The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has dismissed allegations by the Kano State Government that his comments could undermine ongoing security efforts in the state. He urged Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to stop politicising insecurity and instead focus on tackling the numerous challenges confronting Kano.
In a statement issued through his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, Barau described the government’s claims as “false, reckless, and malicious,” insisting that he never made any comment capable of worsening insecurity. He challenged the state government to present the video clip where he allegedly made such remarks.
According to him, addressing insecurity—particularly the activities of bandits encroaching into parts of the state—requires cooperation among all stakeholders, not political attacks or misinformation.
“It is unfortunate that the state government has chosen to fabricate lies simply to tarnish the Deputy President of the Senate’s growing reputation,” the statement read. “Senator Barau has consistently worked with relevant authorities to confront insecurity both in Kano and across Nigeria.”
Barau, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, called on Governor Abba to “wake up from slumber” and take decisive leadership to restore Kano’s lost glory. He lamented that the state, once a strong economic contender next to Lagos, had suffered declines due to alleged misgovernance.
The senator further listed contributions he has made toward improving security in Kano. These include providing operational vehicles to police divisions, donating motorcycles to police officers in Kano North, renovating sections of the state police headquarters, and constructing several police stations.
He also highlighted his support for the Department of State Services (DSS) and his role in facilitating the establishment of training institutions for the NSCDC, the Police Service Commission, and the Nigeria Immigration Service in various parts of the state. Additionally, he noted the installation of solar-powered streetlights across his senatorial district to aid nighttime patrols.
The statement urged the Kano State Government to emulate efforts aimed at strengthening security rather than “casting aspersions on his personality.”
