Policing Kano in a complex, unusual era: The AIG Gumel example
By Aminu Garko, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
With an estimated population of over 14 million people, Kano Sate is bigger than many countries in Africa such as Togo (8.4 million) Benin Republic (13.4 million), Lesotho (2.4 million) Gabon (2.4 million), among others.
During electioneering campaigns, it is said that the fear of Kano is the beginning of wisdom. There is hardly any riot in Nigeria that Kano is not regarded as a flashpoint.
Its large voting population makes the battle for the soul of Kano literally a ‘do-or-die-affair’ for politicians.
The complex nature of security in Kano can be attributed to the fact that it is the commercial nerve Centre of northern Nigeria. Kano is the melting point where people from different parts of Nigeria and even citizens of other countries such as Niger, Chad, Lebanon, Mali find convenient to do business.
It is against this background that the police hierarchy in Abuja is always meticulous in posting a Commissioner of Police (CP) to the state.
Before the appointment of Mr Usaini Gumel, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, as the CP of the Police Command in Kano State, in May 2023, the state had witnessed what could be described as chaotic and cacophonic deployments in months.
Each of the CPs posted to the state was withdrawn and redeployed by Loius Edet House in quick succession as the police high command considered the sensitive nature of policing Kano State.
Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, police chiefs in Abuja replaced then Kano CP, Mr Mamman Dauda; was replaced by Muhammad Yakubu. Mamman was redeployed to Plateau State.
Shortly after, Mr Balarabe Sule, former Chief Security Officer to then governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje was appointed Kano State CP as Yakubu was dropped by Abuja.
As expected, Sule’s posting was resisted by those opposed to Ganduje and hence his replacement with Faleye Olaleye. In another quick fire move, Olaleye was replaced with Ahmed Kontagora.
Immediately after the election and ahead of Presidential Inauguration, Kontagora was redeployed, paving the way for the appointment of Gumel, who was the CP, Sokoto State Command.
Recognising that the police alone cannot guarantee the safety of Kano State residents and their property, Gumel on assumption of duty emphasized the need for synergy among security agencies in the state.
Gumel’s arrival has seen an upscale in the anti-robbery, anti-kidnapping, thuggery and other criminal activities. Just recently the command announced a harvest of 19 suspects for alleged armed robbery, cattle rustling and kidnapping in different parts of the state.
The spokesman of the command, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, said the weapons recovered from the suspects included: 2 AK-47 rifles, one Smoke Pistol, one Pump Action rifle, 26 rounds of 7.2mm live ammunition, 17 live cartridges, 2 motor vehicles, 16 rams, dangerous weapons and house-breaking implements.
Identifying criminal’s hideouts and smoking them are key elements of policing under Gumel; the Command discharged this responsibility effectively.
It announced this in its Special Crime Bulletin on Thuggery Control Measures it unveiled the identities of 13 arrowheads of the gangsters in Kano metropolis
“The Command has intensified efforts to dominate all attempts to reemergence of thuggery activities by some restive street boys infamously known as “Yan Daba” in some parts of Dala, Gwale and Kano Municipal Local Government Areas.
“The recent surge in thuggery activities in these areas has raised concerns among residents and authorities alike.
“The Kano State Police Command is currently implementing series of proactive measures including the deployment of more personnel to curtail these unlawful activities and bring the perpetrators to justice,” the command said.
The bulletin said the move was to restore sanity in Kano metropolis and save the residents from the “harrowing experience of phone snatching and infliction of life threatening injuries to unsuspecting members of the public including women and children.
Perhaps the greatest challenge to the leadership of Gumel in the police command in Kano came with the dethronement of Emir, Ado Bayero and reinstatement of former Emir, Muhammad Sanusi II.
The throne of Emir of Kano is strategic in social and economic life of Kano State people hence any action regarding the Emirship is handled with utmost caution.
Following the reinstatement of Sanusi, many observers of security situation in Kano expected the city to be up in flames as both Emirs are currently operating from different palaces.
However, so far, apart from skirmishes against Sanusi’s public appearance, the security situation has been well handled by the police.
Some Kano residents acknowledged the complexity of this challenge.
‘’Amidst the heightened tensions, the Federal High Court sitting in Kano ordered Sanusi’s eviction from the emir’s palace, while the Kano State High Court issued an injunction restraining his eviction, resulting in a legal impasse.
‘’In this stalemate and volatile environment, Gumel played a pivotal role in maintaining the peace and preventing violence.
‘’When Bayero returned to the state two days after his removal and Sanusi occupied the main palace, the police commissioner promptly mobilised his men.
‘’He worked closely with the Department of State Service (DSS) and other security agencies to ensure enhanced patrols and strategic house-to-house searches, preempting potential disturbances.
‘’The police commissioner took proactive measures to save the ancient city from a looming chaos that would have enveloped the whole state,’’ said Malam Ibrahim Umar.
Gumel’s proactive measures, according to Mohammed Lawan, another Kano resident, included deploying additional Mobile Police personnel, making public appeals for calm and urging the residents to respect the rule of law, among others.
“His efforts were instrumental in calming nerves and reducing the risk of violence. He ensured that both supporters of Sanusi and Bayero expressed their views without resorting to conflict.
“By effectively managing the security apparatuses, CP Gumel ensured that the crisis did not escalate into widespread violence, showcasing his adeptness in handling complex, high-stakes situations,” he said.
Generally speaking, Gumel’s tenure in Kano has been marked by innovative approaches to crime prevention. That strategy focuses on community engagement, professional conduct and the use of technology.
“This approach has not only improved security but also strengthened the bond between the police and the communities they serve,” Lawan added.
Alhaji Mohammad Abubakar of Charanchi, Gwale Local Government Area praised the outgoing Gumel for being there for the residents.
He said the security measures already in place gave room for residents, especially in the metropolitan Local Government Areas, to move about without their lives and property being threatened.
“We are not finding it easy before the coming of the outgoing Commissioner of police because hoodlums and thugs have taken over major roads snatching phones and bags from our children.
“It is now history due to the various security measures initiated and implemented by the officers and men of the Kano command.
“We hope the incoming commissioner of police will sustain the tempo for peace, progress and political stability in our state,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Hajiya Aishatu Abdulsalam of Hotoro quarters want the state government to give the incoming commissioner of police require support to sustain the fight against criminal elements in the state.
Abdulsalam said that it was only by so doing that residents would go about their legitimate business in a peacefully atmosphere.
Mr James Godwin of France Road, Kano, commended Gumel for being bold in tackling all form of criminal elements in and outside the state metropolis.
Godwin urged residents to continue to support security agencies deployed with require information that could aid in apprehending bad characters in the society.
“We must imbibe the culture of providing credible information on movement of dubious characters in our midst to enable the security personnel deal with them accordingly.’’
Gumel has been redeployed to Force Headquarters to take charge of training; even in the twilight of his tenure in Kano he is still upbeat about his responsibilities.
“Members of the public are hereby informed that joint security agencies will remain steadfast and resolute to maintain law and order in all parts of the State.
“We also warn that the joint security agencies are committed to arresting whoever intends to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the state.
“No stone will be left unturned in ensuring the arrest and prosecution of any deviant,” he said.
Conscious of the volatility of Kano and the activities of desperate politicians to exploit crisis situations such as the impasse over the Kano Emirship to make political gains, Gumel has sounded a note of warning to politicians.
“We will remain focused on our mandate and will not be distracted from providing a peaceful atmosphere for residents.”
The police chief, therefore, urged the public to provide the police with necessary information towards identifying, apprehending and prosecuting criminal elements in the society.
“We will not be distracted in the course of providing the platform for peaceful coexistence of the residents.
“The Police Command and all heads of relevant security agencies appreciate the continuing stakeholders collective supports, advise and direction that keep us together in sustaining peace in the state,” he said.
But these feats did not come without some challenges such as inadequate communication equipment and operational vehicles, as admitted by Gumel.
He believes that to overcome the challenges there must be more inter-agency collaboration, bridging the personnel gap and deployment of more constabulary personnel.
He also recommended more partnership with vigilante groups, improvement for the Force, particularly in the area of operations and investigation as well as prudent management of available resources.
Security experts say that given its huge landmass and population, police personnel in the command require more equipment and technology such as drones to discharge their responsibilities more effectively and efficiently.
To adapt to the policing challenges of the 21st century, experts further urge more training for security personnel not just in Kano State but across the country. (NANFeatures)
**If used please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.