Ramadan: Kano Police warn youths against using ‘Tashe’ to cause violence

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

As Muslims reach the first 10 days of the Ramadan season, Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, on Monday, warned youths in Kano to desist from exploiting the traditional ‘Tashe’ culture to perpetuate insecurity during and after the Holy month of Ramadan.
Tashe is a traditional play in Hausa society, which starts from 10th of Ramadan and lasts at least five days, with the aim of entertaining fasting Muslims.
Recently, the traditional play was met by a wave of violence as thugs reportedly hijack the event to cause violence in the state.
As part of proactive steps to ensure peace and order in the ancient commercial city during this year’s Tashe, the police boss convened a meeting of all stakeholders of community policing in the state, including Imams, District Heads, influential youth leaders and the Amazon’s of the Tashe culture, educating them on how best to promote the age-long tradition, instead of using it as a vehicle to destabilize peace and security of lives and property in Kano.
CP Gumel said the state government and security agencies have no plan to ban the Tashe culture, but warmed that any person or group of persons who try to create public disturbance during the traditional cultural display slated to commence in the second 10 days of the Ramadan season, will surely face the full wrath of the law.
According to him, adequate security measures have already been put in place to ensure peaceful Tashe Cultural display.
CP Gumel further reminded the gathering that, “the Tashe tradition is used to make mockery of certain things to remind our young ones of the tradition of the past,” but regretted that, “in the past, we are aware that Yan Daba (thugs) take advantage of this Tashe Culture to perpetuate insecurity. We will not allow that to happen this time. We don’t want bad boys to use the Tashe tradition to promote evil. We are having this meeting today to ensure that we celebrate Ramadan without breach of the peace.”
The Kano Chief Sheriff further stated that: “I am pleased to deliver this address today from which I am highlighting to you the security arrangements being put in place by the Kano State Police Command during this sacred month of Ramadan.
“It is meant to show our determination towards ensuring that the safety and security of all Kano residents during this period of high religious observance remains our priority.
“Please note that we are professionals, and we are committed to using our expertise to ensure peace and order in Kano. Having carefully reviewed the crime pattern in the State, we came out with particular discovery of emerging crime that in the past, some youths exploit the Traditional “Tashe” culture to perpetuate insecurity.