One of the greatest achievements recorded by the former governor of Kano state, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, during his eight-year reign, was how safe and secure the state became. The feat was achieved not in one day or by accident; it was not without any concrete and knowledge-based design.
The newly created emirates in the state, namely, Rano, Karaye, Gaya and Bichi, played an all-important role in consolidating the gains of modern security architecture spearheaded by the Ganduje administration – development at the doorsteps of communities. This was an experience enjoyed by our traditional institutions in the pre and post Dan Fodio era in the history of Hausa/Fulani political leadership.
Many would remember that Security Summits were organised in those emirates, with the visible inclusion of the traditional institutions, security agencies, local communities, students bodies, women groups, non-governmental organisations, community based organisations, among others.
Community policing at its peak.
Ganduje’s efforts in ensuring that all security agencies worked as partners, not as rivals to each other, was visible in their operations and intelligence sharing. People were more than ready to assist security agencies with all the needed cooperation and support.
Technology applications in the security system during his time got designed with intention and commitment. That saw the emergence of the use of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) across the length and breadth of the state, with Control Rooms located in some of the safest security locations in the state.
From his office, Baba Ganduje, as we fondly call him, was able to set his eyes on major parts and nitty-gritty locations in the state. The popular Falgore forest, that was hitherto criminals’ den, could be seen by the governor from his table in his office, right inside Government House.
Not only that, he got the nod of the then President Muhammadu Buhari to establish structures and other needed equipment for turning the Falgore forest to military training ground. Thousands of military personnel underwent training there. That act alone scared away all notorious elements who were hitherto using the forest as hide out.
All routes connecting Kano with other states got dormitories for security agencies, where joint security operatives teamed up, shared and coordinated intelligence – all in an effort to secure Kano. Border communities supported the state without let or hindrance. That strategy worked very well. As many criminal gangs were spotted and picked ether as individuals or as groups. Some were trailed to their dens. Thanks to the application of technology in the security system, as enunciated and spearheaded by Ganduje.
Many kingpins of some notorious criminal groups were nipped in the bud, when they mistook Kano to be their safe haven. Notorious criminal activities like cattle rustling, armed robbery, banditry (at its early stage in the state), car snatching/theft, among others, were drastically reduced.
During his tenure, Kano citizens did not participate in many uncivilised nationally organised civil unrest. Kano maintained the position of the most peaceful and safest state in the country, throughout his administration. We are talking of eight straight years.
Religious intolerance, ethnic clash and any form of clashes for regional basis or political differences were at their lowest ebb.
It was Ganduje who summoned the leaderships of Northern Youth Groups and Ohaneze Ndigbo across all the 19 northern states, when the youth groups issued an ultimatum to all Igbos living in the 19 northern states to vacate and relocate.
He called all the parties and met with them physically for over 10 hours in Kano. This eventually resolved the misunderstanding and withdrawal of the ultimatum issued there and then. That patriotic effort, singlehandedly undertaken by Baba Ganduje, saved the nation from plunging into chaos and near-ethnic-cleansing era in the history of our political development and nationhood.
I travelled to many places with my boss, Dr Ganduje, where I became elated on how many respected Nigerians eulogised him for his foresight in securing Kano.
We were in Abia state, when he was crowned Aguna Echemba I of Igbo land, I was with him at the University of Ibadan, when he was awarded the best governor in securing his state. I was with him during Lagos-Kano Economic Summit when many speakers commended him for securing the state to be a haven for good investment. I was with Baba in Imo, Edo, Katsina, Borno, Yobe and many other places, when his security architecture was acknowledged to be the best in the country.
My boss received many awards as an advocate and patriotic leader whose faith, action and commitment in community policing were unbeatable.
In 2021 I was with Baba Ganduje in Paris, France, where he attended meetings and functions. There, he was eulogised by our host community, revealing to all of us there, bit-by-bit analysis of Governor Ganduje’s commendable security architecture back home. I was thrilled to know that not only within the shores of Nigeria, Ganduje administration was well monitored from outside.
Though I did not have any private or open discussion with either of our in-coming governor or his deputy, as many of us hope and pray, the consolidation of what was obtained in the tribunal and Court of Appeal – Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and Murtala Sule Garo, I am too sure that they will continue from where Ganduje stopped, in securing Kano to make it the safest state again, after months-gap.
Anwar, former chief press secretary to ex-Governor Ganduje of Kano state, writes via [email protected]
