight the rising incursion of criminals in the state.

Besides, Governor Yusuf believes the establishment of state policing to pave ways for community participation in security architecture remains the antidote to insecurity.

Yusuf spoke at the passing-out parade of the 2,000 young men and women newly recruited to serve as intelligence agents and community security guides across the state.

The Governor explained that the community forces, which were tasked to provide vigilance and rapid response capability, insisted the conventional security forces need partners who know the terrain to end insecurity in Kano.

Although the Governor reminded that the neighbourhood watch was established to complement activities of the conventional security forces, he called for synergy between the state and Federal agencies to end the menace of bandits.

He affirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to join forces with Northwestern states to develop joint strategies on coordinated border operations and shared intelligence frameworks to address cross-border threats.

Beyond the provision of community policing, Yusuf disclosed that the establishment of the neighbourhood watch has enabled the provision of careers and means of earning livelihoods to the 2,000 youths.

According to him, “Our administration operates on a core philosophy that lasting peace is built on a foundation of security and opportunity. We cannot have one without the other. An idle mind is vulnerable to manipulation, but an engaged, employed, and educated youth is a fortress against the tides of violence and criminality.

“The establishment of the neighbourhood comes with due strategy. Firstly, to make Kano safer. We are prioritising our community security approach to decisively confront the security challenges threatening our borderlands.

Secondly, it provides dignity and power.
“With the graduation of over 2,000 of you today, we have formally taken over 2,000 young men and women off the streets and placed them onto the front lines of civil service. You are not just securing your communities, you are building a career, earning a livelihood, and becoming role models for the next generation by the grace of Allah,” Yusuf said.

The Governor subsequently unveiled 88 vehicles and 440 motorcycles for the operation of the neighbourhood watch.