Kano residents lament resurgence of violent clashes by thugs

The Dorayi community in the Kano metropolis is facing renewed violent activities by thugs, prompting concerns from stakeholders and residents about the potential escalation of the situation if the perpetrators gain access to firearms.

The recent clashes, which occurred over three consecutive days during the holy month of Ramadan, disrupted Taraweeh prayers and instilled fear among residents.

According to eyewitness accounts and community leaders, the clashes involved over 200 thugs wielding weapons such as cutlasses, swords, machetes, knives, and arrows.

The clashes led to injuries, property damage, and disruptions to normal activities in the area.

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Another resident, Abdullahi Maiyadi, said over 200 thugs wielding weapons overwhelmed the area fighting among themselves, harassing and attacking people.

“They were mainly from Dorayi, Gidan Shanu and Charanchi. I don’t know the reason for the fight but it was terrible with many people injured, and phones snatched,” he said.

Community leaders and members said the clashes were fueled by ongoing feuds between different groups of thugs, exacerbated by the release of previously apprehended criminals by influential politicians.

A community leader in Dorayi, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris Muhammad, popularly called Dr Danfodio recalled that the thugs attacked the entourage of the Kano emir during the 2023 Eid festivities in Dorayi and vandalized police vehicles on the occasion.

The community members expressed frustration over the lack of effective measures to address the growing menace of thuggery in Dorayi and neighbouring areas.

They highlighted parental neglect, political interference, and a lack of proactive security measures as contributing factors to the escalating violence.

The residents urged the state government and police authorities to take decisive action to curb the activities of the thugs before they acquire more sophisticated weapons and escalate their criminal activities.

The Kano State Police Command said it has already apprehended 22 suspects in connection with the violent activities, and additional efforts were on to address the root causes of the conflicts and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

DSP Abdullahi Kiyawa, the command’s spokesman, recently paraded another suspect who was arrested for killing a person in Dorayi, highlighting ongoing efforts by law enforcement to tackle the issue.