By RAMATU GARBA

The Kano State Government says it will grant amnesty to repentant thugs currently being profiled under its “Safe Corridor” initiative aimed at addressing political thuggery and youth restiveness in the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiya, made this known at the inauguration of the programme at the Police Command headquarters in Kano on Wednesday.

The commissioner who represented the governor at the occasion said that 718 youths had so far been profiled, while an additional 960 names were awaiting police validation before being enrolled into the programme.

He said the initiative was designed as a deliberate non-kinetic approach to tackle thuggery, rehabilitate affected youths and reintegrate them into society.

“After profiling by the police and drug testing by the NDLEA, the repentant youths will undergo rehabilitation.

“Gov. Kabir-Yusuf has pledged to grant them amnesty so they can be free from past accusations and begin a new life,” he said.

According to Abdullahi-Waiya, some of the youths would be immediately engaged in employment, while others would undergo rehabilitation before reintegration into society.

The commissioner said that traditional rulers, civil society organisations and security agencies would monitor the programme to ensure accountability and transparency.

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu-Bakori, commended the initiative, describing it as a bold step to foster a safer and more harmonious Kano.

He urged the youths to embrace the opportunity and turn away from crime.

“To our youths, especially those involved in Daba (thuggery), I appeal to you to repent, lay down your arms and embrace peace.

“The government has provided you with a second chance through this programme,” he said.

Adamu-Bakori also urged stakeholders, community and religious leaders to intensify their efforts in sensitizing youth on the dangers of violence, crime, and other antisocial behaviors.

The Kano Hisbah Commander-General, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, appealed to the beneficiaries to encourage others who were yet to surrender to do so.

He further urged the beneficiaries to provide credible information to security agencies that will lead to the arrest of drug peddlers in the state.

Daurawa said that the state Hisbah board would look into possibility of allocating mass wedding slots to them, if they proved to be good ambassadors.

Buzun Kida, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, pledged that the era of thuggery in Kano was over.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by the Commandant of NSCDC, NDLEA, traditional leaders and other dignitaries stakeholders. (NAN)