‘We’ll Not Allow Criminals To Hold Kebbi Hostage’ – Governor
Governor Nasir Idris on Wednesday said his administration would not allow criminals to hold Kebbi State hostage.
Speaking at the opening of the state security summit organised in collaboration with Kebbi Elders Consultative Forum, the governor said the administration would continue to make heavy investments to contain the security challenges confronting the state.
“We will not allow criminals to hold Kebbi State hostage. My administration will continue to strengthen security measures, provide resources, and sustain joint operations with security agencies until peace returns to every community,” he said.
He assured all residents that government would continue “to make heavy investments to contain the security challenges confronting our state, particularly the activities of the Lakurawa bandits. We are committed to protecting the lives and property of our citizens and will sustain the tempo of our operations.”
He described the security summit as a vital step to strengthening peace and stability in the state, but stressed that security is a collective responsibility requring the support of traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, women organizations, and other critical stakeholders.
Governor Idris said that his administration has put in place deliberate strategies to contain existing and emerging security threats.
He said some of the measures include the establishment of functional State Security Committee comprising government officials, security agencies, and community leaders, enhancing intelligence gathering through investment in modern technology and training for security agencies, and establishment additional military bases especially in vulnerable areas.
According to him, these measures have yielded positive results especially in reducing kidnapping for ransom and other criminal activities in Kebbi South and the infiltration of the criminals into Kebbi North.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Kebbi Elders Consultative Forum, retired Major General Mohammed Magoro, Galadiman Zuru, represented by Justice Suleiman Muhammad Ambursa, Vice Chairman of the forum, also emphasised that security is not the responsibility of government alone but a shared duty of all citizens.
He urged residents to shun acts capable of undermining peace such as banditry, political thuggery, and the misuse of social media.
The summit featured presentations by security chiefs and stakeholders, who delivered papers on strategies for improving security, intelligence sharing, and community engagement.
The Syndicate reports that the summit had in attendance key government officials, prominent elders, traditional and religious leaders, youth and women organisations, politicians, NGOs, and other critical stakeholders.
