Tough times await bandits in Kano, Ganduje tells IGP

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has told the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali, that his administration is making forests in the state uninhabitable for bandits.

Speaking yesterday while receiving the IGP, who visited him at Government House, Kano, Ganduje promised not to give criminals breathing space in the state.

Few weeks ago, the government had raised the alarm over the influx of bandits in the Falgore forest and sought urgent military intervention to flush them out.

He informed the IGP that the government had established a military training ground in Falgore forest while a Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) project was ongoing in the Danshosiya forest, another dreaded forest, to fortify the state against external infiltration.

“Security challenges are now being extended to all forests in Nigeria. So we took stock of the forests we have in Kano. The major forest and one of those susceptible to security challenges include Danshosiya, which borders Kaduna State.

“That is where we established a RUGA project to settle all the herdsmen and improve their livelihoods by introducing milk production and husbandry. The RUGA will prevent crime or clashes between farmers and herdsmen. By so doing, we have fortified that forest and made it difficult for any bandit to live in,” he said.

Ganduje applauded the synergy existing among the security agencies in the state, which he said aided effective policing of the state.

“There is full synergy between the security agencies in Kano, which is very important. We have an expanded security outfit for the exchange of ideas, views and information, which is so vital for the management of security in the state,” he added.

Usman had commended Ganduje for his investment in security architecture with special attention to security agencies and modern equipment.

“Kano is one of the most peaceful states. It is not accidental, but the commitment from the government, people, security agencies, safety nets and Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) among others,” the IGP said.

However, at the Bompai police headquarters in the state, Usman urged his officers and men to act as professionals and change their attitude to work.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Commissioner of Police (CP), Sumaila Dikko, said the command was faced with challenges such as a shortage of manpower and operational vehicles to effectively police the state.

He said despite the challenges of the command under his watch, it succeeded in arresting two Boko Haram suspects, 49 kidnap suspects, 88 armed robbery suspects as well as rescued six kidnap victims and recovered 23 rifles, including one AK-49, two AK-47 and weapons.