@ katsina times
Members of the Katsina State Security Community Initiative have urged both the Federal and Katsina State Governments to adopt more proactive and holistic strategies in combating the worsening insecurity ravaging the state.
At a meeting held on Sunday, August 24th, 2024 at the Central District Area in Abuja, the members of the group expressed deep concern over the unrelenting wave of atrocities, including banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, rape, and the enslavement of residents, perpetrated by criminal non-state actors across many communities.
Speaking at the meeting, the Convener of the group, Dr. Bashir Kurfi, gave a detailed rundown of the security challenges facing frontline Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. He lamented that bandits appear to be gaining an upper hand in the ongoing war against insecurity, with some LGAs almost under their control.
Dr. Kurfi and other members of the forum urged governments at all levels to wake up to their constitutional responsibility of securing the lives and property of citizens across the state.
The forum, which draws its membership from Katsina indigenes in Abuja, including senior retired government officials, ex-military and security officers, academics, and captains of industry, have unanimously advocated for the adoption of non-kinetic approaches to complement ongoing military operations.
Recommended measures include: strengthening community awareness and encouraging active citizen participation in security operations, identifying and suppressing the activities of informants who aid criminal groups, supporting local self-defense initiatives, including the procurement of sophisticated locally made weapons, and blocking logistics and supply routes to bandits’ enclaves.
Also present at the forum were chairmen from some of the frontline LGAs, who shared their firsthand experiences in tackling insecurity in their domains. They commended the conveners for initiating the timely dialogue.
In conclusion, the forum reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to collaborating with government and other stakeholders in the collective effort to contain the lingering security challenges confronting Katsina State.
Signed:
Dr. Bashir Kurfi
Convener
