Stop Politicising Insecurity, Barau warns Kano Governor

The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, has criticised the Kano State Government for accusing him of making comments that could weaken security operations in the state, insisting the allegation was fabricated.

Senator Barau spoke after reports from the 34th Executive Council meeting where the Kano Executive Council Meeting alleged that one of his remarks might undermine the state’s security push.

Reacting, Barau rejected the claim, describing it as “false, reckless and malicious,” and dared the government to back its words with evidence.

“There was no time when Senator Barau uttered any statement capable of undermining security efforts,” he said.

He added in a statement issued by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, “We challenge them to produce the clip in which the Deputy President of the Senate made any statement that could undermine security efforts.”

Barau expressed disappointment at the accusation, which he said painted the state government as playing politics with matters of public safety.

In the signed statement, he said: “The attention of the media office… has been drawn to false, reckless and malicious claims by the Kano State Government… that His Excellency made a statement capable of undermining the security efforts in the state.”

He continued: “It is unfortunate that the state government has relegated governance to this low by concocting and fabricating lies to tarnish the growing reputation of the Deputy President of the Senate.”

Barau shifted the conversation from accusations to governance, warning Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to stop trading blame and begin trading solutions.

He said the decline in Kano’s progress was avoidable, adding that the state had lost its long-held economic momentum.

“Until governance was relegated to the background, our beloved state, Kano, used to be a very close second to Lagos in prosperity, but unfortunately, misgovernance has eroded this,” he stated.

“The governor is not taking steps in that direction… he is not taking steps in that direction.”

He lamented the state of affairs further: “We have everything necessary to restore the glorious days of our state, but the governor is not taking steps in that direction.”

Barau highlighted investments he personally backed to improve safety in Kano North, Kano North and other regions across the state, including operational logistics for police, intelligence and paramilitary agencies.

His office confirmed he provided vehicles to police formations, motorcycles for officers in Kano North, renovation of sections of the state police headquarters, construction of new police stations in multiple communities, material assistance to the DSS Kano office and solar streetlights for night patrol support in several areas

Mudashir’s statement also read: “The Deputy President of the Senate has facilitated the establishment of major training institutions in the state including the training college of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Gwarzo, the Police Service Commission institute in Kabo, and the Immigration training school in Bichi.”

It added that solar-powered streetlights were installed across communities to aid night surveillance and patrol operations.

Barau appealed for teamwork on insecurity, stating that local and national safety challenges must unite leaders, not divide them.

“Insecurity in the country including bandit attacks in parts of Kano requires cooperation from everyone and not politics,” he said.

He urged the Kano government to stop emotional accusations, avoid media theatrics and focus on state responsibilities.