Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has
warned that he would not hesitate to sanction any traditional ruler or
transition committee chairman found aiding banditry, kidnappings and other
nefarious activities in the state.
He said the state had sustained its reputation as a
state of harmony for many years despite the multiplicity of people, and would not
allow avoidable security challenges tarnish its reputation and that of the
citizenry.
Masari gave the warning on Thursday while speaking
with self-repented bandits and Fulani leaders at Ungwar Tsamiya village in
Faskari Local Government Area of the state as part of his dialogue process with
bandits terrorising the state.
He said it was worrisome that bandits had brought
wanton destruction of lives and property of the citizens in the state, hence
the need for stakeholders not to support the heinous acts of the miscreants.
According to him, "As a government, we were sworn
in to protect the welfare, lives and property of our citizens; we cannot allow
this avoidable loss to continue. If traditional and religious leaders play
their role well, this problem would end.
"So traditional rulers, district and village
heads should listen. I swear, if we found any of you aiding the activities of
these miscreants or destroying the effort we have put in place to solve this
problem, that person would be sanction.
"And you the Ardos (leaders of Fulani) who
liaise with other people to cheat your brothers in the name of helping them,
you are warned. Most of you are not helping them we know. I am therefore urging
residents to report anyone that cheats them to us for appropriate actions.”
Also speaking, the Transition Committee Chairman of
Faskari LGA, Mr. Musa Ado, told the governor that bandits were taking advantage
of the amnesty granted them by the Zamfara State Government to launch attacks
on villages in the council area and escape to their hideouts in Zamfara State.
He, therefore, urged Masari to synergise with the
Zamfara State Government to stop the bandits from unleashing attacks on
villages in the council area and parts of Katsina State.
Earlier, some of the repented bandits, who spoke at
the event, called on the state government to establish Ruga settlement in
Tsamiya village to assuage their sufferings.
One of the bandits, Liman Mujana, said the
construction of schools, roads and provision of water and other social
amenities in the area would boost their economic activities.
He, however, commended the state government under
the leadership of Governor Masari for the amnesty granted them, and vowed to
work with state government to end the bloodbath in the state.
Meanwhile, as of the time of filing this report,
the governor and other top government officials, including security chiefs in
the state, were heading to Dan Sabau village of Kankara Local Government Area for
another interface with the bandits.
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