Thugs

By Abbas Datti

Our beloved Kano State has now become a nightmare of unprecedented violence, lawlessness and phone-snatching all courtesy of thugs’ criminal activities. Once-peaceful communities now live under the shadow of fear as ruthless and armed gangsters unleash a reign of terror daily. These assailants, wielding deadly local weapons, have maimed, killed, and left countless families in mourning.

The attacks often strike without notice. Some places have now become theatres of war in the dead of night, forcing residents, young and old, to flee into the darkness with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Homes must be locked in broad daylight for fear of being a victim of some happy, menacing marauders. 

The cruelty has engulfed so many metropolitan places of Kano State, with no concerted effort to stop the horrendous activities of those brutal thugs. We wonder when these horrible experiences will stop? Thugs have become a significant threat to the collective well-being of the people of Kano. 

In the chaos, the gang of thugs attack with no mercy. Men are butchered as they defend their families; they have no scruples to attack even women and children as they attempt to escape. Residents speak of the horror of seeing loved ones hacked with machetes, swords and other local dangerous weapons. They destroyed properties, smashed buildings and cars parked outside houses and buildings. 

As this wave of violence rages on, we call for urgent and decisive action from security agencies. Moreover, the Inspector General of Police is to dispatch a special intelligence unit to analyse the situation on the ground and subject it to a holistic review of the present strategy. 

The people of Kano demand not only the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators but also the establishment of permanent security posts in the most vulnerable areas. Although some security posts were built in some places for that purpose, they are yet to be fully operational, leaving residents with only the building structures. Without swift intervention, Kano risks slipping further into lawlessness, and the fragile threads of peace may be torn beyond repair.

This is not merely an attack on individuals; it is an assault on our shared humanity and our future. We ask for definite action before the fires of thugs consume us all. We ask for an end to this bloodbath that has been threatening the peace and stability of Kano and its people. 

Abbas Datti writes from Kano via comradeabbasdatti@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Umar Shehu

The issue of Kalare boys has found a bed in Gombe state, and the state’s government is aloof. What has Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s government, which was enthroned to solve the yearnings of the poor masses in the land, done?

This issue of Kalare is becoming worse in the state, and yet there has been no measure taken by the state government to curtail the menace.

Many of these devastating stories of Kalare boys have reached our eardrums as sympathetic to the victims. Still, the state government seems lackadaisical towards curtailing the menace of Kalare by our youths. Only recently did those Kalare devils enter the house of Shiek Albani Kuri and kill him. This is so dehumanising, unacceptable, and sympathetic.

Gombe state government needs to take urgent action to bring those engaged in this heinous action of Kalare to book to serve as a deterrent to people who engage in this illicit activity of Kalare in the state.

This heinous activity by Kalare boys in Gombe State has caused unbearable pain to the people of the State.

Gombe State, a home that was nursed to save lives, is now gradually metamorphosing, etching itself with smithereens so that the people of the land may find it arduous to excavate. Gombe is a land where peace has been our utmost priority, but these Kalare boys have made the state a magnet for visitors.

To curtail this Kalare boys menace in the state, I urge the state government to take some decisive actions by providing more employment to the youths of the state, and by doing so, in my opinion, the menace of Kalare boys will be a thing of the past in Gombe state.

May Allah guide those Kalare Boys to the straight path and bless Gombe State and Nigeria. Amin.

Muhammad Umar Shehu wrote from Gombe via umarmuhammadshehu2@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The lives of journalists in Zamfara State are in danger as suspected thugs allegedly threatened to deal with working journalists in the state. 

The frustrated thugs reportedly beat up the state chairman of Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Ibrahim Musa Maizare. 

The Secretary of the Union, Ibrahim Ahmad Gada, who spoke to journalists, said the traumatic incident happened on Thursday. 

Gada alleged that, after beating the union chairman, the thugs also threatened to kill some of them, calling on the authority to intervene on the issue. 

It was gathered that the thugs decided to deal with the NUJ chairman after he asked some workers who were at the NUJ Shops Complex at the Union’s Secretariat to renovate a shop for use as a campaign office to stop the work.

The thugs vowed not to stop the work or leave the place because it was given to them by a politician, and as long as that politician is breathing. 

“If an armed thug can threaten to kill working journalists, what do you expect? The safety of all working journalists must be guaranteed. 

“We are calling all the stakeholders to intervene. How can a thug dictate the way we can use our property in the state,” Gada said.

Although a team of police arrived at the NUJ Secretariat to settle the dispute, the thugs continued to hurl insults at the officials and other members of the union.

By Muhammad Sabiu

A group of 50 thugs on Monday attacked Bauchi State House of Assembly members who gathered in a guest house on Sir Kashim Ibrahim Road, just a few meters from the Bauchi State Government House.

Six people were reportedly hurt, and the thugs caused pandemonium at the scene by smashing windows and cars at about 4:00 pm.

This occurred just after unidentified arsonists attempted to burn down the House of Assembly complex but were stopped by quick-acting security forces.

After the incident, a combined team of security agents from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the DSS, and the Nigerian Army were immediately dispatched to the House and took control of the complex.

Following the incident, security was beefed up in the area by stationing a combined team of security agents comprising men of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the DSS and the Nigerian Army.

Reports have indicated that a lawmaker, Ado Wakili, representing Burra Constituency in Ningi Local Government Area of the state who was one of those injured, alleged that the hoodlums were armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.

He was quoted as narrating, “We were inside having a meeting when we suddenly heard noises and banging at the gate, as we rushed out to see what was happening, the hoodlums rushed in holding guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

“All of us scampered for safety, and in the process, many of us, including me, got injured, as you can see on my face just below my eyes.

“They really turned everything upside down. By the time we came out, they had smashed all our cars and the windows of the house.”

By Muhammad Aminu

No fewer than 45 suspected thugs were arrested by police in Kano metropolis trying to cause mayhem and rob unsuspecting passersby, thereby disrupting public peace and stability in the state.

In a statement on Monday, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa said they recovered weapons and illicit drugs from the thugs.

According to Kiyawa, the suspects were planning to terrorise the public when Operations Puff Adder sorrounded the area after a distress call from good-spirited individuals.

The statement read in part: “Forty-five (45) suspected thugs (‘Yan Daba) were arrested with dangerous weapons and large quantity of illicit drugs. Suspects confessed that, they were invited from different parts of Kano Metropolis in name (sic) of attending a wedding ceremony, and converged at “Filin Mahaha” smoking and taking different types of illicit drugs.

“On the 26/06/2022 at about 1300hrs, reports were received through the command’s emergency numbers; 08032419754 and 08123821575, that groups of thugs (‘Yan Daba) in large number with dangerous weapons were sighted blocking Kofar Na’isa and Kwanar Diso, Gwale LGA Kano, in an attempt to attack and rob members of the public especially passersby and road users.

“On receipt of the reports, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, raised and instructed teams of Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Bashir Musa Gwadabe to proceed to the scene. The area was immediately cordoned off and the thugs trapped at “Filin Mahaha.”

Kano City has been witnessing upsurge of thuggery including phone snatching and attacks on passersby although police claims to be taking control of the situation.

Analysts say thug activities are likely to increase in the State as we approach 2023 general election as politicians exploit jobless youths in advancing their political interests.

According to SP Kiyawa, the Commissioner of Police directed for discreet investigation into the activities of the thugs prior to their prosecution in the Court.

While commending residents for volunteering information to the Police, he called for support from the general public to rid the State of criminals and their criminalities.