The management of the Dawanau International Grain Market in the Dawakin Toda area of Kano has hired more than 800 additional security personnel.
Muntaka Isah, chairman of the market association, said in a telephone interview on Monday that the measure would protect the market from vandalism and theft.
Isah stressed that the joint efforts of the Nigerian Army, police, and state security agencies have significantly improved security at the market.
He said 400 members of a vigilance group would work alongside security personnel to protect the market.
The market has been threatened by hoodlums from neighbouring areas such as Kurnan Asabe and Batirawa, who have tried to forcefully enter and steal food. To counter this, the market has hired 400 vigilante members to assist security agencies.
Isah said market management is focused on supporting security personnel deployed to protect public buildings from vandals.
Isah called on residents of neighbouring communities to support security personnel by providing reliable information on the movements of hoodlums.
This, he said, will ensure the safety of the market, the general public, and key stakeholders.
