The Kano State Government has commenced training for the first batch of 380 volunteer youths out of the 600 recruited as members of the Special Anti-Phone Snatching and VIP Protection Guards, as part of renewed efforts to tackle phone snatching, thuggery, and related crimes in the state.
The two-week intensive program, held at the Kano State Corporate Security Institute, Gabasawa, is designed to equip the volunteers with the skills required to assist in safeguarding lives and property.
This was contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Enlightenment at the Ministry of Internal Security and Special Services, Muhammad Idris, and made available to journalists on Monday.
According to the statement, the initiative seeks to provide the recruits with the discipline and training necessary to support security agencies in maintaining peace and order across communities in Kano.
Receiving the trainees, the Commandant of the Corporate Security Institute, retired Captain Muhammad Bello Mai Gaskiya, explained that the programme was designed to provide paramilitary instruction for combating rising urban crimes, particularly phone snatching and thuggery within Kano metropolis.
He said the training would cover phone snatching prevention, VIP protection, defensive driving, drug education by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, counselling sessions by Hisbah personnel, as well as parade drills and physical fitness exercises.
Mai Gaskiya urged participants to take the training seriously and work diligently toward the set objectives, noting that their role would be crucial in restoring security and order in communities across the state.
The ministry added that once the training is completed, the youths will be officially absorbed by the state government and paid a monthly stipend to sustain their engagement. It further noted that the trainees have pledged to serve with dedication and commitment once deployed to support security agencies.
