By Suleiman Musa Yahaya Ikara
The scourge of thuggery and phone snatching in Kano State has escalated into a grave crisis, endangering students and residents alike.
Just weeks ago, a Bayero University, Kano (BUK) student fell victim during a routine trip to Dorayi.
The incident added to growing insecurity, leaving residents anxious about their safety and wellbeing, particularly in the metropolis.
The BUK community is still mourning the gruesome killing of a 300-level student, Umar Abdullahi Hafiz, by suspected phone snatchers near his off-campus residence in Dorayi.
His death underscores the brutality of the menace.From Danbare to Kofar Kabuga, Kofar Mata, Zoo Road, Sheka, Dorayi, Rijiyar Lemo, Kurna, and Gwagwarwa, violent attacks have become daily occurrences.
Street ambushes, stabbings, daylight robberies, and mobs armed with axes, stones, and knives have turned once-busy neighborhoods into zones of fear.
The perpetrators, commonly called fadan daba, have shaken public confidence in urban safety.
Media platforms are awash with disturbing videos and images capturing these attacks.
A source from Bayero University, kano said “The incident was so devastating and heartbreaking. As a girl from far away who chose to study in Kano, I ended up being robbed. It makes me feel discouraged.”
Confirming the university’s concern, Director of Public Affairs, Lamara Garba, said investigations and a manhunt were underway in collaboration with security agencies.
Similarly, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas, condemned the killing and pledged to work closely with law enforcement to ensure justice.Despite these assurances, the violence persists.
Deep-rooted gang networks quickly replace arrested members, exposing the limits of enforcement alone.
Outrage across Kano has grown as the climate of insecurity signals that no one is truly safe.
The Law and the Crime
Legal experts remind citizens of their rights and the penalties awaiting offenders. Barrister Ibrahim Bako explained: “Section 43 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to own property. Sections 286 and 287 of the Penal Code define theft and prescribe up to 10 years imprisonment for offenders.”
He added that phone snatchers could be charged with multiple offences, including theft, robbery, extortion, and criminal conspiracy
Root Causes: Drugs and Idleness
The NDLEA has linked the rise of thuggery and phone snatching to drug abuse among youths. In 2024, the Kano Command arrested over 1,345 suspects, seized 8.4 million kilograms of illicit substances, and secured 128 convictions.
Initiatives such as Operation Hana Maye continue to dismantle drug joints and rehabilitate addicts, but the challenge persists.
Searching for SolutionsGovernor Abba Kabir Yusuf has pledged decisive action against sponsors of youth gangs, alongside empowerment and job creation programs.
Yet, many argue that this is not enough. Community leaders stress the role of parents, traditional rulers, and residents in guiding young people away from crime.
Zayyana Abdullahi, a community leader stated that “Strengthening community policing, empowering neighborhood vigilantes, improving surveillance, and building trust between residents and law enforcement are critical for restoring safety.”
A Call for Collective ActionThe Kano Police Command, led by SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, acknowledges the worsening situation and has intensified operations.
Still, durable peace will require more than arrests, it demands holistic action.enforcing the law, tackling drug abuse, empowering youths with skills and jobs, and rebuilding community trust.
The coordinated efforts of government, law enforcement, religious bodies, and civil society must go hand in hand.
Kano’s battle against thuggery and phone snatching is not just a fight against crime,it is a fight for the soul of the city.