Kano Seeks Stronger Military Presence In LGAs Hit By Insecurity

The Kano State Government has moved to strengthen security in local government areas affected by emerging security threats, with plans to support the establishment of additional military formations by the Federal Government and deploy forest guards to vulnerable communities.

The decision followed a meeting between Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the chairmen of the 44 local government areas in the state, during which discussions focused on security, infrastructure, healthcare, and grassroots development.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Muhammed Tajo Othman, disclosed the resolutions during a briefing to journalists after the meeting.

The Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, the commissioner and the state Accountant-General were also in attendance.

According to the state government, the proposed strengthening of military presence in areas facing security challenges followed discussions between Governor Yusuf and the Minister of Defence.

While the state government does not have constitutional authority to establish or control military bases, the resolutions indicate that Kano intends to work with the Federal Government and security agencies to strengthen the military presence in vulnerable areas.

The planned deployment of forest guards is also expected to complement the activities of federal security agencies, particularly in remote communities and forest areas that may be difficult for conventional security personnel to patrol regularly.

The move comes amid growing concerns about the spread of insecurity across parts of northern Nigeria.

Although Kano has largely avoided the scale of banditry and mass kidnappings recorded in some neighbouring states, including Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara, concerns have grown over the possibility of criminal networks and armed groups extending their operations into new areas.

The state government said the proposed security arrangement would complement the existing architecture involving the Nigeria Police Force and neighbourhood security structures, with the aim of improving intelligence gathering, rapid response and the protection of lives and property.

Beyond security, the meeting also approved a number of development initiatives across the state’s 44 local government areas.

The government said Computer-Based Test (CBT) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres would be established in each of the 44 local government areas.

According to the resolutions, contracts for the projects have already been awarded, while construction is expected to begin immediately.

In the health sector, the state government resolved to provide a rural ambulance to every ward in Kano State to improve access to emergency healthcare and other essential medical services.

Two drivers are to be employed for each ambulance, with preference given to qualified residents of the communities where the vehicles will be deployed.

The government also approved the installation of electric vehicle charging points at strategic locations within the Kano metropolis as a pilot scheme, which could be expanded to other areas of the state depending on its performance.

Similarly, solar-powered streetlights are expected to be installed across the 44 local government areas.

The government said the streetlighting initiative would improve public safety, enhance visibility at night and contribute to sustainable development.

On human capital and grassroots administration, the meeting resolved to appoint 50 special reporters for each local government area and 35 advisers to each local government chairman.

The government said 15 of the advisory positions would be allocated to members of the former APC structure as part of efforts to broaden grassroots participation and strengthen communication and administration at the local level.

The state and local governments also agreed that the new monthly women empowerment programme should commence without delay.

The initiative is expected to promote economic independence, self-reliance and improved livelihoods among women across the state.

At the end of the meeting, the Kano State Government and the 44 local government councils reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening security, improving infrastructure, and expanding social and economic development at the grassroots level.

Relevant ministries, departments and agencies, as well as local government councils and other stakeholders, were directed to begin implementing the resolutions.

The security component of the resolutions is expected to depend largely on continued collaboration between Kano State and the Federal Government, which retains constitutional control over the Nigerian Armed Forces, including decisions on the establishment and deployment of military formations nationwide.

 Vigilante Killed As Bandits Attack Kano Village

A vigilante has been killed and a resident abducted after bandits attacked Dakwara village in Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State in the early hours of Tuesday.

The attackers reportedly stormed the community at about 4am, shooting sporadically and demanding motorcycles, according to the village head, Usman Ibrahim.

Ibrahim said Abdulmuminu Bichila, a vigilante, was shot dead while attempting to rescue a boy who had been seized by the bandits.

“They killed Abdulmuminu Bichila, a vigilante who tried to rescue a boy they had seized. The boy managed to escape, but the vigilante was shot dead,” he said.

The village head said the attackers first robbed a man of his motorcycle before proceeding to Dakwara.

They later moved to the nearby village of Kadanyar Sallau, where they seized two more motorcycles before fleeing the area.

Ibrahim added that the bandits also abducted a man from Getso town in Gwarzo, although the victim was not taken through Dakwara.

Residents later received reports that the abducted man had been rescued following a clash between security forces and the bandits in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Some of the attackers were reportedly killed during the confrontation, while the stolen motorcycles were recovered.

According to Ibrahim, the attackers came from the eastern axis of Gwarzo towards Kutama, a community close to the Katsina border.

“Most of them were Fulani from Katsina, not Kano. This was the first time they attacked our town, though they had previously struck other parts of Gwarzo like Lakwaya, Rugoji, Gangara and Kutama,” he said.

He said Dakwara is about six kilometres from Gwarzo town and roughly the same distance from Kutama, leaving the community exposed to attacks from across the state border.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Army’s 3rd Brigade in Kano, Capt. Zubairu Babatunde said the military was not aware of the attack.

The latest incident comes amid recurring bandit attacks in parts of Kano State, particularly communities close to the borders with Katsina and Kaduna states.

Residents have continued to call for an increased security presence in the affected areas to prevent further attacks and protect vulnerable border communities.