A recent report has indicated that criminal gangs fleeing police crackdowns are moving into Kano State, located in northwest Nigeria. This shift could exacerbate the ongoing crisis in Northern Nigeria, where incidents of kidnapping and violence from bandits and terrorists are prevalent.
According to an intelligence document leaked from the Zamfara state governor’s office, police officials have expressed concern that fleeing bandits are transforming Kano into a refuge. The report highlighted that informants for these criminal groups have begun purchasing homes in Kano, establishing safe havens for themselves, their families, and bandit leaders.
While the exact number of bandits relocating to the city remains unclear, the report identified six neighborhoods where they have been settling down. It urged local police to scrutinize estate agents and vet house buyers from Zamfara and Sokoto to identify potential bandits.
A security source in Kano confirmed to AFP, “We have received this intelligence from Zamfara and are aware of the infiltration of bandits and terrorists into parts of Kano. We are actively addressing the threat.” The source added that efforts are being made discreetly to prevent public panic.
The report, signed by Bashir Makama, an assistant superintendent of police from the State Intelligence Department in Zamfara, was circulated among various security agencies in Kano. It attributed the influx to the ongoing military offensive against armed groups in states like Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara, which has resulted in the deaths of key bandit leaders, including Halilu Sububu, a prominent figure in the northwest.
Local authorities are increasingly alarmed by this situation. One security source remarked, “We have remained vigilant since 2009 when Boko Haram operatives entered Kano from Maiduguri. This intel from Zamfara serves as a reminder not to let our guard down.”
Despite government assurances, Nigeria continues to face escalating insecurity, characterized by frequent kidnappings and killings, raising significant concern among the populace.
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