Kano Sate Police Command places men on high alert and steps up protection of Igbos

MEN of the Kano State Police Command have stepped up security across the state and assured all non-residents of their safety in response to the recent ultimatum given to all Igbos living across northern Nigeria to leave the region by October 1.

Earlier this month, a coalition of northern youth groups said the region was tired of the marriage with Ndigbo and called for the immediate dismemberment of Nigeria. Their statement, read out by Mallam Abdulazeez Suleiman, which included threats to forcefully seize property belonging to Igbos across northern Nigeria at the end of the ultimatum, has been widely condemned.

They asked all Igbos leaving across northern Nigeria to leave by independence day and also asked all northerners living in Igboland to do likewise. In response, the Kaduna State government has asked that those who signed the statement be arrested and yesterday, the Kano State Police Command reassured all non-indigenes residing in the state that it was ready to protect their lives and property.

In addition, the command also advised residents to ignore the ultimatum given by the Arewa youth groups describing it as an empty threat. Police spokesman Magaji Majiya, stated that the police would not take the threat lightly, adding that they had since beefed up security, especially in identified flashpoints, so as to ensure the security of lives and property of all Nigerians.

He added that the police commissioner ordered the deployment of the command's crack strike force, who were specially trained to deal with disturbances to both entry and exit points of the metropolis, including border towns. According to Mr Majiya, the command had also intensified round-the-clock motorised patrol of the Kano metropolis to keep undesirable elements at bay.