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Kano Profiles 718 Political Thugs in Fight Against Phone Snatching — Commissioner Waiya

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In a renewed effort to curb the alarming surge in phone snatching and related criminal activities, the Kano State Government has announced that 718 political thugs have been profiled through its “Operation Safe Corridor” initiative. This move, officials say, is a key component of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration’s strategy to tackle insecurity in the state.

This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Waiya, during a one day stakeholder engagement meeting held in Kano between Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the state government. The event focused on addressing phone snatching, insecurity, and related challenges as part of broader efforts to promote socio-economic development held at the conference hall of the ministry of Transport.

In his presentation titled “Insecurity Around Phone Snatching and Theft: The Role of Civil Society,” Comrade Waiya lamented the rise of street thuggery and resurgence of the “Yan Daba” phenomenon within Kano’s urban areas. He said, “The issue started under the previous administration and has now grown into a serious social crisis we are currently battling.”

Commissioner Waiya addressing the Press during the session

Commissioner Waiya addressing the Press during the session

The commissioner explained that the state government recognizes the vital role of civil society in reversing this trend and has consequently approved consistent engagement with CSOs, particularly those focusing on security and community development.

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He also criticized the former administration, accusing it of institutionalizing thuggery by empowering political miscreants. “The past government did not only tolerate the menace but gave it structural backing. We are now left to clean up the mess,” Waiya remarked.

According to the commissioner, the current administration has taken bold steps by establishing the “Safe Corridor” to engage with repentant political thugs and reintegrate them into society. “We don’t just arrest or prosecute; we engage them, understand their motivations, and get them to key into peace building processes,” he added.

He emphasized that the collaboration with civil society is not intended to politicize their activities but to work together in finding a sustainable solution. “Phone snatching has become a critical issue, and the government is keen on tackling it from its roots,” Waiya affirmed.

Highlighting the government’s institutional commitment, he revealed that two top officials are actively overseeing the program the Commissioner of Internal Security and the Director General of Special Services. “Their roles are to ensure that this operation is not cosmetic but delivers concrete security outcomes,” he noted.

Speaking at the event, Hassan Ibrahim Gama of the Patriotic Forum, a Kano-based CSO, echoed the need for collaboration between the government and enlightened segments of society. “No society can develop without the informed contributions of its civil population. Our involvement is crucial,” he said.

He also pointed out that phone snatching is only one of the vices troubling Kano, stressing the need for holistic approaches that tackle youth unemployment, drug abuse, and poor urban planning, which he said contribute to criminal behavior.

Also contributing, Rakiya Abba Tahula of the Interfaith Peace Foundation called for empowering local leadership structures to participate in the fight against phone snatching. “Those committing these crimes live among us. Empowering ward heads (masu unguwanni) with legislative support will enhance community policing efforts,” she said.

Rakiya noted that traditional leaders are closest to the grassroots and can play a significant role in identifying and curbing criminal tendencies among youth. “We need to return to neighborhood accountability where every stranger or deviant is known and addressed,” she urged.

The stakeholder meeting concluded with a collective commitment by government officials and civil society actors to continue working together in fostering a safer Kano through structured engagements, community empowerment, and rehabilitation of vulnerable youth.

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BIKOBA Mourns EX-NFA Chairman, Ibrahim Galadima

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The leadership, and the entire members of Birnin-Kudu Old Boys Association (BIKOBA) mourn the passing of the former president of the Association, and former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, who died Saturday, the 18th of April 2026, after a protracted illness.

Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, who died at the age of 78, was the fourth president of BIKOBA, having served two consecutive terms between 1993-1997, and being a member of ’71 class chapter of the Association.

Remarking on the passing of the elderstateman, President of BIKOBA, Alhaji Ja’afar Usman Muhammad (Turakin Gaya), described him as an astute football administrator and one of the most influential figures in Nigerian sports.
He said, after diligently serving BIKOBA as it’s fourth president, late Ibrahim Galadima had also served in various capacities at national and sub-national levels, as one time Commissioner of Information, Kano State while noting that his tenure as Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (2002–2006), was full of success stories, culminating to the growth and develpoment of sporting sub sector in Nigeria.

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He similarly served with distinction as the Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, where he played a vital role in promoting sports at both grassroots and elite levels, said BIKOBA President.

“Being one of the founding fathers of Kano Pillars FC, late Galadima also laid a solid foundation for the club’s growth into a dominant force in Nigerian football, adding that, his legacy, leadership, and passion for the game will continue to be remembered in the history of the club”

The president, on behalf of the executive committee and entire members of BIKOBA, extends heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, his friends, the government, the good people of Kano State, as well as the entire Nigerian football community over the irreparable loss.

In a statement signed by National publicity secretary of the association Malam Mahmud Ibrahim Kwari said BIKOBA also prays that Almighty Allah grants late Ibrahim Galadima Aljannatul Firdaus, Ameen.

 

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President Tinubu Counters Police Academy in Kano, Establishes New Campus in Ogun

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area in Ogun State.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President,
Information & Strategy, says President Tinubu also approved a special take-off grant of N15billion for the college.

The President’s approval was in fulfilment of the provisions of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, particularly with respect to the expansion of the Police Academy based in Wudil, Kano state, into multiple campuses across the country.

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The intervention fund will be sourced from the TetFund 2026 allocation to finance priority infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and core training assets.

A high-level consultative meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) recommended the siting of the new campus in Erinja.

The meeting considered student intake capacity, funding realities, academic quality assurance, and the long-term needs of the Nigerian Police Force, which is currently recruiting more men.

President Tinubu believes the expansion will strengthen institutional governance, modern policing education and national security.

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Retired Police Storm Villa Gate, Call Contributory Pension Scheme a ‘Killer Disease’

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Retired police personnel and their families, under the umbrella of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, on Monday blocked one of the gates of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in protest.

The retirees are demanding the removal of the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme, which they described as “fraudulent, illegal, inhumane and obnoxious.”

Protesters carried placards reading “End CPS,” “If military, DSS were removed from PENCOM, why not police?” while many were chanting, “Police dey work, PenCom dey chop.”

They said the protest was aimed at urging President Bola Tinubu to assent to the Police Exit Bill passed by the National Assembly on December 4, 2025, and transmitted to the Presidency on March 16, 2026.

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According to them, the bill, if signed into law, would exempt police personnel from what they called a “slavery and untimely death-inducing pension scheme.”

Speaking in a video of the protest posted by Channels Television, a retired ASP, Nurudeen Dahiru, said, “We are not begging anybody. We have come to fight for our rights. We have suffered.

“We are not here to fight anybody. We are just here to demand for our rights. We have served for 35 years.

“According to the Constitution of the country, when you serve your country for 35 years, you should go home and rest. But see us suffering now. We are not able to take care of our children.

“We have no food to eat. We are dying. Silent killing. So this contributory pension scheme is a killer disease. 35 years is not easy. We are not here to fight anybody.”

Another retired officer said, “We don’t have anything to train them. As I retired 20 years ago, how much are they paying me?

“It is 24,000 that I am paying you because I retired with the inspector. So they have to sign our bill and give us all our money.

“So that somebody can use it for something. You can buy a house. And then now we don’t have a house.

“How can an ASP, a DSP, a CP retire and they are paying him how much? No, no, no. Enough is enough. It is a do or die. Even if some people are killed today, others are coming.”

Speaking to reporters, the National Coordinator of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, CSP Raphael Irowainu (retd), who led the protest, said the group was at the Villa to press for the President’s assent to the bill exiting the police from the CPS.

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