Barau Tells Gov Yusuf to Stop Politicising Kano Security Challenges

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has asked Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to stop turning security matters into politics and focus on resolving the state’s governance challenges.

Barau’s remarks came in response to allegations issued by the Kano State Government after its 34th Executive Council Meeting, where it was claimed that a statement by the senator could undermine ongoing security efforts.

In a statement released on Saturday by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, Barau dismissed the claims as false, reckless and malicious, and challenged the government to provide evidence.

“The attention of the media office… has been drawn to false, reckless and malicious claims by the Kano State Government… that His Excellency made a statement capable of undermining the security efforts in the state,” the statement read.

Barau insisted that at no time did he make comments capable of weakening security operations, stressing that insecurity in the country, including banditry affecting parts of Kano, demands collective cooperation.

“I is unfortunate that the state government has relegated governance to this low by concocting and fabricating lies to tarnish the growing reputation of the Deputy President of the Senate,” the statement added.

He further challenged the administration to release proof, saying, “We challenge them to produce the clip in which the Deputy President of the Senate made any statement that could undermine security efforts.”

The senator, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, ECOWAS Parliament, urged the governor to take governance more seriously, noting that past misgovernance has eroded Kano’s prosperity.

“Until governance was relegated to the background, our beloved state, Kano, used to be a very close second to Lagos in terms of prosperity, but unfortunately, misgovernance has eroded this,” he said.

Barau expressed confidence that Kano can reclaim its stature if strategic decisions are taken, adding that the state possesses the resources to restore its glory days, but current steps are inadequate.

He highlighted several security interventions he has personally facilitated, including the provision of operational vehicles and motorcycles to Nigeria Police formations in Kano North, as well as renovation work on parts of the Kano State Police Headquarters, and the construction of police stations across communities.

He equally confirmed support to the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kano.

Among his institutional security contributions, the statement noted his role in facilitating the establishment of key national training facilities in the state, including:

• The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) training college in Gwarzo
• The Nigeria Police Service Commission training institute in Kabo
• The Nigeria Immigration Service training school in Bichi

Barau also referenced his installation of solar streetlights in multiple communities to aid nighttime patrol operations by security agencies.

He concluded by advising the Kano State Government to emulate constructive leadership and partnership in addressing insecurity rather than resort to accusations or character attacks.