How political rivalries fuel thuggery in Kano as thugs now mount roadblocks, rob people

Violent thuggery in Kano State has remained a deep-rooted problem that, many argue, has defied all efforts to eliminate it. The thugs, visibly operating as alleged political foot soldiers, are used by parties to satisfy their ambitions, leaving ordinary citizens to bear the brunt of their excesses.

The consequences of this selfish political culture are evident in the daily lives of residents, who live in fear of being robbed of their phones, dispossessed of their belongings, or, in the worst cases, killed in merciless attacks. These incidents occur both under the cover of darkness and in broad daylight, with no clear sign of reprieve.

SolaceBase observed that thuggery in Kano has only intensified over the years, moving from night attacks on unsuspecting commuters to broad daylight robberies, and even violent invasions of private homes.

A recent tragedy was the death of Umar Abdullahi Hafizi, a 300-level student of Bayero University Kano, who was stabbed to death by phone snatchers at his residence in Dorayi.

What is more troubling is how the menace has deteriorated to the point where thugs boldly mount illegal roadblocks in parts of the state, while dispossessing people of motorcycles and valuables, especially at night when the streets are deserted after rainfall.

Samin Y. Sa’id, a resident of Tudun Murtala, recounted his ordeal after falling victim to one such group of thugs around Dala at about 8:00 am on his way home from work on Thursday.

Read Also: PHOTOS: Top 10 hotels in Kano

He narrated that, “Initially, I thought they were security men because of the roadblock. But the moment we stopped, they pulled out cutlasses and other weapons. At first, I thought they wanted my phone, so I quickly offered it. But they said it was my bike they wanted. We couldn’t argue or resist.”

SolaceBase observed that the incidents from the recent by-elections in Ghari/Tsanyawa and Bagwai/Shanono local government areas, where both ruling and opposition party allegedly employed thugs, have cast serious doubt on government promises to curb the menace, with many residents dismissing such assurances as political propaganda.

Often, after elections, thugs who are recruited and armed by politicians turn their weapons against ordinary citizens once their pay is exhausted. This dangerous cycle has now escalated to organized night robberies and blockades, exposing residents to greater risks.

During the by-elections, for example, political thugs were openly seen carrying weapons, chanting partisan slogans, and intimidating voters.

Their brazen display of violence left residents questioning the sincerity of the authorities’ repeated vows to tackle insecurity.

During this period, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, initially reported the arrest of 288 suspected political thugs, who were found in possession of weapons such as cutlasses. However, the number later climbed sharply to 333 suspects.

In separate interviews with SolaceBase TV, both the NNPP and APC traded accusations of using thugs. Speaking, Bashir Aminu Fanshekara, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Radio, admitted that NNPP employed thugs during the polls.

He stated that, “We used both money and weapons to defend ourselves, because the APC Chairman in Kano, Abdullahi Abbas, had threatened to use cutlasses to win the election. If he truly knew who we are, he wouldn’t have said that. We were once members of the PDP, so we also know how to use cutlasses.”

Fanshekara argued that self-defense is not contradictory to either Islamic principles or constitutional provisions, both of which, he claimed, allow individuals to protect themselves against harm.

Responding, Comrade Adamu Abdullahi Karkasara, an APC member and media aide to the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, dismissed Abbas’ earlier comments about using cutlasses as “mere politics” that was not meant literally.

For Dr. Aminu Hayatu, a political scientist at Bayero University Kano (BUK), the persistence of thuggery is tied to inadequate security manpower and equipment, which makes politicians feel unsafe and compels them to seek protection from thugs.

“Unless security is improved—in terms of manpower, weaponry, and welfare—the menace will continue,” he explained. “The thugs themselves are not completely at fault; they know politicians will pay them. If they had decent jobs and salaries, many would not engage in this.”

Dr. Hayatu warned that if unchecked, the system could degenerate to the point where even police officers align with political interests, fighting each other on behalf of rival politicians. “Politicians will always prioritize their own interests over the people’s,” he said.

He further added that, “The only way forward is to insulate security institutions from political control so that no one, regardless of their position, can misuse them.”

He stressed that while security agencies are trying within their capacity, they remain outnumbered whenever thugs mobilize in large groups.