• Disrupt Mrs Tinubu’s programme, gov fumes
From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
There is no doubt that thuggery and gang fights among youths are on the rise in Kano State. The thugs are the new kings of the ancient city and the people are a mass of near helpless subjects.
In the last few days, their activities are self-evident and worrisome, triggering dimple of fears in the polity. One Monday, April 27, 2026, they struck at the bustling Kano Farm Centre, GSM Market, Gyadi-Gyadi. They looted many shops, vandalised vehicles and motorcycles as well as injured traders and visitors to the market.
Initial reports linked the incident l to the event organised by a senatorial aspirant of the All Progressives (APC), Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura, because it took place near the market. But the aspirant denied the accusation.
According to the chairman of the market, Jamilu Bala Gama, the invasion occurred at 1.25 pm when the market was at its full breath, adding that the thugs also attacked two other small markets situated near the Farm Centre; City Centre Market and New Dubai Market:
“They were about 200 of them. They attacked innocent traders and buyers, injuring them and stealing their property.” He hinted that they were considering legal action against politicians that moved their thugs around their market and consequently, led to this kind of attack
State Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, averred that the violent gang vandalised: “They also made attempts to extend the violence to other parts of the metropolis before they were repelled. The thugs were promptly confronted by the police.
“However, they regrouped and attacked police officers with dangerous weapons and stones. The attack was repelled by the operatives.
“The hoodlums then fled to Farm Centre Market, where they attempted to break into shops and loot properties. Reinforcement was mobilised to the scene. The thugs were further dispersed and six suspects arrested. Calm and normalcy have since been restored to the affected areas.”
The attack followed a similar but less scary incident in the city. A few days earlier, a set of thugs caused scare at the Kano State Government House during the unveiling of the programme, Energizcommercialise, by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The programme, which bothered on enhancing the commercialisation of innovations by indigenous creative talents and actor was attended by the wife of the President, Senator Remi Tinubu, governors of Kano and Jigawa states, Abba Kabiru Yusuf and Umar Nnamadi, including Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin.
Just at about 2.00 pm when the event was rounding off, the thugs, many of whom were armed somewhat made their way through the security arrangements. They maneuvered their way and gathered outside the Coronotion Hall, venue of the event, brandishing their weapons.
Although no one was reported hurt, the thugs violently displayed their weapons, charged at one another in what looked like gang-versus-gang dispute. They subsequently pulled down a few makeshift stalls housing the innovations from different states, which were on display for inspection.
The panic situation caused the dignitaries to hurry their way from the hall into a long white bus, cancelling the planned inspection of the displayed innovations by Mrs. Tinubu First.
Governor Yusuf was shocked by the ugly incident. He expressed his bitterness over the conducts of the youths, remarking that it was a misrepresentation of the values of the people and a threat to the peace and security of the state. He demanded apologies from those involved in the inappropriate conduct while pledging to take further steps to secure the public space.
Daily Sun investigations revealed that the problem of thuggery, especially the political species of it, has been daunting in the state. Perpetrated mostly by gangs of youths otherwise known as Yandabas, they often snatch phones from the members of the public and fight against one another on a normal day. They, however, find better and more lucrative markets for their conducts during the political season- where they are ready recruits for political events by the members of the political class.
A security expert, who chose not to be mentioned, explained that it would take a while to contain the menace of thuggery in the state given the bond between thugs and the politicians: “They are like mothers and unborn babies. None can do without the other.
“They support them with structured funds, befriend the elite class among them and keep them nearby to deploy them for their political activities. No unauthorised person can enter the Government House. The fact that they entered the Government House on such a day speaks volume.”
Immediate past state chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abbas Ibrahim, reviewed the incident and held that the journey to 2027 in the state must begin with a firm, collective and demonstrated rejection of political violence in all its ramifications.
He condemned the invasion of the centre by the thugs and argued that the people of Kano State, particularly their traders, deserve better protection from the activities of the thugs.
