Kano State, located in northern Nigeria and one of the country’s most populous and commercially significant states, has taken a major step toward enhancing community-level security with the formal inauguration of the Kano State Neighbourhood Watch Corps.
Nigeria’s Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, officially commissioned the newly established security outfit during a passing-out parade held at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, the capital city of Kano State.
According to an official statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Tofa, the Kano State Neighbourhood Watch Corps is made up of 2,000 trained operatives. The personnel strength includes 130 female operatives and 1,870 male operatives who have been strategically deployed across the state’s 44 Local Government Areas to ensure grassroots coverage.
Okay News reports that the initiative is designed to complement existing conventional security agencies by focusing on intelligence gathering and early response to criminal activities. The corps is expected to play a critical role in tackling security challenges such as banditry, drug abuse, thuggery, and other forms of criminality affecting both urban centres and rural communities across the state.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor Yusuf underscored the importance of discipline and community loyalty among the operatives. He said, “The Neighbourhood Watch Corps is a critical pillar in our strategy to ensure peace and safety in every corner of Kano State. I urge all members to be disciplined, honest, and dedicated to protecting their communities.”
To enhance operational effectiveness, the state government unveiled 88 Hilux patrol vehicles and 440 motorcycles, which are expected to improve rapid response capability and extend security coverage to hard-to-reach areas.
Governor Yusuf further assured residents of Kano State that his administration would continue to invest in security infrastructure, personnel welfare, and strong collaboration with Nigeria’s conventional security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security institutions.
The initiative also received regional support, as Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, commended the programme and emphasized that inter-state collaboration remains vital in addressing cross-border crimes, especially in border communities across northern Nigeria.
The event attracted several high-profile dignitaries, including Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former Governor of Kano State and a prominent Nigerian political figure; Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; deputy governors from Zamfara, Jigawa, and Sokoto States; senior security officials; traditional rulers; and other key stakeholders.
Governor Yusuf linked the success of security initiatives directly to economic growth, educational development, and social stability, stressing that peace and safety remain top priorities of his administration.
