Nasiru Abdullahi, popularly known as Chile Maidoki, is among the 222 repentant influential youths in Kano granted amnesty by the state government and also one of the 50 selected volunteers from the repentant thugs that have been trained as police special constabulary (SC) in the state.
However, when the picture of Nasir Abullahi wearing a constabulary uniform went viral, speculations began to make waves, especially on social media, that Abdullahi was seen with a senior police officer at one of the police colleges and training schools.
It was also alleged that the repentant thug was among the 10,000 police constabularies undergoing a six-month-long training exercise to enhance community policing across the country.
These developments generated a serious debate within Kano State and other states of the federation that Abdullahi could be enrolled into the patrol of the Nigerian police despite being on the wanted list of the same police.
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Matters got worse when a prominent online news medium carried a story that an alleged criminal in Kano had joined the Nigerian Police Force months after being declared wanted by the state’s Commissioner of Police.
This news had indeed generated a lot of reactions from various stakeholders, especially within the communities. According to a Kano-based security analyst, Ibrahim Mu’azzam, if the allegation is true, then it is wrong, adding that he trusted the Nigerian Police Force and he is sure the force wouldn’t do such a thing.
The development forced the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, to react to the issue, saying the report that the command had recruited criminals into the force was not only malicious but a “calculated attempt to destroy the reputable image of Kano State Police Command.”
According to him, the said Nasiru Abdullahi, who was described as a criminal by the report, is among the 222 repentant influential youths in Kano granted amnesty by the state government, adding that the process followed a directive by the state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, that the repentant influential youths who were hitherto an ideal and tools in the hands of disgruntled politicians and other enemies of the state, should be properly profiled and reformed.
He disclosed that out of the 222 influential youths, 50 volunteered to help the police in fighting crime and criminal activities of which Nasiru Abdullahi was among them.
“Governor Yusuf, who already granted them amnesty, directed us to profile them and find out where they can fit in for skills acquisition and human empowerment.
“Out of the 222 influential youths, 50 of them volunteered to help the police in fighting crime and criminal activities in the state. Nasiru Abdullahi is one of them. Further investigations indicated that Nasiru Abdullahi has no criminal records in any court of law. I therefore challenge critics to go and verify the claim. Unfortunately, some people are bent on tarnishing the image and reputation of the Nigerian Police, but they will not succeed. The command will remain committed to protecting the lives and property of citizens,” he said.
It can be recalled that in August 2023, the Kano State Police Command had declared three suspected thugs; Abba Burakita of Dorayi Quarters, Nasir Abdullahi known as Chile Maidoki of Layin Falwaya Kurna Makabarta Quarters and Hantar Daba of Kwanar Disu wanted. The command also promised a reward of N100,000 for anyone who provided valuable information leading to their arrest within seven days. The command explained that it declared them wanted following their refusal to surrender themselves to the police for a dialogue.
However, barely a few days after the declaration, Maidoki surrendered himself to the police, saying he was tired of the hide-and-seek with the police and that he was now a repentant soul.
“During the hide-and-seek, I used to sleep at the burial ground yard in Kano City just to evade detection by security personnel. I am appealing to the good people of the state to forgive me. I have repented and am ready to work with the police to promote sustainable peace and development in the state,” he said during his surrender.
On October 16, 50 repented thugs passed out after completing two months of intake training in the Nigeria Police Special Constabulary.
During the passing out parade, the state commissioner of police said, “The police command invited some identified individuals who are behind the escalation of thuggery and other heinous crimes in the state for dialogue. As a result, a total of 222 repentant thugs were received and we have forwarded their details to the state governor during our friendly football match with them at Sani Abacha Stadium Kofar Mata, Kano for them to be supported by way of engaging them in some life-changing programmes. It is from this number that 50 volunteered to work with the police and to contribute to the security and development of the state,” he said.
The Police Service Commission has waded into the controversy surrounding the recruitment of repentant thugs as Special Constabularies in Kano State, stressing that the constabularies are not police officers and that they are not recognised as such by the commission and the government.
In a statement signed by the head, press and public relations of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, the commission, however, acknowledged that “constabulary operations are covered and recognised by the Police Act and are readily useful and needed now that the nation is fighting to end the siege of criminals across the country.”
In a telephone chat with our correspondent, Nasir Abdullahi revealed that he would not be deterred by the public outcry on his repentance, adding that he is a completely changed person now and he will do all that it takes to assist security personnel in ensuring sustainable peace in the state.
A source within Nasir’s residence told our reporter that Nasir was just a political thug that politicians have been using over the years, adding that his repentance has been a welcome development by many people because politicians have used him without much reward.
