The Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has initiated a large-scale operation to evacuate and provide care for individuals with mental health conditions found in public spaces across Kano metropolis and surrounding areas. The agency confirms that over 200 such persons have already been relocated to its custody for assessment, rehabilitation, and potential family reunification.
According to Isyaku Kubarachi, Executive Secretary of SEMA, the operation is a core component of the agency’s mandate to manage vulnerable populations and ensure public safety. “It is aimed at sanitising the metropolitan areas and addressing the challenges posed by the roaming of vulnerable persons on the streets,” Kubarachi stated during a press briefing in Kano on Monday. He noted that the presence of individuals with untreated mental illnesses on the streets presents significant health and safety risks to both the persons concerned and the general public.
The effort represents a structured, multi-agency approach. SEMA is collaborating with health officials, social welfare departments, and non-governmental organisations to coordinate the safe collection of individuals. Once in SEMA’s care, the focus shifts to medical evaluation, therapeutic support, and psychosocial rehabilitation. A key objective is to trace families to facilitate the reintegration of recovered individuals back into their communities, where feasible.
This intervention addresses a persistent urban challenge in many Nigerian cities, where gaps in community mental health services and family support systems can lead to people with psycho-social disabilities living on the streets. The operation goes beyond mere removal from public view, according to Kubarachi, aiming for sustainable solutions through partnership and aftercare planning.
The immediate next steps involve continued identification and evacuation, coupled with individualized care plans. SEMA has called on the public to report cases of vulnerable persons in distress rather than attempting unsupervised intervention. The agency’s actions highlight a state-led response to a complex social issue, emphasizing protective custody and rehabilitation as primary goals. The long-term success of the program will depend on the availability of ongoing mental health resources and effective family tracing systems.
