In a decisive move to curb political thuggery and youth violence, the Kano State Government has successfully rehabilitated and integrated 1,654 repentant thugs into its Safe Corridor Rehabilitation Programme, with another 2,100 expected to join in the coming weeks.
The development was announced by the State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Abdullahi Waiya, during a strategic meeting with the group leaders of the Safe Corridor initiative held in Kano.
Waiya said the 1,654 individuals were thoroughly vetted and voluntarily agreed to abandon political thuggery, pledging to embrace peace and productivity in line with the reform agenda of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration.
“These young people have committed to turning the page and following the path of peace and productivity. They were vetted in collaboration with the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) of the police and Safe Corridor officials,” he explained.
According to the commissioner, the Safe Corridor initiative was conceived by Governor Yusuf out of his deep concern over the alarming rise in youth unrest and political violence in the state.
“Unfortunately, under the previous administration, thuggery became a kind of trade. But Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is determined to change that narrative. He sees these youths as his children and has directed us to do everything possible to support and rehabilitate them,” Waiya said.
He emphasized that the current administration remains firmly committed to peace, inclusion and youth empowerment as central pillars of its development agenda.
“Most of these young people have untapped potential. That is why we brought them together today to interact and build a sense of community among the Safe Corridor members of the eight metropolitan local governments,” he added.
Waiya recalled previous engagements with the group, including a July 7 meeting involving more than 900 participants that was briefly disrupted by miscreants. Despite the incident, he noted that the government remained determined to expand the program.
“Earlier we interacted with 317 of you, and today we have added 1,654 more. The next group of 2,100 will be screened soon. After that, we will meet the governor to formally lay down our arms and begin the next phase of empowerment,” the commissioner revealed.
He further revealed that some rehabilitated youth would directly benefit from empowerment packages and vocational training in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which is assisting in detection and rehabilitation efforts.
The meeting was attended by respected community figures including Alhaji Aliyu Harazimi, a traditional ruler, and Alhaji Gidado Mukhtar, who praised the initiative and pledged continued support to the government’s initiative to promote peace and youth development across Kano State.
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