By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State has expressed worriy over rising insecurity breaches by bandits tagged ‘Yan-bindiga’ in Alkaleri local government area of the state.
Mohammed, in company of the state Commissioner of Police, Umar Mamman Sanda, and some top government officials, voiced disgust on Saturday at Sabon Garin Jada in Alkaleri Local Government Area when he paid a sympathy visit to a community following a deadly attack by bandits.
It could be recalled that no fewer than four people were reportedly killed and several others sustained various degrees of injury when the bandits attacked communities in the Alkaleri area of the state.
Also, few days after the incident in Alkaleri Council Area, some bandits kidnapped a village head and his son in a community in Toro Local Government Area of the state.
The governor therefore called on the citizens of the state to cooperate with security agencies, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to overcome insecurity in their respective domains, saying that all hands must be on deck to ensure the security of lives and properties.
According to him, if left unchecked, the relative peace being enjoyed in the state would collapse as bandits appears to be emboldened in their onslaught on several parts of the country
He observed, “These recent attacks by bandits in the state are becoming rampant, hence the need for citizens to be on the alert. However, security agencies alone cannot defeat the bandits without the support of the locals”.
“So, I am calling on residents to join hands with security agencies in the state against criminals by being on the lookout and giving vital information on suspicious activities or movements of strange individuals in the area” he said.
The governor promised to strengthen relations between communities and the security agencies, particularly the police in order to further maintain the hitherto relative peace enjoyed in the state.
He sympathized with the residents of Sabon Garin Jada, describing Maryam Mohammed as a heroine, the slain housewife who was killed while preventing the bandits from killing her son.
Governor Bala said that her death was not in vain, assuring that his administration would immortalize her, as her heroic act was an example for others, especially womenfolk.
Mohammed charged the police to promptly respond to distress calls and information made by residents to forestall future reoccurrence.
The Chairman of Alkaleri Local Government Council, Yusuf Garba has earlier in a welcome address disclosed that the bandits infiltrated communities in the area through border neighbouring communities in Plateau and Taraba states.
Alhaji Garba thanked the governor for the visit and urged residents of Alkaleri to continue to be proactive, saying security is not in the hands of security agencies alone, as individuals have roles to play in safeguarding the community.
He expressed gratitude to the governor for the visit, saying it is a demonstration of his love for his people and concern for security.
