Katsina govt says insecurity may affect 2019 general elections

Aminu Bello Masari

The Katsina State Government has admitted that the present state of insecurity which has gripped the state may affect the conduct of a peaceful general election in the state if not properly tackled by a combined synergy of actions involving security agencies in the state through ground and air operations

Dr Mustapha Inuwa who is the secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the 10 man Security Committee, which also included the Emirs of Daura and Katsina, set up after an an extraordinary security meeting that comprises security chiefs and other stakeholders, told newsmen at a briefing in his office that movement of personnel and materials to especially the affected frontline state s will be hampered by insecurity

He further listed the affected frontline Local Government Areas that borders Zamfara to include: Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Dandume, Faskari, Sabwa and Kafur.

He said’’ certainly the security situation will threaten the general elections especially in those affected local government areas because if you post personnel to the affected area, he may refuse to go there in fear of his or her safety’’

Inuwa further outlined several emergency measures taking by the Government including reaching out for cooperation with neighboring states like Kaduna, Zamfara and Kano states, clearing the forests located especially within the urban centers which he said has become a hideout for criminals, awareness campaign amongst inhabitants of the rural areas through traditional rulers and district heads and equipping security agencies

Meanwhile, the state government has requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris to make available Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) and related equipment to police personnel to enable them to deal with the rising cases of kidnappings, banditry and rustling in some parts of the state.

The state government also said it discovered that the lack of synergy between the police, military and other security agencies in the state was responsible for the rise in cases of kidnappings, banditry and rustling especially in council areas sharing the border with the Rugu forest.

The Nation recalled that Governor Masari had during an extraordinary security meeting that comprised of security chiefs and other stakeholders lamented the rise in insecurity, adding that security reports showed that one or more of the mentioned crimes were perpetrated in some parts of the state on a daily basis.

On the issue of Cattle rustling, he said the government was considering the possibility of carrying out an enumeration of the number of cattles in the affected areas and their owners, as same would serve as a check on the issue. He said’’ certainly the security situation will threaten the general elections especially in those affected local government areas because if you post personnel to the affected area, he may refuse to go there in fear of his or her safety’’

Inuwa further outlined several emergency measures taking by the Government including reaching out for cooperation with neighboring states like Kaduna, Zamfara and Kano states, clearing the forests located especially within the urban centers which he said has become a hideout for criminals, awareness campaign amongst inhabitants of the rural areas through traditional rulers and district heads and equipping security agencies

Meanwhile, the state government has requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris to make available Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) and related equipment to police personnel to enable them to deal with the rising cases of kidnappings, banditry and rustling in some parts of the state.

The state government also said it discovered that the lack of synergy between the police, military and other security agencies in the state was responsible for the rise in cases of kidnappings, banditry and rustling especially in council areas sharing the border with the Rugu forest.

The Nation recalled that Governor Masari had during an extraordinary security meeting that comprised of security chiefs and other stakeholders lamented the rise in insecurity, adding that security reports showed that one or more of the mentioned crimes were perpetrated in some parts of the state on a daily basis.

On the issue of Cattle rustling, he said the government was considering the possibility of carrying out an enumeration of the number of cattle in the affected areas and their owners, as same would serve as a check on the issue.

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