Former Kano State Governor and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has warned that bandits are now crossing from neighbouring Katsina State into several border communities in Kano, calling for immediate action from the Federal Government to prevent a wider security crisis in the North-West.
Kwankwaso issued the warning on Saturday during the 4th Convocation Ceremony of Skyline University in Kano, where he expressed deep worry about the growing insecurity in areas that had long been considered peaceful.
According to him, Kano State had enjoyed relative peace over the years, even as other states in the North-West battled widespread banditry, kidnapping, and rural violence. But the situation, he said, has changed in recent months as local government areas along the Kano–Katsina boundary become targets of regular attacks.
Kwankwaso listed the affected areas as Shanono, Bagwai, and Tsanyawa, explaining that these communities now face constant threats from armed groups who operate freely across the porous border.
“These bandits come from local government areas in Katsina, enter Kano to commit crime, and then return to Katsina,” the former governor lamented.
He described the pattern as a dangerous trend that must be stopped before it spreads further into Kano, a state he said had a long-standing reputation for safety and security.
A New Security Threat for a Historically Calm State
Kano—Nigeria’s most populous northern state—has often been seen as relatively insulated from the violent banditry plaguing other North-West states such as Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto, and Katsina. Successive Kano governments have invested heavily in local intelligence, community policing support, and coordinated operations involving the police, military, and the Hisbah Board.
However, analysts say the widening bandit activities in the region, coupled with the displacement of criminal groups by military operations in neighbouring states, may be pushing the criminals toward previously secure areas.
Kwankwaso suggested that some territories outside Kano have now become “safe havens” for bandits, allowing them to regroup, launch attacks, and retreat without immediate confrontation.
A Call for Federal Action
While commending the Kano State Government and security agencies for what he described as “consistent sacrifices,” Kwankwaso stressed that the rising cross-border attacks require the direct intervention of the Federal Government.
He noted that the bandits’ movement between the states shows the need for a more coordinated national security response.
“I thank the security personnel for their sacrifices so far, but the Federal Government must step in to ensure the safety of life and property,” he said.
Security experts say his position reflects a broader concern across the North that the banditry crisis is becoming more mobile, more coordinated, and increasingly difficult for individual state governments to manage.
Banditry and Political Reactions
Kwankwaso’s remarks immediately sparked reactions from Nigerians on social media, especially on platforms such as Nairaland, where the issue quickly became a trending topic.
Some respondents questioned whether Kwankwaso, a major northern political figure, had done enough in the past to address the root causes of insecurity in the region. Others attacked the political class for what they described as years of ignoring early warning signs.
One commenter wrote:
“Dividends of the APC policy of negotiating with terrorists… The North is now seeing the result.”
Another took aim at what he described as hypocrisy:
“I thought Kwankwaso said Trump should not come and help us eliminate terrorists. Let him enjoy his kinsmen.”
Yet others argued that the use of the word “bandits” downplays the seriousness of the problem, saying armed groups with military-grade weapons should be classified as terrorists.
Historical Roots of a Persistent Problem
Banditry in the North-West has grown significantly over the past decade. The problem, which began with cattle rustling, gradually expanded into kidnapping, village raids, extortion, and control of farming and mining areas. By 2020, it had become a full-blown insurgency in parts of Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna.
Katsina State—home to several forest reserves including the notorious Rugu Forest—has been one of the hardest hit. The forest stretches across several states and has long served as a hideout for armed groups.
Security operations launched between 2020 and 2024 pushed many bandit groups deeper into forested zones and border communities, resulting in the kind of cross-state movements Kwankwaso now warns about.
The Politics of Insecurity
Kwankwaso’s remarks also revived debate about whether northern political leaders have historically downplayed the threat of banditry for political reasons.
Some critics referenced past public statements by politicians and clerics who argued that the bandits were simply “aggrieved citizens” or “misguided youths,” accusing them of helping normalize the crisis.
One social media user said:
“The monster they created is coming for them. When it reaches Kano, they will beg Trump to come.”
Others linked the growing security breakdown to the policies of past administrations, especially under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Another commenter wrote:
“That was Buhari’s legacy to them… Even though he is dead, the legacy lives on.”
A Worsening Regional Crisis
Kwankwaso’s warning comes at a time of increased anxiety across the North-West, where farming activities, transportation, schooling, and rural life have been severely disrupted by insecurity.
Data from several security reports suggest that while Zamfara and Kaduna remain the epicentres, bandit operations have become increasingly mobile, crossing into states such as Kano, Jigawa, and even Bauchi.
The fear among many stakeholders is that if Kano—which has a large population, major markets, and strategic road networks—becomes a new hotspot, the consequences could be far-reaching.
