As parts of initiative aimed at addressing political thuggery and youth restiveness in Kano State, the state government on Wednesday, 20 August, 2025 announced plans to grant amnesty to no fewer than 718 repentant thugs currently being profiled under its “safe corridor” programme, reports thegazellenews.com
The state Commissioner for Information and Internal affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiya, made this disclosure while speaking at the inauguration of the programme at the police command headquarters in Kano on Wednesday, 20 August, 2025.
Abdullahi-Waiya, who disclosed that 718 youths had so far been profiled, while an additional 960 names were awaiting police validation before being enrolled into the programme, added that initiative was designed as a deliberate non-kinetic approach to tackle thuggery, rehabilitate affected youths and reintegrate them into society.
“After profiling by the police and drug testing by the NDLEA, the repentant youths will undergo rehabilitation.
“Gov. Kabir-Yusuf has pledged to grant them amnesty so they can be free from past accusations and begin a new life,” he said, adding that some of the youths would be immediately engaged in employment, while others would undergo rehabilitation before reintegration into society,” he said
According to the Commissioner, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and security agencies would monitor the programme to ensure accountability and transparency.
Speaking at the event, the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu-Bakori, commended the initiative, describing it as a bold step to foster a safer and more harmonious Kano and urged the youths to embrace the opportunity and turn away from crime.
“To our youths, especially those involved in Daba (thuggery), I appeal to you to repent, lay down your arms and embrace peace.
“The government has provided you with a second chance through this programme,” he said.
Mr Adamu-Bakori also urge stakeholders, community and religious leaders to intensify their efforts in sensitising youth on the dangers of violence, crime, and other antisocial behaviours.
In his own remark at the ceremony, the Kano Hisbah commander-general, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, appealed to the beneficiaries to encourage others who were yet to surrender to do so.
Daurawa appealed to the beneficiaries to provide credible information to security agencies that will lead to the arrest of drug peddlers in the state, adding that the board would look into the possibility of allocating mass wedding slots to them, if they proved to be good ambassadors.
Buzun Kida, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, pledged that the era of thuggery in Kano was over.
