FG collaborates with North-West governors to end banditry, other crimes

By YAHAYA ISAH

A Federal Government delegation on Thursday held a town hall meeting in Katsina where it engaged stakeholders on matters of internal security and conflict resolutions in the state.

The government said the meeting was in continuation of its resolve against banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and other crimes in Nigeria country, especially in the North-West.

The Director of Press/Public Relations, Ministry of Interior, Mohammed Manga, announced this in a statement in Abuja.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, while speaking at the meeting, said activities of bandits in the North-West had increased in the past decade and was a major challenge of governance to the Federal Government

Aregbesola said his delegation was in Katsina to seek cooperation with the government and people of the state on how to bring an immediate end to the menace, and restore normal life to the people.

“Our pledge to you here today is that we are ready and committed to this mission.

“As we all know, no military campaign can succeed without the cooperation and support of the people.

“Our mission here therefore, is to meet with the stakeholders, listen to you and work out how we can best work together to succeed in this endeavour,” he said.

According to the Minister, banditry has been defeated and exterminated in the past and President Muhammadu Buhari by the grace of God is also going to achieve such feat.

“I am assuring you that all the total, brutal and ferocious might of the Federal Government will be brought on them.

“The Nigerian security machine will be unleashed in its fury, the way we have never seen before.

“The sickening criminal acts of these evil people will be brought to an end and all citizens will have assurance of peace and safety once again,” he assured.

The Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, assured that the state will give total support to the Federal Government in its bid to stamp out crimes in the area.

Masari commended the President Muhammadu Buhari led-administration for the bold initiative, noting that it will go a long way in stamping out the menace in the country once and for all.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Dingyadi, extended the Federal Government’s condolences to the families of those that lost their lives and properties to bandits.

After an exhaustive deliberation, the meeting requested for more of Federal Government’s presence in the state, and engagement of local vigilantes who are closer to the people and ready to respond at a short notice.

It also urged the Police, the Civil Defence and other security agencies to take new community based actions to identify all bandits.

The meeting urged government to utilize the forests harbouring the bandits by deployment of more Agro Rangers personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to enable people access their farms, among others. (NAN)