Banditry, kidnapping simmer down in Kebbi State amid border closure, others

Irked by the persistent cases of banditry ,
abductions and sundry criminal activities , the
Kebbi State Government recently rolled out a
number of programmes to show its
commitment to the protection of lives and
property in the state . Apart from the planned
collaboration with neighbouring Sokoto and the
Zamfara States , another approach of Kebbi
State Government is the recent inauguration of
Security Challenges Committee ( SCC ) by
Governor Atiku Abubakar Bagudu , which has
as its chairman the Deputy Governor , Col.
Samaila Yombe Dabai (rtd ) .
While expressing his administration ’ s
determination to bring succor to victims of
banditry and other security challenges ,
Governor Bagudu explained that the committee
would visit areas where there have been
security problems such as Zuru Emirate , Yauri ,
Bagudu , Kamaba, Dakingari and others .
A significant gain of President Muhammadu
Buhari’ s border closure is how it has curtailed
the activities of bandits and other criminal
elements who until now freely roam the area .
While justifying the need to put all necessary
logistics to man the borders , Governor Bagudu
pointed out that the recent border closure
ordered by the Federal Government had , within
90 days of its commencement , recorded
significant impact .
Not long after the inauguration, the committee
swung into action by visiting areas of stress
with security agencies , as well as meeting with
paramilitary outfits in the state . In Bena/ Danko/
Wasagu Local Government Area , for instance,
Dabai told the security operatives that the
committee ’ s visit was majorly to discuss
various security challenges and have a
firsthand assessment of the current security
situation in the area that has been facing
security challenges in the past .
He assured the security agents that state
government , under the leadership of Senator
Bagudu , would not relent in its effort at
tracking down the perpetrators of kidnapping ,
banditry and related criminal activities in the
state . While acknowledging that the harvest
period is usually the time for a rise in criminal
activities in the area , the deputy governor said
the government would provide adequate
security to ensure socio - economic stability .
He reiterated government ’ s position on the
need for the people of Bena and Kebbi State , in
general , to support security operatives by
reporting suspicious movements and giving
vital information that could help in stemming
the tide of criminal activities .
At Bakin Gulbi village , two persons were
kidnapped and killed while one Alhaji
Muhammadu Anaruwa Bena was released after
ransom was paid . The district head , Alhaji
Kabiru Ibrahim Bena, urged the government to
redouble its strategies towards ensuring
security around the border communities,
particularly the Bena axis that borders Zamfara
and Niger States . The district head commended
the deputy governor for finding time to pay
condolence and a fact- finding visit to Alhaji
Muktari Musa Wasagu, the chief of Wasagu in
his palace .
In a related development, Dabai also visited
Tafkin Kada village in Jega Local Government
Area and expressed the readiness of the
administration to tackle security challenges
across the state . While addressing the
combined security personnel involving army,
police and vigilante groups at Tafkin Kada
village , Dabai reiterated the state government ’ s
resolve to provide all the necessary
motivational support needed by the security to
improve their operations .
While the security operatives expressed their
satisfaction with the committee ’ s visit , Tafkin
Kada village head , Mallam Rabiu , commended
the efforts of the state government , particularly
the presentation of motorcycles to the
community for surveillance . He disclosed that
the gesture would also assist his community to
undertake rapid response to security threats in
the area, stressing that those who earlier left
their homes for fear of the marauders were
now gradually returning .
The village head acknowledged the efforts of
joint security operatives deployed to the area ,
saying that the tireless and prompt discharge of
their duties helped in restoring the people ’ s
confidence , even as he prayed for God ’ s
guidance , protection and peace in Kebbi State
and Nigeria at large .
Earlier, the deputy governor explained that the
provision of motorcycles to volunteers was a
sequel to the appeal by the community to kebbi
State Government for logistical support to
enable them to carry out effective surveillance .
THE SCC chairman uses the medium to renew
the call to the community to effectively monitor
and report any strange occurrences and
attempts to disrupt the peace .
He said the motorcycles officially handed over
to the village head were to be distributed to the
volunteers for community surveillance ,
maintaining that the vigilante groups are to use
the equipment to expand the fight against
crime in their communities .
“ We discovered the rising cases of crimes, such
as kidnapping and robbery , ” Dabai said . “ So ,
the current administration under the
leadership of Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu
is committed to ensuring that the crime rate
within and outside the state is reduced, ” adding
that the public had a crucial role to play in the
fight against insecurity .
The commander of the vigilante group in Bena,
Mallam Danladi, acknowledged the efforts of
Kebbi State government towards the people of
the area, pointing out that homegrown
strategies by the committee were proving
effective in combating insecurity in the state .
Accessibility to some remote areas of the state
was seen as a critical hindrance to the vigilante
groups. But the deputy governor noted that
part of the efforts at boosting the morale of the
security was the provision of motorcycles . He
said the security situation in Bachaka area had
improved with the number of security
operatives deployed , explaining that the land
expanse and accessibility were considered in
allotting the motorcycles to the security
operatives . This , he said , would enable them to
reach those areas where accessibility has been
an issue .
The chairman of All Progressives Congress
( APC) in Bachaka , Alhaji Salihu Sani and the
security operatives accompanied the deputy
governor on the courtesy visit to the village
head of Tambo , a border town between Nigeria
and Niger Republic. He pointed out that a
cordial relationship exists between Nigeria and
Niger Republic despite the fact that the colonial
administration separated them.
It would be recalled that when the Assistant
Comptroller General of Customs , Bashir
Abubakar , Coordinator of Border Drill
Operation and his team paid him a courtesy
visit in Birnin Kebbi , Governor Bagudu
expressed his administration ’ s readiness to
support security agencies in the ongoing efforts
to curtain the activities of bandits and
smugglers around the nation ’ s border areas .
The governor , who was represented by his
deputy , Alhaji Dabai appreciated the efforts of
the team in ensuring lasting peace and security
in the country, even as he lamented that
Nigeria ’ s land borders with Niger and Benin
Republics are porous . According to the Kebbi
State governor , insecurity and the menace of
smuggling had been reduced to the barest
minimum, assuring that with the efforts of the
security team sent to the state , the activities of
bandits , smugglers , and gunrunners would be
overcome . The governor reassured the SCC of
his administration ’ s commitment to rendering
the much - needed support for the success of the
operation, explaining that the issue of
lawlessness encountered in previous months in
the southern part of the state was as a result of
cross- border activities by the bandits from
Zamfara State .
He noted that the joint operation by security
agents led by the state commissioner of police
has crippled the activities of the criminals .
Earlier, the Assistant Comptroller of
Customs, Abubakar , said the combined security
outfit was “ saddled with the responsibility of
securing human lives and property in this part
of the country, ” stressing that the joint
operations need the cooperation of the state
government and the people .
He disclosed that 99 per cent of petroleum
filling stations in the border communities were
for negative intentions , maintaining that they
do not dispense in open . The comptroller ,
therefore , said that the cooperation of the
people was needed to overcome the motives of
criminals .
Reacting to developments in border
communities, the chairman of Mahyama Local
Government Area , Ziyanu Mohammad Bello
Mahyama, praised the governor for supporting
security agencies to ensure that bandits are
flushed out from all nooks and crannies of the
state . The chairman told The Guardian that the
council is one that criminals , especially
kidnappers and cattle rustlers , always intruded
upon, but noted that with the support of the
state government , through the security agents
such as police , Nigeria Army , vigilante , civil
defence and DSS crime has reduced drastically.
In his words : “ We hold security meetings with
the security agents attached to the council ,
alongside traditional rulers , religious leaders to
ensure the security of lives and property of the
people . We also plan to engage the youth in
one or two things like education and skill
acquisition. ”
Similarly , as part of its efforts to cater to the
socio - economic wellbeing of the citizens , the
state government said it was collaborating with
development partners to improve primary
healthcare in the state . Secretary to the State
Government ( SSG) , Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri ,
disclosed that a free medical outreach was
carried out, stressing indigent rural dwellers
were treated free of charge , including people
from neighbouring countries and states of the
federation .
In his words : “ Kebbi State Government , in
collaboration with the EU /UNICEF , renovated
over thousands of primary healthcare centres
across the 21 local government areas. More
health clinics have been constructed , just as
health institutions were upgraded and drugs
purchased .
“ All these are ways the government is trying to
win the confidence of the people and renew the
communal living among the citizens . It is also
intended to encourage people to support the
government in meeting the various challenges
facing the state . ”
While noting that education has a central place
in the economic and social empowerment of the
people , Yauri said emphasis is being laid on
education , adding that over 2000 teachers were
recently employed for both secondary and
primary schools . According to him , teaching
and learning facilities have been procured and
more schools renovated to engage the youth
and make education attractive to them.
and make education attractive to them.
He called on the youths to eschew violence ,
noting that a lot of achievement had been
recorded in the area of security , healthcare
system , education and infrastructure .
“ We are sustaining the regular security
meetings with security chiefs , traditional rulers
and religious leaders in order to forestall any
security breach and ensure that Kebbi State
remains a peaceful place, ” he added .
It is possible that the border closure has helped
to reduce trans - border attacks by criminals ,
but the combined patrols of security agents and
social development efforts of the government
seem to be brining back hope to citizens .