ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed officers and men of the Kano State Police Command to intensify offensive operations against criminal elements, stressing that proactive policing remains the most effective strategy for combating insecurity and protecting economic assets.
Disu gave the directive on Wednesday through the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, DIG Suleiman Abdul, during a strategic lecture held at the Kano State Police Command Headquarters in Bompai, Kano.
Speaking at the lecture titled, “Asymmetric Threat Preemption, Urban Gang Management, and Securing Commercial Hubs,” the DIG described Kano as a critical commercial hub whose security has far-reaching implications for economic activities across Northern Nigeria and the wider West African region.
The Inspector-General commended the command for its recent operational successes, particularly its aggressive campaign against bandits, armed robbers and other criminal elements.
“You have taken the battle straight to the criminals with bold actions, recording major successes through arrests and the neutralisation of bandits and their kingpins. It is far better to strike first and remain on the offensive than to be merely reactive,” the IG stated.
The police leadership also unveiled a six-point security strategy designed to strengthen internal security nationwide.
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According to the IG, the strategy focuses on intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, strict accountability and respect for human rights, community policing, inter-agency collaboration, operational specialisation, and improved personnel welfare.
He urged officers in Kano to maximise the use of modern crime-fighting tools, including digital forensics, crime data analytics and the Nigeria Police Force Incident and Crime Database, to identify criminal networks, monitor crime hotspots and dismantle organised gangs.
The IG further directed the command to sustain pressure on violent youth gangs popularly known as Yan’Daba, cybercriminals and other criminal groups attempting to exploit Kano’s expansive commercial environment.
Emphasising the importance of public trust in effective policing, Disu called for regular engagement with market associations, youth groups, traditional rulers and religious leaders to improve intelligence gathering and strengthen crime prevention efforts.
He warned that corruption, extortion, abuse of power and human rights violations would not be tolerated, noting that the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit was created to promote professionalism, accountability and intelligence-driven operations.
Earlier, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, outlined the command’s achievements in the fight against crime across the state.
According to him, the command arrested and prosecuted 1,357 suspects between January and June 2026 for offences including armed robbery, kidnapping, thuggery, drug-related crimes, motor vehicle theft and other criminal activities.