The Kano State Government says it is preparing to grant amnesty to repentant thugs who have surrendered under its new Safe Corridor initiative.
Commissioner for Information Ibrahim Waiya, speaking at the flag-off of the profiling exercise on Monday, said 718 individuals had already been documented, while another 960 were awaiting profiling after laying down their arms.
The programme, introduced by Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration, aims to address the menace of thuggery through rehabilitation and reintegration rather than punitive measures.
“Governor Abba Yusuf is deeply concerned about the thuggery menace because it tarnishes the image of the state,” Waiya said. “By engaging these youths through a non-kinetic approach, we believe we can contain the problem and make thuggery history by the end of this administration.”
He explained that the process would involve profiling by the police, drug testing by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, rehabilitation, and eventual reintegration into society. Once granted amnesty, he added, the former thugs would be “free from all accusations” and considered “innocent as everybody.”
Waiya accused some politicians of luring youths into violent activity, insisting that the government would no longer tolerate such practices.
Kano State Police Commissioner Ibrahim Adamu Bakori urged others still involved in violence to surrender, describing the initiative as a “second chance” to live productive lives.
“The life of crime and violence leads only to destruction, pain, and regret,” Bakori said. “This programme offers an opportunity to start afresh, and the Police Command is committed to supporting it.”
The Commander-General of the Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, also appealed to the repentant youths to provide intelligence on drug dealers and persuade their colleagues to abandon crime.
