Reps call for Joint Security Operation to curb Banditry in Katsina state

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to initiate a coordinated Joint Security Operation by providing aerial surveillance and other combat mission plans to flush out bandits, destroy their camps, and allow farmers to return to their farmlands to ensure continuous food production and sustain community peace and prosperity in Katsina State.

This followed the adoption of a motion on the “Need to Address the Incessant Banditry Attacks on Villages in Dustin-Ma/Kurfi Federal Constituency of Katsina State”, moved by Hon. Aminu Babale.

The House is also to setup an Ad-hoc Committee to invite the Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director General of the Department of State Services to investigate the complacency of Security Agencies in addressing the cases of banditry in Katsina State with a view to putting an end to the menace and report back within six weeks for further legislative

action.

Read Also:Reps To Investigate Alleged Abuse Of 2.3trn Tertiary Education Trust Fund

The motion said the House;

“Notes that on June 12, 2023, the Communities of Tashar Yaro, Koza, Kudewa Villages, Geza, Sauyawa, Tamawa, and Maileda within Kurfi and Dutsinma Local Government Areas of Katsina State were attacked by bandits, and resulted in the injury and death of scores of innocent villagers;

“Also notes that the incessant banditry activities in Kurfi, Dutsinma and other neighbouring Communities in Safana and Batsari Local Government areas have led to regular imposition of taxes on farmers before allowing them to access their farmlands, the failure of which puts them at a risk of losing their livestock to rustlers as well as having their shops burgled by daredevil kidnappers in search of foodstuff;

“Concerned that the incessant attacks by the bandits have led to low farming productivity, thus aggravating the existing food insecurity in the affected communities;

“Also concerned that majority of the youth in the affected areas could end up with little or no income, thus worsening youth restiveness;

“Worried that as another farming season has started, bandits are threatening farmers in the area to pay imposed taxes or risk being kidnapped for huge ransoms;

“Aware that the 9th National Assembly passed several resolutions on similar motions and communicated same to all security agencies, however, little or no positive results were achieved from the decisions taken then”. 

The House also noted that stringent security measures need to be taken to safeguard the lives and properties of the people as provided in Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly Section 14 (2) (b) which clearly states, “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.