Katsina State government, North-West Nigeria says residents have no reason to be apprehensive about coming out to vote in Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Special Adviser to the State Governor on Security Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed, who made the declaration in Katsina, told Voice of Nigeria that adequate measures have been taken ahead of the polls, to ensure a smooth exercise.
Ahmed explained that the State has adopted a system called Community Networking, which has helped in gathering intelligence, through a monitoring mechanism, thus aiding security agencies to nip any problem in the bud.
“Sometimes the way issues are being reported, goes beyond the ordinary. But in terms of being proactive, we have taken adequate measures in liaison with relevant security agencies.
“In fact we have gone beyond that. We are doing what is called community networking, bearing in mind that the security agencies do not go everywhere. We have this community arrangement through the traditional institutions in which the State government has domesticated security with a step down measure through a three tier security structure that will start from the village to the ward and district levels.
“Through that, we have information collection and monitoring mechanisms that help the security agencies to be more proactive rather than reactive. So, as far as we are concerned, we will not rest on our oars until we ensure that the elections come and go peacefully,” he said.
Currency Redesign
The Special Adviser on Security further told Voice of Nigeria that the currency redesign policy has helped address security challenges in the State and citizens of the State are gradually adjusting to reality.
He said: “One good thing about this policy is the apprehension created by people is more of a myth than reality and as far as we are concerned in Katsina, people are now adjusting to reality.
“Since it is something that is accepted globally, I think when you condition yourself to adapt to reality, I don’t think it will be an impediment. So far so good in Katsina, people are getting accustomed to it and as the situation improves, I’m sure the Central Bank will address the shortfalls and gaps and that will help us to stabilize.
“The rate of kidnapping for ransom has dropped, to the glory of God, crime and criminality has dropped. As for political thugs, you don’t have cash to give them likewise, drug addicts, no cash to give them. So, the politicians that used to take advantage of political thugs to go and disrupt the process can no longer do so. Therefore, the cashless policy will stabilize the polity.”
N.O
