In a bold move aimed at reducing crime and rehabilitating youths, the Kano State Government has announced plans to sponsor the weddings of repentant thugs who have surrendered their weapons and renounced violence.
The initiative, announced by the Commander-General of the Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, comes after over 1,000 self-confessed street thugs, locally known as ‘Yan Daba’, turned themselves in during a formal disarmament event held at the Kano State Police Command Headquarters in Bompai.
“This programme is part of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s initiative to support young people who have left behind criminal lifestyles and want to live decent lives,” Sheikh Daurawa said.
The Hisbah chief, however, warned that the repentance must be sincere. “We will not tolerate deception. This is not a place for fake repentance. The system will screen everyone thoroughly,” he added.
During the event, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, said the exercise marked the beginning of a larger rehabilitation process.
According to him, the first step is a screening exercise by the police to assess the sincerity of the youths. This will be followed by further screening by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to determine whether the individuals are truly ready to abandon drugs and violence.
“This is not just about dropping weapons. It’s about a full change of mindset,” the governor said. “Those who are found to be genuine will benefit from full government support.”
Governor Yusuf stated that the government will provide support in the form of start-up capital for small businesses, vocational training, and educational support for those who want to go back to school.
The idea, he explained, is to help former street thugs reintegrate into society and reduce the rate of crime in the state by offering them real alternatives.
In an unusual but symbolic gesture, the Hisbah Board said it would also sponsor weddings for the repentant youths. According to Sheikh Daurawa, the marriage support is both practical and symbolic — representing a fresh start and a move towards responsibility.
“It is our belief that if a young man has something to do and a family to care for, he will have less reason to return to crime,” Daurawa said.
The Hisbah Board, known for promoting Islamic moral values and regulating public behavior in Kano, will coordinate the marriage sponsorship process and ensure that only genuinely reformed individuals benefit from it.
This is not the first time the Kano State Government has sponsored mass weddings, but this is the first time such support is being extended specifically to former street thugs as part of a rehabilitation programme.
Also speaking at the event, Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, praised the initiative as a step in the right direction. He noted that the large number of youths who surrendered shows that government’s efforts to engage them positively are beginning to yield results.
“This is evidence that with the right approach, even the most violent youths can turn their lives around,” CP Bakori said. “The police will work closely with other agencies to ensure proper rehabilitation and monitoring.”
Some of the ex-thug leaders who spoke at the event, including Kamilu and Buzu Mai Kidan Gangi, expressed their gratitude to the government and promised not to return to crime. “We want to live in peace. We are tired of running from the law. We want to build a better future,” one of them said.
Kano has long battled the problem of street gangs and drug abuse among youth. Groups of violent young men, known locally as Yan Daba or Kauraye, have been responsible for crimes ranging from robbery to political thuggery.
Previous administrations attempted to control the situation through arrests and crackdowns. However, under Governor Yusuf’s leadership, the current approach includes rehabilitation, empowerment, and moral reorientation.
This strategy is seen by many as a more sustainable way to address youth violence, especially in a state where unemployment and drug abuse have been major drivers of crime.
While the initiative is being widely praised, some analysts warn that follow-through is essential. Without proper monitoring and consistent support, the programme risks being abused or losing credibility.
