Bandit attacks : Ganduje sympathises with Kano communities, urges revival of intelligence-led security model

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ex-Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has mourned the victims of recent bandit attacks in Shanono and Tsanyawa Local Government Areas, where three people were killed and several women and children abducted.

In a statement issued by Muhammad Garba, his former Chief of Staff and also a former Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs in Kano State, Ganduje described the incidents as “tragic, painful, and deeply distressing.”

He stressed that the assaults amount to a serious security breach and a direct attack on communal harmony and social order.

Offering condolences to the families of those affected as well as residents of the communities, Ganduje said the emotional and psychological impact of the violence demands immediate assistance, coordinated intervention, and firm action from all relevant authorities.

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The former governor urged the Kano State Government to adopt proactive, intelligence-led, community-centred security measures, cautioning that the unfolding situation is “assuming a worrisome proportion that cannot be ignored or downplayed.”

He advised the government to draw from the security structures introduced under his administration between 2015 and 2023, including improved local vigilance groups, layered community policing systems, stronger intelligence-sharing channels, better collaboration with security outfits, and development-driven crime-prevention plans.

According to him, these initiatives helped contain rural banditry, discourage urban crime, and sustain relative peace across the state during his tenure.

Ganduje also applauded the governments of Niger, Kwara, Kebbi and other states for what he termed the “effective and decisive handling of similar security challenges,” commending their swift responses, inter-agency coordination, and strong community participation in protecting lives and property.

He further acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing national security, reforming the armed forces, and boosting the efficiency of security institutions, noting that the President’s ongoing efforts reflect “strong political will and a clear determination to secure the country.”

Ganduje appealed to the affected communities to stay calm but alert, encouraging them to work with security operatives and share information that could help avert future attacks.

He emphasized that tackling insecurity requires joint responsibility and that cooperation among citizens, traditional leaders, governmental bodies, and security agencies is essential to defeating banditry and restoring sustainable peace.

The former governor assured the people of Shanono and Tsanyawa that they are not facing their ordeal alone, reaffirming that leaders at various levels remain committed to their safety and to supporting efforts aimed at securing their communities.