The Kano State Government has deployed the first batch of 380 trained marshals to combat the surge in mobile phone theft and street crime across the state.
The operatives completed a two-week intensive training programme at the Kano State Corporate Security Institute in Gabasawa on Sunday, October 5, 2025.
The exercise, which began on September 22, was supervised by the Ministry of Internal Security and Special Services and covered a wide range of competencies, including VIP protection, defensive driving, emergency response, crowd control, intelligence gathering, and community policing.
Facilitators from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Hisbah Corps also participated in the training sessions.
The 380 marshals form the first phase of the newly established Special Anti-Phone Snatching and VIP Protection Unit, which will eventually comprise 600 operatives.
Each marshal will receive a monthly stipend and operate under close supervision in coordination with conventional security agencies.
Commandant Muhammad Bello Mai Gaskiya (rtd.) said the initiative was designed to professionalize volunteer security efforts and enhance rapid response to urban crime incidents.
Commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Umar (rtd.), also inspected the training camp before the marshals’ deployment.
READ ALSO:Â Kano Moves to End Drug Theft in State Hospitals
The deployment follows a wave of phone snatching and petty theft in high-density areas such as Sheka, Dorayi, Kofar Mata, Medile, and Zango.
The state government said the initiative will strengthen community safety, improve surveillance, and support law enforcement operations across Kano.
Security experts have commended the initiative as a proactive step toward curbing urban insecurity, but stressed the need for proper coordination, accountability, and sustainable funding to ensure long-term success.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration said the programme is part of a broader effort to not only reduce street crime but also create employment opportunities and promote youth engagement in community security.