The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, was in Katsina, Thursday, in what he called ‘operation visit to Division 8’, during which he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Aminu Masari, the emirs of Katsina and Daura, and was also at military units and formations in the state.
The visit evoked mixed feelings from the people.
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Governor Masari, in his remarks during the visit, told the COAS that the people of Katsina, particularly the leadership were not happy as bandits raided no fewer than 10 LGAs in Katsina State daily, robbing and raping women in homes and on the highways.
The governor asked the military to beef up security, saying he was worried about the situation.
He said though the operatives on the ground did not mention it, it was clear that the military and other security agencies needed logistics support and manpower to tackle banditry and other insecurity challenges in the state.
The governor then called on the security agencies to redouble their efforts, especially by deploying technology in their fight against insecurity so that the military could go back to the barracks while the police assume their law enforcement responsibilities.
“We, here in Katsina, if we say we are very happy, we are not being honest. We are disturbed with this issue of banditry accompanied by kidnapping, raping of innocent women, and armed robbery on our highways.
“I want technology to be properly deployed to bring these banditry activities under control. We are not deceiving ourselves that we will eliminate criminality; it has never been done before, it cannot be done today neither can it be done tomorrow but we can bring it under control in such a way that it does not disturb the way of life of people as we are subjected to today.
“Ten out of 34 local governments in Katsina State are under severe bandits attacks daily. So, with that in mind, there is no way we can sleep. Our phones are permanently on to hear what is happening in the local governments. Before breakfast, I am briefed about what happened last night. So, generally, we are not in a very comfortable situation but we thank God.”
COAS thanks government, people of Katsina
On his part, the COAS appreciated the logistics support and cordial relationship the military enjoys from the government and people of Katsina.
“I am here on operation visit to 8 division and formations and units under the command, having assumed command of the Army in May. We all know the circumstances under which it happened when we lost our able COAS then, Maj. Gen Attahiru.
“As usual, after assuming command, also we go to the ground to see the troops, interact and see what they are doing, to appreciate them and appreciate their challenges. Even though we know them, there is always a difference when you interact one on one.
“I am here to appreciate and thank you. The troops always brief us on the tremendous support they are getting from you in terms of logistics, equipment and more particularly advice, as the chief security officer who knows it all and also feels the pinch.
“I most sincerely thank you for all that and to request Your Excellency not to rest in his continued support.
“We also bring with us more synergy and cooperation with other sister security agencies and even civil authorities where we integrate their knowledge and experience on the ground which are key to our activities,” he said.
The COAS said the problem of insecurity was not insurmountable, especially with the help and support of all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the COAS has declared that the Nigerian Army would now be taking the battle to the enclaves of bandits and other criminals.
He made the declaration in Daura while addressing pressmen shortly after meeting officers and men of the 171 Battalion of the Nigerian Army.
He said his visit to military commands and units in Katsina State was to reinvigorate the troops, appreciate their efforts and challenges and prepare them for the tasks ahead.
Residents of most-hit LGAs lament
Daily Trust spoke to some people in some of the local government areas affected for their take on the visit of the COAS and their expectations from the relevant authorities.
Jibia
Some residents of Jibia local government, while expressing hope that something good could come out of the COAS’s visit, also appealed for more commitment on the part of the security agents.
They also called for the deployment of more troops to the area, saying the bandits have pervaded most of the places, hence the need to have more men to confront them from all sides.
A community leader who pleaded for anonymity said, “We have had enough of promises of this nature in the past, but with the new leadership we have some hope.
“We have heard a report of success recorded in Zamfara where more than 70 bandits were said to have been killed. That is really encouraging and we hope the new COAS will match his words with action,” he said.
“The bandits also use intelligence in their operations with which they beat the security agents, and that is why it is difficult to deal with them.
“We definitely need more men here. Recently, when they attacked Kukar Babangida, they came in their numbers and committed atrocities there. They also terrorize the area up to Bugaje. So if we can get more troops, there will be strategic places that if they are stationed they will be able to defeat the bandits easily,” he said.
He added that with commitment from the COAS, the people of the local government are ready to give the needed support, but only if the security personnel changed their approach.
In Kankara local government, a resident of Pawwa village said the new normal in the village is living with bandits.
“Last week, they came to Pawwa around 1 pm, forced open a Primary Healthcare Centre and brought out some chairs, tables, and register books. They sat under the shade of trees at the PHC repaired their guns and rested for some time before they carted the furniture on their motorcycles and moved back into the forest.
“All this was done while people were there, looking at them, but because they have lost hope in the security agents, no one could do anything.
He said the area has become the point of entry for the gunmen for their operations in some other places.
Faskari
In Faskari, the situation was somewhat different, as residents claimed that the troops are relatively large in number in the area but what they needed is the nod by their superior officers to take the battle to the enemies.
A community leader said, “Let me, first of all, express our gratitude to the governor for telling the COAS the condition we are in. Secondly, we are happy about the visit and we are very hopeful in the sense that the approach has now changed from what we used to see. With the new approach, we are hopeful that normalcy will soon return,” he said.
“Here in Faskari, the bandits, after ensuring that they have impoverished the rural dwellers, allowed some of them to go back to the farm. Who knows, maybe for them to collect the proceeds at the end?
“But whatever is the case, some of the villages in the western part of Faskari, from Unguwar Tsamiya to Kafi, Bangi and Birnin Kogo, have returned home, but what the bandits do now, is the moment people from Faskari go to the farm, they will be kidnapped and a ransom must be paid before they regain their freedom.
“So, here we have enough security men both Mopol and the army, but what they are saying is they need the go-ahead of their superior officers to confront the enemies. They said if permission is given, they could go into the bandits’ enclave with local vigilante members to confront the criminals,” he said
He said last week alone, a retired local government staff was kidnapped and killed by the bandits while some other staff of the local government are still in captivity. He appealed to the leadership of the security agencies to do the needful in confronting the bandits.
Tijjani Ibrahim
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