Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has inaugurated a 14-member committee to monitor and enforce executive order (containment) with the mandate to ensure decisive compliance to end the menace of banditry, kidnapping and other social vices in the state.
Masari inaugurated the committee lead by CP Sanusi Buba at the Government house council chamber in Katsina on Monday.
The Governor who noted that this is the first time the state and other neighbouring states are synergizing to confront the menace headlong, said “this is a task that we must not fail.”
He urged the committee to monitor and ensure compliance with the order signed.
Similarly, he added that the committee should coordinate its enforcement by the affected Local government three tiers security structures.
The committee, he said should also submit periodic progress reports to the government, identify emerging challenges for consideration.
In the same vein, he directed the committee to close up all commercial phone charging points in the affected councils as it is believed to be assisting the bandits in carrying out their nefarious activities.
The affected Local government areas, he said include, Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Sabuwa, Faskari, Dandume, Musawa, Matazu, Dutsinma, Kurfi, Danja, Kafur, Maiadua, Kaita, Bakori, Malumfashi and Funtua.
“These measures are been taking in all the contagious states that border Rugu forest and the Kuyanbana forest in Kaduna and Niger states.”
He said, “These states have agreed to have a common approach in dealing with this situation. We have to be decisive and firm to enable the locals to understand that it is in their best interest.
“It will hurt some of them economically, but it is necessary to take this now to forestall the worst situation if this bandit and their collaborators are allowed free access to communication and other means of livelihood,” he said.
“It is important that we realize our number one enemies, so we must tackle them and deal with them in accordance with the law,” he concluded.
Responding, CP Sanusi Buba, the state committee chairman, assured of its readiness to work with zeal, determination and fear of God to ensure the return of peace in the state.
Buba, while calling on the good citizens of the state to assist with needed information in the struggle, he advised the bad elements to have a change of heart, as anyone caught would face the wrath of the law.