By Palma Ileye
Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi has assured of heightened security in continued efforts to ensure safety of lives as well as protection of critical national assets and Infrastructure in Katsina State.
Audi in a press release issued yesterday by the NSCDC, Director of Public Relations, CSC Afolabi Babawale gave the assurance when he played host to the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umar Radda on Wednesday evening at the Corps’ National Headquarters, Abuja.
He said that effective security was sacrosanct to the Corps and strategies were constantly being deployed to ensure that criminality was reduced drastically.
He assured the Governor and the people of Katsina State of the Corps’ commitment to curbing insecurity by employing both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to achieving results.
“I understand that Katsina State had experienced some bandit attacks in the last couple of years.
“Its vulnerability which is partly due to its big size and geographical location as a state bordering other states in the North and the Niger Republic is of great concern.
“But be rest assured that with the on-going recruitment in the Corps, more men would be deployed to Katsina to strengthen security in the state,” the CG hinted.
He reiterated that insecurity in the country took an asymmetric form almost two decades ago and it must not be allowed to spread further.
The Corps helmsman called on State Governors who were the Chief Security Officers of their various States to adopt more robust and inclusive approaches in stepping up security.
According to Audi, State Governments have greater roles to play in providing maximum support that will help in curbing attacks and criminalities in States.
“Sometimes, these bandits come out from their hiding, hit a target and run back to hiding; leaving a devastating effect on both lives and property.
“We have our Special Forces and with scientific collaborations with other security agencies, the attacks will come to an end very soon.
“No single agency can tackle insecurity, hence, the need for a more inclusive operational strategy to end the menace,” CG said.
The CG commended the Governor for the proactive steps taken in the right direction to secure his people and assured of the Corps’ readiness to collaborate effectively with Katsina State Government in the fight against banditry, vandalism and economic sabotage in the State.
Responding, the Katsina State Governor stated that his visit was to further solidify the existing cordial relationship between the Corps and Katsina State Government.
“You have have been very supportive in addressing the issues of insecurity disturbing our people.
“Katsina is one of the states suffering from bandit attacks and other forms of criminalities.
“I have therefore come to solicit for more cooperation and to see how we can collaborate in bringing peace to our state,” he said.
Radda lamented the inadequate number of personnel across security services which has impeded the expected success in the fight against insecurity.
He explained that the State has trained and engaged the service of about one thousand five hundred (1,500) indigenes to assist the conventional security agencies in the State.
The Governor said, “I believe with the engagement of the locals in the form of civilian Joint Task Force, JTF, combined with the conventional security, we will go a long way in combating insecurity and reduce it to the barest minimum.”