Kano rolls out amnesty programme for thugs

The Kano State Government has unveiled a comprehensive amnesty and rehabilitation programme aimed at addressing the growing menace of political thuggery and youth restiveness across the state.

The initiative, tagged the ‘Safe Corridor’ Programme, was formally inaugurated on Wednesday at the Kano State Police Command Headquarters, with key stakeholders from security agencies and civil society in attendance.

Speaking at the launch, Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiya, said the initiative is a deliberate step by the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to rehabilitate and reintegrate misguided youth who had been lured into violence and criminality, particularly by unscrupulous political actors.

“Governor Yusuf is deeply concerned about the growing wave of thuggery and how it tarnishes the image of our state,” Waiya said. “This programme is not just reactive—it’s intentional and structured to restore hope to our youths.”

According to Waiya, 718 individuals have already been profiled under the initiative, while an additional 960 are currently awaiting police clearance before full enrollment. He emphasized that the programme would include a multi-stage process: drug testing, psychological rehabilitation, skills acquisition, and reintegration into the community.

“Many of these young people did not willingly choose this path. They were manipulated by self-serving politicians,” Waiya stated. “This administration will no longer tolerate that.”

Waiya further explained that those who successfully complete the programme and pass the police validation process will be granted official amnesty, which will clear their criminal records and allow them to start afresh as law-abiding citizens.

“Once granted amnesty, they will be free from all accusations and will be treated like any other innocent member of society,” he added.

Also speaking at the event, Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, encouraged individuals still in possession of weapons or involved in criminal activity to voluntarily surrender, assuring them of safety and support under the Safe Corridor programme.

“This is a second chance for our youth to reclaim their future and become productive citizens,” Bakori said.

In a show of religious and moral backing, the Commander-General of the Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, called on the repentant youths to assist security agencies by providing actionable intelligence, especially against drug dealers who continue to fuel crime in the state.

“We also urge them to become ambassadors of peace—convince others who are still on the streets to embrace this opportunity for change,” he said.