Following renewed military operations in Zamfara and Kastina states, security forces are at a heightened state of watchfulness in border communities to check fleeing bandits from escaping the states.
In Niger State, a joint security camp set up to track fleeing bandits from infiltrating the state has killed 40 of them.
Government sources hinted that the bandits-prone states have resolved to increase security around forest reserves in the boundaries of their respective states
A security source told LEADERSHIP yesterday that in view of the new resolve, operational plans are ongoing to make it difficult for the bandits to set up camps in the forests.
Consequently, at the weekend fleeing bandits suspected to be from Kastina and Zamfara state were chased out of Kamuku, Allawa and the forest adjoining Mariga local government area in Niger State.
It was learnt at the weekend that the joint operations were sponsored by the neighbouring states of Kaduna, Kastina and Zamfara in a renewed inter-state cooperation to fight banditry.
The security sources hinted that “the joint operations at the weekend saw to the killing of 40 of the bandits fleeing the ongoing military operation in Zamfara and Katsina states.
“We took the offensive to them following a tipoff and we set up before they could set up along the forests, and in all the operations at the weekend, 40 of them were killed. Some of them escaped with gunshot wounds and we recovered some of their arms and ammunition.
According to the source, “Unlike in the past, with the new collaboration, there is synergy among us. Now we know when they will be fleeing from one operation and the way to make sure they will not set up camp to abduct people for ransom.”
LEADERSHIP recalls that Governor Nasir el-Rufai had said in Minna recently that “the problem of banditry and insurgence has been around for a while. The governor of Niger state and I have, more than two and half years ago, presented what we felt were the solutions to banditry activities in our states.
“My advice to the new service chiefs is to look at what has been recommended and what has been done by their predecessors. So, what the new service chiefs need to do is to build on the foundation build by their predecessors.
Niger State governor Abubakar Sani Bello, on his part, has been very consistent in calling for inter-state collaborations and holding talks with his northwest and north central counterparts.
We’re Getting Results, says Katsina Govt
In Katsina State, the special adviser to the governor on security matters, Ibrahim Ahmed Katsina, told LEADERSHIP yesterday that the measures taken to combat insecurity are yielding positive results in the fight against banditry, thanking the people for complying with government directives.
He said the government would continue to do its best to put to an end to banditry and other related crimes and criminality in the state.
Investigation by LEADERSHIP revealed that some bandits who escaped from the ongoing military onslaught in Zamfara State now regrouping in Safana and Danmusa local government areas of Katsina State.
Credible sources said the bandits were forced to relocate from some villages in Zamfara to the area because of hunger and hardship.
According to him, the bandits’ presence in the areas is causing panic and tension as people no longer go to their farms, and they fear the hoodlums would try to invade their community in search of food.
He gave the affected villages as Gobirawa, Guxurawa, Gora, Hankibiri, Kabuke, Dandire, Malama, Kaiga Mara Zafarawa and Katsina in Danmusa local government.
He called on the government and security agencies to come to their aid as a matter of urgency to protect the people on that axis.
Katsina State government has recently taken several measures as part of the containment tactics agreed to by the Northwest states to tackle bandits’ attacks and other nefarious activities bedeviling the zone.
The last measure was the shutdown of mobile network services in the 13 local government areas of the state, including Danmusa and Safana.
We Are Alert To Influx From Zamfara – Police
The Kaduna Police Command has said there is no room for alarm as the Command is aware of an influx of people from Zamfara State following the offensive against bandits in the state.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mohammed Jalige, the Kaduna State police Commissioner has ordered all the police sectors to be on the alert as to movement of suspicious persons into the state.
He said, “The police are fully aware that the bandits may want to use Kaduna State among other neighbouring states as a hideout, but be assured that the police is not going to leave any stone unturned to ensure that they don’t have any hiding place in the state.”
According to him, the police had been ordered, amongst others, to be suspicious of motorists into the state.
He called on the citizens to be watchful of their surroundings and report suspicious persons and movements to the security agencies for prompt action. (Leadership NG)
