Katsina State Elders Forum has urged the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi, to deploy more personnel, especially rangers to man the front line local government areas of the state.
The forum made the plea during a courtesy visit to the office of the Commandant General in Abuja on Monday, saying that the rangers would protect farmlands in the trouble areas, and tackle the insecurity in the state.
The forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Amadu Kurfi (Maradin Katsina), noted that the group was concerned about the security architecture of the state, hence the need for their visit.
Represented by Sen. Abba Ali, the chairman charged the CG to ensure peace is achieved across the country.
Also speaking, the forum’s secretary, Alhaji Aliyu Sani, said that collaborating with the corps to get more NSCDC personnel was of priority to the group.
“We are pleading with you to help in deploying those whose forecast system is to identify key areas,” he said.
Another member of the forum, Justice Saddik Mahuta (Galadiman Katsina), revealed that the state government will recruit about 3000 vigilantes to complement the efforts of the NSCDC.
“We are up and doing in complimenting the activities of security agencies in the state.
“We urge you to provide logistics for your personnel in the state,” he said.
Responding to the forum, the NSCDC boss said he had taken into consideration the requests of the forum members.
He said Agro Rangers is a specialized unit that has the function of giving security and protection to farmers and other agro-allied areas.
“We have posted already to areas with farming boost and we will do more.
“We have gotten approval to recruit more personnel after the budget is passed next year.
“They will be trained and posted to states as the civil defence is doing its best to ensure the successful end to this crisis,” he said.
He described the fight against insecurity as a collective one that Nigerians must come together to address.
According to the CG, the corps had been able to restrict lots of kidnapping attempts with the female squad who had been trained and posted to different commands.
“I had to rejig the rapid response team who responded to distress calls and established a female squad to guide schools in risky areas,” he stated.
