The Katsina State Government has recorded commendable success in restoring peace and stability to areas previously plagued by banditry and kidnapping incidents.
The State Deputy Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe announced today at the 5th edition of the monthly press briefing on Governor Dikko Umaru Radda led administration achievements in the security sector.
Malam Jobe revealed the government’s massive investment of N36,865,034,376.76, made in collaboration with the 34 Local Government Areas of the State, to establish a formidable security structure aimed at squarely addressing security challenges in the State.
“Government has incurred huge expenditure in the recruitment, training and equipping the newly established homegrown security outfit known as Katsina Community Watch Corps – KCWC,” Malam Jobe emphasized.
He detailed that the funds have been utilized for procurement of critical security assets, including 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), 65 Toyota Hilux vehicles, and 700 Daylong Motorcycles.
“Additionally, the government has acquired 1,900 units of tactical covert equipment, drones, trackers, and communication network equipment for intelligence gathering, as well as combat equipment, consumables, live jackets, helmets, walkie-talkies, and teargas hand grenades,” the Deputy Governor added.
The Deputy Governor also noted that the Radda administration has adopted both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to address insecurity challenges effectively.
The non-kinetic measures include the creation of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs (MISHA), formation of State Security Council Advisory Committee, and enactment of law establishing the Katsina State Community Security Watch Corps.
“We have also created the Office of SSA on victims of banditry and IDPs, and the Office of SA Community Security Watch Corps,” Malam Jobe said, adding that the government has provided free medical treatment to victims of banditry and financial assistance to families of victims.
The strategy further encompasses engagement of 7,545 Imams, Na’ibis and Ladans to preach peace and harmony among the people, 6,652 Ward Heads to serve in the traditional security structure of the State, 918 Local Government Level Security Support Groups, and 9,747 Ward Level Security Support Groups.
On the kinetic front, the Deputy Governor announced the recruitment and deployment of 1,466 security watch corps personnel (Phase one) to eight frontline Local Governments of Dandume, Faskari, Kankara, Danmusa, Batsari, Jibia, Sabuwa and Safana. Phase two saw the recruitment of 550 Security Watch Corps personnel deployed to ten vulnerable Local Governments of Bakori, Musawa, Malumfashi, Danja, Funtua, Matazu, Charanchi, Batagarawa, Kurfi and Dutsin-Ma.
“We have also engaged 1,500 vigilante members and deployed 200 civilian hunters to vulnerable areas to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in combating insecurity,” Malam Jobe revealed.
The Deputy Governor further announced that the government has spent N985,976,842.00 to cushion the trauma and sufferings of victims of armed banditry and internally displaced persons across the State through medication, financial assistance, and other support interventions. “So far, a total of 2,286 victims have been offered financial assistance,” he stated.
Malam Jobe also pointed out the state’s hosting of the Northwest Peace and Security Summit, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which he described as achieving significant milestones and marking a pivotal moment in the region’s efforts to enhance security, foster sustainable development, and facilitate unprecedented cooperation among regional security agencies.
“Under the visionary leadership of Governor Radda, the administration has made remarkable strides in tackling security challenges, setting a precedent for other regions across the country,” Malam Jobe harped.
The Deputy Governor declared that the measures taken in this regard are yielding positive results, as peace and stability has returned back to some areas hitherto ransacked by the dreaded armed bandits.
Press Released Signed By Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State
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