Dear Governor Yusuf,
I hope this letter finds you well. I sent an open letter to you not out of disrespect, but in the hope that it will reach you soon. Using traditional and new‑media as the fastest means of delivery, I write to you as a concerned citizen of this great state to raise alarm over the escalating insecurity that now grips our communities. Although Kano has enjoyed a relatively higher level of peace than its neighbouring states for years, the recent “peace accord” in Katsina state has placed Kano at increased risk, particularly the local government areas that share borders with Katsina..
The growing security challenges facing Kano are likely linked to the movement of bandits into our state. These bandits have been wreaking havoc in border communities, terrorising innocent residents and disrupting daily life. In recent days, a surge in kidnappings and violent attacks on villagers has left many communities in fear, disrupted normal activities, and threatened the very fabric of our society.
The impact of this crisis is evident in the abandonment of several villages in Tsanyawa and Shanono, where families have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety.
This is not a matter of statistics; it is a lived reality affecting every indigene of Kano, especially the most vulnerable—women, children, and the elderly.
The social contract between the people and the state obliges the government to provide security as a fundamental right. Yet, in the current situation, it appears that authorities at all levels have lost the ability to protect the people—a constitutional duty they swore to uphold. Criminals sense a vacuum in political will and exploit it with disastrous consequences.
Maintaining law and order is everyone’s responsibility; insecurity does not discriminate, and its damage is widespread. Consequently, the issue of insecurity in Kano has become a grave concern for all.
Today, Kano my state, my home is facing a severe security threat. Yet some willing tools take to social media to insult anyone who raises concerns, subjecting them to cyber‑bullying. These selfish individuals, who sell their conscience for peanuts, misinterpret every call for accountability as an attack on the administration. Security is not about praise‑singing or deliberate attempts to mislead the public; it is measured by the safety citizens experience each day.
I appeal to your leadership to act decisively, to strengthen collaboration between the government and the traditional institutions that have historically safeguarded our communities, and to ensure that Kano’s future is not defined by fear. Regardless of political differences, the people of Kano stand ready to support any initiative that brings lasting peace to our state.
I trust that, under your guidance, Kano will once again enjoy the security and prosperity it deserves. I humbly request your indulgence to consider the following advice: Strengthen coordination between state security agencies and traditional rulers, who are closest to the grassroots and can provide timely intelligence; deploy additional mobile patrols to high‑risk areas to ensure a visible presence that deters criminal activity.
You should support community‑based vigilante groups with proper training and equipment, while maintaining oversight to prevent abuse; accelerate the provision of basic infrastructure—roads, communication networks, and lighting in rural settlements to reduce isolation; establish a rapid‑response mechanism for reporting and addressing incidents, with clear timelines for action.
There is also the need to issue an executive order declaring the local government areas bordering Katsina state as militarised zones to help curb the menace in affected areas; resolve any misunderstandings if they exist between you and other heads of security agencies operating in the state, and work closely with them to ensure a united front against insecurity.
Sincerely,
Abu Fouad,
Concerned citizen of Kano state
08075704500
