Kano Streets Where Hoodlums, Sex Workers Operate Freely …C0NTINUE READING HERE >>>
Despite efforts by the Kano State government to contain their nefarious demeaning activities, thugs, criminals and sex workers in their teens and early 40s are still operating. Abdulmumin Murtala writes that the activities of these drug addicts have further worsened, given the current hardship across the state.
Kano, a state in northern Nigeria, practices Shari’a law, enforced by the Shari’a police known as Hizbah. However, in areas like Sabon Gari and No Man’s Land in the Fagge local government area, Shari’a law is not strictly enforced due to the non-Shari’a adherent population.
This is because most of the residents in Sabon Gari are from the eastern and western parts of Nigeria.
Hisbah, an outfit set up to implement the Sharia Islamic law in Kano State
In these areas, businesses like clubs, beer parlours, and brothels operate without interference from the authorities, despite the imposition of Shari’a law in the state.
The Shari’a police commander( Hizbah) , Sheikh Aminuddeen Daurawa, confirmed that they do not initiate attacks on violators, but instead wait for official complaints from the public to seek court orders for search warrants in order to prosecute offenders in collaboration with either the Nigeria Police force or the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC).
He also stated that these violators and some large hotels in the city discreetly sell alcoholic drinks
In Sabon Gari and parts of ‘No Man’s Land’, brothels are established where sex workers, mostly from northern Nigeria, rent rooms. These sex workers may abandon their families and marriages to work in Kano.
The sex workers pay daily rents ranging from N2500 to N3000 to the landlords, resulting in annual expenses of over N910,000 for a single room and a toilet.
Some sex workers have boyfriends who support them by paying for their accommodation and spending the night with them.
In some cases, sex workers are victims of human trafficking. For example, Yar Fulani shared her experience of being taken to Libya with the intention of being trafficked to Europe, but she managed to escape back to Nigeria after a few months.
There are also instances where sex workers travel to places like Saudi Arabia to work as house helps and engage in illicit activities. In addition, there are groups of men who gather for gambling in these areas, with some of them being self-employed or workers, and others being the patrons or boyfriends of the sex workers. These activities thrive in areas not targeted by the Shari’a police.
Drug peddlers in these areas sell various drugs, including cough syrups, Rochi, Indian Hemp, and Beneline, often abused by sex workers and their clients. Some sex workers also engage in drug abuse, with most of them smoking cigarettes and some using drugs like weed. Their ages typically range from 17 to 30 years old, with some being single mothers living with their children.
Furthermore, there are thugs who engage in drug abuse, criminal activities such as phone snatching, stealing motorcycles, and political thuggery in these parts of the town.
Known areas where these activities are prevalent include Sheka, Unguwa Uku, Gyadi Gyadi, Dorayi, and Unguwar Gobirawa. These places are considered hotspots for thug activities.
The criminals are known to move from one area to another, committing various crimes and managing to escape without consequence. Despite occasional arrests and arraignments by the police, they are often not able to prevent these criminal activities.
The thugs operate in gangs and often carry dangerous weapons when committing crimes, such as phone snatching, even in broad daylight. They are known to be under the influence of drugs when carrying out these activities
Unfortunately, there have been cases where innocent people have been attacked and killed during these criminal sprees. In one instance, a young man was fatally attacked and robbed of his phone along IBB way, leaving behind a wife and two children.
Victims of these crimes are often left without justice, and the criminals continue to roam free in the area.
In a specific area in Kano called Tukuntawa, a man named Salisu Shehu, (pseudonym) shared his encounter with thugs and how they intimidate the residents with LEADERSHIP Weekend.
He said, “We were walking along the road to our house when a thug suddenly stopped us and brandished a very sharp dagger, attacking my friend.
“Thankfully, my friend managed to dodge the blow, which narrowly missed his abdomen but tore his clothing halfway. He was very fortunate to have escaped without a serious injury.
He said, “Kuda, the notorious thug with a history of manslaughter, accused my friend of being a hypocrite and providing information to the authorities, although my friend had no such involvement.
It is evident that Kuda was under the influence of drugs, using intimidation to assert dominance. Fortunately, no one was harmed.
“Additionally, my friend revealed that the gang includes drug dealers, and those who use drugs and marijuana , adding that those in authority are aware of and support these dealers due to compensation .
LEADERSHIP Weekend can report that , confronting or reporting them to the authorities is seen as dangerous and could result in severe consequences, including injury or death.
You can’t ignore the fact that even after getting arrested, these criminals always manage to return and resume their unlawful activities.
I vividly remember an incident when I found myself amidst a notorious drug dealer and his gang. Despite their suspicions, I stood my ground, engaging the dealer in conversation. The situation took a dramatic turn when the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) unexpectedly showed up, prompting the gang members to scatter. To my surprise, as they apprehended the others, they completely disregarded me upon the boss’s orders.
The drug dealer, unfazed by the entire episode, continued to operate with impunity. This experience further highlighted the urgent need to protect the community from such threats.
A concerned parent, Malam Mudi, residing in Kofar Dan’agundi, emphasised the crucial role of parental guidance in shielding children from falling under the influence of criminal elements. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that some of these delinquents receive support from their own families, using illicit gains to renovate their homes. What’s more distressing is the silence of the community in the face of such blatant criminal activities.
Many areas, like Karshen Waya, have become no-go zones due to the menacing presence of armed thugs. Despite this, the community still lacks the unity to address these issues head-on, leaving themselves vulnerable to these criminal elements.
He further added that the government is making efforts because “that area near the pond at Kofar Dan’agundi used to harbour all sorts of drug and weed sellers. But now they have all been chased away and normalcy has returned to the place,” he added.
On the security side, especially the Kano Police Command, they are working round the clock to ensure that thugs and their activities are controlled in the state.
There was a recent incident involving a video clip of a 14-year-old boy carrying a sharp sword and chanting thuggish slogans while hurling abuses and insults at anyone who dared him. Many people were shown watching and feeling entertained by the upcoming thug in the video.
The incident took place in Kura town on the outskirts of Kano along Zaria road and it went viral on social media.
The Kano Police spokesman, Abdullahi Kiyawa, informed leaders that the Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Dogo, after seeing the clip, issued an order for the boy and his father to be brought to the command immediately.
You can only shape a tree when it’s young and fresh. This is why the CP instructed that measures be taken to prevent this boy from going down the wrong path.
“The boy’s father expressed dismay and promised to keep a close eye on him. The boy also promised that he will never do it again, stating that he was only influenced by his juvenile spirit.”
Regarding the issue of drug dealing and thugs, it was explained that 26 suspected thugs were recently arrested with various weapons in the police force’s crackdown on them.
“A vigilant member of the public provided information leading to the arrest of notorious drug dealer Nasiru Adamu, a 25-year-old man found with four sacks of Exol tablets in Rijiyar Zaki area of the metropolis.
“The public’s cooperation is crucial in helping the police apprehend these culprits as they live among them. So, we welcome such information,” the spokesman said.
Furthermore, in terms of sex workers, due to the Shari’a issue, they only operate in Shari’a-free areas like Sabon Gari and No Man’s Land.
Malam Adamu, a trader who runs a provision store at Ebedi road, mentioned that the sex workers also engage in drug abuse.
“There is a lady here called Hajiya. She distributes drugs for them and works as a sex worker. It’s known that even if she is arrested, she will be back within two days.
“Yes, the security used to crack down on them, including the Shari’a police called Hizbah.
“When they arrest the ladies, they take them to their office. Upon their return, they claim that the Hizbah only preached to them and asked them to repent,” he stated.
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