By FANEN IHYONGO, Kano

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has revealed that he is using several strategies to surmount security challenges in the ancient city. The use of technology, community policing and strong synergy with all security agencies are the key among his strategies.

“Since crime in Nigeria has gone to the next level, security strategy too has to go to the next level,” Ganduje stated on Tuesday. The governor spoke in Government House, Kano, when the Inspector- General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba visited him.

“It is absolutely necessary to introduce technology in the management of security. In Kano, I have installed CCTV cameras all over the metropolitan city and put in place optical fibre to complement the satellite services.

“Our tracker vehicle is very powerful. At the entrance of the state capital, we have what we call security dormitories where about 70 policemen stay to monitor all the vehicles and people coming into the state.

“Our joint task force works 24 hours, manning our borders where there are security issues,” he said.

Ganduje said his ICT security strategy includes other hi-tech gadgets he would not reveal. He added that his administration has expanded the security outfit in the state for the exchange of information, ideas and views, which he is said, is very vital for the management of security.

“On the other hand, we have developed the community policing with the full structure on ground synergising with the military, police, DSS, Civil Defense, Immigration, KAROTA, FRSN, among others and we have five levels of stakeholders, including the village head, ward head, the emirates and the state which is headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). They meet monthly to share vital information about security in their domains,” he said.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, called on other governors to study and copy the Ganduje style.

The IGP assured Nigerians that it was the constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian government and the Police Force (NPF) to protect their lives and property.

He spoke at the Kano State Police Command, Bompai and Government House, stating that new strategies, including ‘community democratic policing’ must be developed to tackle certain security challenges in the country.

Kano State Commissioner of Police, Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, told the IGP that the Kano Command was having many challenges, including shortage of personnel, lack of vehicles and anti-riot equipment, especially tear smokes, which were needed for optimal performance.

“Taking into consideration of the population of Kano State, the available strength of 7,041 personnel is grossly inadequate for effective policing of the state,” Dikko said.

But IGP insisted that the police should make use of what is available to surmount the challenges.

Baba Commended Governor Ganduje for doing “e-policing” in Kano State. “The governor is seeing the whole town in his office. Citizens would be surprised if he calls for a security patrol team to raid a particular area.

“That is how it should be, because security is not just about manpower, but also about equipment -the tools to work,” he noted. (Courtesy, The Nation)

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