The Police in Kano have secured prosecution of over 500 phone snatchers arrested in different parts of Kano state, who are tagged as armed robbers.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Usaini Gumel, who stated this on Wednesday, said phone snatchers in the state are being treated as armed robbers.
Read also: Over 940 Kano intending pilgrims may miss this year’s Hajj—-official
Gumel spoke while receiving the leadership of Kano State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, who paid him a courtesy call in his office.
He said that the new treatment being given to phone-snatchers has drastically reduced the menace which hitherto became prevalent in the ancient commercial city.
“We have succeeded in reducing the menace of cell phone armed robbery in the state.
“As I speak to you, over 500 cell phone armed robbers have been prosecuted and are currently serving their jail terms at various Correctional facility centers within the state,” he said.
The Commissioner explained that out of 16 miscreants popularly known as (Yan Dabar) invited for dialogue by his office, nine who submitted themselves have also promised to bring their followers.
“Another issue we are facing is that of Dabar. We identified 16 of the miscreants and invited them for dialogue. Nine have responded. In fact, they came by themselves.
Read also: Tambuwal reinstates Chief of Staff, nominates six commissioners
“They have pleaded for amnesty. They have also mentioned their foot soldiers, and promised to present them to surrender. We are also waiting to receive the remaining ones.” Gumel said.
The Commissioner further stated that his visit to the Dala Hills as part of activities to comb criminal hideouts has yielded positive results.
According to him, government officials and the lawmakers who accompanied the police to the Dala Hills operations, have promised to build a special police station on top of the Hills and equip it with needed facilities.
“When this is done, criminals will no longer see Dala Hills which is one of the famous tourist attractions in Kano as a hideout, ” he said.
He said part of the secrets of his success in policing Kano is constant collaboration with sister-security agencies.
“I always tell my officers and men to learn from other places. There is always a need for you to benchmark how other police officers or security agents are doing their work.
“I believe in collaborative policing, bringing all trained law enforcement agencies together—exchange your mandate, and get the required results.”
Read also: NSCDC denies reports on purported harassment, extortion of Kano farmers
He said the Command is also working closely with Magistrates and Judges in the state to ensure smooth justice delivery, “police is the gate of law enforcement agencies. The decision-making body is the court. So we are working closely with them to ensure smooth and fair justice delivery.”
In his remarks, the chairman of the Chapel, Aminu Garko, commended CP Gumel for the proactive measures he is applying in policing the state.
