Olushola Omogbehin
Kano State Government has commenced the training of 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 its initiative to address phone snatching, thuggery and other related crimes in the state.
This was made known in a statement issued on Monday by Muhd Dahir Idris, the Director of Public Relations and Enlightenment, Ministry of Internal security and Special Services.
According to the statement, the two-week intensive training which has started at the Kano State Corporate Security Institute in Gabasawa, is aimed at equipping them with the skills and discipline needed to support security agencies in maintaining peace and order.
“The trainees represent the first batch of 600 volunteers recruited to serve as members of the Special Antiphone Snatching and VIP Protection Guards.
“The training is designed to equip the youths with the skills and discipline needed to support security agencies in maintaining peace and order across the state,” Idris explained.
The Commandant of the Kano State Corporate Security Institute Zakirai Gabasawa, retired Captain Muhammad Bello Mai Gaskiya, said the programme is designed to provide paramilitary training to the trainees in combating the rising urban crimes, particularly phone snatching and thuggery within Kano metropolis.
He said the programme will focus on phone snatching prevention, VIP protection and defensive driving, and lectures from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, Counselling sessions by Hisbah personnel, as well as parade drills and physical fitness training.
The Commandant appealed to the participants to be diligently with their training in order to achieve the set objectives because their role would be crucial in restoring order and security in communities across the state.
