Armed banditry now major concern for FG – Aregbesola

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Thursday, said the growing influence of armed bandits in the North West of Nigeria is now a major concern and challenge to the federal government.

According to a statement by Mohammed Manga, the Director (Press & Public Relations) in the ministry, Aregbesola said this at a town hall meeting with stakeholders on matters of internal security and conflict resolution in Katsina, Katsina State on Thursday.

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The Minister, who reiterated that the President and members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) were in great pains over the wanton killings, thefts and destruction being perpetuated by bandits, assured that the total, brutal and ferocious might of the federal government will soon be brought on them.

“I am assuring you that all the total, brutal and ferocious might of the Federal Government will be brought on them.

“The Nigerian security machine will be unleased in its fury, the way we have never seen before.

“The sickening criminal acts of these evil people will be brought to an end and all citizens will have assurance of peace and safety once again,” he emphasized.

Aregbesola said that they were in Katsina to seek cooperation with the government and good people of the State on how to bring an immediate end to the menace, so as to restore normal life, especially to the rural areas and the farming community.

“As we all know, no military campaign can succeed without the cooperation and support of the people.

“Our mission here, therefore, is to meet with the stakeholders, listen to you and work out how we can best work together to succeed in this endeavour”, Aregbesola said.

According to him, banditry has been defeated and exterminated in the past and the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is determined to do same.

Responding, the Governor of Katsina State, Rt Honourable Aminu Bello Masari, assured that the State would give total support to the federal government in its bid to stamp out crime and criminalities from the State.

He commended the President Buhari-led administration for this bold initiative, noting that it will go a long way in stamping out the menace from the country, once and for all.

After an exhaustive deliberation, the meeting therefore; requested for more of federal government’s presence in the State, engagement of local vigilantes in the fight against bandits, urged security agencies to take new community-based actions in order to identify all bandits while also urging government to utilize the forests harbouring the bandits as well as deployment of more Agro Rangers personnel of the Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enable people access their farms, among others.