The Northern Youth Assembly (NYA) has commended the National Assembly for its approval of the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish State Police across Nigeria, describing the development as a landmark step toward addressing the country’s persistent security challenges.

In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Abdulhafiz Garba, the group said the overwhelming support for the bill by federal lawmakers reflects a growing national consensus on the need to strengthen security through a more decentralized and community-focused policing system.

According to the assembly, the endorsement of the bill by 289 legislators, with only four voting against it, demonstrates the urgency attached to security reforms and the recognition that local communities must play a more active role in maintaining peace and order.

The group noted that insecurity has remained one of the most pressing concerns across Northern Nigeria, where communities have grappled with banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, cattle rustling, and communal conflicts. These challenges, it said, have disrupted economic activities, displaced families, and undermined social stability across the region.

The NYA argued that while officers of the Nigeria Police Force have continued to make sacrifices in the line of duty, the existing centralized policing structure has struggled to adequately respond to the country’s complex and evolving security threats due to Nigeria’s vast population and geographical size.

It maintained that the creation of State Police would provide an additional layer of security by enabling state governments to establish law enforcement agencies capable of responding swiftly to local challenges while complementing federal security institutions.

The assembly highlighted intelligence gathering as one of the major advantages of the proposed reform. It explained that security personnel recruited from local communities would possess deeper knowledge of the language, culture, terrain, and social environment of their states, making it easier to detect criminal activities and prevent threats before they escalate.

The group further stated that decentralized policing would improve emergency response times, as state-controlled police formations would be able to act promptly without waiting for instructions from distant command structures.

Beyond security, the Northern Youth Assembly said the reform could create significant employment opportunities for young people. It noted that recruitment into state police services would provide jobs for thousands of youths while helping to reduce unemployment and strengthen community engagement.

According to the organization, improved security would also encourage investment, boost agricultural production, revive local economies, and facilitate safer movement of goods and people across Northern Nigeria.

The group pointed to several countries operating successful decentralized policing systems, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany. It argued that these examples demonstrate that state-based policing structures can coexist with federal law enforcement agencies without undermining national unity.

Rather than weakening the federation, the assembly said decentralized policing has proven effective in enhancing accountability, improving public safety, and ensuring more responsive governance in many democratic nations.

Describing the passage of the bill as a historic moment, the NYA said the reform offers renewed hope for communities affected by insecurity and represents a significant step toward building a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.

The organization pledged its continued support for policies aimed at promoting peace, security, youth empowerment, economic development, and national unity, while urging relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the proposed State Police framework once it becomes law.

By: Lamara Garba

The Kano State Government is considering plans to establish a state-owned airline as part of efforts to expand its economic base, enhance transportation services and create new sources of revenue for the state.

Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf disclosed this while addressing Kano pilgrims in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

According to the Governor, the proposal is informed by the strategic importance of the aviation industry in the global economy and its immense potential to contribute to the socio-economic development of Kano State.

“We are thinking of floating an airline company for the state, and this will help in flying the flag of our dear state as well as serving the interests of the people and the government of Kano,” Governor Yusuf stated.

The Governor explained that beyond its commercial value, a state-owned airline would provide Kano with greater flexibility in transportation planning, facilitate business activities and improve connectivity with other parts of Nigeria and the international community.

He noted that the aviation sector remains one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide, contributing significantly to trade, tourism, investment and job creation. According to him, Kano, being a historic commercial centre and one of the largest states in Nigeria, stands to benefit enormously from investments in air transportation.

Governor Yusuf further revealed that the proposed airline could, in the future, play a vital role in the transportation of pilgrims during Hajj and Umrah operations, reducing logistical challenges and ensuring more efficient service delivery for intending pilgrims from the state.

While appealing to Kano pilgrims currently in the Holy Land to remain calm and patient ahead of their return journey, the Governor assured them that adequate arrangements were being made to ensure a smooth and hitch-free airlift operation expected to commence on June 24.

“Our administration remains committed to exploring innovative ways of improving service delivery, creating employment opportunities and strengthening the economic foundations of Kano State. We believe that investments in strategic sectors such as aviation will open new windows of opportunity for our people and generate sustainable revenue for government,” he added.

Observers say the proposed airline project reflects the administration’s broader vision of transforming Kano into a modern economic hub capable of attracting investment, supporting commerce and enhancing the state’s competitiveness in an increasingly interconnected world.

The initiative, if successfully implemented, is expected to complement ongoing efforts by the administration in infrastructure development, commerce, education, healthcare and human capital development, while positioning Kano as a major player in Nigeria’s aviation and transportation industry.

Allegations of bias, abuse of authority, and denial of justice have sparked public concern in Kano State following complaints surrounding the detention of a young girl in a case handled by a Hisbah Court.

The controversy has generated widespread debate, with concerned citizens calling on relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case and establish the facts.

According to reports, the matter originated from a dispute involving two women, which eventually attracted the attention of law enforcement authorities. However, despite indications that the parties involved were willing to reconcile, allegations emerged that efforts were made to pursue the case aggressively against one of the parties.

Reports cited by local sources alleged that a former judge, identified as Idris Yahya, popularly known as “Mai Hannu Daya,” may have influenced the handling of the matter. Complainants claimed that arrangements were allegedly made before the girl’s appearance in court to ensure that she would be remanded in custody.

The allegations have raised questions about whether personal connections or undue influence played a role in the judicial process.

According to members of the girl’s family, she was remanded in a correctional facility shortly after being arraigned before the Hisbah Court despite her young age. They alleged that repeated efforts to secure her release on bail were unsuccessful, as requests for bail were reportedly denied.

The family further claimed that after the court resumed from a weekend break, the girl was returned to custody and spent additional days in detention before bail was eventually granted.

The development has left the family distressed, with relatives arguing that the treatment meted out to the girl was excessive considering the nature of the dispute.

Legal observers have warned that if the allegations are proven, the case could raise serious concerns about public confidence in the justice system.

According to them, one of the greatest threats to the rule of law is the perception that influential individuals can affect judicial outcomes while vulnerable citizens are denied fair treatment.

Some commentators also argued that the matter extends beyond a simple disagreement between individuals, touching on the credibility of institutions entrusted with protecting the rights of citizens.

They stressed that whenever allegations emerge suggesting that powerful individuals may have influenced judicial proceedings, authorities have a responsibility to conduct transparent investigations to dispel doubts and maintain public trust.

Legal analysts and concerned residents have therefore called on the Kano State Government and relevant judicial authorities to launch an independent investigation into the case.

They said the public deserves to know whether due process was followed and whether the detention of the young girl complied with established legal procedures and principles of justice.

The complainants maintained that failure to address the allegations could reinforce perceptions that ordinary citizens do not enjoy equal treatment under the law.

They further argued that anyone found to have abused public office, manipulated judicial processes, or used their position to oppress vulnerable individuals should be held accountable in accordance with the law.