The Police Command in Kano has reacted to claims making the rounds that it had planned to recruit “50 hardened criminals” into the force to help fight crime in the state.
Spokesperson of the command, Abdullahi Kiyawa, had said that 50 out of 222 repentant thugs that were behind the escalating political violence in the state but later surrendered their weapons and promised never to return to their inequities were admitted into the police special unit.
But the Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammad Usaini Gumel, faulted the criticism against the command just as he insisted that the new constabularies were profiled and nurtured into the act before their confirmation.
Gumel told journalists that the police did not hesitate to convert the former thugs following the directive of the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who considered the idea necessary.
He said the governor believed in the initiative instead of allowing them to fall in the hands of disgruntled politicians who may use them to foment trouble.
“All the 222 influential youths that surrendered themselves were properly profiled. The state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who already gave them amnesty, directed us to profile them and find out where they can fit in for skills acquisition and human empowerment.
“It is very unfortunate that some people are bent on tarnishing the image and reputation of the Nigerian Police, but they will not succeed. The Command will remain committed to protecting the lives and property of citizens,” he added.
