Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano has warned criminals to stay away from the state, saying that his administration will not tolerate any activity that will breach the existing peace in the state.

Mr Yusuf issued the warning while addressing 20 suspected criminals arrested for committing various crimes by the Kano Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at its headquarters on Sunday.

“My administration will not tolerate any act capable of disturbing the peaceful atmosphere in the state,” the governor said. “May I also use this opportunity to warn criminals, especially phone snatchers and armed robbers, to stay off the state.”

The governor also warned the residents, especially youths, to desist from political violence and thuggery in the state.

Mr Yusuf said the state government had taken concrete security measures to enhance the peaceful atmosphere in the state.

He said that the state government has already set up mobile courts to ensure prompt prosecution of phone snatchers and other criminal elements.

He lauded the efforts of the NSCDC for introducing various security measures that paved the way for the arrest of the 20 criminals within a very short period.

“We are going to support you to do more in arresting men of the underworld to enable residents to move on with their day-to-day activities without threat to lives and properties,” he said.

The corps commandant, Lawal Falala, had informed the governor earlier that 20 suspects were arrested for committing various crimes in the last five days.

He said eight suspects were arrested for various crimes ranging from vandalising armoured cables, phone snatching and theft of motorcycles.

He explained that 12 suspects were arrested in Sabon Gari, Fagge Local Government Area, for vandalising an armoured cable 7mms and phone snatching at Dorayi and Charanchi in Gwale Local Government Area.

He said the command had already taken proactive security measures to deal with any security threat in the state.

(NAN)