Is there really anything like a ‘repentant’ thug?, By Jideofor Adibe
Reading Time: 12 mins read
A recent report that no
A recent report that no
fewer than 50
fewer than 50
“
“
repentant t
repentant t
hugs” in Kano were converted to Police Special C
hugs” in Kano were converted to Police Special C
onstabulary
onstabulary
(PSC)
(PSC)
by the Kano State Police
by the Kano State Police
Command
Command
has generated
has generated
understandable
understandable
concerns
concerns
among the populace
among the populace
.
.
The Kano
The Kano
S
S
tate Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, while addressing the
tate Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, while addressing the
“
“
repentant thugs
repentant thugs
”
”
at a ceremony held at Sani Abacha Stadium
at a ceremony held at Sani Abacha Stadium
was quoted as saying
was quoted as saying
: “
: “
Today is a happy day for the goo
Today is a happy day for the goo
d people of Kano state and the P
d people of Kano state and the P
olice Command because we passed out 50 youths from the 222 repentant thugs, who have since surrendered themselves and promised never to engage in thuggery and other social vices that have been bedevilling the state, especially during the 2nd quarter of the year 2023.”
olice Command because we passed out 50 youths from the 222 repentant thugs, who have since surrendered themselves and promised never to engage in thuggery and other social vices that have been bedevilling the state, especially during the 2nd quarter of the year 2023.”
The CP recalled that about three months earlier, the Command invited some identified
The CP recalled that about three months earlier, the Command invited some identified
“
“
notorious individuals
notorious individuals
”
”
believed to be
believed to be
“
“
behind the escalation of thuggery and other heinous crimes
behind the escalation of thuggery and other heinous crimes
”
”
in the state for dialogue. “We forwarded their details to the state Governor for them to be supported by way of engaging them in some life-changing program
in the state for dialogue. “We forwarded their details to the state Governor for them to be supported by way of engaging them in some life-changing program
me
me
s
s
…
…
.
.
It is from this number that 50 volunteered to work with the police and to contribute to the security and development of the state.
It is from this number that 50 volunteered to work with the police and to contribute to the security and development of the state.
Taking into consideration their commitment to ensuring peace in the state since their repentance, we trained them in classes and the field and kitted them as members of the Special Constabulary.
Taking into consideration their commitment to ensuring peace in the state since their repentance, we trained them in classes and the field and kitted them as members of the Special Constabulary.
”
”
It was not clear from the reports how long the ‘thugs’ had been repentant or the duration of their training before they “volunteered to work with the Police.”
It was not clear from the reports how long the ‘thugs’ had been repentant or the duration of their training before they “volunteered to work with the Police.”
Kano state is
Kano state is
however not
however not
the only state that has tried to
the only state that has tried to
rehabilitate ‘
rehabilitate ‘
thugs’.
thugs’.
The Daily
The Daily
Nigerian
Nigerian
of 5
of 5
September
September
2022
2022
reported that “
reported that “
two
two
gangs of political thugs in Zamfara state embraced peace and urged the state government to engage them positively so as to contribute positively to societal development.
gangs of political thugs in Zamfara state embraced peace and urged the state government to engage them positively so as to contribute positively to societal development.
”
”
Members of the gang reported
Members of the gang reported
ly
ly
said they
said they
regretted being used by some politicians to cause mayhem on innocent citizens.
regretted being used by some politicians to cause mayhem on innocent citizens.
The groups, said to be
The groups, said to be
led by
led by
one
one
Baba
Baba
Karami and Garba Lawal, aka Vice, said they have joined the All Progressives Congress, APC, and would
Karami and Garba Lawal, aka Vice, said they have joined the All Progressives Congress, APC, and would
“
“
support government efforts to restore peace in the state.
support government efforts to restore peace in the state.
”
”
There are a number of issues involved
There are a number of issues involved
here
here
:
:
One is the notion of thugs.
One is the notion of thugs.
It would appear that the Kano State government used t
It would appear that the Kano State government used t
he word ‘thug’ as a generic sense
he word ‘thug’ as a generic sense
to encompass
to encompass
all manner of socially unacceptable activity – from
all manner of socially unacceptable activity – from
ruffians who may not necess
ruffians who may not necess
arily have engaged in crimes to
arily have engaged in crimes to
t
t
hose suspected to be behind sundry
hose suspected to be behind sundry
crimes. For instance, the International Centre for Invest
crimes. For instance, the International Centre for Invest
igative Reporting in a report on
igative Reporting in a report on
October 17 2023 noted: “On Monday, October 16, The ICIR saw pictures of Nasiru Abdullahi, popularly known as Chile Maidoki, donning a Kano State constabulary uniform alongside the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Kiyawa. Sometime this year, Abdullahi and two other notorious criminals were declared wanted by the Kano State Police Command with a
October 17 2023 noted: “On Monday, October 16, The ICIR saw pictures of Nasiru Abdullahi, popularly known as Chile Maidoki, donning a Kano State constabulary uniform alongside the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Kiyawa. Sometime this year, Abdullahi and two other notorious criminals were declared wanted by the Kano State Police Command with a
bounty of N100,000 each. A subsequent statement by the command confirmed that he surrendered himself to the command upon hearing the bounty placed on his head.”
bounty of N100,000 each. A subsequent statement by the command confirmed that he surrendered himself to the command upon hearing the bounty placed on his head.”
While in
While in
Kano state we were told of
Kano state we were told of
“repentan
“repentan
t thugs”, in Zamfara State, it seemed that the focus was more narrowly
t thugs”, in Zamfara State, it seemed that the focus was more narrowly
on
on
“
“
politi
politi
cal thugs”
cal thugs”
. Though this is narrower than the concept of ‘thug’ it is still broad because it could be an
. Though this is narrower than the concept of ‘thug’ it is still broad because it could be an
umbrella term for all manner of
umbrella term for all manner of
people working for politicians –
people working for politicians –
from
from
private security
private security
men to political enforcers,
men to political enforcers,
hangers-on
hangers-on
and hired political assassins. Again, like in Zamfara, i
and hired political assassins. Again, like in Zamfara, i
t is not clear
t is not clear
if the political
if the political
thugs had
thugs had
committed
committed
any crime, and if so, whether they have been convicted by a competent court of law.
any crime, and if so, whether they have been convicted by a competent court of law.
It would seem that in Kano State, t
It would seem that in Kano State, t
he apparent inability of the police to
he apparent inability of the police to
segregate the ‘repentant thugs’ into groups according to their suspected level
segregate the ‘repentant thugs’ into groups according to their suspected level
s
s
of involvement in crime and then convince the populace that those allowed to become members of the Spe
of involvement in crime and then convince the populace that those allowed to become members of the Spe
cial Police Constabulary are no
cial Police Constabulary are no
threats
threats
, is
, is
one of the rea
one of the rea
so
so
ns for the pu
ns for the pu
sh back by the people
sh back by the people
. The truth is that not all thugs are criminals – which may partly explain why ‘agberos’ these days want to be called ‘road transport workers’. To be “repentant” means that one is conscious of having down something wrong. An average mot
. The truth is that not all thugs are criminals – which may partly explain why ‘agberos’ these days want to be called ‘road transport workers’. To be “repentant” means that one is conscious of having down something wrong. An average mot
or park thug or political thugs
or park thug or political thugs
will most likely opt for a more respectable job if offered the opportunity
will most likely opt for a more respectable job if offered the opportunity
to do
to do
so,
so,
which means that
which means that
in
in
their own case, there may be nothing to ‘repent from’.
their own case, there may be nothing to ‘repent from’.
The notion of ‘repentant thugs’ thus
The notion of ‘repentant thugs’ thus
unfairly
unfairly
criminalises
criminalises
the dregs
the dregs
of the society
of the society
who have never committed any crime but took to
who have never committed any crime but took to
a life of hustling
a life of hustling
only because they have no
only because they have no
other options.
other options.
Two, related to the above is the question of recidivism.
Two, related to the above is the question of recidivism.
Recidivism in penology and
Recidivism in penology and
criminology is
criminology is
the act of a person repeating an undesirable behaviour after
the act of a person repeating an undesirable behaviour after
having been trained to abandon such
having been trained to abandon such
. It is also used to refer to the percentage of former prisoners who are rearrested for a similar offense.
. It is also used to refer to the percentage of former prisoners who are rearrested for a similar offense.
Since the terminology of ‘repentant thug’ implies ass
Since the terminology of ‘repentant thug’ implies ass
ociation with crimes, there are
ociation with crimes, there are
legitimate concerns about the said ‘repentant’ thugs returning to their old ways. Recidivism is
legitimate concerns about the said ‘repentant’ thugs returning to their old ways. Recidivism is
in fact
in fact
a general co
a general co
ncern across the world in conversations
ncern across the world in conversations
about the
about the
rehabilitation
rehabilitation
of
of
offenders such as former prisoners or terrorists.
offenders such as former prisoners or terrorists.
For instance,
For instance,
in
in
Norway,
Norway,
which has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world, about 20 per cent
which has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world, about 20 per cent
(
(
or a fifth
or a fifth
)
)
of former offenders
of former offenders
,
,
still
still
end up re-offending?
end up re-offending?
In the United Kingdom, figures
In the United Kingdom, figures
from the N
from the N
ational Statistics
ational Statistics
show
show
that proven re
that proven re
–
–
offending
offending
statistics for the
statistics for the
period January
period January
to
to
March 2021
March 2021
was 24.3%
was 24.3%
– meaning than nearly
– meaning than nearly
one-fourth of every
one-fourth of every
rehabilitated offender
rehabilitated offender
ended up re-offending
ended up re-offending
.
.
In the
In the
US
US
, which has
, which has
one of the highest
one of the highest
recidivism rates in the world,
recidivism rates in the world,
almost 44%
almost 44%
of criminals released returned
of criminals released returned
to prison within their first year out. In Nigeria,
to prison within their first year out. In Nigeria,
though there
though there
is a dearth of reliable data, a
is a dearth of reliable data, a
2021 study
2021 study
of recidivism
of recidivism
published
published
in the
in the
African Journal of Social
African Journal of Social
Issue,
Issue,
found
found
that recidivism rate
that recidivism rate
increased from 37.3% in 2005 to 52.4% in 2010, meaning that
increased from 37.3% in 2005 to 52.4% in 2010, meaning that
more than half of offenders re
more than half of offenders re
leased either from prison or under
leased either from prison or under
various reformation
various reformation
programmes, re-offended
programmes, re-offended
. These figures will therefore seem to validate the fears about injecting “50 repentant thugs” into the Police Special Constabulary. As mentioned
. These figures will therefore seem to validate the fears about injecting “50 repentant thugs” into the Police Special Constabulary. As mentioned
earlier
earlier
, these concerns were exacerbated by the Police’s failure to segregate the thugs according to their levels of exposure to crime, and ensuring that only those who had not taken part in crimes or been convicted of crimes were recruited into the PSC. In fact, had
, these concerns were exacerbated by the Police’s failure to segregate the thugs according to their levels of exposure to crime, and ensuring that only those who had not taken part in crimes or been convicted of crimes were recruited into the PSC. In fact, had
the Police segregated the ‘repentant thugs’ according to their level
the Police segregated the ‘repentant thugs’ according to their level
s
s
of exposure
of exposure
to different forms of crimes,
to different forms of crimes,
it would
it would
have been
have been
easier to discuss integration programme
easier to discuss integration programme
s that could be appropriate
s that could be appropriate
for
for
each category
each category
of the ‘repentant thugs’
of the ‘repentant thugs’
Three,
Three,
given the
given the
unsavoury
unsavoury
image of the Police, there is a special angst about the ‘repentant thugs’ being integrated
image of the Police, there is a special angst about the ‘repentant thugs’ being integrated
into
into
the Special
the Special
Constabulary Police.
Constabulary Police.
Typically, Special Constables
Typically, Special Constables
are volunteer Police Officers who
are volunteer Police Officers who
have the
have the
same police powers, uniforms and equipment as regular Police Officers but sacrifice their free time on a voluntary basis.
same police powers, uniforms and equipment as regular Police Officers but sacrifice their free time on a voluntary basis.
In the United Kingdom and most parts of the Western world, t
In the United Kingdom and most parts of the Western world, t
hey do not get paid, but are reimbursed for expenses. A Special (as they are often called) is someone who will be valued, supported and integrated into the wider policing family.
hey do not get paid, but are reimbursed for expenses. A Special (as they are often called) is someone who will be valued, supported and integrated into the wider policing family.
In Nigeria, the
In Nigeria, the
re remains a lack of clarity on the
re remains a lack of clarity on the
status of the
status of the
Special Constabularies
Special Constabularies
such that i
such that i
n August 2022, 1
n August 2022, 1
,
,
056 Special Constables recruited in Kwara State took to the streets to protest the non-payment of 18 months’ salary by the government and police authorities.
056 Special Constables recruited in Kwara State took to the streets to protest the non-payment of 18 months’ salary by the government and police authorities.
It should be recalled that the idea
It should be recalled that the idea
of
of
Police Special Constables was mooted in October 2020 when
Police Special Constables was mooted in October 2020 when
President Buhari
President Buhari
directed the police hierarchy to commence recruitment of some special constables with a N13 billion take-off grant.
directed the police hierarchy to commence recruitment of some special constables with a N13 billion take-off grant.
It is obvious that the Police Special Constables cannot work on the basis of volunteer scheme
It is obvious that the Police Special Constables cannot work on the basis of volunteer scheme
in Nigeria
in Nigeria
as is the case in other parts of the world because most of those recruited into the scheme do not seem to have any other visible means of livelihood.
as is the case in other parts of the world because most of those recruited into the scheme do not seem to have any other visible means of livelihood.
Whatever may be the status of the Nigerian Special Police Constabularies, the mere fact of giving
Whatever may be the status of the Nigerian Special Police Constabularies, the mere fact of giving
people considered to be
people considered to be
“
“
undesirable
undesirable
elements” police uniforms, after only two months of or so of training
elements” police uniforms, after only two months of or so of training
, is a legitimate source
, is a legitimate source
of concern.
of concern.
Four
Four
, what are the options for the government when it comes to rehabilitating and re-integrating undesirable elements into the society?
, what are the options for the government when it comes to rehabilitating and re-integrating undesirable elements into the society?
A starting point will be a proper segregation of the undesirable elements into their levels of exposure to crimes and
A starting point will be a proper segregation of the undesirable elements into their levels of exposure to crimes and
then targeting each group with
then targeting each group with
a
a
rehabilitation programme
rehabilitation programme
appropriate for each category
appropriate for each category
. For some categories o
. For some categories o
f offenders, the state will have no option but
f offenders, the state will have no option but
to accommodate a community’s often justified unwillingness to welcome such
to accommodate a community’s often justified unwillingness to welcome such
elements into its fold
elements into its fold
Jideofor Adibe is Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Nasarawa State
Jideofor Adibe is Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Nasarawa State
University, Keffi and Extraordinary Professor of Government Studies at North Western
University, Keffi and Extraordinary Professor of Government Studies at North Western
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