The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwanu Disu, has directed officers of the Kano State Police Command to intensify efforts against criminal elements and sustain pressure on gangs and bandits operating within and around the state.
The directive was delivered on Tuesday in Kano by Sulaiman M. Abdul, who represented the police chief during a strategic lecture attended by officers and personnel of the command.
The lecture, titled “Asymmetric Threat Preemption, Urban Gang Management, and Securing Commercial Hubs,” was held at the Officers’ Mess within the command headquarters.
During the event, the police leadership commended the Kano command for its ongoing efforts in combating crime, particularly its operations against violent youth gangs popularly known as “Yan Daba.”
Addressing concerns over the movement of bandits from neighbouring Katsina into Kano, the IGP disclosed that security agencies had activated a joint security initiative known as “Handshake Patrol.”
”The operation involves coordinated efforts by security personnel from both states to prevent criminals from exploiting border communities.
“We will not sit and wait for criminals to strike before we respond. This joint patrol will take the fight to them at the borders,” the police chief stated.
Disu explained that the force’s modern internal security framework is anchored on six key administrative pillars designed to strengthen law enforcement and improve public safety across the country.
According to him, one of the major pillars is inter-agency collaboration and regional synergy, which seeks to eliminate barriers between security institutions and enhance intelligence sharing among agencies.
“Dismantling institutional silos to achieve seamless, real-time intelligence sharing with the military, DSS, and sister agencies,” he said.
He added that the initiative would also involve crossing administrative boundaries through operational arrangements such as the Handshake Patrols between neighbouring states, making it difficult for criminals to evade arrest by exploiting jurisdictional limits.
Other pillars highlighted by the police leadership include intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, strict accountability and respect for human rights, community policing and public trust, operational standardisation and specialisation, as well as personnel welfare and capacity development.
The IGP further praised officers of the Kano command for their commitment and achievements in tackling insecurity, noting that their operations had led to significant breakthroughs against bandits and criminal kingpins.
“You have taken the battle straight to the criminals with bold actions, recording major successes through arrest and neutralization of bandits and their kingpins,” he said.
“The people are noticing our courage. Well done. It is far better to strike first and stay on the offensive than to remain only reactive.”
He urged the officers to maintain the momentum, stressing that a proactive approach would discourage criminal activities across the region.
“When bandits know we fire back decisively, they will think twice. Keep pushing hard, stay sharp, and sustain this momentum. You are the pride of the force.
”Thank you for your dedication and bravery,” he added.
