Frustrated women and young girls in Kano took their protest to Kofar Mata metropolis on Saturday, an area notorious for brutal thuggery and killings, demanding an urgent end to the violence that has claimed the lives of their children and siblings.
The protesters marched through the streets with placards, chanting slogans and calling on authorities to take decisive action against the rising insecurity in the area.
One grieving mother at the scene lamented, "Our sons are dying for no reason. Every day, there is a fight, a killing, a stabbing. We can't continue like this."
In recent months, Kano State has experienced a disturbing surge in street violence, with thuggery, phone snatching, and gang clashes becoming alarmingly common. The protest follows reported thug clashes in the area on July 31st and August 1st, 2025.
Sadiya Umar, a medical personnel in the area, told BenriNews: "I just passed the area today and I heard teargas and I think I heard gunshots too. We were terrified, but I didn't hear of the death of anyone."
Rising Insecurity and Public Response
The growing insecurity has particularly affected young people caught in the crossfire of gang rivalries. One shocking recent incident occurred in Nassarawa Local Government Area, where a group of phone snatchers was struck by a vehicle shortly after robbing pedestrians at knifepoint.
A widely shared video of the incident shows the suspects being overpowered by angry residents, beaten severely before being handed over to the police. This kind of public vigilantism is becoming more frequent as residents, frustrated by what they perceive as slow official response, take matters into their own hands.
Police Response to Rising Crime
In response to the deteriorating security situation, the Kano State Police Command launched Operation Kukan Kura in early 2025. The initiative specifically targets phone snatching gangs and violent youth groups locally known as 'Yan Daba'.
Since its launch, the operation has led to several arrests and increased patrols in known crime hotspots. The police claim the operation is yielding results, as frequently shared on the Facebook page of the force's spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.
However, the women protesters and other residents believe more sustained efforts are needed to effectively tackle the menace of thuggery and killings in the state.
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