Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state, North West Nigeria, and all the security agencies in the state have been commended for not being among the states captured by Daily Trust Newspaper’s Investigation on Jungle Justice.
The paper, in its edition of Monday, February 24, 2020, exposed where issue of jungle justice either becomes rampant or visible with Kano State not featuring on the list.
In a letter sent to the Governor by Peaceful Society Initiative (PESI), signed by the National Secretary, Edward Michael Michigan, reads “Because of the importance attached to the security of life and properties by all the security agencies in Kano state coupled with the unflinching support given to them by His Excellency, the Kano state governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, peaceful atmosphere has come to stay, God’s Grace,”
The group says it not surprise to see that Kano was part of the very few states where jungle justice was either too insignificant to spot or non-existent, according to Daily Trust investigation.
“The absence of jungle justice in Kano is not unconnected with the harmonious working relationship that exists between all the security agencies in the state on one hand and the synergy between host communities with all the security apparatus, on the other hand.”
The Group also referred to the Daily Trust investigation which says, “That there is no fewer than 105 people who became victims of jungle justice in at least 25 out of the 36 states of the federation between January to December, 2019.”
Adding that, Daily Trust further reveals that, “Newspaper reports reviewed by Daily Trust indicates that out of 105 victims, 73 were killed by mob actions, 31 others sustained various degrees of injuries from incidences of severe beatings.”
In Kano, as appreciated by the letter sent to the Governor, the state government is doing everything possible to make sure that misunderstandings among people in whatever form, are minimized to the barest minimal. This is done irrespective of differences in religion, ethnicity, tribe or political inclination.
“While governor Ganduje is up and doing in making sure that the concept of community policing thrives, he also, at the same time, makes it a cardinal point in his administration, to make sure that the rivalry among security agencies is cleared away without any let or hindrance. Coupled with prayers among other things, the state is enjoying peace and peaceful coexistence among populace,” observes the letter.
These and similar factors, the letter highlighted, were the wisdom behind Kano’s absence on the list of states with jungle justice cases.
While referring to Daily Trust report the letter quotes the newspaper as saying “Highest number of cases (jungle justice) were recorded in Lagos, and Bayelsa states, then Abuja, Cross River, Benue and Delta states. Other states were Anambra, Ondo, Katsina, Ekiti, Edo, Enugu, Abia, Kwara, Oyo and Nassarawa states.
Then Ebonyi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Niger, Ogun and Plateau states.”
In conclusion the group urges other states to take a leaf from Kano, especially in the areas of amplifying community policing, interfaith dialogues, developing good synergy between security agencies to avoid rivalry, that could befall on civilians to become victims of circumstances and to pray harder with good intentions.
