Residents of Kawo in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State are living in fear as fresh clashes involving suspected youth gangs, known locally as Yan Daba, continued for the third straight day on Tuesday.
The violence has disrupted normal life in the area, forcing traders to close early and leaving commuters scared to move around. Many locals say the situation shows a worrying return of gang-related unrest in parts of Kano.
A resident, Muhammad, said the clashes are already affecting business activities, as shop owners now fear attacks and theft.
He said: “They have not started entering houses yet, but they scare traders away and sometimes loot them, from what I have heard.”
According to some community members, the trouble started about three weeks ago after a disagreement between commercial tricycle (Keke) operators from different parts of Kawo.
How the crisis started
A resident known as Maman Mama explained that the problem began when some tricycle riders allegedly blocked a major road in the area early in the morning.
She said riders from one group reportedly barricaded the road around 6:50 a.m., stopping others from passing.
According to her, the situation escalated when weapons were allegedly displayed and threats were made against anyone trying to use the road.
She added that a tricycle rider from the opposing side was injured and his vehicle damaged before police arrived later in the morning. Since then, she said, both sides have carried out revenge attacks.
Another resident, Barrister, said the incident caused heavy traffic and panic among road users.
He explained that although the attackers did not target random passers-by, the situation still created fear and confusion in the area.
A female resident who asked not to be named described the growing violence as disturbing and called for urgent action to protect young people in the community.
Activist raises alarm over drug use and youth violence
A social activist, Comrade Sagiru Usman Yarima, blamed the rise in violence on increasing drug abuse among young people in Kano.
He said many of the youths involved in gang activities are influenced by drugs and political manipulation, especially as elections approach.
Yarima warned that several parts of Kano, including Ƙulƙul, Dala, Hotoro, Kurna, Abbattoir and Fagge, are becoming hotspots for violent groups.
He also expressed concern over the use of locally made firearms in recent clashes and urged leaders to take stronger action.
According to him, political leaders, traditional rulers and religious authorities must work together to stop the cycle of violence and protect the future of young people.
He further advised voters to reject politicians who use youths for violence, warning that silence could worsen the situation.
Police response
The Kano State Police Command has confirmed that the recent clashes involve rival groups operating within the same communities.
It assured residents that security agencies are monitoring the situation and working to restore peace.
The police also said efforts are ongoing to prevent further attacks and reduce criminal activity across affected areas.
Recently, the command launched a special unit known as the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to tackle rising insecurity.
According to the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, officers in the unit were carefully selected and trained in tactical response, intelligence gathering, and human rights protection.
Despite these measures, residents say fear is still high in Kawo as violence continues, with no confirmed casualty figure released as of the time of this report.