Banditry, Kidnapping: Masari Gives Marching Orders to Security Chiefs, Traditional Rulers

By Francis Sardauna in Katsina

As kidnapping and banditry have surfaced in Batsari and some parts of Katsina State, Governor Aminu Bello Masari has given marching orders to security chiefs to spare no efforts in arresting the situation and those behind insecurity in the state.

He also warned traditional rulers in the affected areas against shielding criminals, saying that government will not hesitate to dethrone anyone found shielding or hobnobbing with kidnappers, cattle rustlers and other criminals.

A statement issued by Masari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, said the governor gave the order Sunday when he, in company with other top government officials and security chiefs in the state visited Jibia, Batsari, Safana and Danmusa — the four local government areas sharing a common border with the neighbouring Zamfara State.

The statement reads: “During the visit, the governor held a meeting with the relevant stakeholders in the four local government areas where he warned that everyone whose duty it is by virtue of their profession or position to ensure the security of lives and property of the people, must not only be up and doing, but must be seen to be doing so, saying that government will not tolerate complacency and complicity in matters of security.

“We place very high premium on the security of our people. The protection of their lives and property is the duty of the government, and we will not shy away from meeting that responsibility no matter the challenges.

“We are ready and willing to pull all the stops to ensure that we give our people secure environment for them to go about their legitimate activities, and we will not hesitate to deal appropriately with anyone who is not ready to be one with us in our aspirations to guarantee safety of life and property for the people.”

The governor however told the people that it was only with their cooperation that government will be able to provide the required security protection for the society, urging them to pass on useful information to security agencies.