The Kano State Government has announced plans to grant amnesty to 1,600 repentant thugs under its “Safe Corridor” initiative. The program aims to address political thuggery and youth restiveness in the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiya, revealed that 718 youths have already been profiled, with an additional 960 awaiting police validation. The initiative is designed as a non-kinetic approach to tackle thuggery, rehabilitate affected youths, and reintegrate them into society.
Governor Abba Yusuf has pledged to grant amnesty to these individuals, allowing them to be free from past accusations and begin a new life. The program includes police profiling, drug testing by the NDLEA, rehabilitation, and eventual reintegration into society.
Some of the youths will be immediately engaged in employment, while others will undergo rehabilitation before reintegration. Traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and security agencies will monitor the program to ensure accountability and transparency.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu-Bakori, commended the initiative, describing it as a bold step to foster a safer and more harmonious Kano. He urged the youths to embrace the opportunity and turn away from crime, emphasizing that the government has provided them with a second chance through this program.
The Kano Hisbah commander-general, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, appealed to the beneficiaries to encourage others who have not yet surrendered to do so. He further urged the beneficiaries to provide credible information to security agencies that will lead to the arrest of drug peddlers in the state.
Buzun Kida, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, pledged that the era of thuggery in Kano was over. The event was attended by the commandant of NSCDC, NDLEA, traditional leaders, and other dignitaries and stakeholders.
This initiative reflects the state’s commitment to addressing the challenges of political thuggery and youth restiveness through rehabilitation and reintegration, rather than punitive measures.
