In a surprising turn of events, the Kano State Police Command has trained and converted 50 hardened criminals to Police Constables.
The idea behind the development was to use the repentant criminals against their colleagues who have refused to repent and shun criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police, CP, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, while addressing the 50 selected repentant thugs drawn from Dala, Fagge, Ungogo, Municipal and Gwale LGAs of Kano State, upon the completion of the two-month in-take training as members of the Nigeria Police Special Constabulary, noted that they were lucky for deciding to turn a new leaf.
The CP further recalled that about three months earlier, the Police Command invited some identified individuals believed to be behind the escalation of thuggery (Fadan Yan Daba) and other heinous crimes in the state for dialogue.
A total of 222 repentant thugs were received. The CP added that they have forwarded their details to the State Governor during their friendly football match with them at Sani Abacha Stadium Kofar Mata, Kano, for them to be supported by way of engaging them in some life-changing programs.
It is important to note that this development has sparked outrage among Nigerians on social media. Several Nigerians expressed dismay over recruiting individuals with a criminal record and or shady pasts to police communities.
However, it is worth noting that this move is aimed at rehabilitating these individuals and giving them a chance to contribute positively to society.