Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf has charged officers and men of the newly-formed Neighbourhood Watch Corps to demonstrate high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their mandate.
Yusuf made the call yesterday in Kano during the inauguration of the corps and special passing‑out parade.
According to him, 2,000 corps members, comprising 130 females and 1,870 males, were trained in various security tactics.
He said they would be deployed across the 44 local government areas to complement the efforts of other security agencies.
The governor explained that the officers would be equipped with arms and ammunition to counter major crimes within the state.
Yusuf said the outfit would form a key pillar of his administration’s broader security‑reform agenda.
This, he said, was premised on community participation, intelligence‑driven operation and strong collaboration, with the police and other security agencies in its operations.
He urged the National Assembly to enact relevant laws to permit the establishment of state police to work alongside the federal police.
The Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sunusi II commended the state government for the inauguration of the outfit.
In a remark, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Security, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi described the initiative as a milestone toward tackling security challenges in the state.
Earlier, Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State urged governors in the North West to collaborate in creating an enabling environment for enhanced socio- economic development of the region.
Also, a former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, who is the National Leader of New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, called on the federal government to ensure that military personnel perform credibly and effectively.
He emphasised the need for adequate training and provision of modern equipment, noting that a well‑trained military is essential in overcoming security challenges.
