Criminals Have Laid Siege To Katsina, Gov. Masari Cries Out

Masari was speaking during an extra-ordinary security meeting held at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Government House, Katsina. He told participants at the meeting drawn from the eight frontline local government areas with neighbouring Zamfara State that kidnapping, armed robbery, and banditry were now the order of the day in the state. “Daily, security reports reaching me indicated that no day passes without a reported case of kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling, or other heinous crimes,” he said. He added: “The citizens are on daily basis being harassed by bandits and kidnappers that are on rampage in the state. “The Katsina government organised this one-day joint security and stakeholders meeting to proffer solutions to the state’s current insecurity challenge. “Our state is currently under serious siege by armed robbers, kidnappers and armed bandits who arrest rural people at the grassroots at will and demand ransom, which if not paid, they kill their victims. “The people of Katsina in the 34 local government areas now sleep with one eye closed and the other opened. “Our state is in a dangerous situation. Travellers are afraid of being stopped on the highway and arrested by kidnappers who demand ransom.” Masari said the situation was so bad that some thieves stole some electrical equipment near the Government House at the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Katsina. “I am calling on all stakeholders to come out with solutions that will assist the security agencies to discharge their duties,” he said. The governor urged the stakeholders not to hide any criminal and to reveal vital information about criminals during the meeting. According to the governor, “This time around, we should be able to make sacrifices that will make our state safe and will allow people to go about their lawful business without fear of being arrested by armed bandits and kidnappers.” The meeting was attended by soldiers, the police, Department of State Services (DSS), other security outfits and traditional rulers. The participants later went into a closed-door session.]]>