Insecurity: Katsina Governor visits Naval Chief, seeks assistance
Katsina State Governor, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda was at the Naval headquarters Abuja on Friday to consult with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Auwal Gambo, on how to tackle the ongoing security challenges facing the state.
Dikko, who requested the support of the Nigerian Armed Forces ahead of its planned recruitment and training of local vigilante forces in the state, said the it will ensure professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
In the same vein, the Katsina Governor also solicited the guidance of the Naval Chief in starting a Joint Task Force (JTF) similar to that of Borno State in Katsina, even as his administration plans to deploy technology same way Kano State did at Felgore forest.
Radda assured the Naval Chief that his administration would leave no stone unturned in fighting banditry and other vices in the state said:
“We will gather local intelligence and also engage a consultant to device an app (Alarm Technology) in our communities.
“With the introduction of technology in our fight against banditry and kidnapping and use of non-kinetic approach,bwe will succeed,” he said.
In the same vein, the Katsina Governor disclosed that plans were ongoing to regroup small villages to larger towns to reduce the rate of attack, mostly carried out at night.
Responding, Vice Admiral Auwal Gambo commended the new Katsina Governor for taking the bold initiative to reach out out to the Service Chiefs.
“This goes to show your political will and commitment to fight insecurity in Katsina State. The Governor’s visit to the Naval headquarters would further reinforce the mutual relationship between the Navy and Katsina State,” Gambo said.
According to the Naval Chief, the Navy already has a special force with operating base in Batsari LGA, working with other military arms to fight insecurity in Katsina State.
While expressing his commitment alongside other service chiefs to assist the state tackle its security challenges, the Naval Chief commended the state government’s support to its operatives in the area of accommodation and medical facilities, assuring that the state will continue to benefit from its outreach programmes.
