Fear in Kano as suspected Yan Daba clashes enter third day

Residents of Kawo in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State have expressed concern over renewed clashes involving suspected gangs, popularly known as Yan Daba, as violence in the area entered its third consecutive day on Tuesday.

The unrest, which residents say has disrupted daily activities and created fear among traders and commuters, is part of what many have described as a gradual resurgence of gang-related violence in Kano.

A resident, Muhammad, said the repeated clashes have affected businesses in the area, with many shop owners worried about the safety of their goods.

He told DAILY POST: “They have not started entering houses yet, but they scare away traders and loot them, from what I have heard.”

According to residents, the latest crisis began about three weeks ago following a dispute involving commercial tricycle operators from different sections of Kawo.

Residents recount how the violence started

A mother identified as Maman Mama told DAILY POST that the trouble started when a group of tricycle riders allegedly blocked a major road in the community.

“It began three weeks ago. NAPEP riders from Kawon Lambu, who are heavy smokers of Indian hemp, barricaded Kawo Road around 6:50 a.m., preventing riders from Kawon Majalissa from passing through,” she said.

She alleged that the group displayed dangerous weapons and threatened anyone who attempted to use the road.

“A Keke rider from Majalissa was injured and his tricycle was damaged. Police were alerted and arrived after 9 a.m. Since then, riders from Kawon Majalissa have been coming to Kawon Lambu to retaliate,” she added.

Another resident, popularly known as Barrister, said the incident caused major traffic congestion and panic among road users.

“They only caused a hold-up. The road was filled with motorists and passers-by, creating fear among people,” he said, adding that the attackers did not specifically target other road users.

A woman who requested anonymity described the situation as worrying.

“You have not seen anything in this area. May God help us raise our children well,” she said.

Activist blames drug abuse, urges leaders to act

Speaking to DAILY POST, social commentator and activist Comrade Sagiru Usman Yarima expressed concern over the high level of drug abuse among young people in Kano.

Yarima, who is the chairperson of the Centre for Thuggery and Violence Awareness in Kano, condemned the growing trend of violence linked to political interests and criminal gangs, urging residents not to remain silent while lives and property are threatened.

According to him, “Ninety percent of thuggery has returned to Kano, especially because of the upcoming elections. It has been growing since 2015.

“Let’s take areas like Ƙulƙul, Dala, Hotoro, Kurna, Abbatore and Fagge Local Government Area, for example; these are hotspots.

“The painful thing is that some of the thugs have started using traditional guns called Baushe,” he said.

Yarima also called on political leaders, traditional rulers and religious leaders to take stronger action against insecurity and youth involvement in violence.

He urged voters to reject politicians who use youths for violent activities and warned that continued silence could worsen the situation.

Police response

In an earlier discussion with journalists, the Kano State Police Command said many of the recent clashes involved rival groups operating within the same communities.

The command assured residents that security agencies were monitoring the situation and working to eliminate all forms of unrest across the state.

It said efforts were ongoing to prevent further violence and restore normalcy in affected areas.

Recall that two weeks ago, the Kano State Police Command unveiled a new operational office for the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).

According to CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, “The VCRU is not a unit for every officer. We have carefully vetted, selected and deployed trained, professional, committed, dedicated and result-oriented police officers to form this unit,” he stated.

“Each officer has undergone rigorous screening and mandatory training in tactical response, human rights, professional conduct and intelligence handling, in line with global best practices. Discipline, integrity and respect for human rights will remain the guiding principles of every VCRU operation,” he added.

With all these preparations, the people of Kano still live in constant fear and, according to some of those who spoke to DAILY POST, that fear grows with each passing day.

As of press time, the casualty figure from the clashes had not been confirmed.